UGA's Jim Chaney's, Sam Pittman's special bond spans three SEC programs

Georgia first-year offensive line coach Sam Pittman talks to five-star freshman tight end Isaac Nauta during the G-Day game in April.
Georgia first-year offensive line coach Sam Pittman talks to five-star freshman tight end Isaac Nauta during the G-Day game in April.

The amusing bond between new Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Chaney and new Bulldogs offensive line coach Sam Pittman was reflected recently when Chaney was asked about the influence he had in luring Pittman from Arkansas.

"Not much," Chaney said. "I tried to convince him to stay. I didn't want him around here. He's a pain in the butt."

Chaney and Pittman are coaching together at their third Southeastern Conference program. The two had their same roles at Tennessee in 2012 and at Arkansas for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. While Pittman remained at Arkansas last year, Chaney left the SEC for what turned out to be a one-year stint as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator.

The two never worked together until four years ago in Knoxville, but their similarities are limitless.

Each is 54 years old, and each is of substantial girth. They also share humble beginnings, with Chaney having graduated from Central Missouri State and having begun his coaching career at Cal State Fullerton, and with Pittman having graduated from Pittsburg (Kan.) State and having begun his career at Princeton (Mo.) High School.

"He's one of my best friends, and he's a heck of a line coach and an outstanding line recruiter," Chaney said. "I always feel comfortable when Sam is with us. We're going to have good players, and he's going to coach them better than anybody else."

Pittman had the largest offensive line in football, college or pro, each of the past two seasons, with the 2014 Razorbacks averaging 325 pounds up front and last year's Hogs averaging 328. Getting the Bulldogs bigger and more physical have been objectives since Dec. 12, when the hirings of Chaney and Pittman were announced.

Georgia linemen have been getting bigger and stronger the last several months, and they've had fun along the way.

"I love my coaches," senior center Brandon Kublanow said, "especially when those two are together. When they get together they are really funny, and they've got a great relationship, which helps in their teaching."

Said junior left tackle Isaiah Wynn: "You can definitely tell they have a past together. They feed off each other, and their energy will get you going. I get a big smile on my face just talking about them."

For the last four seasons, a Pittman-coached offensive line has led the SEC in fewest sacks allowed. The fact Arkansas has predominantly been run-oriented under Bret Bielema factors into that stat, but Tennessee threw it 477 times with Tyler Bray in 2012 and allowed just 0.67 sacks per game.

Arkansas allowed 0.67 sacks per game in 2013, and the 2014 Razorbacks gave up a sack once every 37.63 passes.

Pittman has not been made available to the media since being hired, but Chaney said the secret to their success as a tandem is not taking life too seriously.

"I think we understand where football fits in the big picture," Chaney said. "We're trying to help these young men grow up. We want to win football games and do the best we can, but we also laugh at ourselves a little bit. I think his personality and my personality blend really well.

"We understand and we desire the same things in life. We want to win football games, and that keeps a smile on our face."

Odds and ends

The Bulldogs practiced Monday afternoon for two hours.... Sophomore Rashad Roundtree, who played in 12 games last season and made six tackles, moved up from safety to work with the inside linebackers.... Junior safety Dominick Sanders when asked by reporters Monday night about Alabama transfer Maurice Smith, who is working as a nickel back: "He has been vocal and has let us know that he is ready to come in here and work."

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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