Mel Tucker Hired as Georgia DC: Latest Comments and Reaction

The Georgia Bulldogs lured former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart away from Tuscaloosa to be their head coach. Now, Smart has landed another former Crimson Tide assistant for his staff, as Mel Tucker will be Georgia's new defensive coordinator, according to Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman.

Tucker was previously the defensive backs coach at Alabama and was a veteran NFL defensive coordinator before then. 

Georgia could never quite get over the hump with former head coach Mark Richt at the helm, so it is simply pulling from the biggest obstacle to everyone else in the SEC. Weakening Nick Saban's staff at Alabama probably wasn't the primary intention, but it's a nice byproduct of Smart's hiring.

Buck Belue of 680 The Fan in Atlanta applauded the decision for the Bulldogs to bring Tucker aboard and referenced how he could help the team rebound after not meeting expectations in 2015:  

Tucker is clearly cut out to handle play-calling duties in Athens. The 44-year-old had prior experience at a big-time college program in Ohio State as a member of Jim Tressel's staff.

He then proceeded to the pros to serve stints as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears, respectively. Smart couldn't have done much better than Tucker as a defensive coordinator.

With his expertise being in the secondary, landing with Georgia had to be an attractive option for Tucker, considering the Bulldogs were the top-ranked passing defense in the country in 2015. His arrival should only make Georgia even more formidable against the pass.