Richt fills openings on staff

<p>Georgia filled the two openings on its football coaching staff, hiring former Bulldog defensive back Kirby Smart and Central Michigan defensive coordinator John Jancek.</p><p>Smart, an All-Southeastern Conference safety in 1998, will replace Ken Rucker as Georgia's running backs coach. Jancek will coach the linebackers, filling the spot created when defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder took a job with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.</p><p>Coach Mark Richt noted that Jancek has worked previously with Van Gorder and new defensive coordinator Willie Martinez.</p><p>"John got much of his training from both of them during his time at Wayne State and Central Florida and already knows our defensive system from top to bottom," Richt said Sunday. "I think he will be a perfect fit right away."</p><p>Smart, who played at Georgia from 1995-98, was a teammate of current quarterback coach Mike Bobo. Smart was the secondary coach at LSU this past season, following stints at Florida State and Valdosta State.</p><p>"We're getting a high energy coach with lots of enthusiasm who is also an outstanding recruiter," Richt said. "While most of his background is on the defensive side of the ball, I think he can add a new dimension and perspective to our offensive staff as we go about developing offensive game plans. And coming mostly from a defensive background could help develop physical toughness at the running back position."</p><p>Jancek spent the past two seasons at Central Michigan. He previously coached at Grand Valley State, Hillsdale, Central Florida, Wayne State and Grand Valley, another example of Richt's willingness to hire coaches from less-prominent schools.</p>

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