The University has confirmed that Tracy Rocker will not be returning in 2017 as associate head coach and defensive line coach. The former Auburn All-American and Outland Trophy winner joined outside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer as one of only two holdovers from the Mark Richt era. Rocker came to Athens from the NFL, where he had spent three years as the defensive line coach for the Tennessee Titans.
Rocker oversaw the recruitment and development of Trenton Thompson and DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle at defensive tackle under Coach Richt. He then oversaw the recruiting of one of the most talented defensive line classes in recent UGA history in 2016, with most of those freshmen playing significant minutes and occasionally starting during the 2016 season.