On Monday, it was reported by Cecil Hurt of Tuscaloosa News that Kirby Smart is expected to hire Alabama’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Scott Cochran to an on-field coaching position at Georgia.
Chris Low of ESPN shortly followed up that report with one of his own, noting that Cochran would be Georgia’s new Special Teams Coordinator.
Nick Saban plans to tell the @AlabamaFTBL team later Monday afternoon about Scott Cochran leaving for the @GeorgiaFootball special teams job. Cochran’s exit means head trainer Jeff Allen is the lone football staff member remaining that came with Saban to Alabama in 2007.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 24, 2020
Cochran, who has served as Alabama’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach since 2007, is one of the most important assistant coaches in all of college football. He has been a member on each of Nick Saban’s six national title staffs, including 2003 at LSU.
When Smart left Alabama to takeover at Georgia in 2016, Cochran was a coworker that he tried to bring with him but was unsuccessful in doing so. Alabama fans praised Cochran for his loyalty to the program at the time, showing just how important he was to the Tide’s success.
Now, with the report out that he is leaving for Athens, Alabama fans took to Twitter to express their frustration over the change.
They…took….Scott Cochran…Georgia is now the college football team I hate the most. Move over LSU and OSU, I hate Georgia a whole lot more now
— Will Smith(the baseball player) fan (@rhetthulgan) February 24, 2020
Good riddance Scott Cochran. Have fun with the Pillsbury dough boy CKS.
— Brenda🅰️⚾ Bama softball (@b2v4ua) February 24, 2020
Kirby Smart just gotta be Alabama!! He has the if you can't beat them, join them mentality in terms of taking coaches and players that are Alabama!! If he wants to be Bama so bad, why didn't he just stay here?
— DeAndrae R. Sewell I (@kwestion01) February 24, 2020
Scott Cochran, leaving for the University of Georgia with just make beating them extra special when they come to Tuscaloosa this year 😁🐘‼️
— REV. B (@WilliamBrunso10) February 24, 2020
If this Scott Cochran news is true that’s a major blow 😔
— Corey Eskew (@Corey_Eskew) February 24, 2020
While I’m sad to see Scott Cochran go I’ve wanted to see someone new
— Jacob (@JFletch64) February 24, 2020
I’ll be just fine with Scott Cochran trying to coach a position at Georgia. I’d target his group on every opportunity possible, when UGA comes to T-Town is September.
— Shutdown Man (@ShutdownMan) February 24, 2020
My to Hell with Scott Cochran!!
— RollTideAgain2020 (@Again2020Roll) February 24, 2020
It sounds like Ryan Fowler & Drew DeArmond are in full panic mode on @Tide1009fm, in regards to Scott Cochran’s departure to Georgia. Ryan says they’re “shell-shocked”. Drew says the program is at a “crossroads”.
— Shutdown Man (@ShutdownMan) February 24, 2020
Well this sucks if it's true.
Scott Cochran, arguably the most important part of Alabama football beyond Nick Saban, wi…https://t.co/coGTlaclMy pic.twitter.com/lQhPMqKT0v
— Crimson&White Patriot (Roll Tide) (@RamJamRTR) February 24, 2020
My earliest memories from Alabama football games are of watching Scott Cochran run up and down the sidelines holding his 4’s up. Please respect my space in this time of grieving https://t.co/krdwj3h7VS
— raysh (@rayshmor) February 24, 2020
Damn Cochran left for Georgia
— Wee-Yum (@MrGee54) February 24, 2020
Say it ain’t so Scott Cochran.. we will miss you at Bama. 💪🏻 @CoachYeah
— Jordan Alcorn (@continuum12) February 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/CrimsonClio/status/1232042211392528386?s=20
Is there a back up Scott Cochran?
— DCC oñ T//itter (@DsloanD) February 24, 2020
So Scott Cochran decides to leave for a team that…can’t beat Alabama? 🥴
— Zach Henderson (@ZHendo_20) February 24, 2020
Man I just know Scott Cochran not going to Georgia bro. I just know he’s not!!! Absolutely no way!!!!
— Deltwon Travis (@DTravis93) February 24, 2020
Cochran the snake
— Erich Sternkopf (@ErichSternkopf) February 24, 2020
I’m feeling like Saban getting ready to hang it up. Cochran left? Something ain’t right
— Coy🚶🏿♂️ (@coy_moore9) February 24, 2020
Cochran to UGA really isn't a big deal. Our strength and conditioning program has went downhill for several years now. His system was ancient and contributed heavily to recent injury history at Bama in my opinion. Next man up.#RollTide #BamaBros
— Ricky Green (@BamaRLG) February 24, 2020
Scott Cochran???? NOOOOOO
— JK (@JeffJetson_) February 24, 2020
Scott Cochran leaving Bama for UGA, that’s tough.
— Deshaud (@deshaudk) February 24, 2020
Wtf? Kirby poached Scott Cochran? This is bullshit.
— Larry Grace (@LarryGrace) February 24, 2020
Wow. Not Cochran. Damn Kirby.
— High_Tider (@High_Tider) February 24, 2020
He took Cochran 🥺
— Jonathan Hagler (@HaglerX2) February 24, 2020
Scott Cochran lame af🤦🏽♂️
— Lil Fred 🗡 (@1FLGSavo) February 24, 2020
Didn’t expect Scott Cochran news today man.
— Darius McClain (@Dmac_DaDon) February 24, 2020