Larry Knight Returns to Georgia as Outside Linebackers Coach

Athens, Ga. – Kirby Smart has announced the hiring of Larry Knight as the new Outside Linebackers Coach for the University of Georgia football program. Knight, a native of Augusta, Georgia, returns to the Peach State after a brief stint with the West Virginia Mountaineers.

A Proven Coach and Recruiter

“We are excited to add a coach and a man of Coach Knight’s caliber to the staff,” said Coach Smart in a statement released by Georgia Dogs. “He has produced on the field at all of his coaching stops and has also proven his worth as one of the best recruiters around. Coach Knight was a conference champion on the field when he played for Central Michigan and I realize he is ready to receive to work in his home state.”

Recent Coaching Experience

Prior to returning to Georgia, Knight served as an edges and pass rush specialist at West Virginia for one month. Before that, he was the defensive ends coach and run game coordinator at Arkansas State during the 2025 season, helping the Red Wolves achieve a 7-win season and a second-place finish in the Sun Belt Conference Western Division. As reported by the Red & Black, Arkansas State’s defense under Knight recorded 39 sacks, tying for the most in the Sun Belt and ranking among the top nationally with an average of 3.00 sacks per game.

Extensive Coaching Background

Knight’s coaching career includes previous positions at Temple, where he coached the defensive line for two seasons (2023-2024), and a Bill Walsh Minority Internship with the Green Bay Packers in the spring of 2025. He also has experience at Georgia Tech (2019-2022) as the defensive line and defensive recruiting coordinator, Georgia State (2015-2016) as an outside linebackers coach, Tennessee (2013-2015) as a defensive graduate assistant and quality control coach, and Cincinnati (2011-2012) as a defensive line graduate assistant. WRDW reports that during his time at Georgia Tech, Knight helped secure top-25 recruiting classes, including the highest-rated defensive line class in program history in 2021.

Playing Career and Education

Knight was a four-year letterwinner and a Mid-American Conference all-league performer at defensive end for Central Michigan in 2009, contributing to three conference titles. He earned his bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and marketing from Central Michigan in 2010.

Personal Life

Larry Knight is married to Marquita Knight, and his parents, Larry Knight Sr. And Delores Knight, reside in Augusta, Georgia.