Georgia faces 2 former defensive coordinators

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — The Georgia Bulldogs aren’t really hosting a defensive coordinators’ reunion Saturday night in Auburn. It just seems that way.

Auburn defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder got his start in major college football running Georgia’s defense. Secondary coach Willie Martinez used to hold that job, too.

Both will face their former team and boss, Mark Richt, for the first time Saturday night.

They’ll have far more on their minds than that reunion. The Tigers’ inconsistent, youthful defense must find a way to contain one of the Southeastern Conference’s top offenses.

Richt says there are few secrets in college football or the SEC, anyway. He says the Bulldogs’ offense has changed since VanGorder left in 2004 and Martinez in 2009.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik, however, says that familiarity “certainly can’t hurt you.”