Georgia takes another step toward completing staff

ATHENS — Connecticut secondary coach Scott Lakatos has been named the defensive backs coach at Georgia, according to a press release by the Bulldogs.

“We’re very pleased that Scott has accepted the offer to join our defensive staff,” Georgia coach Mark Richt siad in a statement. “He has an outstanding resume of success over the course of his career and will bring a great deal of experience and expertise to our coaching staff.”

The Huskies defeated South Carolina, 20-7, in the 2010 Papajohns.com bowl.

“I would like to thank the University of Connecticut for giving me the opportunity to work with a great group of coaches and players in our football program,” said Lakatos. “My family and I will be forever grateful for the great memories and wonderful friendships we now have.

“I am now very excited to begin our next journey with the University of Georgia. We are excited to become a part of a great university community as well as a nationally respected program and an SEC power.”

In 2008, the UConn secondary helped the Huskies achieve a national ranking of No. 9 in pass efficiency defense. Cornerback Darius Butler was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots while safety Dahna Deleston signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Bears.

Led by Oakland Raiders draftee Tyvon Branch, UConn was 10th nationally in passing efficiency defense in 2007 and 17th in passing defense en route to the Big East title.

In 2005, UConn again led its conference in total defense. The major reason was its passing defense, where the Huskies ranked fourth nationally in least yards allowed per game and seventh in passing efficiency defense. UConn was 25th nationally in passing defense in 2006.

In 2004, the Huskies ranked first in the Big East, and in the top 20 nationally, in passing defense, yielding just 190.0 yards per game. The low sum helped UConn also lead the Big East in total defense in 2004. Leading the unit was first-team All-Big East selection, and Kansas City Chiefs signee, Justin Perkins, who made five interceptions on the year and tied for 14th in the nation in passes defended.

Lakatos came to Storrs in 2004 after spending the previous three seasons as the secondary coach at Rutgers. He was a part of a Scarlet Knights program which improved from 2-9 in 2001 to 5-7 in 2003. In 2003, Rutgers ranked second in the Big East in passing defense, yielding 216.42 yards per game, a total surpassed in the conference only by national-leader Miami. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Knights’ passing efficiency defense improved each of the three years under his tutelage before jumping up sharply in 2004 following Lakatos’ departure for UConn.