Georgia, Steelers legend Hines Ward joins college football coaching staff
Former Georgia football and Pittsburgh Steelers star Hines Ward is moving into the college football coaching ranks with a new gig.
It’s been more than two decades, but former Georgia football star Hines Ward is back in college.
According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Ward is joining the Florida Atlantic coaching staff under Willie Taggart.
A report from The Owl’s Nest suggests the Steelers great will have an “off-field coaching role” working with wide receivers coach Joey Thomas.
Source: Former #Steelers and #Georgia wide receiver Hines Ward is set to join #FloridaAtlantic's coaching staff. Ward, who played 14 NFL seasons, spent 2019-20 as a Jets offensive assistant. @FAU_Owls_Nest first reported the move, noting Ward will work with WRs coach Joey Thomas.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 21, 2021
Hines Ward enters the next phase of his career as a coach
When he left Georgia, Ward ranked fifth in yards from scrimmage in program history. He now ranks 11th.
After the Steelers picked him in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft, he went on to a stellar pro career. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion in Pittsburgh, where his toughness and willingness to contribute as a blocker set him apart.
He retired in 2011 with 12,083 yards and 85 career touchdowns to his name.
The urge to return to football landed him a place with the Steelers as an intern in 2017. By 2019, he was hired as an offensive assistant for the Jets.
This next step will be a chance for him to continue his progress into coaching, this time in college.
He’ll have the opportunity to make a big impact on the Owls. Last year their leading receiver had just 334 yards. Most of the 2020 receiving corps will be back in 2021, but they’ll need to pick up their production. Who better to help them find a way to do it than an NFL great?
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