Bailey, Garwig Released From Coaching Duties
11/30/2025 5:18:00 PM | Football
Safford to call defense for Georgia Southern’s bowl game
STATESBORO - Georgia Southern head football coach Clay Helton announced today that defensive coordinator Brandon Bailey and linebackers coach Alex Garwig have been released from their coaching duties, effective immediately.
The decision comes as part of an immediate shift in football staff responsibilities ahead of the upcoming bowl game.
Darius Safford will coach the secondary and serve as the defensive play caller for the bowl game. Assistant linebackers coach Drew Gaither has been elevated to linebackers coach for the postseason.
"I am thankful to our administration for allowing our football staff and team to finish what they started this season and earn our fourth straight bowl appearance," Helton said. "I am proud of the players and coaches who fought to make this happen. With that being said, my job is to win Sun Belt championships and to assess all areas of our program to make sure we are headed in that direction. Unfortunately, we did not meet the standard of production that resembles a championship defense this season, and I feel that at this time a change is needed.
"Coach Bailey and Coach Garwig will no longer be a part of our football staff moving forward. I thank both men for their service and the effort they gave this season to our team. Coach Safford will take over as our play caller in the bowl game, and I will elevate Drew Gaither to coach our linebackers. The upcoming bowl game is extremely important to us, and I know Coach Safford and staff will do a tremendous job. The search for the new coordinator will begin immediately and will be someone who will lift us up to the standard that is demanded at Georgia Southern."
Georgia Southern (6-6) awaits its bowl destination and opponent. An announcement is expected by Sunday, Dec. 7.
The decision comes as part of an immediate shift in football staff responsibilities ahead of the upcoming bowl game.
Darius Safford will coach the secondary and serve as the defensive play caller for the bowl game. Assistant linebackers coach Drew Gaither has been elevated to linebackers coach for the postseason.
"I am thankful to our administration for allowing our football staff and team to finish what they started this season and earn our fourth straight bowl appearance," Helton said. "I am proud of the players and coaches who fought to make this happen. With that being said, my job is to win Sun Belt championships and to assess all areas of our program to make sure we are headed in that direction. Unfortunately, we did not meet the standard of production that resembles a championship defense this season, and I feel that at this time a change is needed.
"Coach Bailey and Coach Garwig will no longer be a part of our football staff moving forward. I thank both men for their service and the effort they gave this season to our team. Coach Safford will take over as our play caller in the bowl game, and I will elevate Drew Gaither to coach our linebackers. The upcoming bowl game is extremely important to us, and I know Coach Safford and staff will do a tremendous job. The search for the new coordinator will begin immediately and will be someone who will lift us up to the standard that is demanded at Georgia Southern."
Georgia Southern (6-6) awaits its bowl destination and opponent. An announcement is expected by Sunday, Dec. 7.
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