Gilbert joins UGA’s strength staff

Former All-SEC linebacker, three-year Georgia letterman and NFL veteran Tony Gilbert has been named an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Bulldogs, according to an announcement Tuesday by head football coach Mark Richt.

Gilbert, a Macon native, was the defensive captain of the Bulldogs’ 2002 SEC championship team, which finished 13-1 overall, won the Sugar Bowl and finished the season ranked third in the national polls. He had 114 tackles that season, including 2.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. He earned second-team All-SEC honors that season and ranks 10th on Georgia’s all-time tackles list with 328.

“I’m thrilled to have Tony as part of our strength staff and program,” Richt said. “His experience as a member of a UGA SEC championship team and an NFL player is a perfect combination for us. Our players will benefit greatly from his knowledge.”

Gilbert was drafted in 2003 by the Arizona Cardinals and played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons during his NFL career.

“I’m very excited and thankful for the opportunity to come back and be a member of the staff here at Georgia,” Gilbert said. “This is where I played, went to school and graduated, so I consider it an honor to contribute once again to the program and to have an impact on young men’s lives. I’m really looking forward to it.”