Kirk Benedict

Biography

Kirk Benedict was named the Bulldogs’ Special Teams Coordinator in February 2024 after serving two years as the team’s Special Teams Analyst. Benedict’s special teams unit shined as brightly as ever in his fourth year at Georgia en route to the team’s second straight Southeastern Conference title and second consecutive trip to the College Football Playoff. Punter Brett Thorson collected the Bulldogs’ second Ray Guy Award, snapper Beau Gardner clinched the first Patrick Mannelly Award in school history and kicker Peyton Woodring was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award for the third time in his career. Thorson also earned Walter Camp and USA Today All-America First Team honors after averaging 45.5 yards on 2,094 punts, including forcing 25 fair catches and sending 15 balls that traveled 50 or more yards. Georgia finished fourth nationally in Net Punting (43.5) and gave up the country’s fifth fewest punt return yards (18). Gardner snapped on 72 of 73 Woodring’s field goal attempts or PATs and all of Thorson’s 52 punts and was named an AFCA First Team All-American. Woodring finished the year 17 for 19 on field goals and drilled three that traveled 50 or more yards. The All-SEC Second Team selection stands fifth on UGA’s all-time list for PATs made (173) and seventh for points scored kicking (350). Benedict’s unit excelled throughout the Bulldogs’ run to their 2024 SEC championship and their fourth appearance in the CFP since 2017. Thorson was named a Ray Guy Award finali