The Georgia Bulldogs announced the hire of tight ends coach Todd Hartley Monday morning.

The Gray, Ga., native is a UGA graduate and has served as Miami’s tight ends coach and special teams coordinator for the last three seasons under Mark Richt.

“We expect Todd to be a great fit back at Georgia,” Kirby Smart said in a statement released by the university.  “He worked with the team while he was in school at UGA until he graduated and then returned to our program for another year later in his career in a separate role so there is no doubting his allegiance and excitement about returning to join the Bulldogs.  Todd has proven himself as an excellent position coach and as a top-notch recruiter and we look forward to his return to Athens.”

Hartley originally joined the Bulldogs’ staff as a student-assistant at the end of the 2005 season. He’s coached at West Virginia and Marshall in addition to Georgia.

“I’m very thankful to Coach Smart for giving me and my family the opportunity to come back home,” said Hartley. “I’m honored to be the tight ends coach at my alma mater, a program which has become one that competes for national championships annually.  I’m fired up to put that ‘G’ back on my chest and I’m ready to get to work!”

Kirby Smart shared the news via Twitter: