Report: Georgia DC Mel Tucker to become head coach of Power 5 school

Mel Tucker is finally getting a shot to be a head coach.

Georgia’s defensive coordinator has reached a deal to take over at Colorado, according to a report from Buffaloes beat writer Brian Howell, who cited anonymous sources indicating Tucker will be officially installed as coach Wednesday.

Deal is done: Sources tell me the #cubuffs finalized a deal with Mel Tucker late Tuesday night. Tucker, Georgia's defensive coordinator the past 3 seasons, will be officially announced as Colorado's new head football coach later today.

— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) December 5, 2018

Tucker has served on Kirby Smart’s staff since following him to Georgia in 2016. The 46-year-old defensive assistant has never been a full-time head coach, though he served as interim for the Jacksonville Jaguars during the final five games of 2011.

Colorado parted ways with six-year coach Mike MacIntyre on Nov. 18. The Buffaloes, who won 10 games and the Pac-12 South title under MacIntyre in 2016, lost six straight games after starting 5-0 this season.

It will be interesting to see if any Bulldogs staffers follow Tucker to Boulder, Colorado, and who Smart targets to be his next defensive coordinator.