IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN: Sanford Stadium are over joy as former Georgia Bulldogs legend Garrison Hearst has Returned to former team as a new….…see more

In a powerful homecoming that’s stirring memories of Georgia’s glory days, legendary running back Garrison Hearst has officially returned to the University of Georgia — this time, not as a player, but as a Senior Advisor for Player Development and Alumni Relations.

The announcement was made in front of a packed house at Sanford Stadium, where fans, alumni, and current players welcomed Hearst back with a standing ovation that echoed through the iconic “Between the Hedges” grounds.

“IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN,” read the official Georgia Football statement. “One of our greatest Dawgs is back home where he belongs.”

A Legend Returns to His Roots

Garrison Hearst, one of the most electrifying players in Georgia football history, starred for the Bulldogs from 1990 to 1992, earning SEC Player of the Year honors and finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting in his junior year. He later enjoyed a successful NFL career, highlighted by a Pro Bowl comeback with the San Francisco 49ers.

Now, over 30 years since he first wowed crowds in Athens, Hearst is back in red and black — ready to help shape the next generation of Bulldogs both on and off the field.

“Georgia made me the man I am,” Hearst said at the press event. “Now it’s time for me to give that back — to these young guys, to the fans, and to the school that believed in me.”

Hearst’s Role: Mentorship and Legacy

In his new position, Hearst will work closely with Head Coach Kirby Smart and the UGA athletic department, focusing on:

• Mentoring current student-athletes on leadership, discipline, and life after football

• Strengthening relationships with alumni and former players

• Assisting in community outreach and recruiting efforts, sharing his story to inspire the next wave of Bulldogs

“Garrison has walked the walk,” Coach Smart said. “His return isn’t just symbolic — he’s going to make an impact, starting day one.”

Dawg Nation Reacts

As news spread, fans across Georgia and the SEC took to social media to celebrate the return of one of their all-time greats.

“Garrison Hearst back in Athens? That’s not just a win — that’s a legacy move,” one fan tweeted.
“This is what Georgia football is all about — family, tradition, and coming home.”

Even former teammates and rivals chimed in with praise. Legendary Georgia coach Ray Goff, who recruited Hearst in the early ’90s, called it a “beautiful moment for Bulldog history.”

Sanford Stadium has seen countless legends — but few with the legacy, heart, and loyalty of Garrison Hearst.
And now, the No. 5 that once tore through SEC defenses returns to help lead, inspire, and uplift.

He’s home. And Bulldog Nation couldn’t be prouder.