Georgia filled the last opening on its football coaching staff on Friday with the hiring of Vanderbilt assistant Warren Belin as a linebackers coach.

Belin coached that position with the Commodores for the past eight seasons and was recruiting coordinator the past two.

His addition to the overhauled Bulldogs defensive staff was announced two days after national signing day for recruits and more than two months after coach Mark Richt fired three defensive assistants on Dec. 2.

“I’m looking forward to the next step in my career with Coach Richt and the opportunity to compete for SEC and national championships,” Belin said in a statement released late Friday afternoon.

Belin will coach either inside or outside linebackers in the Bulldogs’ new 3-4 scheme, but Georgia didn’t specify which one. New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will also coach linebackers.

Georgia will be playing on the SEC's regionally televised game Oct. 17 at Vanderbilt.

Kickoff is set for 12:21 p.m. ET, which is 11:21 a.m. local time in Nashville, Tenn.

It will be the second straight week Georgia will be on the SEC Network game after playing on ABC, ESPN2, ESPN, ESPNU and CBS in its first five games. The Bulldogs play at Tennessee Saturday at 12:21 p.m.

Georgia is 3-2 overall, but fell out of the top 25 for the first time since 2006. Vanderbilt is 2-3 overall and 0-3 in the SEC.

Sanford Stadium has the typical 12:30 p.m. game feel to it today.

A slow arriving crowd. A little sleepy-eyed.

The game, of course, does have major implications in the SEC East race.

“We’re well aware of the standings in the SEC, but we remind them every day with the opportunities that we do have,” Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson said. “It certainly motivates them and gets their attention. They know we’re playing a really quality opponent and for us to win, we’ve got to prepare well and be in the right frame of mind.”

One of the keys for the game will be how Georgia protects Matthew Stafford. Clint Boling gets his first start at left tackle.

The Commodores lead the SEC with 20 sacks.

Vanderbilt comes to Sanford Stadium this week but this isn’t the same Vanderbilt that’s been the SEC’s perpetual punching bag. The Commodores are ranked No. 22 and currently lead the SEC East by a half of a game.

In seasons past, Georgia might have been able to use Vanderbilt as a tune-up leading into back-to-back games against LSU and Florida. But this Georgia team can’t do that. Not only does Georgia have real issues at offensive line and scoring touchdowns, but Vanderbilt is a team perfectly capable of beating the Bulldogs without flukes.

Vanderbilt trailed in all five of its wins, including victories against Auburn and South Carolina which were ranked at the time. Vanderbilt’s defense has proven adept at forcing big plays. The Commodores lead the league in sacks (20) and are tied for the lead in interceptions (11).

A pretty newsy Monday.

Vanderbilt is switching starting quarterbacks from Chris Nickson to Mackenzi Adams.

Tommy Bowden is out at Clemson.

The LSU game time won’t be determined until Sunday.

You might not think that last one is a big deal, but whether the LSU game starts at 3:30 p.m. or 7:45 p.m. is probably a big deal to the coaching staff, which will have to turn around and play a game against Florida the next week. Plus, night games at LSU are not usually fun for the visiting team.

Bowden’s departure from Clemson hits close to home for Mark Richt, who coached for his mentor Bobby Bowden at Florida State and sent his son, Jon, across the state line to play for Tommy.