ATHENS — Florida State tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator John Lilly was named Thursday as tight ends coach at the University of Georgia.

Lilly, who has coached Seminole tight ends since 1998, worked with Georgia head coach Mark Richt when Richt was offensive coordinator at FSU. At Georgia, he replaces David Johnson, who spent seven seasons in Athens before leaving last week to coach the offensive line at West Virginia.

"I've known John since 1995 and know exactly what we are getting," said Richt, who has led the Bulldogs since 2001. "He has exceptional football knowledge, especially regarding the tight end position, and he's an outstanding recruiter."

Lilly said he is "eager to get to work to help in any way possible in making the Bulldogs the top college football profram in the nation."

The Beckley, W.Va., native played quarterback, wide receiver and special teams for Guilford College and was an assistant coach at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, N.C., from 1991-94. He was a graduate assistant and videographer at FSU before coaching tight ends.

In 2006, Seminole tight ends had 38 receptions, the most as a group since 1990 and second-most receptions in FSU history by the tight end position.