“We mutually agreed that he would step down as head coach and would have the opportunity to accept other duties and responsibilities at UGA following the bowl game”. Soon after, Georgia announced the news that Richt was out as coach.
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Richt went 9-3 in his final regular season as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.
Several Georgia assistant coaches were scheduled to go recruiting this week, but those plans have been scratched.
Former Georgia coach Mark Richt won a lot, just not the right games. The winningest coach in program history, with more wins than Barry and Bud; the man who owned the Big 12 since he walked on campus in 1999, was in his last days.
On Sunday, Georgia announced that it would be parting ways with its longtime head coach, officially calling it a mutual decision, although it’s hard to view the move as anything but a firing. Many of them were surprised to hear on Sunday that Richt was stepping down.
“I expected it”, McGarity said. Losses to Tennessee, Alabama and Florida ended Georgia’s hopes for a SEC championship. Georgia has the facilities and support to win national championships and plays on the easier side of the SEC. Richt won the SEC East six times, but unfortunately for him the Bulldogs typically ran into a better team in the championship game where he holds a record of 2-4.
With Steve Spurrier, Gary Pinkel and Richt gone, at least 11 of the SEC’s 14 coaches will have been hired in 2012 or later by the time next season comes around. Jimbo Fisher, head coach, Florida State Everyone just assumes Fisher wants to leave the ACC for the SEC. More damning: It couldn’t win the SEC East Division the last three seasons, despite having the best talent.
Much speculation initially will focus on Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a Georgia alum who is also firmly in the mix at SC. But athletics director Greg McGarity also enters a very competitive market this offseason, where LSU, Southern California, Virginia Tech and SC are also open, as well as almost a dozen more programs.
There have been around 15 coaches fired in recent months, including from prominent programs such as USC, Miami and now Georgia.
He said he was at peace with the school’s decision saying you couldn’t have all the excitement without the disappointment. Campbell will replace Paul Rhoads, who was sacked a week ago after seven seasons.
Georgia now adds its name to the laundry list of schools that are searching for a football coach.
Flood was suspended for three games this season for making inappropriate contact with a professor regarding a player’s academics. It left London with a 27-46 record at the school. Michigan’s D.J. Durkin, Stanford’s Mike Bloomgren, UCLA’s Noel Mazzone, Oregon’s Scott Frost, TCU’s Doug Meachum, San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich and former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton have all spoken with the Terps’ brass. Alabama is No. 2. The Tigers received 53 first-place votes and the Crimson Tide got the other eight from the media panel.
It was the same Stoops Saturday night, celebrating a huge win in the bitter Bedlam series on the road, all but clinching a spot in the College Football Playoff.
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Notre Dame dropped to No. 9 and Oklahoma State fell to No. 14.
