Mark Richt is gone and it may not be entirely his fault. Georgia’s veteran coach may have been at the wrong place, wrong time with Kirby Smart seemingly ready to make a move.
We’ve been over the angst at Georgia regarding Richt enough. Fifteen sometimes-glorious years came to an end Sunday after a nine-win season. Strange, yes. But considering the possible availability of Alabama’s defensive coordinator, it makes total sense.
According to reports, Smart has become the leading candidate at South Carolina. It may be as simple as that: Smart being available made Richt expendable.
Athletic director Greg McGarity would be adding one of the hottest coaching candidates (Smart), while losing one of the hottest coaching candidates. If he chooses, Richt will have no shortage of suitors including Miami, Missouri and Maryland.
For years, Smart’s had his name come up for openings. It made sense. His defenses have finished out of the top five once (12th in 2014) since Smart, 39, became Nick Saban’s coordinator in 2008. This year, he’s developed what is considered one of the best front sevens in football.
Smart played defensive back at Georgia from 1995-98, then started his coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Dawgs in 1999. He later returned to become Richt’s running backs coach in 2005.
If Smart does leave Bama -- and it looks likely now -- that would leave a huge gap in Alabama’s coaching roster. At some point, the issue of when he would leave would have to be addressed. The Crimson Tide will assuredly advance to their second straight College Football Playoff by beating Florida in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday.
Smart is clearly the leading candidate. One source even speculated that Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, a former Georgia DB himself, could join Smart in Athens.
Four other candidates for the Georgia job
Dan Mullen, Mississippi State coach: Mullen previously worked with McGarity at Florida. There is an element at Georgia that wants to go offense with its next coaching hire. Mullen would be a home run in that respect. A huge question for whoever is the next coach: Can he keep Jacob Eason at Georgia? The top-five quarterback from the state of Washington has been committed to the Bulldogs (and Richt) for quite a while.
Tom Herman, Houston coach: The quarterback whisperer would satisfy Georgia’s offensive itch, but it’s looking more and more like he’s staying at Houston.
Mike Bobo, Colorado State coach: Georgia fans didn’t have a great relationship with Bobo when he was there as offensive coordinator last year. There can’t be much buzz after Bobo went 7-5 in his first season with the Rams.
Greg Schiano: The former Rutgers coach is also considered a candidate at Maryland and Miami.
