Bound Mark Richt won’t coach Georgia in bowl

The fellow Elite 11 finalist announced his intentions on Sunday but seemed significantly less enthused two days later when asked how he felt regarding Eason’s trip to The Swamp. We don’t think we need to tell you how good this news is for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

But critics say he hasn’t won any SEC titles lately, and can’t get over the Alabama hump. It’s expected to be announced no earlier than Monday that Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart will replace Richt on a permanent basis.

Bryan McClendon, who is UGA’s recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach, will take over as UGA’s interim coach.

Other names were mentioned, including Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen and former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano.

The school’s athletic association tweeted that Bryan McClendon has been named the interim head coach and will coach the team in the bowl game. Canes quarterback Brad Kaaya is considered one of the best in the country. He parted ways with Georgia after 15 seasons and there was talk of taking some time off from coaching and even rumors of remaining in Georgia to begin a political career.

Alabama can all but assure its spot in college football’s four-team playoff with a win Saturday over Florida in the SEC championship game. A native of Bainbridge, he played safety for the Bulldogs from 1995-98 and served as a team captain his senior season. Coach Richt has always been a guy I’ve admired, especially as an aspiring coach myself.

Nick Saban will continue to succeed with Alabama after the departure of Kirby Smart, there’s no doubt in our mind about that.

On a personal note, as big a Georgia fan as I am, I will also be following the Hurricanes closely now as well. He was 145-51 during a 15 year stretch at the head of the Bulldogs’ sideline, and is coming off a 9-3 season in Athens.

The program he takes over has been in a rut since its back-to-back national championship game appearances in 2001-02.

Richt was excited about coaching Georgia in its bowl game before he found his new job at Miami, his alma mater, so quickly. In fact, South Carolina’s interest in Smart may have hastened the decision to move on Richt.