Mark Richt hired as Miami Hurricanes head coach

Georgia announced Thursday that assistant Bryan McClendon will be the interim coach. The latter was visiting UM quarterback commit Jack Allison when the news of Richt’s decision broke Wednesday.

Richt will inherit Miami’s two sophomore sensations in quarterback Brad Kaaya and running back Joseph Yearby. USC, Georgia, and Miami are just a few of the schools who had a shake up, while LSU chose to stand pat with longtime head coach Les Miles.

McClendon being named bowl coach is another indication he will be retained by incoming coach Kirby Smart, though McClendon is also still free to pursue other opportunities if he wishes. The retired coach considers Miami a flawless fit for Richt – a former Canes quarterback.

Richt spoke with enthusiasm when asked about his agreement to coach the Bulldogs in a bowl game.

Richt is one of the best coaches in the country and his 145-51 record at the University of Georgia.

During a farewell press conference on Monday, Richt implied that he was not done coaching and would pursue other jobs.

The Walter Camp award is voted on by FBS head coaches and sports information directors, and the victor will be announced December 10.

Richt won two SEC Championships in his first five years at Georgia and none in his last 10 years.

Some projections have Georgia and Miami playing in a bowl game.

Richt, 55, interviewed with the Hurricanes on Tuesday and was immediately considered the frontrunner for the job after parting ways with Georgia last week. Scott took over for the remainder of the year and has led the team to a berth in a bowl game. Many fans campaigned for months with hope that Miami would hire Butch Davis, who left the school in 2000 and went 52-59 in his subsequent stops with the Cleveland Browns and North Carolina.

Brandt also predicted that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano would get the Rutgers job, where he has coached before, and that Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would be hired at SC. Among some trustees not directly involved in the search process, Scott had some support as well. With any luck the Canes will hold their coaches clinic again next summer so I can get to have a sit down with Coach Richt as a dream come true!

Miami didn’t need long to change his mind.