School Expected to Hire Mark Richt

Citing unnamed sources, ESPN learned Richt and UM came to an agreement and will likely confirm the news by the end of the week. Plus, recruiting season is in full swing, and Richt would have to be cleared by Miami’s compliance office before he can represent the institution. The person spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed and the university has not announced the hire publicly. After Richt, Miami was also considering former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano, current Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen and former Hurricanes coach Butch Davis.

Richt leaves a Bulldogs team that he coached for 15 seasons. 22 UCLA. This is Helton’s first head coaching job since he beginning his coaching career in 1995. In fact, South Carolina’s interest in Smart may have hastened the decision to move on Richt. He won two SEC championships and had the Bulldogs in five conference championship games.

Richt will take over a Miami team that finished the regular season 8-4 and third in the ACC-Coastal division (5-3). That remains to be seen, he could very well follow Richt at Miami.

The Boca Raton High School graduate was a back-up quarterback to Hall of Famer Jim Kelly for the Canes from 1978-1982. In an ideal situation, Georgia would bring in a coach who has run his own team, but with few established names available, the Bulldogs will have to turn to a promising coordinator. Assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon will serve as interim head coach.

After giving up play calling duties a few years ago, Richt said in a press conference on Monday that he would like to be more involved in his next coaching gig.

Richt said he plans to do more hands-on quarterback and offensive coaching than he did late in his time at Georgia, and he has a good one to work with in Brad Kaaya.

Maryland: It was reported Wednesday that the Terrapins settled on MI defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin to replace Randy Edsall, who was sacked following an October 10 loss to Ohio State.

Smart’s wife, Mary Beth, previously played basketball in Georgia, as well as being part of the athletic department there.