Top Candidates to Replace Mark Richt at Georgia
"Black Sunday" is upon us, and it hit the red and black hard.
Georgia announced Sunday afternoon that Richt is out as Georgia's head coach following a 9-3 season and the absence of an SEC East title for the third straight season.
"Coach Richt and I met Sunday morning to discuss the status of our football program," athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement, "and 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."
Richt compiled a 145-51 record in 15 years in Athens, claimed two SEC titles and won the SEC East five times.
"I appreciate the opportunity of serving the University as well as considering any other options that may present themselves in the future," Richt said in the press release.
Who will likely replace Richt in Athens? Our top candidates, based on fit, experience and style, are in this slideshow.
Mississippi State Head Coach Dan Mullen
1 of 5
Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen could be an obvious choice for athletic director Greg McGarity to reach out to.
This year, he's losing quarterback Dak Prescott, who quite possibly is the best player to ever put on a Mississippi State uniform. He led the Bulldogs to their first-ever No. 1 ranking during last season's 10-win campaign, and followed it up with an 8-4 record in 2015 in the face of massive roster upheaval.
"Dan Mullen has wanted that Georgia job pretty badly for a while. I bet the Dawgs aim higher at first, though.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 29, 2015"
He has led the program to six straight bowl appearances for the first time in program history, but he might feel like the program has peaked and could look for an out.
Would he, though?
He makes $4.27 million in Starkville and has earned some of the most airtight job security in the profession. That's a lot to pass up. If he does, though, he would be a home run hire for the Bulldogs.
Alabama Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin
2 of 5
Before you laugh out loud and completely rule out the idea of Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin as Georgia's next head coach, give it a chance.
When you do, it actually makes sense.
He's a brilliant offensive mind who has transformed questionable quarterbacks into stars, including Jake Coker at Alabama this year, Blake Sims last year and former Tennessee signal-caller Jonathan Crompton in 2009. He's a tireless recruiter who could save a 2016 recruiting class that should be one of the nation's best. Plus he's had two years to figure out what went wrong during his previous head coaching stints while serving as a coordinator under Nick Saban.
Is he culturally a fit for Athens? Of course not. That's what should make him somewhat attractive, though. Maybe Georgia needs a culture shock.
Kiffin would be it.
Houston Head Coach Tom Herman
3 of 5
Houston head coach Tom Herman has evolved into the knee-jerk reaction for any program in the coaching market that needs an offensive boost, and for good reason.
In his first year as the Cougars head coach, Herman posted an 11-1 record, won the American Athletic Conference Western division and will lead his team into the conference title game this week. That's fresh off a national title run as Ohio State's offensive coordinator in 2014 when he lost Heisman Trophy contending quarterback Braxton Miller prior to the season, formed J.T. Barrett into one on the fly during the season and then helped third-stringer Cardale Jones polish off a national title.
Not a bad resume, especially for Georgia, which could use a boost at quarterback.
"If the 'QB Whisperer' = @CoachTomHerman ... today solidified the 'Running Backs Whisperer' = @KenithPope. Right!? pic.twitter.com/iU5CKEXDaS
— #HTownTakeover (@UHCougarFB) November 28, 2015"
He has worked wonders with Greg Ward Jr. this year, transforming him into one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. Plus, he knows the ropes in the southeast on the recruiting trail from his time at Houston and at Ohio State, which routinely dipped into the SEC footprint to pluck 5-star talent away from the regional powers.
"FWIW, Tom Herman was the primary recruiter for Atlanta on Ohio State’s staff.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 29, 2015"
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher
4 of 5
Whether it wants to admit it or not, it's safe to assume LSU swung and missed on landing Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher—which is a big reason Les Miles is still employed in Baton Rouge.
Fisher said over the weekend that he intends to stay at Florida State, but that was when LSU was kicking his tires. Is that still the case now that there's an official opening at Georgia?
McGarity owes it to himself and the program to at least find out where Fisher's head is, judge whether this was a leverage ploy to earn a raise and find out if the option is still there.
For what it's worth, Scott Roussel of FootballScoop.com thinks Fisher's name is on the list.
"I’d be pretty surprised if the new head coach at Georgia isn’t Kirby Smart, Dan Mullen or Jimbo Fisher https://t.co/1LarjqNpzo
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) November 29, 2015"
Alabama Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart
5 of 5
Sometimes the best choice is the right choice, and Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart checks both boxes for Georgia.
He's been wildly successful as Alabama's defensive coordinator, leading the Crimson Tide to a top-12 defense nationally every year since 2008. He also has a firm grasp on the recruiting landscape in the SEC and is a former Georgia player who has been learning from the best—Nick Saban—since 2007 after spending one year on Saban's LSU staff in 2004.
"With Mark Richt out expect #Bama DC Kirby Smart to get strong consideration to land the #UGA vacancy, source tells @FOXSports
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 29, 2015"
Smart had emerged as a front-runner for the South Carolina job, but Georgia opening up likely served as the coaching silly season equivalent of a 12-to-6 curveball.
If you're betting on who will be Georgia's next head coach, take Smart.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy of cfbstats.com.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
