Stacey Searles Heads to University of Texas, but Who Replaces Him?

With Stacey Searles heading to the University of Texas at Austin, who should University of Georgia head coach Mark Richt hire as the Bulldogs' new offensive line coach?

With the line production in 2009 and 2010 not what many thought it should be, this could be one of Richt's most important hires.

Richt could look toward the NFL again, hire a coach from another BSC conference or hire a young up-and-comer.

Here are some possible candidates.

Ralph Friedgen

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COLLEGE PARK, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Ralph Friedgen of the Maryland Terrapins watches player warm-ups prior to the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers on September 13, 2007 at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Squire

The former head coach from Maryland would be a big hire.

Friedgen is able to get the most out his players. He has both played on and coached offensive lines.

Being Georgia Tech's offensive coordinator from 1997-2000 also means he is familiar with Georgia.

If he is willing to be an assistant coach, Richt and UGA should give Friedgen a look.

Greg Adkins

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COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 28: Offensive line coach Greg Adkins of the Troy State Trojans stands on the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Missouri Tigers on September 28, 2002 at Faurot Field in Columbia, Missouri. Missouri won 44-7. (Pho

Currently Syracuse's offensive line coach, Adkins would be a good hire for Richt.

He was at UGA from 1996-2000, followed by stints at Troy and Tennessee. He also was the recruiting coordinator at Tennessee and Syracuse.

Adkins may not want to make the move down south, but Syracuse runs a pro-style offense, and working in the SEC may pull Adkins back to UGA.

Pete Mangurian

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TAMPA, FL - 2009: Pete Mangurian of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Mangurian, the recently fired offensive line coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would come with NFL and college experience.

He also was the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator from 2001-2003 and served as LSU's offensive line coach from 1984-1987.

Tampa Bay was eighth in the league in rushing and did a great job protecting Josh Freeman.

Mangurian's firing was somewhat of a surprise, but in the NFL, no coaching job is stable. If he is looking to return to the college ranks, Richt could go with another former NFL coach on his staff.

Cameron Norcross

As the University of Nevada's run game coordinator and offensive line coach, Norcross led the Wolf Pack to the seventh-highest team rushing average in the nation.

UGA finished sixty-ninth.

Nevada runs more of a spread-option offense than a pro-style offense, but if you look at how Shawn Elliot improved South Carolina's rushing attack, it might not be a bad idea to bring in someone with a different style.

Elliot came from I-AA power house Appalachian State.

Mac McWhorter

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 04: Offensive line coach Mac McWhorter of the Texas Longhorns is shown on the field during warmups before the start of the BCS National Championship Rose Bowl Game against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl on January 4, 2006 in Pasa

McWhorter is a former UGA player and coach.

He "retired" from the University of Texas, which opened the door for Searles' departure.

UGA and Texas could "trade" offensive line coaches if Richt makes this move.

During his time at Texas, McWhorter helped win a National Championship and produce some outstanding linemen.

He also served as offensive line coach at Georgia Tech from 2000-2001.

He has over 25 years of experience.

Hugh Nall

Another former UGA player and current executive for a trucking business in Albany, GA, Nall served as offensive line coach at Auburn during Tommy Tubbervilles' reign as head coach.

During his time at Auburn, Nall had one of the best one-two punches in running backs Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. 

Not sure if Nall would want to get back into coaching, but he is a great coach with ties to the program, playing at UGA from 1977-1980.

Matt Stinchomb

Stinchomb is another former UGA player who has NFL playing experience.

Stinchomb and his brother John both were fan favorites and All-Americans during their stint at UGA.

John is currently playing for the New Orleans Saints. Matt's NFL career was cut short due to medical reasons, forcing him to retire in 2006.

Matt is currently a college football analyst for ESPNU and SEC Network. He has no coaching experience, so this may only be my hope that a recent former player joins the staff and coaches a position he played.