Georgia Football Coaching Rumors

The rumors surrounding who will take over the Georgia football head coaching vacancy have started. 

Related: Mark Richt: Man vs Coach

Disclaimer: These scenarios are all rumors.

What happens when the head coach of a big-time college program steps down? Social media blows up and the rumor mill starts churning.

Following the news Sunday that Georgia head coach Mark Richt was stepping down after 15 seasons, a group of names were put out on the web as potential coaching targets for the Bulldogs. Also, the statement of Richt’s departure from the school hinted that there might be a possibility that he stays at the school under a different position.

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In the age of social media, immediate reactions and opinions of everyone are easily accessible. Here are a few coaching scenarios that were talked about Sunday as possible replacements for Richt:

1. Kirby Smart

The Alabama defensive coordinator was one of the first names highlighted when the Richt announcement came out. He has been talked about as the next great coordinator ready to become a head coach for a while now. His Saban ties link up with Georgia’s current defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt who coached under Saban from 2007-2012.

Rumor has it that UGA has a secret deal in place with Smart already, but that is just rumor talk for now. If Smart does end up as the head coach, then the Dawgs defense will only get better with the coaching of both Pruitt and Smart.

1. Tom Herman

The Houston head coach has led the Cougars to an 11-1 season and a top-25 ranking. He is another coordinator turned head coach that has excelled at every level. After helping Ohio State win a national title last season as offensive coordinator, he quickly put Houston back on the map in 2015.

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The buzz around Herman comes with the notion that he has already agreed in principle to become the next Georgia head coach (rumor). Also, Schotty stays and Pruitt is gone.

This seems like a possibility, but who really knows at this point.

1. Clay Helton

The interim head coach at USC may be a long shot to come to Georgia, especially after taking over the reigns mid-season and leading the Trojans to the Pac-12 title game. A fan and player favorite in Southern California, he is an offensive minded coach that could really impact the Georgia team.

He has been rumored to be a candidate for the job, but he also has been speculated to want to stay at USC. Only time will tell with this one.