The Georgia Bulldogs announced they have fired head coach Mark Richt after 15 seasons with the team.
Richt went 144-51 with the Bulldogs since being named head coach in 2001, winning two SEC Championships (2002, 2005). He led Georgia to nine 10-win seasons in his tenure, but fans have become frustrated as UGA has routinely fell short of expectations in recent years.
Each season, Georgia is expected to win or at least compete for the SEC East. The East hasn't been a great division in recent years, and Georgia has had the talent to take the crown. Two years ago, Georgia was ranked No. 5 in the preseason and finished the year unranked. This year, the Bulldogs started the year No. 9 and are again unranked. Richt has also developed a reputation for failing to win the "big game," winning just 42 percent of his games against top 15 competition in his tenure.
Who will Georgia target to help them take the next step and get back to competing for SEC and national championships? Here are ten potential candidates:
10) Mark Stoops, head coach, Kentucky Wildcats
The brother of Bob Stoops, Mark is quickly turning around Kentucky. If Georgia is looking to hire an up-and-comer (while dismantling an SEC East foe at the same time, no less), Stoops could be an option.
9) Mark Hudspeth, head coach, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Hudspeth is one of the more promising young coaches in college football. He's guided Louisiana-Lafayette to four straight nine win seasons, after dominating at North Alabama. If Auburn wants an up-and-comer, Hudspeth would a solid option.
8) Gary Patterson, head coach, TCU Horned Frogs
Patterson has turned TCU into a national power, but they still don't have the resources that a program like Georgia does. He has shown interest in other high level jobs before ultimately returning to Fort Worth, but this could be the opportunity that gets him to leave.
7) Larry Fedora, head coach, North Carolina Tar Heels
Fedora has guided the Heels to the ACC Championship Game in his fourth season with the program, posting a winning record every season. He doesn't have any prior connection to Georgia, but he is looking to move into an elite job. UGA certainly fits that category.
6) Bob Stoops, head coach, Oklahoma Sooners
It might be a reach, but Stoops' name always comes up when a big-time job is open. If Stoops ultimately decides to leave his job at Oklahoma, Georgia could be an option.
5) Tom Herman, head coach, Houston Cougars
Herman is an up-and-comer in the coaching world after leading Ohio State's offense under Urban Meyer, and his future is bright. He's a leading candidate for every major college opening, and Georgia is certainly one of the best available. He has led Houston to a top-20 ranking, showing his prowess as a head coach. Expect him to be one of the first people Georgia calls in their search, although Herman could very well stay at Houston.
4) Jon Gruden, ESPN NFL analyst
Gruden has expressed interest in returning to coaching in recent years - at either the college or pro level - and Georgia has the type of prestige, history, and talent base that would appeal to him. Why not give the former Super Bowl winning coach a call?
3) Chip Kelly, head coach, Philadelphia Eagles
Things haven't been going well lately with Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles, but he would be welcomed back in the college football world with open arms. He's been heavily linked to the USC job, but now it's looking more and more like they'll keep interim head man Clay Helton. Either way, Georgia is perhaps the most appealing opening on the market, and with an incredible fertile recruiting base, Kelly might decide that UGA would be a great fit.
2) Dan Mullen, head coach, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mullen's stock is as high as ever after leading Mississippi State to the No. 1 ranking in the country for most of last season, but it appears that he's taken the Bulldogs has far as he can take them. He was the offensive coordinator at Florida when current Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity was working at Florida. His knowledge of the SEC is also a definite bonus.
1) Kirby Smart, defensive coordinator, Alabama Crimson Tide
Smart is a Georgia grad and has been the defensive coordinator at Alabama since 2008 while serving as the head coach in waiting behind Nick Saban. Smart has passed on several other top jobs to stay at Alabama, but this is the job he would leave Tuscaloosa for. Don't expect Smart to end up anywhere else.
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