ATHENS, Georgia -- When former Georgia athletics director Vince Dooley went searching for a new football coach in Dec. 2000, he eventually settled on Mark Richt, then Florida State's offensive coordinator, who had never been a head coach.
The decision worked out well for the Bulldogs. Richt coached at Georgia for 15 seasons, until he was relieved of his duties Sunday morning. He guided the Bulldogs to a record of 145-51 and two SEC championships, in 2002 and 2005.
It's believed Georgia might follow a similar path in hiring Richt's successor. Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former Bulldogs defensive back, is the leading candidate for the job, several sources have told ESPN.