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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Morning notes: Searels, recruits, and combine news

Thursday is shaping up to be a rather important one in Georgia’s football offseason. Let’s get right to it:

SEARELS UPDATE: Several web sites are reporting that Stacy Searels has accepted the Texas offensive line coach. Searels, who is 45, just completed his fourth year as Georgia’s line coach.

I have no reason to doubt the web sites. But I think we’ve all been through this kind of thing enough to know that nothing is a done deal until a) there’s a press release, and even then b) a few days have gone by so we know a coach hasn’t changed his mind.

Searels is from Georgia and has family close to the area. But considering the potentially precarious job status Mark Richt may have after the 2011 season, it’s no surprise that Searels would be interested in a job at one of the most powerful programs in the country.

As for recruiting, five offensive line recruits were contacted by DawgPost.com, which reports they’re all still committed. One of them, Watts Dantzler, tweeted last night that he was a Bulldog “no matter what.”

I’ve been asked for some potential candidates to replace Searels. Hugh Nall, who I spoke with briefly yesterday, didn’t sound crazy about returning to coaching, but I wouldn’t rule him out. Since we’re less than two weeks from signing day, my guess is that Richt will either quickly hire someone he knows who has been associated with the SEC or Georgia. Or he’ll wait until after signing day and conduct a more rigorous search.

All this is, again, assuming Searels does leave.

ROME AND MITCHELL: Two of the biggest remaining targets
Tight end Jay Rome, who is said to be leaning towards Georgia, will announce at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Rome is the nation’s top-ranked tight end.

Malcolm Mitchell – a defensive back/receiver from Valdosta – is also set to announce tonight. But his exact time and manner of announcement isn’t set.

The Bulldogs did miss out early Thursday morning on Deion Barnes, a defensive end from Pennsylvania who announced for Penn State.

NFL COMBINE: Eight Georgia players have been invited to the NFL combine, the school announced on Thursday.

They include both juniors who left early, A.J. Green and Justin Houston. Six seniors also received invites: Clint Boling, Josh Davis, Demarcus Dobbs, Akeem Dent, Shaun Chapas and Vance Cuff.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

We barely recruited Deion Barnes who has been a heavy Penn State lean for a long time now. We didn't "miss out" on him because we were never really in it for him in the first place. Come on, Seth...

crap sandwich said...

Maybe we should take our time, step back and get the best man for the job. Sounds like we will keep our committed OL recruits which is good news. Still I worry about a hasty hire.

BullyMack said...

What's the over/under on Vance Cuff running a 4.24 reported last spring at the combine? I say slim and none and slim just left town.

Anonymous said...

I think Richt will promote Joe T to o-line coach and make Thomas Brown the strength coach. I'm only half joking because I seriously would not be surprised at this point.

Daryl said...

i hate that Kris Durham didn't get an invite.

Ghost of Thomas Davis' Hits said...

Question about this article from Weizer at ABH (http://bit.ly/gi7LAA): How does this realistically affect recruiting? Is it just a ban on calls, or ANY contact?

Wes said...

I hope that UGA doesn't hire another former Georgia athlete. Adding Thomas Brown to our S&C program doesn't seem to do much other than add a role model (which, actually, may be exactly what the players need). We need to take our time, do a national search and hire the best OL coach we can get. It's time to stop picking the locals and go with someone who has real experience.

Anonymous said...

why were Darryl Gamble and Kris Durham left out of the combine invite? what do you think this means for them?

Anonymous said...

There is a sign here in Valdosta that says Mitchell is to announce at 7 at a restaurant

Unknown said...

Whats your thoughts on Art Kehoe? I heard he is still in coaching at the UFL now and I'm sure UGA could throw better money. Former coach of Richt at Miami, championship guy, toughness and enthusiasim could be put back into our Oline. Saw him on "The U" 30 for 30, seems to be in good spirits and energy wise, still something left in the tank.

Cojones said...

I think that I would rather see names and quals from Richt's list before we bash all proposed candidates ,one-by-one. Give him some room and don't impose people on him like the experts we aren't. That would make for a more positive selection process instead of the survivor with the least warts that we lay on him unfairly. Prompting Richt with names would be helpful, but for God's sake folks let's don't make it more difficult for him. We do pay for rcruiting services information from those whose jobs it is to look for folks. What if there are Charley Weiss coaches out there who licked their chops when he went to FU? They probably admire the guy for going after what he does best no matter on which level that may be.You had better bet that there were some who said to themselves,"If that kind of opportunity comes again, I"m going for that ring(College Championship) no matter what".

Let's wait and see.