Athensvol
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Richt shuffles Georgia coaching staff
By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, January 09, 2009
Athens What has been rumored for years came to fruition Friday as Georgia wide receivers coach John Eason left the sideline to accept an administrative position. As a result, graduate assistant Bryan McClendon was promoted to a full-time assistant coaches position.
There was a twist, however. Instead of taking over wide receivers the position he played at Georgia from 2002-05 and the one he assisted Eason with the past two seasons McClendon, 25, will move in at running backs coach, with Tony Ball moving over to coach wide receivers.
Thats an interesting move considering running backs is going to be rather unsettled this season. Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for more than 2,700 yards the past two seasons, just left for the NFL.
I met with the running backs for the first time today, and I just reminded them of the opportunity our segment is about to take on, said McClendon, whose father, Willie, was running back coach at UGA from 1989-93. We just lost a guy that had back-to-back 1,300-yard seasons and my oldest running back is a sophomore. I reminded them about the challenge they need to get ready for.
Ball, who has coached running backs at Georgia since 2006, coached wide receivers at Louisville and Virginia Tech before joining Bulldogs coach Mark Richts staff.
Tony has some experience there, and thats an area he wanted to move into, said Eason, 63, who becomes Georgias director of football operations. For B-Mac, its an opportunity to come in and coach full time and learn another position. With his intellect, hell pick up fine.
The timing of Fridays announcement was intentional, with Bulldogs coaches in the throes of recruiting season. Saturday is the last day coaches can be on the road. The rest of the month will be filled with on-campus visits.
I understand what Coach Richt is doing, said assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner. He doesnt want to mislead anybody. Theres been a lot of speculation about this, and Coach Richt wants to do business up front and not mislead anybody.
Eason also held the title of associate head coach. There is speculation that title might be bestowed upon Garner, who passed up a lucrative multiyear offer from Tennessee to remain with the Bulldogs.
If so nobody has told me about it, Garner said Friday. Im being honest with you. Id be flattered, but nobody has talked to me about that.
The staff restructuring was made possible because Steve Greer, whose association with the University of Georgia spans 35 years, announced his retirement as director of football operations. Greer was an All-America defensive lineman for the Bulldogs in 1969 and been an assistant coach or administrator since 1979.
Steve Greer has been a loyal and dedicated Georgia Bulldog for more than 35 years and we are all grateful for his service to the University, Richt said in a statement. I know all the Georgia people will join in wishing him the very best in retirement.
Richt was on the road recruiting and could not be reached for comment.
:dance2:
By CHIP TOWERS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, January 09, 2009
Athens What has been rumored for years came to fruition Friday as Georgia wide receivers coach John Eason left the sideline to accept an administrative position. As a result, graduate assistant Bryan McClendon was promoted to a full-time assistant coaches position.
There was a twist, however. Instead of taking over wide receivers the position he played at Georgia from 2002-05 and the one he assisted Eason with the past two seasons McClendon, 25, will move in at running backs coach, with Tony Ball moving over to coach wide receivers.
Thats an interesting move considering running backs is going to be rather unsettled this season. Knowshon Moreno, who rushed for more than 2,700 yards the past two seasons, just left for the NFL.
I met with the running backs for the first time today, and I just reminded them of the opportunity our segment is about to take on, said McClendon, whose father, Willie, was running back coach at UGA from 1989-93. We just lost a guy that had back-to-back 1,300-yard seasons and my oldest running back is a sophomore. I reminded them about the challenge they need to get ready for.
Ball, who has coached running backs at Georgia since 2006, coached wide receivers at Louisville and Virginia Tech before joining Bulldogs coach Mark Richts staff.
Tony has some experience there, and thats an area he wanted to move into, said Eason, 63, who becomes Georgias director of football operations. For B-Mac, its an opportunity to come in and coach full time and learn another position. With his intellect, hell pick up fine.
The timing of Fridays announcement was intentional, with Bulldogs coaches in the throes of recruiting season. Saturday is the last day coaches can be on the road. The rest of the month will be filled with on-campus visits.
I understand what Coach Richt is doing, said assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner. He doesnt want to mislead anybody. Theres been a lot of speculation about this, and Coach Richt wants to do business up front and not mislead anybody.
Eason also held the title of associate head coach. There is speculation that title might be bestowed upon Garner, who passed up a lucrative multiyear offer from Tennessee to remain with the Bulldogs.
If so nobody has told me about it, Garner said Friday. Im being honest with you. Id be flattered, but nobody has talked to me about that.
The staff restructuring was made possible because Steve Greer, whose association with the University of Georgia spans 35 years, announced his retirement as director of football operations. Greer was an All-America defensive lineman for the Bulldogs in 1969 and been an assistant coach or administrator since 1979.
Steve Greer has been a loyal and dedicated Georgia Bulldog for more than 35 years and we are all grateful for his service to the University, Richt said in a statement. I know all the Georgia people will join in wishing him the very best in retirement.
Richt was on the road recruiting and could not be reached for comment.
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