Stacy Searels leaving Georgia? Can I offer him a lift? (Update II)
Stacy Searels hasn't lived up to his reputation. (Brant Sanderlin)
(Updated below with Searels officially accepting the job.)
Reports are flying that Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels is closing in on taking a job with Texas coach Mack Brown, who has been churning assistants (and recently lost coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp to Florida).
First thought: Does Searels need a ride to the airport?
Second thought: Is it abandon ship time in Athens?
First, about Searels: He came to Georgia from LSU in 2007 with a solid reputation. But the Bulldogs’ offensive line has been central to their problems, particularly in the running game.
Now, I suppose some of the blame also could be attributed to the team’s oft-criticized strength and condition program (Dave Van Halanger recently was demoted), or to a perceived lack of talent up front, or to coach Mark Richt. But Searels can’t be absolved of responsibility. Coaching the offensive line is his job and he also carries the title, “running game coordinator.”
I’ve already received Tweets from readers asking me if Searels’ departure just two weeks before national letter of intent day would hurt recruiting. I doubt it. Any recruit who is willing to come to Georgia knowing the state of things and amid questions of Richt’s job security is not going to change his mind based on the offensive line coach leaving. That recruit probably is coming for playing time and to be at Georgia.
Onto the second thought: Searels has good reason to look around, as would any Georgia assistant coach. We don’t know where this program is headed. If Richt loses his job after next season, his assistants are out of work.
In particular, head coaches tend to bring in their own offensive line coach. If Searels sees guaranteed long-term employment elsewhere — and certainly at a solid program like Texas — he would be nuts not to take the job.
Searels would be going from a 6-7 team to a 5-7 team. But Texas was in the BCS title game two seasons ago and won the title in 2005. Mack Brown’s not going anywhere.
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UPDATE: The Rivals Texas sports site Orangebloods.com reports that Searels has accepted the job. However, Texas has not announced the hiring and the Austin American Statesman reports there will be no announcement tonight. An excerpt from the Orangebloods story:
Sources close to Texas and Georgia have confirmed to Orangebloods.com that Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels has accepted the Texas offensive line coaching position. That could bring to an end a nearly two-month-long process in which Mack Brown has replaced six assistant coaches and made changes at two other staff positions.
UPDATE II: Searles was named the Texas offensive line coach Thursday night. Here’s an except of the official announcement, via Tim Tucker’s blog.
“When you’re in this profession, you want to coach at the highest level,” Searels said. “From afar, I had always been interested in The University of Texas because I thought it was one of the premier jobs in the country. You can win a championship, you have great leadership, great players, a great pool of talent to recruit from, and I think there’s no reason you can’t win and win big at Texas, and I want to be a part of that.”
Searels joins the Longhorns after coaching the offensive line at Georgia for four seasons beginning in 2007. He added the duties of running game coordinator in 2009. During his time in Athens, the Bulldogs have ranked in the Top 25 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed three times, including ranking sixth and leading the SEC in 2009 with just 12.
By Jeff Schultz
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So Richt would have a key position to fill on his staff, presumably after recruiting.
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343 comments Add your comment
UGA's NEXT COACH IS????
January 20th, 2011
12:08 pm
@ Mean Machine…………You are right. I hope the new Strentgh and Conditioning program works out.
Dawghater
January 20th, 2011
12:11 pm
Jump off a sinking ship. Good move for Searels
beanuga
January 20th, 2011
12:12 pm
Great!
Dawghater
January 20th, 2011
12:15 pm
N. Ga Dawg is in a dream world. Mack Brown seat is hotter vs. CMR. You’ve got to be kidding me. Ask CMR how many Nat’l Championships his won as coach. Ask Mack Brown how many Nat’l Championships, BSC Championship Games and Big 12 Championships he’s won as UT’s Head Coach!
UGA's NEXT COACH IS????
January 20th, 2011
12:15 pm
Richt will name Joe Cox as the new O-line coach
AltamahaDawg
January 20th, 2011
12:16 pm
Joey, I would not be surprised that IF Richt can get out of this survival mode, that you could see that happen in the near future. Pretty unrealistic that he would have done that this year though. Flipping half his staff while still trying to recover from doing that last year, would most likely cost him his job.
shankit
January 20th, 2011
12:19 pm
Malcome, all the folks in Valdosta and Georgia will be reading
and blogging about Jay for the next four years.
Not too many folks in Valdosta and Georgia read or blog
the Birmingham news, only the Tide and Tiger fans cussing
each other.
AltamahaDawg
January 20th, 2011
12:20 pm
Who said Texas fired 6 coaches? That’s not even close to how it all went down.
J.C. from N GA
January 20th, 2011
12:27 pm
Shhh!!! , don’t all you ga fans hear that? that is CMR crashing your once proud program into the bottom of the league!!!
Paul N Destin
January 20th, 2011
12:32 pm
This hire will be very interesting and will shine a big light on how others view the direction of Mark Richt and the program.
THE TRUTH
January 20th, 2011
12:37 pm
Should hire an NFL O-LIne Coach maybe from the Texans or someone from a lower ranking school like an FCS school.
JB
January 20th, 2011
12:43 pm
Kathren Richt is a big waste of talent as water girl…give her a shot at OL coach….Couldn’t hurt?
jasont13
January 20th, 2011
12:44 pm
Interesting how someone takes close to a 100K pay raise and he is considered as jumping ship. Only ones who could spin it that would be Schultz and Bradley.
JB
January 20th, 2011
12:45 pm
What happened between running up and down the field on National Champs Auburn on their home field….and not scoring a TD against Central Florida?
Joey
January 20th, 2011
12:49 pm
I don’t know, AltimahaDawg, I think that one move (not firing – just demoting Bobo), and getting a top flight OC would energize the disenchanted part of Dawgnation, and buy Richt 2 or 3 more years.
I know it would ease the depression I feel about the program.
Joey
January 20th, 2011
12:50 pm
I’d let her call the plays too, JB.
dawgfacedboy
January 20th, 2011
12:58 pm
Jump ship time? Why not? Every year there is a different scapegoat. Richt will be gone after another 6-6 year next year anyway. Might as well go somewhere while you can.
Buzz Killer
January 20th, 2011
1:01 pm
We need Jimmy Ray Stephens out of Middle TN. My brother talked to him at a party recently and he said he would love to coach at GA. Check hi record as a gator and just forget he was a gator.
Bo in North Carolina
January 20th, 2011
1:03 pm
Hopefully CMR will not make an in house promotion but go outside.
AltamahaDawg
January 20th, 2011
1:17 pm
Well, you are assuming that its a majority of fan who just want Bobo out. I think the vast majority of fans just want to win ballgames no matter what the names are. Really doesn’t matter either, because its not about “buying time”. That’s not what has him in survival mode. He could have 100% of the fans on board, energized as hell, but if he doesn’t improve that record THIS year, the program will make a change at HC as a pure business decision. And if he does, won’t matter what folks say about Bobo.
Absorbing 2 major philosophical changes in 2 year is not exactly a recipe to win more games. Debatable about long term, but if this year has taught him anything it’s that the Disenchanted are not exactly patient with multiple learning curves.
He’s focused on the existing margins and betting he can improve them.
Plus why the heck would you demote and not fire Coach Bobo? You make a change or you don’t. You certainly don’t keep a neutered staffer. The problem is not just a different guy “calling the plays”. The problem is February, March, and August in preparation. And your putting him back in there, only with less incentive? You didn’t fix anything.
N.GA.DAWG
January 20th, 2011
1:26 pm
Lets see, only 4 plays away from going from 6-7 to 10-3. I dont think its the coaching as much as the fumbles(colorado,miss.st,sc) and ints(gaytors). They had us in every game this year and as much as some of dumbazz people think we are NOT loaded with nfl talent all over the field.
Factoid
January 20th, 2011
1:31 pm
A Big Dog
January 20th, 2011
8:31 am
FURMAN PALADIN DEATH DEALER…..lest you forgot….Les Miles had already decided that he wanted a new line coach before Searles bolted for UGA….that tell you anything!
Hahahaha. Les Miles wanted to bring his OL guy in and Searles had just buried his father and wanted to be closer to his mom while she dealt with it. Searles has a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RING under Saban at LSU. Expect the OL at Texas to dominate again.
Savannah Dawg
January 20th, 2011
1:35 pm
Jeff-
And certainly not a solid program like Texas……..Mack Brown’s not going anywhere. Really, most folks realize that a mass exodus of assistants in one year is a very good sign of a program in disarray. Changing out six assistants in one year at UT, and you think Searels is leaving for more job security? You think maybe it’s for more $$$, and based on his performance at UGA, they weren’t going to match UT? I know none of that supports your overriding premise that Mark Richt’s days at UGA are numbered. Only pick and choose those facts that support your personal opinions. You are a “hackmaster spin doctor”. Believe what you like.
Yellow Fuzz
January 20th, 2011
1:44 pm
From preseason number one to losing the Memphis Bowl to Central Florida AND losing one of the best OL coaches in the country all in what, 3 years?
You AH’ s deserve it!
Jumping Ship
January 20th, 2011
1:46 pm
wonder how many recruits will do like Coach Searles and jump ship
Yellow Fuzz
January 20th, 2011
1:51 pm
The problem is/was not
Martinez
Bobo
Garner
Evans
Adams
Grantham
Searels
Richt
The problem is the AH fan base. Hahahahaha. And I don’t see it changing.
LOOK IN THE MIRROR DOG NATION. SHEEZZZ!
Joe Tech
January 20th, 2011
2:13 pm
Just read where Peachtree TV dropped THREE Georgia games for next season.
59bulldawg
January 20th, 2011
2:13 pm
Passenger from the Titanic to a friend of the Titanic’s captain on board the rescue ship: “Sir that ship is listing badly and in danger of sinking.”
Friend of captain to passenger: “What the hell do you know about being captain of a ship? Have you ever captained a ship before?”
Passenger to friend: “No I haven’t but I know that a ship taking on water is not a good thing.”
Friend to passenger: “Well the captain of the Titanic is a good captain and he deserves an opportunity to see if he can keep his ship afloat.”
Passenger to friend: “Look, people are manning the life boats and others are swimming for their lives. The Titanic is probably going to sink”
Friend to passenger: “Why must you always think negative about that ship and its captain? You must really be biased against both. “
Passenger to friend: “I’m just stating the obvious. I’m not biased!”
Friend to passenger: “Then maybe you need to look in a different direction for another situation worse than the Titanic. I believe the captain will be able to steer the Titanic safely into port. She will not sink”
Passenger to Friend: “I don’t know sir, things are looking pretty bleak. Half the ship is under water”
Friend to passenger: “You were on that ship and abandoned it because it was sinking . . . weren’t you? You jumped because you didn’t believe the captain could steer her to safety. You swam for your life too! Didn’t you?
Passenger to Friend: “I love my ship but jumped because I had no faith in the captain’s ability to save her. A better captain would have steered clear of these dangerous waters.”
George O'leary
January 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
Bobo: we’ll put up 60 on UCF.
Searle: The line has got their part covered.
Richt: Y’all are doing a good, no, GREAT job!
Evansdawg
January 20th, 2011
2:51 pm
Later Coach S. Don’t let the Dawg bite you as the door hits you in the a$$. Go ruin Texas’ OL.
Original Bulldawg
January 20th, 2011
2:55 pm
@ Yellow Fuzz
You mean the Fan Base that has sold out 63 games in a row between the hedges.
Or the fan base that cannot sell out your high school stadium
MIKE BOBO GARBAGE PLAY CALLING
January 20th, 2011
3:08 pm
Why such the big deal Searels is not that great of a coach.Bobo should be gone aiso dang loser.This should be some of our happiest days.CMR should be happy than all of us dawgs.Know he dont have to fire him.This is a blessing hopefully a couple more will go also.GODAWGS
azdawg
January 20th, 2011
3:58 pm
His leaving speaks volumes about his committment to UGA or lack thereof. Let him go. He can’t leave soon enough. Also, his leaving undermines CMR’s ability to keep his staff together and what fans perceive as rats abondoning a sinking ship. This ought to teach him a lesson and not think too much of his asst coaches interests because in this case they don’t give a damn about his.
Get a outside GA man to replace Searles. Don’t need another AU grad.
Mike
January 20th, 2011
4:01 pm
Jeff, It takes more than just an o-line coach leaving to back up your heading. He went to UT, not to shabby.
Snoop Dawg
January 20th, 2011
4:27 pm
Hogs on the line are the folks that make the skill players look good. Without them, we’ve got the familiar Caleb and Washaun story.
The line coach is very important, particularly in recruiting prime USDA beef every year and knowing how to age it.
Snoop Dawg
January 20th, 2011
4:28 pm
Can we send Bobo and Garner to Texas too? How ’bout the Water Girl? Maybe Markt Wrecked can be the UT Chaplain…
We are happy to pay to get rid of them…
BIG JOE
January 20th, 2011
4:29 pm
SO, Mac Brown isn’t going anywhere? Yeah, let’s see what happens when they go 5-7 again. And with the addition of Searels that’s very possible. He did Richt a favor since Richt doesn’t have the nerve to get rid of him. Does TX need an OC??
Kevin Everett
January 20th, 2011
4:43 pm
U R an idiot – what would you do if you were offered an extra $125.000? Blessings & cursings come from the same mouth – YOU choose to curse UGA & CMR every chance you get. PLEASE DON’T JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON when Georgia starts kicking butt next year – PLEASE! We don’t want you!
Mack Brown hires Searels to coach O-Line – KVUE — Baton Rouge Real Estate
January 20th, 2011
5:20 pm
[...] Texas hires Stacy Searels from Georgia to coach offensive lineDallas Morning News (blog)Second thought: Is it abandon ship time in Athens?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Report: Searels To Texas A Done DealMrSECESPN (blog) -Fort [...]
The Truth
January 20th, 2011
9:45 pm
The truth is Jeff Schultz doesn’t have any talent as a writer and his only thought is to bad mouth all the local programs.
Michael
January 21st, 2011
5:14 am
You and Bradley should do an experiment whereby you do not allow commenting for a day or so. Then the AJC could check on productivity changes in the Atlanta area and it would find an increase in burgers flipped, floors mopped and GED school attendance.
DawgsOnline » I come not to bury Searels
January 21st, 2011
1:14 pm
[...] reaction has ranged from indifference to don’t-let-the-door-hit-ya . You’re not finding many tears shed over Searels’ departure, and in a way that’s [...]
LawDawg
January 21st, 2011
1:24 pm
YES!!! Richt couldn’t pull the trigger on Searels, but he is gone anyway. Hallelujah. It is also nice to know that Texas will not have a running game or reach national prominence for the next 1-5 years.