Texas hires Searels as offensive line coach
(UPDATE:) Texas has completed its deal with Stacy Searels and plans an announcement later Thursday afternoon of his hire as offensive line coach.
8:45 p.m. Wednesday:
Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels traveled Wednesday afternoon to Austin, Texas, where a website covering University of Texas athletics, Orangebloods.com, reported Wednesday night that he accepted an offer to become the Longhorns’ offensive line coach.
Texas has not yet announced a hire.
Texas head coach Mack Brown has been seeking an offensive line coach since the December retirement of Mac McWhorter. Auburn O-line coach Jeff Grimes last week turned down the position.
Searels and his wife, Patricia, left Athens-Ben Epps Airport on a private plane to Austin shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday. They were picked up in Austin by Brown’s wife, Sally, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Neither Searels nor Georgia officials have commented on the matter.
Searels, a native of Trion, Ga., has been the Bulldogs’ offensive line coach since 2007. He previously was offensive line coach at LSU, Cincinnati and Appalachian State.
Georgia’s offensive line was expected to be a pillar of the 2010 team but drew much criticism as the Bulldogs struggled to run the ball effectively. Georgia finished 10th in the SEC in rushing.
In another development Wednesday regarding Georgia’s O-line: Backup lineman Tanner Strickland won’t be back with the Bulldogs this year, having decided to skip his final season of eligibility. He plans to complete his degree in speech communications and move on with life after football.
His Georgia career was slowed by shoulder problems. He was redshirted in 2007, played in 13 games in 2008, missed the 2009 season after shoulder surgery and played in 13 games in 2010, starting three.
– Tim Tucker, UGA blog
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309 comments Add your comment
uga's girl
January 20th, 2011
12:48 am
FYI – CMR was in Dalton, GA on Monday to secure OL Watts Dantzler. If everyone would quit worrying about Crowell, Rome, etc…., you would know that name & know that he is someone we desperately need. 6′7″-330 lb BEAST. Also note, Dantzler really likes CSS. Do you think it was a coincidence that CMR was in Dalton 2 days prior to CSS going to interview at UT? I don’t think so. I think CMR is covering his bases & making sure we secure Dantzler and probably threw a name at him for a CSS replacement.
I don’t know any other UGA grads who will be upset if SS leaves, we just hope he doesn’t take our big boy with him.
Jeff
January 20th, 2011
5:33 am
Thank you Texas! CMR was probably the only one who thought Searls had done a great job coaching the O-Line.
Coach Grohbo
January 20th, 2011
6:01 am
Who cares?
I want to see another story on all of UGA’s NCAA violations.
joey
January 20th, 2011
6:24 am
athdog
January 19th, 2011
5:20 pm
Well, let’s see. We hired Kirby Smart, a career defensive player and coach, to coach running backs a few years ago, Tony Ball, a receiver and receiver coach at Va Tech, to coach running backs before Kirby. Then after Kirby, we hired Brian McClendon, a receiver at Ga to coach running backs, so I imagine if Searles leaves to go to Texas, and I wouldn’t blame him, we’ll hire maybe Billy Bennett or perhaps David Greene to coach the line. Maybe TJ Gartrell, or perhaps even Jonas Hayes. Maybe Bobby Cox would like the job. Any of these would not surprise me. Coach Richt is apparently not an expert on football, anyway, based on his post season comments, so any of the above hires would not surprise me.
I just spit coffee everywhere! Thanks i needed that.
dawgma
January 20th, 2011
6:38 am
Don’t let the door hit you in the butt – couldn’t even handle a UCF d line.
Hobnail Boot
January 20th, 2011
7:00 am
Good… Maybe we will get someone that will put them in the weight room and get um strong. I thinking maybe a Drill Sargent. Our line was too soft this year and needs to be a focus of the entire staff. It starts up front in the trenches on both sides of the ball. We need to replace Ball also with someone that understands running the ball.
NC Dawg
January 20th, 2011
7:02 am
He wasn’t any good anyway. Seeya.
Douglas
January 20th, 2011
7:05 am
I don’t think Searels was the problem. Remember how well he did with our line a few years ago when we had a bunch of new starting offensive linemen. We all praised him for doing such a good job. I thought he was very aggressive as a line coach. The problem seems to be that he wants to play power football but Bobo wants to play finesse football. I also think the strength coach was a problem too. How can you criticize him when he did so well every where else? Richt will be fired next year. I think our AD is giving him one year to get things fixed. And then Richt will be out. You don’t think our AD is not looking around and making a list — I bet he already has a short list of candidates.
legionaire
January 20th, 2011
7:10 am
The UGA program started down hill when Vangorder left and Martinez was stuck in there. You win with D. Grantham’s scheme did improve in some areas but it will be 3 seasons before he has his own players in there and the learning curve over with. Getting a good O line coach might be tough when the guy interviewing you might be gone after next season.
RussDawg
January 20th, 2011
7:15 am
Hope it’s true. Why a parallel move? Texas pay that much better than UGA?
or maybe he can sense the dismal tide in Athens.
Interested Party
January 20th, 2011
7:25 am
Enter your comments here
DBCOOPER
January 20th, 2011
7:33 am
UGA’S O line has never been worse in my opinion. We looked on-paper to be great. They have under-achieved every year since 07. Good luck to him but, lets move on.
e.relevant
January 20th, 2011
7:36 am
I wonder if Gary Patterson would take the job with “coach-in-waiting” added to his title?
Gadawg1966
January 20th, 2011
8:03 am
Searels is merely a symptom of a much larger problem at UGA. An O line that was consistently dominated, a porous defense up front and DB’s that routinely gave up the big play, a pathetic running game, and an anemic offense in general that was hampered by poor and inconsistent play calling. Bottom line…poor coaching all the way around cause we have the athletes. Not firing Richt immediately after the season ended was a huge mistake that has hampered recruiting and will hamper hiring a OL coach because of the uncertainties surrounding the future.
NoRichtFan
January 20th, 2011
8:07 am
Searels may not be such a hot offensive line coach, but he ain’t stupid. He knows to get out while the “getting” is good; cause’ he knows Richt ain’t going to be around after next season and therefore he won’t have a job. Smart move on his part.
Papadawg
January 20th, 2011
8:11 am
Maybe he was given a chance to find empoyment elsewhere instead of being fired like mutual agreement for him to leave
NewnanDawg
January 20th, 2011
8:18 am
THANK YOU MACK BROWN!
The only way we get rid of crappy assistants is to have other ill advised teams hire them away. See Neal Calloway. He sucked at UGA and is now like 8-56 at UAB.
The Mole
January 20th, 2011
8:19 am
Call Ray Donaldson the best Offensive lineman out of UGA.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 20th, 2011
8:21 am
Rats jumping ship, goodluck finding a replacement while CMR in on the hot seat
playing time
January 20th, 2011
8:22 am
Do you think Texas would be interested in a hire one get one free?
Matt Stinchcomb
January 20th, 2011
8:23 am
Coach Richt called me and asked if I was interested and I replied, “Hell Yes!” He looked at me and said not with your cursing, never mind.
Boobie Bowden
January 20th, 2011
8:31 am
That gurgling sound you hear is the sound of water splashing up on the decks as the SS bulldawg slowly sinks beneath the waves……..
Dawg Fan
January 20th, 2011
8:40 am
what will be funny is if he has a lot of success there….which would mean that the problem was with Richt and his TOTAL lack of direction with this program.
Dawg Fud
January 20th, 2011
8:42 am
Searels is just leaving town before everyone else on staff is asked to in 10 months.
JB
January 20th, 2011
8:46 am
This will really get ugly for the University and McGarity when Richt has to bring in a grad Assit. From another program just to fill the slot. Nobody living on earth the last 6 months will come to Athens for looks like one year( Unless the team and staff that got off the bus does a 180 in the next 6 months) or a three year deal, which ain’t happening. This will be interesting. My bets are he puts a current offensive coach there, and Richt takes over the RB’s or WR’s.
AltamahaDawg
January 20th, 2011
8:51 am
In related news, University of Texas is interested in talking to former UGA pitching coach Brady Wiederhold.
Skitty Fritty
January 20th, 2011
8:55 am
Mr. Searels:
Be careful what you wish for, another 5-7 season in Austin and there is no job security for anyone. I don’t mind your leaving to further your career but your timing is terrible. Your poor character is showing!
sandman053
January 20th, 2011
8:55 am
@ JB the grad assistant would be an improvement.
JB
January 20th, 2011
8:55 am
Searles probably knew all the Athens moving Van Companies would be tied up and busy next December.
coloradobulldog
January 20th, 2011
8:56 am
Seems the former O-coord. of Panthers – Jeff Davidson – needs a job. I know the Panthers stunk this year but Davidson developed a line with a zone-blocking scheme that allowed Carolina to have 2 1000 yd rushers just a few seasons ago. Injuries to Williams & Stewart along with a pathetic QB play have hurt them last couple of years.
It is what it is
January 20th, 2011
9:01 am
I’ve never seen an offensive line regress like UGA’s did this past season. Does he need any gas money? Good riddance! Just need Bobo to jump in his suitcase to make it a dream come true.
THE MAJOR
January 20th, 2011
9:06 am
Searles is a good coach but his style and CMR’s do not mix. Searles wanted to line up and beat people, while CMR wanted to play differently. Also not Searles’ fault but the line was weak. They couldn;t play with the stronger lines like Auburn or Bama. Searles is getting out while the getting is good.
what about?
January 20th, 2011
9:06 am
The Baylor O-line coach would be a good hire. He always takes less talented players and over achieves with them, now imagine what he could do for our O-line.
lilhomer
January 20th, 2011
9:06 am
Foley from UConn would be interesting…looks like he is a good coach..
UGA Insider
January 20th, 2011
9:10 am
The CMR era ends in about 11 months. Everyone knows it.
Mike
January 20th, 2011
9:12 am
Yea, he’s gettin’ out before the ax falls at UGA. Rich & BooBoo should go next.
VoyeurDawg
January 20th, 2011
9:19 am
Bye-bye, now…
VoyeurDawg
January 20th, 2011
9:20 am
Watch out for that door knob…
7576DAWG
January 20th, 2011
9:22 am
I think McGarity has put the fear of God into everyone and Searels has let his offensive line deteriorate so bad over the last three years that he see no improvement in 2011.
nofightinthesedawgs
January 20th, 2011
9:23 am
UGA had an o-line coach last year? Going out on a limb, he won’t be missed.
dawgfan
January 20th, 2011
9:24 am
Maybe Searles’ units will actually find some success in mamsy pansy Little 12 land. I could care less. His units routinely underperformed at UGA against the elite D-lines of the SEC. We needed some fresh blood there anyway.
Tideman
January 20th, 2011
9:25 am
If Tanner Strickland played for Bama, All you UGA fans would be saying Saban pushed him out . This is college football and things like this happen. The young man made a good decision to move on with his life. Good luck to you.
UGAFan
January 20th, 2011
9:28 am
Anybody ever think that our O-Line woes are a product of our predictable offensive schemes and formations, rather than the O-Line coach?
ugab
January 20th, 2011
9:29 am
This is what happens in football. Now MR needs hire someone to take Searels place. Please do not hire a guy that just graduated last year.
7576DAWG
January 20th, 2011
9:30 am
I take exception to the statement that Searels is a good recruiter. Either he can’t judge talent or he is just not a good fit for a contender in the SEC. Great schools in the SEC need an effective running game , meaning a very good offensive line . I think Searels will be a lot more sucessful at Texas and the BIG-12 where running is not the main emphasis .
ugab
January 20th, 2011
9:31 am
UGAFan. I agree.
News Flash from Athens !!
January 20th, 2011
9:31 am
After looking hard at Bryan McClendon being moved to Coach the O line, Richt names Fred Gibson instead.
McWorter is a blue blood of high quality O line coaches and he has the total experience and contacts to UGA ( Alum he is ) and the smarts to come in and make a go of it.
Go Dogs
ugab
January 20th, 2011
9:32 am
Good luck Tanner!
UGAFan
January 20th, 2011
9:32 am
“Searles probably knew all the Athens moving Van Companies would be tied up and busy next December.”
************************************
That’s funny right there, I don’t care who you are.
Paul N Destin
January 20th, 2011
9:32 am
“Sometimes there is just not enough rocks”. 8.5 mill is a lot of money to get a guy gone and UGA doesn’t have that much money. The AD should have at least asked Mark to take a 10-15 year payout in order to help the program. Good luck Dogs. I understand how you feel because we had Mike Shula. Both Mark and Mike tried to recruit from their office instead of pounding the pavement and that might have worked if all the other coaches would agree to that scheme. The Nick Saban rule was passed because the lazy coaches like Mark,Fulmer,Tubberville all hate the travel required to recruit. Richt is not tuff enough to compete in the sleazy world of recruiting and Garner has too much Auburn in him to succeed. UGA is like LSU in that if you ever get a great coach then UGA will be a player in the SEC.