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Richt: Bowl not an audition for Bobo
By Marc Weiszer |
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Story updated at 7:22 AM on Tuesday, December 19, 2006
If Georgia quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo is promoted to offensive coordinator, don't expect it to be because of how he fares calling plays in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Coach Mark Richt said Bobo's second game as the Bulldogs' play caller won't serve as an audition for the job.
"That would not have any factor whatsoever," Richt said.
In fact, Richt hopes to have a decision made about who will replace Neil Callaway as coordinator before the Dec. 30 bowl game.
Elevating Bobo to offensive coordinator and hiring an offensive line coach, the position Callaway coaches, is a possibility, Richt said after Monday's practice.
"There's a lot of scenarios, and that's one of them," Richt said.
Freshman quarterback Matthew Stafford said he would be happy for Bobo if he was picked for the job.
"I think he's a really smart guy who knows the offense," Stafford said. "He's a hard worker, and I know if they gave him that title, he'd do everything in his power to make things run smoothly."
Richt won't rush into filling the vacancy on his offensive staff after Callaway was hired to coach Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday.
"I'm not looking to have this thing drag out a long time, but I don't want to do it at breakneck speed where I don't have peace about it," Richt said.
Richt began receiving phone calls after word got out that Callaway interviewed last week.
"There's been a tremendous amount of interest from some very outstanding people by reputation that I know of," Richt said. "I'm just going to listen to what's out there and then begin to hone it down."
Callaway juggling two jobs
There was no indication at midday Monday that any of Georgia's full-time assistants would be joining Callaway at UAB.
"Neil would tell me if they were, and right now, he hasn't told me anything," Richt said. "I've never told any head coach if you want to speak to somebody on staff, that they couldn't do it, and I wouldn't do it with Neil either."
Callaway will be juggling two jobs through the bowl game. He'll coach his players during practice this week and head to Birmingham for a few days before Christmas before rejoining the Bulldogs in Atlanta.
"Basically with Neil, all I told him was 'Make sure you're up to speed on what we're doing and what the line's doing and anything after that, we'll handle,' " Richt said. "I know how hard it is to try to think creatively or anything like that while he's going through what he's going through."
Offensive line waits on new coach
Callaway got a round of applause from the offensive linemen on Monday morning after returning from Birmingham, senior tackle Daniel Inman said.
"That's a big accomplishment," Inman said.
Freshman offensive tackle Josh Davis never got to play a snap for Callaway because he redshirted.
"My Dad died when I was 13, and ever since he started recruiting me, I kind of thought of him as a father figure," Davis said. "I'm always concerned about who's going to be coaching me, but I know this coaching staff won't settle for nothing but the best guy for this place."
Hokies backup quarterback out for bowl
Virginia Tech backup quarterback Ike Whitaker is undergoing inpatient treatment for alcohol-related issues and won't play in the bowl, according to the university.
"I really admire a guy who wants to help himself," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "There's no question in my mind that there's going to be a successful ending to this story."
Sophomore Cory Holt, who has not thrown a pass this season, becomes Sean Glennon's backup.
Whitaker played in five games, going 10 of 16 for 119 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 42 yards on nine carries.
Kickoff specialist Jared Develli, cornerback Jahre Cheeseman and offensive guard Antonio North won't make the trip because of injuries.
Brandon Pace or Jud Dunlevy will handle kickoffs while Develli recovers from hernia surgery. Starting defensive tackle Barry Booker (foot) limped off the field Sunday, but Beamer didn't have an update.
This and that
Instead of practicing twice on Monday as scheduled, the Bulldogs held one longer practice, its only workout in full pads before Christmas break. ...An afternoon presentation was held for players about the dangers of drunk driving, the third offered this year to the team by the Athens group "Safe Campuses Now." ... Junior Brandon Coutu continues to look on track to kick in the bowl game. He converted field goals from 48 yards.. ...Senior tight end Martrez Milner (neck) missed his second straight practice, but said he'll play in the bowl. "It's day to day basically depending on how I feel," he said. Defensive end Charles Johnson and offensive tackle Michael Turner missed practice because of illness.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 121906