UF’s Robinson back on team, Richt to Miami

Published on Wednesday, 12/2/15, at 6:59 p.m. Eastern.

Before we get to the latest on the Coaching Carousel, let’s hit on a few developments out of Gainesville as the Gators prepare to face Alabama in the 2015 SEC Championship Game.

Florida junior WR DeMarcus Robinson was voted by the seniors back on the team after getting suspended for Saturday’s 27-2 loss vs. Florida St. Robinson didn’t practice Monday or Tuesday, but he did participate in Wednesday’s practice. Whether or not that means he’ll see playing time against the Crimson Tide remains to be seen.

Robinson has 47 receptions for 505 yards and two TDs this year.

According to Landon Watnick of InsideTheGators.com, WR Brandon Powell aggravated a foot injury he’s been dealing with at Wednesday’s practice, though head coach Jim McElwain indicated that he thought Powell would still be able to play Saturday. Also, starting OT David Sharpe injured his foot at Wednesday’s practice, leaving his status uncertain.

Martez Ivey, a starting freshman OG who has been bothered by a shoulder injury, “looked pretty good” at Wednesday’s practice according to McElwain (quote via Watnick/ITG). Plus, DE Jordan Sherit seems to be close to 100 percent after limping around during the loss to FSU due to a hamstring injury.

Alabama remains a 17.5-point favorite at most books, while the total keeps bouncing around between 39.5 and 40 points. The Gators are +650 on the money line (risk $100 to win $650).

To the Coaching Carousel…

Georgia has hired Alabama DC and former DB Kirby Smart to replace Mark Richt as its next head coach. Smart has never been a head coach, but that’s because he’s been waiting for the job at his alma mater to open for several years. He turned down an opportunity to interview for the Tennessee job when Butch Jones was hired. Smart also turned Richt away when offered the DC position at UGA. If Will Muschamp doesn’t get the South Carolina head-coaching gig, he could join Smart, his former teammate and long-time buddy, at their shared alma mater.

Miami has hired Mark Richt to replace Al Golden according to multiple reports in the last hour. Richt was a back-up QB for the Hurricanes from 1978-1982. He is 55 with plenty of coaching years remaining.

With Brad Kaaya in place at QB for UM, will long-time UGA commit Jacob Eason follow Richt to Coral Gables? Kaaya will be a true junior in 2016 and has played outstanding football for the ‘Canes. Eason plans to enroll at his chosen school in January in order to compete for immediate playing time.

The five-star QB from Lake Stevens, WA., has been at UF today making an official visit. He could drive five hours south to Miami to visit Richt at The U. However, the chance for instant playing time from Week 1 of his freshman season looks more promising at both Florida and Georgia.

Richt reportedly met with Virginia officials before deciding to take the Miami job.

South Carolina was turned down by Houston’s Tom Herman and then the UGA job opened while it was in hot pursuit of Smart. Now the Gamecocks appear focused on Muschamp and Oklahoma OC Lincoln Riley. This space has repeatedly touted Riley as a great offensive mind who will eventually be an outstanding head coach.

We accurately called for him to have a big-time impact on Oklahoma’s offense after joining Bob Stoops’ staff after a terrific run at East Carolina. Riley helped East Carolina QB Shane Carden break every school record previously owned by David Garrard. Also, WR Justin Hardy held every school receiving record before playing his senior season for the Pirates.

However, Riley is only 32. Is that too young? South Carolina AD Ray Tanner would be making a bold move hiring a coach that young, but it might also prove to be a stroke of genius.

Temple’s Matt Rhule is no longer in consideration for the Missouri job. There was an erroneous report Wednesday afternoon that Cal’s Sonny Dykes had been offered the Mizzou job, but Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that no formal offer has been made. Dykes might also be under consideration by South Carolina.

Missouri DC Barry Odom, who held the same post with Justin Fuente at Memphis, was in negotiations Monday and Tuesday to replace Fuente until the school broke those off talks Tuesday night, according to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. Odom might also be a fall-back candidate at Missouri.

Riley might be Memphis’s choice if it can’t reach a deal with Odom and Riley doesn’t land the South Carolina gig.

Maryland has hired D.J. Durkin as its next head coach. Durkin was the DC for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan this year and once served as DC at UF under Muschamp. Durkin reportedly wants to keep Mike Locksley, the OC under Randy Edsall who is considered one of (if not THE) best recruiters in the Washington D.C. area.

Syracuse’s search appears to now be focused on Bowling Green’s Dino Babers, but he’s prepping his Falcons for Friday’s MAC Championship Game in Detroit.

Golden is a candidate to replace Kyle Flood at Rutgers. A number of other current assistants, including ones on Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio St., could be in the mix at RU.

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