GEORGIA FOOTBALL: Graduate aide to coach running backs

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 coach’s position.

There was a twist, however. Instead of taking over wide receivers —- the position he played at Georgia in 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.

That’s an interesting move considering running back is going to be rather unsettled next 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 Georgia in 1989-93.

Ball coached wide receivers at Louisville and Virginia Tech before joining Bulldogs coach Mark Richt’s staff in 2006.

The timing of Friday’s announcement was intentional, with Bulldogs coaches in the midst of recruiting season.

“I understand what Coach Richt is doing,” assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner said. “He doesn’t want to mislead anybody. There’s been a lot of speculation about this.”

Eason also held the title of associate head coach. There is speculation that the title might be bestowed upon Garner, who passed up a lucrative multiyear offer from Tennessee to remain with the Bulldogs.

“I’d be flattered,” Garner said Friday, “but nobody has talked to me about that.”

Richt was on the road recruiting and could not be reached for comment.