The Brian Schottenheimer era has ended at Georgia after less than a year.
Schottenheimer has informed his players he will not coach the offense in the Taxslayer Bowl on Jan. 2, the school confirmed on Monday evening. No further details were released.
The news means the program’s three most important coaches — Mark Richt, Jeremy Pruitt and Schottenheimer — will not be available for Georgia’s bowl game. More spots could be vacated between now and then. Tight ends coach John Lilly, who called plays in last year’s bowl game for Georgia, would likely do so again, assuming he is still with the program.
It was a rough season at Georgia for Schottenheimer, whose offense ranks 75th nationally in total yardage, down from 30th last year.
It is unclear whether Schottenheimer made the decision on his own, thus walking away from a substantial amount of money, or reached a settlement with UGA. His contract entitles him to the remainder of his salary — about $1.9 million combined over the next two years — and a bowl bonus.
Lilly called the plays in last year’s Belk Bowl because the team was in between coordinators. Mike Bobo had left Athens to become Colorado State’s head coach and Schottenheimer had not yet been hired. The result was a 37-14 win over Louisville in which Georgia’s offense racked up 492 yards.
The Taxslayer Bowl has different dynamics, however. Nick Chubb, who rushed for 266 yards in last year’s bowl, was lost for the season. Richt isn’t around as head coach anymore and Bryan McClendon, the receivers coach, is set to serve as interim head coach.
That is also assuming McClendon will still be around. Georgia has a bowl media day on Wednesday and indications are McClendon will be there. Incoming head coach Kirby Smart will be back at Alabama preparing its defense for the national playoffs.
Bowl practices will see a handful of positions coached by graduate assistants.
Georgia lost Pruitt, its defensive coordinator, who took the same job with Alabama. It is expected that outside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer will serve in the role in the short term.
Inside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler might also be gone. Offensive line coach Rob Sale has seen his job filled by Sam Pittman and it is not known if Sale will serve through the bowl.
Georgia has used graduate assistants in bowls before when it has been in between assistants. The defensive staff only had one full-time coach for the Independence Bowl after the 2009 season and Georgia won that game.
But that was just on one side of the ball and with the head coach still in place. This time Georgia is approaching the postseason with a skeleton crew.
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