Pending a background check, longtime special-teams coach Ray Rychleski will be hired to Georgia Tech’s staff to coach special teams. He would replace special-teams coordinator David Walkosky, who resigned earlier this month after two seasons on the job. The hire was first reported Tuesday by coachingsearch.com.
Rychleski is expected to also assist offensive-line coach Mike Sewak. The hiring process may not be completed until next week.
Rychleski most recently worked as special-teams coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL for the 2013 season before reportedly being dismissed. Before that, he was the special-teams coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts 2009-11, helping the team to the Super Bowl in his first season.
He coached 28 years at the college level before the Colts job, including at Wake Forest 1993-2000, Maryland 2001-07 and South Carolina in 2008. At Maryland, where he coached for former Tech assistant Ralph Friedgen and was special-teams coordinator and tight ends coach, the Terrapins blocked 23 kicks, returning eight for touchdowns.
Tech brings back kicker Harrison Butker, return specialist Jamal Golden and punter Ryan Rodwell.
Grffin fired: Former Tech player personnel director Matt Griffin was fired with cause May 1, according to his personnel file.
The file, obtained through an open-records request, indicates that he was fired for “violation of rules.” There is no further explanation, but a letter from athletic director Mike Bobinski to Griffin informing him of his termination stated that he owes the athletic association $9,388.35 for “personal expenses charged to our accounts. If you do not repay this amount within five (5) business days, we will take any necessary legal steps to recover these expenses.”
That sum amounts to more than 10 percent of the $90,000 salary he was receiving from Tech. Griffin also was admonished for an inadvertent minor NCAA rules violation in December, for bringing a non-spouse to a dinner in conjunction with an official recruiting visit. By NCAA rule, a staff member can bring a guest to an official-visit dinner only if that person is a spouse.
Williams to Troy: Former Tech defensive end Anthony Williams will play his final season at Troy. Williams recently graduated from Tech with a management degree and will have immediate eligibility.
Williams was not able to win regular playing time in his three seasons at Tech, playing in 28 games, mostly in a special-teams role. Williams was put in a position to seek a transfer after he was not invited back for his final season at Tech.
“I don’t regret anything at Georgia Tech,” he said. “I got a great education, made a lot of friends, and enjoyed my time there. I wish the best of luck to Georgia Tech this season.”
Release granted: Quarterback Ty Griffin, who last season redshirted as a freshman, has been granted his release to possibly transfer. Griffin, from McEachern High, participated in spring practice in competition with quarterbacks Justin Thomas, Tim Byerly and Matthew Jordan.
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