The Associated Press

 

Mark Richt stepped down as Georgia’s coach Sunday in what was called a “mutual” decision but looked like a firing.

Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement that he met with Richt on Sunday morning “to discuss the status of our football program.” McGarity said they “mutually agreed that (Richt) would step down as head coach.”

Richt had only a short statement in the announcement released by Georgia.

“I appreciate the opportunity of serving the university as well as considering any other options that may present themselves in the future,” Richt said.

Richt was set to meet with his players Sunday night.

There has been speculation about Richt’s future since losses to Tennessee, Alabama and Florida ended hopes for an SEC title. Georgia closed the regular season with four straight wins, but that was not enough to make up for failing to land a spot in the conference title game. The Bulldogs were the preseason pick in the SEC East.

Richt, 55, was 145-51 with two SEC championships. Only Vince Dooley (201) won more games at Georgia.

Georgia’s last SEC championship was in 2005.

MILES STAYING AT LSU

Les Miles rode across the Tiger Stadium field on the shoulders of his players while fans chanted his name.

It would have been quite a send-off, except LSU’s administration doesn’t want Miles going anywhere.

Minutes after LSU closed the regular season with a victory over Texas A&M on Saturday night, athletic director Joe Alleva said Miles will remain coach. The announcement capped more than a week of speculation Miles was on the verge of losing his job after his first three-game losing streak in his 11 years at LSU.

LSU’s administration had allowed speculation about Miles’ status to fester by refusing to comment on the matter.

VA. TECH HIRES COACH

Virginia Tech hired Memphis’ Justin Fuente to replace the retiring Frank Beamer.

Fuente has spent the past four seasons at Memphis, turning a struggling program into a winner.

Virginia Tech said defensive coordinator Bud Foster, thought to be a candidate for the job, will remain in that position at Fuente’s request. Beamer, with 279 wins over 29 seasons, is the sixth-winningest coach at the FBS level in college history.

RUTGERS FIRES COACH, AD

Rutgers fired coach Kyle Flood and athletic director Julie Hermann.

Flood, who was 27-24 in four seasons, was suspended for three games this season for making inappropriate contact with a professor regarding a player’s academics. Also, seven players were arrested since August.

U.VA.’S LONDON RESIGNS

Mike London resigned after failing to guide Virginia to a winning season in five of his six seasons as coach.

The move comes less than 24 hours after Virginia lost to state rival Virginia Tech, its 12th consecutive loss in the series. London had a 27-46 record at Virginia.

ODDS AND ENDS

Toledo coach Matt Campbell is the new coach at Iowa State. Campbell, who agreed to a six-year contract starting at $2 million for 2016, replaces former Pitt assistant Paul Rhoads. Rhoads was fired after seven seasons. Campbell went 35-15 in four seasons with the Rockets. … A reserve at North Carolina has been arrested on an assault charge. Raleigh police say cornerback Tyreece Jiles got into a fight with an employee at a nightclub about 2 a.m. Sunday. He was charged with simple assault and released from jail on a $1,200 bond. … Kentucky junior quarterback Patrick Towles will transfer. He has career totals of 5,099 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. … Purdue coach Darrell Hazell announced that offensive coordinator John Shoop — an Oakmont native — defensive coordinator Greg Hudson and defensive tackles coach Rubin Carter will not return.