Mark Richt out as Georgia coach; Virginia Tech hires Justin Fuente; Les Miles stays at LSU

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 the two “mutually agreed that he would step down as head coach and would have the opportunity to accept other duties and responsibilities at UGA following the bowl game.”

Georgia (9-3) ended its regular season Saturday with a 13-7 win over Georgia Tech. It appeared following the game Richt had no plans to step down. He said he planned to begin recruiting “and getting prepared for the future at Georgia.”

Now, his future as Georgia’s coach will include only one game. Richt, who averaged nearly 10 wins a season, will coach the Bulldogs in their bowl game as the search for his successor begins.

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.”

Although the Bulldogs closed the season with four straight wins, there had been speculation about Richt’s future since losses to Tennessee, Alabama and Florida ended the team’s hopes for a Southeastern Conference championship. The Bulldogs were the preseason pick in the SEC East.

Richt was 145-51 with two SEC championships in 15 seasons at Georgia. Only Vince Dooley (201) won more games at the school.

Fuente to Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech hired Memphis’ Justin Fuente as its next football coach, bringing a quick end to its search for a successor to the retiring Frank Beamer. Fuente, who had been mentioned in connection with the USC job after the Trojans fired Steve Sarkisian last month, went 26-23 in four seasons at Memphis, including 19-6 the last two years. Memphis is 9-3 this year and is bowl eligible for a second straight season. Offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey will be Memphis’ interim head coach while it seeks a permanent replacement.

Miles staying at LSU

Les Miles is staying on as Louisiana State’s coach, despite much speculation to the contrary. Athletic Director Joe Alleva made the announcement Saturday night after the Tigers (8-3) beat Texas A&M to end a three-game losing streak that had followed a 7-0 start. The first three-game skid of Miles’ 11 seasons at LSU had led to speculation, some of it fueled by Miles himself, that he could be gone after the season despite a 111-33 record and a 2007 national championship.

Shake-up at Rutgers

Rutgers fired football coach Kyle Flood and athletic director Julie Hermann after a failed season on and off the field. The Scarlet Knights finished 4-8, but that was the least of their issues. Flood was suspended for three games for making inappropriate contact with a professor regarding a player’s academics, and seven players have been arrested since August. University President Robert Barchi announced that Patrick Hobbs, Dean Emeritus of the Seton Hall University School of Law, will take over for Hermann. Assistant head coach Norries Wilson will be interim coach until a permanent replacement is hired.

Campbell to Iowa State

Iowa State hired Toledo coach Matt Campbell, who celebrated his 36th birthday by agreeing to a six-year contract to coach the Cyclones. Campbell, whose 2016 salary will be $2 million, replaces Paul Rhoads, who was fired a week earlier after seven seasons. Campbell becomes the youngest coach at a Power Five school. He went 35-15 in four seasons with the Rockets, including 9-2 this season with victories over Iowa State and Arkansas.

London leaves Virginia

Mike London resigned as Virginia’s coach after the Cavaliers (4-8) failed to post a winning record for the fifth time in his six seasons. A 23-20 loss Saturday to Virginia Tech, Virginia’s 12th straight defeat in the intrastate series, left London with a 27-46 record at the school.

Etc.

Penn State fired offensive coordinator John Donovan, who oversaw an offense that ranks 108th in total yardage and 101st in scoring nationally. . . . Purdue announced that Coach Darrell Hazell will return in 2016, but offensive coordinator John Shoop, defensive coordinator Greg Hudson and defensive tackles coach Rubin Carter were fired in the wake of a 2-10 season. . . . USC returned to the Associated Press rankings at No. 24 after Saturday’s 40-21 win over UCLA. . . . Kentucky Coach Mark Stoops said junior quarterback Patrick Towles, who’d started 22 consecutive games before being replaced by redshirt freshman Drew Barker last week, will transfer. . . . North Carolina cornerback Tyreece Jiles was arrested on suspicion of assault after an alleged incident at a nightclub hours after the Tar Heels’ victory over rival North Carolina State on Saturday.