The Georgia Bulldogs welcomed back Bryan McClendon as receivers coach following six years of being away, while the Auburn Tigers bid farewell to offensive coordinator Austin Davis after just six weeks on the job.
A week that contains the traditional national signing date began in busy fashion for the Southeastern Conference, with Georgia announcing McClendon’s return to the Bulldogs and Auburn revealing that Bryan Harsin is now searching for his third offensive coordinator. Davis spent this past season as quarterbacks coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
“The last week has been difficult for me as I’ve made the decision to step away from coaching football,” Davis said Monday through a statement. “Auburn University and Coach Harsin have been tremendous through this whole process. I am grateful for the opportunity that was presented to me from a coaching standpoint, and, equally as important, the way Coach Harsin has handled my current situation.
“My decision to resign is 100% based on personal reasons. After more than a decade in the NFL, with the daily grind as a player and coach, I’ve realized how much I miss my family and my desire to spend more time with them.”
Mike Bobo was Auburn’s offensive coordinator this past season, when the Tigers started out 6-2 and were ranked No. 12 in the country before losing their final four regular-season games, including a four-overtime loss to visiting Alabama in the latest memorable Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Bobo was let go by Harsin after the regular season, but the Tigers struggled again during a 17-13 loss to Houston in the Birmingham Bowl, which marked a fifth consecutive overall loss and a fourth when having a second-half lead.