Chick-fil-A Bowl: Dec. 15 News and Notes

ATHENS - Josh Kendall's news and notes from Georgia's Chick-fil-A Bowl practices.

MOVING UP: Offensive coordinator Neil Callaway continues to move up on UAB’s coaching search list as other candidates fall out. LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher is now out of the running after the state’s Board of Regents nixed an interview out of concern Fisher would come at too high a price, according to The Birmingham News. South Carolina defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix was interviewed but took his name out of the race, according to The (Columbia, S.C.) State.

Callaway, a Macon native who interviewed with the school Wednesday, declined comment for a second straight day Friday. UAB is trying to replace Watson Brown, who resigned last week.

“We haven’t brought it up to him, and he hasn’t said anything to us,” junior guard Chester Adams said. “I figure if he’s really considering it, he’ll come to us because that’s just the kind of coach he is. He’s going to tell you straight.”

Assistant coaches leaving is “part of life, part of football,” Richt said.

“I don’t think anybody is excited to see their coach go, but the one thing I want (the players) to understand is how serious I am about always being here and always being that stability,” Richt said.

GETTING CLOSER: Junior kicker Brandon Coutu (hamstring) kicked during Friday’s practice and moved closer to being ready for the bowl game.

“I was very encouraged, and I would say there’s a pretty good chance he could play in the game,” Richt said.

PRACTICE REPORT: The Bulldogs practiced for two hours in the morning and then took the afternoon off. The team’s graduating seniors did not participate due to commencement ceremonies so the team scrimmaged its young players in four, eight-play drives.

Tailback Knowshon Moreno, safeties Quintin Banks and Reshad Jones and linebacker Darryl Gamble, all true freshmen, caught Richt’s eye, he said. Georgia begins its four two-a-day sessions today.

“It’s kind of a love-hate situation,” said senior safety Tra Battle, a Forsyth native. “I dread two-a-days any time of the year, but given that it’s my last two-a-days, I kind of want to savor them a little bit.”