How Georgia’s coaching vacancy affects South Carolina’s search

South Carolina has a new competitor in the search for its next head football coach, and it’s one that could directly impact the Gamecocks’ process.

Georgia is now in the market for a new coach after the announcement Sunday the school and longtime head man Mark Richt have parted ways. The early list of prospective coaching options for the Bulldogs, according to multiple reports, includes Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and Houston head coach Tom Herman.

Both Smart and Herman are among the lead group that USC is considering to fill the opening created by Steve Spurrier’s midseason resignation.

“I would like to have it done by Dec. 10-12, at the latest,” athletic director Ray Tanner told The State.

247Sports on Sunday reported that Herman would have interest in the Georgia job.

Smart, a defensive back at Georgia in the late 1990s and a former Bulldogs assistant, “is getting strong consideration to replace Richt,” according to a report by Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman. Smart remains the leader for USC’s opening, Feldman reported.

Other names popping up on Georgia’s potential target list include Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher and Philadelphia Eagles’ coach Chip Kelly.

This story was originally published November 29, 2015 at 2:22 PM.