The Georgia Bulldogs took the unusual step of responding to speculation about coach Tom Crean’s job security on Saturday morning.
On Friday night, Dawg Sports reported that the school was considering firing Crean for cause following a reported physical altercation between two assistant coaches. Assistant coach Wade Mason and director of player personnel Brian Fish reportedly fought at halftime of a recent game against LSU, which led to Mason being suspended. Crean was contractually obligated to report the incident to university officials, but reports claim that someone other than Crean did so. That, according to the report, is enough for Georgia to prepare to fire Crean with cause, which would keep Georgia from having to pay the coach a $3.6 million buyout.
Early Saturday, Georgia responded to the report. In a statement, the school said the incident in question had been reported properly, and that some reports surrounding the status of some Georgia officials ranged from “completely inaccurate to incomplete and premature.”
BREAKING: #UGA responds to report that they were on the verge of firing Tom Crean for cause after incident involving assistant coaches. pic.twitter.com/j0TS599NPt
— Cody Chaffins (@CodyChaffins) February 19, 2022
The line about reports being “premature” is certainly going to garner some attention. The Bulldogs are 6-20 this season and 47-69 under Crean, so Georgia would not necessarily be unjustified in wanting to move on from him. The team has not really improved under him, and with him in his fourth season, the excuses he used in the early part of his tenure don’t hold up anymore.
Georgia does not appear ready to walk away from Crean yet, but the writing appears to be on the wall here. The biggest question may be how long Georgia leaves him hanging, and whether the team tries to fire him with cause or not.
Photo: Feb 12, 2022; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Tom Crean reacts on the sideline against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
