Bryan McClendon's short era as Georgia's head coach begins

ATHENS -- Bryan McClendon hasn't had too much time to get used to his new job title.

It's all happened at a fast pace, from being primarily a receivers coach to assuming control over the entire Georgia football program. With Mark Richt taking the Miami head coaching job and deciding not to stick with Georgia for its bowl game, McClendon was elevated to the position of interim head coach for this one game.

It's been quite the step for McClendon, who is in his ninth season as an assistant coach with the Bulldogs. As for the job, he has had to figure out how to adjust the responsibilities accordingly.

"I've learned the kids are the easy part," McClendon said. "Everything else, dealing with the adults, is what eats up a lot of your time, to be honest with you. What I have learned is how much goes through the head coach and how much input you actually do have on every decision that's made. That's why it's super important to have good people around you. It really is."

In the midst of preparing for the TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State, McClendon's future at Georgia remains uncertain. Of late, his status has ­trended against him being brought back next season under new head coach Kirby Smart.

McClendon also serves as Georgia's recruiting coordinator, which was a responsibility new offensive line coach Sam Pittman held at Arkansas. That could make Pittman a candidate to take that title if McClendon isn't retained. McClendon has also been linked to possibly being a candidate on staffs at South Carolina and Miami.

For the time being, McClendon said he's doing his part to focus solely on the upcoming TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State on Jan. 2.

"Right now, it's all about the kids," McClendon said. "Obviously, that stuff will take care of itself a little later on."

McClendon reached out to Richt shortly after being named the interim head coach, with Richt telling him the No. 1 priority is to make sure he makes every decision with the mindset of how it will affect the coaching staff and 125 players on the roster.

Senior receiver Malcolm Mitchell said he expects McClendon to do well in his new one-game role as a head coach.

"I think he'll do a phenomenal job," Mitchell said. "I think he's a great coach. I think he's ready for it, to take on this challenge. What comes from it, we'll find out from it as time goes on.

"Right now, I'm excited to see what he brings to the table."

During the media viewing portion of Wednesday's practice, McClendon continued to coach the wide receivers with the help of quality control assistant Olten Downs.

While the offensive coaches have had plenty of time to work with McClendon, this is new territory for many of the defensive players.

"It's going to be interesting to see his coaching style, because we've seen him as a position coach," defensive end Sterling Bailey said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him as a head coach. I know he's going to be good; he's going to be fun. He brings a lot of energy as a position coach and I can't wait to see the energy he brings as a head coach."

For McClendon, this is could very well be the lone shot he has at coaching his alma mater.

He was a receiver for Georgia from 2002-05. With McClendon being the one to bridge the gap between Richt and Smart, he's going to cherish the time he has on the job.

"Surprised," McClendon said when learning he'd be Georgia's interim coach for the bowl game. "Not in a bad way, but just surprised. And excited, excited about the opportunity to be able to do it.

"Very rarely does a guy who's working his way up the ranks get put in a position like that in a school that he loves, at his alma mater. I'm very honored, but surprised initially."