JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There’s a big difference between being a position coach and leading an entire football team. Georgia interim coach Bryan McClendon is learning on the fly as his Bulldogs continue preparing for Saturday’s TaxSlayer Bowl matchup against Penn State.
"Mentally I'm preparing, I'm watching the bowl games and thinking what would I do in this situation or that situation,” said McClendon who was promoted from wide receivers coach for this game. “Hopefully, I won't make any boneheaded decisions, and if I do, y'all will take it easy on me. If there was a proverbial book on being a head coach, I would've read it three times by now. It's not about me; it's about these kids.”
It’s been a little over a month since Georgia played in its last game. One McClendon’s challenges has been making sure players are up to speed after the long layoff.
"We continue to get ready for game day,” said Georgia interim head coach Bryan McClendon. “In bowl games, the team that is more excited to be there and excited to play tends to do better. You have to maintain your conditioning too. It's hard to judge how you will play in bowl games because of the time between the games. You prepare and focus, and get ready to compete and should be excited to play again."