Georgia AD: Coach Mark Fox will return next season

The status of Georgia coach Mark Fox was firmed up for next season when the school’s athletic director strongly refuted a published report and announced Fox will be the coach next season.

Athletic director Greg McGarity sternly rebuked a report from Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports! that Georgia was evaluating candidates to succeed Fox.

“In response to the report by Yahoo Sports, we are NOT in the process of exploring our options to replace Mark Fox,” McGarity said in a statement. “We look forward to Mark leading our program next year and all of our efforts are centered on postseason play.

“It’s unfortunate we need to respond at this time, but it was necessary to quiet these unfounded rumors.”

The Bulldogs are 18-13 entering the SEC tournament and probably need to reach the conference title game to have a chance at an NCAA at-large bid.

Georgia features two first-team All-SEC performers in senior guard J.J. Frazier (18.7 points) and junior forward Yante Maten (18.7 points, 6.9 rebounds).

However, Maten suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of a loss to Kentucky on Feb. 18 and missed the ensuing four games. And he won’t be available for the SEC Tournament, according to Fox.

Despite the loss of Maten, the Bulldogs have finished strong with wins in five of their last seven games.

Fox has a 144-116 record with two NCAA appearances during his eight seasons at Georgia. He has three seasons remaining on his contract.

McGarity had regularly declined to comment on Fox’s future prior to Tuesday’s statement