Macon Telegraph Georgia beat man David Hale informs us today that Auburn has received permission to speak with Bulldogs offensive line coach Stacy Searels about joining Gene Chizik's staff on the Plains.

Georgia coach Mark Richt confirmed the news today.

Chizik, who has hit the recruiting trail hard since accepting the job last Saturday, has not yet made any comments on his staffing situation.

Searels played at Auburn from 1984-87, earning first-team all-SEC honors his last two seasons and being named a first-team All-American in 1987. He started his coaching career at Auburn as a graduate assistant. He's since coached at Appalachian State, Cincinnati, LSU and now Georgia.

Here's his full bio.

Interestingly, Richt has not been contacted about recruiting coordinator/defensive line coach Rodney Garner, another former Auburn man who played with Searels and spent six years as a Tigers assistant from 1990-95.

Georgia DT Jeff Owens has reportedly said Garner told him he was staying put.