ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Brian Schottenheimer's background as a player at Florida almost got in the way of his hopes to become offensive coordinator at Georgia.

During Schottenheimer's interview with Georgia coach Mark Richt, one of the Bulldogs' biggest rivalry games was mentioned. That was when Schottenheimer made his mistake.

"He did refer to it as the Florida-Georgia game," Richt said Friday. Richt says he quickly made sure Schottenheimer knew that in Athens it's called the Georgia-Florida game.

A smiling Schottenheimer said his blunder "almost did me in."

Richt says following a marathon interview he was convinced Schottenheimer, the former St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator, was sincere about a college job after 14 years in the NFL.

Schottenheimer, whose hiring was announced on Wednesday, says he expects "an easy fit" in Georgia's pro-style offense.