Chavis-to-Georgia rumors still alive — and why not Garner? (UPDATE II)
Rodney Garner has been getting raises. But he never has been given a shot at the defensive coordinator's job. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@AJC.com)
(UPDATED BELOW WITH CHAVIS COMMENT)
(SECOND UPDATE WITH RICHT SAYING GARNER IS NOT A CANDIDATE)
When I posted a blog Tuesday morning about LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis telling one of his players that he was not interested in the Georgia job, contrary to rumors, the last thing I expected was that it would unravel into some inane and profane race debate. After becoming aware of it last night from a reader (while I was covering the Hawks’ dreadful performance), I had to close commenting and eventually deleted about 60 comments.
It’s with that, and some trepidation, that I inform you of one thing and ask another this morning:
♦ Chris Low, the respected SEC football writer at ESPN.com, posted a blog this morning with the headline, “Chavis on Richt’s radar at Georgia.”
♦ If Bulldogs coach Mark Richt doesn’t get the coordinator he wants to replace Willie Martinez, would it be so awful if he promoted Rodney Garner?
First on the Chavis thing. I wouldn’t have brought it up a second day in a row if somebody like Low didn’t report it. (Notice I wrote Low, not ESPN in general). An excerpt from the blog:
In talking to several people close to the situation, Richt has serious interest in Chavis and is prepared to throw some serious money at the veteran defensive coordinator, who headed up Tennessee’s defense for 14 seasons prior to joining Les Miles’ staff at LSU for this past season.
Chavis makes a lot of sense. He’s a proven commodity and knows the SEC well. The Tigers were 12th nationally this season in scoring defense, allowing 16 points per game. They gave up just 18 touchdowns in 12 games. Only five teams nationally yielded fewer touchdowns this season.
Low also pointed out this interesting stat:
Since his promotion to defensive coordinator at Tennessee in 1995, he’s 7-3 against the Bulldogs in Sanford Stadium. That includes LSU’s 20-13 win over Georgia this season.
If Richt has some super secret candidate on his radar that nobody has mentioned, he deserves kudos for being so stealth. There has been nothing to indicate that, however. Chavis obviously would be a strong hire. But the likelihood of him leaving LSU after only one season — when he stayed at his previous school for 20 — would be surprising. If nothing else, Chavis — like so many others — might just get a raise out of this.
Now, about Garner. He is not a coordinator. But the case can be made he is the second most important football coach at Georgia after Richt. Why? Because he’s the recruiting coordinator. He keeps getting raises because other schools keep coming after him because he keeps landing all of those 37-star recruits we obsess about.
After Martinez’s firing, there were a flurry of unsubstantiated rumors, mostly on Twitter, that Garner resigned after learning he was not a serious candidate for the defensive coordinator’s position. Garner shot down those rumors, obviously. He stayed for the Independence Bowl game and, with the aid of only two grad assistants, he directed a strong defensive performance in Georgia’s win over Texas A&M.
The fact Garner has never been the defensive coordinator — or presumably has received a strong offer to call plays for another school — has led to this perception that he is not worthy of that position. If that’s true, here’s my question: Why not? Doesn’t he deserve the chance? It’s a topic that I don’t know has been given the attention it deserves.
(UPDATE: Chavis says nothing to quell speculation)
Our Tim Tucker has blogged about Chavis’s non-denial/denial at a Capital One Bowl press conference when asked about the Georgia job. You can click the link above, but here’s an excerpt:
Asked at a Capital One Bowl news conference in Orlando about his possible interest in the Georgia defensive coordinator job, Chavis said: “Well, we’re excited about what we’re doing at LSU, and my focus has been on LSU and will continue to be on LSU. We have an opportunity to win 10 ballgames, and certainly that is what we want to do. We’ve got an opportunity to be the third team in the SEC to win 100 ballgames in a decade, and certainly that is what we want to do.
“So that is where our focus is going to be. I’ll talk as long as you want to about LSU and about our players. I’ll be happy to do that.”
In other words: no comment about the Georgia job.
Didn’t exactly put that rumor to rest, did he?
(SECOND UPDATE)
Richt told Tucker this morning that Garner is not a candidate for the coaching job. That confirms what most of us thought — that if he was going to get the job, it would’ve happened by now. Richt also said the job search could take longer than expected.
Richt sidestepped a question on Chavis. An excerpt:
Richt would not comment today on his interest in LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis or any other candidates. But he did say that Rodney Garner, the only holdover on Georgia’s defensive staff, is not under consideration for the DC job.
“No, Rodney is not a candidate for the job. He knows that,” Richt said. “We’re just still in the search.”
As for all the rumors swirling throughout Bulldog Nation about the search, Richt said: “I’m not taking any pleasure at all in what people might be going through out there. All I can say is . . . when I do have that decision made and it’s ready for public consumption, I’ll let everybody know. My goal is to get the right man for the job.”
Asked specifically about Chavis, Richt said: “I’m not going to make any comment on these things until we’ve got our man.”
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492 comments Add your comment
GeorgiaDawg
December 31st, 2009
8:04 am
Steve,
You are mimssing the point. If we go with Garner will it really be a change? No..We need to go in a new direction, and if garner leaves then so be it. He is no irreplaceable. I think most UGA fans would also like to see Bobo go too…
Reality
December 31st, 2009
8:09 am
If Garner leaves Georgia it will be for a head coach job or a defensive coordinator job that offers a big raise. But believe me his job as recruiting coordinator is every bit as important as any defensive or offensive coordinator job. Recruiting IS the life blood of any college football program. Maybe that is why Rodney Garner is and has been Richt’s highest paid assistant coach. Garner’s title at UGA is Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. And he just happens to be the defensive line coach as well.
If Richt i able to land the big name coordinator he wants he may make Garner defensive coordinator and Rodney may be excellent at that too. But it would leave a huge void in recruiting/ Being recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator would be too great a challenge to leave in the hands of just one man.
jerry
December 31st, 2009
8:13 am
It won’t be Garner. It defies logic to go looking for a DC when there is one right under your nose. Another ridiculous premise by Shultz.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 31st, 2009
8:16 am
The Georgia Bulldogs beat my jackettes 30-24 on our own “historic” Grant Field in our quaint little Bobby Dodd Stadium that we can never sell out. The Bulldogs were just too physical for us. My thanks to Clemson and Georgia for filling up our little high school stadium with their mass of loyal fans when they come to town.
Historically, Georgia Tech fans are the most fair weather as well as the biggest cowards in all of college football. I sure hope PJ doesn’t expect us to ever attempt to punch anyone in the face. He’ll be very disappointed because no we Tech fans are incapable of standing up to other men.
Meanwhile, remember that UGA dominates the series with GA Tech. And also remember that the most overranked two teams in America square off in the Orange Bowl aka the Overranked Bowl.
30-24!!!!!
8 out 0f 9!!!!
I must go now, mommy has my bowl of Captain Crunch ready for my breakfast.
Go Tech!
jerry
December 31st, 2009
8:28 am
Shultz the jerkz
Hal
December 31st, 2009
8:31 am
Jeff, not sure if you’re still catching posts on here or not and out of 456 comments maybe this has already been said. I REALLY, as does much of the bulldog nation appreciate what coach Garner has done at UGA. He’s a great man and a better recruiter and obviously a pretty darn good coach.
However, even if it means he leaves, I don’t think after one five year experiment that UGA or even Coach Richt can afford another. UGA needs a bad a** defensive guru. Sure BVG was an experiment somewhat (at least at this level) that worked. WM was one that didn’t. Coach can’t get caught up in the “feel good” and do the right thing by Coach G, he has to do the right thing by UGA.
Rock E. Topp
December 31st, 2009
8:42 am
How far has UGA sunk that the redneck fans are excited about the mere possibility of landing a UT reject coach? Chavis will always be a Vol and would never lower his standards to be in Athens. No amount of money could make him do that. It ain’t happening rednecks. So stay in your trailers and drink your PBR while you keep dreaming. Fear the Kiff for many years to come, boys!
AllDawgs3
December 31st, 2009
8:45 am
If Rodney Gardner were qualified to be a D-Co, then one of the other schools who “want” him should offer up the position..No one has historically and it is likely that no major program will do so going forward…He is great at what he does and is paid well for it.
Hal
December 31st, 2009
8:47 am
holy smoaks…. a UT fan calling us rednecks? Really? Dude are you just a fan or have you ever been to Knoxville? Go kiss your mama and your sister! NOTE: that will only require ONE kiss hick!
Rock E. Topp
December 31st, 2009
8:51 am
@ Hal. Sorry but I cannot kiss my mom or sister right now. Your daughter is still at my house and we are expecting your wife to join us any minute. I will let you know which one I like best later today. Yes, I have been to Knoxville and Athens. Georgia is the Redneck Capital of the South, redneck.
Hal
December 31st, 2009
8:54 am
Rock E. Topp, please let me know which one you like better between my wife and daughter. I have been trying to pick a favorite between them for years. My daughter kisses better but my wife does other things better, if you know what I mean.
Hal
December 31st, 2009
9:01 am
stop impersonating anal hole. You truly are the epitome of a UT fan and a redneck hick. You’ve allowed your view of a football program to infiltrate your perception of a city, a state or an entire group of people. Shows the shallow minded nature you posses and truly I doubt it surprises anyone reading your monkey dribble. Keep posting, you look more intelligent everytime… notice how you are too embarrassed to post your real name.
Matthew
December 31st, 2009
9:12 am
Jeff, nice try but no cigar. My personal opinion is I think you’re race-baiting to get people to think ‘well Jeff’s right, there’s nothing wrong with Garner so it must be his race.’ Then when your blogs go up in smoke with racial comments, you try to take the high road. This is your second blog in the last 48hrs at trying to dangle Garner out there, is it not? On the surface I’m sure it’s an effort to get “more blog hits”. But on a deeper level it’s more than that. Anytime a blog is written to deliberately stoke racial fights, there is some sort of agenda going on.
Rock E. Topp
December 31st, 2009
9:26 am
@ Hal. Were you born an idiot or did you develop into one over the years? Obviously, you never darkened the doorway of a college classroom. My guess is you barely made it out of high school and only root for UGA to be more like the other rednecks down at the Waffle House where you work. I bet you get your UGA gear at WalMart….correct? I know it must be hard for you to accept the UGA is going down the toilet while UT is on the rise, but do the best with your limited mental capability. By the way, your wife has been here for about 30 minutes and there is a winner……your daughter by a mile. Your wife is on the way back to the trailer but your daughter might not be home for a couple days, redneck.
1eyedJack
December 31st, 2009
9:30 am
Hal, I am a booger eater and I would know another booger eater. I especially like the big green ones with extra mucus. Man I am getting hungry just thinking about it.
Atticus
December 31st, 2009
9:58 am
Jeff do some research please. Just listen to Pollack who played for him. He said he is a great recruiter, great DL coach but knows very little about DBs, coverages or scheming. Please come up with something better than this, it is the worst kept secret in Athens. That is not a criticism of Garner but he is not that type of coach.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 31st, 2009
10:15 am
ACC (Academic Colleges Conference)
SEC (Special Education Conference)
TX A&M vs U of Texas and rare steaks?? %$#@
December 31st, 2009
10:18 am
All of you folks trying to lay some trash on UGA’s D in the Weedeater are nuts. Yes, Texas A&M did have about 35 MORE plays on O than UGA and yes, they did have nearly 455 yds vs UGA.
How did they fare vs. # 2 Texas? Hmmm? In the 3rd qtr vs Texas, they had already amassed 400 total yds and ended up with about 550. My point?
What matters is WHO wins the game. Texas is in the NC game and UGA did defeat A & M with the 5th best O in the USA and we did it without a legit D coaching staff. That is like saying my steak is too rare, when you have never eaten a steak.
How many of you clowns on this site have attended ANY university, anyway??
H New Year clowns.
Todd - Dacula
December 31st, 2009
10:24 am
PC Professor …… Stuuuuuuuupppppppppiiiiiiiiiiddddddddd Idiot…
My point is that no one on this blo is qualified to say if Rodney Garner is qualified to be DC. There is no guarantee that he will fail or those that all of you head coaches and atheletic directors on this think will be a great hire.
For you (not CMR) to say he no DC is simply stupid.
vermontdawg
December 31st, 2009
10:24 am
Garner, as Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator, should get a very nice raise for his consistency and success at his position! And CMR should bring in the best available DC for the job and pay him accordingly. Garner’s role is crucial. Don’t shake up the coordination in recruiting while you attempt to shore up the D-Fence!!!
chazzo
December 31st, 2009
10:47 am
How long has Garner been a coach? How long did he play? It is completely absurd to assume the man doesn’t know how a defensive back field operates. C’mon. I don’t think that’s a reasonable assessment.
As for me, I don’t know that much about him, honestly. Who of us can say we know enough about the guy and his performance to make these kinds of judgements? I am betting a small minority of us. Personally, I think he should have gotten the job instead of Willie.
chazzo
December 31st, 2009
10:52 am
PS. Apparently, Gardner has a solid relationship with the players and is able to motivate a lot of recruits to come to Athens. I bet the guys would play their guts out for him.
Nick
December 31st, 2009
11:13 am
Where does the perception that Coach Garner is not DC material come from. The decision belongs to CMR and I am confident that he will make the best decision, but I want to know where this perception comes from. Look at the job he has done this year. Maybe 3 more NFL DL’s after this year. Coach Garner has done great things for the program and deserves a little more respect than he is getting.
Stinger
December 31st, 2009
11:25 am
I agree, give it to Garner, if he will take it. No one of any substance would dare take that job. They will be gone in one year with that weak talent.
harleyman
December 31st, 2009
12:08 pm
Hey Stinger and the rest of you Techies. How come you aren’t in Miami? And don’t tell me your on the motel computer. But it is highly possible, you guys don’t know what to do for fun in Miami. I mean, no D&D conventions and stuff.
Josey Wales
December 31st, 2009
12:33 pm
The fact that it is dragging out maybe past the first week in January tells me Richt has to wait until that person(if indeed a college coach) is done coaching this year. The last college game to be played is Jan 7 with the Alabama game. You figure it out…..
scdawg
December 31st, 2009
12:49 pm
Jeff, is that’s indeed “what you thought” (about CRG), why did you bring it up in the first place . . .
Just asking . . .
how2fish
December 31st, 2009
1:13 pm
Josey Wales good point any one know when they can talk to any NFL guys that CMR may best interested in?
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
1:29 pm
As a Tech fan, I understand the passion of the DL Job. God knows we need one.
The fans and players for UGA must understand the pressure CMR is under. Nevertheless, Garner can go wrong for assisting in the win against the aggies. He will land a DL job eventually.
Good blog Jeff. No progress with out passion.
Ramblin Wreck! “Happy New Year all College Football fans!”
Not Disappointed
December 31st, 2009
1:29 pm
typo: “Garner cant go wrong…..” sorry
Your $1.4 million Shreveport vs. Our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 31st, 2009
1:30 pm
DawginLex, How2fish, One eyed jack and little i are like all the other dog fans I know. They don’t like the fact that Tech will be competitive as long as Paul Johnson is there.
As a result, their insecurities and inferiority complexes shine brightly because they’ve always had Tech to throw off on after they lost to Spurrier, Zook, Meyer, Saban, Kiffen, Miles, Brooks, Gandy etc.
Now that Paul Johnson is in place and ready to punch them in the face they are messing in their (I would say pants but their unit is so small it doesn’t require them to even wear any).
That’s why they have dodged my 3 questions ever since the short busses returned from Shreveport. Hopefully they can adjust to the New World Order with or without a reputable defensive coordinator. Time will certainly tell.
Your $1.4 million Shreveport vs. Our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 31st, 2009
1:33 pm
ACC (Academic Colleges Conference)
SEC (Special Education Conference)
And Outback made the RIGHT choice!
bornuga
December 31st, 2009
1:39 pm
anyone else notice that the dawgs did just as well if not better without Martinez et.al. against a pretty good offense? Why not take a look with Garner then he can at least know what type of a defensive scheme he’s recruiting for to coach. By the way Joe Kines defense for A&M reminded me of his days here with Donnan (OUCH)
Gator CHOMP Champ
December 31st, 2009
1:51 pm
Funny to hear Tech fans bragging about being ACC champs. If you can’t even beat a lower tier SEC team like Georgia, being ACC champs is actually lower than being state champs.
It’s always greatest to be a Florida Gator.
how2fish
December 31st, 2009
2:18 pm
Your $1.4 million Shreveport vs. Our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
If it wasn’t for CPJ’s meltdown the bugs might have had a chance late in the game..however he did and he will again..I hope he stays at Bugville U till the Rapture…
Dawg Trainer
December 31st, 2009
3:19 pm
Chavis to Jawja? This is rich. Since this IS Jawja, here’s our offensive plan IF he comes to Athens.
1. 1st down: Take a knee
2. 2nd down: Take a knee
3. 3rd down: Since he’ll be in the Mustang, go through the playbook, pick out a play for 12-18 yards, execute it, and move the chains.
shane#1
December 31st, 2009
4:05 pm
how2fish, There have been reports that the Dawgs are intrested in the D line coach for the Cowboys. I disremembers his name at the moment. It amazes me how people ignore what CMR says and then are shocked by what the man does. Richt said the second week in January, so I don’t expect anything to be announced before the second week of January. Isn’t it strange how a rumor starts and some assistant coach gets a raise? I can imagine some agent making a call to a reporter and saying, “you didn’t hear this from me, but UGA is really high on Coach Bumsnozzle from Podunk U.”
BeeKiller
December 31st, 2009
4:05 pm
David Pollock has said over and over that Garner is not an X’s and O’s guy. He couldn’t call a defense. That is one guy who knows Garner and I take his word for it.
IOWA RULES
January 1st, 2010
1:35 am
Adam James is stil a BIG PUSS and his dad sux monkey di?#s!!!
DC
January 1st, 2010
1:41 am
What is wrong with going after the big fish first and then settle for a small one later. It’s not like the two big boys we ask did not at least think about it before taking their huge raises. Throw $650K at Kirby and let Bama counter, but at least try. I really like the way Coach Richt has handled the search so far.
Tech Hater
January 1st, 2010
1:51 am
how2fish do you really think Tech gets 14 million to keep? It is put in a pot and devided with all the ACC, even Duke! UGA is getting a hell of a lot more money from the SEC than the nerd school is receiving. In a ew years even the ACC schools will learn to play defense against Johnson’s 3 plays. Tech’s record is a direct result of playing a very very weak schedule. UGA won it’s bowl game against a team that could have beat GT or IOWA.
Yak it then Snack it - Gators Rule
January 2nd, 2010
11:08 pm
BuLLdawg,
You have teriible diarrhea of the blog…. geesh give it a rest.
Dawg fans – Meyer or no Meyer… you will always be the Gators b*tch. So don’t brag about your record against your in-state rival if you get a guaranteed reeming every year within your own division. Now that is a really embarrasing record.