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
Gen Neyland
December 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
John Chavis takes a rap for his bend but don’t break schemes. Fine and dandy. Personally, I appreciated his efforts Atop Rocky. He did his job during Fulmer’s declining years and kept the focus on his defensive duties by fielding a nationally Top 10 defense in Fulmer’s last season of 5-7. I don’t want him at Georgia, ditto nowhere in the SEC East. And to those that say UGA can do better, Chavis is just one of a few SEC DC’s with a BCSNC ring wrapped around his meaty finger. Good luck with Rodney if he’s your pick…
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
I think you can dismiss Garner as a candidate. I can’t see him letting them paint his a$$ white like they did mine. I was riding home with a cheerleader and some white paint rubbed off my a$$ onto the leather seats in her BMW. She was mad! She thought my a$$ was naturally white. I was never so embarrassed. A school that would paint a dog’s a$$ white has no business thinking they can get a big name DC.
Matt
December 30th, 2009
12:04 pm
jumbeauxtiger: Yeah, I debated listing Fisher under Miles. You’re right though, the credit should go to Saban. I didn’t like Fisher much anyways.
I love how UGA have hated and made fun of Chavis for close to 20 years but now feel he’ll solve all their problems. Sorry guys, he’s where he’s truely loved.
As for UGA’s future, just look at what happened to LSU when Miles decided to promote from within. The program almost imploded. Neither guy Miles promoted to co-DC was ready and it hurt LSU big time. Richt needs to be smart with this and I think he is.
DawginLex
December 30th, 2009
12:04 pm
I’d be ok with chavis for the reasons the general mentions…….
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
My money is on Garner too
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
I’m not going to mention the a$$ painting incident anymore because I know Jeff is trying to attract more intelligent and refined participants to this blog. I will say this, he has a long way to go.
ed
December 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
Having the right guy in charge of recruiting is as important as any other position in the program… that is reality in the modern era. Contrary to what Ryno and others may say… all coaches are only as good as their players. Garner is a great recruiter… Fulmer’s program started to falter when Garner left the Vols to come to Athens. People forget about that. He might be alright at DC… but then who is going to bring the blue chips into Athens when Saban, Meyer and Kiffen are whispering in their ears?
SSI gator
December 30th, 2009
12:06 pm
DawginLex -
I do not have any issues to deal with. Meyers health does not have anything to do with me, but I certainly hope for his sake and his families that he resolves it. Are you a recruit? You seem to know a lot of information the general public does not. Besides, UF does not really care how many “stars” a player has. It is all about potential talent and coaching them up to the next level. Something UGA can not seem to get a handle on.
AltamahaDawg
December 30th, 2009
12:07 pm
Cherokee, as far as you can get.
Jeff Schultz
December 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
Pilgrim — Yes, thanks for asking. You can send me an email (jschultz@ajc.com) and there’s also a link on every comment that reads, “Report This Comment.”
Matt
December 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
AltamahaDawg: I think coaches that are coaching in the NFL playoffs are off limits until they are done but I am not completely sure on that.
Jeff Schultz
December 30th, 2009
12:10 pm
Gen. Neyland — Thanks for your input. I agree that Georgia can’t do better among the coaches available (assuming he’s available).
AltamahaDawg
December 30th, 2009
12:11 pm
techster, you do realize that Bowl moneys are pooled and then split up between the conference members? Or at least that’s how they do it in the big boy conferences.
Ex Georgia Fan
December 30th, 2009
12:12 pm
My money is on Garner too and further, I bet it’s a rush rush Ray Goff type of hire a few weeks before signin day too (my opinion).
Gman
December 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
If Garner is not promoted, I hope he quits and moves on to another program where he will be appreciated. Then let’s see what UGA does then. Going outside to hire a DC doesn’t guarantee anything. Hiring a DC from outside to “fire-up the fan base” makes absolutely no sense at all.
DawginLex
December 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
SSI gator,
Just wondering why you are spending time on a UGA blog?
jumbeauxtiger
December 30th, 2009
12:14 pm
I agree with you Matt. Other than the dual DCs, Miles has made good hires. I really am excited to have Frank Wilson and Billy Gonzales. Some don’t know that Wilson is a displinarian, great recruiter and has alot of respect from high school coaches in the New Orleans area. Gonzales must be a quality coach too to be with Meyer for so long.
Richt is a smart guy and knows what he is doing. I do think that if it was going to be Garner he would have already announced it.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
SSI gator
December 30th, 2009
12:17 pm
DawginLex -
Every now and then I need a good laugh. It helps take the edge off of the day.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 30th, 2009
12:17 pm
DawginLex,
“Just wondering why you are spending time on a UGA blog?”
It’s because everyone likes to bitch slap the dogs and watch em whine. It’s true. Georgia has twice as many rivals as any team in the south (Tech. Florida, Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Clemson was untill you guys backed out of that one). IT’S THE OBNOXIOUS FAN BASE!
Gen Neyland
December 30th, 2009
12:20 pm
Another rap on Chavis was his recruiting skills. He might have the personality of a salt shaker sitting on a kitchen table but that would be where Garner comes in. BTW, these two worked together for a bit. Okay, no more Chavis boosting from me…
Gen Neyland
December 30th, 2009
12:22 pm
$1.4 million : If you think the UGA fanbase is obnoxious, you ought to read some posts from the enemy bloggers. Geez…
DawginLex
December 30th, 2009
12:23 pm
Obnoxious=GA Tech
Case closed.
BTW
30-24 8-1
what about it
December 30th, 2009
12:25 pm
Had Gardener been hired right off the bat everyone would have screamed because UGA did not go looking for a DC. So shut up with the ‘if he was any good he would have already been named stuff”! Your dline is always going to look bad when the defense plays soft cover 2 and almost never blitzes. You are playing 4 down linemen against 5 or 6 blockers not going to get alot of sacks that way. Only problem I have with Gardener becoming DC is that it might affect his recruiting…
Apples don't fall from the tree
December 30th, 2009
12:26 pm
Does anyone think CMR is seeking advice and input from Bobby Bowden?
Ga Tech Fans, which is worse, losing to UGA on a regular basis or your wives sleeping with UGA fans?
Cherokee
December 30th, 2009
12:27 pm
SSI gator……..who is Florida going to hire as DC and HC once Meyer says he has changed his mind again?
AltamahaDawg
December 30th, 2009
12:28 pm
Ah what an exciting time on the tech campus this week. Only one day left in the contest of who can laser engrave “$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl” on the side of the 2009 rings.
My money is on Habib.
brian
December 30th, 2009
12:33 pm
We don’t need Garner as our DC. We need a guy who is PROVEN in major college football. Foster would have been great, but obviously he’s staying with VA Tech. Chavis would be good, if we can get him, he’s done great work turning around LSU’s defense.
DawginLex
December 30th, 2009
12:33 pm
Mr 1.4 million,
Take a lesson from the way the General interacts with us. That is mutual respect from a hated rival.
You on the other hand(along with the rest of the Tech folks), try to tell us how great you are and how you are a better person and make more money than me just because you went to Tech. You are also envious of us because we have bandwagon fans who didn’t go to college at UGA. You then complain because you can’t get anyone to go to your games(unless you are playing us).
Maybe if you cooled the obnoxious jets, you might get some cordial conversation.
My bet is, you don’t want it.
Hairy Dawg
December 30th, 2009
12:35 pm
With all due respect, I don’t think Garner is the man for the job. If he doesn’t work out you lose your DC AND your recruiting head. He has enough titles, so let it rest. Get a bonafide proven DC (the key word being PROVEN and I’m not sure what you don’t understand about that!). Sounds like Chavis is talking himself into a raise.
Hunker Down
December 30th, 2009
12:39 pm
I agree that Rodney Garner is the second most important coach for the Dawgs football team. He is a fantastic recruiter who has helped the Dawgs land some of the top talent in the nation. If he were to be promoted to DC it would be a catch 22 situation. If he did not perform well at the position then what? Does he get fired? Or demoted from DC position which would be an embarrassment. Life is about risk and this would certainly involve some to say the least. Be interesting to seee how this plays out. Go Dawgs! Sickem
smokie joe
December 30th, 2009
12:39 pm
OBVIOUSLY HE IS NOT READY TO BE A D-COORDINATOR OR HE WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN OFFERED THE JOB. I THINK WE NEED SOME MORE ENERGY INTO THE PROGRAM AND GARNER DOES NOT POSSESS MUCH MORE THAN RICHT. GIMME A YOUNG ENERGETIC GUY THATS HUNGRY!!!
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 30th, 2009
12:40 pm
DawginLex,
I was taught to fight fire with fire.
And for the record, I know more college football X & O’s than every dog on these blogs (combined). In fact, I was actually recruited by R Garner out of high school.
As far as income, I do hope you rean more than me right now! Hahaha
Apples don't fall from the tree
December 30th, 2009
12:41 pm
BTW, Tech fans would hate to see Chavis at UGA. Remember last years Chick-fil-a bowl? LSU 38 -GT 3
Eskimo Joe
December 30th, 2009
12:44 pm
Look for Urban Meyer to go for a DC who likes to play FAST. Meyer loves the 3-3-5 and will likely get either Long or Casteel to run it. A lot of NFL teams run a 3-4. But, this will not effect Georgia’s search for their DC in any way. Richt will look for a guy with a 4-3, Georgia doesn’t have the speed and size on the D side to run a 3-4 or 3-3-5.
Forbes Rank's Georgia's $90 Million Football Program #3
December 30th, 2009
12:47 pm
Forbes loves Richt’s college football program from a financial standpoint and ranks it #3 out of 120 teams at $90 mill per year. #1 in SEC. Forbes also ranks UGA #3 in apparel sales–Georgia has built a natl brand with a huge base–Richt’s 90 SEC wins in 9 seasons–everybody loves a winner.
http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/20/notre-dame-fooball-biz-sports-cx_ps_1120collegeball_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=15000
Jeff
December 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
FACT: Garner gets DC…..my 5 figure support to UGA stops. We can do much better than that
Gman
December 30th, 2009
12:59 pm
Jeff, keep your money regardless (if you have any).
Gratefuldawghead
December 30th, 2009
1:00 pm
Smart is coming to UGA after the bowl game and he is bringing in former Dawg Earl Chambers as assistant.
Write that down!
trey
December 30th, 2009
1:03 pm
Ray Goof was a recruiting coorindator too and was promoted. SPLAT
How you draw a line from one to the other escapes me.
So if I’m a good dentist, does this mean I can be a good cardiac surgeon?
dream175
December 30th, 2009
1:08 pm
I agree that garner should be given a chance especially if kirby smart dont come.
JDW
December 30th, 2009
1:09 pm
I don’t know if Garner is ready or not, but the defense was better prepared for A&M than for most games this year plus they gave a better effort. Seems to me that it is more important that the DC be able to motivate the players than know every x and o. You can hire some x and o help if you need to.
dshep
December 30th, 2009
1:10 pm
Uhh?? Texas A&M is a horrible team!! Please dont use this game against them to make a case for Garner as the new DC. I like Garner but really think if CMR thought he could do the job, he would have had it by now. If you want to be a top teir team Nationally, go get someone already established. UGA has the dough to do this!!! BTW, I was at the game in SHRITPORT, where were you posers????
AltamahaDawg
December 30th, 2009
1:10 pm
trey, the man’s name is Ray Goff. Former player, longtime friend of the Dawn Nation. A little respect and not calling him names because he wasnt as successful as a head coach as we would have liked isn’t too much to ask is it? . And the analogy would be if you were a good dental hygenist, would you be a good dentist. Garner isn’t a soccer coach.
redneckbluedog
December 30th, 2009
1:16 pm
speaking of rumors….how about mike leach to fla…?
Freddy
December 30th, 2009
1:17 pm
Mike Leach is done at Tex Tech
--I-,
December 30th, 2009
1:18 pm
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl : “IT’S THE OBNOXIOUS FAN BASE!”
yet your sorry YellowFuzz wimpy arse is on UGA blogs a daily basis talkin’ crap about UGA.
Go home ya freaking dink wad!
RS Dawg
December 30th, 2009
1:19 pm
I agree Altamaha- Nobody could run the veer option like Ray Goff, just ask our gator friends!
collegedude
December 30th, 2009
1:19 pm
First off, our defensive performance against A&M isn’t something I would call “strong”. That has a lot to do with overrated players in some positions (i.e. Prince Miller), more than it does coaching I believe. I do think Garner is a good coach. I wouldn’t mind seeing him promoted to Co-coordinator or something similar, while bringing in a coach that has coordinated a defense before, and might be looking to stay for only a couple of years (i.e. Tommy Tubberville). Then, with the additional experience, Garner would probably be a strong candidate to take over full coordinator duties. JMO.
Dawg Fud
December 30th, 2009
1:19 pm
here’s the deal…
if Richt was going to give Garner a shot he should have fired Martinez Sunday morning after Tennessee and then told Garner he’s got 6 games to see what he can do.
obviously, that did not happen so we do not need to engage in a Garner argument. if he did well with the DL i might entertain the question.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 30th, 2009
1:21 pm
Jeff
December 30th, 2009
12:49 pm
FACT: Garner gets DC…..my 5 figure support to UGA stops. We can do much better than that
YEAH RIGHT hahahahahahahahahahaha