Doesn’t anybody want to be Georgia’s defensive coordinator? (UPDATED)
Excuse Mark Richt if he's wondering what's going on.
(UPDATE BELOW)
At some point, Mark Richt will hire somebody as Georgia’s new defensive coordinator and he will assure the entire Bulldog Nation that he got the man he wanted all along, because that’s the way these things are done.
But it can’t be too comforting for Richt to know that all he really has accomplished so far is to get significant raises for coaches on other teams.
First, Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster turned down the job. As a reward, he was given an annuity worth up to $1 million. Now, it’s pretty apparent LSU’s John Chavis was offered the offered the job and turned it down because athletic director Joe Alleva said, “We did what we needed to do to keep him.”
That meant a significant raise: from $450,000 a year to a reported $600,000. And Chavis has been at LSU for only one season.
There is no telling where Richt turns now. Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Todd Grantham, who coached under Foster at Virginia Tech, remains a possibility. But Grantham, who also coached for three years at Michigan State, has been in the NFL since 1999 and it’s not known if he would want to come back to college. His only tenure as a coordinator came with the Cleveland Browns (2005-07) and had mixed results.
Regardless, it’s never a good sign when a program is turned down multiple times by job candidates, and Richt doesn’t seem any closer to hiring a defensive coordinator today than he was when he fired Willie Martinez.
(UPDATE: I thought you folks would chuckle at this. LSU put out a press release on Chavis but never referred to Georgia, only an unspecified SEC school. So Vanderbilt offered him a job?)
LSU SPORTS INFORMATION
For Immediate Release December 31, 2009CHAVIS TO REMAIN AT LSU
BATON ROUGE – John Chavis, who was pursued by another school in the Southeastern Conference, will remain at LSU as the defensive coordinator, head coach Les Miles announced on Thursday.
“John has done a great job and he’s a key member of this staff,” Miles said. “John is a man of great character and a tremendous football coach. We’re glad he’s staying.”
In his first year with the Tigers, Chavis coached an LSU defense that rated No. 3 in the SEC and No. 12 in the nation in scoring at 16.0 points per game. The Tigers have allowed just six rushing touchdowns all season, the second-lowest total in college football this year.
“I’m staying at LSU and I’m excited about remaining here,” Chavis said. “LSU is a great place. This is an outstanding football program and I’m happy and honored to be a part of it.”
Chavis joined LSU last January after spending the 14 years as the defensive coordinator at Tennessee.
“We think John Chavis is one of the best defensive coordinators in the country,” LSU Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva said. “We felt like it’s important for the future of the program that we make this investment.”
Chavis will receive an increase in compensation, which will be announced at a future date.
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935 comments Add your comment
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 31st, 2009
4:33 pm
I’d be willing to take the job, if the terms are right. I’m unknown, so I come without baggage and as an added bonus, my @ss is already white. Low maintainence costs that way.
Gordon
December 31st, 2009
4:36 pm
Notice the trend here? 1) Rumor has it that talks have commenced with candidate A, 2) Bulldog nation gets excited, 3) Candidate A gets raise at current schoold, 4) Bulldog nation says candidate A was never offered the job and besides, they really didn’t want him anyway because rumor has it that talks have commenced with candidate B…..
We are now down to candidate D and the Bulldog nation is getting mighty chipper, but when candidate J is hired that will be who they wanted all along.
Uno Ocho
December 31st, 2009
4:36 pm
You’re right Jeff. No one wants the UGA DC job. No one wants to coach at our poor little football program. I’m sure these candidates are holding out for a position on Paul Johnson’s Tech staff. After all, he is the best coach in the state….and the Tech program is very elite!!
The only time the Tech-UGA football game is important is when Tech wins. If UGA wins, the game is no big deal. Just ask Paul Johnson. Of course, when Tech broke nearly a decade-long drought last year, he thought it was important enough to have rings made to commemorate the victory.
Keep bashing UGA!
Keep smoking Tech’s pole!
Just remember this…
“We run this state”
GO DAWGS!
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
December 31st, 2009
4:38 pm
I volunteered to do it, but they said my iq was too high and I would get bored with the job.
Aynsley
December 31st, 2009
4:38 pm
Why would anyone want to run UGA’s defense, knowing they have to face the daunting tasking of slowing down Paul Johnson’s Tech offensive, every year. And a ding dong fan base. How long will it be before Tech is the coveted program to work with, vs. UGA?
Go Jackets
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
4:42 pm
How big is this hire? Maybe CMR has to establish the monetary pecking order for the entire SEC to see what they will have to pay K. Smart without over paying for him.
Oh, Petrino is a hoe. It really can’t be said enough.
Cheeseburger..
December 31st, 2009
4:44 pm
The name you love to hate is back!
FLDAWG
December 31st, 2009
4:44 pm
yeah aynsley i m sure everyone is afraid of that awesome tech attack, UGA showed just run the ball up the middle, poor cpj too bad he cant stop the run……..8 out of 9 years yeah we are sooo afraid of tech 30-24 hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhahahahahahahhhhhhhhhhahahahahahahahaha
BurningRedBleedingBlack
December 31st, 2009
4:44 pm
Wow, i dont’ know, but did ya’ll ever think that Mark Richt is being smart and patient with this coach search? Kinda a big move and a big deal for not only his career as a coach at uga but hey, he just fired a coach that wasn’t making results. Why rush into hiring another guy who sucks and have a black cloud over his head. Let the man annouce when he’s ready! I know you journalist are ready to write about the big hire but lets just wait and see who its really is intead of hearing the rumor factory running all night. This is a bussiness guys this is how it works, Its about money and thats what UGA has plenaty of maybe Richt is being smart and making sure he gets the RIGHT MAN for the job. Richt is building for the long haul. He wants the Defensive coach thats going to lead him into the right direction, which is championships! Richt wants somone who belives in his cause and UGA causes. Go Dawgs!!!!
whachagot Loren
December 31st, 2009
4:45 pm
Look people, Jeff is doing what he is paid to do – sensationalize everything! It’s true, if he didn’t we wouldn’t be reading his articles. That is what a journalist/artist does – paint with words and so here he goes, sensationalizing and painting with his effervescent wordage.
It seems just distraught at Georgia, doomsville, no one is coming to Georgia, the earth is burning up, the program is dead, cows are falling from the sky, just peachy. The reality is that these guys will lie to the coach, say they are interested, people like Jeff write it all up like they are interested, while they know full well they are staying and they need a new house down by the river, and they will get their jaw dropping raise. Georgia needs to ask for a percentage for their scholarship donations.
Someone will take the job, Jeff will write what an outstanding hire it is, the recruits will love him, the dawg nation will love him, he will mesh with richt, his family will be great in Athens, Georgia will win 10 more games next year, yahtah, yah, just copy and paste it Jeff and save yourself a few more hairs on your folicle, vacating, scalp.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2009
4:46 pm
2HLLWGA: Unless the room is filled with Ole Miss chicks, UGA always has the prettiest girls in the room.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 31st, 2009
4:52 pm
KIRBY WOULD COME FOR $650K…BUT THOSE WHO HOLD THE PURSE STRINGS WILL NOT PAY $650K FOR A DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, JUST LIKE THEY WON’T PUT IN A 100 YARD INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY THAT IS SORELY NEEDED, NOT ONLY A PLACE TO PRACTICE ON BAD WEATHER DAYS BUT A PLACE TO DO OFF-SEASON WORK, AND THIS INDOOR FIELD IN BADLY NEEDED FOR RECRUITING PURPOSES….
IN THE NEW FACILITY PRESENTLY UNDER CONTRUCTION WE WILL HAVE A 20 YARD AREA FOR INDOOR PRACTICE, WHICH CAN ONLY BE USED AS A WALK THROUGH AREA…THEY WON’T BUILD A 100 YARD FACILITY UNDER A ROOF BECAUSE PRES. ADAMS THINKS IT WOULD RUIN THE AESTHETICS OF THE BUTTS-MEHRE BUILDING…TRY TELLING A RECRUIT ABOUT AESTHETICS WHEN HE IS OUT PRACTICING IN 32 DEGREE WEATHER IN A POURING RAIN GETTING READY FOR THE BOWL GAME…COME ON BOYS, BELLY UP TO THE BAR AND MAKE OUR BULLDOG PROGRAM FIRST CLASS….OUR PROJECTS CAME IN ABOUT 9 MILLION UNDER BUDGET, TAKE HALF OF THAT AND BUILD AN INDOOR FACILITY…
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 31st, 2009
4:53 pm
“We run this state”
No, you don’t. Sonny Perdue does, unfortunately.
Uno Ocho
December 31st, 2009
4:54 pm
Delusion is Better than Reality:
Reality = 8 wins in 9 years
Suck it!
Skydawg
December 31st, 2009
4:55 pm
Ummmm…for the record it was Chavis that contacted Richt at the end of last season seeking the job. Richt did not officially offer Chavis the job other than inquiring if he was still interested. And according to Richt, who is not a liar I might add, he did not officially offer the job to Foster either. And Koenning was definitely not offered either. So my question is, where the hell do you get your info Schultz? Off of the Dawgvent and the like? Once again, just plain ole poor journalism. But I’d expect nothing less from the ragtag effort known as the AJC.
Everyone calm down
December 31st, 2009
4:55 pm
Two words guys, Tommy Tuberville
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
5:01 pm
Cheeseburger — No race debates, please.
Cheeseburger..
December 31st, 2009
5:02 pm
Anysley, you started drinking already? Damn let 2010 get here. Tech and it’s offense, what a joke! Where was Tech’s defense when UGA came to town, at the Varsity?
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
5:04 pm
Skydawg — “Richt did not officially offer Chavis the job other than inquiring if he was still interested. And according to Richt, who is not a liar I might add, he did not officially offer the job to Foster either.” .. Do you really believe job offers weren’t made? “Officially” is semantics. The way things always go is, “Would you be interested? What would it take?” But it’s as official as it gets. Job offers aren’t made until the candidate says yes.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
December 31st, 2009
5:05 pm
ANSLEY:
IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN…TECHSTERS AND SCULTZIE STILL TOTING THAT SIZABLE A$$ WHIPPING THEY GOT ON NOVEMBER 28 AT THE “JOKE BY COKE”. AND THE BEST LITTLE PLAYCALLER BARK MADDLEY EVER SAW CAME APART AT THE SEAMS AND DITCHED THE TRIPLE OPTION AND ADOPTED THE “CHUCK AND DUCK” OFFENSE ON THE LAST DRIVE WHICH COST THEM THE GAME…POOR PLAYCALLING GOING AWAY FROM THE STRENGTH OF THE GT TEAM…WHAT A BUNCH OF HOMERS WE HAVE FOR AJC SPORTSWRITERS…COME ON GUYS, YOU ARE BACKING A BEATING A DEAD HORSE IN THE YELLOW JACKETS…1 YEAR, OR EVERN 2 YEARS, DON’T MAKE A PROGRAM…SEE WHAT PUGNACIOUS DOES WHEN FB, DE, DB, AND BAY BAY GO TAKE THE MONEY IN THE NFL…THEN SEE WHAT KIND OF COACH HE IS…..
Cheeseburger..
December 31st, 2009
5:06 pm
Jeff You moderate me for responding to a racist statement, but let this clown go? What’s up with that Jeff? Is it not fair to be able to respond to his vile comments!
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
December 31st, 2009
5:07 pm
I’m not worried at all about the DC search. Last I heard, Florida hasn’t hired a DC either! Doesn’t anyone want to be Florida’s defensive coordinator? Hell, we don’t even know who their head coach’ll be next September.
But that’s tangential. I’d rather Richt take his time and get someone who’ll really work than try to get the biggest name he can as fast as he can. From what I’ve been able to piece together, I think Richt has his mind set on an NFL guy (maybe this Grantham [spelling?] character), but has to wait until after whoever’s team is knocked outta the playoffs (or after the season’s over, in the case of Van Gorder) to really talk with him.
I could be wrong, but that’s what my gut’s telling me. On-the-field results matter more to me than getting “a name.” Go Dawgs!
Curious George
December 31st, 2009
5:07 pm
What is Marion Campbell doing these days?
R.U.KIDDEN-ME
December 31st, 2009
5:08 pm
WILLIE MARTINEZ IS LOOKIN’ FOR A JOB!! I’M SURE HE’D GLADLY COMEBACK….NO STRING’S ATTACHED!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Cheeseburger..
December 31st, 2009
5:09 pm
Am I not exercising my first amendment right Jeff?
Top Dawg
December 31st, 2009
5:11 pm
Alleybammer got turned down some before hiring Nick Saban, and that seemed to work out pretty well for them.
What??
December 31st, 2009
5:11 pm
Really Jeff
What you stated in your post is very true. Jeff likes to stir the pot and act all innocent when he initiates racial or any other type of war on his post.
I prefer journalism that is informative rather than antagonistic. Journalism would require work on his part, you know, really getting a story on WHO the DC is rather than acting like the punk GT fan that he is by making statements that the DC at UGA can not be filled.
Seems to be the way anymore in the media. If you can’t get the true story, make up something just to get your name out ther!
Hey yo
December 31st, 2009
5:13 pm
Have you guys ever thought that maybe we are not lookin. Coach Richt said that it will be wrapped up soon. I for one do not think that he would make such a statement unless he knew he had someone. I also believe that UGA will be fine. Whoever we get will be better the Willie M, I mean look what a Dline coach and two grad ass. did for us.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS SIC EM WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!!!!!!
shannon1776
December 31st, 2009
5:13 pm
jeff, you are a moron. At least be accurate in your journalism. You have NO clue whether Richt offered the job to any of these men. Of course Richt is going to inquire with a bunch of candidates to guage the market available.
Do you REALLY think koenning was listed higher than Chavis on Richt’s “board?” Of course not, so there is NO WAY koenning was offered the job ten days ago and then Chavis later on.
You should know that leaks happen to get themselves a raise.
Also, your facts on grantham are wrong. Look it up. He was the DC at Cleveland when they came out of nowhere and went 10-6 and had a top 12 defense.
He also coached under Saban at Mich. State; and he coached under Beamer. He would be fine as the DC at UGA.
Just like the false stuff you said about Limbaugh a while back. You hear bits of something and then paint with a broad brush.
You are very ignorant.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
5:14 pm
Cheeseburger — Yes, you are protected by the Constitution. I can’t arrest you. But I don’t want another sports blog to turn into a referendum on race issues, perceived or otherwise. I’ve had my fill of that, and, unfortunately, there have been too many cases of reader comments spinning out of control. It’s not why most readers come here. I appreciate your passion. But as I’ve said before, this blog is not a democracy. You’re free to debate sports, praise, rip, whatever. But no race. That’s my call. Thanks.
Cheeseburger..
December 31st, 2009
5:15 pm
Jeff, Frank Bush, the DC of the Houston Texans, from Athens would be a great fit, He’s from Athens, Played at CCHS, and has 20+ years in the NFL, and he’s only 46. What’s up with him?
old bulldog fan
December 31st, 2009
5:16 pm
Richt may have to drop down to Division II to find a DC. Watching the “coaching” coming out of Athens the last few years it would be a “lateral move” for a Division II DC. (note-an average coaching staff can win with Stafford, Moreno, Greene, Pollack, Mo, etc.)
A continual “slide” in coaching and performance of a team does not make for an “attractive” offer. Sad!
Craig James
December 31st, 2009
5:16 pm
Hey, I want to be the DC at Ugay and I will bring my son with me to play TE.
Clint
December 31st, 2009
5:16 pm
Jeff any insight as to where CMR looks next?
PeachJam
December 31st, 2009
5:16 pm
Jeff, seriously? You can do better than this, I’ve seen you do it once or twice.
Cheeseburger..
December 31st, 2009
5:18 pm
Jeff, Still Love your work man, but if you put one man in check, put the other who started the issue there too!
Limbaugh is Evil
December 31st, 2009
5:18 pm
Who would want to work for Mark Richt? Seven required pray meetings a day. Some mention of the football game coming on Saturday followed by a lengthy prayer session. Richt pressuring you to go to church every Sunday while you’re trying to coach up the defense. Richt is INDEED a virtuous man. Maybe he should become a minister and leave coaching for those who know what they are doing. GO GATORS!
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
5:20 pm
To the rest of you — I always find it amusing that when I write a positive Georgia story, I get ripped by Tech fans for being a Georgia home. And when I write a negative Georgia story, I’m a Tech homer. I’ll say this one last time (well, probably not last time): I have no agenda other than to give my opinion, which is my job. Didn’t go to either school, not from here and I have no financial ties (well, one slight one: My son goes to UGA but he’s on the Hope scholarship, thank God). I understand that you guys/gals are passionate, and that’s what sports are all about. But some of you need to move past the whole, he’s-out-to-get-us thing, because it’s just not true. As far as the Georgia coaching search, sorry, but you can play with semantics as much as you want. Fact: two defensive coordinators could’ve had the job and turned it down. Did Mark Richt shoot high with Foster and Chavis? Yes. Good for him. (Presumably he’s also shooting high with Kirby Smart, but I’d still be stunned if he left Alabama. He’ll get a fat raise too.) But it doesn’t look good. That’s all I’m saying. .. And now, you may resume discussing my secret agenda. I need to write a pre-game Chick-fil-A bowl blog.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
5:22 pm
Cheeseburger– I’ve deleted a lot of comments, not just your’s. Did I miss some. Who’s the “poster” you’re referring to? I’ll search out his comments. Thanks.
Reality
December 31st, 2009
5:23 pm
BWHAHAHA! No one wants to coach at uga!!! BWHAHAHAHA!!!!!! They would rather go to Illinois or where ever than be destined to a tiny red-neck town like Athens!!!! They would rather coach at a mid- to lower- tier Big 10 team than coach in the SEC!!!!!
That is tooooooo funny!
PeachJam
December 31st, 2009
5:23 pm
All we are looking for Jeff is balance. Any balance in title of this blog?
Sautee Dawg
December 31st, 2009
5:24 pm
Lake Oconee Dawg
Does the Gators have an indoor pratice facility?
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
5:24 pm
Never mind. Found it. Teblow: what I told Cheeseburger, that goes double for you.
Reality
December 31st, 2009
5:25 pm
I wonder when uga recruits will begin ‘jumping ship’ due to the coaching situation?
LSU.com
December 31st, 2009
5:25 pm
“I refuse to go to a second-tier SEC program that hasn’t sniffed the BCS Title Game since it began.” – John Chavis
Cheeseburger..
December 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
Mangino would be a good fit. Not!
UGAgrad71
December 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
This comment is for all the “bug” fans on this blog. Your pitiful program has one good year every decade or so. Tech would not make it to .500 every year in the SEC.Yes, we do need a good DC, and MR will make the proper choice. Most of the comments on this blog are by certified idiots who could not “coach” a flag football team of 6-year olds! Other coaches must also be hired as well. MR has learned his lesson after hiring his buddy WM.
Sautee Dawg
December 31st, 2009
5:26 pm
Jeff
Thanks for giving your opinion.
Limbaugh is Evil
December 31st, 2009
5:28 pm
No matter how hard you pray. UGA is a mid-tier collegiate football program.
shannon1776
December 31st, 2009
5:29 pm
Jeff, you said: “Fact: two defensive coordinators could’ve had the job and turned it down”.
That simply is not true. It’s your OPINION he offered them the job. It isn’t fact. In order for you to state it as fact, you would have to show PROOF. Audio of the offer? Video of the offer? Did Richt admit the offer? Did chavis admit the offer? Did Foster admit the offer? No, no, no, no and NO.