Doesn’t anybody want to be Georgia’s defensive coordinator? (UPDATED)

Excuse Mark Richt if he's wondering what's going on.

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, 2009

CHAVIS 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.

935 comments Add your comment

Hillbilly Deluxe

December 31st, 2009
6:32 pm

I could have written this column.

….but you didn’t.

Raleigh

December 31st, 2009
6:32 pm

Jeff – you just don’t get it, man. Richt is a genius. He didn’t really think he could get any of those guys (Foster, Smart, Chavis) to come to UGA. He’s just trying to get them to re-up for more money with their current schools before Urban comes calling.

BOOGIES THE MAN IN HARTWELL ,GA

December 31st, 2009
6:33 pm

tekkies STILL PI$$ED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CANNOT GET OVER WHIPPING BY ………. DADDY.
THEY CAN BEAT IOWA , CLEMSON ,

dUmB dAWg

December 31st, 2009
6:33 pm

I wAtCHed MiAMi yESteRday anD tHEir bAND pLayS ThE sAMe THing Ugas BanD PLayS. WHy THeY dO tHAt ?

BOOGIES THE MAN IN HARTWELL ,GA

December 31st, 2009
6:36 pm

SORRY, LIKE I WAS SAYING , THEY CAN BEAT ANY OTHER TEAM , BUT LOSING TO DADDY WAS DEVISTATING AND NOW THEY SEEK THERAPY .

uberVU - social comments

December 31st, 2009
6:36 pm

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by dan710: Doesn’t anybody want to be Georgia’s defensive coordinator?: Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
Once you become a … http://bit.ly/8C4IIZ…

b.davis

December 31st, 2009
6:38 pm

I have been given confidential information from Richt`s hairdresser that the new defensive coordinator will be:

Willie Martinez

After much soul searching Richt realized the error of his ways and has offered Martinez a 50% pay increase and a new credit card for the Athens Jail. Just for team members.

Maritinez has turned the offer down and plans to become the sheriffe in Athens.

Anchors Aweigh

December 31st, 2009
6:39 pm

Nobody wants the UGA Job ! Bwahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………..

bigstack19

December 31st, 2009
6:40 pm

I am rumored to be the next D.C. at Georgia. Maybe that will get me a pay raise at my real job.

gator4life

December 31st, 2009
6:41 pm

dog fans again are out of touch with reality. they aren’t going to get a DC from one of the tier 1 SEC teams – which UGA isn’t. better be looking for someone young from one of the smaller schools who wants to step up to SEC ball.

Mother Teresa

December 31st, 2009
6:41 pm

Why would anyone with any integrity and a brain want to move to Athens and coach unprincipled, undisciplined thugs and morons? Forget it, you dreamers!

Maybe if you clowns apologize to Willie Martinez, he’ll forgive you and come back. :-)

BeeKiller

December 31st, 2009
6:42 pm

Sorry Aynsley, The comments section of an article about The University of Georgia. My point is still valid, and you are exposed as a bitter smart a** maggot.

Mother Teresa

December 31st, 2009
6:42 pm

One more word: SHREVEPORT.

Charleston Dog

December 31st, 2009
6:43 pm

Why can’t Meyer get anybody to be his DC?

Bozo

December 31st, 2009
6:43 pm

Please hire me so I can get a raise at Mickey D’s!!!!!

Truth Seeker

December 31st, 2009
6:45 pm

Jeff,
This is an excellent article. Not something we want to hear but it is true.
Coaches are turning down more money, every year, because they no about the carousel that exists in the SEC because of fan pressure. Addtionally Mark Richt fired the best man in his wedding from UGA fan pressure. The coaching fraternity does not take this lightly. Richt will find a coordinator but it probably won’t be an established DC. Remember Richt himself was an OC when UGA hired him.
You are going to take some shots from writing this accurate and truthful article Jeff, but so did Jesus. It hurts us in the Bulldawg nation to read these kind of facts.
Happy New Year!

CatsFly

December 31st, 2009
6:46 pm

I was in a swank restaurant the other night when a drunk fellow stood up and shouted “all dawgs are a-holes.” A guy in a red sweater stood up and retorted, “shut up, that is indeed an insult”. The drunk then asked, “what’s the matter are you a dawg?? The guy in the read sweater replied, “no, I’m an a-hole”.

GatorGoober

December 31st, 2009
6:49 pm

ESPN is reporting that Gator recruits are being told that Urban “is returning in August”…but UF is not saying which year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIt-LZYDZIA&feature=related

b.davis

December 31st, 2009
6:50 pm

Willie is back.

GaGator

December 31st, 2009
6:50 pm

What you seem to be forgetting is, Florida is out to get a new DC. Any DC worth his salt will wait for the Florida job to be filled before thinking about Georgia. As Joe Friday said, ” just the facts mame, just the facts.

GaGator

December 31st, 2009
6:54 pm

Charleston Dog

December 31st, 2009
6:43 pm
Why can’t Meyer get anybody to be his DC?

For goodness sakes man, he just got out of the hospital.

David Welch

December 31st, 2009
6:54 pm

There is plenty to write about moron without SPECULATING that this job was refused. Lots of football on today and tomorrow, basketball, all kinds of stuff. You are an idiot. Georgia has someone already. The position was never offered to Chavis.

BeeKiller

December 31st, 2009
6:57 pm

Gator4life, you sir (as a Florida fan), have way bigger problems in Gainesville. UGA needs a DC and a couple of position coaches. UF needs a DC as well, but add to that a head coaching indecision and recruits flipping as a result, not to mention losing TIm Tearbow. The offense dropped off considerably when Percy Harvin left, what do you expect next year without “super man” as you guys call him?

Go DOGS

December 31st, 2009
7:03 pm

Everybody….over to Jeff Schultz live blog from the Peach Bowl.

Go “gulp” Vols! Good ole Rocky Top, whew Rocky Top Tennessee….I can’t believe I just spoke in orange speak. Oy!

ugaSUCKSa$$

December 31st, 2009
7:04 pm

hahahaha all u dumb uga fans….want to complain about how bad tech is and how sec is just soooo good but your team cant even sign a dc…. IDIOTS

Bruce Jones

December 31st, 2009
7:05 pm

I’m afraid we will end up with a no name DC from a lower level conference such as Diaz from MTSU.
We will then have to listen to how hard a worker he is and how he did alot with a little talent. I’m sure CMR will do what is best for our program, but I am getting a little nervous.

Poured myself a vodka

December 31st, 2009
7:09 pm

Jeff needs to resolve to stop encouraging the total disrespect that Ga Tech fans show football and the heroes of football like the Gipper and Knuke Rockne, and Crazy Legs, and Night Train Lane, by commenting about football like total soccor fans from Germany.

I would ban at least fifty commenters who have only appeared here to abuse other commenters. Just ban them. Why have them around at all?

It’s ridiculous to put up with it, and the truth is that people will think less of you Jeff Schultz, unless you demand good sportsmanship.

I like a good rivalry and all the ball busting that goes with it, but football is too important to allow the trolls to ruin this forum.

So, then it’s settled. Go ‘head, trolls, comment like a bunch unlaundered Litchenstein jockstraps. Go ‘head. Make Jeff’s day.

longtimedawgfan

December 31st, 2009
7:09 pm

gotta be an erk russell type out there somewhere….knowledge, skill, tuff-as-nails, personality….since CMR has said that RG is not being considered, I would look outside the SEC to a young person who is a position coach at a proven program….fresh blood for us, unlimited opportunity for him coupled with the energy and drive essential to a big-time program….isn’t that what Mack Brown did when he hired Muschamp? wasn’t he an erk russell type?….

gator4life

December 31st, 2009
7:11 pm

I’m not worried about our search for a DC. You won’t see 3-4 coaches turn down the Florida job as you are experiencing. The best want to come to the best. I’m a big SEC fan and hope UGA gets someone good. But they aren’t going to pull someone from LSU, Alabama, etc.

Congrats on that Advocare title!

LAKE OCONEE DAWG

December 31st, 2009
7:12 pm

WOULD CERTAINLY THINK THEY HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO INSIDE TO PRACTICE WHEN IT IS STORMING OUTSIDE…YOU CAN’T MISS 2 DAYS OF PRACTICE WITH NO PLACE TO PRACTICE AND BE COMPETITIVE IN THE SEC…WENT TO SEE UGA PRACTICE FOR THE BOWL GAME SAME DAY THE SENIORS GRADUATED AND WEREN’T THERE FOR PRACTICE AND NOBODY GOT ANYTHING DONE THE WEATHER WAS SO BAD…ALABAMA HAS HAD ONE FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS….NOT TOO BIG A DEAL WITH PLENTY OF PRACTICE DAYS TO GET READY FOR A BOWL GAME, BUT WHEN THERE IS ONLY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND YOU MISS TWO OF THEM, IT WILL AFFECT YOUR PLAY ON SATURDAY FOR SURE…AUBURN HAS A BUBBLE, TECH’S GOT THE GA. DOME, FALCONS HAVE INDOOR FACILITY, JUST PART OF WHAT YOU NEED NOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT THAT LEVEL…

Bruce Jones

December 31st, 2009
7:13 pm

And neither is UF gator4life……

collegeballfan

December 31st, 2009
7:16 pm

Someone meeds to contact the Navy DC. he shut down the Notre Dame offense & shut down Missouri today. All with a whole lot less talent than is at UGA.

Paul Johnson are you on line?

P/S The “other” SEC school could have been the Gators.

Alf

December 31st, 2009
7:17 pm

Gators won’t be on TV in the Sugar Bowl because of FOX Sports and the NFL…that is too freaking funny!

Damn it! I wanted to see Teblow cry in Uraboner one last time. Shucks!

LAKE OCONEE DAWG

December 31st, 2009
7:19 pm

Limbaugh is Evil:
YOUR GUY AT FLA. IS THROUGH, HIS FAMILY HAS HIM BACK, THEN THE NEXT DAY, HE’S GONNA BE BACK TO HIS COACHING JOB, AND HIS FAMILY HAS LOST HIM AGAIN…WHAT THE HECK’S GOING ON WITH THIS SOAP OPERA…AND TO LIE TO EVERYONE ABOUT THE AMBULANCE TAKING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL SO THAT HIS PLAYERS AND FAMILY WOULDN’T WORRY ABOUT HIM, PLEASE….THE WAY HE HANDLED THIS, IT SEEMS LIKE HE DOES NEED SOME TIME AWAY FROM THE GATOR NATION……WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN COACH AND LEAVE COACH RICHT ALONE…WHY COULDN’T MEYER HAVE WAITED UNTIL AFTER THE BOWL GAME FOR ALL THIS SONG AND DANCE…SEEMS SOMEBODY IS NOT PLAYING FOR THE NC AND IS LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR ATTENTION….HE HANDLED THIS WHO DEAL POORLY…

David Crisp

December 31st, 2009
7:23 pm

WHY can we not make a run for Tyronne Nix of Ole Miss? Lord knows, we can outbid them by a mile! Nix is young, innovative and firey!I think we can get him if Richt would just try. Has he?

longtimedawgfan

December 31st, 2009
7:25 pm

as a matter of fact, I would forget the SEC and look nationally only…forget those who want you to come to them….they don’t deserve our help in driving up their salaries…find out if there is any interest….if not, look inward to see what is rotten in Denmark….root it out and interest in becoming a successful coach in coming to Athens will follow

Ed

December 31st, 2009
7:27 pm

Did Truth Seeker compare Jeff to Jesus? Um… I don’t know, but is is a little far off the path. It does, however, explain those WWJD stickers I keep seeing all over Atlanta. I had no idea this blog was so popular.

Sweet Home Alabama

December 31st, 2009
7:29 pm

THE PROBLEM WITH GEORGIA IS THAT 3 OR 4 OF THERE PLAYERS ARE USUALLY in jail so its hard to come up with a good game plan.other than that they just arent that good.we could have scored 70 on them but saban called off the dogs.

Jeff Schultz

December 31st, 2009
7:34 pm

richmart

December 31st, 2009
7:37 pm

Simple but important question….Why would Georgia make a run at Chavis if they have some sort of top secret super-great hire waiting in the wings???? They are NOT going to get their first choice no matter how they spin it!!!

Wommack

December 31st, 2009
7:39 pm

Please take me !!!!!!! GT fans dislike me alot–especially after I let king and easley run all over us and let Vandy score 31

Nate

December 31st, 2009
7:44 pm

Jeff,

What happen to Dick Bumpas at TCU?

Jeff Schultz

December 31st, 2009
7:44 pm

I’m a sniveling, Tech-loving idiot.

BIRDDAWGONE

December 31st, 2009
7:49 pm

JEFF:

Did you know that the University of Floorida is looking for a new football coach? Do you think that UGA and Florida are looking at the same coaches? Do you think that having Florida in the market for a Defensive Coordinator has anything to do with the ability of these Defensive Coordinators to get raises? Do you understand what “supply and demand” means? I am glad to see that you think that UGA and Mark Richt are responsible for the price of coaching to be going up. If I understand what you wrote: NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS AT UGA, YOU WILL ALWAYS EXPLAIN HOW IT IS BAD.

Go DOGS

December 31st, 2009
7:54 pm

Sweet Home Alabama: There (i.e. I see Bubba’s home over there)= their (i.e. I did not mean to sleep with their cousin)….try it sometime so you won’t look like the babbling idiot that you truly are.

Staring Willie Martinez laughing all the way to the bank

December 31st, 2009
8:02 pm

Thanks Richt for putting your friendship before the program

You allowed Willie run Van Gorder off

You had the opportunity to get Kirby Smart and or Will Muschamp a few years ago but no

You wanted your friend who was

FIRED AGAIN FIRED AGAIN FIRED from UCF

I sure hope you dont hire GARNER thats another step backward

Real Talk

December 31st, 2009
8:14 pm

Some of you fail to realize that Martinez is gone. I could play Madden for a few hours and do a better job with our defense better than the former DC. The defense will be much better without Martinez and #3. #9 would have been included but he’s starting to play better. Another year will do wonders for his draft status. Be patient Dawg fans. Our prayers have already been answered with the firing of CWM. CMR has played with my emotions for too long with CWM. It’s time to compete with the big dawgs. Go Dawgs!

joe

December 31st, 2009
8:18 pm

“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.”

LOL! The problem is you don’t have one shred of evidence the job has been offered to anyone. None. So you’re guessing just like everyone else.

gadog

December 31st, 2009
8:24 pm

Jeff, you’re simply a jackass!

sc dawg

December 31st, 2009
8:29 pm

Jeff, you are right, apprently Chavis was offered the job and got a raise at LSU instead. You are speculating about Foster and others. Richt even said he didn’t offer the job to Foster, according to your newspaper! As for the race baiting, you did that with your Garner headline . . .