Georgia is wisely spending to keep Mark Fox in fold
Mark Fox wants to stay at Georgia, and he'll get paid to do.
Two weeks ago, it was rumored that North Carolina State was targeting Georgia’s Mark Fox as a candidate to be its next basketball coach. I wrote then that I doubted Fox would leave, and he followed that up with the expected generic denial: “I’m not a candidate for any job. All of my focus is on the Georgia team.”
Not surprisingly, that door to Raleigh is pretty much closed now.
Fox today reaffirmed to our Tim Tucker that he is “not interested” in any other job, and he and Georgia are working on a new or amended contract.
Fox makes $1.3 million, and he is about to get a healthy raise. His salary is already $300,000 more than Georgia Tech just gave to new coach Brian Gregory, whose hiring has been met with a cool response.
Such is the financial state of the two athletic departments.
Credit goes to former Georgia athletic director Damon Evans for hiring Fox and his replacement, Greg McGarity, for trying to keep him.
Fox is not without his detractors. Some believe the Bulldogs should have done better than go 21-12 and lose in the opening round of the NCAA this season.
Not to cast him as the next John Wooden here, but I don’t understand the criticism. He has taken Georgia from being 12-20 two years ago to 21-12 in his second second. They went 9-7 in the SEC, their best conference record in a non-probation season since 2000-01. Injuries to their best player, Trey Thompkins, had an obvious effect on the offense. There’s also something to be said about needing time to change the mindset and learning how to win games.
Fox is accomplishing that. Georgia is doing the right thing by making sure he doesn’t get away.
By Jeff Schultz
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134 comments Add your comment
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
1:53 pm
Sorry Jeff, but i have to post here since Tim banned me.
Fox is a keeper.
Now get Thompkins and Leslie on that Auburn payola plan and we are set……………
Gulf Life
March 30th, 2011
1:55 pm
At least they remembered their shoes for all away games this year…
It does take time to change mindsets and for players to even believe they belong. I’m glad UGA has him as its coach.
Jeff Schultz
March 30th, 2011
2:00 pm
DawginLex– What did you do to upset a mild-mannered Tim Tucker?
Don
March 30th, 2011
2:04 pm
Jeff, you are right again. How can anyone question Fox when we just went through an insufferable decade of hoops.
pj
March 30th, 2011
2:06 pm
Any criticism of Fox at this stage BAFFLES me Jeff. Georgia became relevant in BASKETBALL this year. What more could anyone ask for? He’s recruiting 4 and 5 star players, competing against the best in the country and landed us in the big dance for crying out loud. Anyone who berates him is either a cynic about life or has a preposterous sense of the worth of the hoops program over the years.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
March 30th, 2011
2:08 pm
just no rollover contract please
Jeff Schultz
March 30th, 2011
2:12 pm
Gulf Life — That story about players forgetting their shoes on the first road trip was an all-timer.
D A DoubleU G
March 30th, 2011
2:12 pm
Good news.
But we need to see more recruiting out of him.
I feel too much talent left the state last year, from both UGA and Tech. It’s a work in progress, but UGA could soon become a (to borrow the term of one, Jeff Schultz) “sexy” location for recruits.
I feel this is only a step in that direction.
Go Dawgs!
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
2:14 pm
Got into a urination contest with a TROLL and must have used some not so good descriptions of said TROLL.
D A DoubleU G
March 30th, 2011
2:17 pm
You should know not to feed the trolls, DawginLex.
However, I wish the ajc would do a better job of identifying said trolls and banning them first.
I know this is a transient city, with outspoken fans from all over wanting to take over the roost here, but an antagonist shouldn’t be tolerated on these things.
I have learned to stop feeding trolls, and it has made me a much more positive person. Just shake your head and feel sorry for trolls, and that’s the most you should do.
Jeff Schultz
March 30th, 2011
2:18 pm
DawginLex — Spoke to Tim. He said your case has gone before the appellate board. You may want to email him.
Walker, Texas Ranger
March 30th, 2011
2:22 pm
The next order of business should be a baketball facility that doesn’t resemble a quonset hut.
DMR
March 30th, 2011
2:26 pm
Is there a time to be critical of a coach? Yes. Could you argue about some of the calls, non-calls, timeouts, or the not taking of timeouts Fox had this season? Yes. Can we agree it wasn’t Mark Fox’s fault that Thompkins had a sprained ankle early in the season? Can we agree the “non-contact to impede (OVER THE BACK PUT BACK) in the Tennessee game was not Fox’s fault? Can we agree that if Florida’s Walker, as good as he is, wouldn’t hit that mid-court, three point shot, 9 out of 10 times?
You can be critical of a few events in Fox’s second year. If you understand where this program has been or sports in general, you cannot criticize the results of Fox’s second year in Athens and be taken seriously.
Results. Showing improvement. Increased winning. Bringing back the fans. Building a foundation. Creating a culture. Changing the mindset. Changing perception internally and externally. Fox did all these things. You want to be a critic? Go watch a movie.
Fox should be getting a thumbs up from anyone who looks at the situation objectively.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
2:30 pm
dawginLex it wasn’t with me because I can still post with TIM. Good Luck with that. It doesn’t really matter too much. Football is still months away right?
Me
March 30th, 2011
2:42 pm
Poor job down the stretch by Fox. Thompkins is a team cancer and needs to get gone.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
2:42 pm
was anybody really contacting UGA to talk to FOX or just Media types throwing out Fox’s name?
Sven Ottke
March 30th, 2011
2:44 pm
Ah yes. The old “I’m not leaving” line……..right before they bolt.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 30th, 2011
2:50 pm
Walker, Texas Ranger, well at least it isn’t Alexander. When most people build a new building they “break ground”. When they built that one somebody “broke wind.” Oh well they will be breaking wind for a new facility pretty soon.
phil
March 30th, 2011
2:50 pm
In all candor, we weren’t very good this year. Yes, we were better than most years and yes we won 20 games. But the days of that really mattering are over. A team should win 20 games. When you can’t beat the good teams, when you lose in the first round of the SEC tourney and then the ncaas when the VCUs and butlers of the world are mopping up the floor with number one seeds, something ain’t right. We barely gave pathetic Washington a game and out we went.
I’m just tired of it myself. Tired of the excuses, tired of wait til next year, til we recruit some more, til this, til that….it’s always another excuse.
Go win some damn games that count for something and give us something to be proud of and THEN we’ll believe a little…and no more timeouts with one second on the clock even as the winning shot is being waved off….
UGGA
March 30th, 2011
2:52 pm
Nobody else is calling Fox. His agent is throwing crap to the wind so that Fox gets a raise and McGarity is the fool falling for it. Fox inherited Trey and Travis. The program will slide back to normal next year. Mr. Timeout is making sure he negotiates his buyout done. Mark it. The new contract will remove the $2 million buyout Fox has to pay. Fox’s past is closing in on him and he is getting as much out of UGA as he can before he is exposed.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 30th, 2011
2:56 pm
Only our competition is questioning Coach Fox. The only question I might have is why couldn’t he perform more miracles. I’ll take the 21 win season, tourney appearance and some good national press.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
2:58 pm
Dawginkala
The Dawgs basketball arena is an old Horse riding ring and livestock auction barn. Why would TECH build a totally new building at a new location on campus? Where AMC sits it is close to O’keefe, the interstate, and the MARTA train.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
phil, didn’t we beat Kentucky this year? They might be considered a good team.
AceDawg
March 30th, 2011
2:59 pm
Fox deserves the utmost support from fans. I did think UGA could do even better, but the style of play for UGA was solid. Good defense, great ball movement. Fox can’t shoot it into the hoop for players, and he will likely grow the program even stronger once he has players that knock down more open shots and layups. By next year, or the year after, we’ll probably know if he can recruit well enough to turn UGA into an annual tourney and top 25 team. Fans need to do their part and sell Stegman out consistently too. Players want to play for the programs that draw attention and excitement.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:01 pm
gdawginhaka
Bama and Colorado proved the NCAA Selection comity mad a bad choice picking UGA. VCU turned out to be a shocker, but Bama beating UGA 2 times the last week says everything.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 30th, 2011
3:04 pm
5150, yes when at the Steg watch where you step. I can’t answer that question. Seems like every team has to have a new facility. Don’t know where that mentality came from, build a new stadium and you shall win. Worked well for the Cowboys. I am glad they renovated Stegman. Good solid building.
Taylor
March 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
If Alabama and Colorado wanted to make the tournament, they should have stepped in up in non conference play. In particular, Colorado shouldn’t have lost to Georgia w/o Trey Thompkins. Alabama should have showed up in the tournament they played in Hawaii. You have to be really stupid to say going to the NIT championship is some major validation that someone deserved to be in the tournament. Especially when all but one game has been played at home
SOGADOG
March 30th, 2011
3:05 pm
Sgt. Schultz, I agree. Fox is a good investment and UGA needs to keep him. Fox has shown enough so far to justify paying more to keep other schools away; however, the jury is still out on whether he will bring long term consistent success. I predict he will work fine over the long haul if we can keep a Kentucky Duke or UNC from snagging him.
ATL Sports Fan
March 30th, 2011
3:07 pm
UGA beat Colorado this year so how did leaving Colorado out be a bad choice and harm UGA.
ATL Sports Fan
March 30th, 2011
3:09 pm
Who knows, if Alabama wins the NIT maybe Anthony Grant can be the head coachin in waiting at Tech.
vahidawg92
March 30th, 2011
3:10 pm
I do agree that Fox’s contract should be “tweaked” but nothing major. He needs to be around 2 or 3 more years and have a consistant top 1 or 2 SEC standing and NCAA appearances before anything major needs to take place. I dont think Fox is going anywhere personally. The bracketology guy (cant think of his name right now…) said the other night, he felt the state of Georgia was in the top 3 states in the country as far as high school basketball recruiting goes. That along with UGA’s very strong athletic department as a whole makes the UGA job very appealing. If Fox continues to build and win, he will be paid close to what the other “big name” coaches out there are.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:11 pm
Well good points TAYLOR, but UGA went 10-10 in their last 20 games and lost what? Their last 3 or 4?
SOGADOG
Duke or UNC? you are kidding right? Fox had better become the next Donavan at Florida if he wants the Duke, UNC, of Kentucky job.
Taylor
March 30th, 2011
3:13 pm
UGAs 10-10 was against much better competition than Alabama’s 8-6 start
SOGADOG
March 30th, 2011
3:17 pm
No not kidding, my point is, if Mark Fox succeeds over the next few years at UGA, a Kentucky. Duke or UNC may hire him if UGA does not make it worth his while to stay with a lucrative contract. Kentucky hiring Tubby Smith from UGA and the fact Fox seems poised to succeed going forward brought this thought to mind. I will agree with you that Fox is not quite Duke UNC or Ky. material yet, but he is heading in that direction rather quickly.
ACC HOOPS #1
March 30th, 2011
3:18 pm
Fox is a fantastic coach…for the first 30 minutes of a game. The last 10 are a fiasco.
Taylor
March 30th, 2011
3:19 pm
That’s what happens when you have no depth ACC Fan
OCDawg
March 30th, 2011
3:23 pm
I’m just wondering when we might get a chance to chat about two huge stories. 1. That HBO program coming on tonight. 2. Eric the drug addict. ??????????????
I mean, come on. Equal opportunity for all offenders. We’ve been hearing about all those UGA thugs forever, and now all this hits the news and we don’t get to comment.
Jeff Schultz
March 30th, 2011
3:23 pm
UGGA — “Fox’s past is closing in on him…” … Sorry? Was he an axe murderer several years ago, and the feds are closing in?
gdawginkalamazoo
March 30th, 2011
3:25 pm
Didn’t Fox work with Williams a number of years ago? UNC might be a possibility. Kentucky? No way after Calamari gets done putting them on probation. Duke will be one interesting job vacancy when it does open up.
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
3:25 pm
Big difference, Tubby was on Pitino’s staff at UK. Fox never coached at UK.
GT Alum
March 30th, 2011
3:27 pm
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN -
Aww, why not? That worked out so well for us.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:28 pm
OCDawg
The paid thing? Really? I don’t think there is a single school in the SEC that has not paid it’s players at one time or another.
The Drugs are surprising. I don’t know how he could function well enough to play ball it he was doing that many drugs.
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
3:29 pm
kalamazoo,
Check out the current UK squad. No SAT cheaters on this team
Hard not to like Josh Harrelson.
Brandon Knight has a 4.0 and will be a junior in school and a sophomore in eligibility next fall.
Never thought I’d defend Calipari, but I do. Rose cheated-Calipari and Memphis paid dearly. Camby hired an agent-Calipari and UMASS paid dearly.
I don’t see any problem with this UK team except they overachieved big time.
brokebackvol
March 30th, 2011
3:29 pm
UGA is smart to hold on to Fox and not let him go – especially with Tennessee crashing and burning, that will open up things a little bit in the SEC East.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:30 pm
UNC will go IN HOUSE first. Somebody in the UNC tree will have to get the first shot. Coach K has so many ex-players in coaching I would be surprised if you doesn’t get the first look too.
BYRDDAWG
March 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
Jeff, I think the FBI is closing in on Ruben Houston!!!! Thanks for the GREAT article! GO DAWGS
GTFANFROM1951
March 30th, 2011
3:32 pm
Another year like this year and some school will pay enough to make fox move.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 30th, 2011
3:34 pm
Listeining to Rocky Top as many times as Ainge did would make you want to do drugs. Good luck to him I hope the kid straightens his life out.
Wait until Fox does get some help on the bench. Look out. We could have easily beaten Washington IF our bench had done something. Zero points from the pine is NOT good. I could come off the bench and score something and I have the vertical leap characteristics of lead.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:37 pm
I wonder if that is true GTFANFROM
Fox and Grant can stay at UGA and BAMA for a long time if they win but never become Kentucky or Florida. The Fans can live with that because FOOTBALL is all that really matters at those schools.There isn’t TOO MUCH preasure to win the SEC in basketball every year. IMO that is how I see it. UGA and BAMA have the money to keep both happy. Winning record and get in the NCAA’s every so often and FOX and GRANT can live very well off.
Buzz ME
March 30th, 2011
3:38 pm
Fox is a good guy and a good coach. Don’t let him get away. As much as it pains me to say he is building UGA into a powerhouse.
Montgomery Burns
March 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
Expect to take a step back next year without Tompkins and Leslie.
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
3:41 pm
FREE DAWGINLEX!
FREE DAWGINLEX!
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:44 pm
I don’t know how much that will help. I think DawginLex is beter served not having an OHIO ST sweater Vest backing his reinstatement. HAHAHHAH
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
3:46 pm
5150,
DawginLex is one of the few “dawgs” I’ve had reasonable discourse with. Can’t the same for many many others……..
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
3:48 pm
5150,
Since you opt to discuss a garmet, I’ll opt not to discuss receding hair lines and hair spray……
Stinger2
March 30th, 2011
3:48 pm
Good article. UGA fans should be thankful they have a BB coach the caliber of Fox. He has a tough job generating fan interest at a school that is overwhemingly fanatic about football. Most UGA fans believe that football was invented in Athens Ga.
ormewood
March 30th, 2011
3:49 pm
I’m not so certain that UNC will go “in-house” when Roy Williams retires. There does not appear to be an obvious candidate at this point, and Roy is 60, I think. Duke will likely have to replace K sooner than UNC replaces Roy. I think K is 64 or 66. I definitely see them staying in the family. Kentucky? Who the heck knows? There last hire in the family was Joe B. Hall.
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
3:49 pm
ME,
Please do tell…….Howard ( before I was Trey and NBA) is a good guy. Can’t imagine your claim is true.
AfghanHoundDawg
March 30th, 2011
3:51 pm
SOGADOG, is Fox becoming UNC material faster than the Fl coach, the Alabama coach, the VCU coach, the Richmond coach, the Villanova coach, the Arkansas coach…..and the list goes on?
cantondawg
March 30th, 2011
3:51 pm
Anybody that criticizes Fox obviously doesn’t remember how bad the state of the UGA program was just two years ago. The program was in shambles. What he’s done in two years is remarkable
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
3:53 pm
I’m out of Tim Tucker jail
All sins forgiven
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:54 pm
OCDawg
I am sure the AJC will write about it after the show. Probably waiting to see what all comes out in the ESPN show.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
3:55 pm
DawginLEX
give it 2 months when football really gets going and I am sure I can get under your skin and get you banned again. HAHAHAHAHAHAH
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
3:56 pm
5150,
I also won’t discuss the whole parted in the middle coiff- you know, to camo the receding and the hair spray to keep it in place on windy days.
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
3:56 pm
5150,
Nah, I got you to change your blog handle remember?
Bring Tubby Back
March 30th, 2011
3:57 pm
Mark Fox will be at Duke in a couple of years when Coach K retires. Bank on it!
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
3:57 pm
Hopefully Fox becomes our Billy Donovan and decides to hang around 10+ years
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
3:58 pm
DawginLex,
Halfway house?
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
3:59 pm
Minnesota will give you Tubby right now and throw in John Pelphrey for free with him. He didn’t have Pitino’s players waiting when he took over Minnesota. Mess has been created a lot quicker. Didn’t take 10 years like in Lexington
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:00 pm
Promise to post under my blog handle only and not post under another with “words” added to it.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it
frannie mae
March 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
Wht are we giving this guy a raise who coached a team of Felton recruits and was one and done in the NCAA tournament? This team blew double digits leads and almost lost to a pathetic freshman laden South Carolina team while blowing a huge lead. Jury is still out in my book.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
bTUBBYb
Fox better get on the stick if he is going to get an offer from DUKE. I just don’t see that happening yet. Coach K runs a Great SYSTEM and Program. Fox better get somethings in place fast to prove he can do the same. DUKE expects to win, graduate, and issues with the players.
bulldogjimbo
March 30th, 2011
4:02 pm
fox is a keeper he has proved that
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:02 pm
5150,
Apparently we cannot even beat the SEC at money-shakes and I’m wondering if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
With the yet to be vacated Sugar bowl, now this revelation that Auburn beat us at cash for recruits,
we’re up to 0-11.
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:03 pm
Coach K’s replacement won’t be a Coach K assistant because NONE OF THEM CAN COACH THEIR WAY OUT OF A WET PAPER SACK
Amaker-fired
Dawkins-fired
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:04 pm
You really gonna vacate the Sugar Bowl?
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
4:04 pm
Buckeye
you still have your coach for this week. It could be worse. Well, I don’t know Your coach is probably on a seat equally as HOT as Richt’s is at UGA.
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:04 pm
Regarding Fox,
Good guy, questionable game coach, no three threat(s) and no inside experience returning equals a .500 season and the NIT.
vchandler
March 30th, 2011
4:07 pm
It puzzles me when people say we need to keep more talent in the state. We got Mr. Basketball last year. How many scholarships do you think the Basketball team can give out in one year? Headed in the right direction.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
4:07 pm
Collins and Wojo are still on the bench with Coach K. They may get the Coach in waiting tag the year before Coach K say next year is my last year, I figure K and Roy will let the League show them love on the road for their last year. That will give Duke and UNC a chance to really get the coach they want. Roy knew ahead of time that Guthrie was going and he was coming HOME.
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:07 pm
5150,
I’ve predicted Tressel will resign and I thought sooner than later. We’re getting past the sooner. He issued another public apology today at the pre-spring presser. Otherwise, he was business as usual. And yes, SI reported he was wearing a Vest.
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:08 pm
Dawgin,
The NCAA will.
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:09 pm
Are the Urban Meyer to OSU rumors true?
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:10 pm
DawginLEX, I will sign a petition to lift the ban. Where are you watchint the game Sat nite? I have to take my crazy a** big blue wife out and I dont know it i can handle it. Your help would be appreciated.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
4:10 pm
Basketball only gets to use like 2 or 3 schollies a year right? Well, unless too many 1-&-Done are on the team.
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:11 pm
Trying to get into the Kentucky theatre but it may already be sold out.
Probably home or at some restaurant like Buffalo WW
SOGADOG
March 30th, 2011
4:11 pm
Afghanhoundog, UGA beat Kentucky once this season and Kentucky beat UNC so to answer your question, yes.
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:13 pm
She cried when they won, she didnt cry at our wedding!!!!!
Bubbatavious
March 30th, 2011
4:13 pm
Chances are that both Marks winning National championships in their respective sports are as good as the two of them being involved in another red panty scandal.
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:14 pm
I don’t know if I wanted my wife to cry at our wedding???????????????
Maybe basketball means more to your wife??????????
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:16 pm
Oh definitely!!! LOL
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:16 pm
Fox cound not land Milton’s Shannon Scott, Mr. Georgia Basketball, but Ohio State did. He’ll be on display tonight on one of the ESPNs.
Wonder why he left both Tech and Uga in the rear view??
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:17 pm
I never have to buy flowers or jewelry, just tix to Rupp
Father Flannigan
March 30th, 2011
4:18 pm
Mr. Bubbatavious… Good observation!
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:20 pm
Dawgin,
Though there are Ohio and Buckeye ties, I don’t see Urban Meyer at Ohio State. We wouldn’t offer and he wouldn’t entertain…..
Luke Fickel ( 33 years old, been with the program since he played DL/graduated, was a teamate of Mike Vrable) was named asst Head Coach today and will serve as Interim. If Tressel goes soon, Fickel could be the guy.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
4:20 pm
You call it “Tix to Rup”?
We call it “Moving Furniture” at my house.
GT Alum
March 30th, 2011
4:21 pm
Tressel dismissed rumors that he would be stepping down as Buckeyes coach, saying, “I never had that thought.”
Doesn’t sound like he’s planning on resigning anytime soon.
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:21 pm
Tix to Rupp gets a lot of “furniture” moved in my house thats for sure
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:24 pm
Tix to rupp near about impossible to get.
If you get them, the reward from the wife should be off the chart
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:26 pm
GT Alum,
And Richard Nixon claimed “I am not a crook”.
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:27 pm
Never paid more than cost as well, good to have connections. One of the best sport settings I’ve ever attended. Unless you are in the upper area where you need a sherpa to assist you up the incline. I’d rather give birth than sit up there again.
IL Jacket
March 30th, 2011
4:32 pm
Don’t really follow the round Dawgs that much, but their hustle and tenacity in the game with UW were impressive. Had they not gotten down so far, the result may have been entirely different. CMF also seems to represent the University well, so good luck keeping him. Looking forward to the new rivalry with CBG in the fold.
GT Alum
March 30th, 2011
4:33 pm
That quote would indicate he plans to make them make him leave, not leave of his own accord.
But, yeah, I basically said the same thing about a coach who was saying he wanted to stay at the school where he is. Doesn’t every coach say that until he signs with another school?
Enjoy the ride, UGA fans
March 30th, 2011
4:33 pm
To UGGA: I take it you work for the CIA and have phone taps that lets you know what calls Fox gets and makes. That would also explain how you have access to what the new contract looks like. Fox did inherit Leslie and Thompkins, and do you not think they have progressed greatly, especially Travis, under Coach Fox’s tutelage.
To Phil: Patience my friend. Fox inherited a mess, yet had a winning conference record in year 2. Coach K did not have a winning conference record until year 5. Many posters today would have voted to have Duke can him. Also, Washington was streaky, but hardly pathetic, winning the PAC 10 tourney, and almost beating Carolina on their defacto home court.
To 5150: NCAA selections are made on your whole body of work, not one or two head to head matchups. Bama was held back by a weak schedule, and an RPI about 30 slots behind the Dogs.
To Buckeye: I would have liked to have seen Shannon Scott in Athens, he is a good get for OSU, but Fox landed the top player in the state
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
4:34 pm
buckeye,
the next coach at OSU might be “Coach Fickel”???
You really can’t make this stuff up can you??
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:43 pm
DawginLex,
Actually, it’s spelled Fickell ( my mistake) , but pronounced as it sounds. Luke Fickell. Started 50 games as a player so we’ve known the name for a long time. May seem funny to others. The combo of Vrabel and Fickell were a pair of odd names but they we’re quite disruptive in their day. Vrabel was more of a down lineman at Ohio State than he was as a Patriot.
UGA is a destination job
March 30th, 2011
4:46 pm
Only way I see Fox possibly leaving is if a Kansas, UNC, Duke, UK come calling, and if that happens UGA basketball will have had some very successful seasons. Remember Tubby turned down Ohio State, and it took a program the caliber UK to get him away from Athens. Rare it is for a UGA coach in ANY sport to leave without being forced out. Tubby and Ron Polk are the only exceptions to that rule that I can recall.
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:49 pm
In just two seasons he takes them to the dance and beat a final four team along the way. If GA fans were told that would happen the day Fox was hired, not many, including myself, would have believed it could happen. Great job Coach!
Stuck in Kentucky
March 30th, 2011
4:54 pm
UGA, Tubby would have only taken the UK job. I did not understand why until I went to Rupp and it all made sense. That place is a 7 point advantage at least. Look at it this way. Kentucky has arguably 2 top ten , maybe top 5 college coaches (Cal & Pitino) and we are at the bottom in education. We are our priorities???
$3,000,000
March 30th, 2011
4:58 pm
Call me…NC State!
Mark (another one)
March 30th, 2011
5:07 pm
Fox’s recruiting appears to be sound but of course that is just based on their high school reps. Those don’t always pan out. My belief is that he will continue to develop the program and win games. That can be self feeding, and UGA has the facilities and the support to support him taking this program to the next level.
I remember Richt saying if you don’t want to have to live with high expectations, don’t coach at Georgia. He may regret the words but they’re true. As Fox builds his program, expectations will be raised, and simply making the NCAAs won’t be enough to keep people happy. He knows it and I suspect he is up for the challenge. UGA fans want to win and they expect their coaches to do so.
GT Alum
March 30th, 2011
5:17 pm
I don’t know that there’s many schools where you don’t have to deal with high expectations. Hewitt apparently felt expectations at Tech were unrealistic. If you don’t want to have to deal with high expectations, coach at a smaller school that doesn’t expect to win often, or at a school where the sport you coach is thoroughly overshadowed by the other sport. However, even then, if you have success, that’s going to lead fans to expect at least continued success, if not greater levels of success. That’s part of coaching. Hell, it’s part of life. The difference is most of us don’t have the forums for our customers to complain and build sentiment against us as individuals when we aren’t achieving what they think we should.
JSS
March 30th, 2011
5:25 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
Are you thinking what I’m thinking (about UGGA)?
GTBob
March 30th, 2011
5:29 pm
If I was Fox I would never leave UGA. They will pay extremely well and have virtually no expectations for any real success.
Coastal Dawg
March 30th, 2011
5:47 pm
Great news! Absolutely wrap him up and make him comfortable so he can concentrate on UGA basketball.
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 30th, 2011
6:00 pm
Is it just me or does Mark Fox bear a striking facial resemblence to Jim Cornette?
MaxxDawg
March 30th, 2011
6:16 pm
Dawgs had no shooters this year, Dustin Ware was the only decent one and he was afraid to take a big shot in the tourney. Enter elite scorer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. With Caldwell-Pope among other recruits, Travis Leslie returning, and Marcus Thornton is starting, this team will be very tough to deal with on both ends of the floor next year.
JSS
March 30th, 2011
6:21 pm
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 30th, 2011
6:00 pm
“Is it just me or does Mark Fox bear a striking facial resemblence to Jim Cornette?”
Ha ha! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-wl-8a3RV4
Jeff Schultz
March 30th, 2011
6:22 pm
JSS — “Are you thinking what I’m thinking (about UGGA)?” …. Not think — know.
5150 UOAD
March 30th, 2011
6:29 pm
Jeff and JSS
What are you guys talking about on the UGGA thing? Fill us in please.
JSS
March 30th, 2011
6:31 pm
@ Jeff Schultz…
Glad, I had at 5 hours of sleep before I came across that one! Whew!
JSS
March 30th, 2011
6:33 pm
@ POAD..
You really don’t want to go there… Let that one alone, it’s deep!
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 30th, 2011
6:39 pm
JSS
If you go to Youtube and type in almost any wrestling personality’s name, followed by shoot, (ex: Jim Cornette shoot), there are some very interesting interviews. Jim Cornette’s are something to watch.
JSS
March 30th, 2011
6:39 pm
@ Hillbilly…
Just for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIftqOEK22o&feature=related
JSS
March 30th, 2011
6:41 pm
@ Hillbilly…
Yeah, I know, have you ever seen Tenn. Mountain Wrestling?
Hillbilly Deluxe
March 30th, 2011
7:21 pm
JSS
I’ve seen just a little of it. I hope somebody can succeed doing it the “old school” way. I think they were much better at telling the stories and building heat, in those days. I don’t really care for the direction the WWE and others have taken in the last 10-15 years.
Bounced Big Time!
March 30th, 2011
7:32 pm
FIRE ANDY LANDERS!
jumbeauxtiger
March 30th, 2011
8:41 pm
Good article Jeff and I think you are spot on.
EDAWG
March 30th, 2011
9:21 pm
Whats the rush the guy went 8 and 8 last 16 games, is anybody really after him.
DawgFan
March 30th, 2011
9:51 pm
Good for Fox…but who really cares??? How many games did we sell out this year even with two top NBA talents? How many Dawg fans do you know that stayed up to watch us in the NCAA’s? Shoot I have a ton of friends that are season ticket football fans (like me) that did not even know we were playing Washington on tv for the National Tournament. Fact is…most UGA fans want the Basketball team to do well but not so much as to actually watch a weekend game that would keep them home from partying. We will never get behind basketball so why not write about what we actually care about? Why not more on the Auburn scandal instead! LOL
JSS
March 30th, 2011
10:49 pm
@ Hillbilly…
The Landels and Bob Orton run it. I’ve known the personality that portrays Cheyanne Vegas for about two years. They have a big reunion card each year at the East Tenn. State Fair. You should go one year if you get a chance. Ron Garvin generally always comes…
Remember .......
March 31st, 2011
10:42 am
UGA grad here. Folks, we must remember that we are UGA basketball. We are not going to morph into a KY over night. If UGA replicates this season past, next year, it will be simply wonderfull. We are UGA basketball and it will take maybe 4 or 5 years of continued sucess like this season past, to have a credible “program.” We must first lock down a solid coach and CMF is that guy.
The local kids need to grow up viewing UGA going to the NCAAs every year. They need to view local stars signing with UGA and then enjoying personal and team success. This will take 3 or 4 years for sure. We are not a one and done type of school like GT. Look how that strategy has failed them.
Go Dooooooooooooooooooooogs.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
March 31st, 2011
12:30 pm
Eric Ainge story will generate a lot of hits from UGA fans considering the his wins against the Dawgs. AJC is missing the boat.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
March 31st, 2011
1:11 pm
[...] Georgia officials are talking about a new contract for hoops coach Mark Fox.4. This writer says UGA would be wise to spend cash to keep Fox.5. For his part, Fox says he’s “not interested” in any other jobs.6. [...]