Mark Richt’s pay tied to incentives, as it should be
Mark Richt will need to have a high degree of success to increase his paycheck at Georgia. (AP photo)
Mark Richt won 10 straight games last season, brought Georgia to the SEC championship for the first time in six years and generally allayed fears that the football program was starting to circle the drain.
But he is not going to get a raise, and that pretty much indicates where the bar has been set in Athens.
Richt’s contract extension is still not finalized. It unofficially has been stuck on “almost finished” longer than any document in American history.
The most intriguing part of the new deal won’t be contract length but the amount of Richt’s buyout, which is the best indicator of somebody’s job security. (It’s much easier to fire a coach with a $2 million buyout than a $10 million buyout.) But athletic director Greg McGarity confirmed Thursday that Richt won’t be receiving a raise in the new deal.
Speaking to the UGA’s athletic board at annual meetings in Greensboro, McGarity said Richt’s contract will include increased bonuses for SEC and BCS championships and simliar accomplishments. But the coach’s salary will remain at about $2.8 million.
“We want to reward excellence,” McGarity said, and if you have been paying attention, those words won’t surprise you.
McGarity recently fired gymnastics coach Jay Clark after only three years. Last football season, when many fans were going gaga over the Bulldogs’ 10-game winning streak, McGarity pointed out that the team was benefiting in part from a soft schedule. He was correct. But it nonetheless was surprising and refreshing to hear an administrator be so candid.
A recent story on McGarity by Chip Towers examined how he studied under Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, who dismissed at least 15 coaches while McGarity was in Gainesville.
Foley was quoted in the piece, saying: “All I know is when Greg and I worked together, one thing that he and I talked about — and I’ve got to think it’s part of his management philosophy — is you don’t necessarily judge a program on where it is today. I think you judge it on where it’s going to be or if it’s as good as it can be. Sometimes you evaluate programs and they may be OK. But there are certain places in the country — and Florida’s one and I think Georgia is one — where being OK isn’t satisfactory to people in leadership roles.”
Georgia has a chance to be pretty good this season and again will benefit from a schedule that will avoid Alabama, LSU and Arkansas. But high expectations means a higher bar for success. The fact Richt won’t be given a raise indicates McGarity believes he still has something to prove.
By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
135 comments Add your comment
Mad Dog One
May 24th, 2012
3:00 pm
I would like to know when CMR got to set the schedule???? And who is the man that has UGA playing North alabama on the Fla. border??? It would seem that McGarity gets off his a$$ and schedules some one to play he can cxast the first stone GO DOGS & GATA
Desert Fox
May 24th, 2012
3:04 pm
Make CMR earn the high salary by winning the SEC and big bucks w/the BCS Title. He may give more thought to possible coaching changes if ST still reek and the O continues to shoot itself in the foot in big games. If these other coaches can win NC’s he ought to be able to as well.
Gary
May 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
Desert Fox, What coaches? You mean Saban(3), Myer(2)? Les got his because the system voted him in over Georgia (we were better). Auburn got one because they had two of the best players in Football and then collapsed as soon as they left, not because of coaching. Gene did not make the comeback and beat Georgia, it was the quarterback who managed I don’t even know how many third and longs with his own feet on broken plays to get back in that game. Coaching had nothing to do with it. That was talent. You see him in the NFL and realize they had Superman on offense and the Hulk on defense. Saban and Myer are wto of the best coaches to set foot on a field. Every school wants them. If coaching were really the only answer to the NC issue I assume South Carolina should have one because they have a really good coach as well. Nobody there is screaming for Spurriers head. Some Dawgs just have unreasonable expectations. You want and NC, fine, Hire Saban, Spurrier, or Myer…. Could you imagine any of them pretending to be dawg fans for 5 million a year. No one else is better than the guy leading our team right now. It sure isn’t going to be a current coach in the Big 12, ACC, Big 10 or the PAC. None of them will do any better. Most would be overwhelmed by this conference. I promise, when Richt does leave we will look very similar to Tennessee right, much like the Dawgs of the late 80s and through the 90s. Loosing a hell of a lot more games and praying. It might not seem like much but beating Tech evey year sure feels good. I can remember when that didn’t happen. Richt will get us back over SC. Florida will always be Florida. Life has been pretty good under CMR. You really should not take it for granted. Talk to an Ole Miss or Mississippi State or Tennessee fan and ask them how much fun it is to watch college football.
JB
May 24th, 2012
3:32 pm
Smart move by McGarity….2012 will be big in win numbers, but will not impress anyone due to schedule. To make 2012 a success, Mark needs to win 11 games in regular season. He’ll be allowed one mulligan. He loses to Mizzoui and SC and Florida with this team, and it will not bode well for him with this team coming back. It’ll put the light on coaching vs talent, and 2012 is important because 2013 is setting up to be a train wreck with the entire defense leaving and a tougher schedule. There is a ton of young talent coming into to Athens……….But when hasn’t that been the case.
5150 UOAD
May 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
Gary……and Richt was overwhelmed coming from the ACC so I doubt any Big Time HC would be overwhelmed. Meyer was overwhelmed coming from UTAH? Saban was overwhelmed coming from Michigan State?
You SEC people have such an over inflated opinion of your league.
JB
May 24th, 2012
3:36 pm
No Gary, it won’t be like Tennessee. Never. Our program will not be allowed to get in that shape. That roster was depleted, with a state which produces little D1 talent.
Rooty Tooty
May 24th, 2012
4:04 pm
Give CMR a clause where he gets a bonas for keeping all the thugs and dawgs out of jailand he can make $20M plus every year…
1eyedJack
May 24th, 2012
4:14 pm
Rooty Tooty
Fresh and Fruity.
Dewey
May 24th, 2012
4:22 pm
Mark Richt and his henchman Grantham are the two biggest sleazebags in the SEC. No school with any integrity would hire these bozos.
UGA hasn’t had a qualified, ethical head football coach since Harry Mehre, and that was many decades ago. There’s a reason why UGA is known far and wide as The Cesspool of the South.
Buckeye
May 24th, 2012
4:26 pm
5150,
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/andy_staples/05/24/ncaa-rules-exam/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_wr_a1
The si.com article provides further detail regarding the absurdities of the NCAA rules. Interesting read.
hiramtiger
May 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
that blowout loss in the sec championship game sealed the deal. –ga. is known for settling for mediocrity and they’ve upheld the tradition again
5150 UOAD
May 24th, 2012
4:57 pm
buckeye………there are hundreds of absurd LAWS on the books in every state but they are LAWS and you don’t break them. I know stupid some of the NCAA rules are but they are the RULES and you don’t break them. The BS the NCAA did to TECH by taking away the ACC Championship is nuts for the rule that was “Broken” but it is what it is. OHIO ST should have been BUSTED Hard for all the crap they just pulled the last 3 or so years.
5150 UOAD
May 24th, 2012
4:59 pm
Great HiramTaint is now posting as HiramTiger. Move back to the Toilet of New Orleans.
Ghost
May 24th, 2012
5:02 pm
Hiramtiger, Georgia under Richt has the 2nd best record in the SEC behind only LSU, So is everyone other than LSU mediocre? He owns a winning record vs every team except Fla. and is 3-4 vs LSU, Is tied with LSU in SEC for most finishes in the top 25. If you are Auburn Tiger, he is 5-1 vs them over past 6 seasons.
NCDawg
May 24th, 2012
5:06 pm
Coach Richt seemed satisfied with the contract when it was first announced. He obviously believes that a pay increase should be tied to the championships as well. This indicates how level headed he is. Petrino would have jumped ship…again… if he was held to that standard.
How quickly we forget that Les Miles was on the hot seat heading into last season. The word was “if he doesn’t get it done with this group he’s gone”. It was good enough apparently to be SEC champs and make it to the BCS championship. But you have to think a similar outcome might not be enough to save him in Baton Rouge. Coach Richt will probably have to make it back to the SEC championship game and/or win it to keep his job. That being said, winning the SEC is almost a sure ticket to the BCS championship. So I am sure that CMR thinks he can achieve this with these players. We’ll see but the performance incentives have to be a positive as well.
5150 UOAD
May 24th, 2012
5:21 pm
GHOST…………….How many BCS & SEC Championships does Richt have with that Great record? ZERO BCS and 2 SEC. How many BCS & SEC Championships do UF, AU, UA, LSU have in that same time period?
Ted Striker
May 24th, 2012
5:22 pm
Checking in.
hiramtiger
May 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
5150-i heard you were chub rocks punk !
Fidlin1
May 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
It might be harder for Mark to keep that poker face in the last waning moments of a game when his bonus is on the line. Ya think he might have 2nd thoughts on shelling out the suspensions under these circumstances?
Paul in NH
May 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
“He owns a winning record vs every team except Fla. and is 3-4 vs LSU,”
Who knew that 3-4 is a winning record?
5150 UOAD
May 24th, 2012
6:04 pm
Paul in NH and you will want to Hire a UGa Engineer for a job in the future with the math skills displayed on the blogs? LOL
Snoop Dawg
May 24th, 2012
6:19 pm
Instead of a buyout clause, Richt’s contract should have a payback clause so that he will returned all unearned income he received to the University of Georgia. The “unearned” amount would be based on his win/loss record, number of jailed players, number of players quitting the team, percentage graduating, etc.
Otherwise, Preacha Man will continue his laissez faire is everywhere approach to SEC football indefinitely. He probably isn’t capable of coaching at SEC championship level except maybe one year every ten or so…
Bobo for Attorney General
May 24th, 2012
6:23 pm
Jeff, do you think this means we’ll be kicking more FGs on 2nd down instead of 3rd down?
Larry
May 24th, 2012
7:11 pm
Snoop Dawg,
Somewhere out there is a tree tirelessly producing oxygen so you can breath…I think you owe it an apology.
tony
May 24th, 2012
7:37 pm
Mr Richt is a christian so what makes anyone think he will be chasing after those incentives?
Delbert D.
May 24th, 2012
7:43 pm
There is already a clear definition of earned income and example of unearned income in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. No need to confuse things with wrong statements on the blog.
Delbert D.
May 24th, 2012
7:44 pm
And, no, I didn’t Google for it. That’s from over 30 years ago.
UGA Dawg91
May 24th, 2012
7:44 pm
So what about Bobo’s contract? Have been hearing about Richt and Grantham for months.
Delbert D.
May 24th, 2012
7:47 pm
His contract may be pretty simple. “You are on a short leash. Sign at the bottom of the page.”
5150 UOAD
May 24th, 2012
7:48 pm
Bobo gets all the left over food from the Football, Baseball, Softball, Basketball games, Gymnastic Meets, and Equestrian events to help feed his kids.
Delbert D.
May 24th, 2012
7:50 pm
I don’t think the kids would like oats in a feed bag and raw carrots much.
SEC Observer
May 24th, 2012
8:42 pm
JB is right. Richt should go 11-1 with that schedule. Whether he will is another story.
Paul in NH
May 24th, 2012
8:44 pm
The comments on not tying bonuses to academic performance are interesting – as if you can’t win games and have students graduate. One HC who regularly gets a bonus for the academic performance of his team is some guy named Nick Saban. Richt is also eligible for one but I don’t know whether he hits the number or not.
http://204.11.208.101/s3/site/images/sports/nsli-college.coaches.head.82508.pdf
George O’Leary gets a bonus if none of his players get arrested, indicted or convicted of criminal activity, doesn’t violate the honor code…
http://www.floridatoday.com/assets/pdf/A91677771210.PDF
Snoop Dawg
May 24th, 2012
9:10 pm
Larry, you are the tree that Snoop Dawg likes to water several times a day.
Snoop Dawg
May 24th, 2012
9:12 pm
Larry is probably DawginFex, just using an aka today…
Dawg Obedience
May 24th, 2012
9:23 pm
how bout’ …. a National Championship Mission.
Game Changer
May 24th, 2012
9:36 pm
Mark Richt is going to be paid ( not earned ) over 9M under the current contract through 2013. McGarity thinks he is going to show power with the BS he is playing regarding Mark Richt. HINT to McGarity, your putting your job on the line, handling this situation totally wrong and unprofessionally. Some funny crap, a new coach would cost UGA 20M over 5 year contract and although I am not a Mark Richt fan, remaining professional and being realistic is important, McGarity you are way off base on this one. Todd Grantham still has not signed either, gone after 2012.
McGarity, to date has been very disappointing and pretty much a failure.
Gene
May 24th, 2012
9:48 pm
Richt should get fined for each dope suspension, player arrest, and girlfriend beating.
Dawg Obedience
May 24th, 2012
9:50 pm
The Dawgs ARE the defending SEC East Champions,
kinda’ made ole 11-2 Spurrier upset. so much so the evil genius wants to change the SEC Rulebook and make only Conference games count.
And don’t forget about Muschamp’s Guarantee that the Gators would kick ass at the World’s largest outdoor cocktail party and that Michael Adams tried to change the name,
like The Ole Miss Rebel turning into a black bear.
LakeDawg
May 24th, 2012
10:12 pm
I’m hoping for 12-0 and at least being competitive in the SECCG, but I feel like it will be 9-3. CMR is a good man and I respect him, but in coaching he is stubborn and doesn’t learn from his mistakes. The Dawgs won’t commit to being physical on O, because CMR STILL doesn’t believe it helps you win.
LakeDawg
May 24th, 2012
10:14 pm
BTW I like McGarity’s approach. Give the coaches all the support he can, but then hold their feet to the fire. So FINALLY coach Richt will have to put up or shut up.
Shne
May 24th, 2012
10:19 pm
He shoulda been fired along with McGarity. Not that it matters anyway. After that BCS farce last year with the mulligan Crimson Tide, I imagine feetsball ratings wil take a dive. And a four team playoff aint a playoff. Juts more rigged ratings for cash bs.
Smitty
May 24th, 2012
11:24 pm
LakeDawg I have to agree with you somewhat but Shne…you are a bumba$$
Smitty
May 24th, 2012
11:40 pm
sorry dumba$$
Incentive Pay for AJC Too
May 24th, 2012
11:45 pm
Jeff,
Perhaps the AJC should provide incentive pay for you too. Next time, Yahoo Sports might not scoop the you and your colleagues on Tech’s (home town team) probation. LOL!!!!
irish dawg
May 25th, 2012
2:18 am
Gary, you have to be one of Richt’s kids. I’ve never read more lame shit than what you have just written. I bet you believe every word Obama says and you think Bobo has done an outstanding job. The true fans just want 100% in all phases of the game.
ctg and booboo
May 25th, 2012
2:49 am
We gotta do better or theyll replace coach with a dirty vacuum cleaner!
Score Check
May 25th, 2012
6:03 am
On another topic for another school:
Coach Sick Satan = SCUM
Coach Sick Satan = SCUM
Coach Sick Satan = SCUM
Tweak your knee and he leaves you twisting in the wind
Sopwith Camel
May 25th, 2012
6:53 am
So no one receives extra pay for being a “good” man. You must earn it on the field by winning games.
big dawg
May 25th, 2012
6:55 am
only played 4 ranked teams last year and lost all of them. this, I have to imagine, is what mcgarity has imbedded in his mind….rightfully so. and before that a loss to central FL in the bowl game. If he were evaluated on the Rivals rankings in February he’d be making more than saban and meyer combined.