ESPN Rumor Central: Tuberville ready to move … to UGA?
File this one under Silly Season Speculation, but I present it in the interest of keeping you, dear readers, fully informed. And that’s why I’m here! To serve! To bring every noteworthy nugget to you who Need To Know!
OK, where was I?
Oh, yeah. From the Rumor Central of ESPN.com’s Insiders comes this: “TTU job a stepping stone for Tuberville?” (Link requires registration.) And you’ll never guess where those presumed stones are said to lead.
For your edification, I present the item in its entirety:
“Will Tommy Tuberville retire at Texas Tech? Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman sure doesn’t think so. Tuberville has yet to sign his contract, and the buyout he has to pay if he were to break his contract isn’t high enough — in Bohls’ opinion, anyway.
“[Writes Bohls:] ‘Personally, I would have had Tuberville agree to a larger buyout. After all, he probably would be the Tennessee coach if he had waited a week instead of saying yes to Texas Tech.’
“Tuberville seems very happy to be at Tech and to be coaching again. But you do have to wonder, if he has success in Lubbock and a lucrative SEC job were to open up in the next couple of seasons, whether he’d be able to turn that offer down. Disgruntled LSU and Georgia fans might have to start paying the Red Raiders a little more attention.”
Well, now. That’s a mighty big leap from a mighty small item in Mr. Bohls’ column, but it does illustrate … something. We all know that Tuberville enjoys being courted — ask Ole Miss fans, or Auburn fans, or Arkansas fans — but it wasn’t long ago that Georgia could never been included in any discussion of a school that might soon be seeking a new coach.
But I should stipulate that any disgruntlement with Mark Richt has eased. Most UGA fans are excited about Todd Grantham as defensive coordinator — some weren’t happy with the search, but they’ll get over that if Grantham delivers — and they’ll get excited again on Signing Day. The heat on Miles, who infamously blew the Ole Miss game, is much higher than on Richt. (LSU fans are going nuts over Nick Saban winning big at Alabama.)
No, this isn’t your father’s SEC, or even your uncle’s. Phillip Fulmer was gone from Tennessee a year after playing for the conference title. Tuberville himself was out at Auburn two seasons after going 11-2. Things can happen quickly, sure. That said …
I don’t see any way Georgia is looking for a coach next December. LSU, maybe. Not UGA.
(P.S. I do think Mr. Bohls — nice guy, good writer — has it right when he says Tuberville would be sitting in Knoxville today if he’d waited a week. Which would mean Tuberville would have coached three different SEC schools, which I don’t think anyone has ever done. Though Bobby Petrino will give it a go.)
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440 comments Add your comment
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 25th, 2010
2:47 pm
I hear he is coming and is looking for a mascot. I have written him and sent a pre-a$$-painting photograph. I am hopeful he will give a little dog a chance.
Smokey
January 25th, 2010
2:48 pm
Russ, lets get together some time, I could give you some new material and lord knows you need some. I must admit you have a much better record than I do however.
YellowJacketFalcon
January 25th, 2010
2:49 pm
Wow, someone is desperate for material.
mcdaviddawg
January 25th, 2010
2:49 pm
Richt has quit coaching and the recruiting this year could be worse than any in recent memory. I think if we have another year like this one and that’s a very big possibility, Richt is gone. A better defense would help but on offense it’s still Richt and Bobo. It could be really ugly. We are no longer a top tier program and headed lower. Actually considering Tuberville never had the talent that Georgia has had, it did an incredible coaching job. Much like our new basketball coach he has coached people up, we get great people and many just disappear. If I had a son who had was looking at Div 1 schools and hoped to make the NFL, I would not recommend playing for Richt. I love Georgia and want a lot more than we’re getting from our current head coach.
those games meant nothing to Tech
January 25th, 2010
2:49 pm
boycott Mark bradley’s editorials folks this is garbage journalism……..did you study under Terrence Moore ..Mark?
Mikey in the SAV
January 25th, 2010
2:49 pm
No freaking way.
First of all, CMR is on steady ground and will not go for many many years.
Second of all, when he decides to retire, Tubby Tomerville will have long since gave it up.
get real….go back to the Brett Favre bashing.
McDawg
January 25th, 2010
2:50 pm
i wish people would just enjoy college football
Elmore Spencer
January 25th, 2010
2:51 pm
Stir that pot Mark
30-24 Dawgs, We Run This State!
January 25th, 2010
2:53 pm
Not gonna happen Mark but nice attempt at stirring the POT!
The Bear
January 25th, 2010
2:53 pm
it’s a sad day when baseless, silly rumors are worthy of “coverage” on the sports page – regardless of media (edification and entertainment belong on the ENTERTAINMENT or Peach Buzz page). and people wonder why I viewed the “press” as “t*ts on a bull”.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 25th, 2010
2:54 pm
You’d think a mascot would be safe in his job but you never know what will happen. If a mascot can’t count on a job neither can a coach. Ask Coach Wille. Only a few days before Christmas, too. Sad.
Big B CH 99
January 25th, 2010
2:54 pm
I don’t know why UGA fans are so hard on Richt. He’s been a great coach, the problem is too many un-realistic fans, sorry guys but UGA has never been a national title contender or top 10 team for longer than a couple of yrs here and there. UGA is a top 20 program but not top 10. U guys should be lucky that U have as good a coach as Mark Richt, and this is coming form a Tech fan/student.
SickandTired
January 25th, 2010
2:56 pm
Well the sooner the Dawg fans come to the understanding that Mark Richt is not going to bring a National Championship to Athens, the sooner they can get the right guy in there. The DC hire will decide his future to a certain extent, but with an inept offense run by an unproven freshman QB next season, the handwriting is on the wall.
Georgia: The Wisconsin of the SEC
the real Old Gold
January 25th, 2010
2:57 pm
Tech fans love us some Tubby.. our worst coach-qb combo in 20 years beat him twice in two tries.
Bruce Mac
January 25th, 2010
3:02 pm
Big B CH 99, sorry bud but you are wrong again. Last decade Dawgs number 9 in total wins for all of Division 1 college football.. You are just jealous but that is okay, maybe someday your team will grow up and play with the big boys. Until then you can pull for perenial top ten teams like the Georgia Bulldawgs.
Iceman
January 25th, 2010
3:02 pm
Mark, please seek some treatment for your apparent boredom. Same for the entire AJC staff.
Jeff Shultz
January 25th, 2010
3:03 pm
Also rumored on ESPN that GA Tech might finally score more than 10 points (on offense) in a bowl game under the direction of Coach Paul Johnson – this year they locked in to score 13 as they make it 6 straight bowl losses and 3 straight for BIGGER Fish to Fry.
Tubberville to...UGA?????
January 25th, 2010
3:03 pm
Coach Richt is our guy. The last 9 years has been the greatest 9 seasons in the history of Georgia football if you like to win, no coach has won more games than Mark Richt in the SEC.
.769 winning %, 6th in NCAA.
Richt & Grantham will dominate football for the next 5 years. You have the BEST OFFENSIVE GENIUS & THE BEST DEFENSIVE GENIUS ON THE SAME TEAM.
how2fish
January 25th, 2010
3:04 pm
This just in CMR leaving UGA to return to Fla State following the death of Coach Jimbo Fisher due to a freak lighting strike earlier today. Wait second news flash Coach Nick Saban will be leaving Alabama for his “dream” job at UGA , Derek Dooley will replace Coach Saban for his “dream’job at Bama and wait this just in Pee Wee Herman has just agreed to leave his “play house” for his “dream” job at UT..college footbal experts everywhere are already stating UT got this best of this deal as both Dooley and Herman would be considered an upgrade from the Lammer…darn Mark I see how you can get sucked in..making that up was kind of fun!
THUGA
January 25th, 2010
3:04 pm
Not Guilty, Your Honor.
Vick=Dog killing thug
January 25th, 2010
3:04 pm
Next years UGA coaching staff
HC Willie Martinez
DC Brett Favre
OC Bobby Petrino
AD Lane Kiffin
You heard it here first
'Bama 1
January 25th, 2010
3:05 pm
I think sickandTired has hit the nail on the head!
Declining UGA
January 25th, 2010
3:06 pm
If Richt does not win ten games this year with the much softer schedule, SEC East in turmoil, and all the talent he has recruited for the past decade….then yes, it is time for us to move on. I am one that is not sold on the hiring of Grantham (little DC experience and huge cost per experience level) and believe if this hire does not pan out quickly simply equates into Richt’s demise as the UGA coach. How is it that Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio State, and Florida recruit the same level of talent as we do….yet we are the only team consistently under performing??? OU had problems this year – Sure – but they certainly tend to come through with less talent. Win 9 and UGA will keep Richt but that simply states out loud that we are willing to keep our version of Gailey. Less than 9 wins and he should be let go. Ten wins or bust!!!
Go Dawgs!!!
LET’’s GO UGA COACHES….COACH THEM UP!!!!
Al
January 25th, 2010
3:06 pm
This is irresponsible reporting. Since when did reporting on other reporters speculation become a legitimate practice? There is no edification or entertainment to be had in this.
suwaneedawg
January 25th, 2010
3:06 pm
Good God, have we gotten so desperate that we would actually write off Coach Richt? One bad year and he is gone? ESPN has proven over and over again to be so wrong on their rumors that Star Magazine probably has a better track record.
PTC DAWG
January 25th, 2010
3:08 pm
UGA will NOT be looking for a Coach..this is one of the DUMBEST columns of your many DUMB ones.
Dookie Dawg
January 25th, 2010
3:08 pm
Richt will be at UGA for a long time? Throw in two more consectutive 7-5 seasons – he will out of Athens. Like Bradley says, “this ain’t your father’s SEC” – times have changed.
However, It gonna happen – UGA will win 9 to 10 games next year (throw in the bowl game) and the same in 2011.
2009 – transition year with Stafford, Moreno, Allen left early
- Defensive coaching consistency has finally caught up
- played a career back-up QB instead of a true freshman.
Richt sees the problems – and had to do something about the defense.
Entire Offense coming back except for QB
– running game should be more consistent
– A. Murray will be the man – and will have a better year than Joe Cox – although – give Cox credit – his running game left him much of the season – and no defensive help – did the best he could.
UGA’s issue next year and after will be Florida.
– Florida – out in front – just a better program.
– S. Carolina will be S.Carolina – will beat UGA once in a while – but UGA will win this game most of the time.
– Tennessee a concern = however – is Dooley then next Mike Shula?
– Kentucky – see S. Carolina
– Vandy? Nope
– Auburn? – yes – this program on the build – could be an issue with this team – Def. a program on the rise
– GT? Riddle on how to beat Tech is solved – Like SC – Tech will win a few against UGA here and there – but look for UGA to win most of these games.
UGA is in very good shape! Tuberville’s last HC job is Tx TEch!
Joe
January 25th, 2010
3:08 pm
I am just giving Mark a hard time I know he is just doing what a good journalist should do he is just saying.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 25th, 2010
3:09 pm
When they breed a bulldog to have a pure white a$$ there are always some deficiencies. For instance, a bulldog with a pure white a$$ will often be ill-tempered or grouchy. Sometimes, a white-a$$ed bulldog will suffer heart attacks or have strokes or just drop dead from ugly. I think it is time to choose a bulldog based on the content of his character rather than the color of his a$$.
SouthGaDawg
January 25th, 2010
3:10 pm
Ugghh…Richt has won 90 games in 9 years, 3 outright SEC East titles (and a share of another), 2 SEC titles, has taken the Dawgs to 3 BCS games, had 6 top 10 finishes, 8 top 25 finishes, and went 7-2 in Bowl games.
I know he hasn’t won a national title, but a lot of that has been due to luck by other teams. The problem is that 5 out of his 9 years there, SEC schools have won the national title. He’s gotten close, but hasn’t quite finished the drill. (although its worth noting that other teams have won the national title with the same record UGA had in the years it won the SEC title…so luck has a lot to do with it)
Regardless of that, when you look at UGA’s performance under Richt objectively, they’ve done OUTSTANDING in Mark Richt’s years there.
Objectively speaking, Georgia would be insane to get rid of Richt.
The Grinch
January 25th, 2010
3:11 pm
Declining UGA
January 25th, 2010
3:06 pm
Oklahoma? You care to look at Oklahoma’s record this year?
KJ
January 25th, 2010
3:11 pm
“UGA is a top 20 program but not top 10″
“Georgia: The Wisconsin of the SEC”
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=4845013
Top 10 programs of the decade. UGA is #8. Funny, I don’t see Wisconsin on the list. Or Tech.
But I’m sure this article must have been written by a shameless UGA homer, AMIRITE?
kyle
January 25th, 2010
3:12 pm
c’mon mark…really
RxDawg
January 25th, 2010
3:12 pm
TROTTINGHOME has won this blog. Best post bar none.
PMC
January 25th, 2010
3:14 pm
He would have been much better off taking the DC position then. Why would the University of Georgia hire a retread like Tuberville ever at this point? He got fired at Auburn. UGA can do better than Tubbs. They have a better coach than Tubbs right now.
well we'll just watch espn moore, Terrence jr.
January 25th, 2010
3:14 pm
since you get your stories from espn..you must have been busy writing big bird’s dialogue for sesame street this morning
Smokey
January 25th, 2010
3:15 pm
Russ, you are right. Look at me, I look like some inbred piece of crap laid out by UGA on old Rocky Top and they like me fine. All white is not politically correct anyway. I say go with you until somebody beats you which will not be anytime soon.
The Grinch
January 25th, 2010
3:18 pm
Declining UGA
January 25th, 2010
3:06 pm
One other thing – please provide the name of any BCS bowl a Bob Stoops coached Oklahoma team has won in the past 7 years.
Lord of the Swamp
January 25th, 2010
3:18 pm
We are all pulling for Coach Richt to stay at Georgia.
Dawgie Bowser
January 25th, 2010
3:19 pm
Hey Mark, ain’t it time to get after some of these fellers. Or have you already gone home?
Rod
January 25th, 2010
3:21 pm
Richt Rules! Bradley, you hit a new low every week.
how2fish
January 25th, 2010
3:21 pm
Declining UGA our version of Gailey ? Really Really did Gailey average the number of wins that CMR has..no and neither has anyone else in the SEC or the ACC..where where you for the 20 years between SEC championships? We have a great coach and a better man, running the program…and please for the love of God someone tell me who do you replace CMR with ?? All of you pot-stirring fans of other SEC schools who really want this to happen talk out of both sides of your mouths..UGA is decliniing and can’t get good players or a good DC..but we are going to be able to “upgrade” the best HC we’ve had in 20 years..WTF. And for the rest of you nay sayers..we have a new DC..however we also lost most of the D line, our best linebacker and we will have a new QB..so when your “demanding” 10 wins in the best confrence in the country what are you smoking? It could happen but really demand 10 wins…you morons got 10 wins with Stafford and Co and cryed like babies then.and if you a “fan” that can’t support a team unless they win every NC…Bama is ready when you are..just don’t trip on the state line.
Diehard
January 25th, 2010
3:21 pm
Someone’s been drinking Granny’s rhumatism medicine at work
Mark "Mr Turnaround" Richt
January 25th, 2010
3:21 pm
In 2002, and 2006, Richt had bad seasons.
Both times, he won the SEC the next year, 2002 & 2007.
2010 will be no different–we’ll beat Florida with defense, we’ll beat Bama with offense, and play in the Natl Champ.
Catfish
January 25th, 2010
3:22 pm
Seriously. Is this really a story? Mark, I usually enjoy your columns/blogs, but this one is a bit of a stretch.
Jim
January 25th, 2010
3:22 pm
CMR’s leaving has more to do with Miami and FSU than his success at UGA.
Eric
January 25th, 2010
3:24 pm
Get real jacketfan, what do you think Dooley was! What are you, 12?
Really?
January 25th, 2010
3:25 pm
MB, slow day of news huh?
Dawgie Bowser
January 25th, 2010
3:25 pm
Okay thanks Mark, I forgot about the snow this weekend. I guess I’d better go to the store and get some milk and bread too.
I AGREE
January 25th, 2010
3:25 pm
UGA is a top twenty program that spent four or five years out of the last 9 in the top ten , Be Happy with what you have with richt , it could always be worse , Kiffin, Leach, Glanville, martinez,Gailey,Goff, Al Pacino, Johnson , etc.