The Richt contract extension: What’s the magic number?
Checking to see how many more seasons he has in his pocket. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Georgia wants to keep Mark Richt and Richt wants to stay. What’s left are details. But details are important, contractually speaking.
Richt’s existing contract runs through 2013, so it isn’t as if he’s a free-agent-to-be. Presumably AD Greg McGarity will offer a raise and an extension, which brings us to the heart of those details. How many more years?
This is a concern not without nuance. Too short an extension sends one message; too long sends another. Here would seem the alternatives:
One more year: This wouldn’t so much be an extension as a very gentle pat on the back. It essentially would say, “We like what you did this season, but we want to see more.” Outsiders would interpret this as McGarity feeling the rise to 10-3 from 6-7 was less a function of coaching than scheduling. A one-year extension won’t happen because it would undercut Richt almost as much as no extension.
Two more years: This would push Richt’s deal through the 2015 season, which is a good ways off and, for recruiting purposes, would allow him to assure current recruits he has a measure of job security through their college careers. Unless, that is, they redshirt. And if they’re not good enough to plays as freshmen, who wants them? (Kidding!)
Three more years: This is the most-rumored extension, and it would make some sense. Five-year contracts are the industry standard. (Even Paul Hewitt had a five-year contract, the difference being that his never stopped being a five-year contract.) This would be a virtual mandate for Richt, but a virtual mandate might be overdoing it. Does one bounceback season override two lesser ones? Will a different schedule — Georgia is scheduled to play at South Carolina and Alabama next season, though speculation holds that SEC newbie Missouri will take the Tide’s place — yield a less desirable result? Is McGarity, who hasn’t negotiated with Richt before, prepared to make the statement: “This is the only coach we want or are ever going to want”?
Four more years or beyond: Too long for any coach, even one who has won his division four times in 11 seasons. Skeptics among us — and they still exist — would note that Richt hasn’t won the SEC since 2005 and has never taken his team to the BCS title game. (Got close a couple of times, though.)
Were I McGarity, I’d open with a two-year offer but count on settling for three. Richt is still a handsome commodity in an industry where big-name schools have been reduced to hiring the likes of Jim Mora (UCLA) and Charlie Weis (Kansas). There’s no reason to tick off such a bird in hand.
By opening with a two-year bid, McGarity would make the point that Georgia likes and supports this coach but wants him to consolidate the gains made in 2011 and have even bigger seasons soon. By settling for three, McGarity comes off as erring on the side of his coach, which is the side an AD needs to choose unless he’s about to fire him.
Georgia fans could and should be enthused by the developments of the past four months. A team that was losing almost every in-doubt game found ways to win 10 times running. That said, the Bulldogs did lose to the three best teams they played, and only one of those losses wound up being close. For as far as Georgia came in 2011, there’s still a ways to go.
The good news is that Georgia again has reason to believe Richt is the man to take it there. He deserves a reward. But a reward isn’t the same as a lifetime contract. The aforementioned Hewitt got one of those, and seven years later Georgia Tech had to pay dearly to make him go away.
By Mark Bradley
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561 comments Add your comment
Baddabing
December 15th, 2011
4:14 pm
I think McGarrity hasn’t jumped at extending Richt because although the Dawgs had a 10-2 season, it could have easily been worse. Georgia is one of the better second tier SEC teams but as they showed, they are a long way from being able to challenge LSU or Alabama even though he’s getting paid on par with their coaches. I’d wait till after the bowl game to negotiate the deal. All the players will be healthy and there won’t be any excuses for a poor showing. Grantham is already being paid too much for an assistant.
AltamahaDawg
December 15th, 2011
4:15 pm
And by, why screw around with it, I mean “almost” make his new contract look like they have full confidence in him.
AltamahaDawg
December 15th, 2011
4:20 pm
McGarity hasn’t jump on it, because he has stated several times he will do it after the (entire) season, not to be any sort of a distraction. . But he already knows what he is going to do, the bowl game isn’t going to make any difference.
TigerinGA
December 15th, 2011
4:22 pm
Richt will never get Georgia to win a BCS championship! He’s too nice a guy and isn’t developing talent once they come in the program. If you guys like being middle of SEC, give him an extension by all means. But don’t complain every year that next year will be great! lol
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
4:25 pm
We should all ignore GTBob from now on.
Awe DawginLex is going to post this on every blog now. After being a jerk for a long time, when someone finally gives it back to him he cries about it. You brought it on yourself, live with it.
Alphare
December 15th, 2011
4:25 pm
Believe it or not, Hugo Chavez is a UGA fan. Here is proof:
http://friendsoftheprogram.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/hugouga.jpg
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
4:28 pm
McGarity has made it clear about the evaluation of the coaching staff all year long.
He will do this the right way and make no mistake, he wants to win.
bamaguy
December 15th, 2011
4:30 pm
In the big time programs with deep pockets the contracts mean nothing. They will buy them out if they want to make a change (we are still paying Shula). So give him whatever contract helps recruiting.
DocDawg
December 15th, 2011
4:32 pm
I don’t want to settle for mediocrity. If Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Florida can win National Championships, there is absolutely no fundamental reason we can’t either. We’re in the state with the top talent pool per capita in the nation with only Tech as the other in state school! And we’re not even recruiting the same athletes! CMR is a nice guy and a decent coach, but is he going to win it all? I don’t think so.
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
4:32 pm
So give him whatever contract helps recruiting.
Even if his coaching is sub par? Where do you draw the line?
tony
December 15th, 2011
4:37 pm
Every1 need to relax. The world won’t end if they don’t extend Mark Richt’s contract. Look at it this way. After Ray Goff, the team improved. If Mark Richt doesn’t get a contract extention the next hc will be even better.
Ray Goff………….. 46-34-1
Jim Donnan……… 40-19
Mark Richt………..106-37
FL dawg
December 15th, 2011
4:39 pm
Sugar Hill…I think your sugar smells like.. CMR is gonna be at Ga as long as Dooley was. He’s the best recruiter in the SEC if not the nation. Bring it on…
ARdawg
December 15th, 2011
4:39 pm
Altamaha
To reach the objectives. That being a solid stellar winning football program. We haven’t had that in the first 3 years of the current contract. It has to remain important too, don’t you think? A contractual relationship has to benefit both parties or it ceases to be a relationship
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
4:45 pm
http://dogbytesonline.com/mcgarity-says-richt-can-tell-a-recruit-im-going-to-be-the-coach-at-georgia-during-your-time-here-53370/
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
4:45 pm
http://dogbytesonline.com/georgia-sells-out-its-outback-bowl-ticket-allotment-53380/
LogicalUS
December 15th, 2011
4:48 pm
” I believe the biggest impact players they are losing are Brandon Boykin, Drew Butler, and Blair Walsh, am I correct Mark”
Not quite accurate….the already inconsistent OL is losing three starters including its leader Ben Jones. And the RB situation is anything but settled and will not be until the first drive in September because no one will ever be certain as to the status of Crowell until he is actually on the bus headed to the stadium. And quite honestly without the spastic IC, UGA has the worse RB crew in the SEC by distant margin.
Honestly it is absolute imperative that UGA not lose to Michigan State in the bowl game…they have to find a way to get at least one solid win against a decent opponent for this season.
Truth is that none of the drastic issues with UGA were really addressed this season, they are still there, but were whitewashed by the scheduling quirk…luckily for UGA if their lobbying to the SEC is granted and Bama is taken off their schedule, then next year’s schedule is weaker than 2011. So UGA may schedule themselves into another big bowl game.
LHarding Dawg
December 15th, 2011
4:49 pm
There are several reasons to give Coach Richt at least 3 years and maybe more.
1. McGarity – They seem to make a nice team, unlike Richt and Evans.
2. He beats Auburn on a regular basis.
3. He beats Tech every year.
4. Alabama and LSU recuiting, espicially gray shirting and over signing is about to end. That should make for a level playing field.
5. Florida’s dominance is over.
evil empire
December 15th, 2011
4:50 pm
fldawg…thats the problem…if cmr was winning with all these recruits, it would be one thing…but winning the east with a weak schedule, losing to a conference usa school in a bowl game, and rebuilding after 11 years on the job justifies a contract extension, well….good luck with that….
Moobs' Contract
December 15th, 2011
4:51 pm
I’m much more concerned about the future contract of “Coach” Paul Johnson which, I hope, is extended forever.
62-39-5
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
4:51 pm
then next year’s schedule is weaker than 2011. So UGA may schedule themselves into another big bowl game.
****************************
Kinda like Bama did this year?
Beat the 5th best team in the little ten with the 105th ranked offense and beat Arkansas who has no defense or offensive line.
Good loss got them in.
evil empire
December 15th, 2011
4:52 pm
logicalus…add rent-a-dawg jones and rambo to that list…forget what they say, they are gone…why come back?…
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 15th, 2011
4:56 pm
LOL
I just love this stupid rumor of Mike Bobo being #1 on Nick Saban’s OC list
LOL
Thats hilarious
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 15th, 2011
4:57 pm
Yea Nick Saban is going to hire the OC he made look completely stupid in 2008 with 4 NFL players on offense
LOL
LHarding Dawg
December 15th, 2011
4:59 pm
Logical & evil – Both of you are blathering idiots. I’m glad its beer time and don’t have to read your stupid comments anymore today. Get a life!
evil empire
December 15th, 2011
5:04 pm
well enjoy your Pabst Blue Ribbon, redneck…
LogicalUS
December 15th, 2011
5:08 pm
“read your stupid comments”
Hurling insults doesn’t change the facts on the ground of the state of the program.
Perhaps you should just run along to lose yourself in a bottle of beer while others discuss the program.
First step in fixing anything is admitting you have a problem…hurling insults because reality hurts your fragile ego isn’t going to help.
bamaguy
December 15th, 2011
5:09 pm
Richt is a good coach and a fine man. I would be happy for my son to play for him. But as long as Petrino/Miles/Saban are at Arkansas/LSU/Alabama UGA will not win a SEC or National Championship with RIcht as the head coach.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 15th, 2011
5:13 pm
LogicalUS
Even if you give these kool-aid people facts they will still call you names then turn back around and said you’re the one throwing the insults
SSIgator
December 15th, 2011
5:21 pm
Ahhh, glad to see DawginLex has returned from his extended KoolAid break to impart some more of his worldly wisdom upon us all. Silence while the master speaks . . .
ARdawg
December 15th, 2011
5:24 pm
It is GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog
dawg4u
December 15th, 2011
5:24 pm
Good column Mark! It makes total sense and totally agree.
SEC Fans for Richt
December 15th, 2011
5:35 pm
We’re hoping it’s a lifetime contract. Hurry get this thing done. SEC Fans for Richt!!!! We want him around for as long as possible!!
SSIgator
December 15th, 2011
5:35 pm
LogicalUS -
Flat Tire is correct. The members of the KoolAid Club do not apply or want to listen to any logic or reasoning when it comes to a UGA football blog. It is against their bylaws.
Their meetings start with the pledge of allegiance to their fearless leader Mark Richt and his faithful companion Booboo after which the KoolAid bar is open and and business is discussed. After the meeting, Richt has Booboo open the concession stand in the room (it is his job because he is used to going there during the second half of football games) to sell, at a 10% KoolAid Club members discount, the Mark Richt endorsed SprayTan, sunglasses and subscriptions to Vampire Weekly magazine.
Bob
December 15th, 2011
5:49 pm
Two years…by 2015, we’ll either see improvement or FSU will have dumped Jimbo and Richt can go home.
Actually...
December 15th, 2011
5:53 pm
the Dawgs had replaced Mark Richt with Pitt Coach Todd Graham this morning. Unfortunately he took the Arizona State job and resigned before UGA could make the announcement. So if UGA players received a weird text this afternoon….
Spinoza
December 15th, 2011
5:56 pm
Why not let him stay on a year to year contract for about what the average professor makes at UGA?
He doesn’t teach any classes, (even though he is a glorified PE teacher), do any research, and has made himself rich over the last ten years. Why not give something back during hard economic times and high unemployment?
Dawg48
December 15th, 2011
6:08 pm
SSIgator
Is this the only blog you can get on now?
Lol
dd
December 15th, 2011
6:21 pm
One and he’s gonna resent it. 2
evil empire
December 15th, 2011
6:21 pm
stay where you are SSIgator…you are an important leader in the resistance…i’m proud to serve with you…
Bad Dawg
December 15th, 2011
6:26 pm
I don’t drink kool-aid!
Listen to Flat Tire and Billy they know what they are talking about dawg fans. Stop being so emotional and realize the reality that is UGA football and I encourage SSI Gator GTBob and all the others the bloggers like to call “trolls” to keep telling UGA fans the painful truth about UGA football. I see fools on here slanting statistics to make it look like UGA is winning. The “kool-aiders” are what make UGA football the laughing stock of the SEC. I see fans of Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt mocking UGA, this is downright embarrassing. Get real folks. We haven’t won a national championship since 1980. UGA hasn’t competed in a big game for 4 quarters in 5 or 6 years. It is more and more humiliating to see the dawg fanbase in such a delusional state. An extension! You’re talking about an extension? Richt can’t even win a big game… and you’re talking about an extension? LOL
icedawg
December 15th, 2011
6:26 pm
Three year deal sounds reasonable to both parties.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
6:26 pm
“Auburn has beaten UGA once since 2005″
Explain 2010.
hmmm
December 15th, 2011
6:27 pm
just give him a 2 year deal. his wife will be finishing nursing school and then they can go rescue the poor people in grass huts.
B'dawg
December 15th, 2011
6:29 pm
Whatever deal Richt gets the same must go to Grantham, as far as years go. I believe the two of them can bring a NC to Athens. But a special teams coach must be hired, Bobo needs to be recruiting and coaching qb’s, and go get the best OC money can by. Special teams and predictable play calling cost a shot at the BCS title game! No more.
Dawg48
December 15th, 2011
6:29 pm
Tech fans
Can’t beat us on the field , so they bash us on the blog
Jack Sparrow Captain of the SS Kool-aid
December 15th, 2011
6:33 pm
The ship is ready to set sail. We need a crew
Next season we will win the National Title
Joe
December 15th, 2011
6:36 pm
Enter your comments here
evil empire
December 15th, 2011
6:51 pm
jack sparrow…outstanding…
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
December 15th, 2011
7:00 pm
@SugarHill Dog: You sir are a FULL BLOWN BATSH_ _ CRAZY IDIOT.. There have been hundreds of really good college coaches who NEVER won a NC. No way is your IQ more than double digits and most likely single digits. You need to get back on your medicine and should never be allowed outside unaccompanied.
I will let you pick any 10 coaches and will bet you $100,00 per coach over the next 5 years and that includes Saban and Miles.
Simple Rules: Each time one of them wins a NC in the next 5 years you win $100.00. Each one that fails to win means you owe me $25. This bet begins with the 2012 Football Season.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(CMR fan for life)
December 15th, 2011
7:09 pm
You shouldn’t tie too much pay on incentives because all the negative BS on here and elsewhere it is hurting recruiting and I am talking about those who profess to be Dawg Fans, Potential recruits are fed this by other coaches and it is out there for the world to see for itself.