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
GTBoob
December 15th, 2011
11:06 am
I’m w/ GT Bob. CMR is terrible. Did you see that 2008 butt-whupping that CPJ put on the Dogs? It was awesome.
Paul Johnson is the only coach that knows anything about football around here. I mean, his team beat Georgia once. It was in 2008 and it was awesome. Plus if you disagree with CPJ he insults disabled people and says you should get punched in the face. That’s awesome. And he beat Georgia in 2008. It was awesome. That one time in 2008.
CANVAS
December 15th, 2011
11:10 am
GTbob
What time does the christmas themed tickle pile start?
gomdawg
December 15th, 2011
11:11 am
Mark , the majic number is what CMR and AD get worked out CMR said he was not going no were. So write about the bowl game and leave this to the AD
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:12 am
“And you want to spin this like its a good thing??”
Coaches come and go. Not sure why you think that’s “odd.” I do find it funny that ignorant fans throw around conspiracy theories because they are so insecure about their own schools/teams.
Bottom line: Until something happens, Auburn will keep that nice crystal trophy.
Summit Dawg
December 15th, 2011
11:14 am
I still believe Grantham and his defense saved Richt’s butt…..Richt better go to bat and get him a sizable raise and extension, or his “butt” will be in trouble AGAIN!!!!
Columbus Dawg
December 15th, 2011
11:16 am
If there is truth to what Insider is hearing, then the boss (McGarity), should have the say in this matter. The problem with the big picture is that it has not been Bobo’s decision to go cold, flat conservative in most if not all of the games played this year, it has been CMR’s decision. The offense overall is decent, however the situational playcalling, and this tendency that Richt has to want to sit on a three point lead is plain idiotic. In the last thirty years of college football, you go back and look at all of the championship teams tendancies to run up scores on every team they could, no matter what. You simply cannot take your foot off of the gas in college football games if you want to win national championships. There are a couple of exceptions to this in Alabama’s 1992 championship, where they won most of there games by three or four points because of very great defense, but not so much offense. Same with Ohio State’s team in 2002, but every team who had the offense to do so ran up scores. I am just as much a Christian as any man, but I have sense enough to know that you have to be a tough nut on the football field, and constantly worrying that you will hurt someone’s feelings will not get you championships.
Bottom line is that if McGarity were to demand a new OC, then he would also have to demand that Richt let him run the O the way he sees fit, and keep the hammer down.
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
11:16 am
GTBob – Your spot on with the extension. He has earned it by beating Tech and Auburn like a drum.
If you want a coach who’s only accomplishment is beating GT and Auburn while having probably 5 times the talent they have then you found the right guy.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
December 15th, 2011
11:20 am
[...] Sturgis garnered All-America honors.13. Georgia landed two on the AP All-American squad.14. The length of Mark Richt’s contract extension will send a message to Dawg fans… and recruits.15. Kentucky’s Marquis Teague looked [...]
Alphare
December 15th, 2011
11:20 am
Since many people are still unclear about the BCS Champion, let me make it a little clear about it:
The winner of the BCS Championship Game is the BCS Champion.
It’s OK if you may have your own ideas or thoughts. But the consensus back then is the BCS system. Rules can be changed, but the current rule is BCS. LSU has to follow the same rule to be crowned like other BCS Champs of the last 13 years.
WDE
December 15th, 2011
11:22 am
Hey GTbob who is currently on probation? Who lost their 2009 ACC trophy for cheating? Brick meet glass house…
Tech lies and cheats
December 15th, 2011
11:23 am
GT Bob- we OWN you in everything.
Has your kid been robbed today?
Sincerely,
UGA
Dawgsgone
December 15th, 2011
11:23 am
I’m so tired of the “easy schedule” nonsense that I could scream. The schedule is made in advance, not on the fly and many of those “awful” teams are on the schedule every year. Is it our fault some were down this year? I’m more concerned about whether the real problems (OC and Special Teams coach) will be addressed. All schools have discipline problems, not just UGA and we seem to be going the right direction in that area. Have always thought CMR had the integrity and morals for this or any other job, just seems to have difficulty in making the really hard personel decisions and that has cost the program IMO.
Costanza's wallet
December 15th, 2011
11:27 am
Number years extended should equal’s this teams cumulative GPA rounded up on .5 and down on .49. Amount of pay each year should be equal to: (teams cumulative GPA )x(season wins)x $100,000. Reward success and put the student back in student-athlete.
WDE
December 15th, 2011
11:28 am
@2010 BCS CHAMPS spin on spin master , losing a coach is the norm in major college football, losing both your OC an DC’s without a head coaching is rare and ever more rarely a good thing, but you just keep on whistling pass the graveyard..and keep that life vest tight.
GTBoob
December 15th, 2011
11:29 am
“while having probably 5 times the talent they have then you found the right guy.”
I’m with GTBob. College recruiting IS an exact science and has nothing to do with selling magazines or website subscriptions.
Just look at the talent evaluators: they typically never played a down of football in their life. If they say Jabari Davis is a five star running back and a “can’t miss”, then it must be the truth.
Do you think Jamie Newberg has no clue what he is doing and bases his “ratings” on the rumors and innuendo of various assistant coaches? Of course not. He’s a brilliant talent evaluator. If it wasn’t for covering the Fort Valley versus Appling County game to check out high school athletes, he’d be working in Jerry Jones war room. Duh!
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
11:31 am
GT Bob- we OWN you in everything.
Please name all the things you own GT in besides football.
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
11:32 am
I’m with GTBob. College recruiting IS an exact science and has nothing to do with selling magazines or website subscriptions.
Can you explain why the other 4 teams in the top 5 in recruiting over the past 10 years have all played for at least 2 MNC’s and UGA hasn’t even played in one?
dawgfan
December 15th, 2011
11:35 am
The main problem with this program right now is Mike Bobo as the offensive coordinator. He is not creative and is poor at making adjustments. The great DC’s of the SEC, of which there are many, toy with him like child’s play. Until we make a change at OC I don’t see us doing much more than what we did this year, 10 wins and the usual boring victory over Tech. We need a cutting edge OC that knows how to work with what he’s got and can recruit some beef up front on the O-line. You have to think our problems there are some how related to Bobo’s flag football mentality. We always have a bunch of recievers coming out of our ears but are razor thin on the O-line. Maybe some of those scholarships should be going to the big boys that can block.
Thanks.
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
11:37 am
Can you explain why a smart Tech man like yourself thinks it is ok to bash UGA student athletes?
Tech lies and cheats
December 15th, 2011
11:37 am
first of all your campus sucks.. your women suck…students fear for their lives going to class… we own you in prestige, academics (YES – I said that) compare our students SATs and get back with me, athletics, tradition, money, etc, etc, shall I go on?
Its pathetic you come to a UGA blog, but I get it.. I would too if I was a Tech fan or alumni. Come back to this blog when you beat us in 2025. Your pathetic coach and high school offense are losers!
Columbus Dawg
December 15th, 2011
11:37 am
I am sure that it is true that Richt does not want change the O, but you cannot run a pro style offense without immovable offensive linemen, and tough nosed running backs to allow the play action pass to be effective. Richt has had this luxury at certain times in his carreer at UGA, but not many. Most of the times that Richt has had to face top ranked teams with top notch defenses, his lines could not hold up, and many times have resulted in blowout losses. I cannot for the life of me figure out how UGA, with the largest OL in all of football, including NFL, got pushed around at the line of scrimmage so much this year. Now that being said, Vince Dooley’s best OL’s were undersized as compared to a lot of team’s lines, especially the Big Ten lines of those days, but they did not get pushed around by anyone. There is a lot more to playing football than being big.
The Dawgs are going to have to man up and take that next step to the mean streak that it takes to be champions. Maybe the new-look OL of 2012 will develop that needed meaness that is mandatory against the types of defensive lines that will have to be beaten in order to get that elusive mnc that all Dawgs want so badly.
Dawghater
December 15th, 2011
11:39 am
I would love to have the blogs after the South Carolina game to paste in the blog now. UGA fans move with the wind!
LHarding Dawg
December 15th, 2011
11:40 am
Tech lies & cheats – What’s wrong with your women sucking?
GTBoob
December 15th, 2011
11:41 am
“Please name all the things you own GT in besides football.”
Yeah, just try. It’s impossible.
Muggings? Tech dominates Georgia in campus muggings.
Terrorism convictions? Try again. Georgia hasn’t even had a student CHARGED with terrorism, much less convicted.
Tricycle racing? Ok, we invented the sport so no chance for the mutts.
Quidditch? Fool, don’t even go there.
Live Action Role Playing? Georgia doesn’t even have a team!
chuckie doll
December 15th, 2011
11:41 am
GO DAWGS WOOOF WOOF FRIKKIN WOOF!!!!
@2010 bcs champs
December 15th, 2011
11:41 am
Richt has beaten Auburn 5 of last 6 STFU.
tulsadog
December 15th, 2011
11:42 am
His magic number should be “0″ and he should take Adams with him. Good riddance.
KB
December 15th, 2011
11:43 am
GTbob, Must really be horrible being a tech fan. Being dominated in football for the past 55 years by your most hated rival with no end in sight must sting.
GTRules
December 15th, 2011
11:44 am
If you stupid dawg fans want to argue more with me about how we are still above you, come on over to your favorite dawgrant spot and lets talk, I will out talk you, out smart you and never back down, we are winners, yes winners!!!*********
Kelly
December 15th, 2011
11:45 am
It may not happen, but I still think Richt needs to call his own plays and let Bobo coach the QB’s and recruit.
Despite the light bulb flickering on and off over Bobo’s head, I agree w/ this.
chuckie doll
December 15th, 2011
11:48 am
@GTRules
Wow, I doubt all the techie fans appreciate you running your mouth like that, we own you ever year get use to it!
chuckie doll
December 15th, 2011
11:49 am
@GTBoob
All that counts in the great state of Georgia is college football, and we own you!!!!!
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:50 am
“spin on spin master , losing a coach is the norm in major college football, losing both your OC an DC’s without a head coaching is rare and ever more rarely a good thing’
No spinning here, ma’am. All I said was that it is normal for people to leave and go elsewhere. I think it’s funny that you try to make a big deal out of Ted Roof. We’ll get a better defensive coach. Rumors have it that Mike Stoops is coming over from FS. I also heard that Green Bay’s cornerbacks coach is coming on board since he played at Auburn.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:51 am
“All that counts in the great state of Georgia is college football”
The only title to come out of the state of GA in the last 20 years belongs to the Atlanta Braves. The Braves are the ONLY good thing to come out of GA.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:52 am
“Richt has beaten Auburn 5 of last 6 STFU.”
Make me, troll. Congrats on beating Auburn. You have nothing to show for it.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:52 am
“If you want a coach who’s only accomplishment is beating GT and Auburn while having probably 5 times the talent they have then you found the right guy.”
UGA fans will always settle for mediocrity.
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
11:53 am
2010
Anyone that follows college football knows 2 things:
1.)Ted Roof was going to get canned
2.)Gus Malzahn wants to be a head coach
Don’t waste typing arguing these 2 facts.
chuckie doll
December 15th, 2011
11:53 am
Auburn= those who couldn’t get into UGA. NUFF SAID!!!
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
11:54 am
2010
Kim Basinger is from Georgia so I highly disagree with your statement
GTBoob
December 15th, 2011
11:54 am
@2010 BCS CHAMPS
You must not be a Quidditch fan. Cuz Tech dominates that sport year in and year out!
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!!!
OoltewahDawg
December 15th, 2011
11:55 am
SugarHill, are you serious? It seems you are saying anything less than a National Championship is mediocre. Laughable.
SSIgator
December 15th, 2011
11:56 am
“What’s the magic number?”
Obviously it is between eight and ten wins each year. That kind of result already pays him $3,500,000 a year. What the AD should be thinking about is how much more (or maybe even less) money should UGA pay to get a coaching staff that actually knows what they are doing. Mark “I can win games – just not the big games” Richt – ripping off UGA for eleven years and counting.
PapaDawg
December 15th, 2011
11:57 am
It doesn’t matter anymore how long the contract is since Coaches are fired and Coaches quit way before the contract is up
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
11:58 am
we own you in prestige, academics (YES – I said that)
Lets see, you are ranked much lower in the national rankings, you aren’t a member of the AAU, your endowment is about half of what we take in, and your graduate salaries are much lower then ours. Care to give a good argument for your side?
SoCal_GT_Fan
December 15th, 2011
11:58 am
From a GT fan’s perspective (who doesn’t hate the UGA and who does have a little interest following them), extending Mark Richt is a no-brainer. How long? I think he deserves a long-term extension 3+ years but nothing more than 5 since you don’t want to give a person too much security less he gets complacent.
Although from a diehard UGA fan who wants to be in contention for a NC giving Richt 3+ years sounds insane but the question becomes, Who would you replace Richt with? Which coach can you get that will exceed Richt? I can only come up with a handful of names and even those guys wouldn’t go to UGA since they are already paid HANDSOMELY at their current schools. So I personally think, Richt is your best option for the HC job. If those of you are still not content with this answer, remember, the next hire could be someone much better than Richt or it could be a reincarnation of Donnan (as a Tech fan, I wouldn’t mind that at all).
UGA right now, isn’t good enough to compete for a NC or for that matter, the SEC west (specifically LSU and Alabama). But I think by staying the course and picking up 4* & 5* recruits, you’ll eventually get a couple dominanting players (playing at the same time) who will get you to the NC game. Remember it also has to do with luck too. 2008 would have been the year for you guys except for all the injuries along the OL.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:58 am
“Auburn= those who couldn’t get into UGA.”
UGA = fans who didn’t attend UGA.
DawginLex
December 15th, 2011
11:59 am
Good argument for our side?
We didn’t educate GTBob
WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:59 am
“Kim Basinger is from Georgia so I highly disagree with your statement”
15 years ago I’d agree with you. Now not so much.
Dirty Dawg
December 15th, 2011
11:59 am
What’s up with you Mark? You take a powder for a week or so and now you’re telling Georgia and Richt how they should handle his contract ‘negotiations’. First, there shouldn’t even be any ‘negotiations’…McGarity should make a ‘we love you and we want you, no matter what the Don Leeburns and the Leon Farmers say, offer’ that Mark Richt will accept as ‘proof’ that Georgia’s home for as long as he wants to put up with the complaints from the peckerwoods. And while you’re at it let the Leeburn/Farmer cabal know that you and CMR will be making the decisions about the coaching staff and while their money and support is valued it ain’t gonna dictate how the place is run.
So if you don’t mind Bradley, let the people in charge do their thing without
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
11:59 am
“1.)Ted Roof was going to get canned
2.)Gus Malzahn wants to be a head coach”
Yep.