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
reality
December 15th, 2011
1:49 pm
CMR has proven he can beat the teams hes supposed to. He also is great at losing to teams he supposed to AND beating teams hes supposed to. This all means hes average or less. He needs to beat somebody hes not to supposed to. I can’t remember UGA as an underdog EVER winning. The last upset he pulled off was beating LSU at LSU six years ago?
Give him another year at the same salary and show me somthin.
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
1:51 pm
Ga Gator…I agree with ya. Foley doesnt play around. Its just how the college football landscape goes. And I’m sure he’ll get the program back around, it’ll just depend on who’s available. Right now, doesnt seem to be alotta choices with all the other national programs undergoing coaching changes. But i’m sure even UF fans could see the two headed monster at UF exploding at some point (with Champ and Weis), too many chiefs…not enough indians.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
1:52 pm
“BTW…UF fans/trolls”
Then: ” Maybe its because you’re basing that off your personal life!!”
UGA fans = morons.
Billy
December 15th, 2011
1:54 pm
Does it matter to anyone that he still has yet beat a good team. Or do we not care about that anymore. Why don’t we petition to get out of the sec so we can continue to play bad teams and had good records. I am supportive of CMR but not at all convenced that he can begin to beat the good teams in the sec. I for one an not satisfied unless we are for sure headed in that direction.
WDE
December 15th, 2011
1:55 pm
@Rationale first off Nancy stick the grammar advice where the sun don’t shine. Second how do you evaluate a OC ? Last year his offense averaged over 30 points a game, 30 points in the SEC should win you a lot of games but due to the defense not being up to speed we didn’t. This year his offense scored enough to win 10 games and score over 40 in one of three losses. His offense scored 45 on the defending national champs and after the first half only threw what 2 passes?
St Simons - we're on Island time
December 15th, 2011
1:57 pm
the magic number is 200k
per month – not cash in a bag, trashy auburn fans
Billy
December 15th, 2011
1:58 pm
If CMR loses to Mich St and then to SC all the momentum of last years heat of CMR will be right back again rightfully so. So you “die hard CMR lovers no matter whats” better get ready for it. Get your excuses ready.
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
2:00 pm
2010 BCS Champs…just take the money and run, thats the Auburn way!! Enjoy it while it lasted!!
AceDawg
December 15th, 2011
2:01 pm
I’d give him one year. Two is ok. Three too much! This season showed some improvement, but where would UGA be without Grantham running the defense? I would be just as concerned about keeping him as I would be Richt. Next year, if UGA doesn’t have the firepower to compete for 4 quarters with a Bama or LSU, then I think we’ll know that Richt’s ceiling is too low for UGA heading into the future.
* My one exception – If Richt will show Mike Bobo the door, I’d consider a three year extension.
Billy
December 15th, 2011
2:02 pm
I am still sick about this extention! and the so called planned a&m job that CMR used to get these discussions started. Can someone explain why CMR did not comment on the potential job offer until after he was assured an extention by McGarrity? I will tell you, because he was using it to his advantage!
1eyedJack
December 15th, 2011
2:02 pm
“If CMR loses to Mich St and then to SC…”
A lot of nerds seem to think they are clairvoyant.
1eyedJack
December 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
“If CMR loses to Mich St and then to SC…”
A lot of our Nerds seem to think they’re clairvoyant too.
mediocracy...
December 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
As long as UGA fans keeps pouring in money to the athletic dept, why should they rock the boat.
Billy
December 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
Speaking of Grantham: He is probably more capable of putting together a winning program then CMR. I agree he is not as nice of a guy. Have you looked at the coaches that win NC’s they are not NICE GUYS!!
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
2:05 pm
No wonder their motto last year was “Family All In”. Cause daddy got PAID!!! Tool bag!!
mediocracy...
December 15th, 2011
2:05 pm
Enter your comments here
WDE
December 15th, 2011
2:06 pm
@Billy your a troll we get it try not to be a moron too. CMR never talked to A&M period,I’ll take his word for it over a “A&M insider” that was never named…as would you if you were a UGA fan instead of just another troll.
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
2:06 pm
Nerds = carpetbaggers of college football.
1eyedJack
December 15th, 2011
2:08 pm
G-Dawg, hangin’s to good for ‘em.
Rationale
December 15th, 2011
2:08 pm
By the way, WDE, I liked the improved clarity you had with your post. Amazing what a period or a comma can make with your points. How to evaluate? Consistency and proper evaluation of the limits of your own QB. I have no idea how many times Bobo called for long passes, when Murray can’t hit anything 30 yards down field. Bobo should have known better than to call any of those plays after the 3rd or 4 game of the year. If calling that play, it should only be called once, not regularly, because you are immediately telling the defense, of the other team, that your QB can’t hit the man 30 yards down field.
Hillbilly D
December 15th, 2011
2:08 pm
I wouldn’t extend him period. Let him finish his current contract and then see where you stand. How many times have extensions come back to burn these colleges and universities when they wind up firing somebody?
Gorilla Biscuit
December 15th, 2011
2:10 pm
mediocracy…
December 15th, 2011
2:05 pm
Enter your comments here
Your Mama wears combat boots and she’s so fat the back of her neck looks like a pack of hotdogs.
WDE
December 15th, 2011
2:11 pm
@Rationale explain the 10 wins, the comeback against UF and complete blow out of Auburn. And excuse me we completed a ton of long pass plays .Don’t let your UGA envy get in the way of your Rationale.
harold
December 15th, 2011
2:12 pm
AND THE CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAMS IN THE SEC WANT UGA TO KEEP RICHT TOO!
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
2:14 pm
UGA motto: Next year or the decade after that.
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
2:14 pm
no kiddin!!
2010 BCS CHAMPS
December 15th, 2011
2:15 pm
“not cash in a bag”
Or weed in a bag for UGAG players and their inbred fans.
DAwg
December 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
We should honestly wait until next seasons end to make this decision. If he can repeat this seasons results with next years team and schedule, which is doable as they should have improvement in all areas offensively and stay the course defensively, then i’d give him a 4 year extension. Anything less than the SEC east title game short of a one loss season means its the end of Richt. It’s a hard truth to swallow but thats what it comes down too.
Auburn has beaten UGA once since 2005
December 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
2010 BCS CHAMPS you are the guy making comments about a UGA article in regards to a coach that has owned your program in his 11 year tenure. Why would you even have an opinion that matters other than wanting him to leave considering the you have beaten him once (yes, 1 time) since 2005??? Or do you like losing to a program you consistently bash and describe as irrelevant? I don’t get it? You can’t beat UGA or Richt but we are the inferior program?? Starting to sound like a Tech fan man.
Shine
December 15th, 2011
2:18 pm
Should be fired, as in no more years, unless you accept mediocrity.
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
2:19 pm
explain the 10 wins, the comeback against UF and complete blow out of Auburn.
Florida lost 6 of their last 8 games and are lucky it wasn’t 7 of 8. You are really using a comeback against them as a positive for UGA? Why was a comeback even needed? You should have beaten them by at least two touchdowns.
WDE
December 15th, 2011
2:21 pm
@Shine just Shine on troll….Shine on.
tdog
December 15th, 2011
2:21 pm
Send him packing.
Auburn has beaten UGA once since 2005
December 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
GTBob………You should have beaten your biggest rival more than once in 11 years but you can’t and haven’t. Explain that to me because you seem to be so knowledgeable.
PR
December 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
Not football related, but this is awesome:.. Go Dawgs!
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/12/14/discovery-cancer-vaccine-brings-hope-to-doctors-patients/
Rick DeHaven
December 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
What a bunch of idiots on here that must all be younger than 30. When has Georgia ever had a more winning coach than Richt……never! What better quality coach can we be assured of getting if we fire Richt……none! Todd Grantham has improved the defense from 73rd to 24th to 10th or better in the last 3 years with only one year of recruiting his “type of players”. Boy, do people have short memories or what? Might want to look at the depth on team that beat us so bad …….can you say “over recruiting”. We had absolutely no depth on our offensive line and it came into play against LSU as the game progressed( 3 and out), leaving our defense on the field to long
Billy
December 15th, 2011
2:24 pm
It makes me sick to hear all these Dawg fans with such low standards that they feel such satisfaction for beating a bad Florida team.
WDE
December 15th, 2011
2:24 pm
@GTBob well your consistent…lets see we got down early and we came back and unlike LSU and Bama they had their starting QB when we beat them. And Bob UF wants to beat us every year as much as you and Bug U do so its not like we don’t get their best shot.
WDE
December 15th, 2011
2:26 pm
@Billy like anyone in the Bull Dog Nation gives a flying fart what you think..
Billy
December 15th, 2011
2:27 pm
What is your point Rick? Some fans demand that we take chances do improve the program and others are driven in fear (like you) that we can never win another NC so that is ok as long as we don’t have a team as bad as Vanderbilt or Kentucky.
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
2:27 pm
2010 Champs next years motto….”Play Stupid”. Its about as bad as O.J.’s defense!!
WDE
December 15th, 2011
2:28 pm
@Rick DeHaven great post !
Ron Burgundy
December 15th, 2011
2:29 pm
Who cares? Don’t all these guys have enough money to never work again? Even after tithing.
GTBob
December 15th, 2011
2:30 pm
unlike LSU and Bama they had their starting QB when we beat them.
He was just coming back from injury and probably hurt Florida more then he helped them. He started against Florida St too and look how well that helped Florida.
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
2:32 pm
Billy Bob…same can be said of your Gayterds for a few those years as well. Think before you speak, smart guy!!
G-Dawg
December 15th, 2011
2:34 pm
Bob and his multidimensional excuses!! Still riding the coattails??
ARdawg
December 15th, 2011
2:35 pm
SSI
Mediocracy isn’t rewarded anywhere. Florida is no exception there. The perception sometimes is that it’s rewarded but, it is only perception. Anyway, that’s all academic now as far as the Gators are concerned. They have been mired in it for two years. The rising tides of juggernaut football programs rise and fall. None stay perched forever and it takes mediocracy or worse of a fall before you can rise again. Say hello to UGA on the rise and UF on the decline.
SSIgator
December 15th, 2011
2:35 pm
WDE -
“unlike LSU and Bama they had their starting QB when we beat them”
You must not have watched the whole game. Yes, Brantley started and UF went up 20-6. Then he was hurt and you comeback began vs a kid that had never started a game. Details, details.
Auburn has beaten UGA once since 2005
December 15th, 2011
2:36 pm
GTBob please tell me you don’t really believe that. Did you see Florida’s backup QB’s play not only against Bama and LSU but more importantly against Auburn (who was terrible this year)?? It did not hurt them to have him back trust me.
Bubba Mutt
December 15th, 2011
2:36 pm
Auburn has beaten UGA once since 2005……..don’t pay GTBob any mind….he lives for coming in here and being a obnoxious Tech Turd…..because he does it, I’ve been going into the bumble bee den…son, don’t go in there…all those nerds talking about how academically superior they are…then I ask ‘em what they do on Weekends and the all at once they start yapping about robots and remote control boats and crap…and not a one says anything about going on a date or taking the wife to dinner …they are sad, really really sad!!!!