It’s official: Koenning is at Illinois
(Updated 2:30 p.m.)
Athens — OK, you can officially remove another name from the list of candidates for Georgia’s open defensive-coordinator job: Vic Koenning was introduced as Illinois’ new defensive coordinator at a press conference in Champaign, Ill., this afternoon.
While Georgia discussed its DC job with Koenning, his reported salary with Illinois — $325,000 — would suggest UGA didn’t aggressively target him. That’s almost the same salary Willie Martinez was making ($325,815 plus bonuses), and indications are that Georgia is prepared to go well beyond that figure for the right hire.
“There was some dialogue [with Georgia],” Koenning said at today’s press conference, “and it made for an interesting last 16, 18 hours, you might say. But when push comes to shove, the character and the drive and the enthusiasm that [Illinois] coach [Ron] Zook exhibited makes sure there was no doubt in the outcome.”
A couple of hours before Illinois’ press conference, Georgia coach Mark Richt passed when asked to shed light on Georgia’a interest in Koenning.
“I think everything is just –- this whole search stuff -– I’ll just say there is nothing to shed,” Richt said. “I’ve got nothing to shed on it.”
Richt did not signal that his search is any closer to resolution than on Wednesday, when he said it might last into the new year. He noted that many prospective candidates are committed to completing the season with their current teams. That would apply to college coaches whose teams are in bowls, as well as to NFL coaches.
“It’s just a really crummy time of year to be trying to do what we’re doing here,” Richt said, “but that’s just part of it right now.”
He did say Georgia’s three staff openings are generating a lot of interest.
“I know I’ve got a stack of stuff [from] an awful lot of people,” he said. “It’s more than just the D-coordinator job too -– there are lot of position coaches looking –- but we’ve got to get the D-coordinator thing squared away before we move forward to anything else.”
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296 comments Add your comment
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:39 pm
THE JOKER IS THE COACH IN WAITING AT UK.
Dawg Fan
December 18th, 2009
2:39 pm
Kirby is coming, book it. Somewhere between 1/8 and 1/10 when UGA makes the official announcement, the media, specifically, some of the so-called reporters “tweeting” for ESPN, will look sooooo dumb. Forget Muschamp, he’s only leaving Texas for a HC position.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
December 18th, 2009
2:40 pm
Be patient till January is code for ” Houston we have a problem” We cant close the deal on a coach….
SuperDawgie
December 18th, 2009
2:40 pm
Okay, my arm is being twisted…here is the scoop of the year. Richt is stepping down after bowl game. Head coach is already a done deal but cannot reveal his name. But his intials are TT. That is why Richt is not talking. Can’t you guys tell the difference in how he has been acting since the UK game. not himself.
Paul's Johnson
December 18th, 2009
2:40 pm
Looks like Coach Ever-tan was slow on the trigger in tendering his offer, and lost Koenning to the Zooker. No reason for that if that was his man. Makes me wonder if he has authority to tender an offer or does it have to be approved first? Who’s really running the show in this process?
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:41 pm
LMAO!!!!! WHY WOULD KIRBY LEAVE BAMA!!!!
D'ville Dawg
December 18th, 2009
2:41 pm
I would love Kirby Smart to come here but – logically, its just not that likely….
Kirby Smart is in the best position he can be in short of getting a big-time head-coaching gig. Alabama defense has been humming for last 3 years with no end in sight. As Alabama’s excellent defense continues to shine, Kirby Smart’s stock for a premo head coaching job will continue to go upward. In one to two years, Kirby Smart will probably get his own head coaching job at a “top 10-20″ program somewhere in the country – probably the South.
If Smart comes to UGA and fails to turn the defense around – he’s done – his name will be removed from the short list of hot head coaching prospects……he also won’t have Nick Saban to lean on and the overall lack of discipline that CMR runs his program.
The only draw to UGA for Kirby Smart is it being his alma mater……..I know Kirby would come back as head coach(that is not happening) but not as a defensive coordinator…….
just not gonna happen.
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:42 pm
TT?? YEAH!!! MAYBE AS DC
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
December 18th, 2009
2:43 pm
UGA has been ZOOKED again ! Ha HA HA HA
bonairedawg
December 18th, 2009
2:43 pm
This is not real complicated to figure out if you really listen to what Richt has been saying consistantly for a few days now. Forget about all the “hot rumors” and “newspaper/internet stories” about possible DC. Richt already has his man in place and nothing is going to be announced until January 8th or 9th-end of conversation. Hang-on its all good.
Later
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:43 pm
FINALLY!!!! SOMEONE AGREES WITH ME ON SMART!!!
#1 BAMA FAN
December 18th, 2009
2:44 pm
As long as Kirby does not take ant recruits/players….RTR HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
Dostoyevskiy
December 18th, 2009
2:44 pm
Sounds like Richt is thrilled about going to Shreveport, saying “this is a crummy time of the year”.
SuperDawgie
December 18th, 2009
2:44 pm
kdawg,
Oh how you will remember my name after the toilet bowl when he resigns….
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:44 pm
I THINK HE REALLY DOES ALREADY HAVE HIS MAN!!!!
Bobby
December 18th, 2009
2:45 pm
Enter your comments here
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:46 pm
SUPER> IF THAT WERE THE CASE HE WOULD NOW BE THE HEAD MAN AT FLA. STATE
Bobby
December 18th, 2009
2:46 pm
Hey it’s me Bowden. I’m coming out of retirement to help out CMR, he has always been the son I truly wish I would have had. Go DAWGS, I have always wanted to say that
Dostoyevskiy
December 18th, 2009
2:47 pm
Given where the two programs are right now, I could see Smart going to Ala. if he were at Ga., but not Ga. from Ala. Void of any logic. However, people do things for different reasons that don’t have to be logical for those not involved.
SatchelBuzz
December 18th, 2009
2:47 pm
Ouch!,…ugag is turned down for Illinois. Well,….dad gum.
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:47 pm
MARK RICHT IS GOING NOWHERE
Bill Withers
December 18th, 2009
2:47 pm
We all need Somebody to Lean on !
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:49 pm
BECAUSE KOENNING KNOWS IF HE DOES GOOD THERE AND ZOOK FAILS. HE COULD BE THE NEXT ILLNI. HEAD COACH
Obama Dawg
December 18th, 2009
2:50 pm
We will Tax CMR for his spray on tans and Coco Butter usage when the Healthcare Bill passes…..
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:50 pm
WHAT ABOUT FULMER!!!! LOL
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:51 pm
DONT BE SHOCKED IF BVG. COMES BACK!!! im hearing this alot
Joe Lee Dunn
December 18th, 2009
2:51 pm
All Chavis could say is no. Chavis makes perfect sense, bc Smart and Muschamp aren’t coming. Perhaps he would like to work for Richt more than Les “I can’t manage the clock” Miles. Chavis is a no-brainer. Tough, attacking defenses’ year in, year out!
Regarding Koenning, I read where he wanted to take the linebacker coach from Tulsa with him (both coached at Clempson). Perhaps CMR wasn’t in favor of that. Koenning is getting 325K / yr at Illinois. Find out what Chavis is making and lock him up!!!!
Jim Doanan as in Doans Pills
December 18th, 2009
2:52 pm
Heck Take me back, I can still coach and I dont take crap off anyone. Just ask Loran….
Mike
December 18th, 2009
2:53 pm
Anthony Dasher from ugasports.com, the rivals site, is reporting that the hire will come from the NFL. He supposedly confirmed this through some of the folks at K State. There is also no evidence that Koening was ever offered a job.
Who really knows though in the end?
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:55 pm
i would drive to baton rouge to get chavis!!!!!
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:56 pm
i have heard the nfl rumor too!!! a coach from the cowboys or saints
Joe Lee Dunn
December 18th, 2009
2:57 pm
Obama dog-
I wish someone, somehow, could present to Pelosi and Reid a contract to buy a house and ask them to sign it. I’m sure their response would be a) I don’t need a house…..ok we don’t NEED this health reform bill or b) I haven’t read the contract for the house….just like we don’t know what is in this most current bill.
Are the dems really looking out for the people they represent? Hell no!!
The bottom line of all of this is wealth re-distribution. I am sick and tired of busting my a$$ and being told that the government knows how to spend my money better than I do. Sorry to put this on the Dawgs blog!
In Dawd we Trust
December 18th, 2009
2:58 pm
Hire Womack ,he goes to bigger Bowls
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
2:59 pm
ty. nix isnt coming he turned down urban meyer
kdawg
December 18th, 2009
3:02 pm
womack might lose his job!!!!
jack bull
December 18th, 2009
3:05 pm
alright, i guess i have to keep my day job.. my “source” at K-State was off the mark on this one..yes, he does work for them, but he blew this one,,and i told him his credibility has been shot(and mine too)..but, mr. joe lee dunn, it was K-State that hung 62 on A&M, not the other way around,,that score was KSU-62 A&M-14…like i said this morning, maybe thats why MR talked to him several times, ya know, to get some info on how to stop A&M’s offense…
Chuck Doodle
December 18th, 2009
3:06 pm
Water Girl and myself will lend our services during the bowl game! No reason to panic Dawg Fans.
jack bull
December 18th, 2009
3:08 pm
and if its going to be someone from the NFL, i hope they come from Pittsburgh or Philly,,those defenses are awesome…
Wild Dawg
December 18th, 2009
3:08 pm
Go after Paul Johnson. He likes to punch people in the face!!!
Chuck Doodle
December 18th, 2009
3:09 pm
Dont worry Dawg fans the defensive coach at U Conn. has the job provided he doesnt let
Steve Spurriers team score no more than 37 points.
Joe Lee Dunn
December 18th, 2009
3:10 pm
Jack Bull-
My apology on the A&M score….you are correct sir!
Chuck Doodle
December 18th, 2009
3:13 pm
Urban Myer has just been cleared from his second bout with dehydration and will name a defensive coach soon !
Bobby
December 18th, 2009
3:19 pm
Kirby is not going to be the DC!!! It was just reported Saban has offered him 600,000 and YES GEORGIA DID GO HARD AFTER Koening. Listen to the press conference, he said he almost took the job. If Kirby was coming which he is not, then they would not have offered Koening the job. WAKE UP GEORGIA FANS
How Embarrassing
December 18th, 2009
3:20 pm
How many people are going to turn down the UGA job? I seems like nobody with a lick of talent wants to go near that school.
Yeah your program is elite....
December 18th, 2009
3:22 pm
haha he picked Illinois over UGA…haha
Happydawg
December 18th, 2009
3:28 pm
How about Kevin Ramsey?
Happydawg
December 18th, 2009
3:28 pm
What about the swamp fox Marion Campbell?
Happydawg
December 18th, 2009
3:29 pm
How about Richard Bell?
Happydawg
December 18th, 2009
3:30 pm
How about Gary Gibbs?
Happydawg
December 18th, 2009
3:31 pm
What about Frederick Von Voschoosun?