LSU’s Chavis sidesteps talk of UGA job
Click here for new blog on Chavis getting a raise to stay at LSU.
LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis left speculation swirling Wednesday that he was considering the same job at Georgia.
He was asked twice about the issue at a Capital One Bowl news conference in Orlando -– and twice answered without distancing himself from the UGA job.
The first time, he said: “Well, we’re excited about what we’re doing at LSU, and my focus has been on LSU and will continue to be on LSU. We have an opportunity to win 10 ballgames, and certainly that is what we want to do. We’ve got an opportunity to be the third team in the SEC to win 100 ballgames in a decade, and certainly that is what we want to do. So that is where our focus is going to be. I’ll talk as long as you want to about LSU and about our players. Be happy to do that.”
In other words: a protracted no-comment about the Georgia job.
Later in the news conference, asked pointedly if he would still be at LSU next season, Chavis replied: “Like I said earlier, I’ll be happy to talk about our players, about this bowl game. Beyond that, I really want to leave it like it is.”
An LSU athletic department official told Gannett Louisiana Newspapers Wednesday afternoon that LSU was trying to match a Georgia offer to Chavis.
On Tuesday in Orlando, LSU head coach Les Miles acknowledged Georgia’s interest in Chavis, who is completing his first season as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator after 20 years on the Tennessee staff.
“We have not discussed Georgia in any way, [but] certainly there is word out that Georgia has interest,” Miles said Tuesday. “I have not heard from Georgia. I don’t really want to talk about that. . . . It’s a distraction to a game.”
LSU plays Penn State in the Capital One Bowl on Friday.
Georgia coach Mark Richt has been seeking a new defensive coordinator since the Dec. 2 firing of Willie Martinez. UGA associate athletics director Claude Felton said Wednesday that Richt, consistent with his policy throughout the process, would have no comment on any potential candidate.
Chavis made $450,000 plus bonuses at LSU this season. Indications have been that Georgia would be willing to go higher than that and offer a multi-year contract to the right candidate.
Chavis, 53, a South Carolina native, coached at Tennessee from 1989 through 2008, serving as defensive coordinator his final 14 years in Knoxville. The Vols ranked among the SEC’s top four teams in total defense in 10 of Chavis’ 14 years as coordinator.
In Chavis’ first season at LSU, the Tigers’ defense improved dramatically, ranking third in the SEC and 12th nationally in scoring defense (16 points allowed per game).
Another veteran defensive coordinator, Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster, considered the Georgia job earlier this month but declined UGA’s offer after receiving a sweetened deal to stay with the Hokies. Georgia also discussed the job with former Clemson defensive coordinator (and former Kansas State co-defensive coordinator) Vic Koenning, who recently was named DC at Illinois.
Georgia also has two other openings on its defensive staff, but Richt has said the first priority is to hire a coordinator, who then will have considerable input into filling the other positions.
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169 comments Add your comment
oscer myer
December 30th, 2009
6:32 pm
Is Kevin Ramsey available?
WestOfAthens
December 30th, 2009
6:34 pm
An established defensive coordinator, and all this negativity? Does anyone realize he bears a championship ring?
Methinks either he is interested OR desires a raise via LSU.
WestOfAthens
December 30th, 2009
6:35 pm
UGA doesn’t need a recruitor…….UGA already has a damn fine recruitor
Nonsense
WestOfAthens
December 30th, 2009
6:37 pm
ooops….recruiter
what do i know?
catch that?
Bremen Dawg
December 30th, 2009
6:42 pm
He is the type of guy that Mark Richt wants. He would bring in a top ten defense first year, that is what we need. I think he would have more talent to work with at UGA.
Bremen Dawg
December 30th, 2009
6:45 pm
I don’t care who comes to Athens, along as they are a proven coordinator. Listen guys, Mark Richt has to bring in someone like Chavis, because if he takes a chance on someone then he could be on his way out in Athens if it doesn’t work. He is smart and knows this, he wants immediate success at that position.
Ole Yeller Dawg
December 30th, 2009
6:50 pm
WestOfAthens:
If they would have recruited the right defensive players four years ago they would not be looking for a DC right now. There is not a single Georgia defensive player that would start for Alabama.
Name one!
Ole Yeller Dawg
December 30th, 2009
6:54 pm
Besides Drew Butler
Flo-Ri-Duh!
December 30th, 2009
6:54 pm
The Kirby Smart rumors have come to a halt…….. seems that he is staying at Bama for at least one more year before he gets a head coaching offer. Chavis is an old cooter that may have 3-4 years left on his tread. He’s a decent DC but not what we really need. We need the 2nd coming of Erk Russell. Tough, smart dedicated and loyal to a fault.
hobnailbulldog
December 30th, 2009
6:56 pm
has anyone heard romeo crennel as dc?
Ron
December 30th, 2009
7:02 pm
LSU gave up 1575 yards in the last four games of the season vs. Bama, La Tech, Ole Miss and Ark. Sounds about like the stats that the guy they just ran off had.
Bill Lewis
December 30th, 2009
7:05 pm
I’m RIGHT HERE, nadlickers!! Give me a call
Marion Campbell
December 30th, 2009
7:07 pm
I can still coach, leghumpers! I’ll meet you guys at the McDonalds at Lake Hartwell. I’ll save you money on benefits, too cuz I’ve been on Medicare for 15 years now
Bob
December 30th, 2009
7:07 pm
If Texas Tech can’t afford the power bill at the stadium next year, will Adam James be in the dark for 3 hours again?
Mike Hunt
December 30th, 2009
7:11 pm
Has anyone looked at the 2010 schedule for UGA next year???? Holy cow its looks easy. They MIGHT be able to run the table
Jerry Glanville
December 30th, 2009
7:12 pm
I need a job, buttsniffers. This racin ain’t goin’ so well these days.
Disipline?? Who needs that crap.
jackson
December 30th, 2009
7:24 pm
Sorry, Bremen, but I don’t think there is more talent in Athens than Baton Rouge right now. The 2010 Dawg recruiting class does have some good guys for that side of the ball but we all know what potential is worth.
Odd Grantham
December 30th, 2009
7:24 pm
Why is this guy so high on the radar:
Grantham, 41, was once thought to be a candidate for head coach candidate if the team dismissed Romeo Crennel.
Grantham just finished his third season with the franchise. He was hired by Crennel in 2005 after serving as defensive line coach at Houston (2002-2004) and Indianapolis (1999-2001) and was regarded then as a rising star in the league.
Despite Cleveland’s turnaround, which included a 10-6 finish and near-playoff berth, the defense was a problem area. The Browns’ defense was ranked 30th in the league and surrendered 402 points.
In the previous two seasons under Grantham the defense ranked 27th (2006) and 16th (2005). The defense was particularly porous against the run during Grantham’s three seasons, never rated higher than 27th in iin that category.
Dawg '88
December 30th, 2009
7:34 pm
jackson…the Dawgs put up 50 on LSU last year. This Year an average Georgia team once again played with the Tigers only to lose on inept referees and a kick coverage debacle. In other words, to think LSU’s talent is way ahead of UGA’s is just plain ignoring the facts. The talent is at least =. The LSU overwhelming talent has lost 3 of the last 4 games vs UGA. Those 3 losses were dominated by the Dawgs. LSU’s lone victory was gift wrapped…enough said.
Elins next husband
December 30th, 2009
7:36 pm
Just got out of a little Swedish bath…. My finance and I are not sold on this Chavis guy but she admits she knows more about golf than football. I told her about all the punks at GT and it made her mad…
Gotta go… shes really worked up…
scdawg
December 30th, 2009
7:40 pm
Granthan is an interesting (potential) candidate . . . I think we’re one year late on the Chavis thing, made sense last year, this year, not so much . . . lsu boards are pretty much conceeding he’s uga bound, but, I’m thinking he’s just positioning a big fat raise at LSU. I hope so anyway . . . btw, leave CPJ alone, we’re not supposed to know about that sports bra thing . . . it would fly in the face of the image AJC is trying to paint of the tireless “winner”
Matt
December 30th, 2009
7:46 pm
DAWG ‘88— I wouldn’t call poor special teams/tackling, giftwrapping a win. Sure the penalty was bogus but UGA still had chances to stop LSU. Like 3rd down before Charles Scott broke 3 tackles on his way to a 33 yard TD run.
Dawg '88
December 30th, 2009
7:51 pm
Matt…gift wrapping means you gave it to them instead of them earning it…poor special team/tackling is giving it away like a gift. Thanks for proving that I was right! It is much appreciated.
Matt
December 30th, 2009
7:55 pm
ok no I’ll give you that. I thought you were referring the refs bogus call in the endzone. But actually, UGA was lucky to still be in that game. LSU manhandled UGA in the first half only to shoot themselves in the foot.
Matt
December 30th, 2009
7:59 pm
So I guess what then can be said is LSU giftwrapped a close loss for UGA instead of blowing it open. I guess, you’re welcome for not embarrassing you guys…
Dawg '88
December 30th, 2009
8:00 pm
Alright, Yech fans on this blog…answer this:
Last year UGA played in a New Years Day Bowl with a huge payout but had lost to Yech who played in a lesser bowl. Did it matter that UGA got a larger payday than Yech or was the Yech win vs UGA more important?
This year…UGA plays in a lesser bowl and Yech gets a huge payday for once. Would you rather have the huge payday or another win vs UGA? You know the answer. Don’t try to deny it! Yet one or two of your posters seem to be bringing up the bowl payouts as if that hurts a Dawg fan’s feelings somehow. Hell, The Dawgs Restored Order and Beat You for the 8th time in 9 years not to mention the 60 time in almost 10 games. You are dominated Yechmites! Can’t deny it…can’t use losses that UGA had to other teams to wipe it away. Enjoy your one time Orange Bowl yawner….You are what you are Yechmites….Dominated and the ignorant, annoying little brother of a the #1 football program in this state…UGA,UGA,UGA…
‘We Run This State!!!”
http://images.efollett.com/spirit/v4/095/LSST-UGATHISSTAT.jpg
June Jones
December 30th, 2009
8:02 pm
Jerry Glanville would be a great defensive coordinator @ UGA ! Remember the GRITS BLITZ !
Dawg '88
December 30th, 2009
8:07 pm
Matt…the UGA front lines were dominating LSU’s in the 2nd half.
So it was a tale of 2 halves. LSU dominated the first/UGA the 2nd.
Thats why it was so even. Refs, poor tackling/special teams gave it away.
BTW…if you had embarrassed us…(LOL)…it would have been UGA 3 Embarrassments of LSU vs 1 LSU embarrassment of UGA (but coulda,woulda,shoulda…it didn’t happen). So back to my original point…LSU doesn’t have more talent than UGA right now nor have they recently. The Dawgs have finished the drill in routing LSU but the Tiggers can’t turn around and do likewise.
11-2 GEORGIA TECH in ORANGE BOWL
December 30th, 2009
8:21 pm
Shreveport ?
Matt
December 30th, 2009
8:22 pm
Dawg ‘88– I really don’t care about embarrassing teams. Here’s the part I like. 2 National Championships since ‘03. You guys haven’t won since what 1980? LSU will get another one here soon too. So sure, you guys have shown from time to time that you can beat up on LSU but LSU has shown they are an Elite Championship program.
Mike Leach
December 30th, 2009
8:24 pm
I am so wasted. I’ve consumed an entire box of Boones Farm Strawberry Pink and I just soiled my Blue Beard’s costume. What happened?
Billy Bob
December 30th, 2009
8:28 pm
Hey how about Mike Leach he should fit in real well in thugville
FLA DAWG
December 30th, 2009
8:28 pm
He’s playing this for a raise. LSU is dumb enough to give it to him too.
Ole Yeller Dawg
December 30th, 2009
8:35 pm
Matt:
LSU has been living off the success of Nick Saban, I doubt they will be an elite champion program for very long. Les Miles is beginning to screw it up.
Billy Bob
December 30th, 2009
8:35 pm
Dawg 88.
60 out of 10 how’s that work?
Matt
December 30th, 2009
8:35 pm
FLA Dawg: Why is LSU dumb for giving him a raise? Didn’t this defense hold mighty tebow to 13 points? I think it’s well worth it. He’s better than your DC…
dallasmorningstar
December 30th, 2009
8:35 pm
Ok Mike Lewis of the Dallas Morning Star here, Wade Phillips just held a confrense at 5pm to address the fact that Todd will be leaving the Cowboys to go to UGA….. UGA u finally got it right… This guys will do you good!!!
Stinger
December 30th, 2009
8:38 pm
Chan is the man for the job. He could also call your offensive plays.
Billy Bob
December 30th, 2009
8:41 pm
On the dawgs 2010 football schedule it shows the last game of the season is the SEC (special education conference) Championship game. HaHaHaHaHa That is funny as crap!!!!!!
Billy Bob
December 30th, 2009
8:41 pm
45-42
Calhoundawg
December 30th, 2009
8:41 pm
Chavis would be kick-ass at UGA. Proven DC and a wealth of SEC experience. Two young “old-timers” such as Richt and Chavis will play well for a long time at Georgia. LSU is facing some serious sanctions for the pay-for-play debacle. Chavis knows that. Richt is first-class and will be around for a long time. Right time — right fit. Go Dawgs !!!!
Tim
December 30th, 2009
8:42 pm
NO WAY Chavis will jump on the sinking ship at GA… CMR will be fired next year–book it!!!
Billy Bob
December 30th, 2009
8:43 pm
Les Miles is an Idiot!!!!!
surfdawg
December 30th, 2009
8:45 pm
There is no Mike Lewis at the Star
Pit Bull
December 30th, 2009
9:08 pm
Ga gave up a lot of yards to A&M. Ga is not a training school for Def. Cordinators. Wake Up People!
Pit Bull
December 30th, 2009
9:09 pm
Timmy, tell us about yourself.
cherokee
December 30th, 2009
9:12 pm
dallasmorningstar Why do you want to come on here and LIE about something like that? There is no Mike Lewis at the Dallas Morning Star. Idiots like you start stupid sh-t. Go away………..
Phat Phil
December 30th, 2009
9:15 pm
John “Chief” Chavis would not lower himself to don the red & black in Athens. He is a true BIG ORANGE man and I know it killed him to leave Tennessee. Keep wishing Doggies…….it AIN’T happening. I hear Lou Holtz is available.
cherokee
December 30th, 2009
9:16 pm
Billy Bob ….30-24, 8 of 9, 60-39-5 Now that is really funny crap!! Tech sucks
scdawg
December 30th, 2009
9:21 pm
You folks who think Richt is going to be fired are mis-guided. He might leave, of his own accord, because of stupid people who want to fire coaches for winning 90 games in nine years but he will NOT be fired! The guy is a stable football coach who will continue to win SEC titles and, with a bit of luck (ask LSU) a National title . . . he picked Van Gorder, he (out of loyalty–i.e., CWM and QBJC) rewards those who work hard, and, is a clear and proven winner. And, unlike CPJ at NATS (I just realized that acronym spells “nats”) doesn’t need one of Kramer’s “bros” (a man bra for you nerds who didn’t watch Seinfeld). Isn’t this fun . . .