LSU says Chavis gets raise, will stay
UPDATED 4 P.M.
Georgia’s football program still doesn’t have a defensive coordinator, but the opening continues to prove lucrative for coaches pursued for the job.
LSU said Thursday that its highly regarded defensive coordinator, John Chavis, received a pay raise and agreed to stay in his current job after being offered the Georgia position.
Georgia’s chase of Chavis played out similarly to its earlier pursuit of veteran Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who said he turned down a UGA offer after the Hokies considerably sweetened his contract.
Chavis’ decision could prolong an already month-long Georgia search for a successor to the fired Willie Martinez. UGA coach Mark Richt said for the first time Thursday that the search could extend beyond the first week of the new year.
“I don’t know if it will or not, but it could,” said Richt, who previously had said he hoped to have a new coordinator hired by the end of the first week of January.
Richt declined to discuss Chavis or any other candidate Thursday, saying: “I’m not going to make any comment on these things until we’ve got our man.” But he did say that Rodney Garner, the only holdover on Georgia’s defensive coaching staff, isn’t under consideration for the coordinator position.
“No, Rodney is not a candidate for the job, and he knows that,” Richt said. “We’re just still in the search.”
LSU athletics director Joe Alleva, in Orlando for the Tigers’ Capital One Bowl game against Penn State on Friday, told Gannett Louisiana Newspapers that Chavis was offered a raise Wednesday night to turn down a Georgia offer in the neighborhood of $600,000 per year over three years.
“We did what we needed to do to keep him,” Alleva said.
“I’m staying at LSU, and I’m excited about remaining here,” Chavis said in a statement. “LSU is a great place.”
Chavis was not available for further comment.
Georgia has been aiming high for a veteran defensive coordinator. Foster has been Virginia Tech’s defensive coordinator for 15 years, and Chavis also has held the position in the SEC for 15 years, 14 at Tennessee and one at LSU.
Foster reportedly made $402,000 and Chavis $450,000, plus bonuses, in 2009. To keep Foster, Virginia Tech added an annuity to his contract that will pay him a lump sum, reportedly as much as $1 million, if he remains at the school another five years. And to keep Chavis, LSU gave him a raise competitive with what Georgia was offering, Alleva told Gannett.
A third coach, Vic Koenning, acknowledged talking to Georgia about its defensive-coordinator position before leaving Kansas State to accept the DC job at Illinois. Koenning apparently was not offered the Georgia position.
Other coaches believed to be on Richt’s radar include Dallas Cowboys defensive-line coach Todd Grantham, a former Virginia Tech assistant, and Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former Georgia player who has given no indication that he would leave the Crimson Tide for a coordinator’s job. But there are many other names also circulating in an overactive rumor mill.
“I’m not taking any pleasure at all in what people might be going through out there,” said Richt, referring to fans craving an answer. “All I can say is … when I do have that decision made and it’s ready for public consumption, we’ll let everybody know. My goal is to get the right man for the job.”
Richt had hoped to make a hire by next week because that’s when coaches return to the road visiting recruits. But he raised the possibility Thursday for the first time that the new hire might not be in place before a second recruiting “dead” — non-contact — period is observed for the national coaches’ convention. That “dead” period runs from Jan. 10 through Jan. 14.
“It may not be until after the second ‘dead’ period that we get our new coach and coaches out into the homes,” Richt said. “There will be plenty of times to get into those homes [before national signing day]. I’m just hoping that these young men will continue to be patient and know that my goal is to make a decision that will really affect them throughout their time at Georgia, so I want to make sure that we do the very best job in that regard.”
Richt fired Martinez and two other defensive coaches Dec. 2. He has said the new coordinator will have considerable input into filling the other two positions.
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308 comments Add your comment
B-Man
December 31st, 2009
2:45 pm
If we have a shot at Kirby Smart, then wouldnt we have relatively the same shot at Will Muschamp? That Coach in Waiting stuff is crap at Texas since Mack Brown isnt leaving anytime soon.
Villa Rica Dawg
December 31st, 2009
2:46 pm
A friend of mine that is close to the program in Athens tells me that Smart and Rodney Garner HATED each other when they were both on the staff a few years ago. If it is true, that might be Richt’s reluctance to go after Smart too hard – he knows he will lose Garner in the process.
jawga boy
December 31st, 2009
2:46 pm
I bleev I’d let dem grad assts. corch. Dey stopped the #3 offense in de nashsun. Den we could free up some
Villa Rica Dawg
December 31st, 2009
2:50 pm
Since Richt will be retiring in the next 2-5 years anyway to do mission work, I believe we should offer it to Muschamp with the Coach-in-Waiting tag.
mjvolnatlanta
December 31st, 2009
2:55 pm
That’s funny that the all mighty Jawga would come calling on Chavis.
You guy’s are desperate. If that were to happen you would have (2) former Vols coaches on your staff. Who’s ya daddy?
Coach Richt is the new Fulmer of the SEC. LOL!!!!
Ginger
December 31st, 2009
3:02 pm
Starting to get really frustrated…..Bud Foster, John Chavis….both get raises and are staying put…Makes UGA look bad !!!!!!!!!………OK Damon–Dumb…..Evans….get this…If things go so far with CMR and who he talks to i.e. Foster, Chavis that it is in the papers and the other school is willing to pay a big raise to keep their DC……….Then you have to pay Mr. Evans AD…You gotta outbid the other school….and when you don’t it makes CMR and all of UGA look Bad !!!!!….Like you really don’t want to commit to being a winner…….You have to keep things quiet if you are not going to pay for top DC talent….You look bad and cheap
columbdawg
December 31st, 2009
3:06 pm
We should have canned Garner too. He’ll never be a defensive coordinator if he cant get it now. We should have completely cleaned house instead of keeping stale coaches with no upside in place! Hello Rodney, you have hit the ceiling, NOW GET OUT!!!!!!!!!
JacketFan
December 31st, 2009
3:08 pm
Too bad Mike Leach isn’t a defensive guy …
Craig James is a douche.
That is all.
columbdawg
December 31st, 2009
3:09 pm
Villa Rica Dawg
Get real? Why would Muschamp leave Texas to come here? Texas has more money than any school(See Mack Brown’s new contract) and they have no competition. Muschamp isn’t leaving unless he gets a head coaching gig. It would be a lateral move at best but probably a step down as far as national exposure. Just being honest.
Joe Biden
December 31st, 2009
3:12 pm
how about obama?
Normal Dawg
December 31st, 2009
3:14 pm
There is no desperation in this coaching search. Foster and Chavis are candidates worthy of asking the question: are you interested? For the record, I don’t think Smart will be in play either. The Foster/Chavis conversations would not have taken place if Smart is who Richt wanted/thought he could get.
The ten best DC’s out there are at top notch programs. Contrary to the belief of our rivals, UGA is a top notch job. BUT, you aren’t going to lure these guys away from equal or better programs. This doesn’t mean UGA is not a great job.
I have said it all along that we were going to end up with a relative unknown to the general college football fan. Just remember that the hiring of BVG was decried by most UGA fans and that worked out just fine.
Clowns on this site ........clowns
December 31st, 2009
3:17 pm
First: how many of you clowns on this site have ever attended a major university and then graduated? I do not count local Atlanta JCs or that thing downtown called Ga State. No way.
Secondly: How many of you losers have ever, ever spoken with CMR or ANY of the so called candidates for the UGA D coordinator’s job? Hmmm??? N-E-V-E-R is the answer for both questions.
Then, why do you run your mouths? Answer ………… you are at home now while mommy is at work and you are gonna stay home tonight like you always do with mom’s PC and bang away on that instead of with some nice UGA sorority chick, dancing till dawn.
When UGA shows up in 010 with their offense and 2- MOBILE QBs you will see the improvement, like 1979 Dogs vs the 80 Dogs or the 74 Dogs with the 75/76 Dogs or the 67 Dogs and the 68 Dogs. Champions they were after the players grew into the system. Same with Rich’t era at UGA and two SEC titles and one EXTRA SEC East title.
We have done well with CMR. LOOK AT HIS RECORD and LOOK AT THE $$$ REVENUE GENERATED BY THE UGA BRAND……………..Bama, Florida, UT and Auburn and LSU are NOT in the elite group of 8 or more wins over 13 years in a row. ThAt says it all.
Clowns …………..call some fat girl and ask her out tonight. HAHAHAHAHA
Goooooooooooooo Dogs.
JacketFan
December 31st, 2009
3:17 pm
Craig James is a dirty liar. His son is a baby. ESPN has no credibility. To hell with ESPN!
Red Neck
December 31st, 2009
3:18 pm
How embarrassing for the state of GEORGIA and for GEORGIA TECH to be associated with uga’s program. VERY SAD.
JacketFan
December 31st, 2009
3:20 pm
Maybe Adam James could get on at UGA … they need a real talent at receiver.
Doesn't anybody want to be Georgia's defensive coordinator? | Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2009
3:21 pm
[...] First, Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster turned down the job and as a reward was given an annuity worth up to $1 million. Now, it’s pretty apparent LSU’s John Chavis was offered the offered the job and turned it down because athletic director Joe Alleva said, “We did what we needed to do to keep him.” [...]
GT stands for Go Taliban
December 31st, 2009
3:26 pm
Taliban ( terrorist U ) plays in the Orange and I for one look forward to seeing the taliban get mowed down by big farm boys. Dwyer will get 45 yds on 35 carries and Nesbitt will be around 65 TOTAL yards and my man BAYBAY ………..he will impress the national tv audience with his NFL caliber hands. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA 30-24, 1-8 and 4-15 and TWO ( yes 2 ) major bowls since 1967. Such a program. HAHAHAHA
“Slap em in the face” screamed CPJ as Caleb and Waushuan wooooooooooooooshed by him.
Go Dogs.
JacketFan
December 31st, 2009
3:30 pm
Yes! Glory to Allah! We will crush the infidel corn eaters! LALALLALALALALALALALALA!
You’re an idiot.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
December 31st, 2009
3:30 pm
I think folks who bitch about people with “first” blogs are a-holes and are a lot more annoying than the first blogs.
PMC
December 31st, 2009
3:34 pm
Chavis was just looking for a raise the whole time. This is not really suprising to anyone.
I’m sure they have a good list of names yet.
Dawg On
December 31st, 2009
3:35 pm
I think Coach Richt should hire Michael Vick as the new D-Coordinator.
Steak
December 31st, 2009
3:37 pm
How about David Pollak? He is killing my radio station.
Jim Mora
December 31st, 2009
3:38 pm
Jim Mora Jr. may be available.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
December 31st, 2009
3:39 pm
Agreed, we were played both times. This sounds familiar. We are not going to be able to get a DC from a comprable school, i.e LSU or Va Tech unless it is someone with UGA ties (Smart). Therefore, Georgia is going to have to go to schools like TCU or smaller or they can go to a school like Nebraska and get someone other than the DC like the DB coach.
RealDOG
December 31st, 2009
3:39 pm
Mark “the Richt” will be Mark ‘the Right” when he lands an NFL DC; they may not help with recruiting but they don’t need it, with Garner; I do however, think “Smart” may be the best College DC available.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
December 31st, 2009
3:40 pm
“comparable”
Paul's Johnson
December 31st, 2009
3:44 pm
STEEEEERIIIIIIKE THREE! A swing and a miss! Coach Suntan should at least get a courtesy fee, if not an outright royalty, for getting raises for all this d-coordinators!
I keep telling you Mutt supporters that if your coach is as smart as he’s alleged to be, he’ll bring in a young hard-working go-getter. But with the huge buildup and outside pressure that forced the original firings, expectations are through the roof that Mutley U. will attract the proverbial BIG NAME. After all, who wouldn’t want to coach at a school that’s won 8 games in 13 straight seasons! Once again, Georgia learns that as big of a deal as they think they are in the college football world, they’re middle of the pack in their league…….
Rickey Williames
December 31st, 2009
3:51 pm
How about Mike Ditka?
Bow Wow
December 31st, 2009
3:53 pm
What is it about “No” that Georgia fans don’t understand?
Geaux Irish
December 31st, 2009
3:53 pm
How about Charlie Weis?
Kang
December 31st, 2009
3:54 pm
Chuck Oliver has a great defensive mind.
Herschel Walker Personality #6
December 31st, 2009
3:55 pm
Isn’t PacMan Jones originally from Georgia? He has some NFL experience and he can relate to the thugs at uga.
G.W. Bush
December 31st, 2009
3:56 pm
Dick Cheney is a heck of Secretary of Defense. He could run Georgia’s defense.
ozzfest
December 31st, 2009
3:57 pm
I was is Shreveport…I would hire DOOLITTLE or HARTLEY right now.
Alabama Dog
December 31st, 2009
4:02 pm
Large Orange: Yes, we have computers, indoor plumbing, and sliced bread, too, MORON, as well as the home of the Tide. You do remember them, don’t you? They’re the team that blocked 2 of your lame kicker’s field goals back in October. Get a life, and Vols-get a kicker!!!
dd
December 31st, 2009
4:04 pm
30-24
Hedge twig
December 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
For all the knuckleheads who have to repeat ‘30-24′ in every blog… you should be watching the 3 Stooges telethon on all day today.
Jihad Jacket
December 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
The radical offense of Gerogia Tech will beat the corn birds of Iowa. Enjoy your toilet bowl win mutt fans over a horriblle A & M team. What wow factor competition the last few years for UGA ! Hawaii, Mich. State and a weak A & M team… what a laugher !!!
still443
December 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
I say hire Mike Leach. He’s available. He could lock some of these clowns that keep committing mental mistakes in a closet until they straighten out, rather than pulling them from the game for a play.
still443
December 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
Jihad Jacket, you left out the part where UGA kicked the Jackets’ butts this year, and every year except one little game.
Carolina Dawg
December 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
Agree with Ole Yeller. If we are Smart, then we get Smart. He’s one of our own, can recruit and recognize talent, and we might actually start producing some real DB’s, instead of a crop of also rans. Look Garner is doing great, but we need an edge. Tennessee, South Carolina, and the rest of the SEC is getting guys from Ga. that we should not be letting go. Granted that was because of Martinez in large part, but we need to give these recruits a reason to come here. Those two together could take it to the next level.
Smokey, UT Mascot
December 31st, 2009
4:32 pm
Hey, everybody. Help me spread the word that Mark Richt is talking to me about being the new UGA. Oh, I know I’m not a bulldog, but that’s just a technicality. Anyway, everybody else Richt talks to is getting a raise to stay where he is, so I figure old Lame Kitten could afford to fork over a few more bucks. Right now, all he’s interested in is dragging those floozies all over the South to get horny young men to commit to his program. I ain’t even getting a new ham bone. Let him think about me showing up at Georgia for the season opener against, uh, VMI or Rinehart College or some team like that.
Geaux Tigers
December 31st, 2009
4:35 pm
Georgia sucks,lol
Alabama Dog
December 31st, 2009
4:37 pm
AND LSU LICKS IT UP!!!! LMAO!
To UGA from a Tech fan
December 31st, 2009
4:38 pm
Will Muschamp is the coach in waiting at Texas. Inless UGA offered him 3.5 Million I do not think he leaves his post. Nice win over A&M.
Some of you UGA fans give your University a bad name. GT stands for Go Taliban you are on of them, F’ing loser
UGA might be able to compete for a natioanl title if the could groom a QB! Mark my words!
Chavis To Stay At LSU | MrSEC.com
December 31st, 2009
4:43 pm
[...] around their defense in just one season.As for Georgia, the Bulldogs are now known to have been spurned by Chavis, Foster and Vic Koenning who chose Illinois over UGA. Depending on who you talk to in Athens and Tuscaloosa, Alabama [...]
Jihad Jacket
December 31st, 2009
4:47 pm
UGA has been spurned !!! Bwahhhhhhhhhhhhhh
jim
December 31st, 2009
4:49 pm
I trust CMR to get the right man but it will not be Muschamp. He is in the same position that ol Jimbo was in down at FSU. Muschamp is the next coach at Texas. He is not going to come here and leave that deal. Again, I think CMR has got his guy lined up but not Muschamp.
Fire Marshal
December 31st, 2009
4:52 pm
What do you call a cougar in Tennessee? Auntie.
hamburger lips
December 31st, 2009
4:52 pm
Goodbye mutt fans because I was good ! Im good to spoon too!