News and notes, with Smart and Grantham updates
(UPDATED 11:55 A.M. and 6:30 P.M.)
A few quick notes:
– So it has been a pretty good five weeks or so for UGA sports fans -– wins over Georgia Tech in football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball, and a bowl blowout of Texas A&M.
– The enduring sounds of rivalry: the “Just Like Football” chant late in Georgia’s basketball victory over Tech last night and the “I Run This State” play-on-words from the football victory.
– OK, here’s the latest word from Kirby Smart. Reporting from Newport Beach, Calif., where Alabama is preparing for tomorrow night’s BCS national-title game, ESPN’s Chris Low says Smart didn’t completely shut the door on the UGA defensive-coordinator job Tuesday. Here’s what Smart, Alabama’s DC and a former Georgia player, said at a BCS media session:
“I haven’t really talked to Mark [Richt] much. To say I said ‘no’ to Mark … he’s not offered me anything. So that’s not really accurate. To be honest, with this game coming up, I haven’t even thought about it.
“. . . You don’t ever know what’s going to happen, but I’m certainly excited about the opportunity to be back at Alabama. We’ve got a lot of good players coming back.”
Feel free to parse those words below.
– Assuming there must be a reason –- other than the decisions by Bud Foster and John Chavis to stay put -– that the UGA defensive-coordinator search is taking so long, the best guess is that it’s because Mark Richt is interested in someone still occupied by an important game. That could, of course, be the UGA alums occupied as defensive coordinators in the BCS national-title game, or it could be an NFL assistant in the playoffs. Which brings us to Todd Grantham, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive-line coach who has been on Richt’s radar for weeks and seemed to move up on the rumor mill yesterday. UPDATE: The Dallas Morning News’ Cowboys Blog reports today that Grantham “has been approached” by Georgia. Grantham’s resume in brief: He was an assistant at Virginia Tech and Michigan State in the 1990s and with four NFL teams (Colts, Texans, Browns and Cowboys) since 1999. His only stint as a defensive coordinator was with the Browns from 2005-07.
– A couple of items from the transactions list if you missed ‘em: The University of Louisville hired former UGA football assistant coach Jon Fabris as its defensive-line coach. Fabris was one of three defensive coaches fired by UGA on Dec. 2. He joins the staff of new Louisville coach Charlie Strong, the former Florida defensive coordinator. . . . And the Utah Jazz signed former Bulldog Sundiata Gaines to a 10-day contract, pending a physical. Gaines has been playing for the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Developmental League.
– Georgia’s women’s basketball team has a chance to make some history Thursday night. A win over Kentucky at Stegeman Coliseum would give the Lady Dogs a 15-0 record, which would be the best start in the esteemed program’s history.
– Reshad Jones said Tuesday that he hears he’s one of the top five safeties in the 2010 NFL draft and that he hopes to be in the top two by draft day. The top one, of course, is Tennessee junior Eric Berry.
– Jones is the 17th UGA underclassman to enter the NFL draft since 2001. Waiting on word from the prospective 18th, junior linebacker Rennie Curran. . . .
And please follow me on Twitter for the latest UGA news and notes.
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267 comments Add your comment
Rick
January 6th, 2010
4:38 pm
‘Bama 1 – counting your chickens? Texas isn’t going to roll over and let you win. If your team has that same attitude (And I don’t think Saban would let them), then Bama is in trouble. History shows us that the underdog generally wins in these games (Florida ‘06, Ohio State ‘02, Texas ‘04?).
Optimistic Dawg – don’t forget about Kris Durham. He should be back from injury. I agree with you that whoever is at QB next year for us will have a ton of talent around him. For us to get back in the SEC title picture again, it’s not the offense that has to improve, it’s the defense. If the offense is as productive this year as last and we shave 10-15 points allowed per game off our average then I think we have a good chance of winning a lot of games next year.
former uga walk-on
January 6th, 2010
4:39 pm
I cannot believe everyone thinks that Kirby Smart is the answer. He needs more time to develop as a Defensive Coordinator. As a former Dawg, I would love to see one of our own come back to be a DC or Head Coach. I am just not convinced that this would be the right move for the program. If he comes in and things do not improve or get worse, then he is going to get fired. And then he has no alma mater to come back to. Even though I am not a Saban fan, he can do a great job of tutoring Smart.
Kirby Smart
January 6th, 2010
4:41 pm
I am not really coming to UGA. Why tell UGA no before I ask for a huge pay raise. I will not deny taking the job until I double my paycheck from Alabama
Kirby Smart's the Guy
January 6th, 2010
4:41 pm
Kirby’s wife, Mary Beth, an AMAZING basketball player, played B-Ball for Georgia with Coach Landers. I wouldn’t underestimate the importance of that. She absolutely ADORES Georgia. Her twins will have a blast hanging out with Mike Bobo’s kids.
Mark Olsen
January 6th, 2010
4:53 pm
Toby Jackson ain’t coming back
DawgBuzz
January 6th, 2010
4:55 pm
I’m sure Kirby Smart has learned a great deal from being with Saban: ( 2004 – DB’s, 2006 – safeties, 2007 – asst. coach, 2008 – named DC, & 2009 – Broyles Award. I think if he is offered and does decide to come back to Athens he would have a hugh impact on the team, recruiting, the fan base and Georgia’s desire to get back into the National spotlight.
Alphare
January 6th, 2010
4:58 pm
Georgia and Alabama starts a bidding war for Kirby’s service shortly after Alabama wins it’s 13rd NC. The bidding price eventually reaches 43million US$ (the profit UGA makes from their football operation). At that price point, Alabama realizes that’s too much for an assistant coach and gives up the bidding.
So UGA grabs Kirby with an annual salary of 43million US$. He is the DC in 2010 for UGA. But to the dismay of UGA fans, UGA’s defense in 2010 is still next to last in the SEC East. As to Alabama, the defense is still rock solid just like Kirby hasn’t left.
At the end of 2010 season, UGA fans call for Kirby’s head, claiming Kirby still works for Alabama while getting paid by UGA. They insist UGA’s defense should be among the best and Alabama’s the worst because of Kirby’s switch. Since Alabama is still good, it must be Kirby still works for Alabama.
In the mean time, a Tech fan is also very perplexed by the situation. He comes up with a very complex mathematical formula which take days to finish computing on a super computer. The printout of the computing results shocks the Tech fan: Kirby Smart has nothing to do with good defense. That’s the first line of the printout. The 2nd line is about Nick Saban.
Since the Tech fan is a Dawg hater. He does not reveal to anybody his computing results.
UGA still pays Kirby 43million US$ in 2011.
I KNOW MB and Kirby
January 6th, 2010
5:03 pm
No one will believe me because the internet isn’t the bastion of creating credibilty annonmously but I DO know both Kirby and his wife and he has said, going back to this time last year, that he wouldn’t go to UGA as DC under Richt. His coaching philosphies are much different than Richt’s laid back approach. Not saying he won’t come to Athens BUT those were his words not mine. Worst part is he also said, again this part was back in August, that if Urban Meyer called to be his DC he would have a hard time saying no. I HOPE he ends up in Athens but if he stays in Tuscaloosa or ends up in god forbid Gainesville don’t be shocked. The longer UF and UGA put off naming a DC I would put a good bit of donuts on it saying he ends up in one or the other.
Nick
January 6th, 2010
5:09 pm
There’s no way they’d bring that pathetic 3-4 defense back to Athens after it completely destroyed the program in the 90’s. It should be banned completely! Total garbage.
I look forward to getting Kirby back come Friday!
Nick
January 6th, 2010
5:11 pm
Bama 1 sounds a lot like Tonto or Frankenstein.
Bama show you what National Championship ring like.
Bama like National Championship ring.
Go brush your tooth Tonto.
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 6th, 2010
5:12 pm
Any coming to UGA thinking Mark Richt is going anywhere anytime soon is misguided.CMR is about to go on a roll!DAWGS will be back with a vengeance in 2010
TUCK FECH
January 6th, 2010
5:12 pm
Techster…GEORGIA is HOME for Smart!
By the way your team stunk up its first BCS bowl!
ACC 2- 12 in BCS Bowls HAHAHA
Suspended SEC Officiating Crew in ORANGE BOWL
January 6th, 2010
5:15 pm
$aban is teaching Kirby Smart how to milk UGA for millions, like when $aban left the Dolphins.
TACKY SHREVEPORT TROPHY
January 6th, 2010
5:17 pm
Unranked UGA has a long way to go,
BEATING 6-7 Texas A&M ……IS NOT BIG TIME at all.
TACKY TROPHY..........from SHREVEPORT
January 6th, 2010
5:19 pm
Ugly and Unranked.
Citizen
January 6th, 2010
5:20 pm
Techster:
If UGA is as you say, “a middle tier team”, yet UGA has dominated GA Tech for the last fifty (50) years (really since the 1800’s) , what “tier team” is GA Tech?
Wolfdawg
January 6th, 2010
5:20 pm
Just because did not run a 3-4 as a main Defense doesn’t mean he can’t run a 4-3 or a 5or 6 2 goaline or a damn 3-4. lol Do teams have to switch Coordinator’s in the Redzone to run Goaline? Think =)
That70sGAdawg
January 6th, 2010
5:22 pm
Kirby is not going to win a NC… at AL. Texas will win tomorrow. Then Kirby will come home to work for a great guy (CMR), and leave Slick Nick Satan behind at AL!!!
Take THAT to the bank!
GO DOGS!, and Hook ‘Em Horns!
Wolfdawg
January 6th, 2010
5:24 pm
we CAN run 4-3 to STOP the run and because we have more SPEED a 3 4 is a Pac 10 or a Big 10 D with pass happy teams that don’t run. We can cover those teams with our speed and just 3 linebackers. Our D-ends are fast.
That70sGAdawg
January 6th, 2010
5:26 pm
And thanks Tim for a “positive” article on UGA.. unlike some of your counterparts- YOU are fair.
TV
January 6th, 2010
5:28 pm
Has anyone in the media had CMR specifically tell him or her that anyone of these names floating around is the one he (CMR) is going after? Or is all this just internet chatter>
Ed
January 6th, 2010
5:31 pm
“You know how bad you have to be to get fired by the Browns?”
Bill Belichick bad, apparently. I’m not sure the Browns are the best evaluators of talent, coaching or otherwise.
Ed
January 6th, 2010
5:32 pm
“Ugly and Unranked”
Not true, sore loser. We are ranked #1 – in the State of Georgia. Remind me where the Institute is located?
Daddy Albert
January 6th, 2010
5:36 pm
“2002 & 2007 Richt had Natl Champ caliber year at UGA.”
Yes He Did. Unfortunately in 2002 Daddy beat his Dawgs and kept them out of the Title Game and in 2007 Tennessee won the East in a tiebreaker because they beat, sorry killed UGA that year and the Dawgies obviously didn’t play in the SEC Title game that year. You are going to have to play in that game and win it to have a National Championship year.
DirtyDawg
January 6th, 2010
5:40 pm
Flash…The University of Georgia will hire a Defensive Coordinator in time to influence final recruiting decisions…he will be well-qualified and he will preside over a defense that will be an asset to Georgia’s program for years to come. That’s a fact, Jack! So cool your jets boys, we will be improved and we will be proud.
Tech, on the other hand, has negotiated with MARTA to store all those extra carts they threw together for their bandwagon…looks as if they won’t be needin’ ‘em – certainly didn’t in Miami – just where were all those Techies? Must have gotten lost in South Beach…or Buckhead.
30 year drought
January 6th, 2010
5:41 pm
“I think if he is offered and does decide to come back to Athens he would have a hugh impact on the team, recruiting, the fan base and Georgia’s desire to get back into the National spotlight.”
So you are saying the fan base isn’t completely there and the previous two years teams haven’t wanted to win an SEC and National Title? 41-17
RAMBLE AWAY FOR GOOD!!!
January 6th, 2010
5:45 pm
At least Tech still has basketball…oops…err…. maybe not…..but tech still has the tricycle 500…..My goodness, you really are a nerd school…..lol
Clay
January 6th, 2010
5:58 pm
Bama 1, are you really from Alabama, or Ethiopia? Sorry, I got out of high school before ebonics, so please tighten up the English a bit for me …. Appreciate it!
sogadog
January 6th, 2010
6:00 pm
Well said Will.
CaliDogg
January 6th, 2010
6:01 pm
To quote: “PLEASE, UGA does not need Kirby.
Nick Satan is calling all of the shots at Alabamastand.”
Anybody wonder why KS might consider leaving Alabama, with that kind of sentiment running through the blogsphere? No matter what he does over there, Saban will get the credit for it.
Anybody think the next DC at UGA might get some credit, if/when they turn the defense around in Athens? Duh.
And, the simple fact that UGA is KS’ alma mater. It’s a bond that’s difficult to overestimate, or to explain if you haven’t experienced it.
It’s the thing that keeps some people on these blogs arguing ’til their fingers are bloody when they could most likely (me included) be doing something a lot more productive (btw, it’s not likely that Mark Richt is pouring over these posts for guidance in his DC search — it’s just us having fun talking sports).
I haven’t spoken to either Kirby or Mark lately so I can’t tell you I KNOW absolutely what’s going to happen. But, I’ll say this. UGA’s got two defensive coaches playing for the national championship. That says something. Maybe some folks on here don’t think Kirby Smart’s that smart on the D side of the ball. But, that’s what makes horse races, and football games. As for me, I think it would be a great hire and a great match.
And look what it would say to recruits about the comparative “levels” of UGA and AL football.
Oh, and I forgot… there’s not Varsity in Tuscaloosa.
CaliDogg
January 6th, 2010
6:02 pm
That is… “there’s no Varsity in Tuscaloosa.”
Jimmy
January 6th, 2010
6:03 pm
AWJ
January 6th, 2010
12:35 pm
Great post.
The triple option is a gimmick offense.
These first two years of it at Tech has been aided by just what you said…it is unusual to teams preparing for more routine offenses.
In the ACC, it will work longer because schools are not attracting the same caliber athelete as the SEC.
They get some good players, but not in the numbers the SEC does.
This offense’s long term success against conference opponents requires high quality atheletes at skill positions.
Critical to the success is a QB that can both run and pass effectively.
Of course, if you have that…you can win with any offense.
Steve
January 6th, 2010
6:07 pm
Josh Ball I mean Nesbitt after last night enough said
WonderDawg
January 6th, 2010
6:09 pm
Tacky, Tacky….. Still talking smack after two beatdowns last night. Yeah, yeah we got relocated (just this one year) from a New Year’s bowl, but even a high school DC can get us back to competing for the SEC again. How about you nerds? This is the best it’s gonna get for you. Win the acc (or compete for it), go to the Orange Bowl, (or Peach) and get your a$$es handed to you. Tell PJ the bigger fish didn’t get fried!!
Then, even worse, play the BB dawgs, under first year coach Fox with only “one player who could make Tech’s 10 player rotation” and ………….lose. Just wait until he has a full recruiting season!
Hey, there’s always baseball …..
Gratefuldawghead
January 6th, 2010
6:12 pm
I am ready to watch the DAWG vs DAWG Bowl Thursday night!
Coaches Paul Johnson & Paul Hewitt
January 6th, 2010
6:12 pm
So what…… we got bigger fish to fry!
trey
January 6th, 2010
6:20 pm
At least this puts to rest to BS reports from some of the other writers (whose names I shall not state here) that claim Smart has been offered and that he turned the offer down. I don’t, however, believe Smart is coming to UGA and I look for him to get a huge, huge pay raise after the NC game.
Grantham would be a good hire. But where is it coming from that Grantham even wants to come to college football? Is there some interview somewhere that suggests he’s unhappy in the NFL?
WonderDawg
January 6th, 2010
6:22 pm
Doesn’t matter if it’s Kirby Smart or Maxwell Smart. It will be a 1000% improvement over CWM. I truely wish him well, but I’m glad he is gone
Muir-Falcon
January 6th, 2010
6:27 pm
*Great Week to be a Georgia Bulldog!!!*
Tech loses bowl game.
Dawgs beat tech ib b-ball.
Lady Dawgs start season 14-0
Dawgs hires Smart or a great College DC or NFL stud Defensive coach.
Lets see how the rest of te week plays out.
And yeah snow day Friday=3day weekend!!!!!!!
BuLLdawg
January 6th, 2010
6:49 pm
I am so disappointed. GA tek is the US News and World Report Number 35 National University in the nation, and UGA is Number 58, both Elite Schools world renowned and respected all over the world; I know; I’ve been there and done that. I am so disappointed with my UGA BBA degree.
I am so disappointed. GA tek have a worse Academic Progress Rate in football APR than UGA in football APR. We barely have any advantage over GA tek at all, the difference is negligible and not even noticeable under Coach Richt with a Pro set. UGA has only won 8 of his 9 games and won 2 Major Bowls BCS Bowl wins along with 7 Bowl Wins in 9 years, with 90 Wins and 27 Losses in The SEC, not some insignificant meaningless worthless America’s Cupcake Conference ACC, where their hasn’t been a top-ranked team in years and will not be again this year obviously. UGA has 26 Bowl Wins now while GA tek has only lost their last 5 Bowl Games in a Row. I mean it’s so close between UGA and GA tek, with both being to bowl games 13 years in a row. Too bad that UGA has such a small advantage if any at 11 Wins to GA tek only having won 5 of the 13 bowl games both UGA and GA tek have been to in a row. I mean GA tek hasn’t done poorly in Major Bowls; GA tek last won a Major Bowl back in 1955. Some of GA tek’s fans in here posting were probably alive 55 years ago. It doesn’t matter that UGA had been to 8 Major Bowls since GA tek last went to one. It doesn’t matter that Coach Richt has won 2 of his 3 BCS Bowl Games. 24-30 is not a destroying of GA tek by UGA. 60 wins over 1 team only 3 other teams have accomplished, ever. That’s not important; it’s very razor thin close between the 2 schools. So what if 1 school has 30 percent of their enrollment Asian men and only 29 percent of GA tek’s enrollment is women from anywhere. It’s a college where kids go to school and share being there with just other little boys, or Asians. That’s not different from UGA. Neither is it bad that the reclaiming of the slums on the borders of GA tek’s campus has failed and now major anchors such as Publix have closed. I mean it’s not like the GA tek little boys are being preyed upon behind their locked doors while they study and being robbed on the streets as soon as they venture outside a very small campus. Who cares that GA tek is Number 48 in attendance while only 5 other in all the nation have more attendance than UGA ? Who cares that GA tek is Number 35 in football recruiting to UGA always in the Top 7 ? That’s not much of a difference. So what if only 3 football players in all of America want to play offense with Paul Johnson for next year’s recruiting class ? Who cares if GA tek never has won a Heisman Trophy ? Who cares if GA tek has never won a single solitary AP Poll National Championship ? Who cares if GA tek has had 7 seasons where GA tek did not win a single solitary football game ? That’s just not important, either. It’s real close between the 2 in football, obviously. It doesn’t matter that 6 of the games GA tek played this year were against hapless zero teams not 1 of the 6 who even play in one of the 70 slots for 35 bowl games. All that matters is how many they won, never mind 6 real opponents would have added 6 losses, instead. Josh Nesbitt for Heisman Trophy GA tek never has won one of, never mind his passes are wounded ducks and cost him the game against Miami, the game against UGA and the game against Iowa. He beat the 6 non-bowl teams, and that is all that matters. He is great. Josh Nesbitt for Heisman GA tek has never won. Who cares that Paul Johnson came to GA tek with a losing bowl record and now hasn’t beat anyone in any bowl game. That’s just not relevant. And, this stuff about Paul Johnson telling GA tek fans to hit UGA fans in the face; that was all a joke. He thinks that is funny. And, who cares that UGA’s APR is far better than GA tek’s thugs in football ? I am so disappointed.
I am so disappointed. UGA men’s basketball only beat GA tek by 73-66 for every game since 1976 in Athens. I mean we only beat GA tek at their little piece of crap poorly designed Bobby Cremins Court, they named for a coach they ran out of this town on a rail, last decade in 2000. Who cares ? It doesn’t matter. Who cares that GA tek’s thugs are in the CRIME REPORTS daily such as Stephon Marbury and Javarius Crittenton. This is who plays basketball at GA tek nowadays. It’s so sad that thugs like that do so well against UGA that it has been since 1976 they beat us at our house, while we beat them at their house as well last in 2000. The NCAA ruled that GA tek has an APR of 914, the lowest in the nation under Paul Hewitt, who has a losing record against UGA at 4-6, not explained by home court. Now is it. The NCAA has put GA tek today on NCAA PROBATION and limited Paul Hewitt to only 11 scholarships. I mean it is so close between UGA and GA tek, you wouldn’t even notice the difference.
I am so disappointed. UGA women’s basketball has never lost a game in Athens to GA tek. Not ever. 56-50 this year, after beating GA tek at GA tek last year, to see MaChelle Joseph refuse to shake Andy Landers’s hand after the GA tek loss last season. I am so disappointed that the UGA women also have a better APR than the GA tek women do.
That was not a bad day for GA tek yesterday. Who cares ? GA tek fans are not disappointed.
Dawg stuck in Bham
January 6th, 2010
6:56 pm
News out of Athens…the DC job was finalized 2 nights ago and will be announced next week. In the words of my source, an “unnamed coach”, “It will exceed all expectations.”
Just thought I’d pass this along. It’s done…
DOUG
January 6th, 2010
7:16 pm
Implying “anything would be better than Martinez” is quite a dangerous thought. Their are different levels of incompetence you know. Many good DCs out there and hopefully Richt will make a choice based on one guy standing alone without help and doing a great job.
1eyedJack
January 6th, 2010
7:30 pm
Tony Dungy, call him up Coach!!!
marchin to Savannah
January 6th, 2010
7:37 pm
Hey General Sherman…you must still be upset that your team lost last night…get a life…loser…
mgdawg
January 6th, 2010
7:42 pm
The one thing UGA can offer smart that Alabama can’t is the ability to say he is our Defensive Coordinator, he calls the plays, he maps out what the defense is going to do at practice, he is the defense. As long as he is at alabama people will question whether Smart is the reason the defense is good or Saban is.
Also, I’m not so sure Saban would want to keep Smart so bad that he would outbid UGA. Saban has a big ego and probably thinks that he is the reason the defense is so good and he can get someone cheaper to do just as good of a job. Less money for the assistants means there is more money free to give him a raise. Personally, I kind of wonder if people are overinflating Smart. I think he would be a good pick up for georgia, but I see him as a young coach that has learned from one of the best.
marchin to Savannah
January 6th, 2010
7:44 pm
Ramble on BuLLdawg, ramble on. I can imagine the great pride you must feel when you go back and read your posts. Give me a break!
But we were doing so well… « The Athens Avenger
January 6th, 2010
7:51 pm
[...] despite loud protestations from logic, cross the Chattahoochee in the service of his alma mater (AJC beat writer Tim Tucker picks up the story, too, and does an admirable job of not reading too much [...]
Ole Yeller Dawg
January 6th, 2010
7:56 pm
The real reason why Kirby will not come to UGA:
Kirby is afraid to leave Alabama because of the Apocalypse that’s to take place after the year 2012!
We all know Alabama is one hour and twenty years behind everybody else, so he decides to stay there for safety’s sake.
(*_~)
SI is reporting that new DC at GA will be:
January 6th, 2010
7:59 pm
Dom Capers
Big L
January 6th, 2010
8:08 pm
Okay, I was all sure that Kirby was the right man for the job. Now you idjits have talked me out of it. God , I need a DC and a zanax.