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
General Sherman
January 6th, 2010
8:09 pm
HEY MARCHING. My team plays tomorrow,how about yours??
Jobs in the classifieds
January 6th, 2010
8:19 pm
Gen Sherman; Ive only served 10 yrs because im only 28!!! Not sure if you mean the army and another job, but its impossible to retire twice from the Army. Are coaches paid to much? hell yeah, but oh well. Griping isnt going to change anything, hell even combat doesnt, but you would know that if you have actually been!!!
Nerd Central @ North Ave
January 6th, 2010
8:29 pm
You UGA people make fun of coach PJ’s pajamas, but you guys walk around in overalls with your fat beer bellies all day drinking Budweiser and wishing your program was as good as Bama and Florida. Tech is at least as good right now as UGA and will most certainly be better next year.
Nerd Central @ North Ave
January 6th, 2010
8:31 pm
Tech players are going to rip the hedges from their roots and carry them around the field in their mouths next year. That’s after they punch the UGA players in the mouth.
mash a bug
January 6th, 2010
8:37 pm
a little secret, the deal is done, DC has been selected and negotiated, one slight hitch and then it will be announced……DawgNation will be surprised and very very happy
Paul Johnson
January 6th, 2010
8:38 pm
Like I told my boys last night….just execute…..gobble gobble gobble
SEC REF
January 6th, 2010
8:39 pm
Our work is done, called a good game in Miami, the best team won Iowa.
Nerd Central @ North Ave
January 6th, 2010
8:42 pm
Im a nerd, my teeth are yellow, my breath smells, I wait tables at Dennys. But Tech won the National Championship this year, dang, I mean next year or the next.
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
Verrrrrry Pi$$$$$$$$$$$ed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul Johnson
January 6th, 2010
8:45 pm
I said, “just execute, we are not in trouble, we played bad and we are only down 7 at the half.” Words of wisdom from the Ole Gobbler, after the half.
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
8:46 pm
Wondering where precious $1.4 Million maggot is?
Probably trolling around now as Nerd Central@North Ave
Cuz
January 6th, 2010
8:48 pm
Tech played terrible last night and got what they deserved. Got to rid ourselves of that high school offense.
Gobbler
January 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
Just execute!
680 fan
January 6th, 2010
8:53 pm
In case you missed it, Buck Belue mentions a good candidate for UGA DC on his blog. Here’s the link:
http://blogs.buckbelue.com/
chazzo
January 6th, 2010
8:53 pm
That Iowa D looked pretty good to me. What’s that coordinator doing next season?
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
8:59 pm
Wondering……………….
Where did $1.4 Million go??????????????????????????
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:00 pm
Saying- DADDY-DADDY-DADDY-DADDY-DADDY-DADDY
U G A !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:01 pm
Tired of LOSING!
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:02 pm
ON MARTA……………..
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:03 pm
LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:04 pm
TIRED,TIRED,TIRED,TIRED OF CRYING
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:05 pm
Now telling the world Big Tool johnson may not be the answer
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:08 pm
E
Calling CMR ” Mr. Richt ”
nter your comments here
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:08 pm
still a joke
CPJ's Sportsbra
January 6th, 2010
9:09 pm
Tech players are going to rip the hedges from their roots and carry them around the field in their mouths next year. That’s after they punch the UGA players in the mouth.”
I can pretty much assure you that none of the above would happen.
I remember my first beer…you better go to bed, 5:00 will be here before you know it, you don’t want to be hungover and dealing with the verbal assault of “hashbrowns, smothered, covered and chunked”
LaneK
January 6th, 2010
9:09 pm
Oh yea, you are going to lure Kirby Smart away on a lateral move. Too funny!!!
What are you guys smoking down there in Athens?
Tech Real Fans Are..
January 6th, 2010
9:11 pm
All on 1 bus, coming back from Miami singing “Kum – by- yah and the “Wheel’s on the Bus’ go up and down.
Ten-a-sissy Fan Here .........
January 6th, 2010
9:14 pm
LameK……
What a joke you represent , put your orange jumpsuit and pick up some trash.
LaneK
January 6th, 2010
9:14 pm
Too bad that we are going to end up with D’Rick. Go Vols!!!
LaneK
January 6th, 2010
9:17 pm
Who is the sissy? Not us, the way we kicked your girley rear ends all over the field? Get ready for an even more severe beating next year.
LaneK
January 6th, 2010
9:18 pm
If I wanted to pick up trash, I would be working in Athens.
CPJ's Sportsbra
January 6th, 2010
9:25 pm
680 fan:
“In case you missed it, Buck Belue mentions a good candidate for UGA DC on his blog. Here’s the link:
http://blogs.buckbelue.com/”
I agree. Also, with Kirby, maybe still in the mix, I wonder what truly went down with Chavis, was he the guy that CMR was really after, did he get a formal offer? If so, how does this fare for Kirby in this scenario? Did CMR go after Kirby, who said that he’s staying and then targeted Chavis?
Kinda like a really good game of Clue.
Big Sack Dawg
January 6th, 2010
9:27 pm
Little lanek
Isee you in Athens everyday, doing your community service, all dressed in your orange suit and orange trash bags. Nice hookers you send out .D’Rick and da thugs are real nice . Like Lame and his little boy self.
CPJ's Sportsbra
January 6th, 2010
9:30 pm
LaneK:
“Oh yea, you are going to lure Kirby Smart away on a lateral move. Too funny!!!
What are you guys smoking down there in Athens?”
C’mon dude, for real, a rocky “TOP” on this blog.
I know what you guy’s are smoking..poles.
A lateral move? Get back to me about this time tomorrow night!
Ten-a-sissy Fan Here .........
January 6th, 2010
9:31 pm
Lamek, what are you 12 years old. Dont act like you thugs dominate us. How’s the Hobnail boot they pulled out ya hinnie taste,punk?
Herschel says hey to Bill BATES, by the way.
Rotten Top Teeth
January 6th, 2010
9:33 pm
I’m married to LaneK ,thank you very much
ROCKY SPOT TENASSEY
January 6th, 2010
9:35 pm
I got a lump in my pants. Let me turn around .You can see it.
Lateral Moves R' US
January 6th, 2010
9:36 pm
What, Kirby Smith wouldn’t make a lateral move? Really, Bama DC Kevin Steele did in 2007. Saban’s well known to be a bear to work for and with. Very high staff turnover.
Rotten Top Teeth
January 6th, 2010
9:37 pm
Lane, where did you go,honey?
Rotten Top Teeth
January 6th, 2010
9:37 pm
Enter your comments here
Rocky Top, You'll Always Be...........
January 6th, 2010
9:40 pm
Trailer Trash to Me ….
Rocky Top, You'll Always Be...........
January 6th, 2010
9:41 pm
In love with our first cousins.
Rocky Top, You'll Always Be...........
January 6th, 2010
9:43 pm
Hatin them Hobnail sandwitches
Rocky Top, You'll Always Be...........
January 6th, 2010
9:44 pm
Like TECHNOTS ,running to mommy saying ” Make them quit”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ole Yeller Dawg
January 6th, 2010
9:52 pm
CPJ’s Sportsbra:
I think it’s called Due Diligence, to get a feel for the market,so you will know what to offer the real candidate and you also have a concrete dollar amount established to show to your boss that you are not over paying.
I also believe that Coach Saban laid down the law that absolutely no negotiations until after the NC game.
I also like the Air Force guy Tim DeRuyter, wonder if he would come be LB Coach working with Kirby as DC.
Two keys to getting Kirby:
Alabama must win the NC game, if they lose I believe he will stay.
The biggest Trump Card we UGA fans have is Kirby’s wife Mary Beth, she will make the push to come home. ( kind of like riding a horse, it’s all good but as soon as you turn that horse around and head back to the barn……what a ride that is!)
ButlerDawg
January 6th, 2010
10:17 pm
Settle down, folks. Kirby is working Bama for a big raise…he aint coming to UGA.
ActuaryDawg
January 6th, 2010
10:19 pm
It is obvious that Kirby Smart was being intentionally vague. How hard would it have been to just say, “I’ll definitely be back at Alabama next year.”
This means one of two things:
1. Most likely he’s hoping to parlay the doubt into a fat raise at Bama.
2. Or he is seriously interested in entertaining offers from elsewhere.
The arguments about whether he would be better off professionally by staying at Bama are moving to UGA are moot. Either way, he would be a DC at a major college program with national exposure. If successful at either school, he would be top head coaching candidate down the road. If he does end up at Georgia, there will be obvious rea$on$ that he made the choice.
dawg gone it
January 6th, 2010
10:37 pm
Smart would come to GA only if he is the HC in waiting. He can get just as much $ at Bama.
RED DOG 77
January 7th, 2010
1:41 am
Reminder to all: As you will recall Coach Mark Richt said and I quote ‘ We will get something done after the bowl season and NFL season is over’ He was by the way, speaking of the hiring of a new DC…….Just relax my fine BULLDOG FAITHFUL, I think CMR has learned a tremendous amount over the last few years…..He has a lot of clout at UGA having won 90 games in 9 years, he also remembers the good ol days when coach Van Gorder took care of business on the D side of the ball. I suspect CMR has authority to spend pretty much what he wants to to bring in a winner, and that is exactly what he intends to do. Dont let the foolhardy blogsters, or the so called journalists wind you up, because that is exactly what they want to do….. go have some fun rent a movie play some ice hockey, walk the dog….but whatever you do relax, we will have a winner soon….I hope
RED DOG 77
January 7th, 2010
1:44 am
PS…..GO YOU GEORGIA BULLDOGS !!!!!!! GATA