Lakatos ‘mystery’ unraveled; UPDATED with contract info
(Updated 3:30 p.m.)
Georgia’s football program continued to rebuild its defensive staff today, hiring a veteran assistant coach who will be making a major geographic shift in his career.
Scott Lakatos, hired as Georgia’s defensive-backs coach, has been on the staff at seven other colleges, all in his native Northeast. He was the secondary coach at Connecticut the past six seasons and previously worked at Rutgers, Maine, New Haven, Syracuse, Boston University and Western Connecticut State, his alma mater.
So, you ask, what was the connection that led him from the Northeast to UGA?
“I’m sure there was a little bit of a mystery for everybody to figure that out,” Lakatos said this afternoon.
The answer: a long friendship with Todd Grantham, hired Friday as the Bulldogs’ new defensive coordinator.
Lakatos said he and Grantham have been good friends for more than 15 years, meeting when Lakatos was a graduate assistant at Syracuse and Grantham a young coach at Virginia Tech.
“Over time, we’ve always stayed in contact,” Lakatos said. “We have similar philosophies and similar ideas defensively and finally have an opportunity to work together. I’m pretty excited about it.”
Grantham recommended Lakatos to Georgia coach Mark Richt, who had never met Lakatos until this past weekend. By Monday morning, Richt had offered –- and Lakatos had accepted -– a job as the Bulldogs’ defensive-backs coach. He’ll work under a one-year contract and be paid a salary of $180,000.
That represents a $50,000 raise from what Lakatos made at Connecticut last year, according to USA Today’s database of coaches’ salaries. In 2009, a $180,000 salary would have ranked sixth highest among Georgia’s nine assistant coaches.
Lakatos (pronounced LACK-ah-tose) had more than Grantham to recommend him for the job. He also had some impressive results as Connecticut’s defensive-backs coach.
The Huskies ranked in the nation’s top 10 in pass-efficiency defense in three of the past five seasons, although they fell to 85th in 2009 after losing two starters in the secondary to the NFL. A starting cornerback, Jasper Howard, was stabbed to death on campus in October.
In what turned out to be Lakatos’ last game on the Connecticut staff, the Huskies defeated an SEC team -– South Carolina –- 20-7 in the Papajohn’s.com Bowl, holding Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia to 16 completions in 38 attempts for 129 yards passing.
Although Lakatos, 44, has never lived or worked outside the Northeast, he said he jumped at the Georgia offer.
“Being a football coach, I think we’d all like to have opportunities to get ourselves involved in what could be considered the best programs, where we have an opportunity to compete against the best people and get in the best conference and recruit the best players,” he said. “I mean, that’s what we all try to do. So when this opportunity came up, there really wasn’t any hesitation at all.”
He said the South’s “passion for football” is “very exciting to me.”
Lakatos has “an outstanding resume of success” and “will bring a great deal of experience and expertise” to Georgia’s staff, Richt said in a statement.
The hires of Grantham and Lakatos leave one opening on Georgia’s defensive staff. Richt fired three defensive coaches in December.
While Grantham replaced the fired Willie Martinez as defensive coordinator, Grantham replaces Martinez as defensive-backs coach. Grantham will work with linebackers. It is not clear how Richt will define the duties of the final hire.
Other than Richt, whom he just met, and Grantham, Lakatos doesn’t know any of the coaches on Georgia’s staff.
“I’m definitely the new guy,” he said.
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308 comments Add your comment
pi$$onatechie
January 18th, 2010
12:03 pm
many of our players have the potential to be stars but you need the right coach to expose their talent, Martinez was as bad as it gets, I cant believe he coached our D for 5 years. It is amazing how he survived 5 years!!
Tuckdawg
January 18th, 2010
12:03 pm
Hey memphisdawg i like the excitment from you but you should know washington is just a sophomore nest year so he isnt going anywhere
toph
January 18th, 2010
12:05 pm
Who else do you think we’ll add?
Lakedawg
January 18th, 2010
12:05 pm
Tim,
Do you think that the hire of Lakatos will expand our recruiting
in the New England area ? We’ve gotten a few from that general area
(Moreno, Weston)….they have good football there.
The Other St. Simons
January 18th, 2010
12:06 pm
We are giving him the day off when we play Tech. They don’t pass and last I saw, they can’t run.
Tuckdawg
January 18th, 2010
12:06 pm
Blade is a jacka@@s who do you even pull for/ Tech Fla they both never play tough out of conference schedules lucky for tech they play us everyyear or their schedule would be pathetic and dont get me started on Fla they played absolutley nobody last year come on man think before you speak
1eyedJack
January 18th, 2010
12:07 pm
I think he meant Marcus Washington.
Bright Idea
January 18th, 2010
12:08 pm
blade, Georgia played Hawaii in a BCS Bowl, the Sugar. GT, quality fotball???????? Ha!
Old Coach
January 18th, 2010
12:12 pm
Great hire for the DOGS. I can not understand why the same know nothing so called fans keep moaning about the offense. Sure we had many 3 and outs this year but instead of trying to beat down the coaches try looking at new set of backs and a O line that had huge ijjury problems AND a QB that did not make the best of decisions. Support OUR team and let the MAN make the decisions that need to be made! Most of you complainers would not know a single thing about football or coaching. Just how to moan and groan. Get a life!!!
Joe 5-Star Recruit
January 18th, 2010
12:13 pm
I hope Coach Lactose won’t make me cut my long corn-rows off. My hair will look just great when I am dancin to the gansta rap on the sidelines.
kauai dawg
January 18th, 2010
12:15 pm
Tom say it ain’t so. No more Rodney rumors. But that would open the door for Travis Jones to possibly come aboard. BUT I wouldn’t want to see coach G go. He means much more to the staff and team than just his coaching. Go DAWGS! 30-24
joe
January 18th, 2010
12:15 pm
I wonder if CSL is Lactose intolerant??
Old Coach
January 18th, 2010
12:17 pm
Blade*** Are you so ignorant as to think that GA. schedules the SEC games? What an ignorant loser!!!
JET
January 18th, 2010
12:24 pm
Blade,
Check UGA’s schedule over the past few years and look at the next several years. They do play a very tough schedule each year. This year, they just happen to play 2 D-II type of teams like everyone else does…and still play tough teams. Quit hitting the crack pipe and imagining you’re an action hero…blade? wtf? Get real….
MeanRicht
January 18th, 2010
12:26 pm
Next year will see UGA with an attitude on and off the field. We have something to prove and we will prove it.
We will be the second highest scoring team in the SEC and the third best defense, will win the East and will play in the SEC championship game.
Haywood Jablowme
January 18th, 2010
12:27 pm
Rashad Jones went to the NFL early cause he’s Lakatos intolerant….;-)
how2fish
January 18th, 2010
12:27 pm
blade for the record what out of confrence teams did your team play??
Jona
January 18th, 2010
12:28 pm
blade
I would bet if you compared your school’s OOC opponents to Georgia’s, you’d find your school is the one who plays the cupcakes year in and year out
Yost
January 18th, 2010
12:28 pm
No reason it’s not us and the gators for the east next year. As it should be.
PT
January 18th, 2010
12:30 pm
JC – You made a good point. Richt and Bobo do not jump the snap count, hold, fumble or drop passes. They call plays. You can be the best OC in modern football and not make a first down if your players can’t concentrate. If you turn the ball over, it doesn’t really matter how many points you score. Odds are you will loose. I don’t think scoring will be an issue next year, but holding on to the football will be. Improved LB and DB play wouldn’t hurt either.
St. Simons is my Aunt
January 18th, 2010
12:35 pm
Solid hire… Lakatos has put a couple of DB’s in the NFL and appears to know how to coach-up raw talent. He should do wonders with the type of athletes we recruit.
Boys things are shaping up well in Athens. Don’t expect miracles over night… but I think we are in good hands moving forward.
gem dawg
January 18th, 2010
12:36 pm
After watching opposing QBs feasting on our DBs last year, I am looking forward to giving them some Lakatos intolerance.
Time to settle...
January 18th, 2010
12:37 pm
So why is the 4th choice hire a good one now that you’re stuck with him? A week ago it was Brian VG/ K Smart or bust……
jackson
January 18th, 2010
12:48 pm
Okay, Blade, here’s how it works in the SEC. The teams from the East all play each other every year plus one traditional opponent from the West. For Georgia that is Auburn. The other 5 teams from the West rotate home and home (2 per year to yield 8 conference games). Georgia played Alabama in 07 and 08 and LSU in 08 and 09 so won’t see them again until 2012 and 2013. Hope this helps.
Steve
January 18th, 2010
12:50 pm
Old Coach you said injury. Does it seem like we have more injuries than other teams
PT
January 18th, 2010
12:51 pm
I was told that Bud Foster recommended Grantham very highly. What was the true nature of Richt’s conversation? John Chavis, I really don’t know anything about that one and no one has really shed any light on it. I’m not really sure why UGA would be that confident in Kirby Smart given his lenght of time as a DC. However Grantham’s name was always high on the list according to a very good source.
jesse james
January 18th, 2010
12:55 pm
Lakatos- great hire, worked for Coach Edsall a great Def. mind.
Not Worth it!
January 18th, 2010
12:56 pm
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2010/01/18/daily5.html
The University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams had $604,864 in total compensation, putting him at 25th highest-paid. His total compensation includes a $380,719 salary, $150,000 in deferred compensation, use of a car, $19,400 for a house, $14,745 in retirement pay, $40,000 in longevity pay, an expense account and club dues.
vOL mAN
January 18th, 2010
12:57 pm
Lakatos should enjoy going from teaching players who are bright and can speak english properly to coaching at georgia where the players cant put five word sentences together that you can actually comprehend.
FLA DAWG
January 18th, 2010
1:01 pm
Two quality hires – congrats UGA / Richt & Co.
However, the quality of these gentlemen only highlights the deficiency in OC Bobo.
Richt will have to hold his hand for him not to be fired next season.
TheBiggestDawg
January 18th, 2010
1:06 pm
vOL mAN — work on your own language arts before you start tossing Vol dung.
bigdawg88
January 18th, 2010
1:07 pm
Good hire. Now everybody chill out about the offense and the strength and conditioning coaches. Other than some oddball calls now and then (and what o-coach doesnt?) Bobo does a pretty good job of calling the offense, especially when our linemen block. And strength isn’t the problem, especially on the lines. I think the real problem is that we substitute too much. Our DL can’t get into a good rhythm before they get pulled out. Also the fact that Willie was too hard headed to switch to a 3-4 style meant that too many players were in the wrong position to make plays. The OL that we have look a little lazy sometimes. I think maybe they need to ride the pine a little bit to get a little fire in them. Put the best players out there and let them play. Searles took a little step backwards this year on evaluating who really wants it. Otherwise we’d have a couple of more wins. I’m pretty sure Bobo and Searles know that they are on the hot seat now. Richt might be calling his own plays again by mid-season if they don’t get it together.
Old Coach
January 18th, 2010
1:11 pm
Steve
ARdawg
January 18th, 2010
1:11 pm
Heywood….LOL….thats just damn funny….I don’t care who ya are
BAMA STAN
January 18th, 2010
1:11 pm
13 NATIONAL TITLES – 22 SEC TITLES!!!
Nothing wrong with being optimistic with the coming season – but DO NOT get ahead of yourself AND TALK YOURSELF into believeing in false expections.
2008 – preseason #1 – most dog fans bought in – but the OL featured freshman. You just do not win a NT with a freshman oriented OL.
2009 – Most believed a 10 win season – got 8 wins. I predicted 6/7 wins regular season and possible 5 worst case scenerio. It was a REBUILD year in which many refused to see the hand writing on the wall.
So what about 2010?
Well – The SEC East may appear to be wide open – but FLORIDA is still HEAD & SHOULDERS ahead of the SEC Pack on football talent, coaching and speed. Losing Tebow will hurt – but URBAN will adjust the offense to his QB’s strengths (see Chris Leak and his NT) – and they are RELOADING – not rebuilding.
Still – Between Tennessee, USC, KY and UGA – it will be interesting to see who comes in second……..and who knows – anything is possible. UGA just might pull and upset over the gators in JAX – here’s how:
1. Establish the run by implementing a smart passing attack to loosen their D. (TE’s, vertical – not just screens while their D is playing Tight early in the game). UGA has to be balanced and physical and flat out mean.
2. Focus on first downs – ball control – keep away from Florida.
3. Do not get cute on offense like BOBO likes to do and screw up momentum
4. Defense – UGA has speed in secondary – attack Florida’s offense. NO soft Zone. Will be fun to watch how UGA’s new defense will gel as the year advances.
At any rate – UGA may do som stumbling early as they implement the Defense and learn to play as a team. It took and entire season for the same 3-4 defense to take shape at ALABAMA – and by season two – the defense was sound.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!
Danny Forde
January 18th, 2010
1:11 pm
I am a hick from Alabamer, but Vol man you need to check yur Grammer and writing abilities before you and your gun toters, and armed robbers start blasting someone else. Did yr everhear Bryce speaker. How is the work goin over on I 75 i here you younguns get to ware yr jumpsuits from jail on the road crew, then at that old dilapdted stadumym
bigdawg88
January 18th, 2010
1:15 pm
And you guys mad at CMR for not winning any championships by now, how long did it take Paterno and Bowden to win national championships? I think longer than CMR has been coaching. This season is an aberration. CMR will keep us in the top 10 for the forseeable future.
Danny Forde
January 18th, 2010
1:15 pm
Dang it bamer stan, you my thunder. Since i lfeted bama we had 5 national championships and they won 2 since then so I don’t get how you sez we have 13. I guess you be like them tech younsters calling out 7?
I think that you r rite about that 3-4. those dogs have some darn good players on defense, and I would look for them to get better as they did this yere.
Denver Dog
January 18th, 2010
1:17 pm
Welcom Coach, to the most beautiful campus in America. May you and your contemporaries keep that chapel bell ringing long and often. Go Dogs.
Old Coach
January 18th, 2010
1:17 pm
Yes Steve we did have alot of injuries for sure! I would hope that we are over many of them however injuries are unfortunately part of the game. We have been hit pretty hard in the OL the last couple of years. In order to have a great year injuries must be held to a miniimum and you have to have alot of luck. I really think it is time for lady luck to shine on the DAWGS. I guess I just get awfully tired of these so called fans who would complain about SOMETHING if we won the NC. mainly the ones that NEVER played a down~!!!!
Jona
January 18th, 2010
1:19 pm
vOL mAN
At least the players will be at practice and not in a holding cell like the big pumpkin athletes
Alabama Jack
January 18th, 2010
1:20 pm
“a nationally respected program and an SEC power.” ???
Georgia?
Obviously delusional.
Old Coach
January 18th, 2010
1:24 pm
Alabams Jack…..
I am having a hard time remembering+++ What was Bama’s record 2 years ago????
Denver Dog
January 18th, 2010
1:25 pm
Hey Jack. do some research before you make stupid comments. If you can’t say anything good, go get on the blog for your school, if you have a school, and if you kind find a blog. We really don’t need to read your negative insights anymore.
JD
January 18th, 2010
1:25 pm
Hel VolMan tell your criminals the next time they rob someone make sure they have some money…not some toothless hicks that just came out of the mountains.
Jona
January 18th, 2010
1:26 pm
Old Coach
alabama fans starting to sound like gators huh? funny
bigdawg88
January 18th, 2010
1:27 pm
Look at our opponents from last season and look at what their opponents scored on them. UGA scored more or almost as much against our common opponents as Bama or Fl did. Our problem was defense, not offense. Bama only scored 12 against TN. Does that mean they need to fire the OC? Bobo does a pretty good job of mixing up the game plan according to the opponent.
GO DAWGS!! GATA!
Denver Dog
January 18th, 2010
1:27 pm
Old Coach, le’t not bring up negative things, next they will be wanting to talk about probation, or pay for play, or Franchione, Dubose, Price, Shula, who knows what else.
Here is a fact Jack, Alabama has had more coaches since 1980 than UGA Fla Tenn and Auburn combined.
vOL mAN
January 18th, 2010
1:29 pm
georgia feetball is an oxymoron
Jona
January 18th, 2010
1:30 pm
1. Florida 16 25
2. Texas 13 22
3. Alabama 10 24
4. Georgia 8 19
5. Penn State 6 18
6. Tennessee 5 19
7. LSU 6 25
8. Oklahoma 6 28
9. Auburn 5 27
10. FSU 7 21
The SEC is grapping up all the talent as usual