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
FLA DAWG
January 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
volman is a GT fan
Jona
January 18th, 2010
2:57 pm
you’d think he would have picked a better team to impersonate
bornloser
January 18th, 2010
2:57 pm
dawgs suck gt rules this state
DawginLex
January 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
Talent never was the issue in 2008 or 2009. Coaching up the talent was the problem. Richt faces a challenge in 2010 but I am confident he can come through.
The SEC East is wide open. Florida is talented but the defense is nowhere near what it has been. They were a power running team that lacked a Harvin-type playmaker. That is why Bama beat them.
UGA needs to worry about SC, then Ark and MSU and UT. Win those and J’ville becomes THE GAME.
Big Man
January 18th, 2010
3:02 pm
Bama claiming 13 titles is a hilarious joke…….
how2fish
January 18th, 2010
3:03 pm
vOL mAN I and most of my family are from TN..your embarrassing everyone from the state…please and I mean this with much love and respect ..STFU your a moron/loser/never stepped foot on the UT campus wannabe.
Lee
January 18th, 2010
3:08 pm
During the search for a DC, there were those fans who kept tossing David Pollacks name out there. You know what, if Pollack wanted to get into coaching, this would be an ideal situation for him. He could be the DL coach with the knowledge that he would be under the tutelage of Grantham – one of the better DL coaches out there.
Just a thought….
how2fish
January 18th, 2010
3:09 pm
bornloser well we can tell you’ve been in a coma for like 50 years.
Dude
January 18th, 2010
3:22 pm
YAWWWNNNNN!!! Jona is Stupid!!! You meant to say that a FEW SEC teams are grapping up all the talent. UGA sure as he%$ ain’t one of them.
Jona
January 18th, 2010
3:25 pm
Dude
Can’t you read dumb_ss? Reference is espn if you can.
ToccoaDawg
January 18th, 2010
3:29 pm
I am getting tired of reading all these posts about Coach Bobo. Anyone who has been watching the games would know Coach Bobo’s play calling is right most of the time. He can catch the ball. he cant run the ball and look for open holes. and he cant block. What he can do and has been doing very well. is call the plays. If you really dont like the coachs please by ALL means. Georgia State is looking for a few CRAZY fans.
Alabama Jack
January 18th, 2010
3:50 pm
Hey, Denver Daog, you stay in yoru pen and I’ll stay in mine.
You can always tell a dawg, just not much.
FLA DAWG
January 18th, 2010
3:50 pm
ToccoaDawg,
I always respect a Dawg defending anything associated with UGA but I would ask you to consider that Bobo has been skilled at calling the right play about 60% of the time in my opinion – and that doesn’t cut it in The SEC.
Furthermore, when he’s called the wrong plays some have been absolute disasters. Again, unacceptable in The SEC. Richt had to step in more than once last season to call O plays.
Bobo is not a highly talented nor respected Offensive Coordintor. He is well liked as a former Dawg QB and person.
We both want the best for UGA. Can you really put Bobo in the same category as Richt, Grantham & Lakatos?
FLA DAWG
January 18th, 2010
3:53 pm
Lee,
Great insight in my opinion. I like that idea.
I hope Pollack reads your post.
The gimp
January 18th, 2010
3:54 pm
Saint Simons is locked in my basement.
BMDPD
January 18th, 2010
3:56 pm
I have to disagree. We were running the ball well vs Ok State in the first game. Bobo just stopped running! We got pass happy and lost the game.
Mark "Crimson Crier" Ingram
January 18th, 2010
4:08 pm
Scott Lakatos is just in time to participate in the 30 year anniversity gala bash in rememberance of the Curdawgs last and only National Championship in 1980.
JESUP
January 18th, 2010
4:08 pm
Georgia offense needs a little more misdirection plays and of course the Discipline to hold on to the ball.
Suwaneedawg
January 18th, 2010
4:11 pm
For those of you belly aching about the offense, feel free to pull your head out of your butt anytime you need air. God, it is amazing how many idiots come on to these sites.
What will Grantham’s Pass Coverage be like? « Football on the Brain
January 18th, 2010
4:12 pm
[...] Georgia hires Lakatos as DB’s coach; UPDATED with contract info—ajc.com [...]
JESUP
January 18th, 2010
4:22 pm
Richt is Bobo, the buck stops with Richt, I watch alot of Football and coach Football. My only concern is that the offense is predictable. Right now i believe that the Georgia offense is the easiest for an opposing DC to prepare for. In saying that I am 100% Pro-Mark Richt and Bobo, maybe during the spring game Grantham can expose the current Play calling and scheme. and Richt can make the needed adjustments…we need more rollout passing– need more practice on making plays after they have broken down, Ga- to often seems so scripted, just watch mark richts seminole offense of the mis 90s alot of plays were made after the play broke down, of course having QBs (Ward and Winkiie) help.but alot of that is coaching….you have to practice broken pass plays alot…….GO DAWGS…
winderdawg
January 18th, 2010
4:27 pm
Vol man! Let’s check SAT scores for incoming freshman at
UGA vs UT.
Also records since CMR arrived do not lie UT is fifth.
You also have your third coach since CMR arrived so get on the UT blog and get off UGA blog Ii makes you look jealous!!!!
JESUP
January 18th, 2010
4:30 pm
There are no doubts in my mind that Aaron Murray can devolop into a QB that can make plays, I seen him play hurt on tv in the state championship game in Florida. Just how well will the Coaches do in preparing him??? is the big Question..
winderdawg
January 18th, 2010
4:34 pm
Born Loser your name says it all
UGA RUNS THIS STATE ask Caleb King and W. Ealey!!!!
or the ex dc at the North Avenue Trade School
Scott Lakotas Can Coach
January 18th, 2010
4:36 pm
1- Impressive the guy finished in the top 10 in pass efficiency in 2007 & 2008.
2- UCONN was #1 LEAST PENALIZED TEAM in college football.
Scott Lakotas Can Coach
January 18th, 2010
4:40 pm
1- UCONN averaged 1.8 takeaways per game for 2008 & 2009.
2- UCONN had the 13th HIGHEST FUMBLE RECOVERY % in the Nation in 2009(Georgia had the worst)
3- UCONN was the #1 LEAST PENALIZED TEAM in the NCAA too
4- UCONN was in the top 10 in pass effieciency defense in 2007 & 2008
superDawg
January 18th, 2010
4:52 pm
I thought I heard a vol talking about clowns.Good lord.
Tuckdawg
January 18th, 2010
4:55 pm
vol man is an idiot you have the most thugs in the sec from football to basketball and then the coach leaves cuz he knew he got you in trouble so keep spouting off on rocky flop jacka@@
ToccoaDawg
January 18th, 2010
4:57 pm
Bobo has 2 redhirt Freshman qb’s and a true freshman coming in. They all have to be ready to go not just Murray, if he wins the spot. Qb is not the position that worries me. Wide open recievers dropping the ball is the biggest problem.
Grantham's Stout
January 18th, 2010
5:01 pm
Dallas was one of the LEAST PENALIZED teams in the NFL in 2009.
Dallas averaged 1.4 takeaways per game.
Dallas was #2 in defense scoring points
Dallas D-Lineman–2 guys to Pro Bowl
Dallas defense was #4 against the rush
Dallas was #7 in NFL in sacks
Dallas was #3 in opponenets 3rd down %
GaGator
January 18th, 2010
5:03 pm
One thing that is painfully obvious, Grantham can make decision faster than Richt and he seems to know more people. I’m sure he will pick the other defensive coach that is needed, not Richt.
dawgfan
January 18th, 2010
5:08 pm
I don’t think the offense is predictable. I think its soft. Bobo does a good job mixing things up and keeping the defense guessing. When the running game is going, he’s about as good as it gets. He just tries to get too cute sometimes and is impatient with the run. He also forces things that simply aren’t there. We’ve seen a lot of INTs in recent years haven’t we? A lot of that is on Bobo. When was the last time our offense physically dominated an opponent that truly matched us in talent? I’d say 2007 Florida. It seems like ages ago. Its only against creampuffs like Georgia Tech or Texas A&M that Bobo has any patience for the running game. If we aren’t picking up 6 or 7 yards a pop Bobo just isn’t interested. Its time to start forcing things downfield looking for a big play. I guess in that sense, Bobo is predictable.
I sometimes get the impression that Bobo is more concerned with his QB’s stats than winning the game. I don’t think that’s really true, but it does tell you a lot about the guy’s philosophy. He wants the game completely on the QB’s shoulders. It doesn’t have to be that way coach…
He’s going to have to lay off the QB juice with a freshmen QB coming up or things could get ugly. Its okay if everybody in the stadium knows we’re going to run the ball coach. That doesn’t mean they will stop it. Have some faith in your players.
I have a point buried in all that somewhere. Thanks for listening.
DaveDawg
January 18th, 2010
5:18 pm
Man, I can’t wait for the 3-4 and our new aggressive defense!!
dawgma
January 18th, 2010
5:21 pm
Here’s hoping the SEC becomes LACtose intolerant
matt
January 18th, 2010
5:23 pm
WE NEED TO IMPROVE OR WE NEED A NEW STRENGTH COACH, and get more CREATIVE on OFFENSE……GO DAWGS….2010
GaGator
January 18th, 2010
5:25 pm
DaveDawg
News flash—–Grantham is bring a 4-3 defense.
UGA 89
January 18th, 2010
5:25 pm
Yes UCONN had a great secondary.
Richt Got This One Right
January 18th, 2010
5:25 pm
Check it out. I analyzed the stats carefully and WINS AND LOSSES, in the SEC, correlate PRECISELY with DEFENSIVE SCORING POINTS ALLOWED.
SEC is about DEFENSE. The offesne just needs to manage the game, like Bama did this year.
DEFENSE IS THE KEY and now GEORGIA HAS THE #1 DC.
Yeah baby!
Not Disappointed
January 18th, 2010
5:29 pm
Good luck to him and the dawg nation.
Ramblin Wreck!
Tom
January 18th, 2010
5:30 pm
The #1 DC…….where?….in Athens?
Eric Zeier was right.
dawgcrzy
January 18th, 2010
5:31 pm
gagator it’s a3-4 duma$$
GaGator
January 18th, 2010
5:33 pm
I wonder if Grantham would have come to run his 4-3 defense if he knew Georgia
only had 6 returning linebackers and only 2 linebacker recruits?
Scott Lakotas Can Coach
January 18th, 2010
5:37 pm
The dude has a resume
check it out:
http://www.georgiadogs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=40673&SPID=3571&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8800&ATCLID=204870702
GaGator
January 18th, 2010
5:40 pm
dawgcrzy
gagator it’s a3-4 duma$$
Hey pal, if you can read, this is Georgia press release about Grantham,
“And while the lion’s share of the focus is likely to be on Grantham’s plans to go with three defensive linemen and FOUR linebackers, instead of the opposite under Willie Martinez, the scheme wasn’t always the problem under Martinez.” So who is ignorant now?
Jona
January 18th, 2010
5:44 pm
Insider – Former Gators’ DC is pulling recruits away from Florida
urban is gonna kick his as# if he doesn’t stop
Jona
January 18th, 2010
5:45 pm
GaGator
3=linemen and 4=linebackers thus the 3-4
Jona
January 18th, 2010
5:47 pm
GaGator
See…the linebackers are behind the line. That’s why they call then linebackers. You start with the line. Whereas, a 4-3 is 4 down linmen and 3 linebackers.
H
January 18th, 2010
5:48 pm
Bobo is an awful offensive coordinator. He seems to really struggle against very average or even very bad defenses. I think Bobo improved during the season, but the OK State game was probably the worst game I’ve seen a UGA offensive coordinator call. The first half against TX A&M was also horrible. He doesn’t do a good job developing players (C. King and the O-line should have been better all year long, Joe Cox was awful as a fifth-year senior), his play-calling is average at best, he makes the worst out of good talent, and his offense puts the D in terrible positions. How can people justify defending Bobo?
46 & 39
January 18th, 2010
5:56 pm
Bobo? What? His QB’s either end up setting records for wins, effieciency, or #1 draft choices. Bobo got Georgia to Natl Champs and #1 offense in SEC in 2007. What an idiot.
T-Town Dawg
January 18th, 2010
5:59 pm
GaGator should get his facts straight before he decides to be a smart a$$!