UGA, Fox discussing new contract; ‘not interested’ in any other job, he says
Georgia has opened discussions with men’s basketball coach Mark Fox about a new or amended contract that would increase his pay and demonstrate the school’s desire to keep him long-term.
Both athletic director Greg McGarity and Fox confirmed the contract talks in interviews Wednesday with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Yes, I have had a preliminary discussion with Mark,” McGarity said. “Over the next week, two weeks, we’ll sit down and try to formalize some of the things we have discussed.”
Said Fox: “Greg and I had a great initial discussion. We’ll continue that later. But this is the job I wanted and where I want to be, and I’m excited Greg and I had such a great meeting.”
With several high-profile programs –- including N.C. State, Missouri and Oklahoma -– seeking coaches, there has been speculation that Fox might be pursued for another job.
Although Fox’s agent has fielded a couple of feelers from other schools, McGarity described the contract talks as a “proactive” move on Georgia’s part, and Fox insisted he will not consider another job.
“I won’t get a call, and [if I do] I’ll say, ‘Not interested. I’m the coach at Georgia,’” Fox said. “I don’t have time to deal with that, and I don’t want to. I went through that before [at Nevada], and I waited for a place I wanted to be at a long time. And that’s where I am.”
McGarity was asked if he is concerned about someone attempting to hire away Fox, who got the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament in his second season in Athens.
“That’s always a concern, but I’ve always felt you need to be proactive,” McGarity said. “I know we’re being proactive with Mark and his staff, and we’ve discussed some parameters. . . . I feel like we’re in a good place right now.”
Fox’s current contract runs through the 2014-15 season and pays him $1.3 million per year. That is $300,000 more than newly hired Georgia Tech coach Brian Gregory will be paid, but it is $500,000 less than Alabama is paying Anthony Grant, who was hired at about the same time as Fox. Two SEC programs have hired new coaches this month: Tennessee is paying Cuonzo Martin $1.3 million per year, and Arkansas is paying Mike Anderson $2.2 million.
Fox’s contract contains an unusually large buyout clause that would require him to pay Georgia $2 million if he leaves before the end of the deal.
Neither McGarity nor Fox offered specifics about potential terms of a reworked contract.
“I just want for this program to reach the level I think it can,” Fox said. “We have to do it the right way, and that process certainly is one that takes some time. It takes the right people. There are a lot of things that are critical to the process, and I think [McGarity] and I agree on a lot of those things.”
Fox said he doesn’t believe the program needs any major upgrades in facilities after last year’s renovation of Stegeman Coliseum. Asked if budgets for assistant coaches and recruiting are issues, he said: “I think those are all things we will discuss when we sit down and dig into the teeth of things.”
Although hired by former athletic director Damon Evans, Fox said he enjoys working with McGarity. “I really appreciate the vision he has,” Fox said.
After going 14-17 (5-11 SEC) in Fox’s first season in 2009-10, the Bulldogs went 21-12 (9-7 SEC) this past season. They finished in a tie for third place in the SEC East, Georgia’s highest finish in the division in eight years. In the program’s first NCAA tournament game since 2008 and second since 2002, the Bulldogs lost 68-65 to Washington.
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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115 comments Add your comment
Dewey Decimal
March 30th, 2011
3:33 pm
Floundering has some good points though……..
Bubbatavious
March 30th, 2011
3:36 pm
Fox needs to add flavor in his starting 5. Please start youtube trickshot boy Connor Nolte next year..
DTC
March 30th, 2011
3:36 pm
Let Thompkins and Leslie go pro. If they go pro we can likely sign that point guard that is trying to get hie release from Tennessee. My apologies I do not remember his name. No offense to Thompkins or Leslie. If one stays it is my understanding there is no place for this point guard, who is evidently a very good one.
And here is my argument. If they stay, the guard does not come here. It is not likely that Fox would be able to replace the long term loss of this quality guard, which we would otherwise not get. If he comes here next year we are in a rebuilding year anyway with a very good signing class. CMF is a good teacher, for good talented players. Often times, in college basketball, it is the freshmen coming in that pushes a program forward, seldom is it the ones that have been here for 2 or 3 years that push the program forward.
If these 2 guys or either one of them stays, he likely goes to Tech. Then we have to face him and be reminded that we would rather play with him, than against him.
DTC
March 30th, 2011
3:37 pm
By the way, my prediction is Thompkins goes pro and Leslie comes back. Leslie did not enhance his quality of play this year.
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
3:39 pm
FREE DAWGINLEX
FREE DAWGINLEX
FREE DAWGINLEX
Bubbatavious
March 30th, 2011
3:41 pm
Thomkins has nagging toe problems. Who really cares if he stays or go.
dawgrific
March 30th, 2011
3:41 pm
First year, lost just about every close game, and all road games. Second year, won several close games (still lost several) and had a winning record on the road. One more thing, UGA lost every game but 1 by single digits, and the only one in double digits was to FLA in 2OTs. Then we get an invite into the Big Dance and play a tough game.
THAT IS PROGRESS-LOCK HIM UP!
Mark (another one)
March 30th, 2011
3:42 pm
Forget about potential offers. Does McGarity see Fox as the long term coach of UGA? If so, treat him fairly. When he was hired two years ago, the thought was that he would do the job for $1.3 mil/year. The market has changed, but the bigger issue is the program is going in the right direction, and McGarity wants to keep Fox running it.
I haven’t seen any enthusiasm for UGA basketball in years. There was a small bump when they last made the NCAAs but that was more over their streak during the SEC tournament than anything else. This is the entertainment business, and Fox’s teams have been entertaining. His players have represented UGA well, and the future looks bright. The last time we could say that Tubby was coach. Thank god I haven’t heard about a Kentucky out clause or something similar.
Bubbatavious
March 30th, 2011
3:44 pm
Next year we may witness the Fox Flop.
59bulldawg
March 30th, 2011
3:45 pm
LOL! What a moron! Just looking for a reaction! Must be tough being stupid and bored! LOL!
DawginLex
March 30th, 2011
3:51 pm
buckeye,
i’m back. all sins forgiven
Life is good.
Thanks for the support
Taylor
March 30th, 2011
3:54 pm
DTC, If it came down to it, Nolte could easily go back to walk on status and/or I could see Vincent Williams transferring
coach
March 30th, 2011
4:05 pm
can we wait to see what he can do without trey thompkins and travis leslie before we offer him the world. i just don’t like the way we play down the stretch in games
Bubbatavious
March 30th, 2011
4:07 pm
gosh ……I think Saban said he wasnt interested in any other job too. Sounds hypocritical to me. Fox is a clown.
b
March 30th, 2011
4:32 pm
dtc, you have no clue. The guy you are talking about going to UT is not
that good. We’d be foolish to trade Travis or Trey for the possibility of
getting Ware. The 2012 class is what we’re waiting on.
Stinger2
March 30th, 2011
4:41 pm
Since the vast majority of UGA sports fans believe that football was invented in Athens, GA, Fox has an uphill
road to climb in making UGA BB an ongoing succcess. McCarthy is doing the right thing in being proactive to keep him.
BobDawg
March 30th, 2011
4:43 pm
Great News about Fox and this is how it goes with winning coaches… I hope as we add depth and players, we can also add pressure defense along with the full court stuff that Florida and Bama are doing… If you want to see the future of Bama Ball, watch VCU this weekend as most of the recruits were credited to A. Grant. He is going to be a pain in the side of SEC BBall for a long time…
Buckeye
March 30th, 2011
4:48 pm
Tom Tucker,
So, is DawginLex free of all charges or is he on probation?
Wolfman
March 30th, 2011
4:49 pm
I like Fox. I think he is one of the good ones — and that’s coming from a Tech grad. Hope we got a good one too!
Phil
March 30th, 2011
5:14 pm
Fox is a great addition to UGA–just wait a couple of years (or less) when more and more top recruits-from Ga and elsewhere-pick UGA.
Heady Lamar: Great academic point about UGA v. Tech. I like to keep pointing this out to the Tech nerds–UGA has, at least, twice the number of admitted Freshmen. Take the average SATs of Tech nerds and the SATs of the top 50% of UGA students (scholars) and they will be about the same. And, folks actually like to talk to UGA graduates.
Utah Dawg
March 30th, 2011
5:25 pm
As a former SEC track and field athlete at Kentucky, although a Dawg fan for life, I find some of the commentary from fans ignorant at best. Most have no idea what it is like to compete in one of the premier athletic conferences in the country. Both the athletes and the coaching are outstanding. The degree between winning and losing is minimal. The amount of talent, determination, and work ethic is unfathomable for the non elite athlete. This program is clearly on the right track, and Fox deserves a raise and extension. He pulled the program from the abyss and restored credibility which is why recruiting is going well again this year. Well done Coach.
Vance
March 30th, 2011
5:44 pm
I love Mark Fox! He’s right guy for our program. His understanding that it takes come time to build a strong program is correct. I have never enjoyed watching UGA baskerball as much as this past year.
51
March 30th, 2011
6:14 pm
what is up today guys?
51WTGW50
March 30th, 2011
6:17 pm
Mark made the CHA CHING ring noise at the FOX house today. Good Luck to him.
51WTGW50
March 30th, 2011
6:21 pm
How many Milton Players did Fox get for next year? was it 2?
GR82BAG8R
March 30th, 2011
6:28 pm
Phil and Headley – UGA doesn’t hold a candle to Tech academically. The rankings Headley lists are for all studies, which Tech doesn’t offer. Compare Tech to other Engineering schools and you will see how they stack up.
Even Tech’s football players have the highest SAT scores of any public university in the country. Why do you think Tech’s recruiting classes never break the top 40, while UGA is always in the top 10. UGA offers “Turf Management” majors and other “challenging” pursuits for blue chip athletes.
Despite having unparalleled advantage to recruit blue chip athletes in a state that worships high school, UGA is watching every other SEC school celebrate BCS NCs.
Tech will never compete with UGA in football until it offers degrees that will allow it to attract a stable of blue chip athletes. Florida can compete with UGA in football, and does so quite well as we all know.
UGA Football – never has so little been done with so much.
GR82BAG8R
March 30th, 2011
6:36 pm
Also, Phil, are you saying the top 50 percent of those admitted to UGA are nerds as well? Or are you saying that only those that study math/science/engineering are nerds?
51WTGW50
March 30th, 2011
6:39 pm
WELCOME back DawginLex. Play nice from now on. LOL. At least you got to keep your name and status.
Mark Fox: "Not interested" in any other job.
March 30th, 2011
6:40 pm
[...] NCAA tournament game since 2008 and second since 2002, the Bulldogs lost 68-65 to Washington. UGA, Fox discussing new contract; ‘not interested’ in any other job, he says | UGA sport… Originally Posted by AUTigerFan1976 D^3 you were right, and I was wrong. [...]
Notso Fast
March 30th, 2011
6:53 pm
He is a good one that will get keep getting better recruits.
Candela Ross
March 30th, 2011
7:23 pm
Boise State Broncos 66, UGA Dawgtards 13.
Have another nice season.
Marko Foxo
March 30th, 2011
7:25 pm
Thanks NC State for the raise!
Taking the high ground...
March 30th, 2011
7:29 pm
Tech’s football players have the highest SAT scores of any public university in the country.
They do indeed, and that’s just one reason why Tech fans love their team so much.
No, they can’t compete with UGA’s thugs and morons, but Tech players don’t end up pushing shopping carts or riding the back of garbage trucks like UGA players after Mark Richt dumps them when their eligibility is up.
That’s just one of those inconvenient truths for dawgtards.
Lakedawg
March 30th, 2011
7:44 pm
Dawgs season will not be up to this year losing Price, Thompkins, Leslie, Barnes. Next year the state is loaded with HS talent and CMF will have a top 5 recruiting class. Next few years great for Dawgs in roundball.
Upstate Dawg
March 30th, 2011
8:30 pm
We’ve got a class coach who has the program moving in the right direction. Let’s show him he is appreciated BEFORE we get into a bidding war with some other university. GO DAWGS!!
Joesnopy
March 30th, 2011
8:33 pm
Fox is a very good coach. Once he get all his type players in the house he is going to win a lot even if he lose a few players because from what I saw he is going to play 8 or 9 players. If you saw the Washington game at the begining of the game and at the end of the game when he started playing the defense he would like to play all game but he needs 8 to 9. He did not play enough at the beginning of the year so they did not play well with the older players. The end of the game was by design. He pushed a switch and those boys nearly came back now if he can play like that all game, WATCH OUT.
The Original WDE
March 30th, 2011
9:00 pm
As a bit of personal financial advice (not that someone in my income bracket should ever give this to a D-1 coach):
When negotiating a contract, however noble it is, its not great to say you aren’t “interested” in being anywhere else when it comes to setting numbers.
Suppry and demand. Suppry and demand.
Rabun Dawg
March 30th, 2011
9:53 pm
Just what is Suppry and demand? I guess a new term in Econ 101?
Go dawgs
March 30th, 2011
10:50 pm
He is going absolutely nowhere, trust me when I say this, nowhere for a long time, he loves Athens and so does his wife, and kids. And his wife is important in that, very important. I know first hand the man is firmly planted and we are very lucky as fans, 2 yrs ago it’ was chaos. Give Damon credit here. Not mcgarity as much as that pains me. Greg didn’t pony up he should be fired, my kid knows fox needs a raise.
3-4 yrs uga will be talking not only sweet 16, but final 4. You band wagons better get season bb tux next yr and hold on.
Dumb Jean shorts
March 30th, 2011
10:58 pm
Great to be a gator………..all time uga football vs florida…well uf is still catching up on wins losses, I will admit the have gained plenty of ground the last 20 yrs, but let’s not throw out last 80 years, you need one more decade like last to get a little closer to uga.
ok little guy….you must be young
As for tech, academically the are just in format of uga, not by far , look up facts. Your entire post ignores facts, that is a little annoying.
ToccoaDawg
March 30th, 2011
11:35 pm
This is good news for the dawg nation, but, lets not forget to talk about upgrading the facilities without the coach having to bring it up. Coach Fox is the right man for the job and he loves being here. Pay him what it takes to keep him that way. Locking down the blue chip players in the state is a testament for the character of this man. Make him and his staff happy and this program will grow like never before. Thank you Director McGarity for being PROactive.
GT65
March 30th, 2011
11:37 pm
Great job this year Coach Fox. Hope you stay at UGA along time. Your team make the State proud.
34
March 31st, 2011
8:36 am
sign him to a long term deal. Seems like a good coach. But he is playing with most of the former coaches players. Fox has to recruit and win with his own. Again, seems like Fox is a great coach. However, time will tell. He was lucky to not have to follow the mess of Harrick. bY the way, ga could have offered Tubby a chest of money and he would have still left for the bluegrass state.
34
March 31st, 2011
8:40 am
Tech recruits their fair amount of thugs and morons. I guess you can argue the amount. Who cares. I wish Tech would make a bigger investment in Ping Pong. Could you imagine the amount of talent Tech could recruit for that.
Dawglasville
March 31st, 2011
9:34 am
headley lamar I believe Vandy is ranked 15 on that list. Any Tech man would quickly tell you that Tech is as good a school as Vandy. If a UGA man dare suggest that his university is in the same stratosphere academically as the institute, that same Tech guy, would be appalled.
Buzz 2010
March 31st, 2011
9:36 am
Why did Dawgs play in NCAA? It looks like Bama is ready to win the NIT..
Didn’t Bama whip the Dawgs twice within two weeks? The Tide is a far superior
team and was forced to NIT.. Someone is hiding something?? (red panty”)
Dawgs back to mighty SEC basement with Tree Thompson leaving
51WTGW50
March 31st, 2011
9:53 am
BAMA is playing for the NIT Championship. Grant’s old team is playing in the NCAA Final Four–VCU. Shaka is a good coach, but not even close to GRANT. Fox will be looking up at the Gators, Kentucky, Vandy and Bama. I think most dawg fans can will with that in basketball as long as FOX isn’t getting paid too much to be #3-6 in the SEC. Fox is good or even Great at the RIGHT price.
Go Dawgs!
March 31st, 2011
10:04 am
@Buzz2010 – So what Bama is playing for the Not Invited Tourney championship. It doesn’t mean they would have done any better than the Dawgs did. All Bama did is beat a bunch of teams that didn’t get into the big tourney. At the end of the day the NIT Champ = 69th best team.
Dawglasville
March 31st, 2011
10:05 am
Buzz 2010 – Your last coach was 4-7 against the Dawgs and you are coming to Athens next year. I think you are all buzz and no sting.
Go Dawgs!
March 31st, 2011
10:06 am
“Fox will be looking up at the Gators, Kentucky, Vandy and Bama.”
LOL!!!
Ok keep believing that if it helps you sleep better at night.