Georgia assistant football coaches Tony Ball, Bryan McClendon, get significant raises
Georgia assistant football coaches Tony Ball and Bryan McClendon received significant pay increases recently, but they were the only members of the Bulldogs’ football staff to get raises following the Bulldogs’ 6-7 season.
Ball
McClendon
McClendon, Georgia’s running backs coach since 2009 and its youngest assistant, saw his pay more than double from $90,000 a year to $200,000 annually, according to documents obtained by the AJC under the Freedom of Information Act. Previously McClendon was one of the lowest-paid assistants in the SEC.
Ball, Georgia’s wide receivers coach and a member of coach Mark Richt’s staff since 2006, will now make $200,000 after earning $165,480 last year.
The raises, which were enacted in February and March, respectively, were the results of “competitive counter offers” from UGA, according to Athletic Director Greg McGarity. Both coaches were offered positions at other schools, but he declined to say from whom.
“All I can say is they were legit offers,” said McGarity, who was attending SEC athletic director meetings in Birmingham on Tuesday. “I think the key is continuity. We had already lost two coaches to other schools. Continuity of staff is important to me and to Mark and we thought it was important to maintain stability, especially.”
Offensive line coach Stacy Searels received a hefty pay increase to take the same job at Texas and linebackers coach Warren Belin left to take a job with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.
No other coaches — including Richt — are due to receive raises this year, McGarity said.
Ball, who came to Georgia from Virginia Tech five years ago, declined to discuss any other job offers he may have received.
“That’s something I want to keep in-house,” he said. “Those things happen all the time. Obviously, I feel blessed to be at Georgia and excited about the direction under Mr. McGarity and Coach Richt. We’re excited about the future.”
McClendon did not return a phone message seeking comment.
“Salary actions” also were executed for new assistant coaches Will Friend, who came from UAB to coach offensive line, and Kirk Olivadotti, who came from the Washington Redskins to coach linebackers. They will earn $200,000 and $250,000 a year, respectively.
McGarity indicated Ball and McClendon might have received raises anyway.
“They’re well-deserved,” McGarity said. “Both of these men are tremendous coaches who work very hard and were underpaid, in my opinion. We had some momentum going after recruiting and they had a lot to do with that. All signs are pointing up and we needed to be proactive. We will always be proactive.”
Georgia also could not afford to lose two of its three minority assistant coaches. McGarity would not address it but hiring more highly-qualified assistant coaches in a year in which the perception is that Richt’s future is uncertain could have been problematic.
McGarity would not rule out the possibility of additional salary increases in the future.
“Like I said, we’re always going to be proactive,” he said. “If things happen during the season we may feel like we need to do something. I think you have to look at each situation independently, but we’re always going to do what’s in the best interest of Georgia.”
By Chip Towers, The UGA Blog
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276 comments Add your comment
In_the_cellar
May 3rd, 2011
1:21 pm
See! You dont need to be competent with a college degree! You only need a piece of paper to hang on the wall.
Jim Bo Taylor
May 3rd, 2011
1:22 pm
I have just stop being a dawg fan…..my little support will not make a big difference but its a start. Teachers losing their jobs and these clowns get $200,000.. plus.
JB
May 3rd, 2011
1:23 pm
Difference between Pubs and Dems…..Pubs think you play the game to win and the winners get the trophy. Dems thinks everybody ought to get a trophy win or lose. didn’t matter that the winners prepared more, worked harder, longer. Class over.
Eassyy
May 3rd, 2011
1:23 pm
Good thinking observer! While we are at it why not cap off all Deans of publis universities at 70K? There would still be a line out the door of candidates. Then we can cap salay’s of CEO’s of publicily traded companies at $100 k. There would still be a line out the door right? If there is a line we will cross it and make you the end all be all in who deserves to be paid what amount!
Captain
May 3rd, 2011
1:24 pm
Always good to come here and read so many informed, intelligent, insightful, knowledgable opinions. This season was the second season as RB coach for McLendon, prior to that Tony Ball had been the RB coach. There’s an old saying ‘you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken $h!%. Unfortunately, McLendon has two highly overrated RB candidates he’s tried to develop but due to bad attitudes and lax work ethics, plus a penchant for breaking the law, those two are simply not going to develop into chicken salad. The young man is dynamic, he does an outstanding job of representing the University of Georgia, his alma mater, on the recruiting trail and recruits very well. One day he will be a successful head coach, but he’s only 29. Tony Ball with offers to leave? Wow, I would love to know who offered him, but I would really love to know why Richt didn’t throw a going away party for him. Convincing Tony Ball to stay rivals convincing John Jancek to stay, makes no sense at all.
As for salaries, it is what it is. When Head Coaches make $5 million annually like Saban, or $2.7 million like Mark Richt, when Co-ordinators make $750,000 like Todd Grantham and Kirby Smart, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that assistant coaches make $200,000, it’s the cost to do business.
The real surprise is learning the Fulton Co Tax Commissioner makes $375,000 the bulk of which is charging fees for doing the job he was elected to do and feeling he is underpaid. I guess it’s all good work if you can get it.
JB
May 3rd, 2011
1:25 pm
Jim Bo…………It’s private funding from ticket sales and TV /Radio. The State/Governor have no say. Teachers yes, athetic Dept NO !!!!!!!!
Big Dog 98
May 3rd, 2011
1:26 pm
Just more of the “Cult of the Athlete” … taking care of the jocks by the jock sniffers.
dawg2
May 3rd, 2011
1:27 pm
Mike and cursive–What is it you don’t understand the State is broke!
Ole Roy Barnes
May 3rd, 2011
1:27 pm
If you morons would have voted for me, this would NOT be happening.
Johnny B
May 3rd, 2011
1:28 pm
$10 for cotton candy?? Get ready for it
Gloria Alred
May 3rd, 2011
1:28 pm
Looks like this blog has a lot of jock sniffers.
Outside Observer
May 3rd, 2011
1:30 pm
Eassyy, My point is that many in the line out the door for $90,000 asssitant football coach jobs will be just as qualified or “talented” as these two guys.
Michaels boyfriend
May 3rd, 2011
1:31 pm
Quit those stupid blogs you silly boy
Mike Bobo
May 3rd, 2011
1:31 pm
Does this mean I get a raise?
dawg2
May 3rd, 2011
1:32 pm
To he!! with it, tired on Richt and his getting richer . Hope they lose every damn game.
Damon Evans
May 3rd, 2011
1:33 pm
Man, did I choke or what?
Big Dawg
May 3rd, 2011
1:34 pm
I congratulate both Coach Tony Ball and Coach Bryan McClendon on their raises.
First off fellow Dawgs you should be congratulating these two men on getting very good to outstanding pay raises. IMHO it also sets up an interesting situation for after the upcoming season if the Dawgs don’t make dramatic improvement. It also bodes well for McGarrity if the Dawgs do make dramatic improvement as he can point out that the changes he forced helped turn the situation around or it gives McGarrity cover for firing the whole coaching staff and takes away the excuse that they were underpaid.
Go Dawgs
Bulldawg78
May 3rd, 2011
1:34 pm
Too bad UGA can’t play GT every game…they would be undefeated.
Johnny B
May 3rd, 2011
1:35 pm
Richt is no longer “Mr.Rogers”. He will go full speed,dm the torpedoes this year. 9-2 is my prediction. No more Mr.Nice guy
Red Panties
May 3rd, 2011
1:35 pm
Damon,
Call me.
Yellow Jacket 89
May 3rd, 2011
1:36 pm
UGA will be lucky to win 7 games this year.
So long, Mark Richt.
Jonathan Carter
May 3rd, 2011
1:38 pm
UGA will finish 9-2 in 2011.
emory grad
May 3rd, 2011
1:39 pm
mathews, appreciate your points;I do not advocate socialism although I do lean toward keynsian economics. I simply agree with those who think that relative to educators that coaches are overpaid, I know why, but if the money shifts to the academic coffers, then the “market” will adjust and hopefully the “educators will earn more”
NOT all the same. Anyway, GO JACKETS
DAWG ONE
May 3rd, 2011
1:41 pm
I have read every post to this point. I see where our economy is coming into play in this blog, along with a “wrong” chosen profession by some, along with a lack of understanding that most major colleges are doing the exact same thing that Georgia is doing. If the same amount of attention and venom were directed to our “wonderful”, “entitled” politicians, now that would be productive!
This country is so messed up with the complacency of the past, that it will take years to dig our way out. Football is a “release” from the reality of our depression for some.
You wanna kick some butts? Go for the U.S. politicians and their salaries – go after the real “takers” in Congress. Forget the coaches and professors.
Do that, be successful at it, and I think we would all be happy with the exception of those who never could be. Those are REAL problems in this country.
BTW – The University of Georgia had a most successful year of fund raising again this past year. Remember that.
Johnny B
May 3rd, 2011
1:44 pm
No so fast friend………..Socialist professors don’t come cheap at UGA. I saw enough of these over paid American haters during my time there.
Matthews Dawg
May 3rd, 2011
1:44 pm
JB at 1:23….you are right on the money!
emory…teachers do deserve more and academics should be a higher priority, but sadly it is not. Should have realized that you like the Jackets! Good luck this year, but at the end of Nov.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
May 3rd, 2011
1:47 pm
We’d like to know the names of all the colleges wanting these two guys.
One of these guys may be a great recruiter…but so what…we’ll coach ‘em down anyway.
7576DAWG
May 3rd, 2011
1:48 pm
I am an Alumni for UGA and of the many classes I took at least half of my Professors actually wrote the book that we were studying from. Along with their regular salary I can’t imagine them not getting royalty’s from these publications. Does anyone know?
WD
May 3rd, 2011
1:49 pm
Johnny B…you are right but all Univ. have them big time its not just UGA. couldn’t believe the crap my kid come home telling me his Professor was teaching at GSU. Brain washing students.
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
May 3rd, 2011
1:52 pm
Why arent all our coaches paid more they have deserved it
When are they going to raise donations for season tickets
Fans should have to pay more for this winning cast of coaches
emory grad
May 3rd, 2011
1:56 pm
Mathews thanks;then again ,Ga. Tech baseball shows it’s real colors by inviting charlie sheen to practice!!!! Dawg one:let’s start with the lawyers,”First, kill all the lawyers’-Shaekspeare(sp?). 10$ cotton candy! wow that’s a deal for The Ted!!!
TechNow
May 3rd, 2011
1:58 pm
Ga has to employ a certain number of African-American coaches and pay them big money or they will get sued for discrimination—very simple.
Show me the Money
May 3rd, 2011
2:04 pm
@TechNow………………..ignorant…….very!
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
May 3rd, 2011
2:06 pm
Our coaches are grossly underpaid
Mcgarity:
You should demand that fans have to donate more money to give this hall of fame staff a better lifestyle
Joey
May 3rd, 2011
2:08 pm
“Richt is no longer “Mr.Rogers”. He will go full speed,dm the torpedoes this year. 9-2 is my prediction. No more Mr.Nice guy”
********************************************
12 games on the schedule, Johnny B. If Richt’s gonna skip a game, I hope it’s the UF game . . .
emory grad
May 3rd, 2011
2:14 pm
I can see that this has deteriorated into a socialist rant(and I may have contributed!). Have a good day all….
Barack Obama
May 3rd, 2011
2:18 pm
Richt is just spreading the wealth around a little.
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
May 3rd, 2011
2:19 pm
Mcgarity
The following items should be raised to:
Hotdogs $10
Coke $15
Programs $30
Season Parking $3000
Tail gaiting $500 per game
Donations $5000 per ticket
Fans need to sacrifice their hard earned money even in a down economy to provide a luxurious lifestyle for the coaches
7576DAWG
May 3rd, 2011
2:25 pm
Any profession where the revenue comes from being associated with TV , or the media are off the table when salary’s are trying to be justified. Coaches from the major colleges fit in with this group along with professional football, baseball, basketball players and Actors.
BG
May 3rd, 2011
2:28 pm
These guys both deserved raises. There were several SEC schools that tried to hire away Ball and McClendon. Ball is a hell of a WR coach and McClendon is a good Rb coach and a great recruiter.
Vince
May 3rd, 2011
2:28 pm
Get that money, Brothers!!!!
7576DAWG
May 3rd, 2011
2:29 pm
The salary increases want mean a thing if UGA doesn’t win at least 9 games this year. Neither one of these coaches will be retained. And if CMR keeps his job then both of these coaches will have done a good job.
Chelle
May 3rd, 2011
2:30 pm
I’m happy for anyone who gets a raise! Hopefully they’ll rememember to TITHE!!!
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
May 3rd, 2011
2:30 pm
I would hate to see what they would have gotten if they would have actually won more than 5 or 6 games. WOW, YOU CAN’T FIX STUPID…
WAR DAMN EAGLE, Hope Cooper Taylor and AU’s NC winning team/coaches got pay raies!!!
I’m sure Gene Chizik did!!!
dmr
May 3rd, 2011
2:32 pm
Mark Fox got a pay raise. He deserved it. I don’t care whose players he had, his or Felton’s. Fox has come in and made Georgia basketball relevant in the SEC. That’s step one for him. He did it in two seasons. In his first season, you saw a difference. You saw a team willing to scrap to the end. A team, that despite their record would play with effort and toughness. In year two, you saw the same thing with more wins. Year 3 may be a step back year, but that’s another matter. You can see effort, you can see improvement, you can see tenacity, and you don’t have to be a basketball expert. Why bring this up?
Because we have not seen any of this from Richt’s teams in the past two or three seasons. An established coach who has let the “lunatics run the asylum.” I say that, in spite of being a Richt supporter. Some assistance got raises. Their players effort better reflect that. EFFORT, DISCIPLINE, TENACITY. They better instill this in their players or enjoy the one year bump.
red&silver
May 3rd, 2011
2:33 pm
Summit Dawg
May 3rd, 2011
12:57 pm
Hey Red & Silver, Why you are you knocking single A….It’s not Ealey or Kings fault that BOO BOO is a “quarterbacks Coach” and builds his offense around that instead of running backs….they can’t score if they don’t have the ball…..Oh, and did Garrison Hurst not come from Single A??? You idiot!!!!
Level of competition is why I am knocking a rb from Single A ball! How dare you compare Garrison Hearst not(Hurst) and Washaun Ealey! Every now and then you find gems like Hearst,Champ,and the Great #34! Learn how to spell before you refer to somebody as an idiot.
AceDawg
May 3rd, 2011
2:37 pm
I’d have taken money out of Richt’s paycheck to compensate these guys and then set a couple strict goals that would need to be achieved for Richt to be reimbursed such as a top 15 finish and New Year’s Day caliber bowl victory.
Down South Dawg
May 3rd, 2011
2:43 pm
Grossly Overpaid—You’re the moron here! For you to suggest that ethnicticity is the only reason Ball and McClendon are still with us proves it! SEC football is about as competetive an endeavor as exists! Minority players dominate the game and minority coaches and administrators have began to realize the recognition that they deserve. Rodney Garner is an example of what I’m talking about. He is a solid coach, he is a Great recruiter and evaluator of football talent and it seems that Ball and McClendon are too. They certainly have the confidence of their boss. Mark Richt made it clear in Macon the other night when he responded to another yahoo much like yourself, by stating that McClendon is a “hell of a good football coach and a hell of a good recruiter”. You obviously don’t know what the hell you are talking about. These coaches compete at the highest level, they aren’t involved in some kind of affirmative action game, they compete for their rewards and it’s reassuring that they work for two men, Richt and McGarity, who realize this and not for some moron like yourself.
reader
May 3rd, 2011
2:44 pm
BullCrap
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
May 3rd, 2011
2:47 pm
I wished I worked for a company that gave me a 6 figure raise
where 30 of my employees have gotten arrested in the last 4 yrs
where my numbers (WINS) have been on a down trend for yrs
where my goals are not being met (13-12 in the SEC east in the last 4 yrs)
where I cannot even get my employees to even compete on a level playing field against our most important competitor (FLORIDA)
How can I work for a company like that