UGA president predicts extended tenure for football coach Mark Richt
ATHENS – University of Georgia President Michael Adams isn’t generally known for his sense of humor. But he can provide an unexpected “zinger” on a moments notice.
Asked at his monthly cabinet meeting on Thursday about the contract status of head football Mark Richt, Adams said, “If we win Saturday he’ll be back and if we lose we’re going to fire him.”
He was joking, of course.
Richt has 2 ½ years remaining on a contract that pays him close to $3 million annually. There were questions about his long-term future as the Bulldogs’ coach when the team followed last year’s 6-7 record with an 0-2 start this season.
But Georgia has since won 10 games a row and clinched the SEC Eastern Division Championship. The 14th-ranked Bulldogs (10-2, 7-1 SEC) play No. 1-ranked LSU (12-0, 8-0) in the SEC Championship on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Now that he has led the Bulldogs to their fourth SEC Championship game and seventh season of 10 or more wins in 11 seasons as Georgia’s coach, a contract extension for Richt seems imminent and in the very near future. The contact period for recruiting began on this week and UGA administrators aren’t likely to send Richt out on the road with a contract of fewer than four or five years.
Adams said he’s now hearing from fans who want UGA to hurry up and extend Richt as soon as possible.
“I get amused at this sometimes, frankly,” Adams said. “I actually have had suggestions from some of the same people over the last four months that, after the 0-2 start, were asking the AD and me to terminate him, who are now upset that we haven’t renewed the contract.
“So you don’t respond to these things emotionally through the season. You try and get a couple or three weeks away from a season. Give us a little time to review the whole process, but I would be surprised if Mark Richt weren’t the coach here next year. We’ll just wait and see what the AD decides to do.”
Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity, who will ultimately make the call on the matter, maintained his stance Thursday that he would not address Richt’s contract status until after Saturday’s SEC Championship.
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381 comments Add your comment
tim
December 1st, 2011
7:36 pm
For Coach Richt this is good news. He is a good coach and more important a good person. He is a prize catch and the University of Georgia is lucky to have him. And folks I am a Gator fan down here in North Florida. Good luck Saturday
Win P
December 1st, 2011
7:37 pm
Like most UGA football fans, I’m enjoying the 10 wins this season. IMO Richt has more character and integrity than most of his opponents. He is in a profession and an environment that places high value (money) on the size of your trophy case and the number of championships you have won.
Would hate to see Richt compromise his principles and the way he conducts his life. Can he be successful and win national championships without compromising? I think so…his profession and the young men he’s responsible for need leaders like him.
I hope problems, during the prior three seasons, have become a great learning experience making Richt wiser and the rest of us more patience. While contract extensions will help recuiting, the time and discussions needed are more important.
Bad Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:40 pm
Whoa Whoa Whoa hold your horses you dirty dogs. This UGA team has not proven anything yet. The ten wins in a row means nothing to me honestly, each game UGA played they were supposed to beat each and everyone of those teams and they did. This team is still largely unproven as well as the coaching. Look at the LSU game as a measuring stick to how much this team has really improved from last year. This season will be defined over the next two games because of the magnitude of UGA’s opponents. Until then please buy a Brita filter and drink some purified water instead of those awful kool-aid packets. Go Dawgs! and Wake Up UGA fans.
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
7:43 pm
I’m sure he already does but Richt should really thank god for the schedule he had this year. It saved him millions of dollars.
PIERCE CO DAWG
December 1st, 2011
7:48 pm
Extend CMR and CTG CONTRACT. If not we will loose recruits and momentum. GO DAWGS!!!!!
JDawg1785
December 1st, 2011
7:49 pm
Lock him and CTG up for the long haul. Go Dawgs!
OkieDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:50 pm
It’s good to see ole one track mind, GTBob, has returned to share his irrelevant stats and drivel.
DawgJohn
December 1st, 2011
7:51 pm
There is not a man or woman on the campus that comes close to high marks of Richt in the areas of character and professionalism. Why wouldn’t he be back? I hope he is there when Adams and many others are long gone!
Hairy
December 1st, 2011
7:52 pm
Wait, what happen to the we need Will Muschamp followers? Or the Kirby smart followers?
Yeah maybe we should shut up and just let the coaches coach. Bandwagon jumpers!
Go Dawgs!
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
7:52 pm
Frank Beamer racks up ten-win seasons against cupcakes almost every year. Georgia should petition to join the ACC if that’s all they want out of their football program. CMR will never, ever, win a National Championship. Never.
GTBoob
December 1st, 2011
7:54 pm
Ok, tech lost and i am not bitter because tech is better…..okay it’s not…..CPJ is better anyway……okay he’s not……someone please help me!
CATDOG
December 1st, 2011
7:55 pm
Not Impressed
you will be impressed Saturday night.
unless you’re a tech fan, then it’s all over…
357 more days until another beat down
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
7:56 pm
OkieDawg, since you asked for stats, here ya go. In the last 10 years, UGA is ranked #2 in recruiting. The other 4 teams in the top 5 have all played for at least 2 BCS titles and all 4 have won at least 1. Enjoy extending that contract.
All dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:56 pm
When the dawgs beat LSU you guys are going to be in shock like all those old white people after Obama won the election. Crying and claiming the world is coming to an end. Ha,Cant wait!
realitycheck
December 1st, 2011
7:57 pm
Can’t see Richt ever playing in a BCS Championship game, much less winning it. He’s a good man and a pretty good coach, but lacks that certain “it” that the championship level coaches have. UGA needs to see Richt win some big games like this week vs LSU or next fall vs Alabama before discussing any extention.
CHDawg
December 1st, 2011
7:58 pm
Bob, I think Richt thanks God every day for all of his circumstances, but really let’s look at it. Record is critically important, but recruiting, his own character and the character he builds in his staff and the players, grad rates, stability, profitability of the program–there are a lot of factors you can evaluate coaches on, and Richt does a great job at most of them. Take a look at the problems many schools have and he really shines.
Valdosta Dawg
December 1st, 2011
7:58 pm
As long as we beat the yellow mess out of Tech GT Bob I’ll keep our coach.
It must hurt bad, after that win in Athens you guys thought the savior had come……boy it must hurt really bad to know you were wrong. Enjoy those rings you guys made!
Damian Evans
December 1st, 2011
7:58 pm
Yes, Fire Adams, he’s a goober gobbler.
Extend Richt, he even made me look good.
Valdosta Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:00 pm
State chumps…….GT
what kid wants to go to Tech?
the little brother of Georgia football.
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
8:01 pm
@CATDOG
I’m always impressed with LSU’s performance. They have a National Championship caliber team. This won’t be much of a contest, but I’m sure they’ll still be rather impressive in their victory.
CHDawg
December 1st, 2011
8:04 pm
Not impressed, which losing team do you represent?
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:04 pm
To the “kool aid krowd”. Mark Richt hasn’t “earned” an extension, he’s merely done his job “this year”. With the competition we’ve played, and the results some could say we’ve underachieved, but I won’t. Personally I want to see how badly Mark Richt wants to be at Georgia. He’s still got two plus years on his contract. I want to see hungry Dawgs. As a coach Mark Richt has lived the “fat cat” life the last few years. Little effort and little results. Let’s see how he finishes his recruiting and how he does next year. I would like to see a little consistency before we commit to another 5 years.
GTBob
December 1st, 2011
8:05 pm
As long as we beat the yellow mess out of Tech GT Bob I’ll keep our coach.
And this is why UGA will never be a real force in the SEC.
bubba4dawgs
December 1st, 2011
8:08 pm
Have all the “beat downs” crawled under their rocks yet?? My goodness, they know so much about football and what it takes to grow a team…..why don’t they apply for the job? How can anyone deny the marvelous job the coaching staff has done this year and the effort the team has given to make this a winning season and now perhaps and hopefully national prominence? Win or lose, the DAWGS deserve the heartiest of our congratulations! Richt said it best when he said it is hard to win 9 games in a row and they’ve topped that with 10. Now, the mountain gets a bit higher and the DAWGS are hungry to reach the top!! Somehow, I think they are a team of destiny and will do everything in their power to get the job done!!!! GO DAWGS!!!
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:08 pm
what’s your purpose here bobby?
Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:09 pm
Finally! Adams basicly said McGarity quit acting like a tool and let it be known Richt is gwtting an extention. The worst kept secret is that Adams loves Richt and the way he represents the University so why does McGarity continue to act like a knobhead. McGarity is a freaking weirdo.
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
8:09 pm
@realitycheck
Do you really believe that Georgia will actually play Alabama next year?
Really? Guess they’ll be wearing their black unis too, huh?
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:12 pm
Marvelous job? What flavor are you consuming tonight. Dawgs have had a decent season based on their competition. People with perceptions like yours are the “exact reason” we’re not taken seriously at this point. Earn it. Beat “good” teams in meaningful games and I will give the kudos.
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
8:14 pm
@CHDawg
Like yourself, I don’t represent any team. I’m just a poster on a sports blog.
What’s it to ya anyway… whiner?
Smitty
December 1st, 2011
8:15 pm
If you are not a DAWG FAN GET THE F..K OFF THIS BLOG…
STEPHEN A. SMITH DAWG: Hunkerdown !!
December 1st, 2011
8:17 pm
Despite winning ten games in a row the Dawgs still don’t have a signature win over a decent team this season. That’s not Richt’s fault but really where is the trademark win to hang a hat on this season ? Was it the terrible 5-7 Tennessee Volunteers ? Was it the worst Florida team since the merger who finished 6-6 ? Oh, I know it must have been offensively challenged 7-5 Auburn or the 8-4 ACC Tech StumbleBees. None of the other mediocre opponents the Dawgs beat are not worth mentioning. Wait a minute, I know the Dawgs will face the Mighty No.1 LSU Tigers in the SECCG. And because of politics and money the SEC has $17 million reasons to see UG hoist the SEC trophy and travel to the NOLA for the Sugar Bowl. So it won’t be an upset if UG beats LSU and the Tigers STILL play Bama for the National Championship, it will be an SEC exhibition of its complete BCS aided domination of the NCAA and College football in America in 2011-12. The system really, really sucks and a playoff is needed ASAP! When the SEC roars and flexes its muscle the other conferences, particularly the Big XII, tremble.
Getting back on point, Richt’s team played a weak schedule. They lost to the only two decent teams they faced and won ten games in a row over an assortment of cupcakes, conference frogs, and has-beens. For the 10-2 season finish Richt deserves at the most a one year extension. Let’s see how improving UG fares next season against stiffer competion before they extend him to a long term contract they may regret later. The running back situation has been unstable for the past two seasons heading into next season and that’s another reason not to over-extend Richt. In other words I’m still not convinced and refuse to drink the delusionalist’s kool-aid. Go Dawgs & L.M. rest in peace.
CHDawg
December 1st, 2011
8:18 pm
Not Impressed, you are another delusional Dawg hater, lacking the guts to identify which team you cheer for. Away coward, you get no respect. Man up, and we might listen to you.
CHDawg
December 1st, 2011
8:20 pm
Not impressed=coward. Comes to condemn UGA, but won’t say which team he roots for. Could he be bitter because his team lost to the very team he badmouths? I think it is likely.
Just saying...
December 1st, 2011
8:22 pm
Nick, you will be long gone from Bama before 5 years. You have a proven record on leaving to prove it. Go Dogs!!!
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
8:24 pm
Well said STEPHEN A. SMITH DAWG: Hunkerdown !!
CHDawg, You’re on my “ignore list”. You should get one for yourself. You take this crap too seriously.
You are an idiot
December 1st, 2011
8:24 pm
@ Not impressed-
Aptly named I’d say…….the schedule is already set sir. Game in early October if I am not mistaken, I suppose the TX A&M and Mizzou thing could affect it, but not likely.
Don’t let your vitriol interfere with basic brain function……..I can help you with that translation if necessary.
Bad Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:25 pm
bubba4dawgs
“marvelous job” you say. More like they did what they were supposed to do in their 10 wins, lost the S. Carolina because of mental lapses, and was not ready for the Boise State game according to coach Mark Richt. Are any of you kool-aid drinkers looking at the 10 teams we beat? Look at the schedule hard and quit being so emotional about 10 wins in a row against nobodies. If UGA beats LSU and wins their bowl game then you can say this was a good job by the coaching staff. Until then the season is still to be determined.
CHDawg
December 1st, 2011
8:26 pm
Steven a Smith=not impressed….troll alert.
Nick Saban
December 1st, 2011
8:27 pm
Just saying…
Where else would I go? I left the second best job in CFB, played around in the NFL until I realized that it bored me, then took the best job in all of CFB.
I don’t want to go to work at the Burger King… Think I’ll just stay here.
I get a chance to make history this year. Alabama has never won a National Championship by defeating the SEC Champs!
CHDawg
December 1st, 2011
8:28 pm
Not impressive/Steven Smith, who do you root for coward? Man up or shut up. Nobody respects anonymous attackers. If you want to discuss UGA football then that is OK, but that isn’t what you want, is it sweetie?
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
8:29 pm
“I suppose the TX A&M and Mizzou thing could affect it”
Me too… Duh?
No way CMR plays Bama next year. No way.
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:31 pm
Should the Dawgs show up, play like a “prepared”, “well coached” team we shouldn’t care what the po pooh’ers say. Lets play the game please, before anyone’s annointed, yet we look like fools.
Preston
December 1st, 2011
8:34 pm
I surely hope that Richt will be like Tom Osbourne who coached for quite a few years before finally winning the NC. We’ll see this weekend if he’s on his way. UGA needs to start a season as well as they end one and they could do it. Boise and SC would NOT want any of us right now!
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:34 pm
CHDawg, can you not see reality brother? The blogger pointed out “facts”. You’re obviously so blinded by your “kool aid” drinking, “rose colored glasses” wearing fantasy, you’re oblivious to the real world. Relax however, you’re not alone.
CHDawg
December 1st, 2011
8:34 pm
It really is bigger than the record over a couple of years. You have to look at recruiting quality, where the program is headed and a number of other factors. All teams have issues that come up and they have slumps. Some coaches just leave and start over at a new shcool. How many of you feel positive about UGA’s chances next year? If we can find a good line, I think we will be a top ten team. Is it the year for the NC? I don’t know, but you have to like our trajectory as a football program.
82Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:35 pm
GT Bob…What has your team done lately???……all I hear is crickets chirping
You are an idiot
December 1st, 2011
8:36 pm
“No way CMR plays Bama next year. No way.”
Help me out here…..I am a little dense. Is your point that (1) the schedule changes, (2) Richt quits or gets fired, or (3) Richt is abducted by aliens?
Richt, his boss, and his bosses boss have suggested he will be back. Surely you don’t mean to suggest that Mike Slive has delegated all conference games scheduling to Mark Richt.
That would be impressive.
Smitty
December 1st, 2011
8:37 pm
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE…..WHO DO WE GET THAT WOULD BE A BETTER FIT FOR GEORGIA? DAMMM… HE Has coached for 4 sec championships Won 2 that is 20 % of his years who has that in their esume
Smitty
December 1st, 2011
8:38 pm
Come on man…
82Dawg
December 1st, 2011
8:38 pm
Bama will be replaced with Mizzou more than likely, since they will be in the east…