McGarity opens contract extension talks with Richt; again denies A&M rumors
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity met with football coach Mark Richt on Friday to formally open discussions about a contract extension.
McGarity said further talks will be held, perhaps next week, but that UGA and Richt are in agreement on the central point: “He wants to be our coach. We want him to be our coach.”
McGarity added: “There’s really no need to speed through anything right now because he and I are in a good place.”
Richt has two years left on his existing contract, but his job appeared in peril when the Bulldogs opened this season with back-to-back losses to Boise State and South Carolina. A 10-game winning streak and SEC East championship removed Richt from the much-discussed “hot seat” and all but ensured a contract extension.
The McGarity-Richt meeting came on the morning after rumors and reports surfaced that Texas A&M was targeting Richt for its coaching opening. McGarity said the timing of the meeting was unrelated to that speculation, in which he said he put no credence.
McGarity said Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne had not contacted him and would have done so if he were pursuing Richt.
“You don’t waste your time on [rumors] that have no legs,” said McGarity, who added that he has no doubt Richt will be the Bulldogs’ coach next season and beyond.
“We just know Mark is going to be our ‘ball coach,” McGarity said.
Friday morning’s meeting, held in McGarity’s office, was the athletic director’s first with Richt regarding a contract extension. The two had planned since last week to meet at some point late this week, McGarity said.
“This is the first time we’ve had a chance to get together and start discussing the process,” McGarity said. “You sit down when things are calm, talk through things on his list, things on your list, soak that information in.
“I need to review certain things with [UGA president Michael Adams] and review some ideas and thoughts I may have now that we have had a discussion, and at some point in time we can get back together. . . . We are moving forward on discussions on the future.”
McGarity would not disclose details such as potential contract parameters.
“We discussed several things, but I’m not ready to say what those things are,” McGarity said.
Richt’s contract, most recently amended in 2008, is a complicated document. Variables to be discussed could include how many years are added to the deal, whether Richt gets a raise from his current income of about $3 million annually and how provisions such as buyouts would be affected.
Richt didn’t publicly address the contract-extension matter or the Texas A&M speculation on Friday. He also didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Richt has said frequently over the years, including as recently as last week, that he wants to complete his coaching career at Georgia.
“It’s too hard emotionally for me to recruit guys and look them in the eye and say, ‘I’m going to be your coach,’ and knowing deep down, maybe, if something better comes along I’m leaving,” Richt said last week. “I just didn’t ever want to operate that way.
“So Georgia’s my home and my family’s home.”
McGarity noted that Richt has a busy schedule this weekend, with many recruits visiting campus.
“I’m sure we’ll meet a couple other times after he gets through this weekend and things settle down,” McGarity said.
McGarity said Texas A&M was not mentioned in his meeting with Richt on Friday or in his trip to Tampa with Richt on Thursday for an Outback Bowl contract-signing party.
“I didn’t even ask,” McGarity said.”He’d tell me [if anything were going on]. . . . Nothing came up other than Georgia.”
Richt, Georgia’s coach since 2001, has a 106-37 record with the Bulldogs. His team reached the SEC Championship game this season for the fourth time, the first time since 2005.
The Bulldogs’ 10-3 record this year followed their two worst seasons under Richt, 8-5 in 2009 and 6-7 in 2010.
McGarity said discussions about possible changes in the contracts of Richt’s assistant coaches will come later.
— Tim Tucker
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685 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
“the worst teams around” is a pretty exagerated assessment, don’t you think?
aw
December 9th, 2011
1:20 pm
4 SEC East Titles 2 by Default South Carolina actually had to play Arkansas UGA didn’t and even though UF beat UGA in a 3 way tie with Tennessee they allow UGA to goto the SEC title game?????
In the time UGA has had MR. Auburn (undefeated twice, 1 national title), Florida (4-22 in 26 years your so called top rival has won 2 national Titles) Alabama (1 nation title and probation) LSU (2 National titles and Possibly 3 although I believe Alabama wins with ease)
According to Rivals and Scout, 2nd easiest place to recruit in the country outside of Florida. Almost 90 Blue Chip players in that state alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UnderAchieved!!!!!!!!!!!
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:24 pm
GoGator
December 9th, 2011
1:09 pm
Well on behalf of Gators I am really glad to here that a good man like Ricth is gonna b at UGA for a while. The Gators will be back on top of the SEC in another year or so and that means more fun in Jacksonville for years to come, since Georgia is going to be a perpetual weak team. I’m sure the rest of the SEC is happy about this news too GoGators!!!!
——————————————
You must have DVR’d the Gator games this year and haven’t had a chance to watch them. They won’t be “back on top” for several years or at least as long as Muschimp is the HC. Thanks for making me laugh anyway.
.
December 9th, 2011
1:24 pm
@Steve Spurrier — “I coined that fraise” What, pray tell, is a ‘fraise’?
Gabloger
December 9th, 2011
1:24 pm
Well Jiggy Smaha you just described yourself Pathetic… it didn’t take Alabama new coach, LSU new coach or a whole series of others nearly that long to win. I guess you must be one of those REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEaaaaaaaaaaaaaLLLLL fans…. Or I think a lot of these people talking up Ricth are actually fans of other teams and want to keep UGA down either that or they are just Gluttons for punishment or have been smoking to much wacky weed over the years….. I guess some of them just like the Kool-aid…
3 + 4 +1 = 0
December 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
In “life’ everyone deserves understanding, forgiveness and reconcilliation … since “life” is not “football” the forgiveness and understand need not apply … UGA was lucky this year … CMR will never win a NC … sorry Dawg fans
Reality
December 9th, 2011
1:26 pm
Anything longer than a 3 year contract extension would be absurd. No raise, only bonuses tied to achievements. Coach has showed that he has the potential to recruit great talent, but lacks the self discipline to follow through on player development and maintain the cutting edge that separates winning teams from Championship teams. As an example, how many CMR Ford commercials did we see pre-season? I personally didn’t see very many and I assume that is because he was more focused on his job, which happens to be UGA’s head FB coach. Now that he’s won a few games and backdoored into the SEC Championship it’s raining CMR Ford “tough” commercials all over again.. Seems to be a pattern. Will we be seeing the ‘Water Girl’ peddling carpet next season? This Dawg fan hopes not.
gunga din
December 9th, 2011
1:27 pm
first of all, no long term contract. pay for play. you don’t produce you get fired, that simple. still has 2 years on contract so why negotiate new one. why have contract if you are going to change it before it runs out. mediocre season due to low end opponents. could not win the big games. UGA should not be willing to settle for 10 win season and 2nd or 3rd tier bowl game. Richt has past his peak at UGA, need new blood with new ideas to kick start the program.
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:28 pm
3 + 4 +1 = 0
December 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
In “life’ everyone deserves understanding, forgiveness and reconcilliation … since “life” is not “football” the forgiveness and understand need not apply … UGA was lucky this year … CMR will never win a NC … sorry Dawg fans
Wow you anti uga posters get dumber and dumber dont you.
Thanks for the laughs retards.
It will be fun laughing in your face too when we get to the SEC title game next year hahahahahaha.
Crimedog
December 9th, 2011
1:28 pm
What successful coach has pool parties, childish games like “energy vampires”, and allows players to turn their back and walk away on national television? Richt is a great recruiter. His main fault is, he his not too bright. Not too bright people tend to surround themselves with people of similar of lesser intelligence. Georgia’s recent problems are not from a lack of talent. They are from mediocre coaching and a lack of leadership. Richt will not win a conference or national championship. Eight or nine games a year ain’t bad, and he will jump through Adams’ hoops.
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 9th, 2011
1:29 pm
Gotta run with the haters here….CMR aint getting the crystal hardware. Just saying.
Does not know how to kill.
Bremen Dawg
December 9th, 2011
1:29 pm
I hope during contract talks, McGarity says, Mark, what do you need to win a National Championship? You do know that if you have a good enough team, you will need to blow some teams out and not get conservative to win some style points, we also need for you to appear on ESPN gameday and buddy up with that crew also. We want to change a little of that where we don’t get left out anymore, 2002, 2005, 2007.
Kelly
December 9th, 2011
1:29 pm
…heard that Saban was going to Texas.
Plenty of precedent when it comes to Saban and rumors.
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:29 pm
gunga din
December 9th, 2011
1:27 pm
first of all, no long term contract. pay for play. you don’t produce you get fired, that simple. still has 2 years on contract so why negotiate new one. why have contract if you are going to change it before it runs out. mediocre season due to low end opponents. could not win the big games. UGA should not be willing to settle for 10 win season and 2nd or 3rd tier bowl game. Richt has past his peak at UGA, need new blood with new ideas to kick start the program.
why are all the fringe fans out in force today???? Go away we dont need you as fans. Richt is here to stay. Richt goes and so does the recruiting. How hard is that for you idiots to understand?????
Gatoraide
December 9th, 2011
1:30 pm
Tampa Dog You are not to bright I guess it is all that Fla sunshine baking your head!! Fla with all the Talent they have will be there in no time… If for some reason they aren’t you can be sure the Fla Faithful won’t stand still for it the coach will be out on his ear and not getting an extension.. There is already talk of getting rid of the new Generation of Dooley at Tenn. I’ll be laughing when the Gators are whooooping up on the Dawgs like they did for so many years…. arf arf– Chomp Chomp ahhh tasty snack…
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:30 pm
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 9th, 2011
1:29 pm
Gotta run with the haters here….CMR aint getting the crystal hardware. Just saying.
Does not know how to kill.
Well then youre an idiot. Way to go!
DawginLex
December 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
crimedog
the energy vampire idea came from the Falcons coach Mike Smith. Is he an idiot too?
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:32 pm
Gatoraide
December 9th, 2011
1:30 pm
Tampa Dog You are not to bright I guess it is all that Fla sunshine baking your head!! Fla with all the Talent they have will be there in no time… If for some reason they aren’t you can be sure the Fla Faithful won’t stand still for it the coach will be out on his ear and not getting an extension.. There is already talk of getting rid of the new Generation of Dooley at Tenn. I’ll be laughing when the Gators are whooooping up on the Dawgs like they did for so many years…. arf arf– Chomp Chomp ahhh tasty snack…
ahahahhahahahahahaha your time is over sorry. Your team is a joke and will continue to be for years to come. Mushchump lying to recruits too?? Hahahaha Florida will never get another player from Stevenson again now good job! Florida wont be relevant again for at least 3-4 years.
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
True Dawg Fan….Change your name to squeaky pink panties fan….it’s what you sound like. Oh, and STFU after you do that.
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
DawginLex
December 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
crimedog
the energy vampire idea came from the Falcons coach Mike Smith. Is he an idiot too?
According to these fringe fans anyone who likes richt or thinks like richt is
Reality
December 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
@True Dawg Fan..
So Richt is the only coach that can reasonably recruit in GA? One of the most powerful states when it comes to football talent. COME ON MAN, put the Pabst down you idiot.
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:35 pm
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
True Dawg Fan….Change your name to squeaky pink panties fan….it’s what you sound like. Oh, and STFU after you do that.
hahaha ill be sure to do that just for you. I wonder when the lame panites joke will go away, at least u got creative and changed the color. However as youre prob to stupid to understand is that no one wanted evans so it was a great day for bulldog nation when he got canned.
And yes ur still an idiot. Move along and find a new team, this one doesnt need you.
WinchesterDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:36 pm
Hey True Dawg fan we got to the SEC title game this year by beating a bunch of down teams, winning it is the key Also we aren’t anti dawg we just want someone at the helm who can take care of bossiness and win key games… Guess we can’t blame you though you obviously aren’t to bright calling people Retards. So Laugh away cause you are gonna be crying for years to come…
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:37 pm
Reality
December 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
@True Dawg Fan..
So Richt is the only coach that can reasonably recruit in GA? One of the most powerful states when it comes to football talent. COME ON MAN, put the Pabst down you idiot.
hahahahaha. If you could read then you would have seen that almost every recruit comes to UGA bc of Richt when they have no ties to UGA. Marshall is a prime example- No Richt= No Marshall.
It would set us back 3-4 years in recruiting if we fired Richt and got a new coach. But I wouldnt expect someone like you that doesnt know CFB from softabll to get that.
Move along we dont want you as a fan.
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 9th, 2011
1:37 pm
Google QWERTY bro…then follow the instructions. “youre prob to stupid to “…..yeah, I’m the dumb one.
DIT
December 9th, 2011
1:37 pm
It looks as if a civil conversation has been thrown right out the door. Haters say that they are no concerned with UGA???? Then why are all of you on here? It appears that you are more than concerned.
I’m not concerned with tech, UF, Bama etc.. so I don’t get on their sights. Again, because I’m not concerned with them. Just saying, the fact that you’re on here states that you are very concerned with UGA football and we at UGA appreciate that.
Mako
December 9th, 2011
1:37 pm
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable…or is GTBob or someother Tech Turd….just go play with your ManBoobs blow up doll
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
@Gabloger ………….. Let’s just be honest, in the spirit of giving credit where credit is due, Nick Saban is much like Jimmie Johnson. A real jerk but one helluva coach. He took LSU to prominence back 2003 and left LSU in a very good position recruiting wise and the NC put them in the limelight for future recruits. LSU fans can say what they want, but Saban’s influence is still a part of that school’s current dominance.Then, tricky Nick goes to Bama and has done the same thing. He is great as a coach, poor as a human being.
As for UF, Urban had a once in a lifetime player in Tim Tebow. Just a fact and he is going to find out how hard it can be without him at OSU.
Bremen Dawg
December 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
Contracts being extended also has to do with recruiting, a recruit wants to know that the coach is going to be there for the next 4 years. Then, the school can still terminate it and buyout anytime they like. I don’t see Richt being at UGA for 4 more years, the pressure will be there for a NC and just don’t think he will ever bring one to Athens.
AltamahaDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
“back on top of the SEC” in another year or so????
The gators, maybe next season, will be the best team in the SEC, huh? Better perhaps, and not down long, but you might want to scale back that expectation a bit.
DAWG
December 9th, 2011
1:40 pm
Great for Mark, however what about Todd? Hell if we’re not for the defense we would not be looking at the ten games win streak. They better get their butts in gear and give that raise now.
Red-N-Black
December 9th, 2011
1:40 pm
I read all the negative comments and the talk of a inferiority complex and it would seem those very people are the ones who suffer from it. LOL, keep entertaining me trolls as your lack of intelligence is quite amusing.
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
WinchesterDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:36 pm
Hey True Dawg fan we got to the SEC title game this year by beating a bunch of down teams, winning it is the key Also we aren’t anti dawg we just want someone at the helm who can take care of bossiness and win key games… Guess we can’t blame you though you obviously aren’t to bright calling people Retards. So Laugh away cause you are gonna be crying for years to come…
Wow you ppl make me laugh. And yes the people I am calling, dumb, idiot, moron, retard fit the build for such names. Anyone calling for Richt to not get an extension is a fringe fan that knows Nothing at all about the CFB.
Don
December 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
Well I thunk Recht is a darnnd good coach.. We will have us in a champonsip game by Next year. So all you loosers out there just watch out becasue you will be eating your words… Go Dawgs
GTBob
December 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
In the last 4 years Richt is 2-13 against teams that finished ranked, and 12-17 against teams with winning records. This season he was 0-3 against teams that finished ranked and 2-3 against teams with winning records. All of this with one of the most talented teams in the country every season. This is really worth for a raise and a contract extension?
3-10 Against Ranked Teams
December 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
3-10 against ranked teams…….and he’s gonna get a raise??????
…..pathetic
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:42 pm
Reality
December 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
@True Dawg Fan..
So Richt is the only coach that can reasonably recruit in GA? One of the most powerful states when it comes to football talent. COME ON MAN, put the Pabst down you idiot.
———————————-
How did the last two before Richt do? Exactly.
rabundog
December 9th, 2011
1:42 pm
Any new money for CMR should be tied to winning championships – give CTG an extention and a raise and championship bonus
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
ecdawg_LHB Leather Helmet Blog
LOL >RT @joffutt1: @ecdawg_LHB uh oh. AD meeting cancelled.
tweet as of now.
DrDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
We got a great DC from the pros, now let’s get a great OC from the pros. We are so close to being great. One more change needed and we have all the pieces.
Red-N-Black
December 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
GTBob
December 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
In the last 4 years Richt is 2-13 against teams that finished ranked, and 12-17 against teams with winning records. This season he was 0-3 against teams that finished ranked and 2-3 against teams with winning records. All of this with one of the most talented teams in the country every season. This is really worth for a raise and a contract extension?
LinkReport this comment.3-10 Against Ranked Teams
December 9th, 2011
1:41 pm
3-10 against ranked teams…….and he’s gonna get a raise??????
…..pathetic
You’re just mad because he keeps WHIPPING tech LOLOLOLOLOLOL.
Mako
December 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
GTBob….what’s Manboobs record….big mouth?
no big wins
December 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
2 and 3 vs Ranked teams
3 and 3 vs teams over .500
Gonna have to win against good teams to do anything.
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 9th, 2011
1:43 pm
Mako…not a tech guy, full UGA. And loved CMR for a long time
But he has got to win more hardware for 3 million a year. Here is an example: In the offseason, LSU’s defense ran a hurry up, frantic pace practice every day to prepare for Oregon. In doing that, they were fully prepared and in great physical shape.
CMR takes time this offseason to study football…what did we find out? I am tired of 3rd place. Some of you obviously like bronze.
DIT
December 9th, 2011
1:44 pm
GTBob – I don’t blame you for being concerned one bit. If I were a tekie I would want CMR gone as well because of his 10-1 record against you. It’s gotta hurt!
ArfArf
December 9th, 2011
1:45 pm
Well TrueDawgFan you are the Fringe Fan or on Ricth’s payroll you are the idiot or just want georgia to lose. You should become a Vandy fan and you would be really happy… You are a joke by the way everyone with any sense on this board is laughing their head off at you… You must be an unemployed loser to have all this time to spend on this board bragging bout your man…
Nom Nom Nom Chucks Taylor, or Norris if he is avaliable
December 9th, 2011
1:46 pm
Oh, and give him an extension….I say for 3 years or less. With next year’s schedule….NO excuses (injuries notwithstanding).
douglas
December 9th, 2011
1:46 pm
I don’t think McGarity ought to agree on anything unless RIcht agrees to get rid of BooBoo.
dERWOOD
December 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
CAN WE SEND “DUMBO BOBO” TO TEXAS A AND M
OkieDawg
December 9th, 2011
1:47 pm
Oh No, GTBob is out from under his rock. And now, more irrelevant drivel will flow from his keyboard.