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
3 + 4 + 1 = 0
December 9th, 2011
2:51 pm
DUH … It’s contract time … someone has to have somewhere else to go.
ArkieAg
December 9th, 2011
2:52 pm
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
2:44 pm
Really? You actually think that stops Coaches from talking to other schools? I suggest you do a little research on NCAA DI schools and the recruiting in football and basketball that has occurred just within the past 10 years.
GTBob
December 9th, 2011
2:53 pm
UGA fans know the run we are about to go on and you will ALL disappear when we are beating the crap out of ALL your teams.
And this is why UGA will never be a top contending team. You always think next year it’s going to happen, but you never do anything when it never does. Have you ever seen one of those free beer tomorrow signs? There is probably a UGA fan somewhere who keeps going in day after day for his free beer. It just never happens.
Preston
December 9th, 2011
2:53 pm
Spurrier imposter, he didn’t invent the term “ball coach”. You’ve just decided to give him the rights to it. Geez!
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
ArkieAG, also, Mark Richt couldn’t even put ,what you call, feelers out there without violating his contract if he didn’t get permission so I don’t think he did. This is just a totally bogus news story that some reporter or web site wanted to put out to get someone to read it.
SSIgator
December 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
Dnice -
You can’t use logic on this blog with the KoolAid Club gang. All that does is send them running to the bar for another glass.
DawginLex
December 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
SSI
Your answer was a spin job joke.
Weis left, just as I said he would, because of his ego and his inability to get along with anyone, especially Muschamp.
The gator spin doctors are hard at work trying to put a band aid on this spewing jugular vein.
It has nothing to do with a better opportunity. Kansas?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reality Gator
December 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
Oh yea, give him a contract for beating teams with losing records and rewarding him for losing against wining teams.
And the puppies wonder why they have not won anything since 1980”””
Preston
December 9th, 2011
2:55 pm
GTBob, I’m a UGA fan but that’s funny as hell! lmao
Coach Ray Goff
December 9th, 2011
2:55 pm
bobby
December 9th, 2011
2:35 pm
lock him up now right man for the job.
Lock him up? Can we get any dumber?
JB
December 9th, 2011
2:55 pm
Doc Adams is the power in Athens when it comes to athletics. He’s peeing in his pants over 10-2 and Winning NC’s is for those “other” people and in his mind overrated. We’ll hum along with Richt and win 7-10 games a year and go to a warm bowl. It’s enough for Adams, I’m telling you.
Bad Dawg
December 9th, 2011
2:55 pm
We did get “killed” by LSU or whatever action verb you would like to place there true dawg fan. Even if UGA played a perfect game I do not think they would have won the game it just would have been more interesting. The guys on the defensive side of the ball were emotionally spent after the first half and they could not sustain the effort they gave. What makes me mad is when some people say UGA quit that game. They did not they got worn down and had nothing left to give. LSU rotated its offensive line, defensive line, running backs, defensive backs and linebackers and they had the luxury of placing five star players on special teams i.e. Jarvis Landry. UGA had walk ons on special teams i.e. Blake Sailors and Costa Vavlas (spelling). The amount of depth they had was mind boggling and the lack of depth for UGA was exposed in the second half. Go Dawgs!
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
2:55 pm
ArkieAG, the bottom line is that just like the NFL a school cannot come in and speak to a coach under contract without getting permission from the school he is under contract too. UGA would sue A&M if they did that.
Dawgfence
December 9th, 2011
2:56 pm
Texas A&M would be a perfect fit for Richt. I’ve lived in west Texas and you don’t know how big a part religion plays in those people’s lives. There are hundreds of momas and grandmommas who would love to send their boy children to play football for a man of faith. One would think that would be the case here in GA but we have a few more degrees of heathenism/hedonism than those farming and cattle ranching Texans do. Richt is a good man and good football coach, and we all know the saying about “nice guys”. He sure isn’t using his job here a stepping stone to elsewhere. I here that Penn State wants to interview him, and that’s just what they would need to blunt the damage and start the healing process. Many would think that’s an upward move (not me), but he won’t go, he’s here for the long haul. Look how he agonized over firing Martinez, and letting King and Ealey go. His coaches and players are extensions of his family, and a parent doesn’t give up on a child, brother, or sister. They have to self destruct. He’s loyal, honest, he cares, and he’s dug in. So, we all might as well get comfortable with it, he’s here for as long as he wants to be and he’s got a chance in the not to far future to bring us another national championship.
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
2:57 pm
GTBob, the difference is that UGA fans say and think that because we can look at the players we have and know that we have a chance. Tech fans know that they look at their roster and know they NEVER will have a chance so they just don’t let themselves think it.
JB
December 9th, 2011
2:58 pm
Bad Dawg…………..Why does LSU have all the luxury of rotating all those players, and in year 10 Richt can’t even fill out the OL and RB position?
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
Dawgfence, well said.
Matthews Dawg
December 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
For the haters out there that think CMR isn’t a great coach or one of UGA’s all time greatest coaches.
I thought the stat listed in the SEC CG about CMR being tied for the most 10 win seasons at UGA in a coach’s career. For all who do not think or believe he has been one of our best or at least in the top 2 (until he wins a NC, then the best) are crazy IMO. I am glad that we are looking to lock him up for many more years! Go Dawgs!!
Coach Ray Goff
December 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
Youre the dumb fan, or a dumg nerd posing as a winner. Ill take the later!
The answer is yes, we can get dumber. Or dumger, as the case may be.
beebee
December 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
From “Fire Richt” to “Re-Hire Richt”.
How long will this sad merry-go-round go ’round?
No National Title next year Dawgs. LSU will be too good and playing at Bama will be too tough for you.
Stop all your whining and prima donna player attitudes, then the following year you might be about something.
bee
Preston
December 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
I think I agree with giving him another couple of years extension based on the fact that the defensive coordinator hire has worked out VERY well and I believe he knows he needs to get it done SOON. The recruiting has been awesome and as long as the offensive play calling improves from here on out (like it improved this year), we can play with anyone. I say give him a two year extension at the same pay rate and if he doesn’t get it done in two years, it’s time for a change. We’ll eat the last few years of the contract and get the next “hot” coach on the market.
Matthews Dawg
December 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
Oh yes, that is 7 years of 10 or more wins! He has been here 11 years and how long was Coach Dooley at UGA? I understand to be the best he has to win a NC, but he is in the top 2. Go Dawgs!!
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
3:01 pm
Preston, you are not a UGA fan. A UGA fan would never agree with a turd Tech loser like GTBob.
KB
December 9th, 2011
3:01 pm
GTBOB, You just need to go back at look at what Georgia has done under Richt. The only thing missing from his resume is the national Championship. But if that is the only barometer that one measures a program by then there are 118 coaches a year that should be fired. 2009,2010 were down years, in 2006 only 9 wins , every other season has been 10 or more wins , SEC east titles 4 conference titles 2, BCS bowls 3 . So take your tech loser ass mentality and you Div 1aa all star coach your NCAA probations, zero relevance conference elsewhere. LOL a tech fan on a Georgia blog talking about contending.
GTBob
December 9th, 2011
3:02 pm
Kerryb, you are 100% right, but the mistake that UGA fans make is that they think at some point one of these top recruiting classes is going to break through and become a power. Eventually you are going to have to realize that the talent isn’t whats holding you back.
Coach Ray Goff
December 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
Preston
December 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
I think I agree with giving him another couple of years extension based on the fact that the defensive coordinator hire has worked out VERY well and I believe he knows he needs to get it done SOON. The recruiting has been awesome and as long as the offensive play calling improves from here on out (like it improved this year), we can play with anyone. I say give him a two year extension at the same pay rate and if he doesn’t get it done in two years, it’s time for a change. We’ll eat the last few years of the contract and get the next “hot” coach on the market.
You’re a contracting genius. Can I hire you to be my agent? Same pay rate. LOL. Richt would be as good as gone to College Station, Texas.
Scraping Teeth
December 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
For all of you bottom feeders that think for one min it was real UGA fans wanting CMR gone, I have some swamp land to sell you.
Look what has happened to UF and UT. Do you really think the grass is always greener? LSU wanted CLM gone a couple of years ago too. But every real LSU fan I know did not.
JB
December 9th, 2011
3:03 pm
It took about 3 years for the Dawgs to go on the list of the opposition now putting a W by us when looking at their year pre season vs toss up or L. Let’s see how long it takes to get that back.
WDE
December 9th, 2011
3:06 pm
@Reality Gator really we beat you,UT,the defending national champs and the bugs…you want our SOS to get better then improve your teams…you want some cheese with that whine?
ArkieAg
December 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
ArkieAG, also, Mark Richt couldn’t even put ,what you call, feelers out there without violating his contract if he didn’t get permission so I don’t think he did. This is just a totally bogus news story that some reporter or web site wanted to put out to get someone to read it.
ArkieAG, the bottom line is that just like the NFL a school cannot come in and speak to a coach under contract without getting permission from the school he is under contract too. UGA would sue A&M if they did that.
While UGA could sue, they wouldn’t. I think you may not have understood my original post, anyway. Flirting with A&M is just a way for Coach Richt to make UGA fish or cut bait. It is a smart move on his part.
WDE
December 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
@GTBob beside the program being run by cheats what is holding back Bug U ?
Smokewagon
December 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
Lex – Last time I saw Kerwin Bell he was running for his life from Richard Tardis. Great memories.
Preston
December 9th, 2011
3:07 pm
Kryyb, lighten up! That s@#$ was funny! I don’t take these blogs as serious a s most people. Trust me when I tell you that I love everything UGA but I give credit for a funny punchline when I see it and that s@#$ was funny! LMAO! All he’s saying is that with all the great recruiting and great expectations, a LOT of our fanbase expects NC’s (as we should) but it just hasn’t happened in 30 years and the “free beer tomorrow” analogy was perfect. For the record……THWGT…….there! lol
SSIgator
December 9th, 2011
3:08 pm
DawginLex -
And you know this as a fact because:
a) You dreamed you had a conference call with Charlie and Will
b) It came to you as a vision after four glasses of KoolAid
c) You pulled the answer out of your rear end
d) My Mommy told me so
e) All of the above
Scraping Teeth
December 9th, 2011
3:08 pm
Keep in mind football is everthing to some colleges and they will lie, cheat, and steal to have a W. For UGA it is simply just a piece of the pie. The University and City are bigger than the football program. I know this is news to most but is pretty accurate.
Coach Ray Goff
December 9th, 2011
3:09 pm
…you want our SOS to get better then improve your teams…
dumb and dumber
Scraping Teeth
December 9th, 2011
3:10 pm
SSIgator: What is going on in the swamps? Man you guys are miles from the bottom it seems. Can it get any worse. Coaching changes after one season and players bailing. BTW, you deserve it!!!!!
BMDPD
December 9th, 2011
3:11 pm
Lets talk relevance… There are 120 division 1 teams. UGA is 12th in winning percentage. That puts us in the Top 10%. What is relevant?
GTBob
December 9th, 2011
3:13 pm
@GTBob beside the program being run by cheats what is holding back Bug U ?
GT will never be able to get the talent to reach that level.
Scraping Teeth
December 9th, 2011
3:13 pm
Just looked at the bowl schedule and did not realize GT was going to bowl game. Man they must desperate.
BIG BOSS MAN.......
December 9th, 2011
3:13 pm
So Less has 2……….Nick’s got 1……..Gene has 1 ……..And that’s only in the last 4 years……..Is that Y Mark is the ultimate Loser ??????…..GLORY. GLORY TO THE LOSER……
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
3:14 pm
MArk Richt’s career winning percentage .741
Nick Saban’s career winning percentage .708
Now I know all the comments about NC’s are going to start. The BCS is a whacky crap shoot all you can control is Conference Championships. Saban has won 3, Richt has won 2.
Mark Richt’s bowl record is 7-3
Nick Saban’s bowl record is 6-6
After 10 years of coaching in the SEC Nick Saban is 102-28
After 11 years coaching in the SEC Mark Richt is 106-37
So you take out that wacky thing of getting into the BCS game (for which you have to be a media darling and have no control over) Richt’s career stats are comparable to Nick Saban’s.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
3:14 pm
Dnice
December 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
Are we serious about this? What if we get blown up/beat down my MSU which I seriously think will happen.
——————————–
What actual Dawg fan or SEC fan for that matter actually says crap like this? Check the records between SEC teams, including UGA, and the Big(crap) 10.
GTBob
December 9th, 2011
3:15 pm
KB, would you consider the 2008 season where UGA went 10-3 a successful season?
DawgBones
December 9th, 2011
3:15 pm
I really hope CUM crushes them swamp rats!
JB
December 9th, 2011
3:16 pm
We will have the haters here full time next year, because with the team coming back and that schedule, Dawgs will go 11-1…. And if we get Missouri over Bama, this team could go 12-0…. But don’t worry haters, ESPN would never allow us in the big game….As you see LSU was told they would be in regardless of the SECG this year. If we got beat by LSU next year in that Game and ended up 12-1, we would be shown the sugar bowl , not the big game. you can take that to the Bank.
Kerryb
December 9th, 2011
3:17 pm
Also, head to head Saban has only a 3-2 record against Richt.
DawgBones
December 9th, 2011
3:17 pm
GT bob: You think a 8-4 season = success? BTW, you will end up 8-5
ole richie
December 9th, 2011
3:18 pm
i hope UGA can get an OC that can fully utilize the weapons we will have in the backfield next season. IDK if bobo can do that.
DawginLex
December 9th, 2011
3:18 pm
SSi
It is all over the papers in Florida. It has been openly discussed that Muschamp was going to fire Weis.
Keep spinning kool aid boy if it makes you feel better
Your boys are in major CYA mode