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
685 comments Add your comment
???
December 9th, 2011
4:25 pm
Hey “numbers don’t lie”………I noticed you only picked sports where the teckies beat UGa and only this year. Hmmmmmm…….numbers do lie if you look at all the numbers. You are just like the Gators who brag about the past 20 years. If they go back 20 years then why not go back to the beginning of the series…..or just go back 1 year? You idiots……cut the BS. Also, I’ll take a loyal coach anyway who averages almost 10 wins per season. CMR…..you’re awesome!!!
Dawg48
December 9th, 2011
4:29 pm
GTBOB
Then why ask that question?
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 9th, 2011
4:29 pm
Sign Richt and you have made a big mistake. Once Grantham goes back to the NFL you will be back to being in 3rd place again. It appears your AD thinks the Gators and the Vols will stay down forever. The SEC needs to put someone in the East that can at least compete. 10-3 and beat nobody…give me a break and give him a new deal….stupid is as stupid does..
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:30 pm
RT @RobbieAndreu: Hearing from a very well-connected source that Muschamp is targeting Mike Shula as a possible replacement for C. Weis.
Classic!!!
NewnanDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:31 pm
Ugh, I am so tired of these fair weather fans……just support the damn coach and trust the AD’s decision to not fire Richt!
30 years of failure. that's uga football for you
December 9th, 2011
4:31 pm
all you dumb inbred rednecks after the beat down georgia received from LSU, you retards wanted richt gone.
BigTimeTechFan
December 9th, 2011
4:31 pm
On Richt.
Hard decision???
He’s a good coach but there are probably 30-50 coaches just as good, you let him go and the next level of coaches are those 10 elite coaches. Can you bring in one of those??
You 10 elite coaches
Then 30-50 GOOD coaches behind those that could win at any big program but not consistantly top 10 type. Richt fits here.
Then 50-100 AVERAGE coaches that are ok, would have a few good years mix with bad years.
Washon
December 9th, 2011
4:32 pm
To all the wussies that want to keep CMR because he is a good man and that you all are afraid that we will be like Tennessee. I will bet you that if we keep CMR like you guys want, Tenn will win a national championship before we do. Half of you admit that he can’t get it done at a high level and you are satified with it. I guess you think Obama deserves a second chance as well.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:33 pm
Wet Willie “stupid is as stupid does..” and that’s why you still post anything. Like, Grantham going back to the NFL. So you proved your own point. Stupid is as Stupid does
shankit
December 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
Alabama’s scheduled wins this season were against teams with
a combined 23 – 32 record. Only top teams were Arkansas and LSU.
Also, Saban needs a 1 5/8″ ball for his small hitch to haul his trailered
statue to Dallas.
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
Give him an extension with a clause added.
Have it read : “For each win vs a team who ends up in the AP Poll Top 25, you will receive a bonus of __________. For each win over a team who ends up in the AP Poll Top 10, you will receive an ADDITIONAL BONUS of __________.”
Otherwise, I feel the annual Total Compensation for Mark Richt at $ 3,500,000.00 is more than enough monies we are paying.
The man is a good man. The man has had NO ATHLETIC DIRECTOR with Head Coaching Experience to mentor to him. I am not making excuses for Mark Richt. Michael F. Adam$ hired him with NO HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE. We owe Mark Richt a mentor to teach him the areas in which he needs to learn the job. Such as his hiring of a coaching staff. Vincent Dooley hired The University of Georgia a ton a GREAT HEAD COACHES. Mark Richt for one, but then never was given the opportunity to teach Mark Richt how he hired, Erk Russell, Andy Landers and all the other GREAT COACHES that Vincent J. Dooley hired here. Mark Richt is owed a mentor from a Major Program with Head Coaching Experience. Mark Richt tries this, then tries that, to learn on the job. 11 years and we haven’t provided him what he needs yet.
Give him his same contract amount. Add to it the 2 ADDITIONAL BONUSES listed.
He can recruit. The kids like him. I like him. I have always liked him.
I am not satisfied with 106 wins out of a possible 152 wins available to him; am less than tickled with the 17 losses to teams none of whom end up in the top 25 without their wins over him these 11 years; and I am not satisfied with 17 wins out of the 44 games he played against teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 25 in 11 years, nor I am satisfied with the 3 wins out of the 14 games in 11 years he has played against teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 10.
I am however, totally satisfied with him as my Coach.
Well, he needs to learn how to DISCIPLINE. Christians forgive. That is the OPPOSITE of DISCIPLINE. For example, when Isaiah Crowell turned his back on Mark Richt in my presence at the last game, Mark should have taken Isaiah by the hand, and walked him to the locker room and had Security assist him getting his uni off and take him to his momma, his high school coach, or whoever. Then, when he came back I could have my say with him.
Ok.
So, we are clear.
Give Mark Richt an EXTENSION please.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
BigTimeTechFan
December 9th, 2011
4:31 pm
On Richt.
Hard decision???
He’s a good coach but there are probably 30-50 coaches just as good, you let him go and the next level of coaches are those 10 elite coaches. Can you bring in one of those??
—————————————
Guarantee you can’t name 30-50 coaches as good as CMR. I also guarantee that if he loses his job at UGA, he will have another big school coaching job before the sun goes down.
Florida is a basketball school now
December 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
Tennessee sucks and will for a long time
BigTimeTechFan
December 9th, 2011
4:36 pm
or you have option to let Richt go, Hire a new young coach with the hopes he’s going to be one of those elite coaches. I don’t think you can do that with Richt unless he stings together a couple of bad years
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 9th, 2011
4:38 pm
To compare Richt with Saban (rebuilt 3 programs..MSU,LSU and Bama) is such a joke but that is UGA. Richt will never get UGA to the big show…never……
Florida is a basketball school now
December 9th, 2011
4:39 pm
You fire Richt after going from 6-7 to 10-3 and UGA becomes the laughingstock and the fire from ESPN would destroy us from ever getting anyone worth a crap to coach us
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:39 pm
Washon
December 9th, 2011
4:32 pm
To all the wussies that want to keep CMR because he is a good man and that you all are afraid that we will be like Tennessee. I will bet you that if we keep CMR like you guys want, Tenn will win a national championship before we do. Half of you admit that he can’t get it done at a high level and you are satified with it. I guess you think Obama deserves a second chance as well.
————————————–
As much of this post as I disagree with, the last part of it made me throw up a little bit. I think you lost everyone though when you said Tennessee would win a NC before UGA. I mean, the Dooley hiring is going so well and this is the same school that fired John Candy .. errr … Phil Fulmer and brought in Lame Kitten.
Washon
December 9th, 2011
4:40 pm
can someone please explain why it is no longer important for CMR to prove that he can win a game against a quality ranked team before getting a contract extention. We will play Mich st then SC early next year, after that would be a much better time to access the status of the program.
Washon
December 9th, 2011
4:42 pm
My guess is that CMR is worried that the team will look bad and lose to Mich state and then he will be on the hot seat. to push for the extention now is a smart move for him, dumb for UGA
War Dang Dawg
December 9th, 2011
4:45 pm
Re: Saban rumors
Bill Belichick was fired by the Browns. Some organizations are too messed up for even the best coaches. Personally, I hope Saban stays at Alabama, he’s a great coach and makes things much more interesting. But if I were an NFL owner I wouldn’t read much into his tenure with the Dolphins. 15-17 isn’t that bad of a record considering the sorry state of the franchise since Marino left.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:45 pm
@4.29 GPA .. “Well, he needs to learn how to DISCIPLINE. Christians forgive. That is the OPPOSITE of DISCIPLINE.”
First off, great to see Keith Marshall getting a post in. Just kidding, but anyway. I love your post and agree with about 95% of it. Except that line. You can discipline people and forgive them at the same time. I discipline my kids, but when they make mistakes, I obviously forgive them ALSO. Same thing with CMR. He has suspended kids, kicked them off the team, ran them into the ground (Christian Robinson was tweeting about having to run bleachers on the morning of a final exam), and benched them too during his tenure at UGA. I am betting my 1959 Hank Aaron card that he has forgiven every one of them though.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:48 pm
Florida is a basketball school now
December 9th, 2011
4:39 pm
You fire Richt after going from 6-7 to 10-3 and UGA becomes the laughingstock and the fire from ESPN would destroy us from ever getting anyone worth a crap to coach us
—————————————————–
Great post!
If they fired CMR, he would land on his feet and be coaching a big time program again before next season starts if he so chooses (no guarantee he would want to at this point). UGA on the other hand might find it difficult after something so unceremonious to bring in the likes of a Chris Peterson or someone like that.
wins-by-a-link
December 9th, 2011
4:50 pm
To all you Richt detractors, Look what happened to Tenn after they fired Phat Phil, It has been a down hill slide ever since, Be glad wiser heads prevailed and Coach Richt will be around for several more years.
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
4:50 pm
Well, I don’t. And, I haven’t. And, I am not going to.
Jim
December 9th, 2011
4:51 pm
Don’t take the money to the bank until the ink’s dry.
You guys need to read the BCS rules and get off the kick of having to win your conference to play in the NCG. The rule say’s the #1 & #2 ranked teams shall play in the NCG. In fact the only way a conference can put three teams in the BCS is when 2 non champions are ranked #1 & #2; which is what would have happened if Georgia had beat LSU. It will be interesting to see what comes of these talks between Richt and his AD. To me, the main difference in Richt, Saban, and Miles is Richt sat at Florida State for 15 years and never worked anyone else while Saban and Miles moved around and worked with different people. Richt hired young assistants with no experience and trained them his way.
All the calls for Kirby Smart would only reinvent the wheel and it would take 10 more years to get back to where we are now. It will also be interesting as to who Muschamp will hire as an OC. Any thoughts on Bobo moving to Florida? For all calling for Bobo’s head who’s to say that without Richt he would be a total different OC.
Really all we need to worry about now this getting ready for Michian State and recruting the best players we can. We are playing a pretty good Miscian State team.
DawgInaTruck
December 9th, 2011
4:53 pm
Talked to a BAMA buddy of mine today. Real concern is starting to brew over Saban’s future, especially if LSU wins the BCS game (which evidently many in Alabama seem resigned to, to my surprise). I asked about UT vs. Dallas Cowboys. Conventional wisdom says Saban will only move if it is a step up and UT is seen as a lateral move. I tend to agree with that assessment but confess to some surprise that this is even a minor issue in Alabama.
The other concern relative to Saban’s status is how this will affect the team’s mental preparation. When I suggested Saban would never allow something like that to happen my friend reminded me we were talking about 18-22 year old kids whose minds could be anywhere. In some corners, it looks like the Bama folks really are worried about what could be next on a few fronts. Wonders never cease I guess.
kb
December 9th, 2011
4:54 pm
Washon, You obviously don’t get out much.
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
4:55 pm
It doesn’t have anything to do with what happened to the vols.
It has even less to do with Ray Goff.
It is a simple matter that Mark Richt is my Coach.
I like the guy.
The kids LOVE the guy.
Now, give him what he needs to be successful, and let’s move on.
This is a non-issue.
Texas A and M. Please. Starting 1999, they have 86 wins. That is 6 wins a season.
Georgia has 122 wins, nearly 10 wins a season.
Georgia is # 9 in wins starting 1999 and Texas A and M is # 52.
Mark Richt and Bryan McClendon got a KEEPER 2 days ago. He will rush for 100 yards a game average over the next 3 years and go to the NFL where his dad played with the Denver Broncos after ALSO rushing for 4,000 yards, as his son will here for Mark Richt and for Bryan McClendon, whom Keith Marshall was MOSTLY in contact with.
Texas A & M can save some of their monies on their ads to my house about them being in The SEC.
They don’t have a prayer in The SEC anytime soon.
hawk
December 9th, 2011
4:55 pm
it is that time of the season to do good unto others…. so too all my Florida friends I am giving you Mike Bobo as your new OC.. it is the gift that keeps on giving.
Vampire Bill
December 9th, 2011
4:57 pm
I like CMR but I gotta ask.. When will the losing to ANY team 42-10 ever become un acceptable?
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
4:58 pm
@Jim “All the calls for Kirby Smart would only reinvent the wheel and it would take 10 more years to get back to where we are now. It will also be interesting as to who Muschamp will hire as an OC. Any thoughts on Bobo moving to Florida? For all calling for Bobo’s head who’s to say that without Richt he would be a total different OC. ”
———————
Some sources are saying Mike Shula is who Muschimp is after. But as far as Bobo being different (assuming you mean as in BETTER) without Richt, there were never complaints about offensive play calling when CMR was calling all the plays.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
5:00 pm
not an opinion on Bobo here, but HAWK, that was funny!
Joey
December 9th, 2011
5:03 pm
SSigator, if you would be less of a dick, and tone down the insults, you would probably get some good, lively, football debate from a lot of UGA fans on here.
I’ve made the point for a while that the season is not over, yet. McGarity said after week 2, “we won’t make decisions until the season is over.”
I’m just saying, heaven forbid, what if MSU kills us. 10-4 is justification for a raise? Not in my opinion. Winning the East, as poor as it was this season, IS justification for an extension, but until Richt can start beating some top-ten teams, he doesn’t deserve a raise. His salary is already firmly in the top ten of college coaches.
A coach, any coach, getting a raise a week or so after losing a game by 32 points to a 13 point favorite, is ludicrous.
AltamahaDawg
December 9th, 2011
5:06 pm
MarineDawg, you hit on something that has puzzled me lately. We have now, Dawg fans who have morphed thier arguments to settle on ” well, We won a lot of games against a weak schedule.” OK, but last year we lost to a weak schedule. So beating a weak schedule would be better right? In some universes that is considered improvement.
So when those of us who saw this potential for improvement over 2010, put it out there, we were called homers and kool-aid drinkers. All summer how terrible we would be again. Now that it has turned out to be exactly the case that we DID improve, we are STILL wrong because appearantly the retroactive argument going into the year was really about not being a national title contender this year. OH we all knew we would win a bunch of games. And lets just ignore the comments all summer that prove what BS that is.
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
5:08 pm
Michigan State is a lot better that pretty good.
My Uncle worked in Birmingham Michigan. I spent every Summer there with him at GM. I rode home with him in their concept vehicles. He is a Michigan State fan. Do you have any idea how long it has been Michigan State had a team this good as this year ?
Never.
I know that’s not saying much. But, trust me on this one. Michigan State is the Real Deal. If we are going to beat them, they are a COMPLETE TEAM. They have a top-notch QB; their Defense is 2nd to none, and their Special Teams are solid. This is a reflection of their coaching staff – they have it going on. In my 50 years following them, I can recall maybe 3 teams close to this good. This is better this year for them.
Mark Dantonio is a disciple of Nick Saban.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
5:11 pm
Mack Brown Texas Big 12 $5,192,500
Nick Saban Alabama SEC $4,683,333
Bob Stoops Oklahoma Big 12 $4,075,000
Kirk Ferentz Iowa Big Ten $3,785,000
Les Miles LSU SEC $3,751,000
Bobby Petrino Arkansas SEC $3,635,000
Gene Chizik Auburn SEC $3,500,000
Brady Hoke Michigan Big Ten $3,254,000
Will Muschamp Florida SEC $3,221,000
Mark Richt Georgia SEC $2,811,400
There’s your top 10. Richt looks like a bargain compared to some of the names on there. Like Hoke, Muschimp, Petrino and Ferentz. And before the Arky fans spout off, no guarantees Arky beats UGA this year. They had an offense, but no defense. And a worse UGA team hung with a better Arky team (remember Ryan Mallet) all the way to the end last year.
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
5:12 pm
That’s 1 not a bargain.
And, 2 he gets three million 500 thousand TOTAL COMPENSATION annually.
Jim
December 9th, 2011
5:13 pm
TampaDawg, Mike Shula should be a good hire and could cause us problems down the road. I guess my thoughts on Bobo is even though he’s calling the plays it’s not like CMR isn’t also involved. He is on headsets with The booth during the game so we really don’t know who really calls what plays.
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
5:13 pm
Give him the EXTENSION.
Give him my 2 bonuses.
Preston
December 9th, 2011
5:15 pm
It’s amazing how much self righteousness is being displayed by the “Richt or nothing” crowd. You guys stake your claim to being the only “true” Bulldog fans based solely on your loyalty to Richt. Screw you idiots. All of you. A “true” Bulldog fan wants what’s best for the program…… and what’s best for the program is for the coach to win championships with the plethora of tools that he’s been he’s provided to perform the job. Yes. Richt has done a “good” job. But in today’s game, it’s about national championships and Richt only SNIFFED ……ONE. The year that was so crazy that a 2 loss LSU got the luxury of beating THE always over ranked ohio state (under case intentional because they aren’t worth capitalization). The point is, we all love CMR as a man and as a good coach but he needs to get the ultimate goal accomplished during the first two years of his forthcoming contract or it’s time to give someone else the opportunity. I mean, what would you rather have, a coach that continues to produce the same ol’ same ol’, business as usual crap that we’ve been dealing with for the past few years (despite the excellent recruiting, facilities, tradition, etc.), or would you rather have someone come in and actually get the job done? So stop staking claim to being the only “true” fans because you thump your bible to the same church he goes to, or because he’s a good guy, or you like his tan. We all love the man. But we love THE UGA more! GO DAWGS!
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
5:15 pm
Altamaha, I liked Marine’s perspective on that also. I could give a crap what they tech trolls, the tech trolls pretending to be fans of other teams, the other team’s trolls and the fair weather UGA fans think. The team did what many of them thought they had no shot of doing. Went to Atlanta for the SEC championship games, won 10 games with a chance at 11 and will finish the season with a great quality bowl.
In other words, take a hike trolls. You’re on a UGA blog board, how sad is your life?
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
5:15 pm
I am not settling for 17 out of 44 games vs teams finishing in the top 25 which is all he has won in 11 years.
I am not settling for 3 out of 14 games vs teams finishing in the top 10 which is all he has won in 11 years.
I am not settling for 17 losses in 11 years to teams not a 1 of which ends up in the top 25 without beating him.
I am giving him an EXTENSION. I AM putting in bonus clauses. It’s his staff for him to hire and fire.
4.29 GPA
December 9th, 2011
5:17 pm
His record is exactly what I said it would be all Summer, 11-3. Precisely.
War Dang Dawg
December 9th, 2011
5:18 pm
“Mark ‘I can’t win any big games’ Richt is going to be rewarded for a smoke and mirrors season of winning ten games in a row?”
Good point, SSIgator. Georgia under Richt this season didn’t beat a single team that was worth a damn. Not a one. Look at the entire list – they all suck, especially the conference foes.
Of course, one thing to say in Richt’s defense: bad teams lose to other bad teams all the time. So if the Dawgs beat 10 losers in a row, they must at least be good or the luckiest team in the world. Since no one’s that lucky, I’ll give Richt credit for fielding at least a good team this year.
Maybe he should stick around for another year at least.
AltamahaDawg
December 9th, 2011
5:19 pm
Joey, its just a tad different that the normal employee getting a “raise”, isnt it? So if Georgia loses the Bowl game, they extend Richt but the money is somewhat less?
The money is really not the issue. There will be some added compensation components because you can’t have Richt looking bad in the deal, but it’s really about sending a signal about stability. Either Richt’s thier guy, or he is not. They aren’t looking at scores of particular games in that meeting.
The Ol' Ball Coach
December 9th, 2011
5:21 pm
Hope he stays. I’m beginning to redevelop my ownage of UGA at SC.
War Dang Dawg
December 9th, 2011
5:22 pm
Georgia Tech fans and Florida fans ragging Georgia for beating a bunch of stiffs this year. Including them, apparently. The irony.
TampaDawg
December 9th, 2011
5:22 pm
Preston, he also “sniffed” it in 2002 when they went 13-1 but those who vote and help the woeful BCS polls hadn’t figured out yet that the top tier SEC teams (And UGA was DEFINITELY THAT IN 2002) can beat any team in the country.
They have it all wrong
December 9th, 2011
5:23 pm
Coach Paul Johnson IS ON the ESPN COACHING HOT SEAT CAROUSEL and will remain there until he:
1.) wins a major bowl and
2.) can win vs any school that is not part of the sissy ACC
Problem is for CPJ is that NO OTHER School wants him, even though he is sending his resume faster than electricity can carry it. PJ wants OUT of GT. He desperately wants that Texas A & M job in the ALL POWERFUL SEC but they would NEVER contact him and they have a very, very deep school legacy with the triple option and are very comfortable with it but STILL NO CALL from them.
CPJ now knows that the GT job is a coach’s grave yard.
DawgInaTruck
December 9th, 2011
5:26 pm
Face it guys, if we were undefeated and every one of our opponents were top-ten quality teams some of these idiots would still be on here posting away. Its all they have.