New contract for Mark Richt expected within 2 weeks (UPDATED)
UPDATED WITH COMMENTS FROM COACH MARK RICHT . . .
ATHENS — I’ve been fielding a lot of questions lately about Georgia coach Mark Richt and his contract extension. Or, more specifically, why isn’t it done yet?
There are a lot of conspiracy theorists out there who are convinced the negotiations have become contentious and/or there might be some sort of hangup. I talked to Athletic Director Greg McGarity Thursday morning and he assures me there’s nothing amiss.
“No,” he said emphatically. “I was gone for 10 days. I was out of the country. So it’s just been a timing thing. Mark was gone for a while, too. He’s had some stuff going on. It’s just been a matter of us not being here. It’ll speed up here over the next 10 or 14 days. But there’s nothing to be concerned about.”
Richt reiterated that sentiment during a conference call with reporters Thursday afternoon.
“It’s going to happen in due time,” Richt said. “I don’t have any anxiety about it at all. There’s some different language in there. When you re-write a contract there’s just things in there that everybody’s got to feel comfortable with. So we’re just ironing out all those things. It’s more just crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s type of stuff. Greg and I are together on our discussions and everything’s going extremely well.”
McGarity confirmed that he and Richt have already agreed in principle on a new deal, which is expected to add at least three years on his current contract. That would extend his agreement with the Bulldogs through the 2016 season.
“I’ve always said that he’d be able to tell this freshman class that he’d be here for their time in the program,” McGarity hinted.
McGarity said he and UGA President Michael Adams briefed the athletic board on the negotiations during executive session of the last meeting on Feb. 5.
“There’s nothing new since then,” he said. “We just haven’t had the time to sit down and go over everything point by point. We’ll do that the next seven to 10 days.”
McGarity would not say if the new contract would include a raise. Including longevity bonuses, Richt earns about $3 million annually from Georgia.
“We’re going to be fair to everybody, but I’m not ready to talk about that,” McGarity said.
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING UPDATE
It has been widely reported on fan websites that Georgia has settled on Sherman Armstrong as one of its strength and conditioning hires. While those reports are premature, McGarity confirmed that the speed specialist from Tampa is a strong candidate.
“Sherman is a candidate; we’ve got a lot of people who are candidates for it,” McGarity said of Armstrong, who currently runs V.A.S.T. Training in Tampa. “I can confirm that he was here last week interviewing. He had a great, great visit here. Everybody was very impressed. So, absolutely, he’s in the hunt. But we have not formally offered a job to anybody right now.”
Georgia has lost three members of its strength and conditioning staff since the end of last season. John Kasay retired, Keith Gray took a job with the Philadelphia Eagles and Thomas Brown accepted a job as a running backs coach at UT-Chattanooga. That leaves the Bulldogs with three full-time staffers — director Joe Tereshiniski and assistants Rex Bradberry and Tony Gilbert.
NCAA rules that go into effect this fall have capped the limit at five for strength and conditioning staffs. So Georgia’s in the market for two full-time hires. It appears now that one of those will used on a speed specialist.
“The bottom line is we brought Sherman in for that purpose, for us to go into that direction,” McGarity said.
Asked what the timeline is on completing the strength and conditioning staff, McGarity said, “A-S-A-P.”
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264 comments Add your comment
tardawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:03 pm
I wouldn’t let y dog use the bathroom on Saban’s yard no integrity or character, I know these things thanks to my career in the service, as for Kirby Smart he can’t flatulence with out Saban’s permission.
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:03 pm
so your still recruiting 20 2 stars today with no chance of ever getting a 5 star? Great progress Bob.
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
3:04 pm
Im not a tech fan but so what 3-12 is pretty much saying is tech did not beat number 5 Clemson last year
Nope we didn’t. Clemson should have never gotten that high and was corrected by the end. Mid season rankings are meaningless.
6-18 Against Ranked Teams
February 23rd, 2012
3:05 pm
….Chip????
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:06 pm
Why would Chip waste his time with a moron like you? He already corrected you. What?!?
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
3:06 pm
so your still recruiting 20 2 stars today with no chance of ever getting a 5 star? Great progress Bob.
In his 4 full recruiting years CPJ has only signed 11 two stars total. Either way we will never get great talent, that is why CPJ is here.
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
3:09 pm
Bob, I believe he has the pieces in place, (44-9)we’ll see if it happens or not.
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:11 pm
my bad you average 3 stars not 2? My bad!
Newnan Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:12 pm
If you think Florida and Tennessee are gonna continue to be sub-500 teams like they were in 2011…forget it. UGA won the East because we didn’t suck as bad as the other teams in the East.
As a reward, we get crushed by LSU, then lose to a big Ten Team in a bowl game. Nice work, give that man another $10 million.
This isn’t Ole Miss, UGA IS THE RICHEST FOOTBALL PROGRAM IN THE SEC, in the richest recruiting ground in the SEC.
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:12 pm
Miami and Auburn thanks you too this year
G-Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:14 pm
Never seen so many Bama fans following our program!! AWESOME!!! thanks for your support!!!
nolabigdawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:14 pm
6-18, You seem passionate about what you say. But why did you only select the last 5 years? And why the final BCS standings? To be fair to Richt and accurate as well, why not include the man’s entire record? Further what is his record against those teams, using their ranking at the time the game was played? You can use selective statistics to justify any position that you want. But that doesn’t make them necessarily accurate or representative of their true value.
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:15 pm
G-Dawg we got equal love from tech today too
TECHnically Inclined
February 23rd, 2012
3:15 pm
Tech received a 2 cool squirts of mediocrity ranking for recruiting this year by Massengill.com
Chip Towers
February 23rd, 2012
3:17 pm
3-12, 6-18: You’re problem is you’re going by end-of-year BCS rankings. I’m not disputing the results, that’s just not how the official records are kept. Records against ranked opponents are compiled via what the ranking was at the time the teams played and not the BCS rankings because they are a compilation and don’t come out until October. That’s just a fact.
Like any other thing regarding statistics, you can skew them to support whatever premise you want to make. Clearly you don’t think Richt’s a good coach and you’re using that statistic to support your case. Fine. I’m just pointing out from an objective standpoint exactly what the historical record indicates.
G-Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:17 pm
Sweet…seems Georgia is on everyone’s mind today!! LOL
schmeckdawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:18 pm
Dr Don
February 23rd, 2012
1:08 pm
I like the hire. This is clearly a guy on the cutting edge of S/C – meaning functional strength – strength that it useful and is connected to power/speed. I don’t know Joe T’s program/approach but I was concerned when he was hiredthat by being “old school” it wouldn’t take advantage of the many new approaches to conditioning. I like “old school” as far as attitude goes but not necessarily as far as the actual training. This is a definite upgrade and can only make the Dawgs better. A nice complement to the “old school” part of the program.
***************************************************************************************************
AMEN!!!!!!!! We need a young guys who are up to date on every new technique in both strength and speed. Joe T’s style might have worked in the 70’s-80’s, but, we someone fresh like the guys at Bama and Florida.
G-Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:23 pm
GT Bob…so come on over…why dontcha just become a Dawg fan since you enjoy majority of your time socializing with us, and visiting our websites? haha
1eyedJack
February 23rd, 2012
3:23 pm
You’re arguing with idiots Chip. You know what that gets you, right?
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
3:25 pm
Further what is his record against those teams, using their ranking at the time the game was played?
Why would the ranking when they played be more important then the final ranking? Texas and Florida were top 5 teams to start the 2010 season. Should the teams that beat them really get credit for beating top 5 teams? Should Kansas have gotten credit for beating a top 15 team when they beat GT in 2010?
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:25 pm
1eyedJack quit trying to flirt with the sports dude. Thats the second time
ugalee
February 23rd, 2012
3:26 pm
I was just checking the top 20 all time cfb programs in wins. Does anyone realize that the only teams on the list that havent won a nc since 1980 (ugas last win) are tx am, wvu and syracuse? Heck, even tech colorado and washington have won since uga not to mention non traditional powers such as miami fsu. As the # 11 school all time and # 3 in sec wins, makes u wonder why we settle for so little.
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
3:26 pm
Ghost…Nope I stand corrected 3 years post season bans , 1995 , 2002, 2003
Problem is, We won NC in 1992…We didn’t win one in 1994, or 2001 or 2002 and yet You said We were banned from bowl games after every MNC….Just another eample of talking out ur A$$
SEC Fans for Richt
February 23rd, 2012
3:27 pm
Woo hoo!!! We’ve got the champagne on ice and ready to pop the corks. Please let us know when the ink is dry and the rest of us can celebrate.
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
Why would you argue with someone that obviously has a degree in what he is talking about? I think Chip knows how stats are kept.
nolabigdawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
I know I will probably get killed for this, but I don’t judge the success of a college football program by whether or not they won the MNC. I look at the competitiveness(hope that’s a word) from the start of the season to the end of the season. Did they improve from game to game. Did they (coaches and administrators) do things the right way. We are after all talking about young peoples’ lives. I believe that Richt and co do things the right way and affect the student/athletes in a positive way. There are too many variables that affect who will play for a championship, fair or unfair that is the reality. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice every thing that is good about college football in order to win the MNC.
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:30 pm
im sorry nolabigdawg but you lost me at (hope that’s a word?
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:31 pm
)
G-Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:31 pm
Its great to see Bama fans track the history of our football team, so cool they provide all this unbiased information…thanks for reminding all us Dawg fans why to be proud of our beloved Dawgs.
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
Why would you argue with someone that obviously has a degree in what he is talking about? I think Chip knows how stats are kept.
Sounds like Brian wants someone’s sac on his face….Stop all the love
schmeckdawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
2:23 pm
and special teams killed us all year along with the 2 dropped passes in the SEC title game
******************************************************************************************************
2 dropped TOUCHDOWN passes. To go along with Murray’s pick sixes and fumbles all year AND at the worst times!
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
3:32 pm
G-String.ts great to see Bama fans track the history of our football team, so cool they provide all this unbiased information…thanks for reminding all us Dawg fans why to be proud of our beloved Dawgs.
What History?
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
Bamaguy said he would have fired Richt after his first years lol your credible
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
No bama guy you misunderstand I didn’t say any such thing It was an average of what each championship costs Bama. 21 vacated wins, 3 post season bowl ban 3 championships 7 vacated wins 1 bowl ban per trophy earned over the period and however many number of years spent on probation.
Brian
February 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
*first 5 years
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
Why would you argue with someone that obviously has a degree in what he is talking about? I think Chip knows how stats are kept.
Chip has a degree in college football stats?
G-Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
And Bama is one big contract away from being Sanduskied by Saban!!! Gonna be another Kiffin moment for their program. We already familiar what their fanbase is capable of….Saban will have to enroll in the witness protection program!!!
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
nolabigdawg….I know I will probably get killed for this, but I don’t judge the success of a college football program by whether or not they won the MNC. I look at the competitiveness(hope that’s a word) from the start of the season to the end of the season. Did they improve from game to game. Did they (coaches and administrators) do things the right way. We are after all talking about young peoples’ lives. I believe that Richt and co do things the right way and affect the student/athletes in a positive way. There are too many variables that affect who will play for a championship, fair or unfair that is the reality. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice every thing that is good about college football in order to win the MNC.
Yeah and you don’t think they should keep score because no one should lose…I guess everyone deseves a trophy too…Man, this is Georgia Football to a tee
nolabigdawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:35 pm
Brian, what words are you having trouble with?
mcdaviddawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:36 pm
This will cost the program a lot of money when he’s fired. And by then the program will be taking ina lot less money. This will be a bad day in Georgia football history. We’ve dropped to a second tieir team and we’re headed to the botton level.
JB
February 23rd, 2012
3:38 pm
Oh Boy, 5 more Outback Bowls…………………………..We ain’t beat a good team in 3 years. Name one.
G-Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:38 pm
Yeah…I keep forgetting this guy has a hard time staying on topic. And conveniently forgetting items.
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
3:38 pm
Ghost…Here is what you said “and a bowl ban for every MNC”
We have 14 MNC’s and we have only been banned from a bowl three times…That must be Georgia math your using…You said it..I just copied and pasted it…
nolabigdawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:42 pm
Yeah Bama Guy that is what I said!! It is just about impossible to have an adult conversation on this blog. So I guess I won’t try. You guys believe what you want to believe.
Lastly, Dowling and Updyke, man that is Alabama football to a tee.
G-Dawg
February 23rd, 2012
3:44 pm
BamaBoy…congratulations…after further review…the crystal ball of douchbaggery goes to you!!! Officially the biggest tool on these boards. Congratulations for achieving your life long dream!!
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
3:47 pm
G-String…You are just mad because I destroy you and all your minions (look it up) with facts and call you out when you talk out your A$$…which is becoming every time you post…Richt for 10 more years….
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
3:48 pm
GtBob, you might want to take a look at some of those 2 and 3 star players chan recruited, that went on to NFL careers.Chan recruited while on probation with scholarship and roster limitations. After appearing in the ACC title game in 2006 and UGA having a down year (9-4) Gailey recruited kept momentum going by landing one the most highly regarded Recruiting classes tech had. what did Johnson do to keep momentum going #40 whatever classes?Would Johnson still be coaching at tech if gailey wouldn’t have had that recruiting class? Richt would most likely recruit well at any school therefore would always have better players than Johnson, Johnson probably one of the worst recruiters around. Does he ever hit on his top targets?
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
3:51 pm
“I just want to remind everyone that there are three (3) games that UGA barely lost between 2002 and 2007 that would have sent us to the BCS Championship Game. Take any of those games and turn them into a win and UGA is playing for the National Championship Title!”
_________________________________________________________
That is the whole entire point, Charlie, as Joey has been pointing out. In 2002, there was only 1 other SEC team who ended up in the Coaches’ Poll Top 25, a 4-loss Auburn, Charlie. Florida did not. Florida was a horrible team in 2002, yet Mark Richt’s offense managed a grand total of ZERO -0- Nada 1st Downs on 3rd Down Conversions at 0-11 on 3rd Down Conversions the ENTIRE GAME. How in the heck did Ron Zook end up with a winning record vs Mark Richt with the whole entire team all going to the NFL ? No excuse for that loss, none.
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
3:51 pm
G-String…crystal?
The only Crystals on this board are the ones owned by Bama and their fans…Georgia did get the SEC Least Rings…Which apparently, is all you have to do every 8 or 9 years to get a 7 year extention
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
3:52 pm
Or, again, are you just WISHING SUCH LOSSES AWAY ?
The point that Joey makes is crystal clear.
WE LOSE SUCH GAMES ON A CONTINUING BASIS.
We have LOST such games from 2001 to today.
2001 we beat the # 4 team in the nation the vols; and we LOST four (4) games 2001. How does a team who can beat # 4 vols, lose with again that whole team on the NFL too, to 4 teams in 2001 ? We lost game after game against team we had no business losing to, as Joey has tried to tell you Charlie, to have you run in here and say you are reminding us that Mark Richt has been ever so close to having a truly great season.
NO HE HAS NOT.
He has LOST to teams with less talent than we had or equal talent to us, a grand total of 30 times in the last 8 years.
IF there is ANYTHING to take from that, is that we C
CONTINUE to do so with Mark Richt.