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
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
3:53 pm
Get over the EXCUSES, and LIES that Mark Richt has been close, and try to figure out what it is Joey is sharing that Mark Richt LOSES these games every year.
16 times Mark Richt LOST to a team who did not even finish up in the AP Poll Top 25 without beating him in his 11 years to-date, with MORE of the SAME ahead.
10 of the 16 LOSSES over these 11 years are against teams who did not even finish up in The AP Poll Top 25 EVEN WITH THEIR WIN OVER MARK RICHT.
It’s sad.
It’s coaching.
Recruiting ?
Mark Richt is a world-class recruiter averaging # 8 all 12 years for his recruiting rankings.
And, he has LOST 30 games these current 8 years now of his career nowadays against teams with LESSER TALENT or EQUAL TALENT to his teams.
So, you run in here and announce he was close in 2002 and 2007.
Horseshoes, hand grenades and atomic weapons…
That’s what counts for being close…
In the meantime, what Mark Richt CONSISTENTLY has done all 11 years now, is to LOSE GAMES he has NO BUSINESS LOSING.
ARE YOU realizing that Mark Richt continues to LOSE the very games you want to bring up ?
ARE YOU WISHING AWAY THOSE LOSSES, Charlie?
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
3:53 pm
To those of you complaining:
1.) Did the hot seat talk have a negative impact on the most recent recruiting class?
2.) Did that upset you?
3.) You want another one like that?
4.) You don’t want Richt back? Who do you hire?
5.) You don’t want the extension? Are you willing to live with the results both in recruiting and on the field?
Just think a little bit about it, then answer.
If we don’t improve over 2011, Richt will be held accountable to McGarity, who wants to win badly.
Contracts and extensions are for recruiting purposes primarily. UGA could can Richt at the end of the season, buy him out, and go hire another coach and the money drawer will still be full.
6-18 Against Ranked Teams
February 23rd, 2012
3:54 pm
I can’t argue with you Chip regarding how official records are kept Chip….
but, what better way of measuring a teams overall worth other than the final record and final BCS rankings
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
3:56 pm
Richt would most likely recruit well at any school therefore would always have better players than Johnson
If Johnson and Richt switched places then who would have a better recruiting class, UGA or GT?
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
3:58 pm
Tech would because of richt.
Not what you want to hear I bet
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:01 pm
Tech would because of richt.
Not what you want to hear I bet
You are completely insane if you believe this.
Dawg48
February 23rd, 2012
4:02 pm
Dawginlex , are you a member of Dawgs247?
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:03 pm
The combination of Johnson taking the TO to UGA along with the recruiting skills of richt would get Tech a top 25 class and UGA would be lower than that.
Yes sir, it would happen
Gailey had a # 37 class and Richt is 10 times the recruiter.
Chris Snow
February 23rd, 2012
4:03 pm
Regardless of what the haters say or think, Richt IS our coach and will be for at least a few more years. If you’re a true UGA fan, then you will support him as well as the team.
I have a feeling we something special cooking for the 2012 season…
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:04 pm
not a paying member but I have posted over there. I don’t get the insider stuff
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:04 pm
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.
Chan Gailey started and finished 5 recruiting classes. Here are their rankings:
2003: 50th
2004: Unranked
2005: Unranked
2006: Unranked
2007: 18th
Congrats to him for having one decent class in his career. You talk about the down year for UGA like it mattered. UGA had the 9th best recruiting class that year. Chan was beyond awful at recruiting.
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:06 pm
Gailey had a # 37 class and Richt is 10 times the recruiter.
Just curiously, how do you know Richt is such a good recruiter and would be the first coach to ever recruit well at GT?
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:07 pm
18th? Even better than I thought
If you think Richt couldn’t do better at what he is best at-recruiting, you are insane.
Combine that with the shock of the TO being at UGA and all the QB’s leaving, UGA would take a major hit.
Richt would capitalize in-state
Bob
February 23rd, 2012
4:07 pm
GTBob, I think you are the one insane. Number one if you ask some of the players why they are at UGA, they would say because of Richt. Please go and google it, because the guys they signed from Harris County said he wanted to make sure Richt was still going to be coach before he signed. Go look it up bubba. I am sorry that GT stinks and you have to blast UGA, but truth is the truth.
7576DAWG
February 23rd, 2012
4:08 pm
Most of the Georgia fan’s that are still upset that Richt is getting an extension are young and haven’t learned patience yet. I am not taking up for CMR but he did go 10-4 last year and if Walsh has an average year last year Georgia win’s at least 2 more and if Murray doesn’t panic and turn the ball over 3 time’s a game in the one’s we lost we may have won one more.
Since McGarity and Grantham has joined our team we have made huge progress. McGarity and Grantham has only had one year each to turn the program around. Some will say Grantham has had two year’s but he was hired in January of 2010 and the recruit’s that were signed were recruited for the 4-3 not the 3-4. So Grantham had to bring his own recruit’s in ,2011 was his first year and retrain the rest of the defense. McGarity has redone the entire Strength and Conditioning department because the old coaches and old way were a complete embarrassment. When you make head coaching changes is can cause a disruption for your team that can last for many year’s and CMR does recruit well. His only problem is accepting very sub par work from some of the coaches and two of the coordinator’s, Garner and Bobo.
Georgia has a very experienced defense and Quarterback this year along with the easiest schedule in Georgia history because a lot of the East team’s are having those huge problem , that I was talking about, after head coaching changes and with Grantham second full year and another year with Coach T Georgia has no excuse in not winning 11 to 14 games.
I have to give McGarity at least one more year to get this program right and I don’t think he will settle for not winning championship’s. I would not give Richt a monetary raise but I would give him huge bonuses for winning championship’s. 10- 4 on paper look’s good but when you factor in the way we won 10 game’s it’s not very impressive. The reason you have to give Richt a little more time is because he was willing to make a lot of changes now the question is will that be enough.
Dawg48
February 23rd, 2012
4:09 pm
Dawginlex, they have a 30 day free trial going on. I see you are reasonable thinking Georgia fan I really do think you would enjoy it.
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:09 pm
Because recruiting is about relationships which Mark Richt excels at whether he is at UGA or GT or anywhere else.
HammerDawg
February 23rd, 2012
4:10 pm
Get rid of the weak link in the coaching staff, OC Bobo and UGA will take the needed step to go to the next level. If not, in 2016 when HC Richt is up for another extension we will still be where we are today!!!!!
Krystal Burger Association
February 23rd, 2012
4:10 pm
G-Dawg,
Please note that you misspelled crystal. It’s “Krystal” and that award is handed out to the fan or alumni who excels in support of their team. The past two winners have been easy.
The Krystal Balls winner in 2011 was obviously the Alabama fan and alumni who sat on a passed out LSU’s fans head a few months ago. That story is classic.
The 2010 winner was none other than Alabama fan and State Patrolman Harvey Updyke. That story is truly disturbing.
The list goes on and on of past winner’s of this astinguished award and there is no need to go further.
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:10 pm
thanks 48
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:11 pm
I have no problem supporting Mark Richt but I will be bloodydarned if you are going to come on here and say how great he has been.
He has been anything but great.
He has been, in fact, mediocre.
Great recruiting.
Poor coaching staff decisions and their coaching of these recruits, poor to prepare his recruits for games, poor to beat top-ranked teams, poor at losing to too many teams with way inferior talent, poor at offense, poor at special teams, poor at motivation, poor at discipline, and poor at keeping UGA out of bad press for these recruits he gets so much credit for bringing here – when everyone knows the kids want to play at Georgia.
The facts are we are being eaten alive in-state now.
77 scholarships.
8 under the limit.
26 players transferred out or were kicked off and transferred whom Mark Richt gave scholarships to to play this up-coming 2012 season.
7 losses in row vs teams finishing top 10
9 losses in row vs teams finishing top 25
Support him ? Does that mean I have to MAKE UP EXCUSES for all this?
Does it ?
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:12 pm
Nope
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:13 pm
If you think Richt couldn’t do better at what he is best at-recruiting, you are insane.
He might have good years here and there but he would average in the mid to high 30’s at best. Richt has never had to recruit at a school that didn’t recruit itself. The talent at UGA was fine before Richt got there.
BamaGuy
February 23rd, 2012
4:15 pm
7 losses in row vs teams finishing top 10
9 losses in row vs teams finishing top 25
Damn…….
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:15 pm
Go look it up bubba. I am sorry that GT stinks and you have to blast UGA, but truth is the truth.
So UGA always has talent because they consistently hire great recruiters and GT always has poor talent because they always hire bad recruiters? Is that your theory?
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:17 pm
You don’t know how he would do. Mid to high 30’s is your guess from a hate filled UGA basher who wishes he had a coach at his school like Richt.
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:18 pm
My theory is that Georgia tek fans (both of them) spend all day typing on UGA Blog trying to get us to talk to Georgia tek fans (both of them.)
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:21 pm
You don’t know how he would do. Mid to high 30’s is your guess from a hate filled UGA basher who wishes he had a coach at his school like Richt.
I wouldn’t let Richt coach here for free, but that’s just me. You seem to lack the common sense to know that recruiting is more about the school then about the person recruiting.
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:22 pm
The current 4-year period :
# 32 tied Georgia tek 0.64151 34 – 19
# 32 tied Mark Richt 0.64151 34 – 19
________________________________
What is the difference ?
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:24 pm
Recruiting is about the school?
LOL
Yeah, THAT explains why the hot seat talk took our class down the toilet this past year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE COACH!
Why is Bama doing great? It is not Tuscaloosa. It is Saban!!
good lord. Go read a book and study more. you are wasting my time
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:28 pm
DawingLex is an absolute candy a*% fool and if he went to UGAG HE probably can’t spell his own name much less read a book
DawginLex
February 23rd, 2012
4:30 pm
Thomas Brown(the real one)
you have reached rock star status. The TROLL stole your blog handle.
I’m out of here.
Dawg48
February 23rd, 2012
4:31 pm
Personaly I don’t care. But Dawginlex is making the most sence out of you all.
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:32 pm
Current 8-Year Period :
___________________
SEC # 1—84-21 LSU
SEC # 2—79-26 Florida
SEC # 3—77-26 Auburn
SEC # 4—77-27 Alabama on the field
SEC # 5—74-30 Mark Richt at UGA
_____________________________
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:34 pm
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE COACH!
Then why has Florida’s recruiting been so high for three different coaches? Were they all great recruiters?
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:36 pm
One more question, since it’s all about the coach do you think that if Joker Philips took over at UGA today that UGA would have an unranked recruiting class next year?
kb
February 23rd, 2012
4:37 pm
yes bama guy 3 national championships since 1990 3 years bowl ban s 21 vacated wins not counting the years on probation, You’ve been on probation while winning in 2009 and 11. that avererag1 year bowl ban , 7 vacated wins + the years on probation.
Chris Snow
February 23rd, 2012
4:38 pm
You guys are going in circles, fun to watch. lol
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:38 pm
Current 9-Year Period :
___________________
SEC # 1—97-22 LSU – two (2) NC
SEC # 2—87-31 Florida – two (2) NC
SEC # 3—85-31 Auburn- one (1) NC & 1 vacated when # 2
SEC # 4—88-30 Alabama on the field – two (2) NC
SEC # 5—85-33 Mark Richt at UGA – has not beat great team any bowl game
_____________________________
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:41 pm
That your idea of funny to steal my handle and post profanity ?
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:43 pm
You cannot even spell DawginLex, when not once have I ever typed his handle wrongly as you do acting like me.
What’s the matter, can’t you handle responding to DawginLex as your own handle, son ?
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
4:45 pm
@GTBob, Richt was a great recruiter at Fl. State, the position coach for 2 heisman winners and has recruited countless nfl players, players want to play for coaches like him.They apparently don’t want to play for coaches like PJ. That 2007 Gailey recruitng class made PJs career.
GTBob
February 23rd, 2012
4:49 pm
@GTBob, Richt was a great recruiter at Fl. State
How has Florida State’s recruiting been since Richt left? How about after Bobby Bowden left? Number 6 class this year, number 2 last year. Florida State must be another one of those lucky schools who always hire great recruiters.
kingdaddy
February 23rd, 2012
4:49 pm
Had to leave M.C.s recruiting blog. Listening to Bammers thump their chest gave me a headache. Congratulations Coach Richt, hope you make the most of this opportunity. I am a Bulldog for life. That’s the Good, the Bad and the Bobo. If you don’t use the talent on your team better this year, we will again lose to S.C., maybe Missouri, and LSU or Alabama in the championship game. It’s not enough to get there and then get blown out. I saw very little adjustments at halftime last year when we were having problems moving ball on good defenses. No imagination from Bobo this year equals failure in 2012. Defense is in good hands. To take the next step may take you lighting a fire under your friend Bobo. We can’t get into the top tier, until we beat Alabama, LSU,S.C. Am I wrong about this, or is it OK for UGA to be a mid-level SEC team? We can win with the talent we have. Its not a lack of.talent, it’s flawed offensive philosophy. You are the HC, fire-up your O.C. or take over playcalling.
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
4:49 pm
No Thomas UGA doesn’t need anything you bring to the table, including your donation if you’ve ever made one. Plenty of programs to cheer for go find one you like.
Ghost
February 23rd, 2012
4:51 pm
Bob, last time I looked Fl .State had not finished in top 10 since Richt left as coordinator.
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:53 pm
Ghost,
You’ve never posted one post to this blog, ever.
NEVER.
And, this is your post ?
Wow. Your contribution to this discussion is…
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:55 pm
Ghost February 23rd, 2012 4:51 pm
“Bob, last time I looked Fl .State had not finished in top 10 since Richt left as coordinator.”
_________________________________________________________
Try this URL Link brains, Florida State # 1 Recruiting Class in the nation last year, as you were told.
Ghost
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2011
Thomas Brown
February 23rd, 2012
4:57 pm
That makes you 0-2 on posts Ghost.
Albert
February 23rd, 2012
5:04 pm
Will someone please talk to GT Bob? You can tell by the number of posts that he is desperate to talk to someone.