Raises coming for UGA football coaches Mark Richt, Todd Grantham
Georgia is expected to step up with more years and more money to keep Mark Richt and Todd Grantham together to lead the Bulldogs' football program.
ATHENS – The Georgia Athletic Association end-of-the-year board meeting is scheduled to get started tomorrow morning at the Ritz Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee. Actually, current and emeritus members will gather there to socialize tonight, then commence with business first thing in the morning.
And I’m expecting a lot of business to be conducted. UGA so far has offered only a very vague agenda for the meeting, which lists things like “AD’s Report,” “New Projects” and “Financial Update” and the like. But the most important item of business isn’t spelled out there and we all know that it’s going to take place (likely during AD’s report).
Georgia is expected to finally reveal the details of football coach Mark Richt’s new five-year contract. Legal representatives for both Richt and the university have been dickering over the final form of the new deal for months, going back to the end of the regular season last December. We know from Georgia’s announcement back in January that Richt’s new deal takes him through the 2016 season, but little beyond that.
What we don’t know are the particulars such as how much of a raise, if any, Richt is to receive, and what the terms and conditions of any buy-out clauses might entail. Those are the truly important details. Georgia hasn’t shared any of that so far, despite numerous freedom of information requests for copies of any drafts or memos of understanding, which are subject to state open-records laws. AD Greg McGarity says all documents remain in the hands of the respective lawyers, and therefore remain protected, and that he’ll first share the details therein with the members of the board on Thursday.
My guess is that Richt will receive a modest pay increase to at least keep his place among SEC coaches. That is behind national championship holders such as Nick Saban ($5.32 million), Les Miles ($3.6), Gene Chizik ($3.5) and Steve Spurrier ($3.3), but get ahead of less experienced and less successful coaches such as Florida’s Will Muschamp ($3.2). Bobby Petrino was making $3.6 million at Arkansas but that little market adjustment he took care of himself.
Not including outside sources, Richt currently earns about $2.9 million annually in UGA-arranged income. Look for that to go up over $3 million. Longevity and performance bonuses allow Richt to earn much more than that. . . .
* * *
It’s unclear whether or not Todd Grantham’s new deal will be included in this week’s proceedings. The third-year defensive coordinator’s contract has also been agreed to in principle for quite some time. We know he’ll have a new three-year deal that will expire after the 2014 season. But he, too, is probably looking at a substantial pay increase.
This time last year, Grantham was the second-highest paid defensive coordinator in America at $752,000 a year. At the moment, he’s not even the second-highest paid DC in the SEC.
Alabama’s Kirby Smart got a raise to $950,000 a year, Brian VanGorder left the Atlanta Falcons and joined Auburn for $850,000 per year and Sal Sunseri got $800,000 to leave Alabama and become Tennessee’s defensive chief. Meanwhile, LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is awaiting approval from that school’s trustees that will pay him $900,000 this year and $1.1 and $1.3 million in the subsequent two years, an average of $1.1 million.
Based on that hierarchy, look for Grantham to fall in somewhere between $800,000 and $850,000 per year. Under his leadership this past season, the Bulldogs finished fifth in the nation in total defense (277.21 ypg). That was impressive, but Alabama, LSU and South Carolina were one, two and three in that category. Georgia was 23rd in points allowed, well behind those other teams.
More important for Georgia — or Georgia fans, as the case may be — is what Grantham’s buyout clause will look like. If it stays pretty much the same as his previous contract, which is UGA’s only multiyear deal for an assistant, Grantham would incur no penalty for leaving for a head coaching job or one as an NFL defensive coordinator. But he’ll likely have to pay Georgia for any remaining years to leave for what could be perceived as a lateral move.
* * *
The identity of Georgia’s new gymnastics coach is expected to be revealed, if not at the board meeting then sometime before the end of this week. It has been widely speculated that McGarity and senior associate Carla Williams have settled on Danna Durante, pending background checks. Durante is the current head coach at Cal and a reknowned balance beam expert. Durante, 39, has been head coach at Cal only one year. She was a longtime assistant at Nebraska and Washington before that and was a gymnast at Arizona State, earning a bunch of 10s on the balance beam.
Durante, if that’s indeed who it is, will have the unenviable task of following Jay Clark, who unceremoniously resigned a couple of weeks ago after three mostly disappointing years as head coach.
* * *
Other business expected to be conducted at the board meeting will be a vote to make substantial improvements at Foley Field, the Bulldogs’ baseball stadium. First and foremost, that facility needs an elevator up to the press box and other handicap-access accommodations. Georgia does, after all, have two former players who are in wheelchairs. And the stadium has been far surpassed in recent years by others in the SEC.
* * *
I’ve fielded a lot of questions lately about Georgia baseball coach David Perno and whether his future is in question. The Bulldogs are stumbling here at the end of the season. They face elimination against Auburn tonight in the SEC tournament, which would likely end any thought of an NCAA tournament bid. But Perno has led the Bulldogs to three of the school’s six College World Series appearances, got hit with some unfortunate injuries this season and his mother is not well.
All of which is to say I just don’t think UGA will take any action. But it’s doubtful Perno’s contract, currently set to expire after the 2014 season, will be extended. More than likely the Bulldogs will stand pat and look for improvement next season.
* * *
I expect there will be a good bid of bragging on UGA’s part about the athletic department’s accomplishments in 2011-12. The Bulldogs, as we learned Wednesday, finished second in the SEC’s all-sports competition, sponsored by Halifax Media Group. Florida, as one might suspect, finished first.
Highlighting the year for Georgia was an Eastern Division championship in football, an SEC title in women’s swimming and diving, an SEC tournament title by men’s tennis and several top fives across the board. Also, the 533 UGA student-athletes earned a cumulative GPA of 3.05 for the spring semester of 2012, including 17 with 4.0s and 133 with 3.50 or better. Women’s gymnastics led all sports with an overall GPA of 3.52.
* * *
At least that’s what I think. Tim Tucker, the AJC’s astute sports business reporter and part-time UGA beat guy, will cover the actual meetings while I report on the NCAA tennis tournament. But check back right here for updates all day Thursday. I’m sure even more news than I’ve mentioned here will come out.
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310 comments Add your comment
Sally in the alley
May 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
UGA should transfer to the ACC. That way they could be conference champs every year.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Did Meyers have any business losing to Ole miss in 2008. That “should” have kept him out. Did Miles have any business losing to ARk, Ky, in 2007?
A slight difference in those 2 example is that those team were supposed to be good that year. in 2002, and 2007, Uga over acheived expectation to even BE a team that disapointed you.
Did Nick Saban have any business not winning a NC in 2010? Healthy team, Spent almost the entire year with the voter practically handing it to him. 5 first round NFL dsraft picks. Won 10 games.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
And how was 2002 a great year by anyones’s standards? By a LOT of people’s standards, nothing matters but the NC.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
“then there are a lot of failed coaches out there every year.”
************************************
Yep. they just don’t get to coach the talent UGA has year in and year out.
The problem with Richt Fan Boys is they keep lowering the bar. Facts are hard to stomach, after all.
The truth is, since ‘07:
1) We haven’t beat but one favored team (Tech 09 – and that ranking was a joke).
2) We have gotten blown out in every big game.
3) We have gotten beat by Vandy, Miss State, and UK.
4) We have lost to UCF and Mich St in bowls.
5) We lost to a Colorado team so pathetic, they fired their coach before the season was over.
6) Had a losing season.
All of that, and the Fan Boys are satisfied. Me? I’d like to reach the pinnacle just once before I get satisfied with the down times.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
2:23 pm
Good try. Ole Miss in ‘08 also beat Ark, Auburn, LSU, Miss St, and #8 Texas Tech.
dawginduluth
May 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
Fire Perno for recent mediocrity but give Richt a raise for recent mediocrity? Pathetic state of affairs.
DawginLex
May 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
My point is we won the SEC in 2002 with 1 loss. Just like those other coaches did their 2nd year
He did what he was supposed to do.
that free pass was spent in 2010
Now is the time to win or move on
Joey
May 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
“By a LOT of people’s standards, nothing matters but the NC.”
*********************************************
You mean like Saban’s and Myer’s standards?
Yeah, that’s probably true.
Of course, by a LOT of other peoples standards, nothing matters but that glorious 10 wins.
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 24th, 2012
8:51 am
And BTW, we’ll be throwing a party in Tuscaloosa to celebrate these two clowns being around longer. You guys can come if you want to. We’re paying for it with Kirby’s raise that he got as a result of turning UGA down
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
Nobody that I know, or ever read.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
So do you think that Ole’Miss was a better team than UF in 2008, or not?
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 24th, 2012
2:47 pm
Tide rising,
You can’t argue with these people. Of course Richt oversigns. It’s just flat out jealously. UGA fans are alot like the occupy movement. They want what Alabama has and make up excuses to justify it. Please remember that you are dealing with a fan base that thinks…
They are a top tier program
Next year (every year) is the year
Grantham is a good coordinator (4th choice, 39 pts to ranked teams)
You have the win your division to play in the title game
Mike Bobo is the reason their defense gives up points.
Just save your typing my friend and just go for the random insults. They embarass theirselfs arguing back.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
2:47 pm
UF 2002 was preseason #6, beat #4 Tennesse (at neyland) , and #5 Georgia. Auburn, SC. How bad could they have been?
Joey
May 24th, 2012
2:52 pm
8-5. That’s how bad they were.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
2:53 pm
UF was #22 beating #5 UGA in Jacksonville, In Richt 2nd year as a HC anywhere.
Are you telling me that was a bigger upset than unranked Ole’Miss beating #4 UF, AT benHill, with Tim Tebow?
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
2:56 pm
8-4 as opposed to that powerhouse Ole’miss team at 9-4. Who lost to Vandy at home.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
“Nobody that I know, or ever read.”
******************************
Go back and read Columbus, Gary, Kerryb, TrueDawgFan, et al. Unlike Thomas Brown, I ain’t gonna do the work to get you a list. But they’re there, and just like you, love the man, no matter his statistics, no matter the losses, blowouts, unpreparedness. They all think Richt is the greatest thing since the Bear. They had to change their “10 win average, blah, blah” now that that’s out the window.
Did you ever doubt Richt? Even after the Colorado loss? UCF? Boise? Have you ever thought to yourself, “how the hell did we lose to ______?”
When was the last time you thought after a game, “dang, that Richt out coached _______?
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
No tide, you CANNOT argue with people who have an at least 2nd grade reading level, IF your point is to convince them that the word “over” somehow means under or within.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
3:08 pm
I’m saying ‘08 Ole Miss was head and shoulders better than ‘02 UF, who lost a bowl game vs mediocre Michigan. Ole Miss beat the best of the SEC and the tied-for-the-best of the Big 12.
You really should leave that alone . . .
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
LSU was hardly the best of the SEC that year. And appearantly Vandy was not the worse.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
3:31 pm
Um, Ole Miss did beat the best of the SEC that year.
Right?
UF?
SEC Champ?
DawginLex
May 24th, 2012
3:52 pm
Joey
The point remains the same
richt won the SEC in his 2nd year just like all the other national title coaches did
If 2002 was 2011, UGA would have played for the BCS title
Since there is no playoff, we will never know who the best team was
But of the top 3, UGA remains the only team that did not cheat to win in 2002
DawginLex
May 24th, 2012
3:53 pm
tide rolling remains the biggest idiot on the blog
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
4:07 pm
Ah. yes that does count. Uf was the 2008 SEC champs, so olMiss gets credit for beating them.
That logic just doesnt apply to the team that beat the 2002 SEC champs.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
4:09 pm
Lex, I agree with you. My point, 5 hours ago was that even Richt’s best teams lose games they shouldn’t, which kept us from the politics of the BCS.
My silly contest with AD is over semantics now, and a contest that he brings about solely because of his indignation of the most miniscule, whisper of a criticism of our Coach Richt. He starts it every time. To the hour and minute of such words.
What’s even sillier is I always preface my criticism by stating I don’t want Richt fired, I like him, etc, etc. but that matters not.
AD is a “first responder” of any slight of the Dear Coach, and he brings the thunder to the traitor who dares not support the great man.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
4:10 pm
and of the 3:05 post. You are assigning opinions to me I have never said nor thought , so where should I start?
The Tide is rolling and nothing can stop it
May 24th, 2012
4:13 pm
DawginLex
May 24th, 2012
3:53 pm
tide rolling remains the biggest idiot on the blog
There was a competition?!?
Geez, I better seperate myself from the dog pack…
Georgia’s offense is the reason they GAVE UP so many pts to ranked teams.
That should help…
Joey
May 24th, 2012
4:17 pm
I’ll debate you til doomsday that the “08 Ole Miss team was better than the ‘02 UF team, if you would like to look silly.
Ask ANYBODY who knows ANYTHING about football!
Joey
May 24th, 2012
4:19 pm
Well, “of the 3:05 post,” I noticed you didn’t answer my two questions . . .
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
4:29 pm
No joey, i didnt answer your question, becasue I reject the premise of which they are asked. YOU cannot assign opinion to me, then cvall me on it.
are you asking how happy i was to lose a ball game?
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
4:31 pm
Plus now you are simply making untrue and unfair accusation of my nature in here.
You are the one that took the Olemiss argument to the symantics, and got away from the point.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
4:35 pm
Oh, you didn’t even read them. Didn’t even mention “happy.”
Just wondering if you ever had those thoughts:
Did you ever doubt Richt? Even after the Colorado loss? UCF? Boise? Have you ever thought to yourself, “how the hell did we lose to ______?”
When was the last time you thought after a game, “dang, that Richt out coached _______?
Joey
May 24th, 2012
4:43 pm
AD, your nature on here is to attack and ridicule anyone who has questions about Richt’s performance. And that’s fine. It’s my nature to question his performance. We clash. Over and over.
I’m just the only one of you and I who admits his nature.
I am the most loyal Dawg and UGA fan that I associate with. But I have wondered about things in Athens for a few years. You apparently see Utopia.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
4:45 pm
No I read it. I think Richt’s football team has had bunches of failure. well?
Our difference is that I never really look at the Head Coach as the entire discussion in college football. I don’t think every lose is “outcoached” (which is such a cliche). I never give him total credit for winning the ball game.
So you are asking me question in a context that I do not believe.
It’s about as unfair as me asking you to give Richt credit for winning some games, or 10, because you clearly are not focused on that.
But losing to Colorado stunk. if we did that much more, he would have needed to get a new coach. isnt that obvious? I don’t know what else to tell you.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
4:55 pm
No Joey, you are trying to say that I attack you over the “the most miniscule, whisper of a criticism of our Coach Richt” and that total BS.
Go back a few hours and look. YOU said a dozen coaches would have won a NC with both our 07,08 teams.
So if you are actually going to say that was some sort of Whisper of critisism, then fine. It comes across as gratuitus blattent made up dig at Richt, but thats not what I responded to was it? I disagreed with the POINT, didnt I?
Go back and quote my attack, please .I said nothing about Richt or your slap at him. I said no coach could have done that for the following reasons. I really don;t know how to express my opinion on that specific topic any more straight foward of accurate than that.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
4:57 pm
And then you go and say that I appearantly see “Utopia”. Come on man.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
5:07 pm
I’ll leave it at this as far as the honesty level between the 2 of us in of our discussions as you put it, you go out of your way to exagerate what I say, and what I must be thinking. Sometimes quite extreme. I can give a coupel of example even today. You assign “opinion” to me, then tell me how wrong I am.
I don’t. I simple disagree with some of your actual comments, none of which you deny actually meaning. I disagree with the specific of words that you posted.
So, of the 2 of us, who is misrepresenting the others nature in here?
sprouse27
May 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
Joey, don’t let some of these folks get to you. Your criticisms / observations of CMR are correct. The man is super nice, but simply under performs given the resources he has had. He’s been at the helm for 11 years, and despite what I read in these blogs, I see nothing on the horizon that makes me think we’re about to see an epiphany in Athens. Would love for it to happen, but I sure don’t see it. We get picked to win the East not because we’re the best team in the East, but because we don’t play the West’s ‘big 3′ during the regular season and SC does. Winning 10 games means very little, when you can’t win your conference and you can’t win a BCS game…much less a BCS title. If all we want is ten wins every year, then let’s go join the MAC or the ACC. Well, maybe not the ACC. Some coaches get 100% out of 80% players, and some get 80% out of the 100% ones. CMR is unfortunately the latter. Spurrier’s quip is all the more painful because it’s true. “UGA gets all these players, but I don’t know what happens to them after that.”. Letting go of Richt might me some down years, and problems like TN has had. But I’d rather see some rough years trying to build a great team, then endless years of 8-5 mediocrity. But that’s just my opinion.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
5:10 pm
You “come on man.” Go back even further. You jumped on me first. You can’t help yourself. I never start anything with you, rather defend myself.
Go way back – I was defending Richt’s record vs Tech. Wow!
Still waiting on one tiny criticism of Richt from you . . . (crickets) . . .
Joey
May 24th, 2012
5:21 pm
sprouse27, those are excellent points I agree with you 100%. I even think it would be as simple for Richt to just be a figurehead-HC, and get the best assistants in the country, and turn things over to them, especially the offense, o-line and special teams. We can afford it, and lots of HCs do this.
His ego won’t let him do it though. And that’s why I think we will see another 10-win season with the lame schedule this season, then it will get ugly in ‘13. He will get exposed with the first tough SEC schedule since ‘08.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
5:28 pm
Why do I owe you some critisism of Richt, Joey? Go back and find them if it means that much. This was never about who does or doesnt ctitic the coaches enough. I’m not letting you change the discussion. YOU said something, I disgreed. It’s that simple.
And post My “attack”, please.
Don’t put words in my mouth. Disagree with what I say, not what you think you know I really meant to say.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
“Joey, you have no idea what the AA thought of 10 wins. That’s your opinion that you are assigning to him, not his own. Now , do you actually believe that Greg McGarity thought last year was spectacular, or was settling? come on. Based on what? What evidence has he given that leads you to know that? I would bet the farm that he took it for exactly what it was, no more, no less.”
****************************************************
That jog your memory?
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
5:36 pm
So THAT was attack mode In your opinion?
Of all the foul mouth, personally insulting childish post that litter these blog, That was attack? well, then I am seriously going to have to figure out how to be straight forward, direct, and non-personal, without attacking going forward.
Does it jog your memory that it was a responce to your intentionally exagerated derogatory post in the first place?
Joey
May 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
You don’t owe me jack, AD. I’ve got the stats on my side. Richt gets less with more. That’s not just my opinion.
Look at the schools that are ultra-successful in recruiting and sending players to the NFL. Guess what’s missing at UGA?
Trophies.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
As I recall that quote about “improvement” it was in responce to a reporter asking multiple times for a number or some total, and the guy was simply saying.” Ive answed the question about our support of our current coach, and stop asking about what number represents a higher number than another number. What do you want me to say” or something to that affect.
And the point that you were making, using that quote was what?
Joey
May 24th, 2012
5:49 pm
“Does it jog your memory that it was a responce to your intentionally exagerated derogatory post in the first place?”
*****************************************************
Derogatory? Man, you better go get your nap. Compare my post with yours.
I wrote: “I disagree with Lex on the expectations put on Richt , because McGarity and the AA were tickled pink with 10 wins and a watered down East title. Never mind the bad losses in the Dome and the last 2 bowls. Couldn’t wait to get him that new contract. One of the AA board members told Chip Towers when Chip pressed him about Richt’s hot seat after the 6-7 season that, “7-6 would be an improvement.” He probably danced a jig over 10-4″
.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
5:50 pm
Stats don’t tell you which 12 coaches in America today would have won national championhisp with our 07 and 08 teams?
That IS an opinion. I disagreed and offered examples why.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
5:51 pm
The point I was making with the board member’s quote was telling Lex that the UGA AA is fine with Richt, and that Richt would get to serve his term, while Lex said it was basically win this year or be gone for Richt.
AltamahaDawg
May 24th, 2012
5:53 pm
That wasn’t derogatory? Ok. Forget the word. I meant that it was purposely meant to portray a negative point about somebody or a situation. Whatever a better word for that is.
Tell me how you intended that then.
Joey
May 24th, 2012
5:55 pm
My stats tell me Richt is 0-11 in getting a BCSCG invite. That with at least 3 teams as talented as any in the country.
My stats also tell me we are 0-2 in our most recent bowls.
Want some more stats?