UGA’s Mike Bobo ‘getting long overdue consideration’ for coaching jobs, agent says
In addition to his duties as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Georgia's Mike Bobo is known as one of the Bulldogs' best recruiters. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – It’s likely to be a very good Christmas for Mike Bobo and his family.
Not only did Georgia’s offensive coordinator lead the Bulldogs to a record-breaking season that netted 11 wins and another SEC Championship Game bonus, but he’s also in line to have his compensation increased in 2013, either by Georgia or somebody else.
Bobo’s name has surfaced as a head coaching candidate at Southern Miss and, according to his agent, he is drawing interest for other jobs as well. Even if Bobo declines the overtures, it would likely result in an enhanced financial agreement from UGA.
Russ Campbell, the Birmingham-based attorney who acts as Bobo’s agent, confirmed that his client is being considered for jobs but declined to discuss specifics.
“I can tell you that he’s getting some long overdue consideration,” said Campbell, who was in California with Sonny Dykes, who was being introduced as the California Bears’ head coach on Thursday. “It’s unbelievable what Mike has done at Georgia; his track record speaks for itself. People are finally starting to notice.”
Bobo coordinated and called plays for an offense that already has set school records for touchdowns in a season and is on pace break records for scoring average (currently 37.2 ppg) and total offense (458.3). He also serves as quarterbacks coach Aaron Murray, who leads the nation in pass efficiency and is the first player in SEC history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Murray has thrown for 9,662 yards and 90 TDs with 30 interceptions under Bobo’s guidance. Bobo, Georgia’s quarterbacks coach since 2001, also developed No. 1 NFL draft pick Matthew Stafford. He was a finalist this year for the Frank Broyles Award, which goes annually to the nation’s top assistant football coach.
Oddly enough, Bobo has often been the subject of criticism by a vocal portion of the fan base, particularly for play-calling. In Georgia’s SEC Championship game lost to Alabama this past weekend, he was second-guessed for not having Murray spike the ball to stop the clock with 10 seconds remaining at the Alabama 8.
“It’s good to see (Bobo attract head coaching interest) because it has continued to baffle me how all these other coordinators get mentioned,” Campbell said. “He gets lost because of this false perception about the job he’s done there. I think it just must be one of those situations where familiarity breeds contempt and he’s been there too long. When you drill down and look at it, he’s done a phenomenal job. He went toe-to-toe with Kirby (Smar t)in the SEC Championship game; it went down to five yards, right? You hear Kirby’s name all over the place.”
Bobo’s name has also been attached to Smart, who has mentioned as a candidate for several high-profile coaching jobs. Alabama’s defensive coordinator and Bobo are best friends since childhood and attended UGA together. The thought is that the two could join forces in the right situation. Smart interviewed for the Auburn job, which went to Guz Malzahn, and reportedly is a candidate at Tennessee.
Bobo is ripe for the taking as he is not among the best-paid offensive coordinators in the SEC. He currently makes $335,000 a year (not including bonuses), which ranked 10th among SEC offensive coordinators coming into the season. He also has operated with a one-year contract, while the majority of SEC offensive coordinators have two- to -three year deals.
Bobo, who earned a $45,000 bonus for Georgia’s appearance in the SEC Championship game, is the second-highest-paid assistant on Mark Richt’s staff. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham makes $825,000 annually and has a three-year contract.
UGA athletic director Greg McGarity said he is aware of reports circulating that Bobo is a candidate for jobs. But he said he won’t get involved unless Richt asks.
“That would go straight to the head coach,” McGarity said Thursday. “That would not come to me. If it reached a certain level of interest, Mark would have a conversation with me. But we haven’t had any communication like that.”
Neither Richt nor Bobo returned messages seeking comment.
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray told reporters toward the end of the season he didn’t think Bobo would leave UGA because “it’s his dream job.” Bobo has always been reticent to speak on the subject.
“I have no idea what’s going on,” Bobo said last week of being mentioned for head coach openings. “To be honest, the only thing I’m really focused on is the job I’ve got in hand right now. . . . If I worried about anything else I’d be cheating these players.”
SEC O-C PAY
- Doug Nussmeier, Alabama: $590,000; three years
- Jim Chaney, Tennessee: $550,000; three years
- Greg Studrawa, LSU: $500,000 three years
- Scot Loeffler, Auburn: $500,000; two years
- Brent Pease, Florida: $490,000; three years
- Paul Petrino, Arkansas: $475,000; one year
- Kliff Kingsbury, Texas A&M: $400,000; three years
- Randy Sanders, Kentucky: $338,000; two years
- David Yost, Missouri: $354,750; two years
- Mike Bobo, Georgia: $335,000; one year
- Matt Luke, Ole Miss (co-coordinator): $285,000; three years/Dan Werner, Ole Miss (co-coordinator): $231,667; two years
- Les Koenning, Mississippi State: $275,000; two years
* Head coach Steve Spurrier serves as South Carolina’s offensive coordinator.
* Vanderbilt’s finances are not subject to open record.
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419 comments Add your comment
Rabbit
December 6th, 2012
8:53 pm
The whole staff stays. Bobo gets a raise and a 2-3 yr contract. Grantham turns the redshirts into Rambogletree Jones. Dogs get back to SEC Championship with Murray at the helm. Win. Go you big hairy dogs. We may be Charlie Brown to your Lucy, but we still believe.
Stout
December 6th, 2012
8:54 pm
WOW, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Tenn., Arkanas all got ripped off from their OCs. I bet they’d all love to have Bobo’s stats.
Dave cutler
December 6th, 2012
8:54 pm
Dawg nation. That’s a funny term. Like anyone gives a crud outside of the south about uga. Still waiting for one of you alumni pretenders to tell me who is the most successful assistant to get a job under richt? Does this guy develop anyone?
Athens
December 6th, 2012
8:55 pm
The alums want to keep him . We pay the bills. The rest of you “fans” who disagree, we don’t care. Find another team.
DawgNole
December 6th, 2012
9:01 pm
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 6th, 2012
8:08 pm
When, and if, Dawg Nation needs any comments or advice from the inbreds, sister marrying, Singlewide dwelling,Single Digit IQs like Suckeye and his ilk, we will llet you know!!!!!!!!!!! You can add GTBob to that list because his team is the FIRST team in history with a LOSING record to back into a bowl game after getting permission from the NCAA.
___________________
You’re wrong about GTBob’s team being the first. UCLA set the precedent last season.
Big Daddy
December 6th, 2012
9:05 pm
CMB is a fine OC, recruiter and person, With all the so called UGA fans screaming for him to leave, I think it would be hard to stay if a good offer came along. With the way some of the so call fans talk, you would think THEY are already in the coaching Hall of Fame and have won mutiple national championships, I’m all for increasing CMB’s pay and extending his contract!!
JRW7
December 6th, 2012
9:09 pm
Bobo is not a class act with high morals as some seem to think, durning the CBS telecast of the SEC game, CBS had to apologize several times for the cursing language coming from Bobo in the next booth!
Here we Go
December 6th, 2012
9:09 pm
I think Richt has 4 more years in his contract so give Bobo 2 year contact and 400,000.00 plus any bonus he gets for reaching SECC and BCS.He is one of the best OC and recuriter in the SEC.
Dawg89
December 6th, 2012
9:13 pm
I hope Bobo stays. But, if he does leave, I hope he will choose his job carefully like Richt did. Leaving for just any job would be stupid. You don’t have to look hard to find some guys that regret making changes – Ellis Johnson, Skip Holtz, etc.
Ginger
December 6th, 2012
9:13 pm
Let him go, we need new blood
Mobile Dawg
December 6th, 2012
9:14 pm
Mike Bobo is a DGD. He’s not an outstanding OC, he’s adequate, but has many intangible strengths that I think are mainly relative to UGA that makes him valuable to us. I agree with most others, pay him and keep him. We would miss his presence recruiting most, IMO.
Dawg89
December 6th, 2012
9:14 pm
JRW7, are you certain that was Bobo? Seems odd for the OC to be paying attention to the defense. They are usually consumed with offense.
Pale Rider
December 6th, 2012
9:17 pm
Because your Daddy was a coach doesn’t make you one- By BoBo! Next time- admit to your mistake versus thinking you made the right call- aka spike it. Goodbye!
Pale Rider
December 6th, 2012
9:22 pm
My beef is not with BoBo, though- its with Richt- he’s as pompous as they come when dealing with the outside- as evidenced by his tirade on national TV (still no response to the question). And I would classify UGA defense on par with the Pac 12, not the SEC. Vanderbilt, USC, LSU, Florida, and Alabama had better offenses. That puts Georgia 6th out of 9 in total defense in the SEC.
Rick James
December 6th, 2012
9:35 pm
@JRW7
Bobo is not a class act with high morals as some seem to think, durning the CBS telecast of the SEC game, CBS had to apologize several times for the cursing language coming from Bobo in the next booth!
——————————————————————————————————————————
So what? You’ve never said a curse word? Mark Richt is in the small minority of coaches who dont curse.Go to youtube sometime read Todd Grantham’s lips during the confrontation with James Franklin last season.
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 6th, 2012
9:39 pm
I think it would have been a shot worth take for Bobo to have tried head coaching at GaState for a few years. He would still be in his recruiting zone, Playing on TV in the Sunbelt and Showing what he can do then return to UGa in a few years as the HC. He would still be a State of Georgia and so his pension wouldn’t be affected.
Danny Ford
December 6th, 2012
9:39 pm
He can’t win the big ones!
BravesFan77
December 6th, 2012
9:40 pm
Bozo is headed to Tennessee to be OC for Kirby Smart. WOW!! Take it to the bank.
Pale Rider
December 6th, 2012
9:41 pm
Ever since Adam’s took over and fired Dooley- winning is not important- but the SEC check is.
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 6th, 2012
9:44 pm
sorry………….. State of Georgia Employee
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 6th, 2012
9:47 pm
Do you really think Smart & Bobo would go to train wreck that is the Vols? He would be lucky if he could get Brey to stay one more year. The Vols O was good they just had a bad D and Smart could change that in a year or 2.
Pale Rider
December 6th, 2012
9:48 pm
For the “Alum” dude who thinks he pays the bills, your $500 donation does not compare to butts in the seats, fans, TV contracts. UGA alum don’t pay the bills- most of you don’t even go to the games.
GB's Hamburgers
December 6th, 2012
9:48 pm
He is a good man. I think he gets flack for going conservative after getting a lead but I believe that’s Richt’s doings. I would like to see more screens, pitchouts and draw plays but overall he does a nice job especially making the opponent defend the whole field. He is honest to boot. He stepped up and said he should have spiked the ball while Richt resorted to spin.
Bob
December 6th, 2012
9:49 pm
Are these the same people who have wanted bobo’s head for the last several years or has the ajc turned over a new leaf, comment-wise?
Pale Rider
December 6th, 2012
9:49 pm
Richt still parts his hair in the middle, has an orange tan and wears Crocs!
DawgNole
December 6th, 2012
9:55 pm
Pale Rider
December 6th, 2012
9:22 pm
“. . . I would classify UGA defense on par with the Pac 12, not the SEC. Vanderbilt, USC, LSU, Florida, and Alabama had better offenses. That puts Georgia 6th out of 9 in total defense in the SEC.
________________
So the SEC has only 9 teams now?
Hello? Duh.
SpikeTheBallStupid!
December 6th, 2012
9:56 pm
For heavens sake, give him a raise…triple his salary. God forbid we get a coach that can win the big ones……
Athens
December 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
@Spike
There is no “we” when it come to you and UGA.
FLA DAWG
December 6th, 2012
10:03 pm
Bobo,
Take your 17 kids and get the hell out of Athens.
If Southern Miss or any other college of worth is duped into believing you would be a good HC (high school – maybe), then GO FOR IT………………PLEASE, GO !
Athens
December 6th, 2012
10:05 pm
@JRW7
Give me a friggin break. Don’t ever become a fan of Nick Saban. I have cursed on a gold course…
Athens
December 6th, 2012
10:07 pm
@FLA DAWG
Get out of our fan base! Does it make you feel like a big little guy to use all caps?.
Alphare
December 6th, 2012
10:12 pm
“He went toe-to-toe with Kirby (Smar t)in the SEC Championship game; it went down to five yards, right?”
No No No. It’s more like 2 inches. If Kirby Smart coached defender holds the ball 2 inches closer for that interception during UGA’s last drive, you won’t have that 5 yard talk.
BobDawg
December 6th, 2012
10:14 pm
Southern Miss would be a great job for Coach Bobo… They haven’t had a decent coach there since they ran off Jeff Bowers…
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 6th, 2012
10:18 pm
Anybody watching the Replay on CSS?
Mookie
December 6th, 2012
10:22 pm
Same situation as Mularky left ATL and now they are 11-1…so would be a win win. And no more recruiting midget QBs that can’t throw over the line.
dan
December 6th, 2012
10:24 pm
PLEASE GO!
gatordawg
December 6th, 2012
10:38 pm
Thank god, just not soon enough. See ya later BoBo.
Need to get all Ex NFL Champs Coaching Staff
December 6th, 2012
10:39 pm
Based on the election results, 50% people are idiots. Therefore, one could conclude 50% are content to keep same mediocre coaches who haven’t won a championship in 30 years and never will.
» UGA’s Mike Bobo ‘getting long overdue consideration’ for coaching jobs, agent … – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
December 6th, 2012
10:43 pm
[...] Original Post By Google News Click Here For The Entire Article [...]
ByebyeBoBo
December 6th, 2012
10:44 pm
Let him go! He’d probably be a great high school coach somewhere up north.
ByebyeBoBo
December 6th, 2012
10:46 pm
David Greene anyone?
gatordawg
December 6th, 2012
10:51 pm
During his stay at UGA, I’ve criticized Richt for his poor time management. If BooBoo had anything to do with said time management in the SEC championship, he’s not better than high school coach material. If Richt was responsible, it’s just another reason for HIM to hit the road.
Westley
December 6th, 2012
10:51 pm
Where are all the trolls who constantly call for Bobo and CMR to be fired? C’mon, all the expert play callers who know more than the REAL coaches should show yourselves. Idiots!!
Put in Timeout by Ken Sugiura,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned once by Bill King & Chip Towers but only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 6th, 2012
10:51 pm
David Greens sells insurance or something. If Greene wanted to get into coaching he would have done it years ago.
Columbus
December 6th, 2012
10:52 pm
Sure he is…..
Bobo did his best work tis year minus the SC game.
Grantham is fine, UGA just had a serious lack of death and too many “stars”. All-star units hardly ever live up to the hype. One fine example is the Philadelphia Eagles the last 2 years. They were given the Super Bowl before the season started last year because of their all-star lineup. after all the free agents they signed…we all see how that went….same thing with UGA this year. Too many all-stars on that side the ball and a SERIOUS lack of depth. THAT is WHY Bama ran like crazy the 2nd half . Grantham is a great DC. Depth is being built with players to run Granthams defense.
Pale Rider @ 5:59….you are clueless.
Westley
December 6th, 2012
10:55 pm
“Bobo is not a class act with high morals as some seem to think, durning the CBS telecast of the SEC game, CBS had to apologize several times for the cursing language coming from Bobo in the next booth!”
——
A football coach cursed? OMG!! He should be fired!! Everyone knows football coaches NEVER say anything more than golly gee and awww shucks! Horrible to have a curser around college children. Simply inexcusable. Dad gummit!!
bill cason
December 6th, 2012
11:01 pm
Mike Bobo is not only a damn good coach he is a great person. He has more good old decent character than most of us can only wish we had. He is honest and tough and he knows how to deal with all the many problems that comes with coaching boys in the process of becoming men. I hope he stays at Georgia for many years to come. On the other hand he is ready to become a head coach at a major university.
valdosta native
December 6th, 2012
11:01 pm
Like many have said, Bobo’s numbers speak for themselves. There are, were times I as an armchair QB would have called a different play, but overall the offensive stats are on the upside with Bobo at the helm. I say Keep the man, give him a raise, and bring in…what was that guy on the sidelines talking about becoming a coach one day?? Hines Ward?? Bring him as an assistant…WR coach/assistant OC coach package with Bobo. Keep some continuity and bring in some new blood, some good ole tradition. We need more mentors to coach up our talented recruits. Ward would be a good choice to come in and be an influential coach and eventually become the OC if he does well. Go Dawgs!
mars=lifetime dawgs
December 6th, 2012
11:02 pm
What is wrong with you people??? Enough of the “homer” crap. Coach Bobo, accept one of the HC jobs, or prepare for the unemployment line. Either way, don’t let the door pat your arse….!!!
GTDog
December 6th, 2012
11:07 pm
Westley, don’t let these guys like Pole Rider get to you. I mean, seriously…these guys go on-line anonymously, and spend hours each day telling other people how bad THEIR team is? Really? Let me ask you, how many people hate the guy who brings the ugly date to the prom, eh?
Just consider it a compliment, UGA fans have a great program that peaking. And regardless of what the little people might say, UGA Football is known and respected nationwide, and has one of the strongest balance sheets in the country. And Bobo? His peers believe he’s one of the top 5 assistants in the country. Enough said…