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
mcdaviddawg
December 7th, 2012
2:29 pm
Do we need to take up a collection for plane fare? Don’t want him to miss out on any chances.
Dawg4Life
December 7th, 2012
2:35 pm
Spike the ball, and just win baby!!!
In the words of ~Al Davis
dawgy
December 7th, 2012
2:48 pm
KEEP BOBO AT ALL COSTS! HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB AT O.C.! Come on naysayers, and look at the numbers. Bobo has lead the greatest of UGA offenses in like…….EVER!!!!!! If you chose to ignore the stats, then that is on you, but who is better? Dooley? I will admit, I have been highly critical of Bobo in the past, but the last couple of years, he has been just about as perfect as one can be. He will and should remain as OC at UGA. Mark this and write it down, and come back to it as you deem it neccessary, but I am predicting the following:
1. BOBO WILL REMAIN AS UGA O.C.
2. SMART WILL REMAIN AS AL D.C.
3. RICHT WILL RETIRE AS UGA HEAD COACH IN < 3YEARS
4. SMART WILL BE NAMED AS HC OF UGA
5. BOBO WILL REMAIN AS OC FOR UGA
Childhood dream will remain INTACT, and UGA will dominate SEC and the nation for the forseeable future!
Dawg4Life
December 7th, 2012
2:54 pm
Dawgy, I can’t see that happening!!!
Dangerous
December 7th, 2012
2:58 pm
Tired of watching Bobo kill the pansies and wet the bed against a legit D………nobody is looking at him, but praying that someone is………please take it Bobo. Let’s try to hire Friedgen and for the love of basketball fire Fox and beg Bob Knight for his services!
Dawg4Life
December 7th, 2012
2:58 pm
No Knock against Arron Murray, but I think he should just move over to being an Assistant Graduate Coach, and let Hutson Mason step up and give it a try. We are loosing our entire Defense, we might as well start over with a new QB, and we have young running backs, who are getting better, so let’s start over with a clean new slate.
spencer5753
December 7th, 2012
3:03 pm
I hope someone hires him he deserves it and UGA deserves/needs a top caliber o/c…when I can call the plays from my easy chair what do you think the other team is able to do??
SnoopyJenkins
December 7th, 2012
3:29 pm
Todd G is making 825K when Alabama hits us for a ZILLION yards on ground with all that NFL TALENT??
WFT kind of compensation formula is that? Lawd have mercy!!!!
PS: Murray IS NOT ready for the NFL…..needs to win at least ONE BIG GAME without throwing 3 picks
Kevin
December 7th, 2012
3:44 pm
Good riddance!!
Tdawgmoney
December 7th, 2012
4:26 pm
PLEASE somebody!!! call Bobo!!! make him an offer that “we” can’t refuse……which is ANY offer. Seriously, I appreciate his service and loyalty…..but I believe we can do better.
Wayne Cobb
December 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
Bobo is an asset to UGA both with his recruiting and coaching skills. He is loyal and He will one day have a Head coaching job without having to take just any things that comes along. His patience will be worth the wait. Unfortunately to many fans think he can be perfect on every call he makes. Lets all be proud of where this team is and I beleive it has reached the elite status again.
Rick James
December 7th, 2012
4:59 pm
Kirby Smart will never be head coach a Georgia..
UGAly
December 7th, 2012
5:00 pm
This is just an attempt by CMB’s agent to get his salary bumped up. Smart business people pay their valued employees what it takes to retain them. Bobo isn’t in danger of leaving. His success this season has a lot to do with a 3rd year starting QB, a good receiving corps and two stud RBs.
Sambo 4 Rambo
December 7th, 2012
5:31 pm
Run up the gut, Screen, Fly route to King, Run up the gut, Screen, Fly route to King……..And that makes 335k a year?
Kingsx7
December 7th, 2012
5:33 pm
JUST WIN BABY !!!!!!!!!!!
Bob
December 7th, 2012
5:34 pm
If he’s underpaid, let Richt compensate him with some of his overpaid salary. Two-ten against top 10 schools in the past four years. BTW, it’s always easy to spend someone else’s money. Just saying….
Season Ticket Holder since 1986
December 7th, 2012
5:35 pm
Now this will be HI-larious because all of the Haters will crow about how glad they are that Bobo might be leaving without realizing that they are personally guaranteeing that Georgia will win the National Championship every year from here on out and never lose a game by less than 40 points because (finally!) somebody paid attention to their ranting. But, of course, they will leave themselves a back door by complaining about the new hire that would replace Bobo, whoever it is. Like Alfred said to Batman “Some people just like to watch the world burn.”
Season Ticket Holder since 1986
December 7th, 2012
5:38 pm
What is the combined winning percentage of the top 10 schools over the past four years? If it is higher than .800, then UGA is outperforming the competition. If it is less than .800, then Georgia is underperforming.
I suspect it is higher than .800 and the Haters are exposed.
Bob
December 7th, 2012
5:40 pm
@Mr. SeasonTicketHolderSince….thanks for your posts, but look at the teams Richt (and Bobo) have been padding their records against. I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1968 and I’m tired of paying for mediocrity. Just my opinion.
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 7th, 2012
5:58 pm
pour me another one.
shankit
December 7th, 2012
5:59 pm
Defense allowing the two point conversion by Bama made the difference in the game.
At the end, Bama had a 4 point advantage; stop the two point conversion, and it is a
2 point Bama advantage at the end. Dawgs could have kicked an 8 yard field goal and won.
TheDawgHouse
December 7th, 2012
6:22 pm
Please let him go, we can do much better than Bobo
TheDawgHouse
December 7th, 2012
6:24 pm
Bobo’s playbook by the numbers:
60% Draw play up the middle
40% everything else
Destin Dawg
December 7th, 2012
6:45 pm
Bo Bo grew into a great O.C… with all that talent our Defense fell on its face all year… gave up way to many yards and points … Grantham can let the asst’s put the towel DOWN !!….. his schemes didn’t work… Go Dawgs beat Nebraska and it will be a great year…
Destin Dawg
December 7th, 2012
6:49 pm
Kirby Smart will never be a H.C…. he’s just Saban’s cheerleader…
GT Mike
December 7th, 2012
7:39 pm
Really, third from bottom in SEC, for what he has accomplished ? ….and Petrino’s son/brother is still at Arkansas….that must be an ironclad contract of some kind. Bobo needs his agent !!!
bitter grassy knoll
December 7th, 2012
8:28 pm
Some conspricacy——————————–what could have been
Makemyday
December 7th, 2012
8:44 pm
REALLY? He should have thought about spiking the ball a couple of plays before he needed to. That is what a top OC does for a living. Looked like that did not dawn on him till the pass was completed. He need to stay where he is.
wally
December 7th, 2012
8:55 pm
Keep the coaches. I am looking forward to next year. Tough schedule, UGA is going to need all the help we can get. Aaro Murray you probably do not read this blog, but if you do please please stay. We need you. I do not think we have an experienced qb to take your place. I have always been in favor of a two qb system. The most needful position on the field and one gets hurt then what.
DoggieFan
December 7th, 2012
9:23 pm
Why would Bobo have to go to Birmingham for a lawyer/agent? None in Georgia?
Say What?
December 7th, 2012
10:15 pm
Coach Mark Richt after the loss to Alabama:
“Well, spiking the ball takes time.”
“We just ran out of time.”
“…Just one of those games.”
You can’t make this stuff up…
hangman
December 7th, 2012
10:38 pm
This is just an agent’s dream child!
whatfor
December 7th, 2012
10:42 pm
I wish BooBoo would take another coaching job – tired of him at UGA, and CMR doesn’t have the guts to demote or fire him.
FLA DAWG
December 7th, 2012
11:07 pm
Grantham should have produced better by now but I’d give him one more year.
Bobo has yet to field an O sqaud that can execute and scored with a measure of consistency in The SEC in my opinon.
Yo Bo!
Gotta offer?
Then GO!
Please go……….go for yourself and your family…………go for UGA……….go for DAWG Nation………….whatever the reason, just GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DBuck
December 7th, 2012
11:38 pm
Reach into that fat pot of money Dawg gear makes you and pay this man for his loyalty to the Georgia football program. Loyalty and production should be enough to at least double him up. To those who are bashing the agent, thats what thy do they make money for them and their clients. It’s called doing your job.
Tomás Broun
December 8th, 2012
7:36 am
Bobo = Bozo the Clown
Once a clown, always a clown.
Watsonone
December 8th, 2012
8:01 am
What other coaches are paid is irrelevant. Mike Bobo is an excellent QB coach and offensive coordinator. His character is good. His is a great mentor for these young men in his charge. He is a family man and has shown us no bad things. Look at the record. His offense scores lots of points. The only reason we ever lose is (with few exceptions) that our opponents out score us. Pay the man what he is due!
Terry in Decatur
December 8th, 2012
9:50 am
Like I was pontificating on 92.9 this morning, Bobo needs to go and should have been gone at least five years ago. I will now forever associate Bobo with poor Murray looking to the sidelines during the final seconds of the 2012 SEC title game, mouthing the words, “spike it?” What happened after that was not a “freak play” it was the result of poor coaching and lack of coach preparation. Time management is the realm of the OC, not the quarterback. Richt should be like Swinney at Clemson: when your coordinator lets the team down, time to fire the coordinator.
FB
December 8th, 2012
10:01 am
FL DAWG says “Bobo has yet to field an O sqaud that can execute and scored with a measure of consistency in The SEC in my opinon.”
You are obviously not watching the games. Bobo is in the finals for top coordinator nationally and you can’t see the improvement and consistency.
Richt is a "Good Man" who Can't Win the Big Games
December 8th, 2012
10:28 am
“Bobo is in the finals for top coordinator nationally and you can’t see the improvement and consistency.”
I could not have stated it better myself. I cannot see the improvement and the only consistency at UGA is consistently under-achieving. Uga VIII died for our sins and this is how we repay him?
Fire everyone and hire Fran Tarkenton to head up a search committee to rebuild the program from the ground up.
Erin "spike the ball" Murray
December 8th, 2012
10:31 am
He did a great job preparing me for the final play of the game last Saturday
Eddie Lacy aka Owner of the bulldawgggg nation
December 8th, 2012
10:32 am
uhhhhhh can I stop running the ball now?
FB
December 8th, 2012
10:40 am
Once you “fire everybody”, no coach is going to come to a school that fires coaches that win 10 games last year and 11 or 12 this year. Most believe that was TN problem and they fired a loser.
the1hawke
December 8th, 2012
10:43 am
if you like not getting to the big game year after year after year then hey keep bobo. but we will NEVER be national champions until he goes.
Jay Dawg
December 8th, 2012
10:48 am
S O U T H E R N. Southern Mississippi, USM!
StatesboroDawg
December 8th, 2012
11:57 am
Please please please, Santa, bring Bobo what he longs for … a head coaching job. And then? Memo to Coach Richt: you want fans to love you again? Hire an OC that actually KNOWS he needs … in fact … HAS … to spike the ball with seconds remaining against the nation’s best team to give the team a fighting chance to win. The lob pass in the endzone corner that Bobo had apparently planned has worked, let’s see, ZERO times? Remember the OT loss to the Gators? Come on Santa, bring the man a good gift. And then Richt? Be smart, hire well, and a whole lot more love might come your way.
UGA Season Ticket Holder Since 1986
December 8th, 2012
12:29 pm
Bob – Thank you for your post. Was Vince Dooley a mediocre coach? Just rrying to find out what mediocre means. The problem whit the “”can win the big game” is that it lacks historical context. It’s like looking through a straw and drawing a conclusion. The big game started out, “Just beat Tennessee for the first time in 8 years.” check. Then the big game moved and was “Don’t lose to Tech two years in a row.” Then the big game was beat Florida for the first time in tweny years. Check did that. Then the big was beat Florida in consecutive years. Check did that. Then the big game was beat Alabama. Check. At home. Check. In over time. Check. On a pass play instead of a run. Check. Then it was get in the SEC Championship Game. Check Arkansas. Then it beat somebody hard in the SEC championshp. Check LSU. Then it was beat LSU in consecutive meetings. We didn’t do that. You cant’ win the big game! Then it was win 10 games. Check. Then it was win consecutive 10 games. Check. The it was go 11-1. Then it was go undefeated. Ok, we didn’t do that. Failure! Failure by a mediocre program! What constitutes the big game keeps moving and the definition keeps moving and if you don’t meet the new standard, you are mediocre even though you’ve check off all of the boxes for the big game except for the National Championshp.
mars=lifetime dawgs
December 8th, 2012
12:58 pm
bill cason, if it aint homer crap, then it must be gross stupidity. Got the lemon in my pants for you, pal.
UGA Alumnus
December 8th, 2012
1:36 pm
“Ticket Holder”: this thread is about Bobo, but since you mentioned Richt…it is fans like you that are happy with mediocrity and I am sure that somewhere in the back of your mind you are thinking, “Mark Richt is a good Christian man…must make excuses for him… .” Take off the blinders and stop drinking the kool-aid.
In his twelve (12) seasons as HC, Richt has won only two SEC Championships and only defeated Florida four times (two back to back against Muschamp). However, to me, the fact that Richt has not been able to: manage the clock effectively in any big game (no need to mention the 4th quarter in the SEC Championship, but don’t forget what happened to the offense right before the half ended), reduce penalties in any big game (7 for 65 yards in the SEC Championship, compared to Alabama’s 2 penalties), or effectively maintain discipline among his players (see any number of arrests and assaults every season). Richt is a great recruiter and talker, but until UGA’s football program gets itself together on all fronts and wins the SEC Championship more than once every six years (on average), he will always be mediocre and fans with an ounce of brain matter should DEMAND better results.
Hairy Dawg
December 8th, 2012
2:47 pm
Mike Bobo will be a head coach sooner than later. I don’t think it’s too difficult to have a good offense with the caliber of athletes we have, but Bobo is still responsible for helping to bring those players into the fold. I’m sure he’ll get a raise if he doesn’t leave, but if he really wants a head coaching job, I think he can find one that would work out for him and his family.