Georgia Chasing Alabama DC Kirby Smart

In the aftermath of Alabama’s national championship, Georgia has redoubled its efforts to snag the Crimson Tide’s top defensive assistant. Defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, this season’s Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant, is considering a lucrative offer to take over the defense at his alma mater. Multiple sources told the Press-Register that Georgia could be willing to at least double the $360,000 base salary Smart earned this past season at Alabama. Smart, 34, may not be the only Alabama assistant in play for jobs in the coming days. Unconfirmed speculation Saturday was that former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville may be interested in bringing former Auburn assistant and current Alabama inside linebackers coach James Willis onto his new staff at Texas Tech. An industry source said Saturday he did not think the Willis move would happen. But sources have maintained for the duration of UGA’s search that Smart and his family are happy at Alabama and not pursuing a move back to Athens. – al.com

LSU holds onto John Chavis

Mark Richt made a good run, but John Chavis has decided to stay put at LSU. LSU officials confirmed Thursday that Chavis’ deal at LSU will be sweetened after hammering out a new agreement with Chavis on Wednesday night. Georgia had offered Chavis a three-year deal worth at least $600,000 annually to be the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator. LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said Thursday that the Tigers did what they needed to to keep Chavis, who earned $450,000 in salary this season — his first at LSU. Keeping Chavis is a coup for the Tigers, whose defense improved substantially on his watch this season. They’re ranked 12th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 16 points per game. But more importantly, they regained their edge under Chavis, a no-frills guy who’s done it at a high level now in the SEC for the better part of the last two decades. – ESPN

John Chavis doesn’t refute Georgia rumors

How serious is LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis about the Georgia defensive coordinator’s job? Well, he’s not really saying. At least, not with the Tigers set to take on Penn State in two days in the Capital One Bowl. Chavis was asked two different times Wednesday at a Capital One Bowl press conference about his interest in the Georgia job and/or whether or not he expected to be at LSU next year. Both times, he essentially gave a lengthy no comment and certainly did nothing to distance himself from the Georgia job. “I’ll be happy to talk about our players and about this bowl game,” Chavis said. “Beyond that, I really want to leave it like it is.” Several people close to the situation contend that Chavis has emerged as Mark Richt’s top choice and that it’s his job if he wants it. The Bulldogs are prepared to pay $600,000 or more per year and would give Chavis a three-year contract. He earned $450,000 this season at LSU. – ESPN

Georgia AD: Mark Richt will make coaching decisions

If Georgia coach Mark Richt decides to make changes to his coaching staff, athletic director Damon Evans said he’s willing to be “competitive” to attract top candidates. “I’ll continue to assess things and try to do my best to make sure we’re competitive whether it’s from a salary standpoint, contractual standpoint or what have you,” Evans said. “I believe for the most part we’ve done that. Has the paradigm maybe shifted a little bit? I’m sure it has. As things go on and situations change, you look and assess and make decisions based upon that particular time.” – Athens Banner-Herald

Mark Richt under fire at Georgia

Georgia’s lackluster season has some calling for Mark Richt’s job. “For most good people, winning is enough. I was the exception,” Earl Bruce said. “You would have to know what the atmosphere was in Columbus, Ohio. I was not on the strong side of the ruling family. I’m not a political guy. I was a football coach, and the politics got me. It happens and there is nothing you can do about it. “What kind of athletic director does Mark have? Who hired him? Did that president there now hire him? The chain of command makes every difference if you check coaching hirings and firings. Normally when there is a change in presidents and change in athletic director, that’s a problem. The athletic director was not a problem for me, but the president was. When the president got involved, it was politics.” When Bruce was told some fans are urging Richt to replace defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, Bruce said Richt better beware. “That’s the start of the demise,” Bruce said. “The next step is you.” – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia AD “here to provide advice” for Mark Richt

The thought of such an event occurring is laughable, but that didn’t stop Georgia athletic director Damon Evans from addressing the possibility with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. One question: Why? Why would Evans even respond to questions of coach Mark Richt’s job security, especially considering Richt has led Georgia to two SEC championships, three BCS bowl games and an 86-26 record in nine seasons. Apparently, Georgia fans don’t remember what life was like pre-Richt and post-Vince Dooley. Instead of not responding to lunacy, Evans said he was sure Richt would evaluate the program at the end of the season and that he’s “here to provide advice” if Richt needs it. If that isn’t a subtle hint to the overly loyal Richt of needed changes on the coaching staff — embattled defensive coordinator Willie Martinez comes to mind — what is? – Sporting News

The Case Against Mark Richt

The argument: Richt is 10-7 in his last 17 games. He has no edge, and the gimmicks are getting old. It’s just time for a change. If you’re on this side of the argument, his loyalty to the two coaches below could cost Richt his position. The “Nice Guy” argument also applies. Richt is 2-7 against Florida. Complacency, complacency, complacency. Richt has been successful with his ways while at Georgia, and maybe Florida, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee have passed him by keeping an edge. – Red and Black

Georgia AD Damon Evans backs coach Mark Richt

Georgia athletics director Damon Evans said Wednesday that the stormy reaction of UGA fans to the Bulldogs’ 4-4 record is “understandable” but expressed confidence that coach Mark Richt “will lead us through this adversity.” “This season has been one that is very, very difficult for us, not what we are used to,” said Evans, who called last week’s loss to Florida “a sore spot.” Evans echoed Richt’s position that the appropriate course of action at this point is to focus on each remaining game — not on fans’ calls for changes to Richt’s staff. “We are in a business that is very public,” Evans said in an interview with the AJC. “When things go wrong, there are different reactions that come from people. But our head coach is very good at what he does, and I have the utmost confidence Mark Richt will continue to lead us in the right direction. “I have confidence in our head coach to make decisions with his program, as I always have. … I don’t think right now is the time for us to talk about staff changes or anything of that nature. What we need to focus on is the task at hand. … I know [Richt] will evaluate his program at the end of the season, as he always does.” – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia’s Mark Richt could be on the hot seat

Despite almost a decade of success at Georgia, Bulldogs Coach Mark Richt is staring at a potential 4-4 record with a loss to No. 1 Florida on Saturday in Jacksonville at 3:30 p.m. Torching Richt on the hot seat might be premature considering his six double-digit-win seasons since 2001. But in this climate of fickle fanbases, coaches are often games away from a warm bottom. Many Georgia boosters seem ready to crucify defensive coordinator Willie Martinez faster than Richt. – Orlando Sentinel

Changes brewing at Georgia?

Pressure may be mounting on Georgia coach Mark Richt to make some staff changes as the Bulldogs’ season continues to spiral downward. Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez is under the most pressure. His defense was shredded in a 45-19 loss at Tennessee. Georgia ranks 11th in the SEC, yielding 377.2 yards per game. The Bulldogs are No. 4 against the run (128.2 ypg) but 11th against the pass (249.0 ypg). Georgia also is last in turnover margin, gaining just five turnovers and committing 16. – Yahoo!

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