Mark Richt feeling heat at Georgia

Despite 90 wins, two SEC titles and complete dominance of instate rival Georgia Tech, Mark Richt is still fielding questions about if he is coaching for his job this season. While there is evidence to build a case against Richt — a 2-7 record versus Florida and last year’s eight-win season — the past decade as been one of the most successful eras in Georgia’s history.   For those arguing one way or the other, Richt isn’t paying much attention. “Not really. I understand the business,” he said. “I understand just how things go. So I don’t worry about it. My goal is to focus on the important things and the things I can control. I can control my attitude. I can control my effort. I can control, you know, certain things. That’s what I focus on. Then the things I can’t control, I just trust the Lord with that. That’s kind of how I’ve been operating since 1986.” – Macon Telegraph

Evans’ UGA departure could put Richt on Hotter Seat

Evans was a staunch supporter and gave Richt a vote of confidence as recently as last month, saying there was no way his football coach was on the hot seat. Coaches hate changes up at the top. New athletic directors have less loyalty to the coaches in place, especially if they are not putting up immediate results. Should Richt struggle again in 2010, perhaps the new AD would view this as justification to bring in their “guy.” – Orlando Sentinel

Mark Richt has title dreams for Georgia

MGoing only so far as to set this season’s bar of expectations at “tremendous,” Mark Richt clearly has far higher hopes for the future. While visiting nearly every high school in the state, Richt said he believed if his coaches can bring all the top in-state talent to Georgia, they’ll win a national title before they leave. There’s also a high level of anticipation for the 2010 edition of the Dawgs, which will feature a Heisman-level receiver in A.J. Green, an experienced offensive line, a new 3-4 defensive scheme, and a projected starting redshirt freshman quarterback in Aaron Murray. “I think a lot of the ingredients are there for a tremendous season,” Richt said. – Albany Herald

Georgia AD Damon Evans wants Bulldogs to kick off a season in Georgia Dome

Georgia athletics director Damon Evans said Monday night that he wants the Bulldogs to open a football season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome at some point. “It’s something I’m definitely interested in,” Evans said on UGA’s “Bulldog Hotline” radio show, “and I think that Mark [Richt] has some interest in it as well. “It’s one of those things where [it’s difficult] trying to get it to fit the schedule [and] trying to find the appropriate team to play in that particular game, but we’ll get it in at some point in time. And I think it’ll be exciting for us, because it’ll be sort of like a home game, playing in our state.” – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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

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