ATHENS, Ga. --- 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."
Evans said Monday he is unaware of any timeline that Richt might be considering before deciding on staff changes after a 7-5 regular season, the worst in Richt's nine years in Athens.
Georgia ranks sixth in the 12-team Southeastern Conference in assistant coach salaries at $2.029 million, according to a survey by USA Today . The survey didn't include Vanderbilt, a private institution that did not release its salaries.
Tennessee ($3.325 million), LSU ($2.725 million), and Alabama ($2.702) are the top three, followed by Auburn ($2.560) and Arkansas ($2.034). Top-ranked Florida is just below Georgia at $1.965 million.
Multiyear contracts have become more common for coordinators, but all Georgia assistants work under one-year contracts. Former defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, who had a three-year contract, was the last Bulldogs assistant to have a multiyear deal.
The future of Georgia's defensive coordinator, Willie Martinez, has been the most common source of speculation.
After Saturday's 30-24 win over Georgia Tech, Richt said, "I know we've got some areas to improve, but right now I'm just going to enjoy this victory."
Evans said he leaves staff decisions to Richt.
"His staff, that's Mark's call," Evans said.
Evans and Richt meet after each season to talk about the program, but they also talk throughout the season.
Reach Marc Weiszer at marc.weiszer@morris.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
uh-oh!! willie, it aint lookin' good for you pal.
Free Willie!!!
Two decent games in a season do not an effective defensive coordinator make. When UGA gave up all those points in the first two games of the season it was apparent that we were in for a long season. It wasn't as if there were no clues in seasons past because the defense hasn't exactly been up to par almost since Coach Martinez got his job @ UGA and he can't say that he hasn't been given a fair shot. On the other hand it would seem as if Coach Martinez himself would just man up and admit that he hasn't been able to do what was expected of him as a coach @ UGA and just resign. Coach Richt has to consider the Philip Fulmer thing and try a new defensive coordinator and have a few words with Mike Bobo also. When you've successfully run the ball down the field, why try a pass on third down? That's when a turnover or lack of completing a pass into the end zone which is only a few short yards away costs the Dawgs. Was Georgia Tech the ONLY team against which UGA could run the ball? I doubt it but it's the only game in the season where it was tried over and over. By the way, the lower UF salaries for assistants proves that money isn't the way to getting the best job done.
Coastal, not to be picky, but we ran the ball against Auburn as well. And you see the result. Bobo put to much pressure on Cox all year.
Perhaps Cox could never handle the pressue to begin with. I agree that we need to look at making changes with the DC position, but Bobo can't make chicken soup out of chicked poop. Mark Richt promised Cox this position for waiting. Richt should shoulder some responsibilty for that too.
I think Richt position on that was admirable. Man of his word. Hard to find these days. The kind of man I would want my kid to play for.
Yes he is a man of his word. But guess who this hurts the most?? The recruits that he also brought in to play for GA because they felt GA is a competitive team. Not all GA players came to GA because they are bulldog fans. They came as a stepping stone to the NFL. In other words a weak team showing will hurt their chances for a good contract with the NFL.
I'm pretty sure NFL scouts can identify potential stars of the league regardless of the team's record. You think A. J. Greens potential is not recognized by the experts? Besides, who would you have started, a freshman? Logan Gray?
AJ has been a standout since last year. But look at the two running backs that got a lot of attention this past weekend. Had they been playing ball like they did early in the year you would never see the potential these two guys have. Perhaps Logan can do better than Cox. Logan only got a few chances to play this year and it would be difficult to base much off of that. I feel we should have been better prepared in who was taking snapps regardless. One thing for sure.. Cox cannot take the pressure.
all of the posters this morning seem to have forgotten that uga had some of the top point producers from last year jump ship 1-2 years early, you can't blame the remaining team or coaching staff for this lost scoring potential, i realize the defense was somewhat suspect but the key to winning is outscoring the opponent .who is to say how many games would have been won had they not abandoned their team
You are right... the defense is lacking. But the defense aren't the ones turning the ball over. That is the offense doing that. How many turnovers did we have that resulted in the other team scoring?????
What do Richt and a weatherman have in common? Both are wrong half the time and yet mainain job security.
Actually, he has the 4th best winning percentage among active coaches. .783. If only the weatherman could be that good.
Keep the coordinator; get rid of the defense!
I would love to have Erk back with the Junkyard Dawgs!
What's Bill Lewis up to these days? He knew how to run a defense. The play calling this year was really poor. Calling more running plays worked pretty well in the two biggest victories of the season. We scored enough points to win more games if the defense could have done a half decent job.