Vic Koenning headed to Illinois?

ESPN is reporting that Koenning is heading to Illinois for a big pay raise. He was one of the most often rumored names for the UGA job; although there was never any official indication that we were interested in him. Interestingly, Chris Low reports that UGA is backing up Damon's comments of being prepared to offer big money for a DC.

Bud Foster talked to UGA and UF, but only listed his UGA discussions as seriously. He ended up staying up there for a five year deal worth $600,000 per year. The timing on that is interesting in that Beamer is already 63. It seems fairly unlikely that Beamer will coach until he's 69 so Foster should be there long enough to get his shot at the head coaching job.

If we're going to pay that kind of scratch, we should get one heck of a coach. Another name that has been thrown around is Bob Sanders, defensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills. Sanders was a defensive coach for Spurrier from '87 (Duke) through 2000 (Florida). He was Spurrier's #2 defensive coach from '91-'00 with the Gators. Sanders has coached in the NFL since '01 with Miami, Green Bay and Buffalo serving as DC of the Packers for three years.

He wouldn't be the glitzy choice, but he's a very good coach with 1 ACC Title, 6 SEC Titles, 1 National Title and an NFC Conference Championship under his belt.

I really don't think it's Sanders
Richt could've announced Sanders today if that's who it was. There's no reason to stick around in Buffalo for a non-playoff bound team as a position coach when you can be DC in college for more money.

The longer this thing goes the better I like our chances of getting someone intriguing. However, judging by Richt's history, it's going to be someone off our immediate radar. Only Coach Lilly's hire was an obvious move. Searels, Ball, Jancek, Rucker, and Kirby Smart (as RB coach) were all pretty much out of left field. And his original staff didn't have any obvious choices on it except Coach Eason.

Richt plays these things close to the vest so it'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

PWD