After seeing lots of posts on the message boards demanding Richt's head for the "Mess in Memphis," I was thinking about buyout clauses. That prompted me to look at Mark Richt's contract and his buyout. (This post is simply an observation on that deal, not necessarily an endorsement of any action. We don't call for heads here.)
Richt's current contract runs through the end of the 2013 season. If Richt is fired (technically, the Athletic Association would terminate his contract with six months notice) then Richt gets three amounts: (1) his full compensation package for the year in which he is fired, (2) a portion of his compensation package for future years remaining on his contract, and (3) a longevity bonus. Richt's full compensation package includes his base salary and payments for media appearances ($800K), the equipment deal with Nike, and a football camp payment ($100K). In addition, Richt earns a longevity bonus of $300,000 for each season he coaches after the 2005 season, but that cumulative sum is paid when the contract ends.
So, if Richt is fired, he'd get his full package for the year in which he is fired. Here's the interesting part. Effective January 1, 2011, for years remaining on his contract after the year of termination, Richt's buyout gives him only his base salary and his equipment deal money, but not the payments for media appearances and camps. That reduction represents a $900,000 savings on each year remaining on the contract after the year of termination. That reduction for future year compensation is effective only for years after 2011. Years before that would have entitled Richt to his full package. The longevity bonus for prior seasons would have to be paid too. That number currently stands at $1.5M. It increases by $300,000 for each season Richt coaches.
This means that Richt's contract makes it $1.8M easier to fire him in 2011 or earlier.
Here's one other thing about Richt's contract. Coaches generally require at least four years remaining on their contracts for recruiting. You want a recruit to see that you have at least four years remaining on your contract to assure him that you'll be around for his time at your school. So, as crazy as it might sound to you, you shouldn't be surprised if Richt gets a one-year contract extension between now and February 2.
Also, Richt isn't the only contract that would have to be bought out. Todd Grantham's got a buyout clause, too. Reportedly, he has a three year deal that would require a full buyout if he is fired without cause. That means Grantham would get $750,000 per season remaining on his contract. He's entering year two of that contract.
Quinton
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Frustration and a Welcomed End to 2010
WARNING: What you are about to read are the frustrated musings of a person who traveled 3,510 miles to only three games this season only to be rewarded with losses to Mississippi State, Colorado, and Central Florida.
First of all, I'd like to say that the Liberty Bowl isn't a bad trip. Memphis is a fun town if you stick to the right areas. The halftime show was the best halftime concert since Kenny Rogers at the 2005 game in Knoxville. My only complaint was that the stadium felt like it was at the center of the American transportation system with trains blaring by at regular intervals and an almost constant flow of low-altitude aircraft. Otherwise, I enjoyed the trip. Well, except for the actual play of my team.
I'm just at a loss on this one. It was the same stuff as all the early season losses, except we seemed intent on getting the ball to A.J. He returned punts. He caught quick passes. We tried to hit him deep. Despite that, the offense sputtered. UCF has a competent defense, but when your OL outweighs their DL by 50 pounds a man and two of its members are considering early entry to the NFL draft, you should dominate the offensive line of scrimmage. But, just like the rest of the year, our line looked weak, or tired, or just slow. UCF played a conservative defense that demanded good execution and methodical play. The Dawgs obliged on some long drives, only to sputter within sight of the goal line. The offense just never seemed in rhythm.
It's frustrating. A losing season is never acceptable. The University of Georgia places a high emphasis on its athletic programs, especially football. So, things have to change, right? Well, there won't be coaching change this season, so let's take that off the table. With that said, how exactly do you see the Georgia Bulldogs improving next season?
I've heard a lot of folks saying that recruiting is the key to next season. Those pleas just ring hollow to me. First, recruiting is important every year. We have to sign great athletes every year because our competitors sure are. Second, the chief deficiencies I see on this team are on the offensive and defensive lines. How many true freshman do you see making an appreciable difference on the line of scrimmage in SEC play? Crowell, Drew, Rome, and the rest of the Dream Team are important, but will they make an appreciable difference next year? I'm not so sure. Long and Benedict should be ready to contribute on the OL, but both those guys are coming off major surgeries.
Georgia will open the season against Boise in Atlanta. We'll be without our top play maker on both the offense and defense from this year. Why should I be optimistic about that game or any game next year?
I was on Beale Street Thursday afternoon before the bowl pep rally. Greg McGarity walked toward me, stopped, and thanked me for coming to support the team. He didn't know me, nor does he have any particular reason to. It was an appreciated gesture. I told him that I was sincerely grateful that he got the job and wished him luck. It seems that our administration is ready to support our program in any way, even thanking some yahoo on the street. We just need to figure out how to improve, and fast.
Quinton
First of all, I'd like to say that the Liberty Bowl isn't a bad trip. Memphis is a fun town if you stick to the right areas. The halftime show was the best halftime concert since Kenny Rogers at the 2005 game in Knoxville. My only complaint was that the stadium felt like it was at the center of the American transportation system with trains blaring by at regular intervals and an almost constant flow of low-altitude aircraft. Otherwise, I enjoyed the trip. Well, except for the actual play of my team.
I'm just at a loss on this one. It was the same stuff as all the early season losses, except we seemed intent on getting the ball to A.J. He returned punts. He caught quick passes. We tried to hit him deep. Despite that, the offense sputtered. UCF has a competent defense, but when your OL outweighs their DL by 50 pounds a man and two of its members are considering early entry to the NFL draft, you should dominate the offensive line of scrimmage. But, just like the rest of the year, our line looked weak, or tired, or just slow. UCF played a conservative defense that demanded good execution and methodical play. The Dawgs obliged on some long drives, only to sputter within sight of the goal line. The offense just never seemed in rhythm.
It's frustrating. A losing season is never acceptable. The University of Georgia places a high emphasis on its athletic programs, especially football. So, things have to change, right? Well, there won't be coaching change this season, so let's take that off the table. With that said, how exactly do you see the Georgia Bulldogs improving next season?
I've heard a lot of folks saying that recruiting is the key to next season. Those pleas just ring hollow to me. First, recruiting is important every year. We have to sign great athletes every year because our competitors sure are. Second, the chief deficiencies I see on this team are on the offensive and defensive lines. How many true freshman do you see making an appreciable difference on the line of scrimmage in SEC play? Crowell, Drew, Rome, and the rest of the Dream Team are important, but will they make an appreciable difference next year? I'm not so sure. Long and Benedict should be ready to contribute on the OL, but both those guys are coming off major surgeries.
Georgia will open the season against Boise in Atlanta. We'll be without our top play maker on both the offense and defense from this year. Why should I be optimistic about that game or any game next year?
I was on Beale Street Thursday afternoon before the bowl pep rally. Greg McGarity walked toward me, stopped, and thanked me for coming to support the team. He didn't know me, nor does he have any particular reason to. It was an appreciated gesture. I told him that I was sincerely grateful that he got the job and wished him luck. It seems that our administration is ready to support our program in any way, even thanking some yahoo on the street. We just need to figure out how to improve, and fast.
Quinton
Thursday, December 9, 2010
My honest take on Urban Meyer's Departure
As I said on Twitter yesterday, I"m having a lot of trouble getting excited about Meyer's departure from Florida. My reasoning is pretty simple. Florida isn't Georgia's biggest obstacle to success right now.
Georgia's biggest obstacle to success at this point is Georgia. We absolutely must get our own house in order, or we won't take advantage of Meyer's departure. I still believe now as I did last off season, that our problems are:
PWD
Georgia's biggest obstacle to success at this point is Georgia. We absolutely must get our own house in order, or we won't take advantage of Meyer's departure. I still believe now as I did last off season, that our problems are:
- 1. Sense of Urgency
2. Lack of a Meritocracy - Which I would extend to the hiring process
3. Personnel Utilization Issues
PWD
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Strength and Conditioning
Mark Richt rebuilt the Georgia Bulldog football program in 2001 on the core premise of Finishing the Drill. The idea was simple. If we work harder than the other guys, we're going to win the fourth quarter and therefore the game. (Image by Jim Hipple)
There's been lots of bitching and moaning here and elsewhere about our strength program. The crux of the argument usually sounds like this, "Look at us getting mauled at the line of scrimmage." Or "I hear bad things about S&C." Beyond that the feedback is usually either very vague or full of innuendo.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't really know what goes on in the weight room. But you know what? I don't care. I don't give a damn if they try ballet, dabble in yoga, bust rocks or replicate the Siberian Workout Scene from Rocky IV. The process is of no interest to me. All I care about is the outcome.
This year against BCS opposition, Georgia was outscored in the fourth quarter/OT in 8 of 10 games by a combined score of 54 UGA to 88 opposition. In the six losses, the numbers are even more lopsided at 37-61. That point differential is an unacceptable outcome.
This isn't a symptom of some larger issue. This is one of the DNA-level problems that Coach Richt has to resolve between now and next season, and it's not going to be solved by touting fake 40 yard dash times or making field trips the swimming pool.
It's time to GATA again.
PWD
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Aaron Murray's Freshman Season
If you had told me preseason that Aaron Murray would throw for 2,851 yards, 24 TDs and only 6 INTs with one game remaining on the schedule, I would've thought for sure that we'd have won 9-10 games. Easily. But here we sit at 6-6. (Image by Jim Hipple)
As a point of comparison, here are the first year starter totals for other recent UGA QBs:
- Joe Cox (RSr.) - 2,584 yards / 24 TDs / 15 INTs
- Matt Stafford (Fr.) - 1,749 / 7 TDs / 13 INTs
- DJ Shockley (RSr.) - 2,588 / 24 TDs / 5 INTs
- David Green (RFr.) - 2,789 / 17 TDs
- Quincy Carter (Fr.) - 2,484 / 12 TDs
- Mike Bobo (RJr.) - 2,440 / 13 TDs
- Eric Zeier (Fr.) - 1,984 / 7 TDs
Murray's current passer rating of 162.7 is greater than Mike Bobo's UGA single season record of 155.8. His 61.8% completion percentage is third best in UGA history for a single season, and he's one TD away from tying the single season Georgia record Matt Stafford obtained in his final season before being the #1 pick of the draft.
All of which baffles me when I think about us being 6-6.
PWD
Video: Aaron Murray Season Highlight
2010 Season Highlights from Aaron Murray. The video was uploaded to Youtube by pr1sonmike
Watching this is about as encouraging as it gets.
PWD
Watching this is about as encouraging as it gets.
PWD
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