ATHENS, Ga. -- Mark Richt didn't receive a raise after Georgia's SEC title game appearance in 2011.
(Photo by Sonny Kennedy/Special to Dawgs247)
After the one in 2012, however, he has.
Georgia's recent 12 win season and top-five national finish was worth roughly $400,000 per year for the Bulldogs' head coach. The executive committee of the UGA Athletics Association's Board of Directors on Tuesday approved the increase of Richt's base salary from $2,811,340 to roughly $3.2 million.
Richt's contract was also extended one year and now through the end of the 2017 season.
"The job that he's done leading our program, 12 wins, the manner in which he's done it, it's just something we felt like we needed to do," UGA athletics director Greg McGarity said. "We felt like the trend is going the right way, so we felt good about that."
All other terms of last year's new contract for Richt remain the same, including the buyout structure and incentives.
McGarity said he spoke with the Richt and UGA president Michael Adams about the raise on Monday in preparation for a presentation at Tuesday evening's board meeting at the Butts-Mehre complex.
"We all left the room happy," McGarity said, "so that's where we are now."
Richt, recovering from hip replacement surgery, made the rounds early in Tuesday's meetings to say hello but was not around when his raise was approved.
"I'm honored and very thankful to Dr. Adams, Greg McGarity, and the Athletic Board for their support in what are working daily to accomplish," said Richt in a statement released by UGA. "I look forward along with our staff to preparing this team for the challenges of another season. From what I've heard, our team is working hard in the offseason conditioning program and paying the price necessary to be successful in the Fall.
"I do want to express my gratitude to Dr. Adams for his support and continuing confidence in our program over the years. He's been a special supporter who has always been in our corner. And we look forward to working with President-select Jere Morehead. He's been in several roles in the University administration, including a former Faculty Athletics Representative, and always supported our program in every respect."
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*** Nothing was decided at Tuesday's board meeting regarding assistant coaching salaries, though McGarity did say he is discussing that currently with Richt.
Of the assistants being mentioned, McGarity did say he expects "an adjustment" for the salary of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and it is possible that Bobo will go to a multi-year contract like that of defensive coordinator Todd Grantham
McGarity does not need board approval for assistant coaching raises.
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*** McGarity was asked Tuesday about Georgia's basketball program, which was struggling early on but built a five-game win streak entering Tuesday night's game against Alabama.
"I don't think anybody has ever lost confidence in (Mark Fox's) ability as a coach. I think there might have been concerns early on," said McGarity, referencing a loss to Mississippi State earlier in SEC play.
"From that game on, you look at the effort and the level of defense and rock-em, sock-em style that you play in the SEC now, it's kind of turned the corner," McGarity said.
- Gentry Estes
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