Georgia Bulldogs: Well, That Didn't Take Long...

It seems to me that every off-season, Georgia fans have to endure the "Will Rodney Garner stay or go" conversation. It's happened, ad nauseum, for the last five seasons—forgive me if I've lost count—and this off-season doesn't look like it will be any different. Once again, Garner's name is cropping up for consideration at another SEC school.

According to this report, the Auburn Tigers might come calling again now that their defensive line coach—Tracy Rocker—has bolted for the NFL, and Gene Chizik's first option, Clint Hurtt of Louisville, has decided to stay with his current employer. 

In case you didn't know, Garner is an Auburn alum and the prospect of him returning to coach at his alma mater seems like a scenario worth getting concerned about...that is, if you're inclined to care any more.

Why the big stink? Well, Garner is also Georgia's current recruiting coordinator and that, as much as anything, is the reason his name continues to be floated about for coaching positions. And, if you listen to rumors, it's also the reason why coach Richt has been so adamant about Garner remaining on his staff.

When Richt cleaned defensive house at the end of the 2009 season, Garner wasn't under any real threat of receiving his walking papers—despite the fact the the defensive line (the unit Garner is responsible for coaching) was every bit as underwhelming as the rest of the defense.

Smart money says that Garner stays at Georgia for the same reason Hurtt opted to stay at Louisville—he's already got a pretty good deal going—said Hurtt about why he opted against Auburn in favor of remaining at Louisville, "...I couldn’t say that Auburn had that much more to offer than what is already in place here." 


We'll see what happens, but I simply don't see Garner going anywhere—yet.

Related articles

• Louisville assistant Hurtt not going to Auburn (sportingnews.com)

Phil Steele Thinks Georgia Could Run The Table—Do You?

From the man who brought you the Oklahoma Sooners as the No. 1 team for 2010—Phil Steele—I have this little nugget lifted from an ESPN radio interview.

“If I was going to pick another one out of the stack there,” Steele said Friday on ESPN’s College Football Live, “I would have to say the Georgia Bulldogs. I think they’ve got a shot of even winning the SEC East and could very well run the table.” (courtesy of Tim Tucker, AJC, 5/31/10). 


You have to love Phil's optimism but I'm going to wait and see how the season plays out all the same. I think too many people may be buying into the idea that the schedule will be "easy" this season and that's dangerous when you consider the fact that Georgia will have a freshman starting at quarterback and a new defensive scheme to break in.

Anything is possible and I wouldn't count the Georgia Bulldogs or Mark Richt out for a second, many outside the program smell blood in the water and have already started writing Georgia off this season and are already lining up prospects for the next head coach (Will Muschamp and Kirby Smart have been bantied about).

However, I am still of the firm belief that it is not yet Mark Richt's time to go and until I see what his changes in staff will bring to the table in 2010, I will reserve all judgment on where the program is going.

I like Steele's optimism, though, it's a welcome change from the doom and gloom I've been hearing since the end of the 2009 season. For more on what Phil Steele had to say and for a nice take on his No. 19 preseason ranking for Georgia, you need look no further than Get The Picture.