Photo by Associated Press
Georgia assistant head coach and defensive line coach Rodney Garner is seen during practice Aug. 17, 2007, in Athens, Ga. Garner said Monday that he turned down an offer to coach at Tennessee. Garner interviewed for a position as an offensive assistant on new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin's staff.
Tennessee’s latest bid to add another big-name recruiter to its staff fell short with Monday’s announcement that Georgia assistant coach Rodney Garner will remain with the Bulldogs.
After a visit to Tennessee on Saturday and a visit from the Vols in Athens, Ga., on Sunday, Garner opted to stay with the Bulldogs, where he’s spent the past 10 seasons.
“Certainly I’m flattered and am sincerely appreciative of the interest shown by Tennessee,” Garner said in a Georgia release. “But in the final analysis the positives at Georgia were the determining factors. My heart is coaching on the defensive side of the ball.”
Tennessee’s initial offer to Garner, which reportedly approached $400,000 a year, was to coach on offense. Garner has coached the defensive line for 10 seasons at Georgia, after leaving UT where he coached offensive tackles and tight ends 1996-97.
In addition to coaching four first-round draft picks in the last eight seasons on Georgia’s defensive line, Garner is widely recognized as one of the best recruiters in the country.
Last week, UT added former Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron to its staff as assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach. Garner, who recruited several key members of UT’s 1998 national championship team, held the same title at Georgia.
He told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the possibility of working with UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin was the main draw to Tennessee.
“That was a major attraction, wanting to just be a sponge and soak up all the knowledge I could from a great defensive coordinator,” Garner said.
Ultimately, though, Garner said Georgia coach Mark Richt was the reason he chose to stay with the Bulldogs.
“The attraction of Georgia to me is Mark Richt, I’m going to be honest with you,” Garner told the AJC. “I love the institution and the community but I work for a great man and that’s the main reason I stayed.”
Garner, who earned $253,301 last season, will receive a raise at Georgia, although Richt declined to specify the amount his 42-year-old assistant would receive.
“Rodney’s the one that made the decision,” Richt said Monday. “I didn’t have to talk him into anything. We did have some good conversations, no doubt, but Rodney believes in what we’re doing here at Georgia. I can’t say it was an easy decision for him, but he was certainly the one to have made the call.”
UT has room for at least two additional coaches on its staff, although the Vols could hire as many as four if two remaining members of last year’s staff — tight ends coach Jason Michael and running backs coach Stan Drayton — opt to leave or are not retained by UT coach Lane Kiffin.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 352
orangevolunteer writes:
oh well, i really do not want a guy who leaves every few years just for more money anyway.
allvolinatlanta writes:
No surprise. He was just working them over for more money.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Well, at least we caused Richt to cough up some cash.
He is a recruiter, not a coach.
HtownVol writes:
O well. We really didnt need him. We have enough recruiting coordinators. We need goor posotion coaches
lovinwk writes:
Next????
Rockford writes:
For some reason, I don't really feel bad about this one.
TommyJack writes:
Rodney: Mull this.
warriorman86#667191 writes:
O come on guys you know you wanted him. It makes us seem like UK basketball fans. Anyone we don't get we don't want. You would've loved it if he came here.
ctownvol writes:
That dude is one heckuva muller.
utchris writes:
Does this mean that we can go take Miami's RC? After how many guys they had in the AA games, he must me good..haha
stinky_pinky writes:
time to turn attention to sly and then billy gonzalez on fri....staff can still be murders row
VolsAllTheWay writes:
Certainly, we would have loved to get Rodney Garner back, but maybe we'll make contact with Trooper Taylor now instead. We know he'll coach the offensive side of the ball. If Garner staying at Georgia is the worst news we hear then life will be good, book it!
EntourageVol writes:
right on warriorman86, Garner would have been a huge get. Oh well, CLK can't get everyone
ctownvol writes:
Absolutely. He would have been a good addition but he is not a necessity. IMO.
blitzshoot writes:
I was the scholar that saw him getting off the plane last night. Hope he enjoys coaching against this staff.
mtnsvol44 writes:
No problem, he was a turncoat anyway and only took a trip to UT to squeeze more money from Ga!
drone#208075 writes:
Good recruiter as evidenced by our talent decline after he left, but he left and should not have been offered the opportunity to return - he's not that good. We'll just have to out do him on & off the field.
blitzshoot writes:
BIG MISTAKE...meant to write
"WHO was the scholar that saw him getting off the plane last night."
lovinwk writes:
Would have been nice. No doubt. But...it's a "non-issue" now. Moving on.
jfgvol writes:
Would have been great to have him but hopefully we'll get after trooper.
NoogaVol55 writes:
I agree...awesome if he came, but i didn't think he would. he wouldn't be a RC...salary would have increased...but responsiblity would have gone down. I was a little worried about having too many cooks in the kitchen...oh well, would have been nice to have him
MOVING ON KIFF...BRING IN THE NEXT BEST THING!!!
jobrando#216494 writes:
Not me. On paper it appears we have all the recruiters we need. I'm just hoping the Sooner's treat the Gators like Bama got it from the Ute's. It might help slow the flow of 4-5 star recruits to them as I type.
DAWGSSUCK writes:
I agree completely.
NoogaVol55 writes:
Everybody...please read Meat Market...Rodney Garner will have a hard time competing with EO on the recruiting trail. EO is a "MACHINE"...as evidence by Ole Miss right now.
NoogaVol55 writes:
Any word on what position Reaves will be coaching...and is Chaney in Knoxville...I haven't heard or read any news pertaining to Chaney. Thanks ahead of time for any info.
99gator writes:
billy gonzalez isn't going anywhere
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports...
BigMikeUT writes:
I've heard Trooper is going to Auburn. Not sure if that's final yet, but I know they were after him.
utmdm writes:
Well now we have the mullers to join the mullets.
SemperVol writes:
Trooper's a Plainsman...
http://auburn.rivals.com/content.asp?...
chrisw2967 writes:
I would still much rather have Trooper than Garner , it probably wont happen but I guess a man can wish.
donnie.gamble2#603636 writes:
Oh well... It would have been a nice addition but I think we will survive.
Here's an idea, lets hear some reports on recruits instead of recruiters. Weren't we suppose to be visiting some players today?
byobbio writes:
I'm alright with him staying at GA. I wasn't until i heard what Jimmy Hyams says. But, really, i want to know what Mickey Dearstone says. Then, i'll formulate an opinion!
jobrando#216494 writes:
Who wil be the Qb coach?
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Thanks Foolmore for letting Garner go to UGA in the first place. LOL!!!!!!!
tennisvol writes:
No surprise here. He just goes to the interviews to get more money as he knows Georgia will raise his salary to whatever he was offered. This was a waste of time and money from the beginning.
utchris writes:
Chaney will coach Qb's
Kiffin will coach WR's
ctownvol writes:
Been chasing any crazy-looking animals lately?
utmdm writes:
that just says he has not been contacted....yet.
chrisw2967 writes:
well so much for Trooper to huh
ctownvol writes:
I'm pulling for Jim Bob Cooter.
JBruce writes:
Gonzales sticking around
Wide receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Billy Gonzales, who wasn't up for the Gators' offensive coordinator position, seems to be staying put despite Internet rumors.
Gonzales has been mentioned as a candidate to join Lane Kiffin's staff at Tennessee. Meyer said he hasn't been contacted by anyone regarding Gonzales' services.
"I asked Billy the same thing. The Internet — whoever invented that thing — I'd like to meet them and hit them right in the mouth," said Meyer, who then took back the quote.
Apparently Tennessee has not expressed any interest in him. Neither Gonzales nor Meyer have been contacted by Tennessee.
HtownVol writes:
I dont know if we are trying to get him. I dont even know that hes that good a coach. But this doesnt mean he is staying at Florida. Read it again
utkedu writes:
99Gator, he may not leave Florida, but I would be surprised if UTK does not make a major push for him before all is said and done.
If Garner chose to go to UT, the attempts to go after Gonzales would have likely ended, but I expect further attempts will be made. Gonzales may choose to stay, but I would be greatly surprised if UTK doesn't make a final attempt.
lomas98 writes:
Do we know if GA even had to match the offer UT gave him. He was targeted by UT first and listened to what they had to say. That is what business is all about. If someone approached you about an offer where you could almost double your salary, wouldn't you listen? Then you would go to your current employer and tell them what you were offered and they would probably make a counter offer. America is beautiful.
chrisw2967 writes:
Meyers quote
Gonzales has been mentioned as a candidate to join Lane Kiffin's staff at Tennessee. Meyer said he hasn't been contacted by anyone regarding Gonzales' services.
"I asked Billy the same thing. The Internet — whoever invented that thing — I'd like to meet them and hit them right in the mouth," said Meyer, who then took back the quote.
sounds like this idiot was scared or something or the azz hole just really spews sh&t out of his mouth
Ironcity writes:
I agree 100%. I Don't blame him for using UT. It shows he is pretty smart. His next move if he decides to move will be as a coordinator or head coach.
ctownvol writes:
Tell Urbie that ol ctownvol invented the internet AND started the rumor. I'd love to see that little weasel punch this ol boy in the mouth. Kickin' his azz would be more fun than stompin' baby chickens. And probably easier too.
PaulTheVol writes:
Don't kid yourself, getting Garner would have been a huge coup for Kiffin. Garner commands respect from both recruits and their coaches. He recruited a number of key players from UT's national championship team. When he left Auburn to come to Tennessee a couple of Auburn players almost transferred so he could continue to coach them.
As for him hopping around for more money - it was Kiffin who contacted him and he has been at Georgia for 10 years. How long does he need to stay in one place and watch lesser coaches be promoted ahead of him?
southernson writes:
What about Sylvester Croom? Where does he fit in . He was on the hill Sunday. Please do not bring Trooper back. As for the Gonzales thing. Hes coming
chrisw2967 writes:
didnt mean to post the samething everybody else did about meyers but seems like we all are posting it
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