“If the Tigers extend a reasonable offer to Ball it’s believed that he would strongly consider accepting the position as the next wide receivers coach at LSU.”
Reasonable being in the eye of the beholder, of course.
Looks like that assistant coaches’ salary pool is about to get a stress test.
Filed under Georgia Football, It's Just Bidness
Get The Picture 
FYI, Coach Ball has already left.
LikeLike
Source?
LikeLike
Twitter, naturally
LikeLike
I hope we can keep him.
LikeLike
LSU Plan of the Day: Better Call Ball
UGA Plan of the Day: Daily forecast of DEFCON 2 angst for Greg. Otherwise, Management pleased that Terry Godwin signed his letter of intent which requires lucky student-athlete signees such as Terry to know that the Program is still in the same building (even if it is the building with the short field)
LikeLike
But…but…but doesn’t Richt have to give Ball money out of a pot full that Greg gave him?
LikeLike
Ball money, not ball money. Get your heads out of the gutter.
LikeLike
Better call Ball…
Bravo, sir.
LikeLike
“Strongly consider” does not equal “accepts job.” Why wouldn’t a La.-based website phrase the situation like that? Even if Ball bails, this sounds like a recent, ie, post-signing day, development.
LikeLike
Ball bails?
LikeLike
Good, huh? Glad someone noticed. 😉
LikeLike
Given that his interview was today, I would agree. The worst of these developments take place hours after signing day ends. That means the interviews have already taken place and the press release is just waiting to be sent out.
LikeLike
I would point to the fact that we have not had a great receiver since Green, yet all of our receivers have been pretty good at catching and blocking.
However, you would have to wonder if the new OC hire would have any push against Ball.
LikeLike
Without the injuries, Malcolm Mitchell would be in the NFL right now. The kid can play. He catches most anything he gets his hands on and can get up field. Watch Mitchell in 2012 and then tell me he’s not great. I hope we see the return of his deep threat.
LikeLike
We haven’t had a great HEALTHY receiver, no. Malcolm Mitchell and Justin Scott-Wesley are amazing receivers and have played very well under his tutelage. And I think you can easily make an argument that players like Chris Conley and Michael Bennett overachieved while at Georgia. Who was their coach again?
LikeLike
If Ball leaves does BMac go to WR and we go after Thomas Brown for RB?
LikeLike
This isn’t a bad idea.
Ball can flat out coach, though. He’d be missed.
LikeLike
“This isn’t a bad idea.”
It’s a Bright Idea! And could be a reward to TB for us getting the offensive line recruit who at one time was going to sign with Wisconsi
LikeLike
What about Hines ward?
LikeLike
Why in gods name would we move BMac given the level of success he has had recruiting / developing amazing backs? Just b/c he was a RB? Very shallow reasoning IMO. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
LikeLike
Coach McClendon was a WR. His daddy, Willie, was a RB & a damn fine one at that…
LikeLike
HINES WARD !!!!
LikeLike
now that would be an upgrade
LikeLike
My, how the times have changed. I remember just a few short seasons ago – Dawg nation was in constant angst because we had a former RB coaching WRs and former WR coaching RBs.
LikeLike
At the time, the questioning made some sense as BMac was not a proven position coach. That is not the case now as he has proven that he can recruit and develop RBs at a very high level. I question why you would further disrupt the staff by moving him to a position that he doesn’t have any history coaching (not saying he couldn’t do it, just that it doesn’t really make sense to ask him to).
LikeLike
Agree. BMac has recruited some terrific RBs and done a great job of coaching them too. Why would anyone mess with that level of success by switching him to coach another position? That’s dumber than squib kicks.
LikeLike
LOL
LikeLike
If I remember correctly, Kirby Smart was a RB coach on this staff once upon a time.
LikeLike
So much for the “nobody wants Richt’s coaches meme.” At this point, I think every member of last year’s staff has been approached / left for another position.
LikeLike
Mark Richt hasn’t won a game this year!
LikeLike
Senator, a good one. Not twitter, not the Internet, not Facebook etc.
LikeLike
Thanks. Did he give the school a chance to match, or did he just want a change of scenery?
LikeLike
Not sure about that, so I can’t comment. He was not at practice/conditioning this morning.
LikeLike
Wouldn’t that be bc he’s in Red Stick interviewing?
LikeLike
Whooopssssseee
LikeLike
Wasn’t he in an interview.
LikeLike
The linked article says he’s there interviewing today.
LikeLike
After some andouille and crawfish, das Hat probably gave Tony a lagniappe by taking him to Tiger Stadium to sample what the turf grass tastes like. That’s how you close a deal
LikeLike
So if the foo’ shits, wear it?
LikeLike
I’m genuinely curious, like some others – what makes people think Ball is such a good WR coach? That is not a knock on him, I’m just not well informed. Is it his recruiting? I see Marlon Brown doing more in the NFL than he ever did in a Georgia uniform. I haven’t had any major complaints in the WR department the past few years (mostly due to injuries to our top WR’s) but it doesn’t appear to be a strength in our offense (RB/TE).
LikeLike
Why don’t you ask Conley?
LikeLike
Ball’s recruiting chops aren’t all that great, but he is a good position coach. His players consistently get better over time. Look at M. Massaqoi his freshman and sophomore years, then look at his junior and senior years. He went from a basket case to an NFL prospect. Even AJ Green, who could have gone pro after his freshman year, got better each year. Marlon Brown wasn’t ready for SEC football when he arrived on campus and by the time he was blossoming in his Senior year he got hurt. The guy can coach wide receivers.
LikeLike
This. Marlon was on his way to a fine senior season before he got hurt.
LikeLike
He’s been a pretty good position coach, though I think part of that was prior to him we had some poorly coached WRs (as disappointing as Terrance Edwards’ dropped catch was, back then we had a lot of brick-handed WRs.)
LikeLike
Marlon Brown was leading the team when he got injured his senior year. He came in very raw and a project but because he was rated as a 5 star receiver the year after AJ, everyone expected much more of him. By his senior year, he was a top flight receiver, and his success his rookie year (and subsequent years) in the NFL are directly attributable to that.
Take a look at the progress of receivers who weren’t expected to do much…guys like Bennett and Conley, Rhett McGowan, etc. They ended up being great blockers, crisp route runners, great ability to attack the ball and adjust. Even a guy like Justin Scott-Wesley has improved considerably.
Look at the year over year improvement of our receivers and I think it’s pretty easy to see that he’s a strong position coach.
LikeLike
If Ball does leave, weren’t folks saying what a good job his staff had done at St Louis with their WR’s? Something about teaching Tavon Austin to run routes…
LikeLike
Don’t worry. Ima get Ward on the phone.
LikeLike
I hear he’s taking Brian Williams’ anchor job (but don’t quote me on that)
LikeLike
Like Williams, Ward survived a harrowing ordeal by narrowly escaping a terrorist attack by Bane. No wait, that wasn’t real either….
LikeLike
Hines Ward. I agree. What recruit would’t want to play for that guy?
LikeLike
Yes Hines Ward
LikeLike
Wonder if Shotty recommends call or fold?
LikeLike
Good question. Does a WR coach’s salary reach the point of diminishing returns? If they aren’t a strategic priority, some times you just have to pat someone on the back and wish them well.
LikeLike
How much do wanna bet they CMR has told Godwin and Stanley if you don’t want to come, don’t? I’ll bet you he’s offered unconditional release to both but said wherever you go, your coach won’t be there when your done and they won’t be nearly as accommodating as I am when you want out. I can’t imagine CMR’s too happy that they publically suggested they were lied to. I’m betting that if ball bolts we won’t hear anymore whining. I guess we’ll see.
LikeLike
GOODWIN tweeted an apology for his reaction and both players deleted their tweets. When you are a high school kids emotion often gets the best of you.
LikeLike
I know. I’m suggesting what may have triggered the apology. It wasn’t Ball’s lack of interest as we know today.
LikeLike
If Ball goes our first look should be Hines Ward.
LikeLike
Pony up Greg. The balls to keep Ball are Greg’s.
LikeLike
+1
LikeLike
I hope Ball stays. He’s been a very good WR coach, and has overcome a lot of adversity with the injuries we’ve had. And considering we have just as much resources as LSU, probably more, we shouldn’t be getting outbid by other them or other sec teams.
I had hoped we’d turned a corner when it comes to retaining assistant coaches. For years we kept lousy coaches like Garner, and let good assistants walk, like Belin and BVG. It seemed this year we ponied up to retain our good assistants – as far as lateral moves are concerned. BM needs to be consistent on this issue and show Ball his service is appreciated.
LikeLike
Pay the man. That is B-M’s problem in the first place. When management loses a valuable employee to the competition because the competitor offers more money that is management’s fault. By definition the employee was underpaid because the competitor is willing to pay more. That is Ball’s (and Georgia’s) situation here.
LikeLike
Unless the employer doesn’t put the same value on the employee or the employee’s position as the competitor does. Then the management, by definition, owes it to the organization to let that person go.
There is a reason that TB is interviewing. He’ll be leaving this year or next, mark my words.
LikeLike
Exactly. My point was that this organization (B-M) doesn’t value its employees like it should.
LikeLike
That wasn’t my point. Maybe they don’t value Tony ball or the wide receiver coach position like LSU does.
LikeLike
Not necessarily. Two years ago Ball interviewed at Tennessee. UT offered him the job. UGA matched their offer and he stayed in Athens.
LikeLike
I thought all the whining about el cheapo had been put to rest.
LikeLike
What experience does Hines Ward have coaching?
I’d love to see him in Athens but he needs to get experience coaching before he is on staff.
LikeLike