Promotion earns Bobo big raise

UGA football notes

ATHENS - Mike Bobo's promotion to Georgia offensive coordinator in December has earned him a $77,000 raise in base salary to $220,000.

That's the same annual base salary that defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and new offensive line coach Stacy Searels will receive, according to information provided to the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday under Georgia Open Records.

Martinez got a $20,000 raise retroactive to Dec. 1 as a "counter to a competitive offer,'' according to the school. Martinez interviewed in late November for the head coaching vacancy at Florida International before withdrawing his name from consideration.

Martinez's previous total financial package since Feb. 1, 2006, was worth $260,000.

Georgia athletic association officials were unavailable Friday afternoon to provide the new total compensation packages.

Bobo, previously quarterbacks coach for six seasons under Mark Richt, was drawing a base salary of $143,000 previously. He was promoted to offensive coordinator on Dec. 19 to replace Neil Callaway, who became head coach at Alabama-Birmingham. Callaway was making a base salary of $191,000 and a total package of $203,500.

Searels, hired to replace Callaway as offensive line coach on Jan. 7, got a $10,000 increase over the $210,000 base salary he was making when he was hired from LSU, according to that school. He also received a radio supplement at LSU worth $3,667.

Crowded behind Southerland

Redshirt freshmen Shuan Chapas and Fred Munzenmaier are bracketed as second-team fullbacks behind Brannan Southerland.

"The young fullbacks are making progress," Ball said. "I'm really trying to focus on them and make sure they understand the fundamentals. I like their attitude and their want to get it done."

Running backs coach Tony Ball calls Jason Johnson his hybrid as a fullback/tailback.

Big plays all around

Coach Mark Richt was pleased with the team's showing in the final practice before Monday's second spring scrimmage because it practiced "half-hearted" before the first scrimmage.

There was plenty of fireworks when the practice ended with one minute live drill work.

Safety Reshad Jones returned an interception for a touchdown. Receivers Sean Bailey and Kenneth Harris scored on long touchdown catches. Tailback Knowshon Moreno also had a long run.

"It was a big play day," Richt said. "There was a lot of good stuff. A lot of good effort."

The quick yardage came against a defense that returns just four defensive starters.

"We gave up way too many big plays today, and we've been doing that quite often in the spring," Martinez said. "The lack of experience is showing."

Another reason to come by

Former Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder attended practice a week ago. The Atlanta Falcons linebackers coach will have more reason to stay close to the program this fall when his oldest of five children, Molloy, joins the team as a preferred walk-on.

Molloy VanGorder played quarterback at Athens Academy when he lived in town but was a starting defensive back last season at Statesboro High School and likely is to stay at that position in college.

"I think all along he was planning on going to Georgia," Statesboro coach Steve Pennington said. "The opportunity to contribute to the football team and walk on was just icing on the cake."

This and that

Offensive tackle Vince Vance (knee) again practiced in a green non-contact jersey, but Richt said he got in more drill work. "My guess is he wouldn't scrimmage on Monday," Richt said. "If he's OK Wednesday and Friday and gets to play in the G-Day game (April 7) that would be huge. That's kind of the goal." ... Redshirt sophomore Donavon Baldwin worked primarily at cornerback on Friday, but Martinez said he is still getting work at safety. "We're kind of moving him back and forth and getting him reps at both positions," Martinez said. ... Cornerback Paul Oliver was excused from practice to attend to an academic obligation. ... Reserve offensive lineman Ian Smith sat out practice because of headaches. "In the middle of a class, he started to get a headache, and we didn't want to put him out there," Richt said.