DEL.ICIO.USSEC FOOTBALL
UGA assistant Garner interviews for Auburn job
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, December 08, 2008
Athens — Georgia assistant coach Rodney Garner has been interviewed by Auburn for its head football coach vacancy.
Garner did not return phone messages Monday but issued a statement through UGA’s sports communications office.
Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com
Georgia recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner has interviewed for the coaching job at Auburn.
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“Auburn University, my alma mater, contacted me recently about its open head coaching position. Based on my respect for the Auburn program, we had a conversation about that opportunity. My family and I love Athens and the University of Georgia and are completely happy here. I’m sure the process will take its proper course and I don’t think it would be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
Garner, who has been with the Bulldogs since 1998, currently holds the titles of assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach. He was an All-SEC offensive lineman at Auburn in the 1980s and worked there as an assistant coach before going to Tennessee, then Georgia.
According to media reports out of Alabama, Garner interviewed with Auburn officials on Sunday in New York. Garner told the AJC last week he would be interested in becoming the Tigers’ head coach if he was offered the position.
“Of course, I would,” he said. “That’s my alma mater.”
Garner has been approached about several jobs in his 11 years in Athens. Georgia coach Mark Richt went to great lengths to keep Garner on board a few seasons ago when LSU offered Garner its defensive coordinator position. Richt skipped an appointment as one of the head coaches for the Hula Bowl in order to meet with Garner and negotiate. But Richt has often said he believes Garner would be a great head coach.
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