UGA’s Garner chose Richt over Vols’ Kiffin and raise

Athens — Georgia assistant coach Rodney Garner said the opportunity to work for “a great man” trumped the chance to work with “a great coordinator.”

Garner on Monday turned down an offer from Tennessee to join the staff of new coach Lane Kiffin and will remain with the Bulldogs. Kiffin’s father, longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, is considered one of the great defensive minds in the game and is already on the Vols’ staff. Garner was offered a chance to work alongside as defensive line coach.

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UGA assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner turned down an offer from Tennessee to stay at Georgia and work for Mark Richt.

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“The lure of Tennessee was Monte Kiffin,” Garner told the AJC on Monday. “That was a major attraction, wanting to just be a sponge and just soak up all the knowledge I could from a great defensive coordinator.”

But Garner’s respect and admiration for Richt and belief in what the Bulldogs are doing meant more.

“The attraction of Georgia to me is Mark Richt,” Garner said. “I’m going to be honest with you, I love the community and I love the institution, but I work for a great man and that’s the main reason I stayed.”

Tennessee twice sent a private plane to Athens this weekend. The first time on Saturday it was to bring Garner and his wife Kim to Knoxville. The second time on Sunday was to take him back for good. Garner never got back on.

Garner was offered the position of running game coordinator and tackles and tight ends coach. But after Garner told the Vols his “heart was on the defensive side of the ball,” they offered to let him coach defensive line. Ed Orgeron, who was just hired for that position, agreed to coach linebackers.

Garner carries the titles of assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach for the Bulldogs. He said Georgia did not counter with any new titles. He confirmed that he will receive an moderate salary increase.

“It wasn’t about titles or money,” said Garner, who would not verify reports that Tennessee offered him $400,000. “If it was based on money they’d take away my degree for what I stayed for. They’d say I was too dumb to keep it.”

Neither Garner nor Richt would say how Garner’s deal may be restructured. Garner will make $253,351 in the fiscal year that ends June 30. Like all Georgia assistants he has only a one-year contract.

Garner, 42, has had four of his players become NFL first-round draft choices since coming to Georgia in 1998. This at least the fourth time in the last four years has been pursued for another job. He was offered positions by LSU in 2005 and the New Orleans Saints in 2006 and interviewed for Auburn’s head coaching position last month.

Garner’s decision means two Georgia assistants chose to stay in Athens. Auburn had also pursued offensive line coach Stacy Searels in December.

“Here’s the thing: When you have outstanding people then other folks are attracted to them and want to talk to them and try to convince them to come to their program,” Richt said. “In the end it comes down to where these guys want to be and where their heart is. So I’m thankful that Rodney’s staying; I’m thankful that [offensive line coach] Stacy [Searels] is staying; I’m thankful that all our guys are staying.”