ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia coach Mark Richt received a new eight-year, $16 million contract Wednesday that gives the two-time Southeastern Conference champion a $500,000 a year raise.
The contract boosts Richt's annual salary to $2 million from $1.5 million, putting him on par with the highest-paid coaches in the SEC. Richt can also earn up to $400,000 in bonuses if he meets various incentives, including incentives tied to his team's graduation rate.
The Bulldogs won the SEC championship in 2005, their second in the last four years. Before Richt's arrival, Georgia had not won an SEC title since 1982.
Richt had five years remaining on his current contract. The new contract extends through the 2013 season and retains a stiff buyout clause. Richt would have to pay Georgia the remaining value of the contract if he were to leave for another job.
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"I don't view the money issue as profoundly as I view the long-term consideration on both sides," university president Michael Adams said.
"He wants to be here and we want him to be here."
Richt is 52-13 in five years at Georgia. His 2005 team was a preseason pick to finish third in the Eastern Division of the SEC, but instead it won the division for the third time in five years.
He was out of town on a recruiting trip Wednesday but said in a statement he is "pleased and appreciative" of the new contract.
"It says that the university wants us to be at Georgia and this is certainly where my family wants to be," he said.
USC game moved week ahead
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas' rematch with Southern California will come a week earlier than originally planned.
The Razorbacks, 70-17 losers at USC in 2005, will host the Trojans on Sept. 2 in the season opener for both teams. The game was initially scheduled for Sept. 9 but was moved to accommodate an ESPN broadcast.
"I know our players will use this game as motivation during the off-season and during spring practice," Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. "I am confident that Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be packed and our fans will make it one of the most exciting atmospheres in the country."
USC narrowly missed its third straight national championship when it had a 34-game winning streak snapped in this month's Rose Bowl.
Two other Arkansas games were also rescheduled. The Razorbacks will play Louisiana-Monroe in Little Rock on Oct. 28 instead of Sept. 2, and will host Utah State on Sept. 9 instead of Oct. 28.
USC's last visit to Arkansas was a 22-7 loss in 1974 at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium. That was also an opener. It ended up being the Trojans' only defeat that season.
