Better job: Georgia or Florida State?

[gamecockcat]

Danny Kanel on Mike and Mike this a.m. stated he thought the Georgia job was a better job than FSU. He said he thought Georgia had more money and, therefore, was the better job. Also said it wouldn't be ridiculous for Jimbo Fisher to leave FSU and go to UGA (for a better job). Golic was incredulous. "More money than Florida State? You gotta be kidding me!"

I think FSU is no worse than equal to Georgia and I'd argue slightly better. Here's why (off the top of my head):
1. Georgia's last NC was 1980. Since then, FSU has finished Top 5 14 years in a row, won THREE NC (and played for at least one if not two others), won their conference (admittedly not as strong) about 20 times.
2. Georgia's instate recruiting base could not be any better than FSU even though FSU does have other major universities instate to share with (as does UGa). The state of Georgia does produce a massive number of D1 football players but not as many as FL.
3. FSU's stadium is > 90k, just like Georgia's.
4. Both schools are large, public universities with a large and very supportive fan base.
5. Easier to win the conference and, thus, easier road to potential CFP spots.

I'd like to hear why someone thinks Georgia has the better program and is the better job. Not saying it's definitely not or not extremely close, but I'd like to have someone make the case.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

At UGA, you better win a championship or else...

 

[Deeeefense]

FSU without a doubt. Maybe the easiest route to the final four is through the ACC, the SEC is probably the most difficult.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Danny Kanel on Mike and Mike this a.m. stated he thought the Georgia job was a better job than FSU. He said he thought Georgia had more money and, therefore, was the better job. Also said it wouldn't be ridiculous for Jimbo Fisher to leave FSU and go to UGA (for a better job). Golic was incredulous. "More money than Florida State? You gotta be kidding me!"

I think FSU is no worse than equal to Georgia and I'd argue slightly better. Here's why (off the top of my head):
1. Georgia's last NC was 1980. Since then, FSU has finished Top 5 14 years in a row, won THREE NC (and played for at least one if not two others), won their conference (admittedly not as strong) about 20 times.
2. Georgia's instate recruiting base could not be any better than FSU even though FSU does have other major universities instate to share with (as does UGa). The state of Georgia does produce a massive number of D1 football players but not as many as FL.
3. FSU's stadium is > 90k, just like Georgia's.
4. Both schools are large, public universities with a large and very supportive fan base.
5. Easier to win the conference and, thus, easier road to potential CFP spots.

I'd like to hear why someone thinks Georgia has the better program and is the better job. Not saying it's definitely not or not extremely close, but I'd like to have someone make the case.

FSU has more recent championships, Florida A&M across the street and is the in school right now in the state of Florida with the HS kids. The TPD also is all in on the FSU program and will go out of their way to protect FSU football.

UGA has nicer facilities, soon a nicer IPF, more money and if we could lock down the state in recruiting have a top 2 class about every year, but the ACCPD isn't all in with protecting our football players, they target them it seems. FSU is easier to win at also, maybe not right now with the East being so down, but historically it is. I don't claim UGA to be a better job, both are easily top 15 and with their recent success FSU could be considered the better one right now.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Grumpy. What are you hearing about the coaching search?

 

[docholiday51]

FSU without a doubt. Maybe the easiest route to the final four is through the ACC, the SEC is probably the most difficult.

This,easier to pick up wins at FSU,if you have a pretty good team you can appear to be better than you are for 95% of the season

If you are pretty good at UGA you might get fired.

 

[TJS4UK]

FSU

 

[GermantownDawg]

Grumpy. What are you hearing about the coaching search?

Looks to be Smart or bust right now. Supposedly bringing Napier and Cochran with him. Been a big push to keep Pruitt in Athens...

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Grumpy. What are you hearing about the coaching search?

Oh man its some crazy stuff. I will tell you what I am hearing. The decision to replace Richt came after the UF game. Couple of the big money boosters, actually 4 of them started focusing on Kirby Smart, Kirby wants the job, always has and will come, his financial package has been agreed on. But since this has been going on, he wants either Will Muschamp or Jeremy Pruitt as DC. Our AD is/was balking at those 2, Muschamp is too expensive and the AD hates Pruitt. But the money guys are not pleased and supposely flew him to one of their places and told him if he f&^(ed this up he was next to leave. Muschamp is looking to be the next USC coach, so that leaves Pruitt as DC and retaining the defensive staff. Looks like the offensive staff except for Brown and Lilly are not being kept. So our best recruiter on offense would be gone, the WR coach, the OL coach, the OC/QB coach all gone. Word is Billy Napier would come from Bama to coach WR, I personally know Billy and his whole family well, so I am all for that, finally some inside info and he wants Bama's strength guy too. Tyson Helton is a name we are hearing for OC, I don't know much about him and haven't heard anything on the OL coach. This might be 100% accurate, 0% or somewhere in between. But its generally accepted that Kirby Smart is the guy we are after. IF we hang on to the defensive staff we could be very good defensively, who knows offensively. Napier, Kirby and Pruitt are all elite recruiters, lets just say I will be very happy if this pans out.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

That's interesting.

 

[School boy]

UGA is the 3rd best job in the SEC. Bama UF, UGA, LSU, in that order. FSU is the best school in the ACC. The best ACC school is a better job the 3rd best in the SEC.

But it's close.

 

[jauk11]

All these schools have certain advantages over each other, all have big advantages over UK in almost all arenas.

Not sure FSU beats Knoxville or Louisville either one in "police protection", in fact I think they might be a pretty bad third place finisher. Agree that Georgia loses more good players than anyone lately, but their coach might have been a big part of that, I think Richt is a very ethical guy.

 

[John Henry]

Georgia

 

[rick64]

Easier to win the ACC vs the SEC.

 

[Kats23]

Depends on what you want as a head coach. On the surface, the UGA job is better. SEC, huge TV money contract, fans, & expectations.

It's like asking if the UK basketball job is better than Florida's. If you ask Billy D, he would say UF.

 

[NCukcat62]

I would say Florida state. The reason being is that you have only 2-3 teams in that conference that are true opponents. You'll be guaranteed a 10 win season almost every year. The fanbase is passionate and the recruiting grounds are good. But if you want more money and passionate fans go to Georgia.

 

[Birdseat]

At UGA, you better win a championship or else...

And that is the exact reason why FSU is the better option. Money is not always the answer between choice A or B.

8-5 in consecutive years get you fired at UGA. You also have to know your recruiting base. Coach Fisher is Florida recruiter. Can he pull those kids to Georgia? Can he recruit GA?

 

[akaukswoosh]

FSU is the bigger brand right now.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Agree

I would say Florida state. The reason being is that you have only 2-3 teams in that conference that are true opponents. You'll be guaranteed a 10 win season almost every year. The fanbase is passionate and the recruiting grounds are good. But if you want more money and passionate fans go to Georgia.

 

[GridCats]

FSU would be the easier job, I like Georgia a lot better.

 

[littleton tiger]

UGA is a better job, FSU is a easier job.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

Very similar programs in terms of tradition, prestige, record, bowls, titles, heisman winners, etc...

they both have great access to the best recruiting in the country...and recruit those areas extremely well...

Right now UGA is the more attractive job simply because it is available and there is potential for a quick turn around in the weak east...

If they were both open at the same time...slight edge to FSU...easier road to conference title and play offs...if UGA, LSU, and Bama are after the same kid...UGA is the odd man out because the other two can pitch titles in recent memory...

FSU on the other hand has first pick of ACC talent...no body else in that conference can pitch recent Heisman, #1 pick, title, or play off...they probably even have priority in some SEC territory especially going against any east program...

new coach for UGA is going to have to reclaim some turf lost to Clemson...tigers have been grabbing some bulldog talent...Deshaun Watson, come on now...

 

[Dore95]

Other than the last few years of Bowden's tenure, FSU has long been a better program and job than Georgia. Richt himself came from FSU. I would say that SEC membership is the only thing that Georgia has over FSU.

 

[deuces r wild_rivals39030]

UGA is a better job, due to the fact that the state of Georgia produces the 4th most D1 football players in the country and you don't have to share them near as much as you do in Florida and Texas. You put the right coach in place at UGA and guys like Deshaun Watson never leave the state. In addition the facilities at UGA are better than FSU.

 

[Real Deal 2]

UGA is by far the best job. FSU cannot compare to Ga on any level. The only advantage they have is terrible ACC, that is it. Tallahassee is a dump of city. FSU can get players but state of Ga top 20-25 players just as good as Fla. UGA is able to recruit Fla, FSU can recruit Atl. and S. Ga. FSU is not fervent on SEC level, Clemson is more SEC fervent than FSU. They have great advantages but they are still not tops in state and sometimes 3rd when Miami is rolling.

UGA is only behind Bama in jobs in SEC. UGA has underachieved for 30 years, they have the best state to recruit to when you think of terms of players in NFL per capita. They have tremendous talent all the time, they are able to get best players form S. Carolina, AJ Green, Florida- Chubb, OT-Theus, you sign the top 20 players in Ga every year than you will be in hunt for NC every year or should be.
Athens is second best city in SEC behind Nashville.

Bama is number 1 but they have to recruit their *** off every year and Saban is doing that, they don't have the resources that state of Ga has in players, Ga does not have an Auburn in state to take 1/4 or more of the in state players. Just tradition makes them number 1 but it can go wrong in a hurry if not a great recruiter and coach. Dubose, Shula, Stallings was 8-9 win coach last part of career.

Ga is second and top 5 job. It is great job, with resources fan support.
Fla has state to recruit to, Gainesville is a dump. LSU and Baton Rouge are 4th, great state and city, recruit Mississippi, Texas, throw in

UGA has underachieved for a long time. This program should be in hunt for NC every other year ala Bama.
IMO

 

[gamecockcat]

UGA is a better job, due to the fact that the state of Georgia produces the 4th most D1 football players in the country and you don't have to share them near as much as you do in Florida and Texas. You put the right coach in place at UGA and guys like Deshaun Watson never leave the state. In addition the facilities at UGA are better than FSU.

According to SB Nation, over the time period of 2011-2015, the number of 3-4-5 star HS kids per FBS school in the state is almost identical GA vs. FL (37.9 vs. 37.0), which is more than you can sign anyway (In comparison, KY has 3.9 per FBS school - wow, no wonder we suck!!!). So I don't think it's accurate to state that Georgia doesn't have to share as much with instate schools as FSU does. In reality, for the really in-demand players, FSU must battle UF and GA must battle Ga Tech and that's about it. Miami has become 2nd tier for most kids in FL. USF, UCF, FAU, FIU will certainly nab a few but the true program changers will look at FSU and UF with a few going to the U. I wonder if anyone's done the same statistics and limited the ratio to P5 schools. Would make a pretty big difference (see MI and OH for example).

As far as facilities, I don't have any idea which team's is better. I haven't looked either of them up - are Georgia's really superior? I just don't know. A team that hasn't been in a NC game since 1980 compared to a team that has been in multiple ones in that time - I don't know. Georgia is a great job, no doubt, but I tend to think FSU is just slightly better.

And, please, don't kid yourself about FSU. If they were in the SEC, they would've been just like Bama the past 10 years. Always at or near the top of the conference. Just because the ACC is not as strong top to bottom as the SEC doesn't mean FSU wouldn't be a formidable program in the SEC.

FWIW, the link below is the SB Nation information. Interesting that an Oregon, for instance, only has about 6.9 kids per FBS school and yet they've been super successful. TN and AR are pretty far down the list, too. In fact, OH is pretty far down the list but that discounts that OSU gets nearly all they want from OH vs. the other FBS schools.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2015/4/15/8143431/states-most-players-recruits

 

[UKUGA]

It appears that the deciding factor for those who say FSU is better is that the ACC is easier.

Aside from that, it's Georgia.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

I'd rather live in Athens then Tallahassee but the path to the playoffs is easier in the ACC.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

UGA is a better school, many more resources, better conference, much better fanbase, comparable recruiting area, etc.

With all that said, if "better" means "easier", then FSU is unquestionably an easier job. FSU should probably never be worse than 9-3 or 10-2 with that schedule. There is only 1-2 other schools in the whole conference with comparable talent. If you want a 10-15 year gig, then your chances are infinitely higher at FSU than at UGA where you have to play UF, UT, Auburn, every year + a bunch of other SEC schools with good talent and coaching.

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

Easier to win the ACC vs the SEC.

There was a reason Bobby Bowden wanted to go ACC rather than SEC years ago.

 

[gamecockcat]

UGA is a better school, many more resources, better conference, much better fanbase, comparable recruiting area, etc.

With all that said, if "better" means "easier", then FSU is unquestionably an easier job. FSU should probably never be worse than 9-3 or 10-2 with that schedule. There is only 1-2 other schools in the whole conference with comparable talent. If you want a 10-15 year gig, then your chances are infinitely higher at FSU than at UGA where you have to play UF, UT, Auburn, every year + a bunch of other SEC schools with good talent and coaching.

"Many more resources"??? Not according to USA Today which had FSU at #17 in revenue and Georgia at #19 (Link: http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances/)

"Much better fanbase" - in the eye of the beholder. Seems like FSU fans travel well, do the Seminole chant and chop everywhere they go.

"Better conference" - yep.

"Comparable recruiting area" - comparable, yes. Better, no.

As far as Georgia's schedule, no way on a consistent basis should USC, UK, Vandy or Missouri have near the same talent as Georgia. Nor, for that matter, should TN as that state doesn't produce near the talent that GA does. So that's what, 5 very probable wins every year. Throw in Ga Tech (34-12 since 1970 vs. Ga Tech) who shouldn't have as much talent and at least one GA Southern, Troy, and two other OOC teams and Georgia should be at least winning 8-9 games every year. UF, AU (their permanent SECW opponent) should be on par with them consistently. The MI schools, A&M, AR - should almost always be wins when comparing the programs, right? LSU, Bama - not so much. So, Georgia, too, should have a minimum of 9 wins pretty much built in almost every year under 'normal' circumstances. Are the 'wins' on Georgia's schedule in general tougher to come by than FSU's? Yes, I'd agree with that. But, they're wins regardless. No question the SEC, top to bottom, is the better conference. But, IMO, that doesn't make Georgia, arguably the 4th best job in the conference behind Bama, LSU, UF, automatically a better job than clearly the best job in the ACC.

It's a good discussion. Georgia is definitely a top job and should be competing for SEC crowns regularly. FSU is a top job and should be winning ACC titles regularly. I think, right now, FSU is ahead. Certainly they've enjoyed much more success than Georgia has since 1980 (more Heismans, more NCs, more top 5 finishes, etc.). But, I appreciate the good back and forth.

 

[NoviG8r]

FSU may be more appealing to a coach because it is high-profile and plays in a weaker conference, thereby offering an easier chance to play for a national title. Bobby Bowden said as much 25 years ago when they chose to join the ACC instead of the SEC.

With respect to recruiting, the state of Florida is only equaled by the state of Texas in the number of top high school recruits generated each year. However, FSU has to contend with several other in-state schools in recruiting, particularly UF and Miami. UGA has no real competition in a state which is easily the #4 producer of college football recruits behind FL, TX, and CA.

UGA has FAR more resources than Florida State, including money. It's not really close. The overall athletic programs are not anywhere near equal, either, with UGA having a much better athletic department. UGA also doesn't have the well-earned stigma around its football program when it comes to a history of NCAA violations & probation or the continued incidents of players involved with assault, rape, and other crimes that FSU
owns. I think that in the mind of most in the college football community both are good jobs, but Georgia is clearly the better position.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

"Many more resources"??? Not according to USA Today which had FSU at #17 in revenue and Georgia at #19 (Link: http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances/)

"Much better fanbase" - in the eye of the beholder. Seems like FSU fans travel well, do the Seminole chant and chop everywhere they go.

"Better conference" - yep.

"Comparable recruiting area" - comparable, yes. Better, no.

As far as Georgia's schedule, no way on a consistent basis should USC, UK, Vandy or Missouri have near the same talent as Georgia. Nor, for that matter, should TN as that state doesn't produce near the talent that GA does. So that's what, 5 very probable wins every year. Throw in Ga Tech (34-12 since 1970 vs. Ga Tech) who shouldn't have as much talent and at least one GA Southern, Troy, and two other OOC teams and Georgia should be at least winning 8-9 games every year. UF, AU (their permanent SECW opponent) should be on par with them consistently. The MI schools, A&M, AR - should almost always be wins when comparing the programs, right? LSU, Bama - not so much. So, Georgia, too, should have a minimum of 9 wins pretty much built in almost every year under 'normal' circumstances. Are the 'wins' on Georgia's schedule in general tougher to come by than FSU's? Yes, I'd agree with that. But, they're wins regardless. No question the SEC, top to bottom, is the better conference. But, IMO, that doesn't make Georgia, arguably the 4th best job in the conference behind Bama, LSU, UF, automatically a better job than clearly the best job in the ACC.

It's a good discussion. Georgia is definitely a top job and should be competing for SEC crowns regularly. FSU is a top job and should be winning ACC titles regularly. I think, right now, FSU is ahead. Certainly they've enjoyed much more success than Georgia has since 1980 (more Heismans, more NCs, more top 5 finishes, etc.). But, I appreciate the good back and forth.

We agree on the conclusion, I think FSU is a job I'd rather have b/c it's easier to win there. You argued with my points, but I think you're wrong:

1) "Better fanbase" - FSU fans are about as fickle as they come. They do not travel as well, and they often have thousands of empties at their home games unless they're playing Miami or UF or Clemson. Georgia fans almost always show up in full force even for bad home games. They also travel like few other fanbases not named Bama and Auburn.

2) Resources: Your link didn't work so I didn't look at it. But again, I don't think this is controversial. Even if you think that "football revenues" are more or less equal, the SEC TV money dwarfs ACC TV money, Georgia is a much better school with a bigger endowment, and there are more big-money Georgia booster types than there are at FSU.

3) Recruiting area: I said comparable, not better. I think we can agree that this is basically a wash except that Georgia is THE state school with no peers while FSU has to contend with UF, Miami, and a bunch of interlopers.

4) Schedule: FSU has a harder schedule than most in the ACC b/c they play UF and they generally play one other good P5 team. But, in their conference they have only Clemson that can match them player for player (and that is only in recent times, not historically). In the SEC, you have UF, Bama, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, and A&M that can match UGA player for player. In the ACC, you have a second tier that includes Va Tech, UNC, GA Tech, and Possibly UL. In the SEC, you have South Carolina, Arkansas, the Mississippi schools and they are mostly getting better talent than their peer group in the ACC. And sorry, I'll take UK, Vandy over Wake / Syracuse most days of the week. I don't think there's any comparison as to whom plays the far better schedule. Ask Bobby Bowden if you don't believe me.

With all that said, I'd stick with FSU every day of the week if I were Jimbo. That is a plum gig that you can keep for a long time if you're a competent coach.

 

[NavyCat88]

UGA has academic prestige over FSU. UGA has big money supporters that are likely more numerous than FSU, UGA crowds and facilities are very good, Athens is a great town (lived there twice for short periods of time).

BUT.........If you're a FB coach, and you're in the business of winning FB games and your ultimate goal is to win a NC......FSU is the better job.

Fact it, SEC is a tougher grind compared to the ACC. Proof: in modern FB (my 50 year lifetime), UGA for all of it's we are "Bama, LSU, UF" talk.....only has one NC--1980 (the only undisputed NC in their long and storied history to my knowledge). I don't even think they've played for a NC in BCS/CFP eras. FSU has three NCs and three other final game appearances (BCS/Bowl Alliance) where they lost.

Why? The SEC is just a tougher road for a FB coach. FSU's BB was a pretty good coach....so is JF. I would argue that Mark Richt, if he could have recruited the same talent at FSU (as he did in Athens over the last 15 years) might have won a NC if he were to have coached at FSU. And I don't see JF getting past Saban/Miles unscathed if he were playing in the SEC.

Bottom line, FSU all the way.......if I'm focused on a NC trophy.

 

[UKUGA]

As far as Georgia's schedule, no way on a consistent basis should USC, UK, Vandy or Missouri have near the same talent as Georgia. Nor, for that matter, should TN as that state doesn't produce near the talent that GA does. So that's what, 5 very probable wins every year. Throw in Ga Tech (34-12 since 1970 vs. Ga Tech) who shouldn't have as much talent and at least one GA Southern, Troy, and two other OOC teams and Georgia should be at least winning 8-9 games every year. UF, AU (their permanent SECW opponent) should be on par with them consistently. The MI schools, A&M, AR - should almost always be wins when comparing the programs, right? LSU, Bama - not so much. So, Georgia, too, should have a minimum of 9 wins pretty much built in almost every year under 'normal' circumstances. Are the 'wins' on Georgia's schedule in general tougher to come by than FSU's? Yes, I'd agree with that. But, they're wins regardless. No question the SEC, top to bottom, is the better conference. But, IMO, that doesn't make Georgia, arguably the 4th best job in the conference behind Bama, LSU, UF, automatically a better job than clearly the best job in the ACC.

And lo and behold, Richt keeps finding a way to win 10 games, pretty much every year, but not winning the huge games against the likes of Bama, etc.

Over the last 5-7 years, any time UGA seemed to be on the cusp of something big, they lost.

 

[SchmidtyNole_rivals]

I am biased, but there is no comparison. FSU hands down. When is the last time Georgia won a National Championship? Not since Herschel Walker. FSU has three National Championships in the last 25 years. What team has the highest overall winning percentage in the Nation in the last 30 years? That would be FSU at 79% winning percentage and there isn't even a close 2nd. Jimbo Fisher makes $5.5 million per year and that doesn't include possible incentives. FSU is making stadium upgrades and has upgraded its facilities to make them among the best in the Nation. We are still making upgrades to Doak Campbell stadium that will bring in even more revenue.

Couple with that, Florida is the best state in the country for high school football talent and in particular South Florida. We don't get everybody we want out of Florida, but there is plenty of talent to go around.

Georgia is a good job, but to me there is no comparison on which is a better job. About the only thing people that say Georgia is a better job can really say is "Look, Georgia is in the SEC." Same reason people thought Jimbo would go to LSU. He didn't.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

UGA has academic prestige over FSU. UGA has big money supporters that are likely more numerous than FSU, UGA crowds and facilities are very good, Athens is a great town (lived there twice for short periods of time).

BUT.........If you're a FB coach, and you're in the business of winning FB games and your ultimate goal is to win a NC......FSU is the better job.

Fact it, SEC is a tougher grind compared to the ACC. Proof: in modern FB (my 50 year lifetime), UGA for all of it's we are "Bama, LSU, UF" talk.....only has one NC--1980 (the only undisputed NC in their long and storied history to my knowledge). I don't even think they've played for a NC in BCS/CFP eras. FSU has three NCs and three other final game appearances (BCS/Bowl Alliance) where they lost.

Why? The SEC is just a tougher road for a FB coach. FSU's BB was a pretty good coach....so is JF. I would argue that Mark Richt, if he could have recruited the same talent at FSU (as he did in Athens over the last 15 years) might have won a NC if he were to have coached at FSU. And I don't see JF getting past Saban/Miles unscathed if he were playing in the SEC.

Bottom line, FSU all the way.......if I'm focused on a NC trophy.

Agree 100%

 

[TeoJ]

Georgia

 

[Chuckinden]

FSU...hands down. It's hard to win in the SEC.

 

[BlueRaider22]

To me it's like asking which Ferrari is the faster one......the red or the yellow? It's not like either program is a Prius.