Loyalty Over Lucrative: Georgia OC Mike Bobo Turns Down $12M Auburn Offer to Stay with Bulldogs
Athens, GA — June 26, 2025
In an era where blockbuster contracts and high-stakes coaching carousel moves dominate the headlines, Mike Bobo just made one thing clear — loyalty still matters.
The Georgia Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach turned down a jaw-dropping $12 million offer from rival Auburn University this week, choosing instead to remain in Athens and continue building on one of the most dominant offensive eras in college football history.
According to multiple sources close to both programs, Auburn’s offer included a six-year contract that would have made Bobo one of the highest-paid assistants in the nation and allowed him near-total control of the Tigers’ offensive system. But in a stunning move that stunned SEC insiders and electrified the Bulldog faithful, Bobo declined — without even countering.
“I’ve spent a lot of my life wearing red and black,” Bobo said in an exclusive interview. “This isn’t just a job. This is home.”
The decision is about more than football. It’s personal. Bobo, a Georgia alumnus and former Bulldogs quarterback (1994–1997), has deep roots within the program. After rejoining the coaching staff in 2023, he helped elevate Georgia’s offense into a relentless machine — blending explosive vertical attacks with disciplined ground control, all while developing NFL-ready quarterbacks in back-to-back playoff runs.
Now, with the Bulldogs fresh off their fourth consecutive College Football Playoff appearance and a national title game win over Texas, Bobo’s offensive prowess has never been more coveted — or more tested.
Auburn’s aggressive pitch came on the heels of a coaching shakeup and an urgent desire to revitalize its struggling offense. Their $12 million offer was reportedly backed by deep-pocketed boosters and pitched to Bobo as “a chance to be the architect of a new era.”
Instead, he’s choosing to help finish the one he started at Georgia.
Head coach Kirby Smart praised Bobo’s decision as a defining moment of program continuity. “Mike’s more than a coach — he’s family,” Smart said. “This staff, this team, and this university are lucky to have a leader who values the long game. He turned down a fortune to stay focused on a dynasty.”
Players also rallied around the news. Star quarterback Travis Dean posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Coach Bobo ain’t going anywhere. He believes in us. We believe in him. Let’s run it back.”
Behind the scenes, Bobo’s decision wasn’t just about loyalty. It was about unfinished business. Insiders say Bobo and Smart are already deep into planning what could be Georgia’s most balanced offense yet, with a quarterback competition brewing, and a five-star freshman class that includes explosive backs and a record-setting high school receiver.
As for Auburn? They’re reportedly scrambling to regroup after the high-profile rejection.
Meanwhile, in Athens, the message is clear: The Bulldogs aren’t done. And neither is Mike Bobo.
“This program is built on commitment, consistency, and character,” Bobo said. “I’ve got all three here at Georgia — and we’re just getting started.”
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