ATHENS – It seems Mike Bobo is about to finally get his due.

Georgia was already in the process of sweetening its deal with its sixth-year offensive coordinator when Virginia Tech sent a plane to Athens last week offering Bobo its coordinator’s position, according to a report out of Newport News, Va.

Bobo didn’t get on that plane. He was sitting with recruits at the Bulldogs’ basketball game against Mississippi State on Saturday and, by all accounts, plans to remain at UGA, his alma mater, for a while longer

Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity said he coudn't confirm The Daily Press report that the Hokies sent down a plane and all that. But he did intimate as he has before that the Bulldogs realize they have a good thing in Bobo and that they’re going to do what they can to keep him.

“It doesn’t surprise me that other institutions are interested in Mike because of the great job he’s done over the years, on the field and off the field,” McGarity said shortly after Saturday’s basketball game. “Mark (Richt) and I continue to have discussions about staff and those talks are ongoing. I would expect something to be completed by the board meeting in February. So, yes, we’ve been talking (about Bobo).”

McGarity wouldn’t say this, but everybody at UGA is happy for Bobo. Not only has he long been loyal to the Bulldogs, in most cases refusing to even listen to other job offers. But he has been the most picked-on assistant coach by the Georgia fanbase since former defensive coordinator Willie Martinez left town. The last three or four years, Bobo has been blamed for everything, including bad weather. The difference in Bobo’s scenario  is his was undeserved.

Bobo coordinated and called plays this past season for an offense that set school records for touchdowns, scoring average and total offense. He also serves as quarterbacks coach for Aaron Murray, who is the first player in SEC history to throw for more than 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons and will obliterate every SEC passing record if he can avoid injury as a senior.

“I’d say Mike and his staff have done an excellent job,” McGarity said. “And that’s not only on the field, but in recruiting and in the development of Aaron Murray and the development of our offense. Remember, he was Matthew Stafford’s coach, too. So, yes, I think he does a good job.”

Bobo has been a steal for Georgia, too. Not including performance bonuses -- and he has gotten a lot of those lately -- Bobo makes $335,000 a year. That ranked 10th among SEC offensive coordinators coming into this past season. He also has operated with a one-year contract, while the majority of SEC offensive coordinators have two- to -three year deals.

Comparatively, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has a three-year contract that pays him $825,000 annually.

So expect Bobo to receive a multiyear agreement closer in range of the top-paid offensive coordinators in the SEC, who make about $500,000 a year.

Bobo had already been getting some interest from mid-major programs looking for a bright, young head coach. Now major programs are trying to steal him away as a coordinator and likely other titles.

Georgia better hope whatever they do is enough.