There’s too much comfort, too little accountability, at Georgia
Mark Richt needs to realize that the Georgia program can't survive on autopilot any longer. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@AJC.com)
ATHENS — Smart coaches don’t go to sleep one night and wake up the next morning dumb. They don’t suddenly design bad plays, or create bad game plans, or recruit bad players.
They don’t suddenly forget how to prepare and motivate a group of young men (even if at times seemingly way too much energy is being spent worrying about the color of their helmets or jerseys).
Mark Richt is not dumb. He did not wake up one recent morning less of a football coach than he was when he led Georgia to two SEC titles. But by now he probably has realized something: He has to change. His methods have to change. Everything that might affect direction and atmosphere has to change.
Richt did not wake up dumb. But he did wake up to find the Bulldogs no longer rank as an elite program in the nation. Or in the SEC. Or in the state.
Things got too comfortable. The program has been on autopilot for too long. You watch the results — the Bulldogs are a shockingly pedestrian 10-7 since the Alabama debacle last season — and you see how Richt reacts, in that, “Don’t worry, it will all work out because it always does,” kind of way. Fans can’t help but wonder, “Where’s the fire? Where’s the anger?”
There’s also this question: Where’s the accountability?
The problems at Georgia are similar to those that can afflict any long-time success story. The Bulldogs have declined partly because they’ve grown stagnant. Autopilot doesn’t work in sports. It’s why coaches get fired so often, particularly in “emotion” sports like football and hockey. Old messages and old methods have a limited shelf life.
Georgia doesn’t need a new voice. It just Richt to raise his voice — or his foot. The program needs some tension.
Question: Do you think anybody in Gainesville or Tuscaloosa feels “comfortable”? Ever. Or do you believe like I do there is always some tension in the air? And do you believe like I do that the assistant coaches who work for Urban Meyer and Nick Saban, and the athletes who compete for them, always are on edge? There’s never a chance of things getting stale.
I don’t get that feeling at Georgia. Didn’t have it last year, either. There has been too much comfort. There has been too little accountability. Richt will tell you that he’s a different guy out of public view, that, “People who know me know I have an edge.”
Know what? I don’t want to have to go looking for it. If a team lacks an edge, the coach’s edge is buried too deep somewhere. Or it has been dulled like an old knife. That’s Georgia right now: no edge. The Dogs are like a dull, rusty old knife that really only works in the Vanderbilt game.
“If you’re going to be accused of something,” Richt said Tuesday, “being accused of being a nice guy is not the worst thing.”
Not really. Not if you’re losing.
Richt defended his resume at Athens, as he should. Then he took the appropriate detour: “It’s not like we’ve just been floundering around. [But] this year we have been, let’s face it. I don’t like it.”
It remains to be seen what he does about it. He can shake up his coaching staff. He can change his schemes and his approach to recruiting.
But the major changes need to be bigger picture. Coaches and players need to be worried more about playing to a standard. Fearing the head coach wouldn’t hurt. They’re sloppy. They’re undisciplined. That’s not talent. That’s coaching.
Where’s the accountability? Why don’t these problems exist at Florida or Alabama?
Mark Richt: Is anybody listening to you anymore? If not, why not?
Richt knows these issues can’t be fixed during the season. “It’s got to be more of a tweak than a wholesale change,” during the season, he said. “But [after] every season, you must reevaluate. You must.”
He’s not dumb. He should know where the problems start.
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423 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:36 pm
An interested observer — Sure, I remember and know Beau. He used to reference whether a guy “had the old valentine pumping under the number.” (Translation: he had heart.)
fladawg
November 3rd, 2009
8:37 pm
These articles are absolutely ridiculous. Ritch is a great coach and will get things turned around. Most of these UGA “so called” fans are extremely misguided by who? Associate Press newswriters who are stirring up silly propoganda to get the fan base’s attention. It has and is obviously working. Meanwhile, for the true UGA fans, the right thing to do is support our coachs, team and program. The season is not over and there is still a good chance UGA will finish the year in the top 20 and 9-4. There are also many other programs that are highly ranked now and won’t be in several weeks. We have played a very demanding schedule. 8 straight Div. 1 games (3 top ten teams and 1 other top 25 plus tenn, arizona st. and arkansas)…Very few other teams in the country has done this…especially half the teams in the top 25…most have at least 2-3 cupcake teams on the schedule including Florida). This season is not over and Jeff Shultz’s team (Ga. Tech) had especially be careful…I am hoping they at 10-1 when the play a fired up and ready UGA.
RedMan
November 3rd, 2009
8:37 pm
I wonder if Richt and Martinez are too afraid to recruit Belle Glade/Glades HS. Gardner probably gets that area.
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:37 pm
95 Dawg — Yeah, I didn’t hear the radio show but I heard it was interesting. I think either Tim Tucker or Steve Hummer might be referencing it in an upcoming story.
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:39 pm
Tide Rising — it’s fine to be excited and jumping around. But as you know, confidence is tested most when the pressure is on.
SatchelBuzz
November 3rd, 2009
8:39 pm
Richt came on the scene during a time when Florida and Tennessee had stumbled. ugag has some success,..not earned, simply in the right place at the right time. It’s time to pay up,…..your ride is over.
THWG!!
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:39 pm
Thanks SC Jack
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:39 pm
Sonny, thanks for checking in.
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:40 pm
Boise Dawg — It’s simple. using Alabama and Florida as reference because they’re the standard right NOW in the SEC.
Rick
November 3rd, 2009
8:41 pm
Some of you folks are frightening! I say some significant changes are needed. I find all of the excuses entertaining.
I feel like a one eyed man in the land of the blind! Why do a few of us, including Jeff, have to point out the obvious?
If next year is the same, I think that it will be, Mark should simply resign and go into missionary work.
At the Florida game this past weekend, I felt like I was in the missionary position!
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:41 pm
Thanks CentralFLDawg.
Herschel Talker
November 3rd, 2009
8:41 pm
Schultzie:
No he shouldn’t get credit. That’s why I called them “natural” leaders. Because it was innate in them. They had the hunger on their own, similar to Tebow down south. Let me ask you this – if you were correct that he should get credit for that, how is it that the current team has zero leaders and, moreover, they have gone 180 degrees in the other direction with their utterly undisciplined play and behavior off the field. Did Richt “forget” how to lead all of a sudden? Of course not. He never could. That’s why he can’t jettison mediocre assistants or get undisciplined players to “get it/”
Bottom line: he was bailed out by having self-motivated leaders on the field and fiery assistants on the sidelines (yes he gets credit for hiring the fiery assistant, but he obviously didn’t see the value if he replaced him with a hack like Willie Martinez and others). And he got bailed out that the coaches in the early 2000s were also mediocre. The current coaches have more than lapped him.
This whole thing is so obvious.
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:42 pm
Barry Jay — I don’t think there’s any question that there will be staff changes, probably more than just Martinez.
Monty
November 3rd, 2009
8:43 pm
Finally someone hit the nail on the head. A couple of weeks ago when Denver whooped San Diego on Monday Night Football one of the announcers had this to say about the Denver Broncos Football Coach, “Players love to see a coach who is fired up on the sideline; they feed off of that. Denver is a perfect example of that!” Those comments have stuck in my head since I heard it. This comment would never ever be said about the Georgia Bulldogs football team. In 2007 he showed some fire on the sidelines when they beat Florida and he exhibited this fire on the sidelines the rest of the 2007 season and the players fed off of it. He was criticized endlessly after that season for the end-zone celebration against Florida. He took that personally and he has allowed it to affect the way he coaches his players and leads his assistants. He shows no fire on the sidelines at all. He looks like a tired and worn out ball coach. I’m not sure Richt will be an effective coach if he has to replace Bobo and Martinez but both of them have to go. Unfortunately wholesale change may be needed at Georgia.
Go Dawgs!
exNFLplayer
November 3rd, 2009
8:43 pm
What jumps out at me the last 2 years with this team is the lack of leadership on the field. There are no Kelin Johnsons, David Pollack, Thomas Davis types that will get in another players face. I can’t count the number of times I saw words exchanged with players that were making mental mistakes, lacking effort by the 3 guys mentioned above. A team has to have leaders on the field. On the offensive side of the ball UGA hasn’t had a QB that you knew was in charge since David Green and D.J. Shockley. The last 2 teams seem to think that the game is just going out and carrying out the technical aspects of the game and expecting to win. And when these “technicians” don’t execute they seem to accept it all with an “oh well” attitude. There is no leader on the field getting in faces, kicking butts, and taking names. Yes there are problems that need to be resolved coaching wise. But until a new group of leaders on the field emerges this won’t get fixed. Believe me, the players own a hell of a lot of this.
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:45 pm
Robert — How’s this for a response? Witch hunt? What is this, Salem? If you believe Richt should not change his staff, that’s fine. Everybody has a different opinion. My view is whatever he is doing now — and with this staff in its current structure — isn’t working. It’s not that difficult to understand. Disagree? Fine. But this isn’t a public stoning.
BigEasy
November 3rd, 2009
8:46 pm
Coach Richt is going through some tough times right now, but I have no doubt he’ll have the Dogs competing for the SEC title again soon. Last year the O-Line was decimated by injuries. Had it not been we probably wouldn’t be having this discussion. This year he doesn’t have enough playmakers. Give him a break. He recruits well and he can still coach.
By the way, was all that outrage at Brandon Spikes a little misplaced now that we have more information? This is what we learned today,
“That really didn’t matter to me,” Ealey said of the suspension. “That’s their decision. He shouldn’t, I think, get suspended at all. We were just out there playing football.”
Ealey said he had his eyes closed when Spikes stuck his hand in his helmet and he wasn’t hurt.
“He really didn’t gouge my eyes,” Ealey said. “He really didn’t get a chance to get close to my eyes.”
The freshman said he believes similar incidents happen all the time.
“I’m pretty sure it goes on back and forth,” he said. “We probably do it and other teams do too. It’s all football. We’re just out there trying to have fun.”
Schultz, Bradley, Barnhardt & Golic among many others look like fools again. Another case of judgement prior to investigation. Pathetic.
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:46 pm
Thanks J dog
Jeff Schultz
November 3rd, 2009
8:47 pm
Sagacious — I agree with you, and I tried to make that point. Comfort flows from the top down.
NJ Dawg
November 3rd, 2009
8:50 pm
Richt also needs to recruit leaders. Let’s not forget that during his best seasons, he had Greene and Pollack to keep the troops in line. Where’s the on-field leadership coming from?
That said, Richt needs to find a simple excuse to throw a tantrum, put some fear into these kids that they’ll lose their starting jobs, maybe even their scholarships, if they don’t step it up.
mcdaviddawg
November 3rd, 2009
8:57 pm
It’s already too late. Richt needs to go now. Another year and the program will be a train wreck. Give hin several miilion to leave and it will be money well spent. He just doesn’t care.
js
November 3rd, 2009
8:58 pm
Georgia’s issue this year has much to do with the athletes and less to do with Richt. We DO NOT have the athletes we had last year. Coach does not control the fact that the SEC is unbelievably strong this year. Coach does not control the fact that Cox is no where near the QB that Stafford was. Coach does not control the fact that we do not have a real replacement for Mareno. Coach is the best thing that has happened to the program since Dooley…maybe ever. We have one season that does not meet highest expectations and all of a sudden we have arm chair athletic directors coming out of the woodwork. If one of our players would have been trying to gouge out someone’s eyes, they wouldn’t be sitting out for only half of a game. Coach brings class to the team and the school…and he has been a very successful winner overall. Could our team been better at times this year, sure, but even if they were perfect, we still don’t have the athletes that Florida and Alabama have. If anything, we need better recruiting. AJC is pitiful for jumping on the bandwagon.
Biggdawg33
November 3rd, 2009
9:01 pm
Jeff, you nailed it on the head big time! Look, I am one of the biggest Richt fan, but something needs to change. I live in the Anderson and Clemson, SC area and have seen a change happen here with Tommy B. gone and Dabo in. Things are starting to look like FSU North in Athens. CMR needs to make changes and if not, he is going to have to go.
GT For You And Me
November 3rd, 2009
9:03 pm
Is this GA playing last week? http://video.yahoo.com/watch/6342886/16452553
Biggdawg33
November 3rd, 2009
9:04 pm
js, you make some great points, but what about the discipline? We are making STUPID penalties! Clemson was making some of the same stupid penalties in the Bowden era, but this season we are seeing less laundry on the field against the Tigers. That is something I believe that the coaching staff can drill into the heads of these kiddies.
Bride of ChuckyKnapp
November 3rd, 2009
9:05 pm
Dr. Phil said it all! http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2009/11/03/theres-too-much-comfort-too-little-accountability-at-georgia/comment-page-2/#comment-62857
Adams needs to be replaced with a real teacher and leader like former UGA business school deal Al Niemi.
Doyle Hargraves
November 3rd, 2009
9:06 pm
I don’t know what’s going on, but the autopilot comparison seems to fit. This happens to successful people and companies all the time – they go to sleep drunk on their accomplishments and forget to keep doing what got them there in the first place. Before they know it, they awaken, baking the cookies of discontent by the heat of the laundyMAT vent.
Apparently in Athens the law is not on Mark Richt’s side. He should hang out with me I play cards with JD Shellnut chief o PO-lice. Maybe he should tell everyone they can kiss his a..
L.L.T.Y.F.F.
old dawg
November 3rd, 2009
9:06 pm
hmmm…we are what we are…4-4 and hanging on…I am concerned about several things…very few other teams want any of our assistants (the Garner/Kiffin flirt being a recent exception)…UGA has the facilities and the money and the visibility to run with anybody but 2005 was the last championship year…2010 is looking like a long shot now,too…
I remember when Richt,Inc took over…the first spring practice started a week late…the players needed the time to learn the plays…the truth…they were run to death on conditioning to the point they couldn’t move for a week…such intensity in those days…where did it go? did BVG take it with him? could be…
I like Mark Richt…it’s hard not to…his record against the big 4 (UT,UF,AU,GT) will ultimately be,in my opinion,his measuring stick and his legacy…he needs to get those 4 under control and right soon…the powers that really run the show at UGA will not wait forever…ask Ray Goff and Jim Donnan about that one…
I don’t see Urban leaving any time soon…Kiffin,Inc (and the UT unlimited bank account) will not make the East a fun place to be anytime soon…Paul Johnson has won everywhere he goes and that won’t change at GT…being the UGA coach is going to go from very difficult to unbelievably difficult…I wish UGA all the luck in the world because they will need it…
keep the faith,
old dawg
Brent
November 3rd, 2009
9:08 pm
I agree Martinez needs to go but don’t get the ire over Bobo. IMO his play calling is better than Richt’s was, and our offense has been great during his first two full seasons as OC (’07 and 08). This year the offense is suffering due to lack of running game and an inadequate QB, plus inconsistency on the OL, but when provided with talent he has shown an ability to put some points up.
Starring Ted Knight as Judge Smales
November 3rd, 2009
9:10 pm
GT for you & me: It looks similar in the black helmets. LOL
athensdawg
November 3rd, 2009
9:17 pm
Poor ole coach richt. We need to just lay off the guy…
He projects a great image for the program. He looks great in that picture, and he lets his wife be the water girl. We ought to be thankful to have such a fine man in charge of our football program.
Why, personally, I don’t care if we lose to Vandy or Kentucky every couple of years, and never beat Florida or Tennesee again, because when God looks down from heaven, he has to smile upon our
choice of coach. That’s what matters here.
He takes these poor kids that are so confused that they can’t remember to get their drivers liscences
renewed, and he helps put them on the straight and narrow. That, after all, is more important than Winning or Losing. That is building character. He helped make Matthew Stafford a multi-millionaire.
That’s what’s important here….
And you don’t have to get mad or be mean to be a great coach. Whoever says that doesn’t really understand what life is really about.
The bible says that the meek shall inherit the earth. So that means that eventually, if we keep coach richt around, we will win the national championship. You all don’t want to mess with God, do you? It’s bad enough that we have that Satan character over in Alabama.
But, eventually, he will leave, as will that mean ole urban meyer in florida. that kiffin boy is going to get what’s coming to him, too. and you know what….when that happens, the sun will shine and the dawgs will start winning again. then, the whole world will recognize Mark Richt for the great coach and leader that he is.
because…and let’s all say this together… mark richt is good enough, he is smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like him.
gcs
November 3rd, 2009
9:30 pm
Thank you for someone finally pointing out that the Emperor is wearing no clothes (google it).
For too long now, coaches, players and fans make excuses for every failure and except mediocrity. This year’s excuses are blaming the OC & DC, and the fact that UGA lost their starting QB and RB to the NFL. Well do you know who else lost their starting QB and RB to the NFL? Alabama. They seem to have recovered pretty well.
Speaking of Alabama, when the #1 Dawgs got blown out by them last season, the fans did not seem so upset. You kept saying things like “we can still win the National Championship with one loss” and “Georgia won the second half”. It’s all crap.
IT IS TIME TO GET MAD DOG FANS!!!
.
CatsFly
November 3rd, 2009
9:32 pm
I think there is simply too much bravado coming out of Athens. Expectations are way out of line, and they often supplant a good work ethic. UGa is much like the Dallas Cowboys – they think they are America’s team. How arrogant! And their fans are simply boorish.
ckgator
November 3rd, 2009
9:34 pm
From the outside looking in, I’d say its just a rough patch. Success ebbs and flows in the SEC. Stick with Richt and the Dogs will be back.
He’s a class act.
(all this coming from a Gator)
Barry Jay
November 3rd, 2009
9:34 pm
I think their camps should be like Marine basic. These guys should be pushed to the breaking point not only physically, but psychologically. They need mental toughness to go along with physical toughness.
Elmo
November 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
It’s a War Jeff. Florida has pulled far ahead and Krybaby Kiffen is coming on. Georgia is in real danger of becoming a bottom feeder.
Duluth Gator
November 3rd, 2009
9:35 pm
You want to know why Florida wins? This article was on Gator Country.com. Read.http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/pressure_cooker/7530
Breakout the UGA Pink Helmets
November 3rd, 2009
9:37 pm
SWEET
ATLVOL
November 3rd, 2009
9:38 pm
Two words: Phil Fulmer. Jeff, you should do some research and write an article. The parallels between Fulmer and Richt are eerily similiar. As a Tennesse fan, trust me, it will get worse and it is not a fun ride trying to get back to the top. UGA is a sinking ship for another year or two.
It starts with with the comfort you mentioned, then recruiting starts to slip, other coaches come in hungry (i.e. Saban/Meyer against TN) now Saban/Kiffin vs Georgia, then those close wins become narrow defeats and you are off the national radar….
BS Patrol
November 3rd, 2009
9:38 pm
Doggies call a 7 game margin in 85 games “owning” someone. That’s doggie math for you.
Elmo
November 3rd, 2009
9:39 pm
Fire him Jeff. This is a real world. College Football is a BUSINESS at this level.
What
November 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
That pic of CMR looks like he is waiting to take one in the cabose. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daddydawg
November 3rd, 2009
9:42 pm
GREAT ARTICLE.
Richt is staying the course at UGA. The same old status quo.
Pathetic!!!
As Einstein said,” Insanity is a man who does the same thing over and over again, and expects a different result.”
Mark……are you listening??? Feeling a little crazy???
DAWG ON IT
November 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
You don’t bail on this season and start working on the next because you would be telling the seniors that you don’t give a D@MN about them.
IF you did that then how many woujld want to come here or stay when the NFL is calling?
Do what gives you the best chance. You would also be telling the guys that are being redshirted that you don’t care about their eligibilty because the fans need to be appeased. What if they play the last 4 games then get hurt a year or two down the road. There is no more red shirt.
W. Ealey
November 3rd, 2009
9:48 pm
Memo to Georgia Fans:
I wish all the UGA fans would quit sounding like such pansies sitting behind a keyboard. Brandon Spikes and I were going at it all day. I gave out as much as I received.
These fans who have never strapped on a jock are an embarrassment to UGA with all the whining about an injury that never took place and misconduct that never happened.
W. Ealey
RedMan
November 3rd, 2009
9:48 pm
I just got it. Mark Richt is a Visitor. Somebody cut a slice behind his ear to look for the reptilian alien stuff.
trueblueBravesFan
November 3rd, 2009
9:51 pm
I honestly believe the problems on this team are three fold. (None of which are Richt), Ive met the man and he exudes strength and confidence and players also feed off of that.
I personally believe that the defense schemes used have not suited the kind of players that they have playing defense. Georgia is constantly playing soft zones and continually getting burned. These players just don’t know how to play cover2 zones. Martinez has to go because hes not sharp enough to understand that you don’t call defenses that your personel can’t execute. In particualar the secondary they are always out of position on Zone defense.
Joe Cox is simply not tall enough to play quick read and 3 step drop passes. His passes are constantly getting batted down by the opposing DLine……and the offensive line (and I do mean offensive) is not good enough to give Joe time to do a 5 step or 7 step drop.
There is a severe lack of leadership in the defense. Georgia desperately needs a Pollack or a Boss Bailey or even a Greg Blue who gets the defense focused on the field.
I don’t think Bobo has the staff to call the kind of plays that he prefers to call. It looks like everytime Georgia calls a more agressive play the offensive either gets a procedure penalty or the Oline gives up a sack. I think its Obvious that this Oline simply isn’t good enough and that more than anything should be the focus in recruiting for the next 2 years. Its obvious this class of linemen is a bust.
jesse james
November 3rd, 2009
9:53 pm
The bottom line is this group is still suffering from the effects of all the dancing, black outs, and what do they have to dance about. You win a championship and you might earn that right. Our coaches are the same ones that won with green, pollock and company. We miss Brian Van Gorder’s intensity on the side lines and his tail chewing that he did. We need to get that back. I watched Paul Johnson coach at GSU and he chewed on a player when he needed it and he’s doing the same at Tech. I watched players be in positon during last years Tech game to make plays, but they didn’t and we have seen the same thing this year. Some of these players don’t know what tradition is and they need to be shown the door if they are not going to do it the bulldog way. I’m ready to see some fire from the coaches and players. Do it like Herschel, act like you have been there before. Some of these players need to be told they are not all americans yet that they think they are. We don’t need blackouts, black helmets, rap on the loud system, all we need to do is show glory to old Georgia.
macrotech
November 3rd, 2009
9:56 pm
Amen!!! I’ve been saying this for weeks…I’m just not as articulate as Mr. Shultz… the dawgs need to get that attitude back.
POSER
November 3rd, 2009
9:57 pm
AGAslobberknocker is a POSER. He’s always complimenting Ga. Tech. He loves tech.Richt will get his act together, just be patient. Some smart guy mentioned John Gruden to replace Richt. Why in the Hell would a guy that succesful in the NFL want to come to any college and coach.?