Richt needs to end speculation about Martinez
If Willie Martinez has coached his final game in Athens, we should know soon.
I’m not sure what to read into Mark Richt’s sudden decision to cancel his scheduled Sunday night conference call with media members because of a reported “family function,” other than, well, a reported family function.
But with strong and protracted speculation that there are going to be significant changes on his coaching staff at Georgia — including either firing or demoting defensive coordinator Willie Martinez — Richt should not let this matter linger much longer. Either announce the staff will remain intact or make changes. The public guessing game helps nobody.
This generally is the week firings happen. (Virginia already has fired Al Groh.) It’s an important time in recruiting, and teams also want to get an early jump on potential replacements. There’s no reason to wait until after bowl games. Bowls generally are inconsequential, as it relates to a coach’s job security.
All that said, it would stunning if Martinez is back, certainly as coordinator. Martinez’s supporters shouldn’t get too drunk over the 30-24 season-ending win over Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs played better defense at times against Tech than they had this season. But the Jackets were held to only a field goal in the first half largely because Georgia’s running game kept Tech’s offense off the field. They had only four possessions. (The others: missed field goal, interception, time expired.) If any coach redeemed himself Saturday night, it probably was offensive line coach Stacy Searles, not Martinez.
In the second half, Tech scored touchdowns on three of its first four possessions and fumbled to end another drive near midfield.
As our Tim Tucker points out, Richt has done little to defuse speculation that he’ll make changes. Sometimes saying nothing on the subject — as he has done most of the season — is a greater indictment than anything else. Bottom line: Martinez’s body of work, and certainly the Dogs’ defensive problems the last two seasons, speaks loudly. Change is needed.
But regardless of Richt’s decision, he needs to clear the air quickly.
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481 comments Add your comment
Hi Georgia Basher, I see You're Back!
December 1st, 2009
11:05 am
Looks like you’ve been channeling your multiple personalities here on this one too.
You’ve already wasted 4 hours today blogging, you could have had a job by now.
You’ve been thinking too much like Tebow about right now, and forgetting about your career down the road. He’ll be unemployed too next month, the NFL doesn’t want him. He should have gone to Georgia like Stafford, man is Stafford rich or what? And Stafford in gainfully EMPLOYED.
Is Warren Buffet Poor?
December 1st, 2009
11:10 am
That’s how dumb it is to criticize a coaching staff who finished #2 in 2007.
It’s like criticizing Buffet for being the 2nd richest man in the world at ONLY $50 Billion because he didn’t beat Bill Gates.
Mary Wanna
December 1st, 2009
11:34 am
Two things:
1. All my fellow fans who want to see Willie simply demoted, please explain to me how the performance of his defensive backs unit warrants the same coach.
2. All my beloved Tech geeks, be advised we have been singing “and the HELL WITH GA TECH!” after every touchdown (regardless of who we’re playing) for about 50 years. Your “thwg” is yet another geek failure at being cool. Just sayin’.
Hatfield Geoff
December 1st, 2009
11:36 am
Hey Jeff, I appreciate you not making this blog…. “5 Reasons Richt Must End Speculation.” You guys have about worn that out. I don’t think Grantland Rice would have been Grantland Rice with that writing technique.
shards1967
December 1st, 2009
11:52 am
Yes, CWM needs to go on. He has not instilled the “we attack the ball” attitude on UGA’s D. He has had the time and that feature left with CBVG.
Yes, and this is KEY ………C Mike Booboo ALSO NEEDS to go. Why? His side of the ball has fumbled and fumbled and thrown pic sixes ( MS & JC ) and THAT IS WHY the D has struggled. THAT is why. See the Flroida game in 08 ……….MS and No Show fumbled and threw quick pic sixes.
OFFENSE is THE REAL PROBLEM. OFFENSE generated turn overs is KEY to ALL or most of our D probs. Give anyone the ball on our 33 yard line time and time and time again and you have major probs and that leads to a terrible scoring D stat. CWM did not cause that problem, O did.
Second reason why UGA has been lousy ………Special teams on punt and kick off COVERAGES.
With a new hard nosed D coach and continued pic sixes and fumbles near OUR GOAL line, losuy penalties and kick coverages, then there will be no W/L change. See? Bobo and Fabris AND CWM need to go in that order.
We better hope that Gardner and Searels are not hustled away. They will be this year and then, on O line, D line, we will be in very deep dodo. Any great or even good performances this season are due to them alone.
Go Dawgs!!
UGA, class of 71 & 73
DawgByte
December 1st, 2009
12:20 pm
Jeff is this your idea of analysis?
The season ended two days ago and just because Virginia and Notre Dame made coaching changes doesn’t mean Georgia has to follow suit. Richt will be playing a chess game over the next week or so. Each coach is a chess piece and wants you make one move, it has ramifications on the other pieces. Richt is dealing with a Recruiting Coordinator who doesn’t have a signed contract and probably wants a DC title if he can get it. He also has a Co-DC in the mix and all the rest of the assistants on the defensive side of the ball. Almost each one Richt has a long standing relationship with, so this is NOT going to be an easy process.
I have no idea what he’s going to do, but I do know he’s measuring each move carefully and that’s all we can ask for as fans.
David K.
December 1st, 2009
12:37 pm
I UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE SITUATATIONS BUT IT’S NOTHING PERSONAL…..WILLIE MUST BE FIRED OR DEMOTED NO MATTER WHAT !!!!
HE HAD ENOUGH CHANCES…
Is Warren Buffet Poor?
December 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
I guess you guys think since Buffet’s #2, he’s poor, $50 BILLION poor.
Richt’s coaching staff got to #2 in 2007, now they’re all poor?
OldSkoolDawg
December 1st, 2009
1:24 pm
Sorry I’m late, but had to chime in here. In my mind’s eye, Coach Richt seems to cover up for Willie. Blaming turnovers and field position for the D’s poor performance. Praising the D when few points are scored (usually, it is due to a lack of opponent’s offense… LSU comes to mind).
Whatever happened to this mantra?
“Keep ‘em Out of the End Zone. Period. No Matter What!”
When the opponent gets the ball on our 35-yard line, the fans yell “Hunker Down,” not “Lay Down.”
Hey D Backs, try to at least stay in the receivers’ zipcode. Hey D Line, get a push every third series or so! Hey LBs, when you blitz, try to avoid the RB… he’s blocking you. I know this is confusing stuff, because sometimes you’re tackling the RB.
Coach Richt, I understand how TOs can impact the number of points we give up. I don’t won’t TO as much as the next guy, but they happen (even with a good offense). A TO is not a license for the D to provide little or no resistance at all.
Same can said about long KO and punt returns. Know what else can be said about long returns? I’ve been watching UGA football for 39 years, and I ain’t never seen nothin’ like this coverage. I mean, where are they? If you ever see our cover guys, they’re runnin so fast, they’re outta control. Can’t make a tackle w/o body control, kid! Who runs that show? Fabris? Whenever Willie leaves, you go with him, okay?
One more thought about turnovers. I remember when Willie’s ‘prevent’ defense took over for BVG’s attacking style. Willie’s first year, there was this huge drop in the number of opponent’s TOs from the previous year.
That winter, Willie was quoted several times in the AJC and AHB about how he was gonna change that with a more attacking style. But when next year came, nothing changed. Our D didn’t cause TOs the next year either. Or the next year. Or this year. Willie, you’ve had four years to fix this particular problem. If anything, it’s gotten worse.
Willie, you’re probably a wonderful fellow. And I appreciate your effort, enthusiasm, and commitment to the program. But I’m sorry to say, you ain’t keepin’ ‘em outta the endzone enough for this OldSkoolDawg!
Is Warren Buffet Poor?
December 1st, 2009
1:37 pm
I guess since Warren Buffet is the #2 richest person, he needs to be fired too? ONLY $50 BILLION? Fire Charlie Munger, his assistant, Buffet knows nothing, and it’s all Charlie’s fault! They should have beaten Bill Gates. We need new leadership in Berkshire Hathaway.
how2fish
December 1st, 2009
3:37 pm
Dawg-gone-it
While your at the Tech bowl game..buy a T-shirt if recent memory is any guide your not getting a win..so at least you’ll have something to show.To all you big shot “Inside source” types who’s sister is bumping nasties with so and so and overheard such and such PLEASE…STFU..who in Gods name are you fooling? We will know what happens in time..
hop
December 1st, 2009
3:46 pm
the latest news, georgia is going to sign tommy tubberville as a defensive consultant and keep willie as defensive coach.
there is also a chance that former nfl qb brad johnson will be hired as a consultant with the offense as well with emphasis on working with the young qb’s! bobo stays as offensive coach.
Pitbull
December 1st, 2009
3:58 pm
The AJC should end all speculation on if Shultz will be a blogger for them this coming year. Remember when they were called sports writers? The AJC should fire Shultz immediately and make room for a real sports blogger to come in and pick up the slack due to declining circulation.
Ryan Mallett « Weight Loss and Dieting
December 1st, 2009
4:02 pm
[...] Richt needs to end speculation about Martinez | Jeff Schultz [...]
Really?
December 1st, 2009
4:08 pm
T-Shirts have been made for the ACC Chipper this weekend! HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SO8Y3MIsoP8/SxMN88MGbFI/AAAAAAAAGqM/eFnge3sjMxc/s1
Keith
December 1st, 2009
5:22 pm
This just in “nobody knows jack except Richt, Evans, and Adams. And that’s the bottom line cuz Stone Keith said so!
Urban Meyer to Dallas Cowboys?
December 1st, 2009
5:31 pm
This is the REAl story for the SEC in 2010–Urban Meyer’s future? Where will he go? Some, like USA Today, say Notre Dame is a perfect fit and his dream job, others like CBS Sports say, no, not Notre Dame, it’s Urban to the NFL. No doubt he’s OUT in 2010 with the loss of Tebow and Spikes, 9 players on defense, 23 gone, and an inexperienced QB. Confusing, what do you think?
http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/12585042/meyer-going-to-nfl-believe-it-numbskulls
Whi will replace Meyer?
December 1st, 2009
5:34 pm
My guess is Spurrier, but could be the Cincy coach or Boise S. guy or Charlie Strong, I think Florida wants an offensive type Head C. for 2010.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
December 1st, 2009
6:39 pm
UGA needs a few more play-makers on the D side of the ball to compliment Rennie. I just didn’t see the impact type players on our D as in the past such as Pollack, Thomas Davis, and Marcus Howard.
You either have speed or you don’t. Coaching won’t do a lot to remedy that problem.
Meyers idea of challenge= fla Intl
December 1st, 2009
7:20 pm
aNYONE ELSE FIND IT HILARIOUS THAT mEYERS SCHEDULE TEAMS LIKE FLA INTL AND TROY AND CHARLESTON SOUTHERN IN ONE SEASON?
WHAT’S HE SCARED OF: LOSIN’?
MEYERS IS A BONAFIDE WIMP.
Meyers is Catholic, Named after Pope
December 1st, 2009
7:21 pm
He might be a good fit for the Notre Dame job, he even called it his dream job.
Myers without Tebow= 0 Natl Champs
December 1st, 2009
7:21 pm
What has Urban Meyers done without Tebow–EVER?
Meyers is SCARED to lose
December 1st, 2009
7:23 pm
Why does he schedule SSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
MANY
WEAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
Teams
If he is so strong?
FLA DAWG
December 1st, 2009
7:54 pm
WHERE IS THE ANNOUNCEMENT RICHT!!!???
YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF RICHT’S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AS A HEAD COACH AND TOUGH DECISION MAKER.
UNLOAD RICHT, ADAMS – DO IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another Dawg
December 1st, 2009
8:18 pm
Once again, Schultz is wrong wrong wrong.
What good does it do to “end speculation”? How about let Martinez focus on doing his job for our final game and continue recruiting and retaining the players we’ve got, then make changes when we have the time and energy to spend on them? Oh, right, because we aren’t moronic effing Virginia or Notre Dame, neither of whom have beat 4 teams with winning records under their last coach’s tenure.
When we want to slip into football anonymity, we’ll follow in the footsteps of the ND and UVA “programs.” And we’ll DEFINITELY call on that moron Jeff Schultz to lead us there.
TJ Vol
December 1st, 2009
9:16 pm
I think Martinez is a great coach….give him another year or two…im sure it will work out…..
EnjoyFootball
December 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
The only concern is the recruits. What you and me think means nothing. I think it will be a demotion and let Willie decide if he wants to resign or stay. Jeff who do your insiders say they are looking at for the position. That is do you have any insiders. When was the last time you broke a story.
LizDawg
December 2nd, 2009
1:40 pm
Jeff Shultz, you are truly pathe-TECH. Have you ever played a down of football in your life?
Coach Johnson should also be examining his D Coordinator situation after getting pancaked and gashed all night long to the tune of ~350 yards.
CALEB KING JUST RAN UNTOUCHED UP NORTH AVENUE WITH MORGAN BURNETT DRAGGING BEHIND!
Breaking news! Nobody has been fired yet at Georgia! | Jeff Schultz
December 2nd, 2009
2:13 pm
[...] But I’ll repeat what I wrote the other day: It would behoove Richt to make an announcement as quickly as possible to avoid these fires from breaking out. [...]
About coach, richt, willie martinez, defensive coordinator, georgia, tech | Find me About
December 2nd, 2009
4:43 pm
[...] I’m not sure what to read into Mark Richt’s sudden decision to cancel his scheduled Sunday night conference call with media members because of a reported “family function,” other than, well, a reported family function. But with strong and protracted …Read Original Story: Richt needs to end speculation about Martinez – Atlanta Journal Constitut… [...]
Willie Martinez Fired
December 19th, 2009
6:02 am
[...] Richt needs to end speculation about Martinez | Jeff Schultz (blogs.ajc.com) – November 30, 2009Georgia coach Mark Richt needs to end speculation about defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and announce if he’s going to make any changes in his coaching staff. … Also whoever we bring in needs t… [...]