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
Who's Your Daddy
November 30th, 2009
4:38 pm
Apparenty, Dwyer was in the minority. Dwyer was pissed off after the game. So the Tech players really wanted to beat Georgia. The final score: 30 to 24. Georgia!!!!
Who's Your Daddy
November 30th, 2009
4:43 pm
Calling all Dawg Fans to email Terrance “The Turd” Moore. Moore said the Dawgs will never beat GT as long as Paul Johnson is at Tech. Moore was called out last night but refused to acknowledge that he was wrong.
Sundance 44
November 30th, 2009
4:43 pm
Jeff,
Good article. I agree the guessing game is not appropriate.
In regards to the Georgia – Georgia Tech game, I think the better team lost, but I give Georgia credit for playing one hell of a game.
If I were a Georgia Fan I’d be asking for my money back for those five games the Bulldogs lost by not playing up to their potential. They could have won all five if they’d played with the intensity they played with on Saturday Night. I think they cheated their fans in those five lost games.
Georgia Tech will be fine. They are in good hands and will be the ACC Champions by this time next week.
cantondawg
November 30th, 2009
4:48 pm
Mark this down…UGA will be 10-2 or better next year and here’s why.
1) Washaun Ealey is a beast.
2) We will never again in our life see a UGA football team with -19 in turnovers with only 2 fumble recoveries
3) AJ Green is the best wr in america. I think UGA has the best wr corps with AJ, Wooten, Charles, Brown and King
4) OL will be much improved
5) Justin Houston is becoming a force at DE
6) AM will be able to ease into the starting role because of our RB’s..He will not be forced to try to win the game like JC had to.
7) Schedule much easier….LSU drops off-replaced by Miss. State. Ok State off- Colorado (losing record) on…We start off with LA-Monroe which will give us a tune-up to SEC play.
9)Bacarri Rambo will be back- i think he’s a better player now than our starting safeties
10) Branden Smith will be better than our starting cornerbacks now.
11) UGA’s offseason conditioning will be brutal this year…Coaches won’t let them forget that 7-5 not good enough
12) Coach Richt is one of the greatest coaches coming back from adversity.
13) New DC coordinator
Felix the Cat
November 30th, 2009
4:49 pm
Look like Tech needs to replace their defensive coordinator…
tech man
November 30th, 2009
4:50 pm
The UGA fans that do not know how to add.A 30to 24 game is not a blow out and you almost lost that.Why are you so happy,your team is 7 and 5.Shold be 6 and 6 after the arizonia state game and the middle school teams you play during thw year. I just don’t get it!!!!
TampaDawg86
November 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
I like Martinez’s fire but he needs to be demoted.. What’s his specialization? Do you know what he could be demoted too?
pb
November 30th, 2009
4:53 pm
WHERE IS YELLOW FUZZ? He did say he would stay away after Tech-UGA game, especially if Tech lost. I am glad he is keeping his word (and eating crow!)
And Dawg- gone-it: Wonder if you would say the game didn’t matter if Tech had won? Ask the Tech players if the game mattered to them.
Just admit you got beat by the better team that night.
cantondawg
November 30th, 2009
4:54 pm
The UGA-GT game this years shows you exactly why the games are played on the field and not on paper or Mark Bradley, Jeff Schultz and Tony Barnhart’s blogs. Rivalry games are unpredictable and you better not take them for granted.
People complain about CPJ calls at the end but remember if it weren’t for Bay Bay Thomas dropping an easy fourth down pass, UGA would have lost the game.
GTSUXREALLYBAD
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
30-24
Dr. Demento
November 30th, 2009
4:57 pm
I know you’ll find this hard to believe but, last season there were an enormous amount of injuries, and slick Willie probably did his best job ever w/ a patchwork “D”…now, you have offense that not only demoralized the fans, but I’m sure the defense (entire team) were not too happy with the QB’s play concerning turnovers and pick 6’s…the offense were nothing more than moral killers…the best thing that happened to the O&D was Bobo moving to the sidelines and keeping the 5th year senior emotion’s in check…this year was history with CMR’s decision to stay w/ Cox all season…there is no way that “Cox gives us the best chance to win,” and if one of these other QB’s can’t hack it, then why didn’t the DAWGS go after another QB…college ball is a crazy game and especially in the SEC where records can be thrown out the window and most games are their own little rivals…anyone know what the recruiting looks like for the defense next year; any DE, LB, moving players from offense to defense…I’d like to hear something from CMR on where they are going forward…it already is known how badly the offense played the part of momentum killers this past year…this whole season should be on CMR’s head and not on the coordinators
Dr. Demento
November 30th, 2009
4:58 pm
last season that I was talking about was the 2008 season
TampaDawg86
November 30th, 2009
5:06 pm
Dr. Demento I agree on the offensive part. There’s no reason Aaron Murray shouldn’t have started the 2nd game of the season. He got up to school early and even our performed Cox in the Spring game! Luckily we will have Murray for 3 seasons because he will be another top QB takin in the Draft. Bobo’s play-calling is just horrible. I wouldn’t say fire Bobo but atleast take his play-calling away. That’s CMR speciality. This is College Football not pro football. Look at Spurrier he calls his plays and is one of the greatest coaches ever. The Defense is bad yes they were put into bad spots this year but they aren’t good at all. There’s too much talent on that side of the ball not to be a lock down defense. We need to go back to them hunker down dawgs that just love to hit somebody!!!! Go Dawgs and Congrats on the TEch win!!!
That game didn’t matter Tech players didn’t care really? You need to stop talking period. GA/GT is a huge rivalry it always matters.. Just cause Tech beat us last year and have a decent team doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter to them.. Georgia Tech will never be sooo much better than Georgia that the game doesn’t matter!
if a frog had wings
November 30th, 2009
5:17 pm
The problem is Garner?
How does he not promote him to Defensive coordinator??
Our boy has a big problem ??
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2009
5:18 pm
That’s really going out on a limb to tell everyone how Richt needs to announce something soon, a couple of days before the whole world knows that he is. Say something about the coaching situation soon?.? Really? Ya think?
barneyb
November 30th, 2009
5:25 pm
Nice column, Jeff. I agree with your point about the running game keeping the GT offense off the field- if Tech offense had more time on the field, it would have been a totally different ballgame (that and their droppped pass at the end). You are also right- end the speculation now. But doubtful it will happen as soon as we all wish it would, one way or another. Martinez is just the beginning of this team’s problems. Next year could very well be more of the same.
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2009
5:28 pm
canton, if it hadnt been for our fumble spotting tech the 3, tech isnt with a TD there.. Or if our guy doesnt pull the FG attempt. If if hadnt been for a lot of things, the score would be different. And of cource every event after that would have changed, so the drop would have never happened.
and that was a first down on the 40 , not a TD he dropped. Would have been scary though. I think Bryan Evans would have come off the bench and intercepted the desperation pass to the end zone personally.
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2009
5:31 pm
What makes anyone think Garner would make a good DC? He is gone this year anyway.
goober
November 30th, 2009
5:32 pm
See my 12:42 pm post. Muschamp would come if you ask him. Exactly what does “head coach in waiting” mean anyway? And why couldn’t he become “HCIW” at UGA? He’s 38 so a few more years of seasoning will help him anyway. If I’m Will Muschamp and I get to choose between being the HCIW at Texas with some uncertain future and a lot of big bucks, or the Def Coor and potential HCIW at my alma mater UGA with some uncertain future and a lot of big bucks, then I choose UGA … remember, when Mama calls you home, you can’t refuse.
Not sure about Chris Hatcher as Off Coord … still might be too pass-happy. Remember he was a QB like Bobo, who almost lost it with that idiotic 3rd-and-4 pass call against Tech when we were averaging 7 yds a carry on the ground all night long, not to speak of stopping the clock with the incomplete.
Urban Meyer to the NFL?
November 30th, 2009
5:34 pm
CBS says “yes”. Lots of good reasons. It’s a good read:
http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/12585042/meyer-going-to-nfl-believe-it-numbskulls
Spurrier to Replace Meyer?
November 30th, 2009
5:35 pm
How about Steve Spurrier to replace Meyer next year afyter Meyer heads ot the NFL? Spurrier’s team could actually THROW the ball.
SWGADAWG
November 30th, 2009
5:36 pm
Rather y9u just quit blogging, Jeff. Dawgs don’t want ya.
GaCracker
November 30th, 2009
5:36 pm
You got that right!
joe cox will be fine
November 30th, 2009
5:39 pm
Canton dawg- fla much weaker? does this mean we -ga- will beat em? Who r the 2 losses? until we at least win 2 in a row lets not talk like techesters lol-but dang I hope u r right.
JoAnn
November 30th, 2009
5:45 pm
They had better keep them all! We threw the game at Tech in hopes all of the coaching staff would remain intact for another year…or more! I say give them a multi-year extension!! And GO JACKETS!!!!!
DOUMup
November 30th, 2009
5:45 pm
http://WWW.SWARMHORNETSWARM.COM
NFL hopeful Rodney Morgan had it all until he wouldn’t do the bidding of a dangerous mob boss named, Genco Guiseppe. Two years later, after a deadly accident that claimed the lives of his wife and unborn child, Rodney is a broken man with a prosthetic leg. Running for his life and with nothing left to live for Rodney is close to suicide until he is talked out of it by Mr. & Mrs. Brown. They give him a second chance at life when Brown hires him on his staff at Sunbury high school.
GO DAWGS GO HORNETS!
Tebow vs. Stafford
November 30th, 2009
5:46 pm
Why did Stafford get better every year statistically for Georgia, while Tebow got worse every year?
If I was a QB, I’d take note of what Florida does to your QB skils—DOWNWARD SPIRAL NOTED.
Check it on espn.com compare Stafford over 3 years, and then Tebow’s. It’s shocking how much worse he got each year.
No winder NFL experts like Mel Kiper and Jimmy Johnson say the NFL doesn’t want Tebow–at all. He isn’t committed to getting better. Sad.
UGA opponents
November 30th, 2009
5:47 pm
Enter your comments here
sign Willie to a 10 year extension, we love ya Willie!!!
Tebow will deliver pizzas after college
November 30th, 2009
5:49 pm
Tebow is frustrated that no NFL team is interested in his “QB” skills.
He’ll be flipping pizzas after school to try and make ends meet.
Sad ending to a good guy with serious NFL linebacker potential.
dawgmeister
November 30th, 2009
5:49 pm
Well the regular season is over. I have to admit that I’m disappointed over a 7-5 season record. The win over Tech eases some of the pain but losing at home to Kentucky shouldn’t have happened. The bottom line is UGA had too many turnovers, too many penalties and not enough takeaways. I guess there’s always next season.
DAWG
November 30th, 2009
5:50 pm
Look at willies record, not that great. This program has a lot of talent and you have to have a defensive coordinator who will light a fire under their butts and play like a junk yard dog. I hate to see any one loose their job, so place him in a different capacity and drive on.
70Dawg
November 30th, 2009
5:53 pm
Tech Man, Why was it a blow out last year? Because Tech won?
Bring Zook Back!
November 30th, 2009
5:55 pm
Instead of Spurrier, maybe Florida should replace Meyer with Zook after Meyer leaves for the NFL this year. Zook was just getting it going.
Some say Strong deserves his chance?
November 30th, 2009
5:58 pm
Is DC Charlie Strong REALLY responsible for Florida’s success, or was it just a by-peoduct or having such a strong running game on offense?
He seems like a good replacement, but Florida likes Head Coaches with an offensive philosophy, so it’s not likely. Spurrier is a better fit.
SouthernDawg
November 30th, 2009
5:58 pm
Jeff, you really need to spend more time perfecting your craft and leave it to the folks at UGA to decide when and how to deal with its coaching staff.
I’m sure they are waiting to hear what you have to say with baited breath. In fact, I hear they keep reading your pre-game column just so they can belly laugh over and over and over.
Marco Escuandolas
November 30th, 2009
6:01 pm
cantondog…I am not excited about playing Mississippi State next year at all. I think they will give us all we can handle. We don’t beat Florida and State will bring in the same offense…with a coach in his second year. That game worries me pal.
cantondawg
November 30th, 2009
6:02 pm
joe cox will be fine,
Yes i think FL will be much weaker. I believe we will have a good chance at beating them next year. Talent-wise, they will be close to this years team but leadership wise i don’t think it will be close.Fl fans are expecting those 5 star recruits to just step in with no drop-off and it doesn’t work out like that.
i’m not predicting the two losses but i think our 2 toughest games will be Tennessee and Florida. Both of them seem to have our number lately.
Gen Neyland
November 30th, 2009
6:03 pm
Charles At 4:30 pm :”It’s Searels, not Searles. Don’t you people have editors?”
Charles, a great question. I worked in the ajc pressroom back in the 70’s so let me answer this for you. The answer is, “What do ya think this stuff is, Pulitzer material? Mama Cox won’t even spring for Jelly-of-the-Month Christmas gifts for the blog guys so what’s the incentive? Take it or leave it. She gets ‘hits’, we get a paycheck.”
Sautee Dawg
November 30th, 2009
6:03 pm
Shultz
Shultz after all the coach bashing and all the downgrading articles that you and Mark Bradley have published this season, all the cheap shots about Martinez and Bobo, and mostly your questioning whether or not our team had heart. Do you honestly think that CMR is going to run to either of you with the latest scoop on the DAWGS?
CMR already made a jab at you in his post game interview with Chuck Dowdle, when asked about Reshad Jones interception CMR said “I hope the AJC got a good picture of that”
AJC picked Jones apart every since last years Tech game about not tackling Roddy Jones.
You should have better things to write about anyway, Tech’s playing Clemson this weekend in that Patty Cake leauge You and Bradley fit in with that crowd..
cantondawg
November 30th, 2009
6:04 pm
Marco,
I agree with your concern about MSU. That game worries me too. But i still think it will be a win. A hard fought win
Matt the Brave
November 30th, 2009
6:13 pm
I’ve heard rumblings that WM is the reason why the Dawgs have had such good recruiting classes in the last couple of years. Wouldn’t mind seeing him as the full-time recruitment coordinator. Seems to be a nice guy, but he doesn’t need to be coaching our defense.
1Bamadawgfan
November 30th, 2009
6:24 pm
I really enjoyed your columns this year Jeff! This year’s blogs by the Georgia fans were a lot of fun to read also! I myself have found my comments about the Dawgs becoming more negative and has it bothered me. So I decided to stop, take inventory and see why I was feeling this way. To me “SEC football” is the definition of football. No trickery, just hard nosed, tough, grind it out football for 45 minutes. This is what I have loved about Georgia Football, until the last few years. Seems every team needs a standout nowadays. We’ve always had 1 or 2 each year ourselves. I kept waiting for that standout to step up, might have happened against Tech I don’t know, next year will tell. I have no problem with the Georgia coaches. Good men, each and everyone of them. I have a problem with the players attitudes this year. I watched every game and DVR’d all the games and replayed them all. It is amazing to watch how many players would just quit, seem to have the attitude of “let someone else do it”. I saw this on Offense and Defense. Now my question would be, how do you a player perform? Incentives?…isn’t a scholarship enough? I don’t know exactly who is responsible for the attitudes of the players besides the Head Coach. I never played college ball, but played 4 years of high school. I remember very well that if you didn’t perform, you didn’t play..never mind who won. The ones who tried are the ones we won or lost with. So fire all the coaches? Fire Wille? Fire Bobo? How about finding 12 players who will try on offense and 12 who will try on defense? If that means firing some coaches too, then do it. Time for the players to step up too! There a lot of good football players out there that would love to have the chance some of our halfhearted players have had.
Will Meyer take Notre Dame job?
November 30th, 2009
6:26 pm
Meyer is said t be #1 on list of candidates, they want a “proven winner”. He’s Catholic, named after a Pope, coached at Notre Dame, called it his dream job. Will Notre Dame make the announcement BEFORE OR AFTER the Fla/Ala game?
td
November 30th, 2009
6:31 pm
I do not know if CWM needs to be fired or not. I will leave that decision to the man I trust with the program (sorry but it is not the AJC staff or the bloggers on here). I would like to bring a little prospective:
CWM was the DB coach when CMR took over the program.
CWM is running the exact same Defensive schemes that CBV ran and if you just go back and watch the tapes he does blitz and play man to man.
CWM is a great recruiter and his primary recruiting grounds are S. Florida. He has a lot of ties with coaches in that area and I feel it is important to recruit that area.
j
November 30th, 2009
6:37 pm
You can’t spell OBAMA without BAMA
Dawg'88
November 30th, 2009
6:41 pm
Why should anyone, let alone a person of character like Mark Richt, ever listen to a rag newspaper writer who has no talent and no standing to even pretend to tell him what to do?
j
November 30th, 2009
6:41 pm
Jeff, you’re a lot more incompetent than Matrinez. I say fire the AJC writers. They’re killing the recruitment of readers.
dawgma
November 30th, 2009
6:42 pm
Martinez…leave now and maybe you can get a GA high school head position.
I hear North Gwinnett might be looking.
Jim
November 30th, 2009
6:57 pm
Hey Jef-fro-bodenie until you sign CMR pay checks why don’t you just report the news rather than try and make it. I hope you and your cronies at AJC enjoyed some fine crow stew on Sunday and a BIG slice of humble pie will go a long way in correcting the wiles of your ways.
On another note. Compare Joe Cox and Matthew Stafford’s first year starting stats and ask yourself where UGA would bee this year if Joe Cox was a 5th year senior with four years in the system and three years starting under his belt.
gATOR hEAD
November 30th, 2009
7:05 pm
Timmy Tebow is the greatest athlete since pre-historic times.