If you don’t believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox’s way
A three-year plan? Why? Mark Fox doesn't accept that Georgia can't win now. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
ATHENS — In the spring, a player asked Mark Fox, “Do you really think we can win?” and for a moment he was stunned. No player had ever asked him that before.
In the first week of school, Fox made his team runs steps in Sanford Stadium in the heat of August, punishment for blown tutoring sessions and, he said, “being undisciplined.”
First road trip? Three players forgot their shoes.
“Three guys left their sneakers in Athens,” Fox said. “We go to practice the night before the UAB game and I’m like: What’s the deal here? It was embarrassing. We had the team manager who hadn’t traveled with us bring the shoes with him the day of the game. I was like, ‘OK, now I know why we’re having some issues here.’”
These are the little reality checks for the new Georgia basketball coach. When a program generally is synonymous with apathy and misery, interrupted by the occasional 20-win season and tornado-aided conference championship, inheriting problems are expected. You would just hope that everybody remembers their shoes and that players believe in the concept of winning basketball games as much as the coach does.
Mark Fox believes. His hope is that others soon will follow — players, fans, media. If early results are any indication, they will. The Bulldogs are only 8-8. They’re winless in three SEC games, with eighth-ranked Tennessee coming to Athens Saturday. But we’ve already seen wins over Georgia Tech and Illinois, and one of those near shock-the-world upsets at Kentucky.
Fox is doing this with a Fisher Price toolbox in a power tool world. He inherited neither players nor a winning culture in Athens. You scream, “Georgia basketball!” and if somebody appears to scream it back, it’s really only an echo in Stegeman Coliseum.
If this was all about Xs-and-Os, it would be easy. Fox handled that just fine at Nevada: 123-43 and three NCAA appearances in five seasons. He knows it’s about more than that at Georgia. He has spoken to Tubby Smith. He has spoken to Dennis Felton. He has spoken to Jim Harrick. (Fortunately, he had all of his shots first.)
Chances are, he”ll find success. He finally has what his predecessors didn’t: an apparent commitment of the athletic department to devote resources to something other than football. When “football” schools like Florida and Texas and Tennessee can win in basketball, it ends all of those it-can’t-be-done here debates.
But there is a lot baggage to overcome first. Fox’s greatest hurdle?
“The stigma,” he said. “We have to change the perception of Georgia basketball in the minds of young people — and in the minds of everybody. I expected we’d have to do that. We have to accept the term, ‘rebuilding.’ We can’t run from that term. I’ve told our team, it doesn’t have to be a two-year plan or a three-year plan. They can do it faster. We control that. My kids watch that show every Sunday night where they rebuild a house in a week ["Extreme Makeover"] . Our players have to realize, ‘They can do it faster.’”
They look at the final score. He says, “We’re making progress.”
They look at the standings, he says, “We’re 0-3, not 0-10.”
They look at the half-empty stands. He slaps them around a little.
“The kids have to understand that you don’t play hard just because the arena’s full,” he said. “This is part of the process. You have to earn their respect back. Once we get this rebuilt, there will be a home court advantage. But we have to earn that back.”
When he got the job, he asked every player why they came to Georgia. Most talked about the school, or Athens, or proximity to their home.
Only one mentioned winning basketball games.
Now when Fox recruits, he wants every player to say they’re coming to Georgia to win.
“I didn’t hear that enough when I came here,” he said.
One issue resolved.
Two, if you count that nobody has forgotten their shoes since the Alabama-Birmingham trip.
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154 comments Add your comment
Billy Ray Valentine....Capricorn
January 21st, 2010
3:13 pm
First? That would be a first.
Dawglasville
January 21st, 2010
3:14 pm
We’ve got the right guy. Can we keep him?
Without-a-clue
January 21st, 2010
3:19 pm
I’m not a basketball fan. But, Fox could make me one.
UGA 2010
January 21st, 2010
3:19 pm
Third, could of been first if i cared…..
UGA 2010
January 21st, 2010
3:19 pm
good article either way Jeff…
Bob Horner had sweet compact swing
January 21st, 2010
3:22 pm
nice write up Jeff…Fox is doing a great job..the Dawgs will win some games this year…the future looks bright
Bryan G.
January 21st, 2010
3:23 pm
I like Fox’s attitude. Unlike under Felton, the team seems to get better each and every game. The last 4 games they have played extremely well against some extremely good teams. I hope they continue to get better. The jury is still out, but the early returns are promising.
Gordon
January 21st, 2010
3:24 pm
He can obviously coach.
If he can recruit (Tubby Smith), he will be successful and go somewhere else when UGA fans don’t support the team or someone like Kentucky or Memphis come calling.
If he can’t recruit (Dennis Felton), he’ll either be fired or go somewhere where he can.
Not enough UGA fans care. Even during good times, they only fill up the place against teams like Kentucky.
Ryan S
January 21st, 2010
3:27 pm
Tornado aided? If you call having to play two games in one day being an advantaged…when it was the 2nd teams first game.
Socal Dawg
January 21st, 2010
3:28 pm
I hope he stays.
Roundball
January 21st, 2010
3:32 pm
All Coach Fox needs is time, support, and players (which he will get)…
NewnanDawg
January 21st, 2010
3:32 pm
I’m really sick of articles about the bball program in Athens with absolutely no research. The commitment from the AD to bball started long before Coach Fox arrived. Have you forgotten about the $30M practice facility we just built a couple of years ago? Or have you just never actually set foot in it to know anything about it? Did you know about the fact that vast renovations to the Steg are in the capital investment plans for the next few years? You don’t just throw those in. That is long term planning. No players? Trey Thompkins could have gone anywhere and Coach Fox is quickly proving we have other players; they just needed a good coach. Thin, especially off the bench – yes, but no players sounds just plain uninformed. How are players supposed to believe they can win if so called journalists keep saying they have no talent?
Ok – got that off my chest – now, the good news. This Saturday’s game against UT is already the closest we have come to a sellout in a long time, and might be one by game day. Coach Fox is putting a very entertaining brand of bball on the floor; if you haven’t been to a game, I highly suggest it. I’m excited for this team and coach and look forward to the rest of the season.
Go Dawgs!
Tweets that mention If you don't believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox's way | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
January 21st, 2010
3:33 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Alan Ashley, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: If you don’t believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox’s way: A three-year plan? Why? Mark Fox doesn't accept that G… http://bit.ly/7uaxid [...]
NewnanDawg
January 21st, 2010
3:36 pm
Ryan S – thanks for pointing out another idiotic remark in this article.
Gordon – FYI, there is this cool thing called “optimism” which might make you a happier person. If you are just a rival fan hoping we fail, just say it instead of trying to make people think you just truly believe the program can’t succeed.
Go Dawgs!
SLP
January 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
So far so good. Will he make Tubby a long lost memory?
georgedawg
January 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
Dawg fans – this Fox guy is a winner through and through – plus he’s a great guy – he can recruit. Let’s go to the home games and create a great college basketball experience and home court advantage and a recruiting advantage. Stegman, which was there when I went to school, may not be as impressive as some other SEC schools – it doesn’t matter. Screaming butts in the seats and enviorment do. Fox can do everything else. Lets arrange some caravaning from somewhere in Gwinnett and support these dawgs. Any ideas about getting this together please comment. I’ll devote some time to organizing. Attendence is all he needs and we’ll be dancing in a year or two. Go DAWGS!!!
Frist
January 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
Thanks Newnan Dawg. There are no cows there, either. But uninformed know-it-alls continue to bash it as if there were.
Clarence Beaks
January 21st, 2010
3:37 pm
Looking good Billy Ray. Feeling good Louis.
augustadawg
January 21st, 2010
3:41 pm
The commitment to basketball is there. I toured the facilities before the Ole Miss game with an assistant coach and they are second to none. Stegeman will undergo a major facelift as soon as the season ends this year and will be totally transformed by next season. Coach Fox absolutely can coach this game and when he gets a few more players in, he will be dangerous. I wouldn’t count this team out yet as the weaker part of the schedule is the 2nd half and they get better each week. They might be able to really make some noise by SEC tournament time. We are 12th in the nation in strength of schedule at this point with the # 8 team coming in Saturday.
NewnanDawg
January 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
George and Augusta – we need more of you. If I can drive from Newnan for every home game, I put it on you George; you can get some folks that only have to go from Gwinnett County.
FYI – If you haven’t seen some of Coach Fox’s tweets @coachmarkfox, he has a great sense of humor in just the right amount mixed with some more serious comments.
Go Dawgs!
gdawginkalamazoo
January 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
It all starts with discipline which UGA hasn’t seen since Tubby was there. Looks like Fox has the kids believing and playing hard. Of course I don’t expect overnight miracles but looks like he is energetic enough to get the job done. Good luck to him and the team. I do keep up with the basketball program and it exciting to see the team competing in the big games. ALthough there have been some setbacks (Wofford, UAB) I think Fox will do well on the recruiting trail.
Wolfdawg
January 21st, 2010
3:49 pm
Thanks Jeff nice article. I like what Fox is doing. Mabye this discipline will rub off on the Football team because they see each other alot.
Gordon
January 21st, 2010
3:50 pm
I’m sorry, Newnandawg. You’re right.
I think UGA will win the national championship next year! 50 years of results be damned!
By the way, substitute “Fox” with “Felton” and you will have the exact same posts from 2004.
Happily yours,
Gordon
Burdell
January 21st, 2010
3:51 pm
Looks like the Dawgs have a good man coaching the basketball team in Athens. Good luck on Saturday with the Vols.
GO JACKETS!
NewnanDawg
January 21st, 2010
3:51 pm
Starring……… – So correct; I usually don’t even come to this blog because JS kind of reminds me of KO (you can figure out who KO is, someone doing sports and polititcs, both arrogantly and irresponsibly)
NewnanDawg
January 21st, 2010
3:57 pm
Gordon – I don’t believe anyone said anything about NCs. They are simply getting better and being competitive for a change. And no, I never saw Felton develop guys like Travis, Ricky,and Chris the way Coach Fox is doing. Felton also never embraced the fan base the way Fox has until he thought it might save his job in the end. I don’t really blame him; it just wasn’t his personality. The thing that excited people about Felton was simply that Harrick was gone.
NewnanDawg
January 21st, 2010
3:58 pm
Oh and Gordon, I said optimism, not delusions.
Larry
January 21st, 2010
3:59 pm
Coach Fox is for real. UGA certainly isn’t a basketball school but since Dooley’s last SEC title in 82, Georgia has won more SEC championships in basketball ( 1983, 1990, 2008) than they have in football ( 2002 and 2005).
kydawg
January 21st, 2010
4:01 pm
The Dawgs are competitive in every game…it’s almost like they get to the last 3 minutes and say “hey, we’re not supposed to win this”…and they figure out how to blow up.
The talent they have is being “coached up” and I believe they will win some this year (killer schedule) I believe Fox will stay at UGA and make it a winner…I think he will appreciate the opportunity and “vision” that Evans showed in bringing him here. Face it…we all questioned this hire and we’re all eating our words…and I’m glad he’s here. GO DAWGS!!!
LazySam
January 21st, 2010
4:05 pm
Quit complaining about Stegman! Who wants to pay more for a ticket to a new arena if the product is terrible? Attendance will be worse.
Duke plays in a dump and it’s call one of the best environments in college basketball.
Nobody calls the Dean Dome an intimidating place and it’s a top of the line arena.
augustadawg
January 21st, 2010
4:05 pm
It is sad GA has not been one of the best 64 teams in college basketball except in a few years. I am not expecting a national championship next year, but I would like to see us be a consistent tournament team and maybe make some headlines every once in a while. I think that Coach Fox will do that for us and probably sooner rather than later.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
January 21st, 2010
4:09 pm
NewnanDawg, nice comparison. And both are equally entertaining……not
Dap01
January 21st, 2010
4:11 pm
Good article. I agree, Fox is going to be a fine coach.
bball
January 21st, 2010
4:15 pm
Its obvious by watching them play that they play with more heart and husle now. We’ve been in most every game thus far. Lets get out there and support these guys and Fox at home!!!!!
EW
January 21st, 2010
4:19 pm
JS, really enjoyed this read. Fox seems to be the right man for the job.
UGAFan
January 21st, 2010
4:21 pm
Gordon, you obviously haven’t seen the BB team play yet this year. Fox is brilliant, can really his players up, and already has this team already running the complicated triangle offense pretty good. They’re gonna make some noise this year …
people starting to care
January 21st, 2010
4:31 pm
i like it.
GW
January 21st, 2010
4:34 pm
Can’t judge Fox by wins this year. Judge him by how many underclassmen are still on the roster next season. If they all are still there plus a couple of guards 10-11 will be a good season.
timthebrave
January 21st, 2010
4:37 pm
Let me first say that I watch georgia basketball but not any other teams unless it’s march madness. This guy sounds like a winner and that they got the right guy to help build this program. Go dawgs!
Dr. Phil
January 21st, 2010
4:43 pm
Mark Fox may turn out to be a good coach, but last time I looked, UGA was in last place. Talk of championships is premature.
Thirty Points to your Twenty-Four Points
January 21st, 2010
4:46 pm
Just a reminder………..
(((((73-66)))))
The Dawgs may not be playing many big games in March this year, but we are still STATE CHAMPS!!!!
OH!!!! and before I forget………. (((((30-24))))) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J dubb
January 21st, 2010
4:58 pm
I really don’t get the constant bashing of Jeff Shultz and Mark Bradley. Surely you understand they are paid to (post) write entertaining articles based on facts. They’re not paid to pump out Anderson Cooper-like, Katrina journalism that is supposed to make everyone dwell on their articles for a few days after.
They poke fun at everyone’s teams once in awhile. Grow some hair on your b@!!$ – you can’t love him when he writes flattering stuff about your team and then bash him with abusive insults when he pokes at your team every now and then.
For those of us Dawgs who arent in the know, or haven’t been given a nice tour, this article provided plenty of insight for a short blog on what CMF is up against as the BB coach.
Good blog Jeff – ignore the ra-tards (as Allen would say).
And I expect bigger and better things to come from CMF. He seems like a very good COACH. Can’t wait to see how he recruits and coaches the kids as he settles in up there in Athens!
J dubb
January 21st, 2010
5:03 pm
LAST!
ASHEVILLE DAWG
January 21st, 2010
5:06 pm
Good luck Coach Fox.If the GT game means anything, you are building the base.That’s one game I saw and some of the KY game. Looks like a start.
college football
January 21st, 2010
5:10 pm
hey techie lover schultz, what was the UGA- techie score, was it 73-66…i thought so, ha,ha,ha
if only UGA was in the pathetic acc they would completely DOMINATE!!
I Run This State
January 21st, 2010
5:18 pm
Great blog dedicated solely to UGA basketball – http://hoopdawg.wordpress.com
Scout Dawg
January 21st, 2010
5:19 pm
People it is the first year! They have come a long way so far but what we are watching is this team learning how to finish: win. What a breath of fresh air! Thank you Coach Fox! We are a little jaded, but when your team gets it together we will be there! GATA DAWGS.
robodawg
January 21st, 2010
5:23 pm
Well said. Let’s pack the house for Tennessee.
Gary
January 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
I don’t think Fox will have any trouble recruiting after this season. I have watched several games on tv and these guys play hard and are in almost every game. Prospective recruits I think want to play for a coach that can inspire a team to be better than their talent. Trey is a great talent, I just hope he stays. He seems to make every one around him play better. I cant wait to see what Fox can do with a oouple of great recruiting classes, and he doesnt need to recruit outside the state to find the talent he needs.
Don
January 21st, 2010
5:33 pm
What I do believe, painfully so, is that Fox will not effectively recruit.
yunel asscobar
January 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
I would love to see Mark Fox “coach up” Frank Wren; architect of the miserable off-season. We lose an ace starting pitcher, replace him with a worn out, injury-plagued, Glaus, then ask him to play out of position. We are really going to be missing LaRoche’s defense and offense by the second week of the season. Wren seems to think that duct tape, baling wire, and a hope-so strategy for the prospects translates to a playoff team. Jeff – how about a blog devoted to the job Wren has done, reconstructing the Braves? Let’s ask Coach Fox to make Wren run stairs at Steg!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
January 21st, 2010
5:52 pm
We’re traveling to Athens for the game this Sat. I’m excited about Fox and his commitment to UGA BB. Yes, they’re still losing SEC games (so far and with virtually the same team as ‘09) but it’s obvious UGA BB is more competitive.
He is obviously a very good floor coach. Recruiting – can he get a couple of high profile GA High School players to commit?
Boise Dawg
January 21st, 2010
6:00 pm
Tubby was not a great recruiter, yet he was successful at Georgia… but not successful enough at Kentucky, mainly because he was not a great recruiter. Tubby also had an advantage by inheriting a stable program from Hugh Durham.
Georgia can win at Basketball as proven by both Tubby and Harrick, but it is going to take a guy that really knows the x’s and o’s because the great recruits and unfortunatley the fans are not going to come unless they have some success first….and I can assure Fox if he wins, the fans will come. Following Georgia’s sweet 16 appearance under Tubby, Stegman was rocking during home games the following year.
I have seen some things this year that make me optimistic for the future, but the Mississippi State loss looked like more of the same that we saw with Felton… a team that can’t handle a press and doesn’t have a go to guy late in a tight game.
Douglas
January 21st, 2010
6:09 pm
To those who say UGA doesn’t support basketball: I went to UGA during the Hugh Durham years. And when UGA started to win, people started filling the stands. He also recruited great players. If a coach can stay here — win — and recruit just in Ga. alone — UGA can be a power for a long time.
Not Disappointed
January 21st, 2010
6:17 pm
As a tech fan/alum, I’m impressed. Good luck.
Ramblin Wreck!
Reality Check
January 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
Gordon you are wrong on two accounts. 1st – Tubby wasn’t a great recruiter that’s why he had to leave Kentucky but he was a great coach. 2nd – If the dawgs start winning they will sell out most nights. The did before Felton got here.
Gordon
January 21st, 2010
6:34 pm
Look, I’ve said Fox is a good coach. It is obvious. But Tubby was a good coach and he left. He was building something at UGA (I think they had 24 wins his second year) but once a better BB school called he bolted. Basketball will always be #2 at UGA. It is very rare that a really good coach stays at a school where his sport is not the dominant one. Donovan at Florida and Barnes at Texas are the only exceptions I can think of. I enjoy watching a well coached team and Fox is producing one. But let’s say he makes some noise once he gets some players in the next few years and a job opened up at UCLA, Memphis, Kentucky, Kansas, etc and he is offered a job. He would leave (espcially a west coast team since that is where he is from). If he were the football coach at one of those schools and the UGA job opened up, he would leave. UGA is a destination job in football, but a stepping stone in basketball.
American Dream
January 21st, 2010
6:38 pm
Fox is my kind of guy. We used to hang out together at the Ted in stall number three in the lower level women’s restrooms. I think UGA will max out at 13 wins in a few seasons.
Reality Check
January 21st, 2010
6:39 pm
I agree with you Gordon. We are a top 15 destination job for football and probably a top 50 destination job for basketball. However, maybe he can change the perception enough to make us a top 20 destination. Money talks, so lets hope Damon understands that.
PT
January 21st, 2010
6:39 pm
I watched the game with MS State. They played hard but you could see their weaknesses. I wonder what he could do with some talent? Jeff, thats the first positive article I have read in some time. Thanks for the support. They need to hear it.
Just a reminder
January 21st, 2010
6:40 pm
Your basketball program stinks.
Gatorherb
January 21st, 2010
6:43 pm
I believe you’re right Jeff,there’s a bright light at the end of that tunnel.
DawginLex
January 21st, 2010
6:46 pm
UGA finally has a coach who can develop players. What he has done with Ware so far is proof of that. Get him some talent and the sky is the limit.
I hope he embraces the AAU circuit unlike Tubby. That was Tubby’s downfall at UK. You have to sign players through AAU, not so much high school anymore. Some kids would rather win the AAU nationals than the state title. Sad but true.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
January 21st, 2010
6:47 pm
Same comments we all heard with coach Felton a feww years ago. The smoke and mirrors game plan or scheme is is about to go bust as the dawgs have let games slip away. Dawgs will be under .500 come saturday night.
DawginLex
January 21st, 2010
6:49 pm
I’m pretty sure Fox is a better coach than Jirsa and that guy won 14 or 15 games a year.
Boise Dawg
January 21st, 2010
6:54 pm
The athletic association has the money to keep Fox at Georgia if they are committed to basketball. Tubby left because he had ties to Kentucky…. Fox does not have ties at a program like UK that I am aware of. If Fox likes living in Athens and is successful and Damon Evans takes care of him, there should be no reason to leave.
UCLA wasn’t a basketball school until a guy named John Wooden showed up.. not saying Fox could be a John Wooden, but I think you make a much bigger name for yourself by creating a basketball school, rather than jumping to a school with a more established reputation. It is a lot tougher to do, but much more impressive none the less.
Also there are major schools that are historically successful at both basketball and football… Michigan is one of the best examples I can think of.. but look at Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida and Texas. Four major programs at schools and in conferences where football is king and they seem to be able to get it done.
GameTime
January 21st, 2010
6:54 pm
You guys have a great coach. He’s really turning things around. Bullpups are much more disciplined and are playing well as a team. Once Fox has established himself in the area and gets his recruiting going, Georgie is going to be a force in the conference.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
January 21st, 2010
7:06 pm
Yeah right….. just like the football team…. I will believe it when I see it…..
Coffee Bluff DAWG
January 21st, 2010
7:16 pm
Maybe same comments as Felton but different early results. I saw a lot of the games w/Felton as Coach and I thought he was coaching an avg. D2 team (except for Sundiata Gaines) that never got better.
Fox has already developed the same team into something that looks competitive.
Stegman's Legacy
January 21st, 2010
7:18 pm
You know, I have been going to the Steg since 84, and I have also seen Dook’s place, Tech’s nipslip, Rupp, UNC’s Dean Dome, which is not a dome…Vandy, and Ohio State. Of all those, Ohio State is by far the nicest. An awesome place. But the Steg is not as bad as vandy or Tech’s. Dook is good, as has been stated, mostly for the outside and the fans. The improvements coming for the Steg will make it look better, and if we win, we get fans…yep, we have always been fairweather basketball fans. But I have been to 8 games so far this year, and am having fun. I will be there Sat and hope we can pull off the upset.
Ginger
January 21st, 2010
7:23 pm
I like Mark Fox…no nonsense, building a belief here with the players that they can and will win…..Players will buy into his concepts and expect good things for UGA Basketball in the future.
AJC bias against women sports
January 21st, 2010
7:27 pm
It is amazing to me that the UGA women’s basketball team with only one loss and ranked number 8 is the nation has not a single article in tonight’s AJC while the men’s team unranked does considering that UGA under Coach Lander’s is playing Coach SUmmit’s number 3 U Tenn team as I write. But then again the game is on a non HD channel so maybe no cares.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:40 pm
Billy Ray — you never forget your first first … or so I hear.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:40 pm
Dawglasville — Let’s worry about that down the road, not now.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:40 pm
Thanks UGA 2010
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:41 pm
Thanks Bob Horner. Are you ready for spring, big guy?
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:42 pm
Wolfdawg — Discipline. Football. That would be nice.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:44 pm
Dap01 — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:45 pm
BravesFan79 — That comment’s not going to cut it on my blogs. Race out.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:46 pm
J-Dubb … Thanks for the comments. It’s funny, but for as much as columnists are accused of having some kind of agenda, it’s certain readers who have agendas. But that’s OK. It’s the risk you take with open commenting. Plus, when readers like yourself makes the comments you make, it saves me the trouble.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:48 pm
J-dubb (again): Exhibit A: “College football’s” comment.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:49 pm
Thanks PT.
bart
January 21st, 2010
7:49 pm
I just hope Evans will do what it takes to keep him.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
7:50 pm
Gatorherb — I suspect it’s not a long tunnel.
bart
January 21st, 2010
7:51 pm
I just hope Evans will do what it takes to keep him.
Mark Fox
January 21st, 2010
8:00 pm
Can’t wait till I have a good season so I can get out of this redneck dump.
UGA = REDNECK
January 21st, 2010
8:01 pm
Georgia has a basketball team? Why you fools always loose to the Gators?
Billy Ray Valentine...Capricorn
January 21st, 2010
8:02 pm
@ Jeff Schultz: Don’t undersell my first first. That was my primary accomplishment at work.
@ Clarence Beaks: It aint cool to be no jive turkey so close to Thanksgiving.
Mark Fox
January 21st, 2010
8:04 pm
I can’t believe I came to a school that has a goofy, childish buffoon doing a column called the “Junkyard Blawg” in a major city newspaper.
And the trailer trash bloggers…geez
Paul The Vol
January 21st, 2010
8:16 pm
Good article Jeff. Fox is a winner and will do a good job at Georgia. The Dawgs may be 8-8 but they’ve played better than that record. I’m worried about our game in Athens on Saturday.
MontyP
January 21st, 2010
8:24 pm
I have watched every televised game and watched or listened to the others on GXtra. This is not the same old Georgia Basketball teams of the past that got lucky a few games every year and had a good season once a decade. Fox can coach and the players are believing they can win. They could have just as easily been 3-0 in the SEC. Turnovers doomed them in the final minute of two of those loses and the final 3 minutes against Ole Miss. They will clean that up and begin winning in a big way this season. This is a team that is on the verge of being very dangerous. We know the close game against UK was not an aberration by the fact that they beat GT and Illinois and almost upset Miss State and Old Miss. They will finish .500 or better in SEC play and will be peaking by the time the SEC tournament begins. Looking towards next season the Dawgs will need to find somebody to replace McPhee. Maybe a JC transfer could fill that need. Mark Fox is the man. Go Dawgs!
jesse james
January 21st, 2010
8:26 pm
UGA-Redneck – We beat the Gators last year with an interim coach!
Willie Martinez
January 21st, 2010
8:27 pm
I can come in and show you how to play good defense
Mike Oxbig
January 21st, 2010
8:30 pm
Nice article Jeff. Fox is first class and he knows how to kick guys in the a$$ to get them to follow him. He knew what he was getting into when he took this job, but he’s committed and will get it turned around. Before you know it Stegeman will be rocking again like it was in early ’90s.
jesse james
January 21st, 2010
8:32 pm
Got to give Damon Evans alot of credit with a great hire. Hell of alot better than our President’s choice, Jim (The Crook) Harrick.
Brenda
January 21st, 2010
8:45 pm
what if you dont believe in UGA football? Do I need to get out of Richt’s way too or should I just be patient and pray? I mean, sure the might UGA is king of this craphole state but what about them as 2nd tier in the SEC?
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
8:55 pm
Willie Martinez — Does your zone defense work as well in basketball as it does in football?
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
8:56 pm
Mike — Yes, Mark definitely did his homework about Georgia before he came here.
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
8:58 pm
jeff ole buddy, the lady dogs just beat tennessee
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
8:59 pm
caps willie is a fake
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
53-50 lady dogs over tennessee
jesse james
January 21st, 2010
9:00 pm
How Bout Them Lady Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations Coach Landers and Lady Dawgs and what a great crowd!
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
9:02 pm
number 8 knocked off number 3
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
9:02 pm
Let me get this straight. We have two people pretending to be Willie Martinez?
jesse james
January 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
Let’s complete the sweep on Saturday! Warden Pearl brings his mates in.
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
no, i’m the real willie blogger. the limerick man. the pithy commenter. the guy who debated you about kirby smart leaving bama. need more proof?
sansho1
January 21st, 2010
9:08 pm
Now that’s funny stuff.
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
9:09 pm
couple of months ago i was working on a limerick and couldnt find any words that rhymed with schultz. you expounded colts, bolts, etc. i rest my case.
jesse james
January 21st, 2010
9:10 pm
Did anybody see the call in the Louisville-Seton Hall game. Seton Hall player stepped in bounds bringing the ball in right in front of the official and there was no call. I don’t blame Petino.
Grey Dog
January 21st, 2010
9:14 pm
Fox is a winner! Georgia basketball is on the rise! Once Georgia starts to get some of the home-grown talent in this state…there’s no limit to the success!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
January 21st, 2010
9:16 pm
Seton Hall player at baseline was trying to inbound from 2′ over line and no call. HC advantage.
jesse james
January 21st, 2010
9:17 pm
I agree Grey Dog!
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
9:36 pm
yo jeff, you veggin?
collegeballfan
January 21st, 2010
9:37 pm
Womderful coach. Lousy grads that will not support the program.
I think it is a disgrace. I am a Tech fan and I pull harder for UGA basketball than any UGA fan I know.
bank walker
January 21st, 2010
9:40 pm
Fox has made a believer out of me!GO DAWGS!!
Gen Neyland
January 21st, 2010
10:13 pm
Well, congrats to the Lady Dawgs. We lost by three on the road to a fine team…See you ladies later up on the Hill. I really expect similar treatment this weekend when the menfolk meet up. Just hope we get to the free throw line a wee bit more than the Lady Vols did tonight. Fox has done good work so far…You people need to fill up the Steg on a regular basis for your team…
Glenn
January 21st, 2010
10:21 pm
You will find out that Fox is and will be the best coach UGA has ever had. Yes even better than Tubby just wait and see.
Jeff Schultz
January 21st, 2010
10:24 pm
Willie Martinez — Sorry, I was distracted. By the couch.
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
10:32 pm
Jeff, i, the real willie doesnt use caps. but glad to have you back.
Bill
January 21st, 2010
10:34 pm
Fox has his hands full but he can do it. Lady Basketball at UGA has always been the team people talk about. Now with Fox and his coaching habits maybe the men will step up. Good Luck Coach.
ANOTHER GOOD ONE JEFF……………..
Me
January 21st, 2010
10:38 pm
Jeff,
You can do really good work. I wish you didn’t feel the need to be moronic every so often to get hits. Just keep your readers informed. They will appreciate it.
Mark
January 21st, 2010
10:52 pm
I’m looking forward to being at the game Sat and getting LOUD. Worst performance from the bball Dawgs so far this year was against Mizzou (a full court high pressure team), similar to Tenn. We’re strongest inside and have guard depth issues. It will be interesting to see how much Fox has coached them up to handle the pressure. Handling the back court press (especially big men) also cost us the MSU game.
Jim Harrick
January 21st, 2010
11:01 pm
I came to Georgia for the academics.
I stayed for the thugs…
How many points is a three pointer?
How many halves in a game?
Even the wisest uga grads could never unravel those mysteries.
Hilarious!
January 21st, 2010
11:09 pm
ESPN announcer just referred to uga mens team as “overachieving.”
0-3 in the SEC qualifies as overachieving! Wow aim high!!!
Hilarious! I guess they are probably outstanding by SEC standards!
Chuck
January 21st, 2010
11:53 pm
UConn was a perennial joke in basketball before Jim Calhoun took the job there. Empty stands, years of losing, and in a very minor conference.
All it takes is the right coach.
And Gordon, you’re wrong about Tubby. He didn’t leave for any winning program. He had one out in his contract, for UK. He has said over and over that it was the only program that could have lured him from Athens. It was just our bad luck that the Celtics tabbed Petino when they did.
Motown Hound
January 22nd, 2010
6:58 am
Mark Fox was a great hire, finally UGA will never loose another game because they’re out of breath.
» SEC links: Georgia women take first place in SEC John Clay’s Sidelines
January 22nd, 2010
7:02 am
[...] Jeff Schultz of the AJC writes that if you don’t believe in Mark Fox, get out of the way. [...]
JSS
January 22nd, 2010
7:53 am
Jeff Schultz, how did your family come out with the bad weather yesterday out in Ventura Co.?
Mark Fox will be OK, if can win at Nevada, Trent Johnson is a winner, and so is Fox… The only problem he’ll ever have is the fanbase in Athens. Always, always, always watch your back!
hope
January 22nd, 2010
8:05 am
Fox is a great leader.
Eddie
January 22nd, 2010
8:18 am
21 times this year the hawks play back to back games. The Cavs only have to do this 17 times. So not only do they get the calls and have the league backing them, they also get a easier more favorable schedule. I guess that’s what is needed to get them to the finals
Blackberry Cobbler
January 22nd, 2010
8:39 am
The football team has the very same issues of sloppy attitude and lack of discipline on and off the field. The difference is that CMR appears to have no control over the situation for the last 2 seasons now. Fox grabs control. CMR just rides off in his F150.
Tweets that mention If you don't believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox's way | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
January 22nd, 2010
9:25 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Big E , Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: I still can't get over that three Georgia players forgot their sneakers on a road trip. http://bit.ly/4KznQT [...]
PeachJam
January 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
Good stuff Jeff.
SEC East Headlines – 1/22/10 | MrSEC.com
January 22nd, 2010
11:29 am
[...] changes as they prepare to go from a 4-man front to a 3-4 defense.7. New basketball coach Mark Fox believes Georgia can win… even if he’s having to fix all kinds of little “embarrassing” issues.8. Joker [...]
dawgrific
January 22nd, 2010
11:58 am
I don’t go to many games, as a matter of fact, the last one I went to was when we beat Florida under Harrick a couple of days before the scandal broke, ending what had been a great season in a terrible way. I truly believe that team could have made a serious tournament run, but ih well. sigh. Back to now, and FOx has me excited. I have watched every game that has been televised, and I really like what I see. My only worry is, for this season, will this brutally difficult schedule, and these close losses, kill our kids’ confidence? My long-term concern, obviously, is will Coach Fox be able to recruit. Goodness knows, there is SO much talent in GA, that if he can get a number of solid players, and the occasional superstar, this program has enormous potential. We have supported basketball strongly in the past, and I think want to again, but we have gotten so used to losing that our spirits have been broken a bit. Win and the fans will fill the Stegasaurus!
Go Dawgs!
dawgrific
January 22nd, 2010
12:02 pm
what’s great about basketball is that you only need a few kids to make a HUGE differnece, unlike football-so turnarounds can happen very quickly
Tron Carter
January 22nd, 2010
12:15 pm
The future is bright for UGA B-Ball.
He has already exceeded my expectations for year 1 and he beat the douchenozzles at Georgia Trek.
73-66 BBBBBBBWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA
30-24
See you dorks during baseball season.
Pepe Frias played here.
January 22nd, 2010
12:51 pm
Congrats to the Lady Dogs on beating Tennesee, i think UGA basketball, both men’s and women’s basketball programs are on solid footing. GO DAWWWWWWWWGS!!!
MarkA
January 22nd, 2010
1:12 pm
Willie Martinez: Catapults
Mike48
January 22nd, 2010
4:44 pm
We have had season tickets for 29 years now and I have seen some games
that were way-y-y-y-y-y beyond embarassing.
It’s a very good feeling to see this team, that is without question, short on
talent, but giving the proverbial 105 %. It will pay off one day.
Had Mr Favors come to UGA, we would be winning some of these close games,
and Mr Favors would be getting much better coaching so that he might play
at the next level.
Mark Fox Fan
January 22nd, 2010
9:21 pm
For those of you actually going to the game on Saturday, you should note that when the Georgia team is introduced, Coach Fox’s name will not be mentioned. Coach Fox believes that all of the focus should be on the players. He wants no attention on the coach. This is so different from the coaches we have had in the past and different from 99% of the teams in the country.
Most recruiters try to sell the head coach. Mark Fox is selling the program–a program without much successful history. As strange as it may seem, I am betting on COACH MARK FOX to get the job done! He is crazy like a fox!
If you don't believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox's way | Jeff …
January 22nd, 2010
9:39 pm
[...] more here: If you don't believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox's way | Jeff … Posted in Trends, Uncategorized, health | Tags: dennis-felton, georgia, georgia-tech, [...]
Tornado In Compton
January 22nd, 2010
9:51 pm
[...] If You Don't Believe At Georgia, Get Out Of Mark Fox's Way | Jeff (Curtis Compton/AJC). ATHENS — In the spring, a player asked Mark Fox, “Do you really think we can win?” and for a moment he was stunned. No player had ever asked him that be… [...]
If you don't believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox's way | Jeff … : Read what is Buzzing Around the World
January 22nd, 2010
10:08 pm
[...] Read more here: If you don't believe at Georgia, get out of Mark Fox's way | Jeff … [...]
ManDawg
January 22nd, 2010
10:56 pm
Hey Jeff,
Glad you got another jab in at Harrick. I do not understand what he ever did to you for you to have such a mean spirit towards him. You feel better now? Why don’t you forward him a copy of it and pull some other dingers out of the archive? I am sure it will cheer him up; he lost his wife a few weeks ago. God bless.
Cobb Dawg
January 22nd, 2010
11:30 pm
Isn’t it about time for UGA fans to start supporting men’s basketball? Kudos to Mark Fox!
Wreckmanaic
January 22nd, 2010
11:35 pm
If Fox had really wanted to make an impression, he would have benched the three who left their “sneakers” for the entire game.
Mark Fox's 'process' at Georgia just slammed on the gas | Jeff Schultz
January 23rd, 2010
8:44 pm
[...] recruits who have been drifting out of the state stop and think, “Wait, why not Georgia?” the Bulldogs’ new coach will talk about concepts like commitment and work ethic and building a program the right [...]
Matt the Brave
January 25th, 2010
1:03 am
What a concept! A UGA basketball coach who is wanting guys who want to come to the school and WIN. It has to be the #1 thing for these guys. I really am looking forward to seeing what his first recruiting class will look like.
Mark Fox’s ‘process’ at Georgia just went into high gear | India News Blog, Latest News From India, Latest Blogs From India
January 25th, 2010
1:21 am
[...] recruits who have been drifting out of the state stop and think, “Wait, why not Georgia?” the Bulldogs’ new coach will talk about concepts like commitment and work ethic and building a program the right [...]
MarkRight
February 11th, 2010
11:16 pm
Interesting article as for me. It would be great to read something more concerning that topic. Thanks for sharing that information.
Georgia poses a threat in SEC tournament | Jeff Schultz
March 9th, 2010
11:29 am
[...] famous of all was the first road trip. Three players forgot to pack their sneakers. Fox recalled early in the season: “I was like, ‘OK, now I know why we’re having some issues [...]
We're live from Nashville: Is it miracle time for Georgia? | Jeff Schultz
March 11th, 2010
5:40 pm
[...] ♦ FLASHBACK: Mark Fox’s early reality check as coach [...]
Georgia drills Arkansas -- and could happen again? | Jeff Schultz
March 12th, 2010
1:17 am
[...] ♦ FLASHBACK: Mark Fox’s early reality check as coach [...]