Three and out: Dooley’s doom, Richt’s seat, Tech’s rebuttal
Derek Dooley may have a rough road ahead in Tennessee.
It’s only 93 days until the start of the college football season (17 games on Thursday, Sept. 2). That’s practically next week! So here are a few Memorial Day weekend appetizers, if you’re not already stuffed from those three slabs of ribs you just “Hoovered.”
Here’s another edition of, Three and Out:
1. Derek Dooley will pay for Fulmer and Kiffin’s sins
Great piece by in the Knoxville News Sentinel about why Tennessee fans should have low expectations in the short term under coach Derek Dooley.
The story examines just how poorly recruiting went for former coaches Phil Fulmer and Lane Kiffin in recent years, leaving the Volunteers with relatively little talent.
Some excerpts:
Two of Fulmer’s most highly rated final classes were shaken by departures. Five players from the 2006 class left the program, didn’t qualify academically or were dismissed. Four have been lost from the 2008 class. From those two classes, UT lost four offensive linemen, a glaring weakness for 2010.
UT’s 2007 class is another matter entirely. It was highly ranked, but has since been one of the most disappointing signing classes in recent memory. The 32-member class was ranked fourth and third in the nation by Scout and Rivals, respectively. However, 17 of those signees didn’t complete their eligibility. They either never made it to campus because of academic issues, were dismissed after they arrived or left the program.
When Kiffin bolted for Southern Cal after one one season, he left his own grease spot, according to the story.
Kiffin’s talent-first approach may also have caused UT’s former staff to overlook character issues with two highly touted players. The Vols were forced to dismiss receiver Nu’Keese Richardson and defensive back Mike Edwards after the two were charged with attempted robbery.
Then there’s the attrition that one would expect from two coaching changes in little more than a year. All that has resulted in 30 UT signees failing to complete their eligibility. Then, there are 19 one-time UT commitments who went elsewhere after a coaching change was announced.
Do you agree Tennessee is doomed?
♦
2. Mark Richt: Hot seat debate, part 27
Mark Richt's status being debated again.
Two weeks ago, we went down this road of whether Georgia coach Mark Richt is on the hot seat in the 2010 season. It was clear (and not surprising) that fans are firmly entrenched on both sides of the issue.
Well, it seems athletic director Damon Evans’ comments the other day in Tim Tucker’s blog about the perceived slide of Georgia’s athletic programs have sparked new debate.
ESPN.com’s “Insider” edition (requires subscription) took the comments as a direct indictment of Richt.
Excerpt:
While this statement encompasses several teams, the most important among them is obviously football, which had its worst season of the Mark Richt era last year.
While Evans made a point of saying that he has no intention of replacing any of the teams’ coaches, his comments serve as a not-so-subtle hint that Richt needs to get his team playing better.
At the very least, his statement certainly doesn’t do anything to quell the rumors that Richt is starting the season on the hot seat.
That might be overstatement. My position always has been that it will take a bad season in 2010 for Richt to be on the hot seat in 2011. The fact the Bulldogs have changed defensive coordinators and have an easier schedule this season (no Alabama or LSU and easier non-conference games) should play in Richt’s favor.
Still, ESPN Insider couldn’t resist jumping a few steps ahead:
A tough schedule could spell an 8-4 season or worse. That might mean an opportunity for a guy like Georgia alum and current Alabama [defensive coordinator] Kirby Smart to get his shot as an SEC head man.
Fair or unfair?
♦
3. Anthony Allen fires back for Georgia Tech
You might’ve heard about this already. Here are the videos, just in case. Georgia Tech running back Anthony Allen put together an entertaining video blog rebutting ESPN’s ACC writer, Heather Dinich, who had done a video blog outlining why the Jackets will struggle to repeat as ACC champions this season.
I can’t say yet who’s right. But Allen might have a future in the broadcast booth.
Here’s Heather Dinich’s original video blog
Here’s Anthony Allen’s rebuttal
Debate No. 3: Who will be right?
Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day weekend, folks.
♦
Earlier posts
♦ After beating bottom feeders, Braves can get serious now
♦ Three and out: Dissed Dogs, key Falcon and the wrong M.J.
♦ Wade, LeBron and Joe are meeting? Where — Yalta?
♦ ‘Friend’ of Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews wants Thrashers!
♦Hawks’ Sund lacks string of great coaching hires in past
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
103 comments Add your comment
dawgfan
May 31st, 2010
7:38 pm
Another Techie moron takes a shot at the SEC’s non-conference scheduling only a year after the ACC Champ, ACC Atlantic Champ, and highest ranked ACC team in the final polls were all downed by…yep, you guessed it, SEC TEAMS.
Here’s a blog topic for you Jeff: How do Tech fans put one foot in front of another when they are this dumb?
Jeff Schultz
May 31st, 2010
7:49 pm
Reptillicide — Yeah, I’m taking note of it. I’m not sure it represents a scientific sampling but I’m well aware the hatred runs deep with several folks.
Bob
May 31st, 2010
7:50 pm
One ESPN blogger picks against the nerdherd and you would think she slapped their mother and spit in her face. A little touchy aren’t we Tech fans? I don’t think you’re going to win the ACC again either. There are a lot of people that think that. Does this mean we all should be working in a kitchen and that we’re backwoods rednecks from Indiana? You stay classy Tech fans.
Tech fans are such phonies. They act all high and mighty but are really some of the biggest pieces of trash in college football. Is Anthony Allen going to have to make another video begging you not to throw things on the field this year? Do you have any idea how utterly pathetic that was?
Tech fans are more than happy to talk about how awesome they and their team are. In fact, its all they want to do. But when the going gets rough that’s when they show their true colors. Like I said, a bunch of pretentious stuck up phonies. Look for a lot of things getting thrown on the field this year at the Joke by Coke. 8-4 at best for the nerdherd, and in the ACC that ain’t saying much.
gcs
May 31st, 2010
8:03 pm
Derek Dooley is Tennessee’s version of Mike Shula. He is a nice guy who will clean up the program but will never win the big games. UT needs Dooley right now and they will have to suffer for a few years to get back to respectability. Unfortunately, he will be derided and run off after 3 or so seasons.
Mark Richt can only be on the hot seat if UGA wants a National Championship. He will get them 8-10 wins ever year and a nice little bowl game somewhere but will never play for the big game. Additionally, he has run out of gimmicks to fire up his team.
Heather Dinich vs. Anthony Allen
Who in the BLEEP is Heather Dinich and whose BLEEP did she have to BLEEP to get a job at ESPN? She sounds like a high schooler doing a video diary. I have a hard time believing she has more football knowledge than anyone reading this article.
To Anthony Allen and whoever that other guy is, do you really call your school “the Institute”? Do you know what I think of when you say “the Institute”? Prisons and mental hospitals.
.
Scott
May 31st, 2010
8:43 pm
Heather said the same thing last year so why she still has a job is a joke. She is a prime reason why women shouldn’t analyze anything to do with male sports.
Sleuth
May 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
Where are the articles on the world cup. It is the biggest sporting even in the world. And btw, us citizens have purchased more tix than any other country. How about some Schultz analysis on the game with the brit bolloxes.
Sue in Hiram
May 31st, 2010
9:01 pm
Richt SHOULD be on the hot seat. He’s being paid several million dollars a year to win, and in his case, that means winning the SEC and going to a BCS bowl.
The really stupid thing is that after UGA fails to win the SEC again this year, the Richt apologists will be out in force again.
And how many UGA thugs and goons will be arrested this year?
EddieW
May 31st, 2010
9:08 pm
“She is a prime reason why women shouldn’t analyze anything to do with male sports.”
Amen to that!
EddieW
May 31st, 2010
9:10 pm
What’s a world cup?
Rowena
May 31st, 2010
9:14 pm
“The really stupid thing is that after UGA fails to win the SEC again this year, the Richt apologists will be out.”
Richt is extremely lucky to be where he is. Almost any school where winning championships was important would have fired him by now. After a few years of mediocrity, it looks like UGA fans will accept anything.
Keri
May 31st, 2010
9:42 pm
After a few years of mediocrity, it looks like UGA fans will accept anything.
Apparently so, yes. A bunch of whimpering little dogs.
Keri
May 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
Does this mean we all should be working in a kitchen and that we’re backwoods rednecks from Indiana?
In the case of UGA, yes, most of you are illiterate backwoods rednecks prone to being arrested. Pretty pathetic.
UT Alum
May 31st, 2010
10:20 pm
Hey Jeff,
Glad you thought Brian G was funny, because that’s exactly what UT fans were saying in Neyland last year when they were spanking the pups.
Dr.Phill
May 31st, 2010
10:23 pm
The folks who want Richt fired are also the ones who voted for Obama! How’s that hope and change working for you??? Ha!
GaRed
May 31st, 2010
10:26 pm
While the manner in which the rejection of UGA’s offer was handled certainly tainted the waters concerning a future Kirby Smart return to his alma mater, I think the waters were already somewhat polluted by the manner in which Kirby Smart has recruited the state of Georgia for Alabama. Granted all is fair in love, war, and SEC recruiting, but there are a lot of people inside the program with long memories that will note, when given the chance, Kirby Smart was happy enough to go as negative as was necessary.
Jet Rink
May 31st, 2010
11:38 pm
speaking of tough schedules,has anybody seen the Bulldogs 2012 schedule!
Fair and Balanced
June 1st, 2010
12:19 am
Richt would have to have a bad season to get on the hot seat. A bad season might have to be defined as a losing season and not a season like last year which was a Donnanesk mediocre one. Mind you, Richt himself is the one who has caused higher expectations than normal and remember also that Donnan got away with mediocrity for a long time without getting fired. He didn’t win 2 SEC championships and in fact didn’t even get us to the Dome. Richt has put GA expectations as a perennial top 10 team. Us GA fans are disappointed because Richt is disappointed. This man didn’t come to GA to make 3 million $ and do mediocre. He came from a program that was used to winning conference and national championships and always has his eyes on the right prize.
On the other hand, mediocrity has set in a bit at GA. Richt MUST do something to turn that around. And this year’s schedule is NOT tough. Failure to win 10 games would be a major disappointment. and Richt would be the man most disappointed. I believe we turn it around this year and with developed talent in 2011 there are new possibilities.
Talk about Smart is not smart talk.
cantondawg
June 1st, 2010
12:25 am
Agree 100% with Atldawg. Kirby made UGA look bad by stringing the process out. He made us wait over a month and gave clear indications that he was leaving only to jilt us in the last minute. I would never welcome him back as the head coach at UGA. He had a chance to come home and chose AL instead. I would never want him back.
Bob
June 1st, 2010
1:41 am
Tech has a solid ACC team… but no comparison to SEC squads. I will add my NO to Kirby. I would have loved him as Defensive Coordinator, but I am over it. The Dawgs now have a solid DC. He may not have be a UGA grad, but that’s alright… neither is Coach Richt. And very few head coaches are now where they played.
come on
June 1st, 2010
1:42 am
I support UGA over Tech, but some of this is ridiculous. ONE NATIONAL TITLE 30 years ago… you want to fire the best coach you’ve had since then, and maybe ever…? Give Richt a Herschel Walker I bet he could sneak out a title. Get a little real as a fan base this is ridiculous, and as always Tech your just a great engineering school… the only meaningful winner of the ACC in the last 15 years was FSU. Find something else to worry about because even if you do win it no one cares
fayncdawg
June 1st, 2010
4:34 am
ATL Dawg is right on!! NEVER bring Kirby Smarta$$ to Athens! Send him to Big Ten country to be HC! Actually, he might have more success at a Big Ten school than his daddy (Nick Satan) did. And that won’t take much!!
Dawglover
June 1st, 2010
7:03 am
UGA losses-USC, Arky, Auburn, UF and maybe GT. Richt will be on the hot seat all year. Good guy, though.
bill_in_atl
June 1st, 2010
7:25 am
Richt is safe for AT LEAST another year unless the team loses 6-7 games and gets killed by every rival, which will not happen.
The truth is that almost EVERY coach is on the hot seat and can be canned if that were to happen to their squad.
Fried chicken skin is greasy and delicious
June 1st, 2010
7:38 am
The Richt stuff is about as well reasoned as that yahoo from Orlando two weeks ago, whose piece was full of errors. Evans was not putting Richt on a hot seat. They only way Richt will be on a hot seat is the improbablility of a struggle again this season. And, what tough schedule? Some of these so-called experts have UGA losing four games … to whom? A flawed UGA team beat Arkansas on the road last year, beat Auburn, beat Tech. Who is supposed to beat an improved team this year? Heck, UGA might just hang with Florida this year.
A padded room awaits
June 1st, 2010
7:43 am
Anyone who would actually believe this: “Richt is extremely lucky to be where he is. Almost any school where winning championships was important would have fired him by now. After a few years of mediocrity, it looks like UGA fans will accept anything.”
It’s probably just a Techie stirring the pot, however.
30-24 Dawgs - WE RUN THIS STATE!
June 1st, 2010
8:16 am
Richt is fine, he will restore order this year now that the Ginger Ninja is going. Look for Dawgs to go 9-3 and beat tech AGAIN, making it 9 out of 10!
mwh6767
June 1st, 2010
8:35 am
I read all the uga fans talking about how they dont understand why Richt is on the hot seat. Well lets see um… YOU GUYS PUT HIM THERE!!! Yes I am a tech fan( insert one of your lame 30-24 jokes blah , blah , blah here) I remember two years ago after the tech game you guy want him, bobo, martinez , the head cheerleader and the janitor fired! Newsflash , CMR is the best thing to happen to uga since that booster ponied up the money for that trans-am for (sure you can have one with t-tops Herschal)Walker. Just relax! UGA fans always so tech fans have a complex. Maybe so but so do you guys. Its little-man complex. Lets face it you see the big boys, Bama, LSU, UF and you think you are a big boy and can compete but you aren’t and it makes you angry! Face facts boys and girls of the milk bone nation. UGA has a good program , like techs just not a great or an elite program(SEE UF, Bama, USC, OSU) You are a solid yr in yr out top 25er that sometimes builds a really good team and makes a run at an sec title. But settle down with the high and mighty talk cause you just dont have those kinda guns.
The Hobnail Boot
June 1st, 2010
8:43 am
Who is Anthony Allen?
PMC
June 1st, 2010
8:51 am
Heather Dinich Pwned. Nice Job 18.
I don’t think Damon Evans was intending for anyone to read into those comments really. I think he was giving an accurate assesment. If you spoke with David Perno or Mark Richt both would tell you they were displeased with the seasons and that they have players capable of so much more.
The Hobnail Boot
June 1st, 2010
8:59 am
Crickets….. Who is the other guy? Pizza guy?
joe
June 1st, 2010
9:04 am
Love it when UGA fans predict championships and spankings…it’s the same story every year…predicting SEC and NATL champs in June, wondering why the wheels are falling off by October. As much as I loved UGA getting blown out by UT 3 of the last 4, I will LMAO if the Vols win this year. Can you just picture the blog postings from UGA fans if that were to happen? Or, if they lose in Columbia??
BAMA1
June 1st, 2010
9:07 am
“Smart had his chance…he’s a bama guys now”. Sounds like a wise decision on his part to me
Countdown messes: Calipari, ‘Toin and Facepaint Guy | Jeff Schultz
June 1st, 2010
9:10 am
[...] ♦ Three and out: Dooley’s doom, Richt’s seat, Tech’s rebuttal [...]
BAMA1
June 1st, 2010
9:29 am
Georgia State now has a better Q.B. than UGA! Man, that didn’t take long.
idi
June 1st, 2010
9:35 am
1. Those who are so deserving will now pay for their avarice. Heck, Vandy may even sink the Vol Navy.
2. If Richt’s Grantham experiment succeeds, he may challenge Vince the Prince’s length of tenure. While the masses are obsessing over the new D, they ignore the accumulation of highly promising players just waiting for their chances. If 8-5 marks the low point under Richt, UGA is headed for lofty places.
3. Heather will be proven correct as the nattering one’s losses were simply too great to expect a repeat, particularly with so many Conference mates on the uptrend. Double A is a wonderful talent and is a fine representative for Tech. PJ will have them in the hunt by sheer force of will.
Vince Dooley
June 1st, 2010
9:45 am
The Hobnail Boot – “Who is the other guy? Pizza guy?”
The pizza guy’s name is Mark Richt. He’s the Head Coach of the University of Georgia. What a tool! Now back to the fryer Hobnailed Boot!
That Guy
June 1st, 2010
9:51 am
Okay, Georgia fans. GET OVER YOURSELVES. First, you haven’t even fired your head coach, so why are you talking about getting a new one? In my opinion, Richt isn’t even on the hot seat, which brings me to my second point. STOP TALKING ABOUT KIRBY SMART. Why in the world would he leave Alabama, defending National Champions, as a defensive coordinator, for Georgia, a team that went to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA last year, as not a head coach, but as a defensive coordinator. Get over yourselves. You’re not the power of the SEC anymore. Your last SEC Championship was in . That’s not even a lateral move for Kirby Smart, that’s a demotion. So get off your high horse. He’s trying to become a college football head coach, and that road does not lead through Athens.
That Guy
June 1st, 2010
9:56 am
Sorry, I meant your last SEC Championship was in 2005..
BAMA1
June 1st, 2010
10:08 am
Now that is the truth! Kirby would be an idiot to go over there to be a d.c.
Gatornation
June 1st, 2010
10:23 am
Let’s get serious for a moment. All you dawg fans take a moment and ask yourself (be honest) will this year’s team be that much improved over last year’s? Will your freshman QB’s play lead the offense to success or will he actually play like a freshman? Can Grantham revitalize a porous defense while installing a totally new scheme? Can Ritch & co. finally motivate all the ***** talent and bring it all together. Time will tell. Having to put all your hopes on a freshman QB and a new defense is a lot of what if’s in my book. Even though I’m a Gator fan I do hope you guys play well this year. Well of course, not against us. Good luck!!
BAMA1
June 1st, 2010
10:32 am
woof woof woof. i think uga should do another “blackout”. that should get things turned around
The Hobnail Boot
June 1st, 2010
11:29 am
He doesn’t look like CMR to me. Why don’t he talk. Is he like the guy on “Clerks” who lets his friend talk and he never says anything?
The Grinch
June 1st, 2010
12:06 pm
The Hobnail Boot
June 1st, 2010
11:29 am
“Why don’t he talk.” Obviously someone “educated” at UGA. BWHAHAHAHAHA
The Hobnail Boot
June 1st, 2010
12:50 pm
I looked up Anthony Allen on Yahoo sports. It says he plays full back, but they don’t have any stats on him. I think the guy who don’t talk is named Joshua. Just tring to help you tech fellers out some cause I know you weren’t too sure yourselves.
dawgfan
June 1st, 2010
12:53 pm
“Having to put all your hopes on a freshmen QB and a new defense is a lot of what if’s in my book.”
Me too. That’s why I don’t think the Gator’s will be anything special this year. The Gators even have another problem the Dawgs don’t have: a new offense. No Tebow = New offense. Is Brantley a freshmen? I don’t think so but I don’t know much about the guy. I just know he threw some passes in garbage time last year and looked good in a scrimmage. Big whoop. You’ve got just as much of a ?? as anyone else.
I’m just always amazed at the endless optimism of Gator fans, as if the cyclical nature of college football has no effect on them. They’ve been like this for a long time. Granted it doesn’t help when their classless coach goes out and wins 2 NC’s in 3 years, but c’mon. You’re high if you think Florida is just going to go plowing on after losing all those great coaches and players. And what’s up with the head honcho these days? Is he still in the looney bin? Who’s in charge down there? Talk about a question mark going in to the 2010 season. Gator fans don’t know if their head coach will be on the sidelines this Fall or in a padded room with no windows.
Bottom line: Nobody will be shaking in their boots at the prospect of playing the mighty Gators this year. I see a 9 or 10 win season at best. I wouldn’t be booking any Atlanta reservations just yet Jort Nation.
The Grinch
June 1st, 2010
1:15 pm
The Hobnail Boot
June 1st, 2010
12:50 pm
Thanks for proving my point. Just remember, if you’re going to go to college why not get an education why you’re there? Apparently an education is an option at UGA and not a requirement for a degree. You are a case in point.
The Hobnail Boot
June 1st, 2010
2:08 pm
I give Allen credit. I’ve never heard of a full back talking smack.
I might start the “Shaun Chapas for Heisman” campaign.
bort
June 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
@ GT GRAD
SC State & Middle TN State?
mwh6767
June 1st, 2010
3:53 pm
@ bort, LA-Lafayette, HUGE test at colorado?? and IDAHO STATE!?!?!? Seriously?!?! You want to talk schedules with Idaho St. on the slate!?!?!
Coach Robert N.
June 1st, 2010
9:46 pm
The “Puppy-nation” is hoping the Vols drop off and they can bet on another win against the Vols…as they did in 2009 against that “unproven” coach and ego-trip. Even the NC-anointed twosome of Moreno and Stafford even beat the Vols once. But they only tried three times. Even CMR is only one game above .500 against the Vols and his record against Top 30 teams is about 30%. The “trembling…” have possibly one top-30 non-conf team on the schedule this year…the jackets… that will help the schedule but the SEC might feast again…look out for Vandy…I heard they have a new intramural director..