Richt’s words, actions haven’t changed ugliness at Georgia
HOOVER, Ala. — Mark Richt says he has “really enjoyed this summer.”
Given that seven of his players have been arrested, three have been kicked out of the program, another transferred after being suspended for half the season, his boss was arrested for a DUI and ultimately was forced to resign and the NCAA just phoned to announce their impending arrival in Athens, we’re left to wonder: Just how low does Richt set the bar for his summers?
Mark Richt has had a tumultuous summer. (AP photo by Butch Dill)
Or has he just become used to this sort of thing?
“It’s like, you know [something is] gonna happen,” he said Thursday morning. “It’s just like a ballgame. You know there’s going to be a penalty or a turnover, even though you don’t want there to be. Now you have to decide: How are you going to react to that? You can lose your cool and start spouting things you wish you didn’t say. Or you can just take care of the issue and move forward. That’s what I try to do.”
Problem being: It’s not working.
We can go round and round about how players are individuals who make individual choices (sometimes dumb ones). We can talk about how a coach, who has given a thousand speeches and made a thousand threats, may be on a remote tropical island while his quarterback is drinking himself into oblivion and groping a woman in a small-town bar. But does it really matter?
Whether Richt is saying the right or wrong things, or recruiting the right or wrong players, or setting the right or wrong tone, this is his program. He knows that. Anything that happens, whether it’s a stirring win in Tuscaloosa or an ugly arrest in Remerton, reflects on him.
Right now, the ugliness reflects on Mark Richt.
When he met with a small group of media members Thursday, prior to his main news conference at SEC media days, Richt was typically calm and cordial, even as a storm swirled around the program. Some would say that’s one of his strengths, not seeming like he’s going to put his fist through a wall every time something goes wrong. The downside to that is it gives others the perception, whether accurate or not, that he’s either bringing in the wrong players or he’s not a strong enough disciplinarian when they get here.
Question: Do you get a sense that when Nick Saban walks into a locker room that every one of their players is just a little bit intimidated. If so, do you get that same sense with Richt?
“I’ve got a process of handling these situations and I think I do a good job of it,” Richt said, calmly.
He was asked if he has tightened restrictions on player, in light of the arrests this summer. He declined comment.
He was asked later about some media outlets having him on a “hot seat,” partly because of last season’s 4-4 conference record.
Insulted?
“Not really. I understand the business,” he said. “I don’t worry about it. My goal is to focus on the important things and the things I can control.”
Coaching at the same SEC school for 10 years will grow a man some thick skin.
“In the end, we’re still in process of educating young people: How to handle adversity and rebound from that,” Richt said. “[Former UGA linebacker] Dannell Ellerbe. He had an issue early in his career: a DUI and a car wreck. I said, ‘Look, what you did damaged your reputation and Georgia’s reputation. But it didn’t destroy it. It only destroys it if you let it destroy it. If you allow this to put you in the tank, then you’re probably not going to make it.’ He was on his last leg at Georgia. But he got his act together.”
He has had those success stories. But arrests and losses have a cumulative effect. To use Richt’s words, they can damage the reputation of a man and a school.
♦
Previous SEC/Georgia posts
♦ SEC media days: Waiting on Richt as NCAA hovers at Georgia
♦ NCAA inquiry is the last thing Georgia and Mark Richt need
♦ It’s no coincidence Saban suddenly is concerned about agents
♦ SEC media days: Hey, who let the BCS in here?
♦ We’re LIVE at SEC media days (with no shortage of storylines)
♦ NCAA reportedly investigating Florida (but temper excitement)
♦ Can Dogs end Alabama-Florida monopoly in SEC title game?
♦ Listen up, Ole Miss: I’ve got Colonel Reb’s replacement
♦
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713 comments Add your comment
juvenal
July 22nd, 2010
4:34 pm
why not focus on the 10 0r so Techies in the last 40 years that have had a problem…..
Tao
July 22nd, 2010
4:35 pm
RICHT is a man of FAMILY VALUES.
DYNAMICBIGBOY
July 22nd, 2010
4:35 pm
SCHULTZIE, we know you like to bash UGA. We are really getting tired of it Why don’t you go write some fluffy article on the bumblebess and there drug trafficking, raping, football players. We may have a few kids who like to have a little fun in college, like most kids do, but we just can’t stand up to druggies, rapists, armerd robberies (Alabama & UT), cheating (Fla State & Alabama). Go ahead and bash us but just remember even the good Catholics at Notre Dame have a drink every now and then.
Tao
July 22nd, 2010
4:36 pm
PJ is a man who loves to stuff his face with CAKE
Einsteindawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:36 pm
Jeff, you just set a record for responses by a staff writer. That in itself demonstrates what a piece of cr@p column this is. BTW, you are correct that CMR is on the “watch list” at UGA. $3M per year is a lot for second tier SEC.
Suches Dawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:38 pm
Just another example of Yellow Journalism from the near-dufuct AJC, whose reporters are paid to “stir the pot,” not to report responsibly. Bad things happen in monopolistic situations, and the AJC is the worst example I can think of in that regard. Unfortunately we have no other choices for news other than the AJC, so this gives hacks like Schultz free rein to draw fire with negative, shallow and unprincipled articles like this one. When the A J Green situation regarding alleged agent contact turns out to be completely false, wonder if we might get an apology from Mr Schultz. Didn’t think so ……………..
Tao
July 22nd, 2010
4:38 pm
Let me cut to the chase on this article as I am heading out to play golf – GO F Yourself Schultz
CATERDAWG
July 22nd, 2010
4:39 pm
SCHULTZ YOU ARE AN IDIOT, I’LL TAKE MARK ANYDAY OVER THE OTHER COACHES. HE HAS CLASS WHICH YOU LACK, ALL YOU TRY TO DO IS STIR THINGS UP GO BACK TO SLEEP!!!
Jeff
July 22nd, 2010
4:40 pm
WOW!!! Thank God for the so called sportswriters of the AJC. They are always right and know everything….where would we be without them and their “EXPERT” commentary…….
Eatcrackers/can'twhistle
July 22nd, 2010
4:44 pm
What a TAN ! Also, Ellerbe tried to tackle with no arms. It was frustrating especially vs. Tech. Richt doen’t seemed affected. It’s wierd, and we’re losing games, but the guy will outlive all of us.
Preston
July 22nd, 2010
4:48 pm
It would be nice if you vulture reporters would live by the code that America if founded on: Innocent until proven guilty! It doesn’t look like the school or the program did a damn thing wrong! So stop hurting our recruiting by posting these “dark cloud over the program” stories until we know something. But what did we expect from a hater like Schultz anyway. Freakin’ nerd boy.
Too tough 44
July 22nd, 2010
4:50 pm
ya know, these college students and atheletes have to assume responsibility for there actions! I was kicked off a high school team for drinking on a game bus….NOT my shool nor coaches fault! It was something I stupidly did with my peers! However, no one blamed the coach, the school… just me and that was deserved! I suffered the consequences, and returned the next season and had a great one! My point is, college kids are gonna drink, pop firecrackers, etc…no matter what…the individual is responsible for their actions…not the coach or school…!!! So, Jeff, lay off Richt…!!!!
The Atlanta Times shoulda/coulda/woulda
July 22nd, 2010
4:50 pm
In 1964 I had a huge Atlanta Times newspaper route. At that time, The Times was going to be the conservative answer to the AJC folks and it simply could not get the local merchants, all liberals, to support it with advertsing and so it died. They endorsed Barry Goldwater for POYUS in 64 and from that point on, I was a solid 14 year old conservative and I have never looked back.
The AJC is a rag that I have always read …..even when The Times failed. Now, I get it here on line. I at least do not pay for it and when they pester me with a phone solicitation, I tell them that I canned them because they are too liberal.
These writers? The are trying to eak out a living, bad mouthing UGA and any SEC school, so as to build a fan base. They are the Ralph McGill of sports writers and I know that they will be honored to be in the same breath with Mr McGill, although I rarely, rarely ever agreed with him and his Eastern TN take on southerners and southern lifestyle.
KimZ'sPackage
July 22nd, 2010
4:50 pm
All you UGA people complain about JEFF but you watch Me and my Fake wigs dance around the ghetto. Hurry get on TMZ and see what LILO is doing in jail. AHHAHAH JEFF said a mean thing about Coach marky ahahhahahah. The man learned from the “Bowden Book” act like GOD and the boys will just be boys school of coaching. I think Christ expected so much more from his followers than markie expects from his players.
Beast from the East
July 22nd, 2010
4:52 pm
For all of you trashing Jeff,
Why are you reading AND RESPONDING to his writing if it is such “trash”? The man is giving his opinion. If you’re happy with the job Richt has done, then good for you. There are others that feel he needs to be more competitive given all the resources he has. Still others feel he is not fit for the job because of his lack of discipline. All are entitled to their opnions. Doesn’t make one more right than the other. The only one that really matters is Adams. If he’s happy with Richt then he will continue to be the coach at UGA. If he grows tired of the off-field issues and the results on the field then the seat will get hot.
Don’t shoot the messenger. He’s not employed to paint you guys a pretty picture of a lovely scene that does not exist. He’s paid to write HIS OPINION.
OH really
July 22nd, 2010
4:53 pm
Yes drinking is terrible. Now the next person who says something negative has to be from a team with fewer arrests and no felonies. Alright no TENN/UF fans. They also have to tell me that there has not been atleast 7 people on their team to get drunk this year. NO college sports fans oh and that they never drank or did anything stupid in college. OH wait no one and if you say that football players should be held to a higher standard your pathetic. A teenage kid is a teenage kid and above all else he should be allowed to make mistakes not be blasted for them. Drinking underage isn’t thug behavior however blasting UGA kids for doing it while you or your children have done it is hypocrisy think about that
DP
July 22nd, 2010
4:55 pm
Jeff, Saban wasn’t full of BS yesterday. After reading your rant on his comments, I watched the entirety (about 12 minutes) of his Q&A with the media and he was completely reasonable, while your column was virtually foaming at the mouth with hatred. Saban made the point that only a handful of agents were the problem, that most were professional. He praised Derek Dooley and said Vince Dooley was one of the all-time great college football coaches.
Your column on Saban was about as accurate a representation of the spirit of his remarks as the hit job the conservative blogger did on Shirley Sherrod. You brought all the nuance, balance and accuracy that we’ve come to expect from Rush LImbaugh or Keith Olbermann.
richham
July 22nd, 2010
4:56 pm
Your taking this Richt bashing to an all new level Schultz. What did the guy run over your dog or something?
If we based our personal happiness/quality of life on everything going on around us, most people would be miserable. Kind of like like you Schultzie. I get that you hate UGA, but this is just a bit much. You sound like scrooge. It’s funny how you are much more concerned about the program than Richt. Is it jealousy of Richt’s class and cool demeanor or is it just jealousy of UGA in general?
richham
July 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
I think its time the count went on leave again. Is F. Bisher writing this blog now?
OH really
July 22nd, 2010
5:00 pm
OH as for the agents if you say you wouldn’t take a bribe or go to a party with an agent your lieing to me. honestly if you were offered $100,000 by this guy would you turn him down. NO. But since we didn’t get offered it we can all sit here and bitch because they did. Please your all pathetic I would have done it in a minute and said fuck you NCAA. This is almost as stupid as the Dez Bryant thing last year. If the NCAA was serious about these bribes and collusion they would go to the people causing it the agents and colleges. Blaming kids for wanting money and gifts is absurd. NCAA here is a clue try actually facing your own failures for once for not going after those who give these bribes. Continue to push around the college kid who doesn’t know any better because your to lazy to make a legitimate to stop these guys.
AltamahaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
5:01 pm
So Nick Saban intimidates his player. They know if they screw up they will end up having to do extra work, or get suspended, or worse..kicked off the team. But Richt’s guys are NOT intimidated because they know that if they screw up they would have to do extra work, or get suspended, or worse…kicked off the team. Does Saban just say all mean and stuff?
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:05 pm
I have no doubt you already lurk drunkenly around neighborhoods looking for unsuspecting 8 year olds to molest. So you drunken driving doesn’t surprise me at all.
Ruff Ruff Ruff
July 22nd, 2010
5:06 pm
I think it’s time for a black out. That will light a fire under this summer. Maybe some black helmets? Dance on the 50 after one touchdown?
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:06 pm
You made the comment on drinking Jack, I merely took it to its logical if tragic conclusion.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:08 pm
So how much Jack do you have to down before you do your mom? Please sir answer the question, inquiring minds want to know.
KimZ'sPackage
July 22nd, 2010
5:09 pm
SON there is a new Sheriff in town. Your MOM loves you, Christ loves you, and I love you too, but if you so much as cut your eyes at me you will be doing it from the locker room floor or on the next bus out of town. signed CMR
HAHHAHA
Ain’t ever going to happen. His JUNK is in a jar his watergirl holds next to her Bible.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:10 pm
Is your mom into water sports? Golden showers a specialty? Has she stopped hooking? She “benge” drink much?
chuck
July 22nd, 2010
5:15 pm
Schultz, get off Mark Richt. You had better wish you had the class and character that Mark Rich has. So, shut up!.
wpww dawg
July 22nd, 2010
5:16 pm
call the NERD HERD hotline 478-228-0677
Sports Review
July 22nd, 2010
5:16 pm
[...] half the story at GeorgiaNOLA.comBulldogs going after quality prospects with focused approachESPNAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -TideSports.comall 353 news [...]
What % of any of you ever attended a college?
July 22nd, 2010
5:16 pm
UGA fans are usually also fans of other SEC schools during the bowl season and maybe a chosen one or two othr schools, like I follow TX Tech because of a family member. I am a fan of only college football. If UGA wins a NC that is great ………it does not add one dime of worth to my almost 39 year old diploma. Not a dime, does a lack of NCs lately is indicated.
The ones that bad mouth UGA, Richt and “no NC’s in 400 years,” well, they never attended a major university. There are some schools that have never won a conference tiitle or the NC and so UGA is in pretty good company with their titles and one, two or three NCs. I’ll take it.
Bank accounts, PE ratios, mortgage balances vs. REAL EQUITY, golf scores are not impacted one bit as to whether UGA has won a game or a NC in the last 200 years. Being a fan is for life.
Most of the bloggers here go out and purchase a new jersey when such and such a school wins the NC, then next year, they show up at their local mall with another school’s jersey. Now that is classless but they simply do not get it. Being a real fan, and alum, vs. simply wearing a jersey, is what it is all about.
Gooooooooooo Dogs.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
5:18 pm
pi$$drinking: So all the drinking DAWG girls and boys will die? Well, of course they will. We all dieing from the day we are conceived.
I drink a lot TO DO MY MOM. Her Chem makes it hard to make her legs bend enought to get over my shoulders. I like the all over bald look on her body. It is like a baby girl with BIB flappy UTTERS and veracose vains.
Next question? How personal do you want to get?
Just so you know your mom likes to have the pillow under her belly. SHe grabs the headboard and chews on my stinky sock while I do her. I can’t tell you what she likes me to call her on this blog, but Sailors blush at our dirty talk.
George P.
July 22nd, 2010
5:21 pm
Enter your comments here
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
5:26 pm
Pi$$ddinking do you want to be my Farnville neighbor? We can grow crops together and I can do your mom while you plant crops.
Calhoundawg
July 22nd, 2010
5:31 pm
I’m waiting for your response, Jeff.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:31 pm
Facebook, you are a loser. So all of your friends are the “Facebook” variety. Never met them, never will. I see you’re also into necrophilia since my mom died in 2007. We’ve learned so much about you today.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:32 pm
If there’s Pi$$ in the blog you know it’s quality.
scott
July 22nd, 2010
5:33 pm
SHULTZ YOU ARE A IDIOT!! JUST ONCE COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES PLEASE. MARK RICHT IS NOT NICK SABAN. NCIK SABAN IS NOT MARK RICHT.. IF YOU LOVE NICK SABAN THAT MUCH PLEASE MOVE TO ALABAMA AND REPORT ON HIM!!!!!!!!!
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:33 pm
Failblog called, they want you to make more of your special videos.
Herschel Talker
July 22nd, 2010
5:33 pm
To all the idiots out there:
Schultz is right. You are all Mark Richt apologists. If you can’t see that the inmates are running the asylum and that is reflected in their undisciplined play on the field as well as off the field, then you are a bunch of blind homers. You are an embarrassment to our fine university. Get a clue, you fools.
HT
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:33 pm
Hey Pi$$ why so yellow? I know it’s your team colors and all but you look a little jaundiced.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:34 pm
Farmville, I’m guessing that’s the only work you can do. I remember you said Arby’s was too complicated.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:35 pm
Too much jack and curly fries, I’m guessing you run around 350 lbs? You should try out at Tech they need some help on the lines.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:36 pm
To pi$$ or not to pi$$ that is the question. Too bad Pi$$ has no answers.
1eyedJack
July 22nd, 2010
5:36 pm
Every bossman does not have to be an ahole to get respect. That’s what you hire aholes to do for you. It’s called delegation.
Grantham, I think, will light a fire in the players, and can fill the role of enforcer. We got rid of three wimp coaches and replaced them with some intensity.
BeefATL72
July 22nd, 2010
5:36 pm
Jeff Jeff Jeff… you gotta know you sensationalized this one & did everything you could to paint a negative light on Richt & indirectly place every issue on his shoulders while suggesting he’s soft & not doing enough to either avoid or solve the “ugliness”.
You poo poo’d this one & lose a grade of respect.
He’s kicked the bad eggs off the team for goodness sakes. What else can any coach in the world do to send a message to the rest of his players what the consequences are for being a bad egg? There’s absolutely nothing else that’s reslistic.
You could have & should have worded this much different. “A HOT summer for Richt… Learn what he’s doing to chill it out.”
I cancelled my AJC subscription 30 minutes ago, by the way. I don’t need this kind of nonsense on my kitchen table anymore.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:37 pm
Was I right earlier? 10th grade education? I know you didn’t attend a college, even the low qualifier UGA.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:37 pm
Why so serious? Live a little.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:40 pm
Awww c’mon let’s play some more.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
5:41 pm
Oh well I’ll check in later. Stay thirsty.