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
DP
July 22nd, 2010
2:03 pm
In just one Jeff Schultz column, Nick Saban went from a nasty hypocrite to role model for coaches who want to keep their players in line.
Stir that pot Jeff.
dap01
July 22nd, 2010
2:03 pm
Each player was punished. These are the same players GT and others tried but failed to get.
Mark has the highest character of any football coach around (have you ever read CPJ lips during a game, wow!)
UGA is the standard in this state.
Dawgtards ruin this state
July 22nd, 2010
2:04 pm
Forever know as “The Dawgtard Black Cloud”
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:05 pm
cantondawg I guess you would want to shoot a CAT after what the Kentucky wildCATS did to the dawgs last year.
dap01
July 22nd, 2010
2:05 pm
Any headline is ok if it gets readers?
Oscar Meyer Weiner
July 22nd, 2010
2:05 pm
i peepee better articles than this
Hunker Down
July 22nd, 2010
2:05 pm
The AJC just lowered their standards and professionalism with this article.
Matt
July 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
It’s spelled drivel not dribble morons.
Catfish Suppa
July 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
Saban don’t smile much cuz he keepin that purty mouth all for me
Dawgtards ruin this state
July 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
@ dip01 – UGA is the standard in this state ??????????
You set a very low bar, very low standard and everybody else know’s it but you!
Edisdead
July 22nd, 2010
2:07 pm
Hey Ed here’s some news for you “Five years ago, he was arrested for his involvement in distributing and attempting to sell $60,000 worth of marijuana in and around the Georgia Tech campus. He was sentenced to nine months probation as part of the plea deal presented, and the university was forced, by a judge’s order, to let him continue to compete on the football team back then.” So he wasn’t on the team, you sir are fu*king liar retarded or both. Yeah 60k worth of MJ, guess he was having a party?
MisterEdisdead
July 22nd, 2010
2:09 pm
“Five years ago, he was arrested for his involvement in distributing and attempting to sell $60,000 worth of marijuana in and around the Georgia Tech campus. He was sentenced to nine months probation as part of the plea deal presented, and the university was forced, by a judge’s order, to let him continue to compete on the football team back then.” So Ed you are either a liar, ignorant, stupid or a combination of the three. Houston was a DEALER and on the team so Fu*k you, learn your own teams history loser.
I LIKE THE MACON TELEGRAPH
July 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
HEY GUYS, THE MACON PAPER HAS BETTER ARTICLES.
Cletus Dooley Earnhardt SR.
July 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
whoo cayres aboot all of thees big werds. wHen in the tarnashun is foootball seeson gonna startt?
-GO UGA!
Huber
July 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
One of the most truest and fact based articles written to date. Nice job.
I LIKE THE MACON TELEGRAPH
July 22nd, 2010
2:10 pm
http://macontelegraph.com
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:11 pm
CJP to player after a penalty “Son get you head out of your A$$ and play ball”
CMR after the same play “Son Jesus loves you and your are forgiven”
Like either coach but I want a coach that tells the player he Fedup and it cost us something. I don’t like the coach that says don’t worry son the rest of the team will pick you up. If every player thinks a mistake is ok and others will fix it for you then why try to get better. Don’t worry son you didn’t cover the back door and a taliban just threw that grenade in the room killing all your buddies, but it is OK we will get you some new buddies for you to let down again.
MisterEdisdead
July 22nd, 2010
2:12 pm
Ed is right more arrests but of the underage drinking/moped driving variety (not that that isn’t stupid or avoidable) Tech seems best at the felony charges girlfriend slamming, drug dealing etc. Hey you do get a great MBA (for dope dealing) at Tech.
boots
July 22nd, 2010
2:13 pm
Honestly, the AJC is becoming less about news and more about posting UGA headlines designed to get buzz going, regardless of facts. If you guys want to be in Sports radio, then get a license. Otherwise, report the news. This is getting to be a joke.
Mrs. Manners
July 22nd, 2010
2:13 pm
Jeff, did you and your lefty colleagues discuss strategy concerning this on Journolist?
Huberluber
July 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
“most truest” Dang son, you fail English? That unpossible.
JB
July 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
This is all crap……….Sports writers could care less about Depth charts and developing players….
Let’s face it, 18 year olds, in Athens, parties, girls….etc…..There are 85 guys on that team… 90% are walking a perfect line,,,,,,,The rest give the team a bad name……It’s like a shortstop in the majors, you never read about the 484 balls he handled flawlessly, you read about the one that went through his legs to allow the winning run.
Joe
July 22nd, 2010
2:14 pm
“Richt has to grow a pair. He’s a wimp coach and his players are going to walk all over him because he has no spine. Every year his teams underachieve on the field and off. He has to get tough but seems incapable. This is going to be another so so year at best.”
Oh God, shut up and go wash the corndog smell off your stinking butt.
UGA DAWG 1978
July 22nd, 2010
2:15 pm
This article is garbage.
amy
July 22nd, 2010
2:15 pm
Schultz, I will NEVER again read another article that you have written, not that you care.
Win Now!
July 22nd, 2010
2:16 pm
Richt better win big this year–I’m getting tired of these mediocre seasons and mediocre bowl games. If he doesn’t win 10-11 games, Adams needs to find a new coach who knows how to win titles. Richt’s in over his head against Saban and Meyer and with all these arrests, it’s getting worse.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Hey pi$$er, please to pull your lips off Paul’s johnson. I guess that was the reason you losers went down in flames in the UGA game last year. Hard to concentrate with a sycophants BJ skills on display.
Lindsey
July 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
The only ugliness I can see is this article you have written, GO DAWGS!!!
irunthisstate
July 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Jeff-Using your logic, if the editor of the AJC was arrested for DUI, or caught with his/her “side piece” then you should catch the part of the critique. What sense does that make? What Damon did was unfortunate for the University but it has nothing to do with Richt. Also did we get told we should try and immitate South Carolina by a poster? Go fight with Clemson and leave us alone.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
amy don’t get your red panties in a wad before you hand them to a big African UGA football player. Don’t worry GO sorry I mean Richt will forgive you.
Buster
July 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
Silly me, I thought Richt’s words & actions today in front of the media, DID change things.
In fact, mrsec.com, rated Richt the highest of all coaches so far at media days for honesty, friendliness, and communcation scores–he got the highest score, above Meyer & Saban. I’d say he had a POSITIVE impact and Georgia was viewed in a BETTER way today.
Richt’s WORDS & ACTIONS 99.99999999% of the time IMPROVE the way Georgia is viewed.
cantondawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:17 pm
ponadawg,
My comment about the cat had nothing to do with football and more about my dislike of cats in general. As far as the Kentucky game, i was very disappointed but not at CMR. It had become obvious that CWM was way over his head and JC could not hang on to the ball.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:18 pm
Cmon folks it’s Schultzies job to stir hornets nests. Otherwise even the AJC website would disappear just like the rag they used to actually publish.
Booger
July 22nd, 2010
2:18 pm
Me either Amy. Im deleting the bookmark after I post this.
HugoStiglitz
July 22nd, 2010
2:18 pm
How come every time Jeff or anyone else writes a blog about UGA and the embarrassing events that have happened to them this offseason, UGA fans immediately tell Jeff how bad of an article it is, and how much they hate him? If you dont want local news reporters to report on your trouble, then quit getting in trouble. Whining about it like children isnt going to do much.
RM in Athens
July 22nd, 2010
2:18 pm
Schultz will be the first in line kissing Coach Richt’s rear when his team wins the SEC East this year. I’m sure there will be some fluff article written on how Richt’s inspirational spirit lifted UGA out of seeming darkness. Here’s a tip . . . try to set trends with your columns instead of just reacting to today’s headlines like every other amateur. And stop hanging out with Mike Bell. You’re not funny enough to be on the radio. I liked your writing better when you were the wacky guy no one took seriously.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:19 pm
Ah so now we see. Pi$$ is worried that his lady may dump him for another ethnic group with a bigger…ahem johnson. It’s ok Pi$$ it’s not the size of the boat, it’s the motion of the ocean.
poontang
July 22nd, 2010
2:20 pm
The East just hopes he stays off the hot seat for a few more years.
Booger
July 22nd, 2010
2:20 pm
I thought articles were supposed to be objective and unbiased Hugomantits.
rip van winkle
July 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
Wake up RM in Athens; it’s not 1980 and never will be again.
T3
July 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
Keeping a cool head in trying circumstances is a good quality.
Not acknowledging the mere presence of ANY of the recent issues
in the program, doesnt paint a good picture.
TK
July 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
You do not deserve a column in any paper, you are a worthless journalist and this will be the last article I ever read of yours. Hope you find something to do that you actually excel in, maybe a tabloid would suit you well.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:21 pm
UGA fans and Coaches = Dr. Phil + the view + Rachael Ray + ReHab w/ Dr. Drew + Jimmy Swaggart = just a JOKE.
Tide Rising
July 22nd, 2010
2:22 pm
GeoffDawg
July 22nd, 2010
1:24 pm
“See Tide Rising? Schultz is equal opportunity with the provocative articles”
GeoffDawg,
That he is. I can handle being provocative. I just don’t like reporting stuff that is blatantly false or misleading. It is kinda funny how he transformed a joke about Saban’s height into portraying him as fearsome one article later.
About the only thing he got right lately about Saban is that his players do have fear of Saban. They do and I’m okay with that as long as it keeps them out of the headlines.
When Dareus found out an agent was behind the party, he flew home the next morning and called Saban asap to tell him what happened. I guess he was scared and knew the consequences if he tried to hide it from the mighty mean midget.I like that. A little fear can be a good thing.
HugoStiglitz
July 22nd, 2010
2:22 pm
Hey Schultzie, nice pseudonym to the defense. You give it away with the German theme tho, try something Japanese or Hindi next time.
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
2:22 pm
Pi$$onaDawg your a fool and a racist…your head is so far up your Azz you burp when you wiggle your ears. God and CMR might forgive you but they are the only ones..please go into the basement and set yourself on fire……
Supes
July 22nd, 2010
2:22 pm
Jeff, why the smear campaign against March Richt and UGA?
U realize that he can’t babysit his players 24/7 right?
Ed
July 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
GEORGIA (30)
Michael Lemon (aggravated battery)
Justin Anderson (simple battery)
Trinton Sturvidant (simple battery)
Blake Barnes (furnishing alcohol to a minor)
Tripp Chandler (minor in possession of alcohol)
Brandon Wood (DUI)
Kelvin Perez (DUI)
Vince Vance (knowingly driving with a suspended license)
Donovan Baldwin (DUI, reckless driving)
Fred Munzenmaier (underage possession of alcohol)
Jeff Henson (public urination)
Clint Boling (DUI)
Jeremy Lomax (reckless driving, possession of a concealed weapon without a license)
Matthew Prick (underage alcohol possession)
Tanner Strickland (fake identification)
Paul Taylor (battery)
Shane McCleskey (battery)
Akeem Hebron (underage possession of alcohol)
Antonio Sims (DUI)
Ian Smith (public intoxication)
Marquis Elmore (driving with a suspended license)
Dannell Ellerbe (DUI)
Kedrick Golston (disorderly conduct, bar fight)
Derrick White (disorderly conduct, bar fight)
Tavares Kearney (simple battery)
Derrick White (DUI)
Zeb McKinzey (underage possession of alcohol)
Darrius Swain (driving with a suspended license)
Michael Turner (possession of less than an ounce of marijuana)
Rennie Curran (theft, taking a parking boot worth $350)
This doesn’t include the past year. Add another 20 or so arrests plus the AD. You get the picture. UGA is a program headed nowhere.
NCAA
July 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
I asked you people to not discuss this! You are to have no comment during the inquiry. If there is any further discussion, we will be forced to make you watch the games on a six inch black and white TV.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Come on Pi$$ anyone that loves the water sports as much as you should be able to come up with more interesting combos for the drama than that.