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
Jose
July 22nd, 2010
2:24 pm
Glad Jeff brought up Nick Saban.
Umm, let’s see, most disliked in sports by Forbes, THAT Nick Saban?
Umm, the Nick Saban who just ranted on sports agents, who the players love, THAT Nick Saban?
Richt’s answers were great about the whole “blame the agents for all the world’s problems” rant by Saban.
Richt basically kept his #1 relationship with NFL agents & said pretty much, it’s not worse than before.
Genious, Richt made Georgia look SOOO much better to agents than Nick Saban did.
Another win for Richt. Nice.
'94 UGA Alumni
July 22nd, 2010
2:24 pm
Hey Jeff,
Here’s a stat for you. 78 of UGA players were NOT arrested. Why doesn’t anyone ever talk about all the players that are busting their tails and doing their jobs? I know you have to try and make it seem as though UGA’s football program is in dire straits in order to make a good story and all but the truth is we still have a good program and a good coach and we are going to come out of this just fine. Trust me.
Disappointed
July 22nd, 2010
2:25 pm
Just when I think it’s safe to read Schultz, he puts out this crap… Nothing further to add.
Greenwood
July 22nd, 2010
2:25 pm
Schultz:
Last year Spurrier made headlines with his open and public threat to leave USC if the USC admisitration didnt lower the academic standards WAY down to a level that he preferred to have in order to recruit his type of player.
Would you ask him this question:
Coach, considering USC’s poor showing in 2009, will you be asking the USC administration to lower the academic standards even further this year, in hopes of being competitive in the SEC?
NCAA
July 22nd, 2010
2:26 pm
And Jeff, if you persist in these type of inflammatory columns, we will send you off to co-anchor with Terrence Moore, wherever he is.
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
2:26 pm
HugoStiglitz the article has been up over 20 mins you can remove your lips from Jeff’s butt now.
1980
July 22nd, 2010
2:26 pm
when was the last time uga accomplished anything?
1980. 30 years. Most on here weren’t even born. yet they talk trash about their pathetic UGA. Schultz is right on. Nice job Jeff.
Enjoy a season without OJ.
Red&Black
July 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
Simply put…anything less than 10 wins in a very down year for the SEC East should lead to a new man getting a shot.
MisterEdisdead
July 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
Well still you lead in felonies. I guess we aren’t heading anywhere other than to own Tech’s azz on the field and pants you after the game. LOSER LMAO You scholars with a dollar should be able to figure out some way to win on a consistent basis, especially since we apparently have no players left to take the field every year (sarcasm on) Nah you’re losers and you know it and it absolutely is killing you.
Bride of Chucky Knapp
July 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
King 1, Schultz 0
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
Jeff remember all the great feedback after you wrote the article about your mom? Dawg fans had tears in their eyes as they typed a responce. Well, now you have gone and done it you are the DEVIL my son. They will no longer listen to the SATIN CAPED ONE WITH BAD TEETH on Tuesdays. They want even click to just CHECKOUT the HOT CHIX you post. You have really done it this time JEFF. AHHAHAHAHAHA
30 years since a Nat Champ but you'd think it's been 5
July 22nd, 2010
2:28 pm
What is the over under on arrests before the season starts?
My guess is 7.
1980?
July 22nd, 2010
2:28 pm
OJ? GODDAMN when did we sign him. I know he’s a little past his prime but he’s slippery as ever. Tech has no chance this year!
Astro
July 22nd, 2010
2:29 pm
Rutt Ro…. Sounds ruff to me.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:29 pm
Hey Pi$$ that superior degree is failing you. It’s response, not responce. You and Ed the same language impaired loser?
piper
July 22nd, 2010
2:29 pm
the witch hunt continues….
Chris Petersen
July 22nd, 2010
2:30 pm
I can’t wait for UGA to finish up again at the weedeater bowl; I am ready to leave Boise for Athens.
FWIW
July 22nd, 2010
2:30 pm
Since UGA offers a degree in Criminal Justice,
can a player arrest be considered a course requirement?
Would time spent in jail be considered, Study Hall?
Taylor
July 22nd, 2010
2:30 pm
Are we still talking about this?
Tarrance Mooore
July 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
Yous can lead a halse to walter but ya caint make him drink
Ed
July 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
Lead? Please. This is just since 05. Your classless univ has way more felons than gt and you know it.
CPJ is 1-1 against you dumbarse. We’ll see how he fares over the next 8 years. And you with all these 4 and 5 star recruits. You’re suppose to win most of the time. But UF. Now you are on par with them in recruiting. How many have you lost since 90? 18? Pretty pathetic. Enjoy another beatdown in Jax this year losers.
suwaneedawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:31 pm
Jeff, this is clearly a “how can I piss off the schools fans with the largest state following” article? Winning cures all things, eeven the punkasses who go out and do dumb things. Richt can not daddy every kid on this team nor can any college coach. I do agree that is the coach looks soft then the inmates will run the asylum but, I think he has shown he does not tolerate this crap.
Chris Petersen
July 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Tarrance; you can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.
joe
July 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
WTH are you talking about? You are no better than the many other idiots that blog over the net. Go work for one of the tabloids or something – that’s where your career is headed.
missingTerrance
July 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Oh Terrance we do miss you so. Schultz it trying but has long way to go to take the muck-raking championship from you.
dat boi
July 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Pi$$ is obv unemployed, or either has a job critiquing the ajc
Barack Dawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Bye Bye AJ – you are a moron – lets look at all the tabloids and believe everything you read. In addition, they just are just saying there is an inquiry. AJ has said that he was home in SC and not at the party. TMZ does not have any proof that they have provided at this time that proves anything to the contrary. AJ has never been in trouble before and has been a fine and upstanding representative of UGA. I don’t think there is anything there and will not believe until we see proof. The NCAA is just completing their investigation and will be done.
So you along with Jeff Schulz should do the world a favor and pull your bottom lip up over your head and swallow.
Mrs. Shultz
July 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
Good job honey, what you want for din din tonight?
Aaron Murray will be worse than COX
July 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
Enjoy another shreveport bowl this year.
SOGADOG
July 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
In response to this article, I ask that you please read the Junkyard Blawg today. King’s article squarely addresses this article.
Larry Munson
July 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
1980? Stop it, I almost broke my chair, laughing on that one!
Kurt
July 22nd, 2010
2:33 pm
Hey Jeff-
So, if Richt’s the blame for his players dumb stuff, are you the person we need to blame for the decline in newspaper readership in America?
ManBoobs
July 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Apparently none of my players are any good to even get invited to the party in South Beach. So I can talk tough but don’t have to worry about it. There are not any agents interested in our players.
SEC4Life
July 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Things could be worse: Willie Mo. could STILL be our def. coordinator.
The Midget
July 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
If AJ is suspended, I won’t have anyone who is tall enough for me to see to throw to. Oh no!
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
how2fish learn the differance between BIGOT, RACISTS, and PREJUDICE. NOW roll your bones and figure the proper term. If I am American and I think ALL Americans are better than every other native born people then wouldn’t I still like African American or Asian Americans or Irish Americans? If I don’t like all Balck people then I would be a Bigot. Now, if I don’t like some Black people and some Asian people then I would be Prejudice. DO you understand now?
Jose Cuervo
July 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
Good grief people. What is it about the web that makes everyone rush to the lowest common denominator?
1980?
July 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
Thanks Larry, always nice to get praise from the great one.
SecGuy
July 22nd, 2010
2:35 pm
Another article from Bozo the Clown. Blasting Richt by comparing him unfavorably to Saban who you trashed yesterday. Is Paul (the Turd) Finebaum your hero now? He would be proud of this garbage.
HugoStiglitz
July 22nd, 2010
2:36 pm
Im not kissing Schultz butt at all. He has written plenty of blogs I didnt like or agree with. I dont cry about it though. Reading all of the posts about how terrible he is and how they will never read another one of his blogs is just ridiculous. Its like a bunch of little kids having a temper tantrum because things arent going the way that they want them too.You guys are having a horrible offseason and people are going to talk about it. Get over it.
Astro
July 22nd, 2010
2:36 pm
Hey George…. What’s white and black and red all over? The Athens Police arrest log of course. Seven up and Seven down. How many more to go?
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:36 pm
So you have no problem with “balck” people. It’s the black ones you can’t stand. Gotcha.
The Most Interesting Man Alive
July 22nd, 2010
2:36 pm
Jeff, you really stirred up the humpers; good job and stay thirsty my freng!
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
2:36 pm
No, the only way I can get more than one page of posts is to bash UGA!! Call me a genius!!
Urban Meyer
July 22nd, 2010
2:36 pm
Jeff, Jeff, apparently you didn’t get the memo. All these things are Florida’s fault. Urban Meyer is a lier and a cheat. Only Florida’s players are underage drinkers, irresponsible drivers, etc… Georiga is a bastion for family values and all that is pure and right, wow!
1980 Biatch
July 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
1980 – you probably were not born either. Is your sister named Nicole and look a pez dispenser.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
Hey Pi$$ just a head-up. It’s called spell-check. Please do try it once and a while.
bob
July 22nd, 2010
2:37 pm
Didn’t an agent go to jail a few years ago for something similar to this at Auburn?
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
2:38 pm
Now you have the malapropism folks jumping out of the woodwork. Good going.
CoastDog
July 22nd, 2010
2:39 pm
Sigh……..just like the good old days with Furman Bisher. We have a new Furman but we do not have a new Jesse Outlar.