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
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
3:55 pm
Hey Pi$$ I’m not going to be here forever helping you with grammar and spelling. It’s “binge” drinking. You’re welcome.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:55 pm
Howard — I don’t remember that story. Saban made an NFL player cry? Yikes.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:56 pm
SSIGator — Thanks.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:56 pm
Andrew — Huh?
Tron5000
July 22nd, 2010
3:57 pm
Saying truthful, but negative, things in Georgia about Saint Mark Richt is akin to saying truthful, but negative, things about The Messiah Obama at an NAACP rally. No matter how true it may be, Jeff, you’re going to get burned but good.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:57 pm
Jdubb — All 7 arrests are not underage drinking.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:57 pm
Thanks Roger
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:58 pm
Layinlow — Now you’re just not being nice.
Charles
July 22nd, 2010
3:58 pm
Just a really poor effort, Schultz. I was hoping to read about the upcoming season. Instead, just more of this tabloid garbage. It would be one thing if you didn’t consistently beat the drum, but you’re a one trick pony. Sounds to me like you’re still pissed that Richt owned you in that presser a few years back.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
3:58 pm
Gumpdawg — Did I write that Richt was going anywhere?
hogmtndawg
July 22nd, 2010
3:59 pm
Jeff,
Most of the time your stuff is worth reading. But this artcile is useless. You’re clogging up MY cyberspace.
Is Richt’s method working? Not any less than Meyer, Saban, Dooley, Kiffin, Johnson, Spurrier, Kelly, etc. evidently . . .
I’m not trying to defend Richt. It’s not only his issue. I’m sure all of these coaches shed blood and tears over how to prevent their players bad behavior or from agent temptations. Not to mention from their parents, the NCAA, school admin, etc.
I’m certainly guilty of doing things that I knew better than to get involved in. My guess is you have, too, along with every other person on the planet. Sometimes the ramifications are severe and somtimes a slap on the wrist. The point is you try and LEARN from your mistakes and not to repeat. Richt makes a great point with Ellerbe. The kid got it together and obviously learned a lesson.
Are college presidents also doing a poor job with their methods? Damon Evans? Gary Moeller? Danny Ford? Mike Garrett? Bobby Petrino? Pete Carroll? To name a few . . . perhaps they should all should never have been hired.
The point is we all (youths and adults) make mistakes and we always will, regardless of what our parents, teachers, coaches or employers preach to us.
So, fire them all. You take over big guy. What’s your solution to all of the issues that these coaches face? Ankle monitors? People make mistakes everyday (such as this article). Evidently, your “head coach” is doing a poor job with his method, also.
Jeesh . . .
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
3:59 pm
See pi$$drinking I do it so I don’t know how to spell it! Can you bring me a few cubes to go in my JACK?
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:00 pm
Poodle Head: “I take it Jeff is not a believer in free will?”
Congrats, you win dumb comment of the day.
Reece
July 22nd, 2010
4:00 pm
ESPN did a nice piece on why Miami & LSU fans both hate Nick Saban.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3683575
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:00 pm
LizDawg — I hope Mark does turn things around at Georgia. Why wouldn’t I want that?
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:01 pm
Jeff it is time to do an article about your mom. The dawgs will cry and love you again.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:01 pm
Vixzilla — I don’t doubt he’s made changes and has gotten tougher. Just waiting to see the results.
Non-paying reader
July 22nd, 2010
4:02 pm
Congrats on another sh*tty column…
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:03 pm
Mike Oxbig — No, I didn’t get paid for this one. It was free.
Reece
July 22nd, 2010
4:03 pm
Nick Saban, the guy ESPN, Rivals, and Forbes calls the most HATED man in all of sports, he’s doing a better job at image control than Richt?
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
DP — Actually, he can be both. Saban can be viewed as a “role model” (your words) in terms of how he runs a program, even if he was full of BS yesterday. That’s not contradictory at all.
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
Reap What You Sow and please tell me which of the UGA players weren’t offered by other schools in the SEC and beyond please give me a list..you slack jawed drooling idiot!!
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
Matt — Just don’t double-drivel.
Bryan
July 22nd, 2010
4:07 pm
Jeff, you need a vacation. First you wasted my time this morning when I read your article on Saban. Really? He’s suppose to take up all players on all teams?
Now I read this adhorent piece of writing on Mark Richt. Horrible, worthless. I dont know what else to say
Hill Town
July 22nd, 2010
4:08 pm
A California researcher found Nick Saban, (note, not Mark Richt), to be the most hated man in all of sports. This was a scientific survey, as reported by Rivals.com
I’m not sure your arrows are pointing to the right Saint and Sinner.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Forbes-Nick-Saban-is-the-most-hated-white-man-i?urn=ncaaf-179913
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
4:09 pm
Pi$$onaDawg we may love Jeff again we never loved you once….now please say something witty…and spin it baby spin it!
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:09 pm
To all — Did I ever write in here that Damon Evans’ problems were Richt’s fault? You’ve clearly read that wrong. I said it all feeds into his bad summer. I never said he’s at fault for Damon getting arrested. I mean come on people.
Delbert D.
July 22nd, 2010
4:09 pm
“The University is Georgia is guilty of precipitating an NCAA inquiry.” Check that;
“The University of Georgia is guilty of an inquirious situation.” No;
“The University is charged with being associated with an NCAA inquirious malfeasance.” Lets’s go with that one. First, check to see if “inquirious” or “inquiriational” is the right word. Then go ahead and print it, kiddo.
Thanks, Jeff S.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
HugoStiglitz — Thanks for the comments and perspective.
Dawg Whisperer
July 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
My French word of the day to desribe this article – hogwash.
jdawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
I just totally disagree with Jeff…as a minister once said how would you like to have your job depend on much less high school athlete’s and then 18 to 22 yr old’s…you do the best job that you can, and I really feel like it would be hard to replace CMR at this time…
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
Billy — 1) Never said I liked Saban personally; 2) He’s a FAR better coach in college than he was in NFL, I think that goes without saying.
pi$$drinkingtechie
July 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
You need more help than one solitary man can give. Try to finish off a whole case of Jack, no one is going to miss you.
hogmtndawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
Jeff – Your comment was Richt’s method is not working. So whose method works 100% of the time? Who in this world is perfect? I know this severely limits your ability to respond, but no smart*** or (for that matter) dumb*** answers, please . . .
P-44 Haynes
July 22nd, 2010
4:14 pm
Fact is Richt is 2-7 against UF in 9 years. We have below average coaches on the offensive side of the ball outside the offensive line. We have a pathetic S&C program. And our talent is nowhere near that of UF. I would say yes, Mark Richt deserves to be on the hot seat. We expect to be competitive against UF. They have dominated us and embarrassed us the past two seasons and that is not acceptable. I say this to Mark Richt, either beat Florida or find another job.
Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
DR — Just interested in the finished product. Doesn’t matter to me how he gets there.
Calhoundawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
Mr. Schultz, if you read these comments, which evidently you do, then here is what I have to say to you; you’re pathetic. Yellow journalism at its best. What, exactly, is your “article” about? Exactly how does Damon Evan’s bad choices in life reflect on the head football coach? Absolutely fallacious reasoning to fill in a few lines. If your article were a college or high school essay, it would receive an “F.” What is your thesis? Seriously, tell me. Mark Richt handles his program with class and tact, and a wisdom which two-bit “sportswriters” like yourself cannot even begin to fathom. Anybody, and I mean anybody with a high school diploma, could sit behind a typewriter and make up stupid, contrived drivel such as what you wrote. Have you tried your hand at romance novels or super secret spy stories. Your flair for the melodramatic is obvious, but if I were you, I’d shy away from serious editorials such as you have attempted here. Pick on Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or Jesse Jackson. Or just write about the game of football. On second thought, you’d better not — nobody would read it.
gongaso
July 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
In addition to this grammatical whopper – “He was asked if he has tightened restrictions on player” – which is just one wretched example of passive voice in this article, the piece feels like a stub. What’s the point of this, anyway? We aren’t even winning the Fulmer Cup.
TheDeegan
July 22nd, 2010
4:23 pm
These players do not fear Mark Richt. How can you? He’s one of those guys who cannot get upset and yell and people take him seriously. Its not his style. Fact is, Id take Saban, Meyer or Jon Gruden any day of the week of Mark Richt.
JacketFan86
July 22nd, 2010
4:24 pm
dude ugag fans, why shoot the messenger?? Its not jeff’s fault for all these arrests and transfers! Dang! Richt will always have a job based on win loss record not kids and arrests…which is sad cuz it seems like the arrests go up each summer. but as long as he wins he will have a job…but if he slips this yr will all the arrests and a new GM looming…WATCH OUT richt…could be the end
Just can't beleive your hatred for UGA
July 22nd, 2010
4:25 pm
Do you really enjoy writing negative articles about UGA? Do you really think that is the only college with these problems? I bet Dooley lets thug Da’Rick play every game. Is that OK? I hear the Alabama cops do nothing to athletes when they get in trouble. Just write about something else other that UGA.
Jose
July 22nd, 2010
4:25 pm
Jeff-
Do you think Saban’s rant on agents, helped the relationshiup or hurt the relationship between players and agenets at the University of Alabama? Let me guess, you think he made a positive impact on the University of Alabama’s image with his rant calling agents “pimps”?
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:26 pm
pissdrink I think more people will miss me than you believe. HOW2fish why do go go kill yourself? Why would you say such a thing? I never said Damon should choke on the red panties and die. Why would you wish another person to kill themselves? Maybe I will be like your dawgs and get real drunk and drive around youor house waiting to get in wreck with your family. would that be ok with you?
Tech75
July 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
It’s sort of a moot point what Richt thinks or does about it. He’s doing what he thinks is right, given what he has to achieve.
When you have as much pressure to win as SEC coaches do, you have to take some risks. You have some top-tier programs that can get the cream of the crop yet not take many character risks – but at every level below that, many of the 4 and 5 star recruits have risk factors. Even Notre Dame has had some issues… Ohio State had the Maurice Clarrett issue (and still does)…
This will go on until the administration at UGA has had enough of it, then it will act.
Jeff's a Putz
July 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
Not getting enough attention Jeff? Need more hits on you blog. Too lazy to do any research. Just right the same trash and piss off everydog in Atlanta and fire up the tech dregs that love to bash them. Five pages of responses. congratulations. I am guessing by the depth of this aricle that you yourself Jeff behaved much the same as these kids did in college but nobody cared who you were….
lamar
July 22nd, 2010
4:27 pm
WELL, WELL, WELL, Old Jeff taking another shot at Richt! Man he hates GA because GA always kicks his GT teams butt! Hey Jeff, start worrying about how GT is going to learn how to throw the ball instead of running a onesidded offense! BY THE WAY, they dont even do that right, REMEMBER GA’s 350 yards of running on GT? BY THE WAY, GA RUNS THIS STATE!
Pi$$onaDawg
July 22nd, 2010
4:28 pm
sorry How2fish you were not supposed to be in that blog. Sorry Dude.
Buster
July 22nd, 2010
4:29 pm
Hey Jeff-
I know you’ve probably been busy all day listening to coaches there, but mrsec.com rated Mark Richt the highest of the week for honesty, communication, etc., higher than Saban or Meyer. Richt almost got a perfect score.
It appears some there think Richt helped the image of Georgia and his words certainly made a positive impact on them. Just wanted you to know, other journalist without a Georgia bias, don’t see what you see, and see things much more differently, and positively, when it comes to Mark Richt helping Georgia’s image.
Seeeee ya.............
July 22nd, 2010
4:30 pm
Hey there goes Caleb King…weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
NCLAWDAWG
July 22nd, 2010
4:33 pm
No need to complain about Shultz. Just stop reading him. No skill. No insight. Just stirs the pot. Just one more reason the AJC is circling the drain.