No more excuses — Georgia’s arrests fall on Mark Richt
Mark Richt has been buried in police reports since March.
(UPDATED at 3:30 p.m. with booking and suspension.)
Before you dismiss this as just another trivial arrest in a 24-7, TMZ flip-cam media world, ask yourself this:
What would you be thinking if this was Florida or Alabama or Tennessee? Would your first reaction be, “This is no big deal. Everybody is picking on us”?
What if this was Nick Saban or Urban Meyer or Houston “I’m Just Trying To Save The World One Quarterback At A Time” Nutt? Would you really be absolving the head coach — in this case, Mark Richt — of any responsibility?
Georgia’s football program has hit nine on the arrest chart. That’s nine since March.
Kickoff is Saturday. There’s still time to run out of fingers.
Here’s the latest: Campus police have booked freshman safety Alec Ogletree on misdemeanor charges of theft by taking and he has been suspended for the season opener. Ogletree, a prized member of their 2010 recruiting class, is charged with stealing a $35 scooter helmet from the Rankin Smith Center on June 15 (police discovering only this week that the helmet was in his possession).
Forget that we’re only talking about a $35 helmet. There’s no such thing as a minor incident any more. There’s a cumulative effect.
I realize this is difficult for some people to accept. We live for this time of year, not just because of our obsession with college football but because, as Richt said this week, “It’s good to be undefeated.” What you feel in Athens, they feel even in Starkville.
But when nine players get arrested between spring and opening kickoff, something is wrong.
Please, no more apologies.
I’ve had it with apologists. They live among the fan base (who claim police are just out to get athletes). They live among the coaching fraternity (because to blame another coach sets themselves up for higher standards). They live among the media (some of whom are too afraid of burning bridges with the program and not having the coach smile at them any more).
Bottom line: This falls on Richt. It’s his program. It’s his responsibility. It’s on his watch.
He doesn’t have to be the one drinking-and-driving. Or hitting-and-running. Or drinking-and-groping. Richt recruited these players, signed these players and ultimately determined, “They will represent the University of Georgia well.” Either he is picking too many of the wrong guys, or he’s not saying or doing enough of the right things when they get here. Regardless, don’t deny the problem.
Richt said Friday he was “disappointed” and that Ogletree is “responsible for a poor decision and will serve a minimum one-game suspension.” He was so angry when running back Washaun Ealey was arrested for a hit-and-run — which occurred while he was driving with a suspended license — that he didn’t even want to speak to Ealey. That anger is justified. The question is whether his suspension of Ealey will last beyond the Louisiana-Lafayette game — because that’s a small notch above running steps in Sanford Stadium.
Forcing Ealey to miss the South Carolina game — that would hurt. Of course, that also would hurt Georgia, and the South Carolina game is really important, right?
When asked at his news conference this week if, in so many words, there was a flaw in his discipline structure, Richt responded: “The flaw is if a guy does something that deserves to be disciplined and you don’t discipline him. That’s where the flaw is. The flaw is in us as humans. We’re flawed, we’re human, we make mistakes. When we make a mistake, then we get disciplined for it. As long as we have 18- to 22-year old guys who are human beings, they are going to make mistakes. That’s just all there is to it. If you don’t discipline it, you have a problem. If they don’t learn from it, then they have a problem.”
Actually, it goes beyond that. If players don’t learn from it, Richt has a problem. And he does.
No more excuses. This falls on him.
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1,737 comments Add your comment
G8TR
September 3rd, 2010
12:49 pm
Never forget that Mark Richt is a Miami Hurricane who was reared in coaching at FSU. These two institutions invented the no-discipline football program, each run historically by coaches who look the other way or just say “boys will be boys.” That’s Richt’s true pedigree — no matter how angelic his undeserved reputation is spun by UGA fans.
Cuz
September 3rd, 2010
12:50 pm
Jeff I undestand how you can say that this is Richt’s problem since it is his team. But I do not understand how he is going to do anything different in recruiting that will solve this problem. I guess he could recruit a bunch of those dudes riding bicycles with white shirts and ties. They seem clean cut enough.
Seriously, I do not recall any character issues for either Waushan or Alec when they were recruited. Should our coaches consult the recruits pastor, boy scout troop leader and a psychic before offering a scholly?
bravedawg
September 3rd, 2010
12:50 pm
Everyone who thinks this falls on Richt is out of their f-in mind! As a coach all you can do is do the best you can to screen players in recruiting, lay out your rules and consequences, and enforce them. Yes it sucks that UGA keeps falling under this bad light, but Richt can’t sit there and tell every kid its not good to steal motorcycle helmets and its not good to hit somebody and run. He sets an example and expects his players to follow it. When these teenagers and they are predominantly teenagers, don’t follow his rules or his example he looks bad. I don’t know maybe he should kick guys off the team every time someone gets arrested but then all you hypocrits would be yelling at him for not winning games (ie Felton). So go ahead and jump on Richts back and when he does well pat him on the back, but none of you out there could do a better job including you Schultz so keep your big mouths shut. I hope the bulldog players grow up a bit, but the majority of them who are getting it right, keep it up and let’s go get em this year.
Accountability
September 3rd, 2010
12:50 pm
Jon Carter
September 3rd, 2010
12:49 pm
CMR will get this situation corrected in short order. It is time to rally around the DAWGS!
Really Jon Carter?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUgdhT-4lss
AltamahaDawg
September 3rd, 2010
12:51 pm
Yea because Saban took such bold action to kick a player off the team for getting caught selling cocaine multiple times to undercover cops posing as a fellow student in the universty parking lot. “We won’t tolerate this type of behavior”….
Uh, ya think?
Police Blotter
September 3rd, 2010
12:51 pm
I LOVE UGA getting their red panties in a bunch….oh wait does Damon Evans still have them between his legs.
Red Panties
September 3rd, 2010
12:51 pm
Let’s get rid of him, then Richt will have an excuse for the 8-5 he’s about to ring up.
ABAC
September 3rd, 2010
12:51 pm
Why won’t Tim Tucker allow comments?
Laurie
September 3rd, 2010
12:52 pm
Who will be the next victim of the UGA’ police department political machine?
CBB1
September 3rd, 2010
12:52 pm
It is funny how all these UGA fans want Kirby Smart back at UGA when the guy doesn’t even lead the AL Defense. Saban runs that defense. Kirby couldn’t hold Grantham’s jock strap. If you don’t like the coaches and don’t believe in them, then stop being a fan. UGA doesn’t need you or want you. A bunch of fair weathered fans. What a joke.
Mr. Phil
September 3rd, 2010
12:52 pm
You’re out of bounds on this one Schultz. These young men need to take responsibility for themselves. I am tired of coaches getting the blame for grades, graduation rates, arrests. When is it going to be time for everybody (in the world) to take responsibility for their own actions. If we are going to call them adults at 18 (which is by the way is very debatable) then we need to treat them as that. For every sense of the word.
Skeezix
September 3rd, 2010
12:52 pm
It doesn’t stop with Richt. The tone is set from the top. Who hired that AD with the red panities? College athletics needs to be cleaned up. Our nation is weaker because of the overemphasis on athletics on our college campuses. You start with setting the right priorities–academics and character building first. There is way too high a priority set on sports. The games are not really that important—until student learning & excellence, developing citizenship, and character are placed first on everybody’s agenda, it won’t get better.
St. Bernard
September 3rd, 2010
12:53 pm
I think leaving the scene after bumping a parked car and taking a $35 scooter helmet are horrendous acts comparable to living in a hotel for free, taking money from an agent, dealing drugs, armed robbery, beating up off duty cops. I’m not making excuses for these guys, but are all these crimes equal?
I would prefer that these kids never did anything wrong, but I still choose these petty crimes to some of the horrible stuff that happens. Mett got what he deserved. Ealey got what he deserves. Ogletree will get what he deserves. Pity the kid who went to the police about his scooter helmet. Maybe he should have tried talking to Ogletree or the athletic dept first?
puff
September 3rd, 2010
12:53 pm
Cuz, the cause of holding Rich’ts feet to the fire is Shultz’s one way of seeming like a serious journalist. It’s all he’s got. Just like Bradley’s two or three correct predictions over two decades are all he’s got to show he has a clue about sports.
Feel better now, Jeffrey?
September 3rd, 2010
12:53 pm
Ogletree arrives on campus for summer work outs around June 4th. The incident occured on June 15th. Mark just could not get through to the young man in 11 days. Simple as that.
MuttH8er
September 3rd, 2010
12:53 pm
Why do mutt fans suck so badly?
gagirl
September 3rd, 2010
12:54 pm
Yes Richt needs to hold these BOYS responsibile and I think he does. And yes it is embarassing! But each person must be accountable for themselves. If you are going to hold Richt responsible then call each one of these BOYS Mom and Dad and tell them to head to Athens with their belts give them a good spanking which they probably never have had and that is why they act to irresponsible and ruthless. I love my DAWGS but I am so ashamed!!!! This is horrible.
Ted M
September 3rd, 2010
12:54 pm
Flyin’ Dawg – I agree with your wife. But the team should know from past experience that they are going to get arrested for anything and everything. CMR is at fault for not impressing that enough on his team. With a little and consistent fire and brimstone CMR could have prevented this.
Accountability
September 3rd, 2010
12:54 pm
Rationalize away Dawgs. You will be doomed to repeat these episodes over and over.
Kunta Kinte
September 3rd, 2010
12:54 pm
OK for OJ to cut two people’s heads off..Ok for Bill Clinton to lie and cheat many times with wife..but when dumb kids do something dumb..it’s a big deal!
Disagree
September 3rd, 2010
12:54 pm
It’s just boys being boys. And I hate pigs.
ABAC
September 3rd, 2010
12:55 pm
Maybe they couldn’t find a helmet small enough for his midget brother???
That Guy!
September 3rd, 2010
12:56 pm
Police Blotter – My plan was to continue to post the link until Jeff finally comments on it but I am afraid that will never happen. He only comments on UGA arrest.
Peter
September 3rd, 2010
12:56 pm
Some Ga fans will lie cheat and steal……then say…….that is OK…..Until they get caught……
Wow the society we are in is really hypocritical !
Dawg A
September 3rd, 2010
12:56 pm
Jeff… I give you credit! You are actually getting some responses in the same range as Bradley gets everytime! I guess in order to play with the big boys you have to post a really lame thing!
Welcome to the big time! Smart Journalism!
Yellow Jacket 89
September 3rd, 2010
12:56 pm
Accountability
September 3rd, 2010
12:50 pm
EXCELLENT LINK! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUgdhT-4lss
c
September 3rd, 2010
12:56 pm
Everyone needs to read flyin’ Dawg’s comment: The second paragraph is as clear of an explanation of the “problem” as we can find. The Athens/UGA police departments are jokes!!!! Have been for years.
Quoting: My Wife is a police officer here in metro Atlanta, and while she said she would have taken it seriously that a helmet was taken, she would have done nothing more than call the person and ask that it be returned. She said her Supervisor would have disciplined her for asking for a warrant over $35. Translation, you are wasting $1K plus of the taxpayers money to address a $35 petty crime, that could have been a simple mis-understanding. (end quote)
And this: all of you who are so appalled and “sick and tired…” Good grief: get over your queen drama. The point is of the matter is this: it’s a non-issue. Should be a non-issue. Should never even be a story, should never be something that receives ANY attention.
And let’s face it: this happened in June. Why in hell is it a story now? Precisely what I said earlier: the media are wh*res….. And anyone who takes this seriously and starts moaning about all the “thugs” are clueless.
I’ve spent some time with these guys. Most are great, normal, regular guys. Most (the ones who need it most) are taking full advantage of a great opportunity to improve their lives. A few make mistakes. A few make bad mistakes. And those guys are no longer on the team.
I used to teach HS. Discretion and common sense and the ability to deal with issues with intelligence: that’s how you handle problems such as this. This whole zero-tolerance bullcrap we see as the norm now just proves what idiots these mortals be……
And those of you falling for all the sensationalized hyped that the media is handing out….. Almost as bad as the “story” itself…… All hyped up over nothing….
fire dawg
September 3rd, 2010
12:57 pm
ogletree & ealey 4 weeks scout team !
AltamahaDawg
September 3rd, 2010
12:57 pm
Ogletree had scholarship offers from every coach in south. Everyone of these kids passes the scrutiny of various coaching staffs and admin depts from here to the moon.
It’s absolutely Richt’s responsibility. It’s his job. BUT saying stuff like he recruits the wrong players is just another way of admititng that you can’t even begin to guess what the problem is, or a possible solution.
Jeffro Bodeen
September 3rd, 2010
12:57 pm
Schuck you Fultz…….stupidity cannot be blamed on the head coach. If he did not address it when it happened then it would relatable to his actions. Most of these issues are not felonies, but they are in need of punishment by the University.We got some bad boys on this team….LOOK OUT !! WE’LL HIT YOU LIKE YOU’RE A PARKED CAR, or how about, WE’LL SNATCH YOU UP LIKE LIKE A SCOOTER HELMET!! or , DON’T MAKE ME GET DRUNK AND COME OVER THERE!! Yeah…we a bunch of thugs!!
LCDawg
September 3rd, 2010
12:57 pm
How dumb are these guys?
dagnabit
September 3rd, 2010
12:58 pm
Jeff: are these dawg “fans” blaming you for Ogletree’s theft of the helmut. My question is will the new AD pressure the owner to not press charges?
Rich T
September 3rd, 2010
12:58 pm
And the UGA fan base acts just as expected …
Police Blotter
September 3rd, 2010
12:59 pm
Time for old fashioned “Bud Nippin”..Nipping at the bud always stops bad growth..
For the blogger that says Saban stopped a player from selling drugs to undercover cops and kicked him off the team…I think if you look you will see only 1 player with an arrest over the past 19 months…Auburn has had 2 in the past 15 months….discipline does work if applied harshly..
David Granger
September 3rd, 2010
12:59 pm
You’re damn right, Jeff. Richt has always been too “laid back” when it comes to dealing with the team. He brought that FSU attitude he learned from Bobby Bowden: “Them boys just going to have a little fun, and got carried away. They ain’t bad kids.”
That lack of strict discipline is one reason we’ve become one of the most penalized teams in the conference, year-in and year-out.
Richt needs to act like he’s got a pair…but it might be too damn late.
I know there was a good reason the NCAA eliminated athletic dorms…but at least when we had them, the coaches were able to maintain a lot better discipline. And universities didn’t have nearly the same amount of legal problems they have nowadays.
LawDawg
September 3rd, 2010
12:59 pm
So, Shultz has had it huh? Boy, heads should start spinning now. The hypocritical thing about all of these haters on here is in the punishment. CMR doles out appropriate punishment, as documented, for each offense. These haters love to say “1 game against LALa isn’t enough” and “throw him off the team”. I know, as well as everyone else, that if the offending player was on their team they would want ZERO suspensions for him. Making a mountain out of a mole hill just ruins your credibility Jeff. It’s all about the bad stories and trying to be cute and funny with you. CMR CANNOT babysit these kids 24-7. ALL of the recruits have background checks done prior to being offered scholarships. I’m not making excuses for some of these guy’s actions but, you can’t hold Richt responsible for all of this. Again, 2 1/2 months go by before this is reported and you plaster on the top of the FRONT page? I don’t think you mentioned Hall’s beating up of his girlfriend at GT. Please go research ALL of the story before saying “you’ve had it”. Frankly, no one cares if you have or not!!
Burroughston Broch
September 3rd, 2010
1:00 pm
Bulldog alumni and fans have a choice to make: clean up the football program or be resigned to more of the same.
The coach came from FSU (you know the Criminoles) and was trained by Bobby Bowden in thug management (not effectively trained, but trained). At that time, FSU had a probation officer on the athletic department staff.
The coach realizes that, to compete on a championship level, you must hire thugs and not student/scholars.
So, you have a choice to make. Do you force a clean up of the program (probably replace the coach) so it doesn’t continually embarass you? Or do you go the way you’re going, hold your nose tighter, and make believe that the end (if you can achieve it) justifies the method?
It’s your decision.
Police Blotter
September 3rd, 2010
1:01 pm
That Guy..feel free to Post all you want…but I do not think it is getting you anywhere brother…glass stadium brother glass stadium
GTFan
September 3rd, 2010
1:01 pm
As a Tech fan I will say that all these arrest are pretty darn petty. But it is funny that it keeps happening to UGA!
76-DAWG
September 3rd, 2010
1:02 pm
Jeff I disagree this is not on CMR . Didn’t Alex just get here in June . That wasn’t but a few weeks to instill values into his players that were raise with no values. This type thing is a reflection as to the way he was raised. Blame it on his PARENTS not CMR.
Brock
September 3rd, 2010
1:03 pm
Is there not a captain on this team, a leader, a pissed off player who has had enough of these punks? Get in their faces, punch them in the mouth and tell them to clean up or you’ll get the hell beat out of you on and off the field. I’m not a GA fan but this is ridiculous. Can someone other than Richt take some old school approach to this and start kickin some kids azz?
wintervilledawg
September 3rd, 2010
1:03 pm
Those of you who give up on the program by choosing not to look at the positives but only the negatives of the program. I wonder what word you really want to use when you call these athletes Thugs?
AWJ
September 3rd, 2010
1:03 pm
I am not simply washing these arrests off without thought, but you have to look at the arrest. If these guys were out committing armed robbery (UT), or sitting at a traffic light stone cold passed out behind the wheel of a running car (UF), or getting into bar fights constantly (UT), or committing domestic assault or sexual assault(UGA) that is one thing, but what you have to look at is the nature of the arrest.
These other arrests for minor traffic issues and stealing a $35 dollar helmet, give me a break. It is a known fact that UGA police captain Williamson has it in for the UGA footbal team. Been that way since I was there in ‘94-’98, probably sooner.
Securing a warrant for a $35 helmet??? Come on, if UGA Police issued warrants for every $35 theft then OK, but we all know they don’t do that….they find out a possible suspect is a football player and that warrant goes regardless.
Most of the arrests are teachable moments. You can’t control how a kid is going to act. You can counsel him afterwards and if he does not turn it around you get rid of him, like Robinson. Some arrests do not warrant a 2nd chance, like Mettenberger.
It is about what the coach does after the arrest. Sure, they talk to them above being a good citizen and representative of UGA, but they can’t control how they act. If they did, the kids would never learn. I applaud Mark Richt for handling these type of issues.
Lets not forget either that a warrant is not a guilty verdict.
Yellow Jacket 89
September 3rd, 2010
1:03 pm
I don’t understand the shock over this incident.
This is what I have come to expected from UGA players.
seriously?
September 3rd, 2010
1:03 pm
Jeff, you point out that Richt recruited these guys. I’m fairly confident that these guys were recruited all over the country. We fight with Bama, Florida, and Auburn over the same guys every year. You can’t seriously think that we’re only getting the thugs or that the other coaching staffs are instilling a better environment around there players. Kids will be kids. But some PDs are dropping off the kids for drinking under age instead of locking em up.
That Guy!
September 3rd, 2010
1:04 pm
Police Blotter – I agree! Even know Jeff said he would report the same thing if it happened at another school. No word about the arrest at UF.
Mr. Phil
September 3rd, 2010
1:04 pm
Post Script…
How do you expect the players to start acting like men if you start treating them like children. If babysit a “man” he will never be a man, he will always be a baby. If Schultz had a problem with Richt’s response after these incidents, that would be one thing. But to out and out BLAME THE COACH? Are you kidding me. When do we take off the diapers? When do you start look for some accountability for individuals? When their in their thirties? This article is frustrating and infuriating at best. SHAME ON YOU JEFF!
Yellow Journalism
September 3rd, 2010
1:04 pm
Get the pun Jeff? Much of what you say is true, but stuff like this happens at other schools. It gets reported there and nowhere else including here. That guy! brings up a valid point (btw bama de suspended for 2 games). Dont pretend to be anything other than the bumblebee loving yellow journalist that you are. Are there problems with the program? Yes. Could this have been a better article? Yes. Nothing like calling out the head coach right before the season starts. Mettenberger was handled well, and we will see how he handles ogletree. Personally i hope he is kicked off the team, but not my call. This is just blaming the wrong person. The kids are the problem. During his first five or six years there were no issues like this. Additionally, the athens police department loves to see their name in the headlines, cant deny that.
Hate On
September 3rd, 2010
1:05 pm
Excuse me, but couple of guys did get arrested down there in gainesville in July I believe, and they were punished internally and no suspension. Let Richt handle HIS team and let the AJC worry about making ridiculous stories into more than they are. Go down to Gainesville and see if you see the papers blasting one of their players for this crap. You don’t, cause its not a big deal. Once again – kids do childish things and hopefully they learn from their mistakes, not by the media making it into some huge story. Also, fact is it is just a warrant. Yes that means he will be arrested, but then he will have to go to COURT. Once he is found guilty, then write all the dumb stories you want AJC, but until the kid is actually found guilty, all your doing is making it impossible for him to get a fair trial. Thats the facts. Oh is Da’Rick Playing this weekend? He ain’t suspended thats for sure.
Tech Buzz
September 3rd, 2010
1:06 pm
Richt needs to call Paul Johnson for advice on cutting down all these arrests. Coach Johnson wouldn’t put up with any of this. Richt lets it go on and it’s getting worse—the players run the system