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
senoiadawgs
September 3rd, 2010
2:23 pm
I love all the people on here saying this is nothing serious. It would be serious if someone broke into YOUR car and stole something of small value out that you needed or liked. You would do the exact same thing this kid did which can result in an arrest.
Dr. Doom
September 3rd, 2010
2:23 pm
All blog writings are a repeat of past blog writings. Life is a circle, a cycle, nothing ever changes. Doom, gloom.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
BEEF how do you know Ealey was not STONED as a Football Bat? You Don’t and I don’t know that he was, but he RAN from the sceen.
Where in the world are the coaches like John Wooden?
Read your Bible Richt and HIDE YOUR EYES TO THE TRUTH.
U BETTA BE CAREFUL
September 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
YA KNOW SHULTZ….I SURE HOPE IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE IN ATHENS AND THE CAMPUS POLICE ARREST YOU FOR LITTERING, IT MAKES AJC HEADLINES…NAAAH….OF COURSE, YOU WOULD BLAME CMR….YOU ARE A JOKE…LOL……
NCJacket
September 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
Our players only beat that crap out of their girlfriends. They would not steal a $35 helmet or drink underage.
Dawghater
September 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
UGA’s unique, the are the only school with Vegas odds on the over/under at UGA on this season arrests. Richt doesn’t punish the kids and until he starts kicking kids of the team he’ll have more and more of these issues.
Beat Down?
September 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
I think Jeff is actually looking to get his a** beat or something. He’s going to be at a restaurant, bar, sporting event, or whatever random place around metra Atl, and some dawg fan is going to recognize his mug and say:
“Hi, Jeff Schultz, right?”, he’ll put a big smile on his face and go “Yeah, you recognize me from the AJC?”, and the other guy is going to go, “Sure do, you’re that biased Richt UGA hater who writes garbage.” and then the guy is going to get arrested for assault and not think twice about if it was worth it.
Jeff, you’re an idiot.
JB
September 3rd, 2010
2:25 pm
I will not defend this, But at Bama, this kid would have been taken to Saban…….and the Chief and the paper would of not been involved…..
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
2:25 pm
Why I am so angry? I am one bitter person.
Flyin' Dawg
September 3rd, 2010
2:25 pm
Don’t forget selling drugs NCJacket.
Dr. Phil
September 3rd, 2010
2:26 pm
Good article, Jeff. I am a Georgia grad and a professor. These problems can be traced by to Adams, who fired Donnan “because of player behavior issues.” Richt is recruiting players, based on athletic ability alone, and promising them big NFL contracts for a couple of years of non-credit courses. These one game (Lafayette, etc.) suspensions mean nothing. Richt thinks that playing with the boys in the swimming pool, or dancing with them on the sideline, will make them like him. His bad boys have no respect for Richt or for the University. There are some fine young men on the team, and this criticism does not apply to everyone. Adams’ tenure is directly linked to Richt’s success on the football field. An ethical president would have addressed these criminal problems years ago, but as long as Richt wins football games, alumni and fat cats in the legislature and on the BOR will tolerate Adams. Another bad year will send both of them packing, which would be the best thing that could happen to the University.
Dr. Doom
September 3rd, 2010
2:26 pm
I predict, the next time there is a player arrest, Jeff will write an article blaming Richt. The future is predetermined.
Dawghater
September 3rd, 2010
2:26 pm
I love all the puppy dawg posts that want to come up with excuse after excuse. Next time your car is broken into make sure you forgive the thief or the UGA player!
Reality
September 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Poor-dogs
September 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Flyin' Dawg
September 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
That is EXACTLY my point JB. At any other school, they would have called CMR and the two kids involved into an office and settled it like men. Apology from AO and then running till you puke for him and his teamates.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Dr. Phil – are other schools not doing the same as CMR? Of course they are they are just better at covering it up. You are an idiot.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
DawginLEX does that mean the samething for uga fans that call Tech fans NERDS?
Dawghater
September 3rd, 2010
2:28 pm
Flying Dawg can’t accept reality. I refuse to enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed person.
TNDAWG
September 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
MR should place a higher value on character when recruiting these athletes. I am a UGA Alum. My son is 6′3″ 220 Junior LB/TE who has a 4.1 GPA and is a leader in the locker room and on the field. He will not get a look from UGA because he runs a 4.8 and not a 4.6. I would rather have the 4.8 kid with a big heart and high character on my team any day.
Idot
September 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
Hey Shultz, the Braves lost last night and the Phillies won.
Isn’t it time to write an article on how sorry someone on the team is, or how dumb the management is?
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
fake P.O.A.D get a new name and be a MAN. Are you too scared to post under the same name all the time?
ryan
September 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
NCJacket i hate to agree you but you might be right i have just had it with UGA my parents are South Carolina alumni i live in Athens i am going to support SC now because i liked what i saw last night .
Dr. Doom
September 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
I predict Jeff will write a negative article about Georgia weekly, for the next 13 weeks in a row.
Gen Neyland
September 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
Confused @ 1224 : Regarding Tennessee in your post (this blog is about UGA arrests, btw) I agree with your tag. You are confused. Try to read something other than initial headlines and derogatory postings on blogs as your main news sources…
Flyin' Dawg
September 3rd, 2010
2:30 pm
What are you talking about. In what way am I not accepting reality?
Jeff
September 3rd, 2010
2:30 pm
Dawghater – you always use this line ” I refuse to enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed person.” and what you really mean is I have no chance of winning the battle so I will just quote this line that I saw in a movie once. Get a new line!
AlwaysAVol
September 3rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Sounds like y’all need to have an Orange out instead of a blackout this year.
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Been posting with this name for years. You stole it from me.
Reality
September 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
NCJacket
September 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
Montez Robinson
http://blogs.onlineathens.com/taxonomy/term/1221
BeefATL72
September 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
5150 P.O.A.D – You realize this environment is anonymous right? I mean you can be anyone you want here, yet you choose to be a crybaby whiner. If that’s what you choose to be when you could be anything, I can’t imagine how horrible you must be in real life. I just guess when life sux you have no choice but to hate life & go around being a hater even when you could be anything. But hey, at least you’re good at something. Even if it is at failing.
THEX
September 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
This is so childish. I have no idea why police are involved. It happened in June. This is September. If you have an item taken and you know who did it, why wouldn’t you take care of it yourself – confront the person! Get your property back yourself! What a wuss!
Chris H
September 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
This coming from a newspaper that loves Tech and hates the Dawgs. I don’t see this as Mark Richt’s fault. The players are old enough to know what they are doing and Richt can’t be a babysitter 24/7. I mean South Carolina, Florida, heck even Tennessee have had arrests the past few seasons that pale in comparison to these and I don’t see you harping on them.
Buck Belue's hairpiece
September 3rd, 2010
2:33 pm
It’s OK bulldawg nation….. we still got a great team and will win the East!
Yep
September 3rd, 2010
2:34 pm
ryan – we heard you the first time and nobody cares that you aren’t going to cheer for UGA cause a couple kids were arrested from UGA. You have been on here posting for hours so apparently you are still concerned with UGA. Why don’t you go post on the Gamecocks board and beat it.
Flyin' Dawg
September 3rd, 2010
2:34 pm
Still waiting dawghater. Please expalin how I don’t accept reality?
Nice response Jeff.
TECHIE
September 3rd, 2010
2:36 pm
Go Tech!!!!!!!!!!
George
September 3rd, 2010
2:38 pm
Schultz sucks. Another veiled Richt on the hotseat article. Jeff, you are on the hotseat.
All posters, let’s start a “fire Jeff Schultz” website. He is on the hotseat!!
3 month time line duh
September 3rd, 2010
2:38 pm
could it be that he didnt know who took the helmet until recently?
oglethief had the helmet in his possession. obviously oglethief was questioned by the cops before the arrested him and he had NO valid answer as to why he had the helmet. if he didnt steal it he got it from somebody and decided to NOT snitch. that is called being involved.
hey jeff thanks loads for your article. the ugag wooosies always close the comments section of their blogs. so we cant comment.
Dawghater
September 3rd, 2010
2:38 pm
When did we get to the point when having a kid on a football field was more important that abiding my societies laws!
Winnebago Brave
September 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
These young men come from different backgrounds. All of them need to grow into being adults. Society throws fame at them long before they are ready to accept the associated responsibilities. Better to face these problems with Coach Richt than anyone else. And if have a problem with that, well, Delta is still ready when you are Shultz.
TheU
September 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
Im not a UGA fan, but I understand how this is seen because I am a Miami fan. Why does anyone not want to see that a fellow athlete is the one pressing charges/filed the complaint. Its not the football program, though they have seen more negative press than other sports, its the athletic program. From DUI’s, to theft, they are stabbing each other in the back. Next, I think there must be a lot of mad GT fans based on the harsh article and the “campus”police that are just out to get UGA. Guess those high dollar engineering degrees dont pay much when you get a column for the AJC or are a rent a cop at a university. Kids make bad choices, some worse than others. Richt is a fine man and coach, not a baby sitter. He cant be with them 24/7, is it his program, yes, but lets actually grasp an understanding. He would meerly just be a fall guy.
Yep
September 3rd, 2010
2:39 pm
ryan – we heard you the first time and nobody cares that you aren’t going to cheer for UGA anymore because a couple kids were arrested. You have been posting this on here for hours. Why are you still on here. Go post on your new team the Gamecocks blog and beat it.
Yikes
September 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
ryan – we heard you the first time and nobody cares that you aren’t going to cheer for UGA anymore because a couple kids were arrested. You have been posting this on here for hours. Why are you still on here. Go post on your new team the Gamecocks blog and beat it. We don’t want you as a fan.
Dawghater
September 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
Jeff – my comments was directed just to you!
92DawgFan
September 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
So Jeff, Richt decides to just recruit only men of “character” and reduces the number of off-fields incidences to zero but UGA’s seasons start going 7-5, 4-8, 3-9. Now we get to read articles by you calling for Richt’s head because he can’t win anymore and how bad the team and recruiting has become. Hypocrisy at its best. So Mr. Shultz what would you do? And remember Richt’s choices will directly affect the teams performance on the field. For me the problem is with how these kids are treated in high school as well as their family environment. Those two things mold and shape these boys long before Richt gets them.
George
September 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
No matter the subject, I refuse to read another article written by Jeff Schultz. I have clicked on the last one. They are all garbage anyway.
Goodbye Jeff.
Dawg H8R
September 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
Enter your comments hereHopefully my comments will make in. Chris H sounds like a dumb ass, why would a UGA controlled
newpaper harp on USC/UF/UT incidents? Like why would a Florida paper talk everyday about the Gamecocks/Volunteers/buttlickers? THEX- if people such as myself had to “take care of it myself”
there would be alot of dead/crippled/maimed young men not playing for UGA!!! It’s best to call the cops! Also, it’s time to get rid of Golden Boy Richt!
Hoss
September 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
Shultz, you are a moron wrapped around an idiot. Go F#@& yourself!
ViningsDAWG
September 3rd, 2010
2:41 pm
This is embarassing. I ahve often wondered oif we do any character checks on these kids. Bascially the first week or two on campus he stole the helmet. What a great start! Send the kid home. Ealy neeeds more than a game. Maybe Rucht needs a game or two.