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.
♦
Have you entered the “Sack Schultz” contest yet? You can win tickets to the Georgia-Georgia Tech game and an HDTV. CLICK HERE for details.
♦
Last 3 posts . . .
♦ If NCAA has any question, Dogs should sit Green to be safe
♦ Weekend Predictions: Dogs, Jackets open with wins
♦ Braves could lose Fredi Gonzalez to Cubs if they don’t hurry
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,737 comments Add your comment
chuck
September 3rd, 2010
5:41 pm
I’m a long long time season ticket holder and alumni. I’ve been saying this for years and I will repeat it one more time. CMR better find himself a hell fire and brim storm couple of coordinators that the kids are scared of or he will be ex CMR. This is past being ridiculous.
The boys have no fear of the coaches. I guarantee you that 2/3 of these incidents wouldn’t happen with a more intimidating or stern head coach. If CMR can’t be that guy then he better wise up and find some coaches to fill that role. If I was a parent with a stud son, I would try to steer my son to a school where I thought he would get some leadership and discipline so as to stay out of trouble.
CMR needs to go at the end of the season.
supa
September 3rd, 2010
5:45 pm
Unfortunately, Jeff, you are right. Players perceive Richt as a push-over, and they’ll continue to get into trouble if he continues his form of “discipline”. I love UGA but this is getting out of hand.
Bend over CPJ
September 3rd, 2010
5:45 pm
Scuse me while I whip this out.
Bug Zapper
September 3rd, 2010
5:46 pm
I do’nt believe for a minute that this is just a CMR problem and that it all falls on his back…..but then again, I’m not sure what the problem is….It wasnt too long ago that our new AD couldnt believe how many bars are in A town now…the night life could be a good thing but a bad thing as well…I also am puzzled at the fact that the kids do’nt seem to have prior records before arriving in Athens but they suddenly turn convict once getting there…..There are 85 players and does the arrest rate equal out amongst the rest of the population or are only athletes being targeted?…But then again we live in the media capitol of the south and if one of our guys gets in trouble the rest of the country finds out instantly…..not the case in smaller towns without the coverage…..not making excuses by no means and am sick of this!….just wondering whats happening up there….I do believe CMR does everything he can to instill moral values in everyone of his players but the message is’nt getting accross
DICK TRACY
September 3rd, 2010
5:47 pm
An old douche bag chief I used to work for, previously worked for the campus police at GA and he carried a deep seated hatred against the uga football team. I never knew what the history was on that, but he was a seriously flawed troubled human being. I guess thats why he’s now a chief of police!
Nick Saban
September 3rd, 2010
5:47 pm
No arrests over here in over a year. I feel for ya mark. I really do. Clean your program up son.
Comments are Open
September 3rd, 2010
5:47 pm
`
UGA Campus Police Chief Jimmy Williamson
sure does get a lot of coverage in the Sports Section.
Excuse maker
September 3rd, 2010
5:48 pm
Dick Tracy- Insert excuse here.
mullking
September 3rd, 2010
5:49 pm
As a vol fan , I’m ashamed of some of the goings on in Knoxville with our athletes over the last several years. With that being said, I have always had a lot of respect for Coach Richt and the Georgia program.Still do. This will not change my opinion.
Excuse maker
September 3rd, 2010
5:49 pm
Dick Tracy- Boy yall just found a whole new excuse and scapegoat
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
5:49 pm
TECHGUY you only wish your Tech degree will get you what I HAVE. Are you going to be at the TECH game this weekend? I will be there. Dad and I don’t miss home games for sure. If you want to meet me in person please get back to me. We can work it out. I tell you what call The Varsity and have Gordon Muir or Nancy Gordy set the meeting! Well, that way we will have no problems.
dawgster
September 3rd, 2010
5:49 pm
Hey59bulldog…I understand you being upset….and know you don’t care what the other programs are doing….i think people are just trying to point our that it is not just the dawgs…So lets hear what you would do, if you were head Coach of these young men on a major college football team and where the coach is expected to recruit players that, remember everyone else wants them too, and he is expected to win championships and how dare he have a 8-5 season..So tell us what do you do with the players when they get out of line..Are all punishments the same?…0 tolerance rule…Give us some perspective on exactley your plan if you were the head coach…I have been there as a coach and player and know that when dealing with young people, they will at times let you down, but you don’t quit on them or bash them as some on here do..I didn’t say you were doing that, but i read all these posts on here that say Coach Richt has no control..Well what about the majority of these young men, 100-125 in the system, counting scout team, walk-ons, that are doing it th right way and who do what Coach Richt asks…These kids have and will make stupid mistakes and they should have to pay consequences with the team and law as needed, but do you not think that the Coaching staff nor the AD, and school have not addressed these issues…there are no simple answers…Unless you are one of them that believe a player should be kicked off immediately regardless of infraction…
Nick Saban
September 3rd, 2010
5:50 pm
All we do is have our kids break NCAA rules and get suspended over here!
Athens, Georgia
September 3rd, 2010
5:50 pm
.
————————————
Joshua Nesbitt for Heisman
————————————
.
Darma!d
September 3rd, 2010
5:51 pm
I still want my nasty red panties back,unless the players arrested are sharing them in Jail. Maybe, we should call UGA the “Jailyard Dawgs” What a joke of a program, team, coaches, academics, and city. GT may not sellout their games, but would rather be a jacket than a Jailyard Dawg. Great job UGA! Way to set that example for all the incoming freshman. THWG! Go Jailyard dawgs. Sickem woof woof woof MEOW!
Paul in RDU
September 3rd, 2010
5:51 pm
Beast – You guys bought a Bissell? I would have thought with all the money in your program you would have bought a Dyson
Evans:
September 3rd, 2010
5:51 pm
I am sorry that I did what I did. It won’t happen again. If you drink and drive you lose, so remember, I am a loser just like UGA!
Ogletree:
September 3rd, 2010
5:52 pm
It was only a $35.00 Scooter helmet. I was trying to just get home safe. Can you please let me off? After all, I do attend the almighty UGA.
59bulldawg
September 3rd, 2010
5:53 pm
Go easy on him P.O.A.D. He strikes me as the type of fellow whose mouth writes checks his body can’t cash. Either that or he’s a kid. He’s not worth getting yourself worked up about!
Mettlenberger:
September 3rd, 2010
5:53 pm
I am with you Ogletree, I am a loser too.
4 Jacks
September 3rd, 2010
5:53 pm
UGA the “university” is a joke to everyone outside the Georgia state borders. I travel in my work to 32 states a year and beleive me the perception of UGA is a joke of a university and they and their supporters care about nothing at all except what happens on Saturday afternoon during football season. Tell me, why should they change their perception? UGA does nothing to remove such a perception and their whole self worth is derived from their football team and final record of said football team. Mark, you are right in the Richt is the “leader” of this hallowed perception as one game suspensions against the sisters of the poor certainly have not had any positive effect to clean up this problem. However, I only blame Richt for recruiting these type people, as this is the problem. When you recruit without regard to character just atheletic ability this is what you get. There is where the rub is. Richt is a good coach, not a great coach. Without top 10 recruiting classes 4 out of every 5 years he will be proven to be a average to maybe average plus 1 coach. One that cannot win it all as evident by the past 10 years. UGA the “university” is an embarrassment to all Georgians that do not hang their whole lives and self worth on a football team that plays 12 or 13 games a year. In other words, the rest of the countries perception about Georgia is justified thanks to the “educated” masses form dear old UGA, that only demand that their football team be in the top 10 every year, not that their people and players somewhat behave. I say give him the one game suspension, it will work wonders to clean things up. lol…
The Red Panties are falling from the sky!
September 3rd, 2010
5:53 pm
LMFAO! You guys are a joke and you can’t take responsibility for it, so you rip into anyone that tries to make you accountable. Richt is a sorry coach – no player control on or off the field, no idea of time management during a game (so bad that he had to hire someone else to do it), no idea of how to recruit guys that won’t put him in the same situation again, and no clue regarding making adjustments at half time; but I do hope you puppies give him a lifetime contract, he is good for a lot of laughs!
Ealey:
September 3rd, 2010
5:54 pm
Ogletree and Mettlenberger: I am a loser too.
TechGuy!
September 3rd, 2010
5:55 pm
5150 P.O.A.D – I would rather not be tag teamed by you and your Dad but thanks for the invite.
I have a problem with you
September 3rd, 2010
5:56 pm
I have a problem with any one who is trying to get someone else to lose their job. Coach Richt has been successful at Georgia and you for the last year have writing articles that suggest he should get fired. I know that it is your job to get people riled up but the media does play a role on people’s perception on things. Coach Richt works with young people and he knows that they are going to make mistakes. If you work with kids you too might realize this and try to be pro-active in helping learn the importance of doing what is right. You have a great forum to do it. Our society needs men like Mark Richt and less media types like you.
Richty Richty
September 3rd, 2010
5:56 pm
It’s not my responsibility. After all, they are over 18 and adults. what they do, is their business. All I care about is winning and that’s that.
TechGuy!
September 3rd, 2010
5:57 pm
59bulldawg – So I see you have seen the movie Top Gun! One of my favorites.
4 Jacks
September 3rd, 2010
5:58 pm
BTW I am embarrassed of my team. And envy the Dawgs.
tears tears tears & panties
September 3rd, 2010
5:59 pm
Tears and panties are falling from the sky. Oh my, its tears and panties……………..red nasty ones…………………red nasty panties and tears. Thank you UGA for setting such an awesome example to the State of Georgia. You should be commended for a job well done. Good luck beating the Ragin Cajins. I hear they are loaded and all are wearing red panties. This should be a tough game. I think you should let Ogletree play in the Scooter helmet. LMFAO! JOKE OF A SCHOOL!
Spurrier!
September 3rd, 2010
6:00 pm
Great job UGA!
tears tears tears & panties
September 3rd, 2010
6:00 pm
I wish Tech could beat UGA
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
6:03 pm
82Dawg @4:05 I would show the kid the door no matter who he is. Is that to hard to understand. Please read John Woodens book. No school needs the players more than the players need the school. WHO is the last High School Football player that went to the NFL? I think high school player need the Colleges more than the Colleges need high school players for sure. Blount and Masloi are great examples of how bad the NCAA and colleges kiss players butts. N Claret(?) who the F cares. Masoli again who the F cares. RICHT who the F cares? They are just one more N…. or White full of Sh…. coaches. I could walk through UGA and get a degree and never read more than 400 pages of a book in most degree tracts.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 3rd, 2010
6:05 pm
Ok?
You are a redneck idiot. Go back to Clarke county and drill your sister.
Joe Hamilton
September 3rd, 2010
6:06 pm
Hey guys, I am a bigger loser and hypocrite than all you put together
I have a problem with you
September 3rd, 2010
6:07 pm
Boycott blog. UGA fans. Let him and his techies have fun.
gatorz
September 3rd, 2010
6:11 pm
…..disgrace to the SEC
What A Joke !
September 3rd, 2010
6:12 pm
Watched Saban conduct a practice last night on ESPN and he really gets it done. Just watched Mark Richt mic’ed up at practice on georgiadogs.com and its really a joke.
Crazy
September 3rd, 2010
6:12 pm
And to think I actually pull for a team that 1 in 10 have been arrested just since March!!! How many of our players are misbehaving and simply have not been caught???? It really hurts my loyalty to know that I am living and dying to watch them win but to realize these are truly bad folks. Please, Please, Please quit recruiting these idiots. Revoke the scholly of Christian LeMay for starters. He has already had a sex scandal that got him kicked out of high school and we expect him to arrive in January!!! Get rid of him now!! We do not need to be supporting a bunch of crooks.
clickdawg
September 3rd, 2010
6:13 pm
onecreditshoet, what you just said makes absolutely no sense, Didn’t take much thought for that one, that goes for every, and i mean everything we do in life a_ _le, and stop hating on the prez cause he’s black. You’re a real dumba_s. Remember when you do that 90% of these players or what ever players you pull for are the same race, geeze.
Vince Dooley
September 3rd, 2010
6:13 pm
I am so disappointed in my selection of Mark Richt and the total detoriation of this program. It is a disgrace to the university and to the state of Georgia.
I am so sorry….
Vince Dooley
September 3rd, 2010
6:15 pm
What A Joke !
Saban kicks ass….CMR is walking around like he is modeling for a magazine. CMR go the job because UGA was desperate after Donnan. Other programs had better seach committees, UGA was too busy worrying about gymnastics.
UGA sucks, plain and simple.
Jesus had a Judas
September 3rd, 2010
6:15 pm
Hey Jeff,
Even Jesus had 1 bad apple out of 12 go bad (Judas Iscariot).
Didin’t reflect on Jesus’ leadership or on Jesus’ character (Jesus now has billions of followers).
That’s a 92% success rate for Jesus.
Richt’s only had 7 guys out of 220 do really bad stuff.
That’s a 97% success rate.
Just saying.
Money Saver
September 3rd, 2010
6:16 pm
I heard the new AD has suggested to Richt that he start holding some practices down at the Clarke County jail yard, to save some cash and travel time since usually 3-4 players are in lockup on any one day. Sounds reasonable. That new AD is thinking ahead.
polskidawg
September 3rd, 2010
6:17 pm
Sorry guys – I’m with 59bulldawg.
Mark learned from the best – Bobby Bowden. Difference is that this isn’t 1975 – 1995, where everything was kept relatively quiet (i.e. no internet). Note the word relatively.
This issue has been part of the program since Mark was hired, and will not leave until he leaves – and I’m not suggesting he should leave. Mark is Mark. His definition of discipline is not likely to change.
Now, some of you will ask for suggestions, those that Mark will not read or apply, but to make you guys happy:
1. ANY arrest = 3 games
2. ANY second arrest = 6 games
3. ANY third arrest = adios
4. ANY felony arrest (not conviction) = suspended until charges dropped (if dropped)
5. ANY felony conviction or plea = adios
That’s a start for AD polskidawg
5150 P.O.A.D
September 3rd, 2010
6:17 pm
I am headed to Athens for an early weekend party. Guys meet at Brumby Hall and we will go the the top 2 floors. Those floors have been called the S.L.U. T DECK since 1989. More guys land on drunk naked chicks there than Navy and Marine pilots land on aircraft carriers.
59bulldawg
September 3rd, 2010
6:17 pm
@Dawgster. It’s true I’ve never been a head coach. 30 years ago I was a high school teacher and assistant football coach. However I don’t think that gives me any added insight either way. You’re right this is a tougher problem than many may think. But it is not a problem that can’t be corrected. And all you have to do is look at other programs. What do they do? True other programs have problems as well but many don’t have anywhere near the level of incidents that we have in Athens year in and year out. Quite a few have strong programs and few if any problems. I’m not a Saban fan but after a rocky start, he now has that program in hand. What are those coaches doing right that Richt isn’t? I’d like to know myself. All I have ever said is that it is ironic that Richt, well known as he is for his moral character, doesn’t seem to be able to get through to his charges. Personally I don’t think he has an effective pro-active program that communicates his expectations well enough before problems occur. The message, in my opinion, needs to be that any distraction caused by any incident is a bad thing. Perhaps he does need to get his seniors to step up and provide more peer pressure to do the right things. But I also think perhaps we need to make better decisions on some of the players we bring to Athens. You yourself know how close we came to bringing Da’Rick to Athens. Now in retrospect, which I understand a coach doesn’t always have, how crazy would that have been. Coaches go to clinics all the time to learn about offense and defense. Perhaps Richt needs to go somewhere and learn how strong programs with few incidents run things. In short I really don’t know because I’m not privy to everything that Richt is currently doing. I just know that whatever it is isn’t working. But just because I don’t have the answer doesn’t mean there isn’t an answer to be found. Richt needs to tighten up his program and it doesn’t necessarily take another coach to figure that out.
jeff hates CMR
September 3rd, 2010
6:18 pm
So the arrests fall on CMR, and not the kid or the parents of the kid. Thanks for the clarification.
Now I know you are a CMR hater and an idiot. Wasn’t sure about the first until now.
Doesn’t the really just reflect the “student-athlete” coming out of the GA public school system. Why is anyone surprised. This crap is on the news every day, and somehow these guys are supposed to be different when they are part of a gang banging/biotch banging culture.
Chickasaw
September 3rd, 2010
6:18 pm
Jeff: I’m not your biggest fan, because I don’t appreciate your frequent attempts at quasi-ironic humor. But here, you are right. You can lump me in with other long time donor-alums who have had it with the “stupid behavior” record under Richt. As others here have said, the behavior of non-UGA athletes is not the issue–that’s somebody else’s problem. We UGA alums cannot deny the overwhelming evidence of a persistent problem. Anyone who thinks it’s not embarrassing doesn’t travel much outside of Georgia and doesn’t fully appreciate how important reputation is for a flagship state university. I’ve always been proud of my alma mater and the great town of Athens, and should be even prouder given UGA’s increased academic standing. Instead, I’ve become reluctant to mention it because the listener may immediately bring up player discipline problems. I’ve been a big Richt fan, and really hate to say it, but another off season like this, and he should be gone.
Then McGarrity said to Richt
September 3rd, 2010
6:19 pm
Do you remember the song “Waterloo” by the group named ABBA ?
gatorz is a dum A$$
September 3rd, 2010
6:19 pm
gatorz
September 3rd, 2010
6:11 pm
…..disgrace to the SEC
But it’s not like he made a porno tape while on the team…give him a break.