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
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 3rd, 2010
7:15 pm
This is why CMR is a dumbass and the reason that Florida will dominate you from now until the end of time:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z59Fdco4Yuo
Rob
September 3rd, 2010
7:16 pm
According to the CDC, there were 190,000 alcohol related emergency room visits in 2008 and underage drinkers consume 11% of all alcohol consumed in the country:
http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm
This is a serious problem. It is not just a UGA problem or a University of (fill in the name of your archrival) problem. It is a national problem. It needs serious discussion. The “your school is worse than my school rhetoric” does nothing to address the problem.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 3rd, 2010
7:16 pm
UGA sucks some more…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_cD0CobE2k
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 3rd, 2010
7:18 pm
Some Kirby Smart footage….great stuff….well Alabama drilled you again…enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7mfs0MbEVE
Mike Bobo 17 INT
September 3rd, 2010
7:20 pm
This should get you fired up!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DshXj2MukGU
Andy
September 3rd, 2010
7:22 pm
Lots of stories breaking today, surprised Jeff was focused on the $35 scooter helmet story.
12 guys suspended at UNC.
3 guys suspended form Steve Spurrier.
Boise St. Asst coach DUI.
And AJC thought a $35 scooter helmet was abig deal? Imagine if you were UNC or Boise.
beatdowns galore
September 3rd, 2010
7:23 pm
Yes Sir Mike Bobo 17 int !!!! Those beatdowns will continue while Markie boy and his Boys Home of the South thugs feel the wrath of Urban.
Football Fan
September 3rd, 2010
7:27 pm
Teabag posters: When I was on the UGA campus in the early 90’s the term “teabagging” had a much different meaning. Let’s just say it got you a high five the next day.
Old School
September 3rd, 2010
7:32 pm
@ANDY: Are UNC, Boise State, and USC in your home state of Georgia? Are all of the aforementioned schools and people more newsworthy than what’s going on in Athens and the flagship college of your state? If you were the editor and it was up to you what to lead with on your sports page would it be something about the Dawgs or the Boise State Broncos. Are you more interested in what happened to your star recruit and the fact that he won’t play tomorrow or the fact that multiple players at UNC will not be playing. Come on idiot, get real!!
Fun for the envious
September 3rd, 2010
7:38 pm
Every player UGA recruited was recruiited by dozens of other schools. So, no.1 UGA is not recruiting thugs. No.2, the coaches have hammered the players about this discipline turned PR issue and internal discipline is severe. You don’t let Jeff Schultz or opposing fans tell you how to deal with disclipine issues. You deal with them and move on. Then you beat tek and that always shuts the bugs up.
Abdullah the Bitcher
September 3rd, 2010
7:39 pm
Admitting there’s a problem is the most difficult part, but it is the first step toward resolution.
Saint Simons' Dad
September 3rd, 2010
7:40 pm
Son, stop smokin’ pole down there in the basement and come to the table for dinner.
AL
September 3rd, 2010
7:41 pm
Okay, yes your right. This has happened during Richts watch. There is no denying that. Now that you have established that. Put yourself in Richt’s shoes. Whats your solution? Before you answer kick someone off the team. Heck he has done that before. He has suspended them for a game or games. He has done in house discipline. Still, the problems still happen on all to frequent occasions. I just don’t really see a good answer to this situation. The only thing you can do is continue to dole our punishment as he sees fit. By the way, look at other schools in the SEC, and over the NCAA landscape. Poor behavior is rampant. Not just at UGA, but throughout collegiate sports.
Saint Simons' Dad
September 3rd, 2010
7:43 pm
And tell Mike Bobo 17 INT not to forget his damn whity-tighties down there again. Your mom found two pairs behind the couch.
Disagree
September 3rd, 2010
7:44 pm
I can’t believe this many comments. This just shows Dawg love. How bout them DAWGS!!!!!!
Drake
September 3rd, 2010
7:46 pm
Seriously folks, it’s Friday night.
You’re blogging, for 14 pages.
About a $35 stolen scooter helmet?
What has the AJC blog come to.
jimmymack
September 3rd, 2010
7:47 pm
you are a disgrace to sport’s writers you should be working for the national enquirer . sport’s are our avacation team’s are judged by results not the bs we had to endure to get there.
Shady
September 3rd, 2010
7:48 pm
Something tells me, over 1000 of the posts here in this thread could be the same guy, using a bunch of fake names, is that possible?
It just seems to be 1 guy, blogging to himself all day.
dawgfan
September 3rd, 2010
7:50 pm
There’s nothing more criminal than a Georgia Bulldog.
dublin dawg
September 3rd, 2010
7:52 pm
Still waiting on a response from my first comment Mr. Schultz!
Addie
September 3rd, 2010
7:58 pm
Richt’s a good man
Zoo
September 3rd, 2010
7:59 pm
I don’t see a problem with what Richt did.
Billy Bob
September 3rd, 2010
7:59 pm
To all that believe it’s not a big deal. Do you and your friends steal when it’s convenient? Is your license suspended? Ever suspended? Did/do still drive while suspended?. Hit cars (in front of witnesses)and leave? I didn’t, I don’t and my friends don’t.
Burner
September 3rd, 2010
7:59 pm
Georgia is looking better than UNC, WOW, 12 suspensions, in 1 day!!!!
X Man
September 3rd, 2010
8:00 pm
Dont’ even think about accusing Richt of wrong stuff, when all SEC schools are guilt of same or wrose.
Let them play
September 3rd, 2010
8:00 pm
Let everyone play. If you reporters weren’t soooo nosey, no one would ever know. Let them play, we have a national championship to win.
Casey
September 3rd, 2010
8:00 pm
Everr think that just MAYBE someone else like Ga Tech has problems too?
Let them play
September 3rd, 2010
8:01 pm
Let them play
Yee Haa
September 3rd, 2010
8:01 pm
Looking forward to week 2 when Ogltree and EALEY and King get back. Going to be lots of fun.
Letthemplay
September 3rd, 2010
8:01 pm
Play them all.
Dandy
September 3rd, 2010
8:02 pm
Alas, UGA had a dude steal a $35 object. Far worse crimes have been committed in the name of scooter safety.
The Ghost of Doyle Hargraves
September 3rd, 2010
8:03 pm
Big deal, somebody stole his helmet, and he had to have one to ride his scooter back home, so dude took somebody elses. One hand washes the other. I bet the person he stole it from was rich and can afford another one. It’s called “giving back” to the community these days, whether you want to or not. The achievers in this country better get used to it, cause there’s a lot more where that’s coming from. BOHICA
Willis
September 3rd, 2010
8:03 pm
Richt’s a good coach, who cares what dumb things players do, what’s the point?
Elk Guy
September 3rd, 2010
8:04 pm
Go get some big elk, and all will be good to go. Shoot, stealin’ no 435 hat ain’t too bad. Kid will be fine.
UConn Fan 87'
September 3rd, 2010
8:05 pm
You guys are a bunch of nuts. Goin on about a 18 year old kid taking a scooter hat worth, what, $20 bucks used?
Gangly One
September 3rd, 2010
8:06 pm
Throw it long on Saturday murray and everybody will forget about arrests.
Smith
September 3rd, 2010
8:07 pm
Let’s do some barkin tomorrow boys.
Bark! Bark!
Enough about the $40 scooter hemlet, let’s play some ball.
Fancy Hats
September 3rd, 2010
8:08 pm
I like Coach Richt. I don’t have no problem with nothing he’s doing.
Heath
September 3rd, 2010
8:08 pm
Casey, those school’s problems are Richt’s fault too.
Go Valdosta
September 3rd, 2010
8:09 pm
Yeah, I hear ya. Getting all worked up over a scoote rhelmet are ye? Fo real?
Think about it, a scooter helmet?
Damon Evans
September 3rd, 2010
8:10 pm
Wait just a minute “Good People” I did’nt snatch those Red panties !
Petty
September 3rd, 2010
8:10 pm
It’s all Alice in Wonderland. It’s just a liuttle football game. Let the boys be boys.
Holler
September 3rd, 2010
8:11 pm
Sure, none of you ever stole nothing from nobody right?
Bunch of choir boys?
Yeah, sure you are.
Alicia
September 3rd, 2010
8:11 pm
Let the public flogging of Schultz begin anew. If we can just shut the messenger up maybe the problem will just go away.
That’s typical dawgturd thinking, and that’s why Richt will continue recruiting morons and thugs.
And so UGA will become the perpetual winner of the Fulmer/Richt Cup.
And UGA will continue to be known as The Cesspool of the South.
And by the way, the messengers are not going away.
Richie
September 3rd, 2010
8:12 pm
Richt is right on this one, Jeff is wrong—again.
Bam!
Moose
September 3rd, 2010
8:12 pm
Seems a little silly to be hattin all day bout a little scooter hat.
B. Fordham
September 3rd, 2010
8:16 pm
Bunch of choir boys? Yeah, sure you are.
Hey, dawgtard: we’re talking about 44 arrests in three years. We’re talking about a team of thugs.
Go chew on your red panties for awhile.
Grandmaster P
September 3rd, 2010
8:16 pm
Yo boys ever watch MTV Cribs? Olgletree gonna have a big crib soon. Then he can buy helmets for his whole city.
Richie
September 3rd, 2010
8:17 pm
Richt is right, it ain’t hard to see the light.
Bam!!
Disgusted
September 3rd, 2010
8:17 pm
There is a recurring theme with this program: LACK OF DISCIPLINE! The team lacks it on the field (evident by the number penalties last year) and off of the field (evident by the number of arrests). At some point, CMR has to become Roger Goodell and really dole out some serious suspensions to get the message across. A one game suspension against ULL will not deliver the message, but a 4-6 game suspension will. I want to win as bad as everyone else, but there is a larger obligation to these young men and their fans, and that is doing things the right way. That is what a leader/teacher/coach does. Time for CMR to to break out the heavy stick.