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
Ethan Stewart
September 3rd, 2010
11:35 am
Im glad youre assuming he’s guilty. We dont know if this guy even did this. I guess Mark Richt should put a camera on everyone. Be a little more unrealistic Jeff. Blaming Mark Richt for this is like saying your a good sports columnist…it doesnt make sense.
Flyin' Dawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:36 am
Most Police Depts. in the Country would laugh at issuing a warrant over $35. I have it first hand from more than one cop in more than one jurisdiction. UGA Police have nothing better to do than waste time and try to get the Chief’s name in the paper.
That being said, I am tired of reading this crap. Either Richt needs to lay down the law, or the AJC needs to get off their high horse and stop reporting every tiny thing that happens to UGA as if it were a triple homicide.
BehindEnemyLines
September 3rd, 2010
11:36 am
Simple solution for Saint Richt: stop recruiting the lowest common denominators on such a consistent basis … yeah, like that’s gonna happen.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
September 3rd, 2010
11:36 am
Well, somebody finally said it, even though the words might get them on the s#$t list of the Leeburn Athletic Association. Good for you, Schultz.
To understand CMR, understand his Mentor. Did Bobby Dad-Gummit ever seriously discipline anybody at FSU? The Apple don’t fall far from the tree.
Ted M
September 3rd, 2010
11:36 am
Yes CMR has to tell 19 yr olds not to steal. But this doesn’t sound like its about stealing…what would he want with that helmet anyway. He was likely showing off and being a jerk.
Why?
September 3rd, 2010
11:36 am
Funny that we hear that “other schools just cover it up better”. UGA owns the news in Atlanta.
Bailey
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
it’s $35.
Einsteindawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
No one on this board roots for GA more than I…UGA grad, 42 year season ticket holder and contributor, native Georgian, etc., but the only way to stop this is one and done! A Ga football scholarship is a $38,000 to $42,000 gift, not from the tax payers, but from the ticketholders and supporters. And every recipient should know that it’s a gift, an opportunity to earn a degree not a birthright, and act accordingly. Each player is under the microscope of the fans, students, police, and authorities so any/every misstep is brought to the forefront. I realize that kids will be kids, but 99% of the other students are not provided such a gift. Anyway, just my opinion, and we’ll need both AJ and Alec and Washan to beat the Gamecocks…looks like Garcia has finally matured.
Sam
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
Are we sure he stole it or did he pick it up by accident? If it is the former, then there is something about the culture or the kids that needs to be addressed.
TommyJack
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
To “Who Cares” at 11:17
Worst post of the day, pal. Can you say Fulmer Cup?? Hmmmm?
Dawgtards ruin this state
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
just plain stooopid
WDE
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
How can you guys say it is suspicious that they issued the arrest warrant the day before the game? If anything, I promise you they wish they didn’t have to do it today. You know how much heat they’ll feel from fans like you? If you really think A-CC has sheriffs out to get you that bad, then you are very sad indeed. They issued it today because the investigation mandated they should. Imagine if they issued it after the game, when the kid plays, and have to explain that they weren’t holding off so he could play.
mike
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
Since when did the University of Maimi open a satelitte campus in Athens, GA?
Details wanted...
September 3rd, 2010
11:37 am
Jeff, how about detailing what you would do…and don’t generalize. Suspend them, how long? Removal from the program, firing squad?
Bailey
September 3rd, 2010
11:38 am
Jeff,
If you’re right, Richt will be fired today.
If you’re wrong, he will not be.
GTFan
September 3rd, 2010
11:38 am
Even though I am a huge jacket fan, I think it’s stupid to issue a warrant over a $35 helmet. I mean come on really?
Chris
September 3rd, 2010
11:38 am
Well said onecreditshort,
We all work with or know lots of people who complain and point fingers without offering up a solution. It’s easy to place blame but rarely does anyone (including Jeff here) offer a solution.
You suggest recruiting kids who will represent the university better?
Please. If he wants to win big time like the FL and AL’s, he has to recruit kids who aren’t necessarily graduates of Christian Academies. Alec Ogletree was the number one ranked player in the state. Winning ball games will keep him his job. It wasn’t but four years ago that St. Joe Paterno’s kids lead the off season arrest blog. It goes on everywhere.
So what to do, suspend the kid for the whole year to really send a message? And every other kid like Ealey and go 8-5 again? Then he’s sure to lose his job.
Dawg Fan
September 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
You’re kidding yourself if you don’t think this is an enforcement problem as much as a Richt problem. Look at what we’re talking about. They have an axe to grind and they will stop at nothing to accomplish their goal.
There is no way that UGA is the only school with behavioral or criminal issues. We do, however, seem to have a direct link from the arrest reports to the headlines of this dumbass rag.
This is a non-story.
Devildog
September 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
They ALWAYS throw out that excuse–”Well, he’s a young guy. . . ” And they’re right. And young guys do stupid things. We did stupid things in the Marines when I was 18-19. When we were caught they threw us in the brig for a month. They returned to duty and didn’t screw up anymore because they didn’t want to go back to that place. Too bad there’s no Camp Fuji Brig in Athens.
Vixzilla
September 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
Let’s get the details before we hang the kid out to dry. Yes, arrests are rediculous. However, so is the media with this crap. What’s next?? “AJ Green stole my pencil”???
GeezusDawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
If we are going to keep getting arrested like Florida State, at least win a title like them….
morris
September 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
at some point journalist need to understand we are talking about 18 to 20 year olds. this not pac man jones, mike jones, or any other MAN/ADULT, but kids. this the time when they should make some mistakes, some bad judgements, thats builds experience and character. is the number of arrest disturbing, yes, but also understand we are talking about kids coming into adulthood. schultz sound like roger goodell, take a deep breath, those who dont learn from their bad decision will be released. take a deep breath MR. SCHULTZ
TrueDawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
For all you idiots (and there are a lot of you out there) who have said on this blog that Mark R. could stop the kids from doing this, please explain to me how you stop someone do something wrong. If you could, there would be no need for the Police, Courts or Prision. The simple fact is that all 3 of these exist because people will break the law. Always have and always will. Our system is one of punishment, not prevention.
The best anyone can do is set the expectations that if you get in trouble, you will be punished.
The other issue and where Jeff is wrong is that you can’t punish one person more just because he was the 9th person to do something wrong. Given Jeff’s logic, if you were the 30th person who got a DUI, you could get a harsher punishment that the first person.
Jeff, could you imagine what would happen of Richt punished one guy different than another just because he was the one that pushed the majic number over your self created quota. You could easily be facing a lawsuit.
Steele
September 3rd, 2010
11:39 am
Do journalists steal ideas from other writers, and not give them credit? Is that any different, from an ethical standpoint than what Ogletree, allegedly did? I think not.
DDPO
September 3rd, 2010
11:40 am
LOOK AT THE RED PANTIES FALLING FROM THE SKY!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz: Still Not a Journalist
September 3rd, 2010
11:40 am
This is so bloody simple, Schultz, I almost can’t believe you’d miss it. (Actually, as I’m accustomed your wayward journalistic insights, it’s pretty easy to believe you’d miss it.) Minor infractions/arrests/etc. don’t mean a darn thing if YOU WIN FOOTBALL GAMES. What would I (as a Georgia fan) say if this was Saban or Meyer? I’d say, “That program’s out of control! (But I’d gladly switch places with them for a national title.)” Winning absolves a helluva lot. Particularly $35 theft cases. Do such cases deserve punishment? Of course. Do they deserve a regime change? Not if that regime finds ways to win. Indeed, I think Richt takes more heat for the arrest issues the past few years because he hasn’t been winning enough (for fans, sports writers, etc.)
BTW, I assume the drunk-while-groping charge you threw in was a Damon Evans reference. How Mark Richt is involved/responsible for that is beyond me. Cripes, Schultz, at least try to be reasonable.
hotbobby
September 3rd, 2010
11:40 am
This is a disgrace. I don’t see how any selfrespecting dawg fan can continue to put up with this embarassment. Richt continues to turn his face to this ongoing problem, with little slap on th wrists. Meanwhile, we are the laughing stock of the COUNTRY! He was trained be the biggest crEMINOLE of all, and it shows. I am about to cut off my donations and my tickets, if I don’t see this problem addressed.
willy
September 3rd, 2010
11:40 am
Wow. That was actually good
Mitch (the one in Rome)
September 3rd, 2010
11:40 am
How is it Richt’s fault if the guilty one does not learn from the discipline? That makes zero rational sense.
You can’t blame Richt for failing to punish. You can’t blame him for another’s failure to assimilate consequences from poor behavior.
I would understand that if he did not punish, but he does.
I love to read you Jeff, but in this case you are wrong.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
September 3rd, 2010
11:40 am
how much time, effort & $$ is the Athens PD wasting over this incident? how comes no one talks about UNC suspending 16 players for their 1st game???
Einsteindawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:41 am
One and done and loss of your scholarship is the only way to stop this cr@p! A football scholarship is a $40,000+ gift and opportunity, not a birthright, and the players should certainly know and respect this.
Jeff Schultz
September 3rd, 2010
11:41 am
SouthGaDawg — I planned to take today off, if that makes you feel any better. I didn’t plan to write any “inflammatory piece” until news of the warrant broke.
dobearsbare
September 3rd, 2010
11:41 am
It will be the off-field issues that land Richt on the hot seat. Which is wildly incongruent, because by most accounts he is an honorable man.
James
September 3rd, 2010
11:41 am
I am not convinced Jeff believes in free will.
Even at the Quantum level, the path of atoms cannot be predicted. There’s uncertainty.
It’s not very scientific to go against Quantum physics.
Smoke
September 3rd, 2010
11:41 am
Anyone else see another UGA punk in action last night? Dannell Ellerbe had a pick 6 for Baltimore and showboated his way to the endzone, in a preseason game. He got reamed by his head coach. Good luck making the team punk.
Objective Observer
September 3rd, 2010
11:41 am
Has A-CCPD ever incarcerated the officers involved in kidnapping Jordan Love?
gdawginkalamazoo
September 3rd, 2010
11:42 am
I agree Jeff. I think the way to handle this is to fine the coach. Make it $10,000 or $20,000 PER arrest. I bet he hammers home the fact that the kids need to stay out of trouble when it starts affecting his pocketbook.
Jeff Schultz
September 3rd, 2010
11:42 am
Chris — Don’t know the details but allegedly he was just found in possession of the helmet.
fast willie
September 3rd, 2010
11:42 am
UGA team arrest problems are not about discipline but character and responsibility. If you’re going to recruit and play the athlete and he didn’t learn this at home its your responsibility to teach him the rules of the game of life as well as football rules.
Forever Dawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:42 am
It’s not that it’s just a $35.00 helmet. It’s the principle. Georgia recruits another from the hood and look what you get. I love UGA but for crying out loud, can’t we recruit some decent people. We might beat Tech every year, but we do it with hoodlums. I would rather loose sometime than put up with this crap. We are the laughing stock of college football.
Jeff Schultz
September 3rd, 2010
11:42 am
Thanks, OldFan.
dawgfacedboy
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
Dawg88- love it! JS doesn’t know what a “gasser” is. He thinks it is someone who farts alot!! As Richt is at home asleep in his bed how is he to be held responsible for what these knuckleheads do???? Our society is built on 2nd chances. Hell some people get 3,4, or even 5 chances. If the kids stole something out of the school store then suspend his butt for a game or two and run the hell out of him.
Is he supposed to boot the kid from the team on his first offense?? There are degrees of crimes just as their are degrees in punishment. If the kid was convicted of drugs, rape, etc. then yeah kick his butt of the team. He shoplifted folks lets not crucify him or CMR for it.
Jeff Schultz
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
Thanks, Rich T.
hotbobby
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
The bad thing is, when the poor soul who turned him in is found out, they will tar and feather him out of town.
dawg house
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
Man this is sad because Athens police has it out for football players because there to focus on arresting football player they dont see nothing else. Every other school has problems but only georgia choose to humiliate there players and its doesnt have nothing to do with coaching because all other University look out for there students but georgia administration leave them out to dry and they think there teaching them a lesson but you are Embarrassing University and these kids
Truth shall prevail
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
How can you keep blaming CMR? It is the parents responsibliity to raise the kids and tell them what is right or wrong before going to college. Also, the parents can only do so much while their child is at school. Blame it on the players!!! They need to grow up or go home!!!
Jeff Schultz
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
Ed — What would you suggest? I’m always up for story ideas.
laces out
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
So let’s get this straight Jeff, Chip Towers talks about how recruiting is bad because we aren’t getting these players or we need these players. Then when UGA gets them, it’s Mark Richt’s fault they can’t behave. A lot of these players misbehaved in high school and it was covered up. Wait til the 2011 class gets there, if you want to see some arrests. In the meantime, people will pile on Richt if he doesn’t recruit these thugs for 2011.
Hartdawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
I am sick of the thugs that are ruining the image of our university. I would love to enjoy the season and not have to worry about who is the next kid to be arrested. Some serious measures need to be taken and soon. I am embarassed to be a dawg fan.
Richt Supporter
September 3rd, 2010
11:44 am
Huge Richt supporter but I agree. You say only 9 this year, think about the last 3 or 4 years. There have been way to many arrest. This has got to start falling back on Richt.