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
Greg
September 3rd, 2010
11:24 pm
Kind of funny, Richt’s won 77% of his games (3rd nest in NCAA), and had 7 serious player issues out of 220 players. 213 positive stories.
And Jeff can’t find anything positive to write about Mark Richt.
dawgster
September 3rd, 2010
11:24 pm
Hey TampaGator…using your same logic since you know so much about Mr. Olgetree and state he has probably been doing this all his life…then i guess we can use the smae logic regarding Mr. Spikes of the famous eye-poking incident…he probably has done that his whole life and just happen to get caught on tape…You nor i know what his previous behavior has been, and i’m definately not excusing, but your logic that he probably has always done that is a stereotype and you know it…
Thumper
September 3rd, 2010
11:24 pm
Vance Dulley…..I was going to respond to your drivel………but you’re not worth it. Whatta ya say we just drop the silliness and get ready for some football tomorrow? Are you ready? Are ya pumped? Or do you just want to focus on how you can change the world? It’s your dime man.
Dog Fan 88
September 3rd, 2010
11:26 pm
Negative articles like this one are what make Richt so great. That’s why he bounces back like 200 & 2007. The criticism just makes him turn out a top 3 year. Thanks so much Jeff for all the hundreds of negative Richt articles over the years.
dawgfan0711
September 3rd, 2010
11:27 pm
Jeff Shultz—Please explain how the h*ll are you holding CMR responsable for this? You say he is picking to many of the wrong players??? I beilieve Alec Olgletree was being recruited by every other school in the country as were most of the other players that have been in trouble. I’ve been a UGA fan for 30 years and i’m tired of the players being arrested and would love to see the problem fixed but i will not sit here and blame CMR for the problem. Richt does punish the players, and i recall reading a article on AJC about Meyer not suspending two freshman players that just got in trouble. So don’t blame Richt, blame there parents or the players themselves. I do belive that Athens police are targeting the UGA football players. Let’s be honest how many under age kids are drinking every night in Athens, Gainsville, Columbia, Baton Rouge, Auburn……….? The top programs are recruiting the same kids every single year, Olgletree could have went to Alabama and did the same thing but probably would have been handled without an arrest. If he did indeed steal a Helmet than that is wrong but he didn’t beat the hell out of somebody like the Tennesee players that will be playing tomorrow without being suspended. Richt can only punish the players and talk to them about making better decisions. I guess you could fix the problem, call the new AD he may need someone and if you can fix it, there is a good chance to make a little money. Don’t write trash articles and try to trash Richt as someone who is allowing them to do this in someway and not doing everything in his power to stop it. CMR is a good coach and has to just keeping punishing the guys until the players police each other a little bit. He can’t be around 85-100 kids 24 hrs a day, come on Jeff!!!
Jack P
September 3rd, 2010
11:27 pm
UGA has installed a jail cell at Sanford Stadium just in case.
Jack
September 3rd, 2010
11:29 pm
For those of you that, like me, prefer to read articles written by non-sensationalism journalist, here’s a good one.
It breaks down how Richt’s had under 40 arrests, 33 were not serious, stuff like stealing a $35 scooter helmet.
7 over 3 years were serious. Nice to see what a rational piece looks like:
http://dawg-extra.blogspot.com/2010/04/whos-to-blame-for-off-field-issues.html
Lanier Dawg
September 3rd, 2010
11:30 pm
What do you know, another douche-baggery hit piece by the King blogger Douce-Bag himself Jeff Schultz. Right Jeff, hope your record is as clean as a whistle or else it will show your hypocrisy. Now run-along because I think your boyfriends are waiting for you at Dragon Con.
Dee
September 3rd, 2010
11:34 pm
Hi Jeff,
you seem to think stealing the $35 scooter helmet is a huge deal.
Do you know, did the UGA board agree with your points, was Richt fired today?
Or is he still employed?
Did you overeact again?
Moss
September 3rd, 2010
11:36 pm
Hi Jeff,
Can you please supply the proof that 100% of the blame for Ogletree’s alleged theft of the $35 scooter helmet falls on Mark Richt?
Where’s the evidence?
Russell
September 3rd, 2010
11:38 pm
Jeff,
You like questions. What’s your reasoning on how Richt is personally responsible for the actions of his 18 year old football players and how is that any different that how you are solely responsible for the decline in readership of the AJC?
Heath
September 3rd, 2010
11:41 pm
UGA doesn’t buy off the local police like so many other “good” schools do. It’s one of the few schools where you ARE held accountable for your actions.
Red
September 3rd, 2010
11:42 pm
Jeff:
Is it true the AJC is losing $1 million a week, and declined form 500 journalist to 200 so far?
http://clatl.com/atlanta/shakeup-at-the-ajc/Content?oid=1279510
Red
September 3rd, 2010
11:44 pm
I owuld submit that yellow journalism sensationalistic articles, like this one, where writers take the side of a monirity 15% out of touch with readers, are reasons for decline. Readers expect articles to somewhat mirror their own preferences. When writers are this out of touch, you have to wonder how any newspaper survives.
Red
September 3rd, 2010
11:47 pm
I’ve got to admit, I’ve never seen a publication mroe out of touch with it’s readership than the AJC. This article has got to be the prime example of that. 85% feel the players bear responsibility for their actions, and Jeff continues to pound weekly on his odd contrarian view thats out of sync and out of touch with his readership. And we wonder why newspapers are losing money hand over fist.
Jerry
September 3rd, 2010
11:50 pm
The board over at UGA obviously puts 0 value in any opion of Jeff or Mark at the AJC. Despite hundreds of negative articles about Mark Richt, Richt still keeps his job. The board perhaps thinks the AJC is guilty of sensationalism, trying to save a flagging newspaper, on the brink of disaster.
FrankTheFalcon
September 3rd, 2010
11:52 pm
This just in! Jeff finally admits that he is shacking up with Saint Simons, and yes, they are both gay!
Heath
September 3rd, 2010
11:52 pm
Wow, heck of a story, Red. After reading it, it does make sense. It seems like so many blog posts are there only to generate endless bickering. This explains a lot.
DAWGS DON'T GET IT
September 3rd, 2010
11:57 pm
HEY IDIOTS—-YES THE OTHER SCHOOLS RECRUITED THOSE PLAYERS AND THEY HAVE SOME OF THE SAME TYPE PLAYERS——
THEY JUST HAVE BETTER COACHES WHO DO NOT PUT WITH THE CRAP THAT CMR DOES.
HOW LONG BEFORE YOU GET IT THAT THESE ARRESTS ARE THE SAME AS LEADING THE WORLD IN PENALTIES——WE WILL NEVER WIN A NC WITH CMR—–
WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE BET ME THIS?
I WILL MEET YOU AND A MUTUAL 3RD PARTY IN ATHENS TOMORROW AND WE WILL BET $1000 ON IT.
PUT UP OR SHUT UP—-I’LL GIVE 5 YEARS OR UNTIL WE FINALLY FIRE HIS SORRY UNDISCIPLINED A$$.
COME ON —PUT UP OR SHUT UP.
Red
September 3rd, 2010
11:58 pm
Heath,
Yeah, it’s bleak for the newspaper industry. AJC is down 25% in circulation.
Their writers simply do not know what readers want to read.
http://www.ajc.com/business/newspaper-circulation-continues-to-494503.html
FrankTheFalcon
September 3rd, 2010
11:59 pm
Jeff is an outstanding athlete! He is always JUMPING to conclusions, STRETCHING the point, RUNNING off at the mouth, and SCORING with his male lover! He is OUTSTANDING IN HIS FIELD, just like a farmer!
Red
September 4th, 2010
12:00 am
Not smart to tell someone their baby is ugly.
Heath
September 4th, 2010
12:00 am
Dawgs Don’t Get It typed in all caps, that lets you know he means business, pal.
billcanoe
September 4th, 2010
12:00 am
The problem is Richt’s definition of “discipline”. He never gives a kid enough of a punishment to get his attention. If he suspended him for 3 or 4 games, it would get his attention and end this nonsense, but Richt doesn’t have the guts to do that.
Gen Neyland
September 4th, 2010
12:00 am
Well, another day’s done at Brak-o, but we don’t go home until the last post is posted. The real winner here is Mama Cox and Schultzy. The real loser is the stupid kid that had the world by the gonads and a good life in front of him…Now, it’s ” Supersize those fries, boy.” Good luck to all tomorrow…
Gen Neyland
September 4th, 2010
12:03 am
Moss : The evidence is in the sales pitch to the family. You know, the one where the HC says I’ll love him like my own…
Lie...cheat....steal....get arrested
September 4th, 2010
12:04 am
That’s the UGA way here at UGA!
Lanier Dawg
September 4th, 2010
12:04 am
Hey Frank, I heard there’s a tickle pile going on at Dragon Con with one Jeff Schultz and his buddy Saint Simons.
DAWGS DON'T GET IT
September 4th, 2010
12:05 am
ok—here it is in small caps——dawgs fans—-i will come to athens tomorrow and bet anyone $1000 that you will not win a NC in the next 5 years with cmr at the helm—-i know football and discipline and he has NO chance. sorry for the capital no—but i want a bet.
come on clowns—put up or shut up—-we will find mutual 3rd party to hold the money.
i want to show this site that all you young whippersnappers don’t know $hit.
put up or shut up
dawgster
September 4th, 2010
12:06 am
Ok..i have a question for many of you that want that feel this is all laid at the feet of Caoch Richt and i guess it has to be…Do you want a “0″ tolerance for any infraction? and if you do then will you accept that these guys will transfer or we just don’t recruit some of these youn men if their record is not perfect in high school…What happens when these players show up at other schools and commit some of the same things…As i have referenced earlier, there are many, many incidents that go unpunished at other schools or players are being given chance after chance…Look at Newton at Auburn…probably a decent kid, but some schools, UGa included wouldn’t sign him due to things in his past…Can we as dawg fans accept any player, and it might be your stud QB or Rb or whomever making a mistake and being kicked off team due to “0″ tolerance..Some of you say you can, but everybody wants us to win championships..Are all the other programs using “0″ tolerance: Tenn, Bama, Fla, Notre Dame, UNC, USC, OLe Miss, Ark….I am not trying to dismiss the numerous issues we have had, but all schools face this from time to time….Can you stop it…Maybe…But does that mean “0″ tolerance? Well what about it dawg fans, we have been throwing stones along with others at our team…I would venture to say that our new AD will have some ideas that he will get with Coach Richt on…I’m am a UGA alum and have always been proud of my University and will continue to be proud of them..It sickens me to see some of the stuff on here where people are calling us a joke and we should fire everyone and kick everyone off the team…I don’t like what i read in the papers either, but i’m not quitting on the dawgs as some of you run your mouth and say you will..I would say to you, fine, its your decision….The solultion is not with just Coach Richt, but with the players, the parents, and us as fans to continue to support this University and this coaching staff..
Red
September 4th, 2010
12:09 am
I’ll tell you, a negative slam piece on a beloved coach, on the eve of football season, I’ve never read a more UNTIMELY OUT OF TOUCH article in my life than this one by Jeff Schultz.
Mascot Coordinator
September 4th, 2010
12:10 am
new mascot to be named Thugga I
Police Blotter
September 4th, 2010
12:10 am
WOW! This started this morning and here we are 15 pages later and the same excuses for player arrest, suspensions, lack of discipline and still trying to blame Jeff with writing about the second most embarrassing program in the SEC(behind Tennessee) and the lack of control by Mark Richt.
The excuses just keep getting re-germinated…
lovem too
September 4th, 2010
12:11 am
dawgster——-can’t you see others in the sec and other conferences winning NCs and not the HUGE number of arrests that georgia has—-there is a correlation—-leading in penalties and arrests.
just saying
tp
September 4th, 2010
12:14 am
The ridiculous part? These thugs will serve one game suspensions against a cupcake team and then be allowed to play. If you were serious about discipline, you’d suspend them the rest of the season. That’d make these no-talent a$$clown thugs think twice before being stupid. The fact they only serve one game suspensions for committing crimes makes UGA look like a JOKE of a school and football program.
A Dog Fan
September 4th, 2010
12:15 am
Ok, you’ve made youre point, the kid is embarrased, can we move on?
Here’s Ogletree’s statement, give the kid a break folks, ok?
Ogletree posted a brief statement on his Facebook page around 5:45 p.m. on Friday:
“Thanks You to everybody that is standing behind me on this….. Everything will be ok on this end and this is the first and last time you see me in the news or watever for something bad.”
dog4life
September 4th, 2010
12:17 am
I agree with lovem——and unfortunately JS—–I am an alum and I am sick of seeing this stuff.
I don’t care if they stole a piece of gum or toilet paper–Coach has got get his spit together.
I like the one guy that said run them all.
Stand behind my A$$
September 4th, 2010
12:20 am
I would like to “stand behind” him and kick his a$$. They and you know who I am talking about continue to embarrass our college.
DawgFan13
September 4th, 2010
12:22 am
Jeff,
You are a bum. I understand tis your job to stir up the pot and “write” but how is it Richt’s job to tell 18-22 yr old MEN what to do. They have to make a choice and sometimes people do stupid stuff. I would bet in your career you have…. I know the AJC did when they hired you …. once again you are a BUM …..
gatorubet
September 4th, 2010
12:23 am
“Dad Gummit….boyahs will be boyahs” – CMR
(You done real good, Prayin’ Mantis – but ya fuhgot the Dad Gum “pray’n’ fo a mis- demeanah” line…)
Red Panties begin new season
September 4th, 2010
12:25 am
Expectations are high. Expect the dogs to get caught with their pants down some. I expect Spurrier to kick some red panties butt in game two and watch the Richt lovers to turn on him.
Remember this=====Good Riddance Coach Thug!!!
dog4life
September 4th, 2010
12:30 am
DawgFan13
You are an idiot—-please quit supporting the dawgs.
Your crap is the reason we still have CMR.
Why can’t you see other coaches win national titles and do not lead in penalties and arrests.
Help get his butt fired and quit making excuses.
Hope Not
September 4th, 2010
12:38 am
If all you liberals on here do not get a grip someone at UGA is going to murder somebody and I guess you will say “we gotta have these types of players to compete”.
Does anyone else care about how the sheer numbers and it can’t be a coincidence????
We lead the entire nation and is double the entire SEC—-that is sick.
I will not pay one dime to see another UGA game until the coach is fired.
and—–I estimated I have spent $13,281 on UGA games in the last 18 years
Coach Mark Richt must be held accountable—-are you listening AD??
JR1967
September 4th, 2010
12:52 am
Actually, my favorite UGA quote of all time was “You can’t spell Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl without UGA”
smart dawg
September 4th, 2010
1:03 am
Start withdrawing scholarships from these thugs. Just jerk the rug from beneath their feet. These are the rules. If you break them, you will lose your scholarship.
You want fries with that?
Fulmer Cup Champs - Go Dawgs!
September 4th, 2010
1:08 am
I agree with Matt – all this nonsense and what championships. It would be hilarious if it weren’t such an embarrassment to the school, the alumni. I’m curious if CMR has any pride and much less shame? You dawg fans defending this are an embarrassment too.
Price Weaver
September 4th, 2010
1:45 am
You don’t understand. This isn’t about Richt… its about the Keystone cops in Athens. Do a tiny amount of research.
Its embarrasing on so many levels but not on the one you level off on.
12-2
September 4th, 2010
1:53 am
That is a bold-faced lie that there are 3 Bulldogs suspended for the Opening Day Game, after our 8-5 season last year during which David Hale reported 39 arrests / suspensions from February 2007 to March 2010.
Alec Ogletree thief suspended 1 game at least. Excuse me, he is arrested for being a thief and does NOT deny it. You people have more excuses than a pregnant nun. Suspended 1 game because South Carolina is game 2.
Tavarres King duped a teammate into driving his truck with 7 teenagers so that 6 could drive around Athens for the sole purpose of getting drunk in his truck. We lost a very promising running back, Dontavius Jackson when Vance Cuff provided his valid over 21 years old Driver’s License to Branden Smith who had it on his person and had Branden Smith’s Driver’s License suspended for having it on his person ( Did Branden Smith buy the alcohol with Vance Cuff’s DL ? ) Tavarres King got 1 game suspension because South Carolina is game 2, Vance Cuff Zero and Branden Smith Zero. By the way, does this begin to sound like DISCIPLINE ?
Washaun Ealey, # 9 RB in the nation, failed to appear in Court as ordered, for which a bench warrant & license suspended was issued known to Coach Richt. He had been speeding and improperly registered his vehicle for failure to pay ad valorem tax. Then, he drove his roommate’s car anyway at 3:20 a.m. On returning to the dorm, in front of 3 University employees who stopped and discussed it with Washaun Ealey, Ealey hit another person’s vehicle and had zero remorse about the damage, claiming as he ran off I’ve just got to go. Suspended 1 game because South Carolina is game 2.
12-2
September 4th, 2010
1:54 am
Zach Mettenberger 2 guilty counts of sexual battery of a little coed, a college student in a sorority, who he never met. Kicked off the team. When you are kicked off the team March 7, excuse me you are suspended for this game. In addition, Coach Richt announced this LSU recruit was suspended for this game.
Montez Robinson 3 counts of assault and battery on a little coed, a college student at the University of Georgia. Suspended for this game. In addition for the 3rd offense of the same charges against the same person, Coach Richt kicked him off the team. But, like Zach Mettenberger not before he suspended Montez Robinson for this game too. In fact, twice.
Trent Dittmer arrested downtown Athens after punting in the G-Day Game beating up a citizen and public drunk. Kicked off the team. That is not worthy of discussion that he is the 6th UGA Bulldog suspended for this game, not the 3rd as you INACCURATELY report.
Coach Richt is Accountable for his Recruits, just as he is for losing to 8 teams in 9 years who were not ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll the year he lost to them including for example to a team who even with their win over Coach Richt only won 4 games that season Vandie.
Coach Richt is accountable for all this bad press caused by the recruits he continues to bring here. Coach Richt is accountable by his OWN WORDS TODAY AGAIN for NO DISCIPLINE on the field or off the field, in being forgiving and not laying down the law as detailed herein since March 7 2010.
Coach Richt is accountable for Christian LeMay, just as he is for 10-10 vs SEC East the last 4 years, when there is only 1 top team in the entire 20 games.
Season Opener and this is what we have to talk about
AGAIN.
gamecock gary
September 4th, 2010
2:04 am
did you see spurrier’s machine last nite?,,,,they will trample defenseless georgia//year of the bird!!