McGarity still calm amid storm, expresses confidence in Richt
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity is not oblivious to the storm around him but he remains confident in coach Mark Richt.
ATHENS – Stationed in his first fire storm since becoming athletic director, Greg McGarity last Saturday chose to go in a different direction than some of the angry, torch-carrying villagers in Athens who believe the best course of action following SEC losses is to open more “Fire [Coach]” Facebook pages.
McGarity waited for Georgia coach Mark Richt to address his team after the home loss to Arkansas, waited until Richt released most of the players from a holding room under the stands at Sanford Stadium and then walked in.
“I don’t generally go into the locker room because I don’t feel I really belong in there,” he said. “What I did do was go in there after the game, but before the media came in, just to see Mark and the 12 or 14 players who were still there waiting for interviews. I just said, ‘Mark, let’s get ready to go next week. Call me if you need anything.’ I just felt he needed to know I was there to support him.”
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: McGarity said he has confidence in Richt and the direction of the football program. He responded, “Absolutely,” when asked.
But he also was wary of even going down that road.
“I know how the spin goes on these things,” he said. “I’ve seen how things are written and what’s said. People think, ‘Oh, he gave him a vote of confidence. You know what that means.’ But it’s not like that. I just want people to know that we’re working hard and we’re driven to get better every day.”
The Bulldogs are 0-2 in the SEC for the first time in 17 years. The coach in charge then (Ray Goff) is associated with a low point in Bulldogs’ history. That isn’t the case with Richt. He won two SEC championships in his first five years at a school that hadn’t won one in 20.
But national championships at Alabama, Florida and LSU have changed the landscape. The Dogs leveled off. South Carolina, Arkansas and Auburn are on the rebound.
The good news: Mark Richt's Bulldogs could be favored in their next five games.
Barbarians are at the gate.
There are Facebook pages to fire Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. There’s a “Fire Mark Richt” website. Juvenile or not, it’s the reality of life in the SEC. McGarity knows that, but he’s not walking around campus, swinging an ax.
“You can’t make a snap judgment on things, especially sitting in my chair right now,” he said. “I haven’t even been here a month.
“We’ve played one-fourth of the season. In athletics, people can turn things around in a hurry when they believe in themselves and they believe in their leadership. I think if our team had not fought back in the fourth quarter [against Arkansas], we would have some concerns, but that’s not what we saw.”
The Dogs conceivably could win their next five games, beginning Saturday night at Mississippi State, before heading to Jacksonville. But losses to South Carolina and Arkansas — following the summer’s arrests, last year’s 4-4 SEC record and the 2008 slide down from a preseason No. 1 ranking – appears to have split the fan base on Richt.
McGarity spoke at a quarterback club meeting Monday morning in Athens. Reading the audience wasn’t difficult.
“It would’ve been very easy to show up there if we were 3-0 and ranked,” he said. “I knew some people in that group were upset. I’m sure everybody is disappointed. But at the same time, I have to do everything in my power to support the team and show leadership. People look to leaders at times like this, just like players look to coaches.”
Asked if there were any harsh remarks at the breakfast, McGarity laughed and said: “No, but I don’t know what happened after I left.”
It’s probably for the best.
♦
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247 comments Add your comment
Hoochie Grandma
September 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
Richt should be forced to explain how 5 years of top 5 recruiting classes results in finishes like 19th,24th,unranked,unranked,27th.
Gotta be the coaching. We know the players were studs and the best high school players available.
Honky Talkin'
September 21st, 2010
2:04 pm
As a Tech fan, I was actually rooting for Georgia on Saturday to take pride in my state. I saw more Georgia defenders diving at the ball carriers instead of tackling. That goes back to discipline which goes back to coaching. The problems at UGA are pretty obvious.
Kool Aid
September 21st, 2010
2:06 pm
It’s OK. Going 0-2 for the first time since Ray Goff. CMR was just having a bad hair day(s).
For Mark Richt, high expectations are a bitch | : : Lonely Tailgater : :
September 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
[...] “I don’t generally go into the locker room because I don’t feel I really belong in there,” he said. “What I did do was go in there after the game, but before the media came in, just to see Mark and the 12 or 14 players who were still there waiting for interviews. I just said, ‘Mark, let’s get ready to go next week. Call me if you need anything.’ I just felt he needed to know I was there to support him.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) [...]
Tide Rising
September 21st, 2010
2:18 pm
Jeff,
You sound like the voice of reason in a wilderness of irrationality.
As you stated the middle part of the dogs schedule is favorable and they stand a good chance of winning 5 straight and going into the UF game at 6-2 with some momentum. That’s not bad.
The last thing the dogs need to do now is panic. Still a lot of football to be played.
Devil's Advocate
September 21st, 2010
2:22 pm
When recruiting time rolls around this year, and IF we are told that we have a recruiting class in the top 3 in the nation, I’m gonna send some terminal cases of Montezuma’s revenge to whomever begat such lies and untruths. The fans have been sold such a bill of goods for years now, so where is the proof? Did the arrests, etc. knock the ’stars’ so low that they are incapable of playing football, or is it the usual riot of partying and heck raising among the jocks? The pitiful performances are in full view, witness Ealy’s whiff of a block in the waning seconds of the game. What’s up with that? If the players are not committed to playing football, and had rather booze around, as well as other things, then, just call it like it is and save the rah rahing for another time.
dawg in gatorville
September 21st, 2010
2:27 pm
By the end of the season, The dawgs will be better than you think right now because SC will have beaten both Tennessee and Florida and headed to the SEC championship for the first time.
Arkansaw will be solid at the number 2 spot in the west.. And the dawgs could have beaten both of them. Not our year, Ok fine. But you wait and see, this team will prove to be very good!!
MCGARITY GET RID OF RICHT IF HE CANT BEAT FLORIDA THIS YEAR
September 21st, 2010
2:31 pm
DAVID POLLACK JUST GOT THRU TALKING ABOUT KIRBY SMART AND WILL MUSCHAMP DEFENSE ON ESPNU!
P.S. GET KIRBY SMART!
Spankme Yankee
September 21st, 2010
2:34 pm
I think when the year is done and UGA is 6-6 we will all want a new head coach.
As soon as an ESPN reporter says “And UGA has the number 4 rated recruiting class this year” someone slap him silly. He’s lying.
Spankme Yankee
September 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
Fans must realize we haven’t lost to Fla. and Bama. We lost to SC and Arky. That’s the same as losing to Vandy and Ole Piss.
Pitbull
September 21st, 2010
2:38 pm
By the end of the season, The dawgs will be better than you think? Better than 0-2?
Spankme Yankee
September 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
Its time for a poll Schultzie :
0 – Fire Richt now
0 – Wait until end of season and review Richt’s performance
0 – Keep Richt and see what he does next year
0 – Keep Richt because there’s nothing wrong with the coaching.
Spankme Yankee
September 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
I think Atlanta expressed confidence in the Confederate Army after it was burned by General Sherman too…
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 21st, 2010
2:46 pm
A team that will pay an assistant coach $750,000 and let a little dog that wants to be mascot hang on until they find a white-a$$ed dog to be the next Uga . . . is a team in disarray. Why won’t they name me the next Uga? “Brown a$$ed and too old”, they say. Well, McGarity’s ears stick out and Richt is developing a bald spot. I think it is time they make a commitment to me and they need to do it before we get to Mississippi State where they have some bulldogs of their own. I don’t want to play second fiddle to another mascot. I wish Coach Richt felt the same way about playing second fiddle to another SEC team. Send in your votes for Russ, the Temporary Mascot that wants to be the next Uga. My slogan? Brown a$$ed but not Inbred. I can walk on the field without dying.
bamafan
September 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
Hey A Fan – very good points about UGA. I still remember the Dump Dooley campaigns every year from 1969-1975. Let’s be honest: UGA would like a better coach but doesn’t believe it can get one.
Therefore, it is simply easier to call another school’s coach a disloyal snake in order to make oneself feel better. Snake or not, the thought doesn’t help UGA.
Devil's Advocate
September 21st, 2010
2:56 pm
I watch a high school football game almost every week. When the playoffs come around, I watch nearly every game, on tv of course. I see better fundamentals of blocking, tackling, and holding on to the ball than I see when watching a UGA game. I wonder what happens to the ’star’ athletes when they report for duty at UGA. Do they go brain dead after a few beers, or what? Maybe beer should be banned in Clarke County.
Mark "Crimson Crier" Ingram
September 21st, 2010
2:58 pm
“The Dogs may be favored in each of their next five games, beginning Saturday night at Mississippi State, before heading to Jacksonville.”
ROFLOL
McGarrity
September 21st, 2010
3:04 pm
WHAT, ME WORRY?
Billy Jack loves dawgs
September 21st, 2010
3:07 pm
Russ that brown spot is repulsive….get real….just kidding..I’m really sorry you’re not all white…you’re being disciminated against and it’s wrong…Go Dawgs..!!
Richt not worried about Georgia players being in funk (yet) | Jeff Schultz
September 21st, 2010
3:16 pm
[...] on that in a minute. First, if you missed it, I spoke to athletic director Greg McGarity and posted a column earlier. He maintained confidence in Richt, despite the storm that is swirling [...]
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 21st, 2010
3:20 pm
Getting old doesn’t mean you can’t do the job. It depends on how you take care of yourself. That last Uga was younger than me and he had a heart attack. Heck, Vince Dooley isn’t all that old and he thinks he’s in Kansas! I’m in better shape than both of them (especially the dead one) and I am fully qualified to be the next Uga.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 21st, 2010
3:21 pm
A lot of you wanted Change you can Believe in . . . and a lot of you want to change coaches. If you really want a change . . . a brown-a$$ed mascot is what you need. Remember Russ- the next Uga.
I WILL BE BULLDOG DEAD
September 21st, 2010
3:29 pm
I do believe we are in good hands with McGarity long term. I do have some serious concerns about the direction of this program. As many posters have stated, the off field issues really raise questions of who besides the players are in charge of the program. How many off field arrests has Saban had the last 2 years? Bobo throws his RSF QB under the bus- He should have been fired for that alone. Next I hear that Granthem has been reigned in because he is too EMOTIONAL. I hope that is not true. His players responded and admitted that they need it. If you have ever played football, you know it is part of the game to have a good coach that cares crawl up your backside. I was at SC and AR and saw no emotion come from TG as in the first game. Let him Coach or he will be gone. Next, from a very reliable source, our star JR. LB from ‘09 that was having a difficult time with the decision to skip this year- Left due to no discipline, players cheating on their workouts (skipping) with someone signing off on them, lack of commitment from other players. Was he right? 9 off field arrests- maybe so. Wonder why other teams are stronger and faster? This answers alot of that. If anyone had told me that Murray as a RSF would have played at the high level as he has for the first 3 games, I would have bet the farm that we would be 3-0 in spite of BoBo. I have always believed 100% in CMR. I am extremely sad to say to day that I am no longer sure. I can only trust that if he loves the University of Georgia as much as I do, he will continue to make the proper changes that will right this ship. I hope that he can honestly look himself in the mirror and make the commitment to do what is in the best interest of our program. I am confident that Greg McGarity will. There are issues that must be recognized and dealt with now if I am CMR. I hope that he has not waited until it is too late, but its not looking too good.
jtdawg
September 21st, 2010
3:30 pm
Don’t doubt it – Dawgs will win handily in Starkeville, unless they are worse than I perceive
However, there sure is a lot of goody-goody going on here by some. Do I believe these Bulldogs will be much better by the end of this, considering the change in defense and RF QB? Absolutely. Do I believe we’re going to roll into Jacksonville (6-2)…. nope, not one bit. Doesn’t mean it will not happen, but…
Someone give me one season since 2004 we didn’t lose a game we abosolutely should have won…. just one….. and by lose, I me really LOSE.
Unfortunately, for as good a man CMR is, and a fine cach as well (don’t doubt that for one second), something is terribly missing consistency-wise from CMR and his program.
I think we see at least one more loss between now and Jacksonville — then life gets a little harder.
We’ll see improvement; and if nothing changes this year, then what do we expect for next? Oh, just wait til 2011……
layinlow
September 21st, 2010
3:36 pm
Why can’t we get a young OC like clemson? Hell that kid is from my hometown up here in North Georgia. Will Muschamp is from Rome, Georgia. All of these great young asssitant coaches from the state of Georgia and we end up with retards like Willie and Bobo. A HUGE part of Richt’s job is the ability to recognize young talent in the coordinator ranks. So let me ask all of the Richt defenders what grade would they give him for hiring Willie and bozo? If you say anything other than an F your a damn liar.
I WILL BE BULLDOG DEAD
September 21st, 2010
3:47 pm
Here is a question: if I am one of those SEC teams that is traditionally at the bottom of the pile looking for a coach (staff) that can take my program to the next level, would I hire the UGA staff to build my program based on their performance over the past 5 years?
Pitbull
September 21st, 2010
3:53 pm
Good idea, but I don’t think they would bite. We could try Craig’s List!
I WILL BE BULLDOG DEAD
September 21st, 2010
4:25 pm
Unfortunately that was my point. They would not bite. The problems are much deeper than 0-2 start in the SEC. I was at SC. The team came out of the tunnel in slow motion, no energy, and honestly they acted like they just stepped off of a space ship. We were in both games with a chance to win. We just were not ready when the first whistle sounded like so many of CMR’s teams over the entire 10 years. I cannot count the number of times that we have spotted teams 14-21 plus points and then come back to make it close. This should never happen (if you get your team ready to play).
Freddie G
September 21st, 2010
5:09 pm
The bottom line is that CMR is a good man but not necessarily a good Head Coach. A good Head Coach will be more decisive, making changes to better his staff and team regardless of which assistant may be hurt in the process. CMR waited too long to relieve Willie of the DC job and so he was not in position to do the same to Bobo, as to dismiss both Coordinators at the same time would be almost suicidal. College Football is bigger now than before, and SEC and other major programs are employing better coordinators from the pros or from smaller programs. I was excited for Bobo because he is a Bulldog, but I want the program to be competitive with Florida,Alabama,LSU,and other national programs, and Bobo has not demonstrated that he is capable of competing with these schools. I believe Grantham will need more time to recruit his players, therefore it is nonsense to criticise the defense now, furthermore except for the missed tackles in Columbia and the blown coverages against ARK, they performrd well. Murray will be good for years,but Richt needs to improve his staff if he is correct the downward spiral and recriting has to be better. Every year we read of great recruting class, yet we struggle against the bottom feeders in the SEC. CMR should be given another two years to turn it around or be fired. The apologists like Cantondawg, who believes that Georgia cannot replace CMR are crazy. The Chicago Bulls replaced their coach with their Assistant Coach and won six NBA titles. The New Orleans Saints hired an Assistant Coach from Dallas who was not in great demand and won the superbowl shortly afterwards. Oklahoma won the NC after hiring an assistant from Florida.
The folks that have voiced their displeasure are loyal fans of the program, and all wants whatever is best for the program, we are just not happy with the current trend.
Bulldogs’ blogs of blogs week 2 « Georgia Bulldawg Football News
September 21st, 2010
5:13 pm
[...] JeffSchultz: This is a blog about Georgia’s AD Greg McGarity’s and how he still believes that Mark Richt can get the job done as the head football coach. Also, even though our team’s situation is bad, it may not be all over… yet. [...]
browndog
September 21st, 2010
5:37 pm
I honestly the team will continue to get better each week, however that does not mean they will win each week! I am sure the players didn’t think they would be 1 and 2 right now but the results are what they are. The team will learn from their mistakes. It is certainly not time to dump on the players and coaches. Vince had some pretty ugly years when the fan base expected nothing but undefeated seasons. This is a game and the majority of the players will not go to the next level and play on Sunday so I plan to support them as best as I can, win or lose, they are still Bulldogs!
Freddie G
September 21st, 2010
6:23 pm
If Georgia played as well as Clemson did against Auburn I would feel better about the program. Georgia will do better as the season progresses, Murray becomes more confident, and the defense playing better in the new scheme. What I am not sure about is whether Bobo can match wits with the other teams DC. I will be watching Tennessee going forward, because we all agree that they are down, but I feel confident that Dooley will have them moving in the right direction pretty soon, and then what will all the apologists for CMR say.
guy
September 21st, 2010
8:28 pm
No pass coverage,no punt returner,no running game,no pass protection for the quarterback equals big trouble!Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
September 21st, 2010
8:36 pm
Dap01 — Storm obviously is a subjective term. I’m going by fan/reader reaction.
Jeff Schultz
September 21st, 2010
8:36 pm
Zebra — You lost me. What are you referring to?
Jeff Schultz
September 21st, 2010
8:40 pm
JSS — Thank you. Feel free to pull a dart out of my picture.
Freedawg
September 21st, 2010
10:59 pm
Mark Richt is still the best coach we have had. I am proud of him as the coach, we have had a rough period but it wasn’t but a few years ago we could have been the best team in the country at the end of the year. We will be back.
The lunatic fringe needs to get some perspective.
Leather Helmet Blog: It Is Not About The Boys, Coach
September 22nd, 2010
4:03 am
[...] went out of his way to say it was not «the dreaded vote of confidence». Relax.: «We've played one-fourth of the season. In athletics, people can turn things around in a hurry when they believe in themselves and they [...]
SCHLEBROCKED!!!
September 22nd, 2010
4:50 pm
when are we as fans and supporters of the UGA program gonna
stop this Bull$hit of letting things go for so long? Maybe
this is the reason CMR gives is these BS answers because
we let him get away with it according to his first 5yrs
at the helm, start judging him for the last 5yrs and
BOYCOTT some home games and then let’s see where he is.
Yall say support this team and fill up the stadium and
cheer loud for our DAWGS, well my hard earned money will
not support this inferior porduct this year, we are in
hard times and this is a fake product i for one will not
spend another dime on. When UGA puts a better product on
the field and worth the money then i will support UGA again
SCHLEBROCKED!!!
September 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
i for one would like to hear CMR acknowledge the fact that
Bama and the Gators are the class right now in the SEC and
UGA will not stop until we are in the same class as them!
Yellow Jockitch
September 22nd, 2010
5:35 pm
BOBO MUST GO OR RICHT HAS TO GO.
Dave
September 22nd, 2010
5:53 pm
I guess winning isn’t important to the fanbase anymore. Let’s just keep on getting ranked in the preseason – only to implode when the actual games start. Bobo is an idiot.
OutlawDawg
September 22nd, 2010
6:07 pm
Unbelievable Fans! Two loses and you are all ready to throw in the towel! Overcoming adversity is one of the main reasons we play the game. Thank goodness our AD, Coaching Staff and players are not on the same page that many of the fans are.
Coach Richt has done an exceptional job as the head coach and will bring the Dawgs out of this slump in due time. The team has improved every game as I’m sure they will continue to do. I will stand behind them and cheer for them all -win or lose! Get em Dawgs!
S.E. Dawg
September 22nd, 2010
9:16 pm
I can’t believe all the crap I’m reading. All these experts that know whats good for the program. All these armchair coaches that know exactly what this program needs is just absolutely ludacris. I can tell you one thing, if we were on the battle field in a raging firefight I sure as he!! wouldn’t want any of you backing me up. Get some dam common sense people.
Freshman QB, new coaches, new defensive scheme. He!!, even the coaches are learning the new system. You just don’t hire a new defensive staff and expect these kids to play lights-out. Use some dam common sense.
80 year old Dawg Fan
September 23rd, 2010
12:13 pm
You people that gripe should direct those gripes to Adams and the admission policioes that cause many top recruits to end up at other nearby programs. take the Reid kid at FSU who wanted to be a Dawg last year but couldn’t be admitted. This year after starting last year,he is a top conerback and the best returner in the ACC. In my day at Ga.the top players in any sport had no problems with admission No body in the admissions office was checking to see if the kid may have wet his pants in his last high school game. Oh for the return to the days of Wally Butts when kids weren’t rejected for throwing a snotty tissue into a boys room urinal.
gssgfdfg
September 24th, 2010
6:00 pm
first post
We're live (from NOLA to Starkville) for Dogs vs. Dogs | Jeff Schultz
September 25th, 2010
4:19 pm
[...] you saw my column earlier in the week with Greg McGarity, Georgia’s new athletic director. He has not shifted into panic mode. He also would like to [...]