Richt isn’t commanding Georgia players’ respect or attention
Mark Richt's biggest problem? Players may be tuning him out.
Sometimes it’s not about whether somebody is a good coach or certainly a good man. Sometimes it’s just about whether players are even listening to him.
Mark Richt preaches to his players, “Finish the drill.” They don’t.
He admonishes them about missed blocks and blown coverages and stresses the importance of playing with discipline, passion and a sense of desperation. They don’t respond.
He states the obvious: Don’t get arrested. They do.
I am not calling for Mark Richt’s firing here. Not yet. There are still seven games left in the season. That’s enough time for Georgia to turn its season around, play in a respectable bowl game and most importantly send the message that this program isn’t going down like Pompeii.
But right now, I’m just not feeling it.
Needing to bounce back after a loss at South Carolina, the Bulldogs lost to Arkansas at home for the first time in 17 years.
Needing to play with a sense of urgency to avoid falling to 0-3 in the SEC, they fell behind after two minutes, 43 seconds in Starkville and lost to Mississippi State for the first time in 36 years.
Needing to regain some measure of respect just on their own campus, the Bulldogs lost at Colorado — which had lost to California, 52-7, only a few weeks earlier.
You thought Shreveport was the bottom? Shreveport was just the flashing yellow light.
They used to attack. They used to play with confidence. They used to have resolve. They used to win road games. They used to win any games.
Now the Dogs are 1-4, and there’s probably someone at Louisiana-Lafayette thinking, “How did we lose to those guys?” They’re 2-7 in their last nine SEC games, and Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky are thinking, “We can beat those guys.”
That’s where Georgia is. What does that tell you?
This is about leadership. Either players aren’t following Richt or he’s leading them in the wrong direction. It is becoming clear that he doesn’t command their attention or their respect because, if he was, Georgia wouldn’t be sliding into oblivion.
When college teams lose, certain things get over-analyzed. Here are two of them:
♦ 1.) Recruiting: Some believe Georgia isn’t getting the athletes it used to. Bunk. Watch the games. The Bulldogs are no slower or weaker or smaller than their opponents. Recruiting services have had Georgia’s classes in or near the top 10 annually. If you believed them before, don’t stop believing them now just because it’s convenient.
♦ 2.) Strategy: Football is about toughness and discipline, blocking and tackling. It’s not about the offensive coordinator not calling enough short passes. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo may not be the next Mike Shanahan on offense, and Willie Martinez certainly wasn’t Brian VanGorder’s equal on defense. But Georgia’s slide is not about X’s and O’s. It’s about focus and determination and knocking people down.
Richt’s job should be in jeopardy. Why? Because not only are the Bulldogs not very good, but there is no sign that they are getting better.
The offensive line, expected to be the strength of this team, has been less than average. Freshman quarterback Aaron Murray, the biggest question mark, has been one of their best players. A.J. Green reaffirmed in his first game back from suspension that he is a special player but his presence in Colorado also pounded home the obvious: This isn’t about one player.
Richt gets criticized for not showing enough emotion on the sideline. That might be unfair. But here’s something worth asking: Is he obsessed enough?
There’s no question Richt wants to win. But he has a lot more things important to him in his life now, like taking mission trips to Honduras. It doesn’t mean football isn’t important to him. Anybody who has seen him after losses knows otherwise. But college football coaching, particularly in the SEC, has become a 24/7/365 job.
Richt in a conference with some truly obsessed coaches: Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Bobby Petrino. Watch Derek Dooley and you can almost see sparks coming off his head. If we see that, you know Tennessee players see that.
Do you get that sense with Richt’s players? Are they ready to jump at his every command?
Georgia has players. Georgia has facilities, money and certainly fan support. But right now, there is no direction, and if Mark Richt is leading, the problem is that nobody is paying attention.
♦
Earlier posts:
♦ Now that Braves are here, how far can they go?
♦ Braves make it back to the postseason in typical dramatic style
♦♦♦
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839 comments Add your comment
Jason
October 4th, 2010
2:10 pm
Jeff-
I am confused.
If you know so much about college football, how come dozens of “unprofessionals” are ahead of you in the Sack Schultz competition?
http://ajc.upickem.net/upickem/contest/leaders.asp?contestid=19341
Lindsey
October 4th, 2010
2:10 pm
I think the “mission trips to Honduras” is pretty low. CMR is a great man AND great coach. He has taken this program to a new level, that is why this is so hard right now. UGA has not been in this position in 10 years. CMR got us to expect more. One bad season does not equal a bad coach. GO DAWGS!!!
collegeballfan
October 4th, 2010
2:12 pm
I am hesitant to comment on Richt as a coach or person. Never met the guy.
But I hear and read things that indicate that maybe his focus has switched from football to the salvation of souls. And that is a better job than coach and maybe that is the career he needs to move into.
There is a problem from a pure football program point with him still having an offer on the table to a high school player that was suspended from his team and school for conduct. With all the problems at UGA with player conduct I am stunned that his offer to that player is still on the table.
Barry Saggitarius
October 4th, 2010
2:13 pm
Hey Ray – No. Fire Richt Now!
Raleigh Dog
October 4th, 2010
2:13 pm
I wonder if Coach Richt even knows the names of all his players.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 4th, 2010
2:14 pm
Jason you really don’t like Schultz but you are reading his stuff and posting about it. I guess you are the fool for getting Jeff more hits.
Jeff give’um hell. Just you better never write anything bad about my TEAM. heheheheh.
UGABugKiller
October 4th, 2010
2:15 pm
Where is this lie of “one bad season” coming from???
AND WHY THE HELL DOES IT MATTER WHAT KIND OF A CHRISTIAN MAN MARK RICHT IS???
Does his Christianity help with Xs and Os?
Does his Christianity help with Wins and Losses?
Does his Christianity KEEP HIS DAMN PLAYERS OUT OF JAIL???
People, you need to keep your religion out of my football program.
P.O.A.D. Fan
October 4th, 2010
2:17 pm
I just lost my lunch ….. I got a mental image of Barn with her thong and push up! Of course Herschel likes it so that’s what matters.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 4th, 2010
2:17 pm
Raleigh Dog
Richt finds it easier to just call the players by the BOOKING #’s from Athens-Clarke County Jail. Plus that is eiser to write over trying to spell many of the players names.
doggyboy
October 4th, 2010
2:17 pm
I just wish we had nick saban. I’ll bet if we offered nick saban more money he’d leave that dirtbag town tuskaloosa in his dust and be our coach!!!!
Donte080
October 4th, 2010
2:18 pm
Kinda crappy and unprofessional of you to point our Richt’s mission trips to Honduras, no? What has that got to do with anything?
The Ghost of Wally Butts
October 4th, 2010
2:18 pm
BAMA: Defense wraps up and tackles – no missed tackles.
UGA: Rambo tries for the “big hit”, fails to wrap up, misses tackle.
BAMA: Defense makes big play? They get up, get back to huddle.
UGA: Defense makes big play? They beat their chest, strut and prance.
BAMA: Ahead or behind, the sideline is all business.
UGA: Ahead or behind, the sideline is all smiles, dancing up and down!
BAMA: No reports of championship rings for sale on e-bay.
UGA: Ring-gate, and even Shreveport jerseys for sale.
BAMA: Player makes stupid play? Saban hands them a new a##, benches them.
UGA: Player makes stupid play? Richt looks kind of bored.
BAMA: Saban, 3 years, championship program.
UGA: Richt, 10 years, 9 and 9 in last 18.
BAMA: Recruits become, in one ESPN anaylists words “mini-Sabans”.
UGA: Recruits thugs, who stay thugs.
lawzoo
October 4th, 2010
2:20 pm
I would like to say at the outset that I’ve admired your work for many years Jeff. You need to come up with a Mr. CFB-like moniker.
Why has Ga. always come up a bit short on hiring coaches? I’m glad but with the in-state talent, resources, fan base, no real in-state rival to compete with in recruiting (sorry Tech not even close) the size of the state , etc.?
Since Dooley—Goff, Mason(for a week and a half), Donnan (he would leave Marshall) and Asst. Coach Richt!
That line up is worse than Tech’s ! Seriously.
Hope this trend continues!
UGA Insider
October 4th, 2010
2:20 pm
“I don’t know what took us so long to get the ball fto AJ”.
That statement about wraps up what’s wrong with the program. I bet McGarity will be making a special trip back to Starkville, Miss again real soon.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 4th, 2010
2:22 pm
Some of you can’t read real well. Hell I can’t spell, but that is another issue. Schultz isn’t saying the Mission Trip is bad just that other Big Time Coaches don’t do many of those kinds of things. Most Big Time Coaches are working on Football almost all the time.
Ed
October 4th, 2010
2:23 pm
There was a key moment in the Colorado game when Colorado was 3 and 13 and in an obvious passing situation. At that point in the game Georgia appeared to be on the verge of taking control. I remember thinking, only half-joking, “don’t worry Colorado, you’re facing one of the dumbest teams in college football. They’ll find a way to mess it up.” Sure enough, we got some pressure and the play almost broke down but the quarterback stepped up in the pocket and lofted about a 20 yard pass to a wide open receiver on the left side. The reception wasn’t even contested. It was if Reshad Jones and Bryan Evans were still in coverage. The incompetence of the entire team is shocking, and it’s something that seems to carry over from year to year.
And unlike last season, we can’t even punt decently any more. But we have finally figured out how to boot the ball through the endzone. Go figure.
Donte080
October 4th, 2010
2:25 pm
I read just fine. It was a BS irrelevant comment to the overall issue at hand.
So you think “other big-time coaches” don’t have a life? How naive is that?
JacksonvilleDawg
October 4th, 2010
2:26 pm
well said Jeff! Georgia needs new leadership. if I have 10% hope that Georgia will be comparable to Bama or Florida under Richt I will say keep the guy but now I have absolutely 0.00% hope that could happen. hire Jim Harbaugh or kirby Smart
treyingeorgia
October 4th, 2010
2:29 pm
As I sit here reading the posts and wondering who might the Dogs go after if Richt is indeed given the pink slip…. Harbaugh, Muschamp, KSmart— what about BVG? I’m serious, from an earlier post by UGABugKiller it sounds like he left in a huff when Richt wouldn’t back him for a raise choosing to promote Martinez… I know his experience at GSU wasn’t pleasant ( as a GSU Grads those morons down in Statesboro still think it is 1990; but, thats another story for another day ) Kinda a wildcard; but, I bet he would jump in a hardbeat to come back to Athens especially with the success brewing in Flowery Branch… Just a thought…
Dirty Dawg
October 4th, 2010
2:30 pm
Didn’t bother to read all the posts here today – no need to, I’ve heard ‘em before, dating back to those that wanted Dooley to take that Oklahoma job back in the late 60’s. Can’t tell you how many of my, true, Tech, Florida, Tenn, et.al., friends that have said to me how much respect they have for Mark Richt, and that doesn’t mean they think their team’ll beat us year after year, it’s about class, character AND ability. Unfortunately, the results have been lacking, but we’re all in this together and the attacks posted here, starting with Schultz and Bradley, only serve to make things worse…to bring out the selfish, the cynics, the hateful, those that ‘think’ they’re smart. Schultz and Bradley I can understand, their only dog in this fight is to see how many of the rabble they can rouse, but Georgia fans…true Georgia fans…that’s tough. Who knows what the real problem is…maybe it’s just that God’s either not a Georgia fan, or more likely that he’s just not into football in the first place.
I was one that thought Donnan deserved another year to ‘get it right’, and believe that Richt deserves as many years as he wants to do the same. Bradley and Schultz will be on to other scabs they can pick in order to keep their ‘hits’ up so they can bargain for a raise when their next contract comes due, but the real Georgia fans will be here making sure that the people that have to get the job done – coaches, players and administration – know that we’ve ‘got their back’. Anybody got a problem with that?
By the way Gators, with all this about Georgia, the Braves, etc., haven’t noticed anything about whether Urban’s had another ‘episode’…No?…well just wait, he’ll be ‘retired’ again by 1/11.
Garth Brooks
October 4th, 2010
2:30 pm
I say call up Muschamp and ask him why he couldn’t stop those m^th@rf*ck#r Bruins and Sooners!
Jeff Schultz
October 4th, 2010
2:31 pm
Tucker T — Pure speculation: Yes, he has changed enough to make a difference.
Ed
October 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
I hear all the time about what a wonderful person Richt is. And he probably is; I don’t know him personally and can’t comment one way or the other. But he sure seems tolerant of bad behavior and the fact that he hasn’t pulled the offer to LeMay says a lot. He also seems to subtly (and at times not so subtly) deflect blame away from himself and towards players and assistants after tough losses. Ex: “I don’t know what took us (Bobo) so long to get him (AJ Green) the ball.”
It’s easy to use your faith as a convenient excuse to “forgive” bad behavior, when the truth is you don’t want to get rid of a talented, scholarship athlete. The problem is, you get a roster full of dumbasses and scofflaws. At the very least, you have a roster full of players who are less than highly motivated because they don’t sense that you are in control or fully committed. That doesn’t work in big time college football.
Barry Saggitarius
October 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
So if this is our “one down year”, then what do you call last year? And the year before that? Not down years? Really? Some of you people are ridiculous.
Beast from the East
October 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
Dawg Fans,
I think most of us in the SEC would like to see UGA turn it around, albeit not at the expense of our own team’s success. It’s a shame to see what has been a very strong program fall on such hard times. UT kind of deserved their fate with the hiring of Lame. They learned a valuable lesson, hired what appears to be the right guy to fix their mess and are headed in the right direction. I’m still not sure what UGA needs to do. Is there a better candidate available and willing to come to UGA? Richt was one the the best in the country last decade. Can he turn it around? If so, then how long will it take? Looks like your program is at a cross-roads. The question is which road to take?
Jeff Schultz
October 4th, 2010
2:33 pm
Jason — Can you tell me where this “85 percent” figure comes from? And repeating: I am not ranting or poking fun and Mark Richt’s Christian values. I mean, if you’re just going to flat make stuff up, what’s the point?
Tech Fan Since 1950
October 4th, 2010
2:33 pm
Coach Richt seems like a good man and he has been a great coach. We at Tech have watched him perhaps a little longer than most folks since he was the Offensive Coordinator at FSU that always killed us in the ACC. He’s done a pretty good job of that too at UGA. Georgia fans have great expectations and that is good, but I do think they need to be a bit more realistic for this year only. You are playing with a new quarterback, who seems to be doing much better than you probably deserve for a first year player. Usually you have a fairly easy schedule much of the first five games, but to your credit you opted to travel outside the southeast to Colorado. You faced pretty good South Carolina, Arkansas, and Mississippi State football teams early. (Mississippi State is an up and coming SEC team with an outstanding coach and they cannot be ignored this year or in the future as long as Mullen is there and he can bring in a few more good recruits.). As we have learned at Tech, changing the defensive scheme takes some time and we are having the same growing pains as UGA. The discipline situation, or lack thereof, at UGA seems to be out of whack and that is a definite reflection on the type of players being recruited and cultivated. I know most UGA players are good guys, but it seems the school has been hard hit with problems and a coach really has to take some of the blame in this area. Turnovers kill, lineman have to block, but yet you are so close. I hate to say it, but if you folks hang tight with all the talent you have, next year may be the year for you and Coach Richt. I suspect you’ll probably end up in a pretty good bowl game this year as well. Thank you for your patience with an old Tech guy, but after all ya’ll “run this state”.
DunwoodyDawg
October 4th, 2010
2:34 pm
Everyone needs to just Chillax. Richt did not wake up this morning and forget how to coach. Georgia’s standard of excellence that everyone refers to was built by Richt over the last 10 years. The last ten years have been our best years with regards to the prestige of our program. Sure the bar is raised in the SEC over the passed 5 years, and Richt will meet the challenge. He has brought our program back as a top 10 program in the country after Dooley. Please don’t take the attitude of “what have you done for me lately”. How would you like it if your boss came in and said, “you have been an exemplary employee for 10 years, but this year, not very good….you are fired! Give the man an opportunity to figure it out. He is an unbelievable recruiter. He has picked the right man for the DC position, let him get it installed. The position coaches are the ones that have to coach up the players. One has to think that, he needs to look at those coaches on the offensive side of the ball as well. Adversity brings out the best in people, and he will get this straightened out. But it does not happen over night. He deserves the time to correct it. Plus, what coach out there that is available, is a sure thing better than Richt? Then you have the continuity problem with recruiting, etc that takes a while to overcome. If you change coaches, it always gets worse before it gets better. Please keep supporting CMR, for our recruiting sake.
valyboy32
October 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
WELL IT DOESNT FEEL GOOD TO HAVE A RECORD LIKE VANDERBUILT OR OTHER LOW LIFE SEC TEAMS I NEVER THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME BUT COACH HAS LOST IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE HE’S GONE ALL OUR PROBLEMS START FROM THE TOP AND HE’S 1ST ON THE LIST
Nathan Hale
October 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
Thanks Mr ” THE SHAM” for firing us all up.
Go and tell our pu— players and coaches so we can
all hunker down. I buy tickets too and am not close
to getting my money’s worth.
bjohndawg
October 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
Jeff, Did you and Mark Bradley time your assault? His post 1123 yours 1128. Did you choose Omaha Beach and he choose Utah? Hey, not complaining just saying. I dont ever remember two articles by you guys on the same time same day and time.
But hey they are both on the mark. No pun intended.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 4th, 2010
2:36 pm
Jeff
stop giving Jason Hell or are you trying to work him for more hits on your BLOG. AHHAHAHA You are a smart man Jeff Schultz.
I'm Hacked Off!
October 4th, 2010
2:37 pm
I went to Georgiadogs.com to watch the post-game CMR presser like I normally do. Within the first few seconds of the start, he was smiling. I immediately got out of it. I’m thinking…
You just lost your 4th game in a row and you can smile?
This isn’t about being a good person, or loving God, or any of that. This is about football. You either win or lose.
Right now, we’re losing and I don’t see any wins in sight. And if you think we’re gonna run all over UT this weekend…think again!
valyboy32
October 4th, 2010
2:38 pm
I MEAN I LIKE HIS CHRISTAIN VALUES AND BY BEING CHRISTAIN IT DOESNT MEAN YOU SUPPOSE TO BE SOFTH DAVID WASNT SOFTH SAMPSON WASNT SOFTH BUT RICHT IS AND THATS CRAZY
bill
October 4th, 2010
2:40 pm
The Richt defenders on this blog have more detrmination and fight than the entire UGA team…and that’s why this under-performing team better buckle-it-up this Saturday and HIT somebody, because a loss to Dooley’s Vols will be the tipping point for a new direction…
Jeff Schultz
October 4th, 2010
2:41 pm
Thanks Supes.
Melinda
October 4th, 2010
2:41 pm
I am most disappointed the lack of discipline on and off the field. I think Richt is a great person… I wish he would put more effort into tough-love measures rather than this benevolent father figure role he is assuming with the players. Lead by example, but you also have to crack down at times and dole out the discipline.
To be fair, two of the teams they lost to were better teams. The Mississippi State and Colorado games should have been won, even without AJ Green.
dawgngriffin
October 4th, 2010
2:41 pm
Tennessee = Loss Vandy = 60% uga win UK = Loss UF = Big loss Auburn = Embarrasing loss GT= Another Colorado game prob on the verge of beating the bugs but we will find a way to give them the win. My prediction 3-9 and the Richt stays one more year
Jeff Schultz
October 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
Ponte Vedra Dawg — You’re not first to bring up Dan Mullen, although I’d like to see a little more from MSU first.
gatorman770
October 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
Don’t blame Richt, blame George Bush…..it seems to work for the lamestream national media and the Obamamites!
James
October 4th, 2010
2:42 pm
CMR deserves our support as well as the coaches, players and university. I’ve been a Bulldog fan for so many I’ve lost count. Everyone is entitled to a bad season. After Coach Dooley, Goff was canned too soon then you brought in the malcontent Donnan, who to this day snickers on the air when talking about bad fortunes for UGA. There aint no one out there who can do a better job with this program.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 4th, 2010
2:43 pm
Jeff,
Looks like UGA is a basketball school now. DO you know where we can learn to talk smack about basketball? Never done that before. Well except when Dominique Wilkins was at UGA.
Jeff Schultz
October 4th, 2010
2:44 pm
Dawgster — you’re another one making too much of the mission reference and missing the context.
Jason
October 4th, 2010
2:46 pm
Jeff-
The 85%, comes from a survey your colleague Mark Bradley did, asking AJC readers who is to blame when players do dumb stuff. 85% agreed with me, it’s players fault, 15% agreed with you, it’s the coach’s fault. Doesn’t mean you’re wrong again, just means 85% of people think you’re wrong again and agree with me.
I don’t see any reason on earth mentioning a mission trip, in an article about the current state of Georgia football, has any kind of relevance. To me, it seemed like you were taking a shot at Richt’s spirituality and calling into question his priorities. I admire a coach who puts God first, family next, football way down the list—that kind of person is wise in my book. Why did you bring up a mission trip, I don’t see your point?
Here’s the link if you want to see the survey:
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/07/12/blame-mark-richt-hes-not-the-one-whos-embarrassing-uga/
Snoop Dawg
October 4th, 2010
2:47 pm
I’ve got a great solution to our dilemma: Let’s just reassign Mark Richt to be the university chaplain. Naturally, we would need to reduce his pay from seven figures to just five…
M3
October 4th, 2010
2:48 pm
ELVISKL – quit giving your roommate a reach-around and go ahead and suck on it. BTW even as bad as we were last year we still beat Tech!
Terry Funk
October 4th, 2010
2:48 pm
How the heck is Georgia a 12.5pt favorite vs Tennessee in Vegas….???? Mark is a nice man he goes on vacation and comes back with 2 adopted children…but he may have lost his edge as a head coach….just sayin…
Jeff Schultz
October 4th, 2010
2:48 pm
POAD — I’m Jason has special gifts.
AMS Jacket
October 4th, 2010
2:49 pm
Jeff,
You hit the nail on the head…the Georgia players don’t leave their hearts on the field. Tech hasn’t played smart but with the exception of Kansas they were out there giving their all.
The Georgia team has to decide they want to win…nothing else will make the difference. CMR has to start benching some “great players” and start playing the ones who want to win.
One small deal, though – I’m an engineer and all that, but since when do we have 365 weeks a year?
JIMBOB (aka James Robert)
October 4th, 2010
2:50 pm
It’d be hilarious if UGA hired Dooley the younger away from TN after the season…
Now THAT would be a story.