Richt looking forward to putting Dogs’ season behind him
Mark Richt celebrated after beating Georgia Tech but he can't wait for this season to end.
ATHENS – The final home practice of the season had ended Tuesday, and Mark Richt acted like somebody just surgically removed a bowling ball from the top of his cranium.
He smiled. He cracked jokes. He probably hadn’t been this relaxed since word first leaked of some NCAA investigation into A.J. Green back in July.
“It’s the last day,” Richt said Tuesday, almost giddy. “It’s kind of like just before the first day of summer when the kids can’t wait to go on vacation. What they don’t realize is the teachers are even more excited than the pupils. I’ve got four days now where hopefully I don’t have to do anything. That would be awesome.”
Can you blame him?
It’s not that Richt isn’t looking forward to Georgia’s final game, the Liberty Bowl against Central Florida. But mostly he is looking forward to this season officially being over. Losses, suspensions and arrests have worn on him (it’s worth noting Richt’s qualifier: “… where hopefully I don’t have to do anything.”)
The season can’t be fixed. It can, however, be dropped into a waste basket.
Richt recognizes the problems. It’s why he churned part of his coaching staff last year and recently demoted his strength and conditioning coach. Defense is an issue. Mental and physical toughness — definitely issues. The Dogs are losing too many games late and too many games on the road, which used to be a staple under Richt.
Resolve, resilience — those are just words now.
Richt: “We played close games but close doesn’t get it done. We talk about finishing the drill, but we certainly didn’t live up to that.”
He won’t wait until the spring to talk to his players about next season, or until the day after the Liberty Bowl. The 2011 season, he said, starts when the scoreboard clock in Memphis hits 0:00.
“Here’s how I look at next year: When we play the [bowl] game, and it’s over, and we’re in the locker room, I’m going to thank those seniors for everything they did, and hopefully they’ll have a smile on their face,” he said. “Once I tell the seniors thank you, I’ll talk to the juniors and I’ll say, ‘OK, from this moment forward, it’s on your watch. This is your team. What are you going to do with it?’ We’ll immediately start talking about next year.”
And then this: “When the game’s over, we’re turning the page.”
Does this sound like a man ready to move on?
Of course, Richt recognizes that it’s really he who’s on watch next season, more than the returning players. He has been questioned in Athens like never before. A segment of the fan base wanted him out. Since winning two SEC titles in his first five seasons, he has seen other programs pass Georgia. South Carolina just won the East. Only three schools – Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Mississippi – won fewer conference games this season than the Dogs.
Georgia’s 3-5 record – the same as the recently imploded Tennessee. Nobody expected that, least of all Richt.
When athletic director Greg McGarity reaffirmed before the Georgia Tech game that he wasn’t going to make a change. I’ve stated before, that’s the right call. Richt has built up enough credits in 10 years that he deserves an opportunity to turn this around. If he can’t do it next year, then the subject is certain to be revisited.
Richt knows this. But he feels good about quarterback Aaron Murray. He feels confident the defense will improve. He thinks changes in the strength and conditioning program are “going to make us better.”
A win in the Liberty Bowl would be nice, Richt said. But it can’t wipe out the last several months — and he is so ready to move on.
♦
Earlier posts
– NFL MVP race: Vick and Brady are even (Ryan, White close behind)
– Site says Georgia No. 21, Tech unranked going into 2011
– Poll time: Are Thrashers destined for a better year than Hawks?
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344 comments Add your comment
Todd
December 22nd, 2010
10:39 am
Yea, Yea
I remember an article 8 some yrs. ago that Florida was bringing in Ron Zuke and the door was open.
What did Richt do? Proceeded to put up back to back 13pt games and go 1-2 vs. Zuke, and I don’t even count the 1 win, Zuke was a fired coach who ran out of the tunnel to the wrong bench, we had to hang on the win that 1.
This guy flat out gets tight when he sees Florida run out of the tunnel. And yes folks, it’s still about the game in Jax, always has been, always will. And Mark Richt has “really” posted 1 win in Jax. Are you serious? And we’re still talking well next yr. I feel good about it all, Aron Murrray, …….
Can you imagine the pressure Richt will be feeling, even if he’s undefeated going in to Jax, looking over at Will Muschamp! Richt and Bobo will throw up at the hotel and then get on the bus over to Alltel, Florida runs out and Richt and Bobo freeze, takes them a whole first half to adjust, by then it’s too late, just like a few months back.
I’m telling you, nothing has changed.
All alone at The Flats
December 22nd, 2010
10:40 am
I go to sleep alone.
Wake up alone.
Dine alone,
Study alone.
Go to GT games alone.
I sit and watch UGA games and the pretty sorority girls and I know that I am always alone.
UGA sorority girls often are asked to go on blind dates with GT men and when they learn that I am a GT mAn, I go to the movie alone BUT WITH TWO TICKETS.
Grant Field during rival games makes me feel alone because it is always empty … like my mouth is now, that they knocked my teeth out.
I laid on the floor after they beat me …………………alone on Ethel Street.
It is never good to be alone at GT ……………..you can lose your video games and your teeth.
1eyedJack
December 22nd, 2010
10:46 am
All alone at The Flats
Bless your heart….Momma still wuvs you. The basement is just like you left it. Please come home.
Two wins in Jax
December 22nd, 2010
10:50 am
CMR has 2 wins in 10 attempts vs Florida and frankly, who has a better record in the SEC playing them every year??? UGA plays them always in Florida. No, the 2009 SEC C game does not count ……………..what coach has a a better record over 10 in the SEC? Who has consistently defeated The U of F????
Richt is in his 10th yr and there is no other SEC coach but one, so the others must have come and gone, because had they handled The U of F and CUM, they would still be with us.
Put this in perspective ………………U of F has been THE FOOTBALL STANDARD for years now in the entire NCAA Div 1 and I am a UGA grad. Richt could easily have won two more counting this year and one or two others in his 10 but he did not but 2 vs Florida ain’t so bad.
Spurrier has won two in his 5 years. His first yr and this year. Richt is in good company.SS also is a Florida grad and he is a legend …………………legend he is. Like him or not.
Kids …………………when you come on this site, have some info not just some teen dribble.
Go Dogs. UGA is great with or w.o. a winning 10-2 type of year
Prof
December 22nd, 2010
10:56 am
Good luck UGA in the Toilet Bowl!!!
Roddy White battles Saints and Dilfer via Twitter | Jeff Schultz
December 22nd, 2010
10:56 am
[...] – Richt looking forward to putting Dogs’ season behind him [...]
If this does not prove that Richt should be fired after a 6-6 season, nothing ever will.
December 22nd, 2010
10:59 am
Pro Football Weekly, after gathering input from NFL evaluators, has released its 2010 All-America team based on a combination of draft value, pure talent and performance.
Any guesses on which SEC team had the most first-team selections?
Georgia … by a mile.
The Bulldogs, who suffered through the worst season of the Mark Richt era, had five players on the first team, including Cordy Glenn and Clint Boling as both of the offensive guards. A.J. Green was selected at receiver, Justin Houston at outside linebacker and Drew Butler at punter.
No other SEC team had more than one player selected as a first-team All-American, which only reinforces that Georgia was far more talented than its record reflected this season. The Bulldogs (6-6) need to beat UCF in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to avoid their first losing season since 1996.
I want to put this season away too..
December 22nd, 2010
11:22 am
except 42-34
BBBBWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAA
DOUCHES
Moonpie
December 22nd, 2010
11:22 am
It’s not just Richt-
I want to put this season away too..
December 22nd, 2010
11:23 am
73-72
ALL
YEAR
LONG
BBBWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAAA
Moonpie
December 22nd, 2010
11:24 am
@If this does not prove
It isnt just Richt-This has been going on for years. Goff-had Terrell Davis-NFL-Super Bowl MVP and never really played him.Donnan had Stroud and Seymour and couldnt win a SEC Title.The list goes on and on.
funny...
December 22nd, 2010
11:27 am
The best quote I’ve heard out of Athens in 30 years is Todd Grantham earlier last week on 680 with Buck Belue. He said about recruiting, “Is this kid going to help us beat Florida? That’s how I’m looking at players. Georgia can’t achieve it’s goals until we beat Florida.”
It’s about damn time! That’s been Florida’s mantra since 1990. Beat Georgia and it will all take care of itself. It’s that simple. Georgia has been too worried about the “end game”. Too worried about winning the SEC or the NC before looking at the steps to get their. Georgia has relied on it’s total domination of Florida before 1990, it’s rested on “well we’ve won in Jacksonville before”.
Georgia has to get out of the Vince Dooley state of mind, realise that the season and everything they play for should be BEAT FLORIDA, everything else will fall into place. The alumni need to quit worrying about Tech because relevance has passed them by. Georgia will split with UT, win 3 out of 4 against USCe, and split with Auburn.
Georgia needs to focus on Florida. All else falls into place.
funny...
December 22nd, 2010
11:29 am
ughhh…
there (((sorry)))
Moonpie
December 22nd, 2010
11:31 am
funny,
Ok I will go with that theory-Nothing else has worked.Count me in!
Chaz Henry
December 22nd, 2010
11:49 am
funny…
Only a dog would listen to anything this choker would say. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahaahhaahahahahhaahahhaahahahahahhaah…………….
Nick Fairley scares dawg fans
December 22nd, 2010
12:01 pm
“Georgia will split with UT, win 3 out of 4 against USCe, and split with Auburn.”
dawg fans claimed that they’d win the east this year. dawg predictions never ever ever come true.
how2fish
December 22nd, 2010
12:25 pm
Nick Fairley scares dawg fans could you ask ol’Nick to please come back for his senior year , we and the rest of the SEC would like to express just how we feel about his type of play. If he were to show up next season in Athens you would have an accurate gauge on just how scared we are of that symbol of all things that Auburn football has come to stand for………tell to bring his “belt” with him.
billdawg
December 22nd, 2010
12:44 pm
Never ceases to amaze – the inability of “blawgers” to write coherent, grammatically correct sentences.
Jeff needs to get himself a pair of glasses tinted some color other than brown. UGA is doing fine. One stumble doesn’t indicate a complete fall, not even a fall sport disaster.
GO, Dawgs! and D A double U G!
guydog
December 22nd, 2010
12:46 pm
@ Nick Fairley scares dawg fans
You’re a liar. I’m a dog fan and did not predict that we would win the east. Fail.
Sanford Drive
December 22nd, 2010
12:50 pm
There’s nothing dumber than a Georgia Bulldog!
oakwood dawg
December 22nd, 2010
1:20 pm
Nick Fairie—-I’m surprised that your favorite play wasn’t (UN)Fairley ramming his head into the back of Aaron Murray. Dan Mullen ant the #21–One question–what if Mullen is UGA coach(I hope not cause I like the pro style offense)in 2012? You still gonna kick our a$$? And by the way–Sanford Drive is dumber than the dumbest.
Derek
December 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
2010 was what happens when you make the wrong decision at QB. Murray lost 6 games, 5 were his fault. He just choked when it counted, time after time, only did ok when it was against teams with losing records.
Thanks goodness Christian Lemay will be on campus on about a week, to get this ship turned around.
With the right QB, UGA would have been 10-2 in 2010.
Joey
December 22nd, 2010
3:31 pm
Jeff-
When did Richt ever say he was looking forward to putting thre season behind him?
I don’t sense that at all.
He’s looking forward to a few days off for Christmas, who doesn’t?
Richt enjoys the moment, he’s only focused on right now, that means winning the Bowl game, and getting the young guys some reps.
Chances of somebody pulling a Murray, and losing 6 games again, is slim.
George
December 22nd, 2010
3:55 pm
Agree, done with Murray, I like that “pulling a Murray” phrase to describe QB’s who can’t beat winning teams.
Lemay is superb. Best QB Georgia has ever recruited. Totally jacked about Christian Lemay.
The rest of us
December 22nd, 2010
4:43 pm
Derek
December 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
2010 was what happens when you make the wrong decision at QB. Murray lost 6 games, 5 were his fault. He just choked when it counted, time after time, only did ok when it was against teams with losing records.
Thanks goodness Christian Lemay will be on campus on about a week, to get this ship turned around.
With the right QB, UGA would have been 10-2 in 2010.
You are an idiot, Murray does not and will never play on the defensive side of the ball. Please refrain from posting on here again until you figure that out.
82Dawg
December 22nd, 2010
5:01 pm
@Derek ….You are just STUPID!!! Murry did not lose 5 games for us. Look at the running backs if you want to point the finger at one person. You are to funny.Who should have been the QB?
Let's Talk About UGA!
December 22nd, 2010
5:11 pm
DawgNation,
It’s that time of day. I’m good and drunk. Go Dawgs!
Mama is about to go on a date with some guy named ‘John.’ Go Dawgs!
I’ll have the trailer all to myself. Go Dawgs!
It’s time to break out the pirated DVD of the 1981 Sugar Bowl. Go Dawgs!
I’ll have to keep the noise down though. The local cops have a new officer. That son-of-a-bitch looks like Nick Fairley in a S.W.A.T. uniform. Go Dawgs!
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
82Dawg
December 22nd, 2010
5:16 pm
@Let’s Talk About UGA! ….Don’t forget to watch all 175 Natl Champions Bama claims…
Roddy White battles Saints and Dilfer via Twitter – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | bali listing
December 22nd, 2010
5:47 pm
[...] – Richt looking forward to putting Dogs’ season behind him [...]
Snoop Dawg
December 22nd, 2010
5:53 pm
I am underwhelmed. Of course Richt recognizes the problem. Identification of the problem, however, is just the first step of the six step problem solving framework. Any casual observer recognizes the real problem. Er, uh that would be the CEO, Mark Wrecked. Yes, he fancies himself as a CEO, not a head ball coach. There lies the basic problem. He has no energy, no fire in his belly. He is detached and arrogant. And both his and his staff’s complete lack of coaching and leadership skills are obvious to all but the most blind Aplogists and Defenders in the Bulldog Nation.
There is a faction who thinks that we shouldn’t talk about our coaching problem with candor and frankness. They are misguided. We need to solve the problem, and the problem is Richt plain and simple.
It is well past time that UGA football regain our glory and Tradition with a fresh proven professional coaching staff. The longer we wait, the greater and longer the pain and embarassment. Also, the UGA is going to lose a lot of money from alumni donations and UGA football revenue. Nobody likes a loser.
Snoop Dawg
December 22nd, 2010
5:59 pm
Here’s another thing. It sounds like Richt and Company have decided to just kind of skate from now until the bowl game day. What a mistake! They should be working EXTRA HARD to avoid a losing season. Somehow, I cannot picture Mark Richt motivating much of anybody. Can you? Do not be surprised if the Dawgs come back from Memphis with their tail between their legs. Not only can we not beat Florida, we can not even beat Central Florida… Who would have ever thought that the great Bulldog Nation would have sunk to such depths?
mars
December 22nd, 2010
6:21 pm
I wish we had the best coach in the SEC. Unfortunately, our boy is not even in the top ten of a twelve league conference. Look for another year of disappointment. After half a century, I’m switching my alliegance to the GS Panthers.
mars
December 22nd, 2010
6:32 pm
Keep Murray and replace Richt and 2010 Dawgs are 10-2. Do you idiots know anything about football? During a public discussion I was involved in on Richt, the most ardent Richt supporter during the entire conversation was a woman who made the most sense with this comment in his defense; “Hey, Mark Richt is a handsome man!” Kind of overshadowed all the silly comments about him being a “nice guy”. Well, there you have it. You get what you settle for. With this type of mentality in the stands, why not have STUPID on the field as well? Go Falcons!
Let's Talk About UGA!
December 22nd, 2010
9:00 pm
DawgNation,
Did I mention that I love these blogs.
Currently, My Dawgs are the most irrelevant team in college football.
Yet, there is a place where we can come and pound our chests.
We can bask in the radiance of past glory.
I was just about to hang myself with a garden hose when I realized that My Dawgs need me drooling on my mother’s keyboard, ranting away on this blog.
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Phil
December 22nd, 2010
9:07 pm
I’m ready to move on also, without Richt.
MisplacedDawg
December 22nd, 2010
9:15 pm
For all those making the trip to the bowl, let’s join in for a 4th quarter chant for AJ. just to remind these kids that the passion we have for college football won’t be shared in the NFL! We need AJ back because next season can be special. Let’s show them what it means to all of us! Go Dawgs!
oakwood dawg
December 22nd, 2010
10:13 pm
For all of you that think Murray is not a great QB, you need to go suck eggs. You know absolutely about college football. Wait until next year and see what he does. If we lose it will not be his fault. If we win you can bank on the fact he had a lot to do with the W.
BoWeevil
December 23rd, 2010
2:20 am
Central Florida will BEAT him, saddling him with a LOSING RECORD for the entire season, if Mark Richt is looking forward to putting this season behind him.
He just has NO FIRE for this game of football – NONE.
BoWeevil
December 23rd, 2010
2:21 am
W
?
What W ?
Aaron Murray beat 6 cupcakes
That is it.
NoFKNdog
December 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
Remember all of you dog fans who state other quotes slamming your stupid dogs does not matter, yes it does. You continue to comment about how great you are. But, as stated, you all will continue to SUCK untit the world ends. Go look in the mirror. You stupes SUCK!!! Do you now understand?
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
Let's Talk About UGA!
December 23rd, 2010
10:25 am
DawgNation,
I was just about to drop Mama’s electric hair dryer in the shower with me when I realized that My Dawgs need me frothing at the mouth and howling in the stands just for them.
When UGA makes a big play, I suddenly drool from where my two front, bottom teeth once were.
I’m a hit at the tail gate parties. I use my single upper front tooth as a bottle opener.
I just hope UCF doesn’t send us home in red panties.
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Roger
December 23rd, 2010
12:37 pm
Jeff-
Wow, you, a mindreader?
Richt didn’t say anything NEAR to what you’re attributing to him.
Talk about a misquote.
FLA DAWG
December 23rd, 2010
3:46 pm
Here we go again, waiting for NEXT SEASON.
What a waste.
Next season will prove to be a waste as well.
Richt will melt and our rebuilding will be yet another season away.
What a waste.
Yellow Fuzz
December 26th, 2010
8:07 am
Merry Christmas to every AH dog fan out there!