Richt gives no reason to believe he can turn Georgia around
Mark Richt finished with his worst record at Georgia (6-7) and the Dogs had their first losing season since 1996.
MEMPHIS – Mark Richt says he is disappointed. He says he has to make changes. He says the Georgia football program is not where it needs to be, and when a once-respectable SEC program ends its season by failing to score a touchdown against a team from Conference USA, nobody is going to dispute that.
Here’s the only matter up for debate: Does anybody believe Mark Richt can still get it done?
It didn’t look like it this season, when the Bulldogs finished with a losing record (6-7) for the first time in 14 years. It didn’t look like it at Mississippi State or Colorado or in Jacksonville (again).
It didn’t look like it Friday night, because if the average Georgia fan considers it humiliating having to win in the final week of the season just to become bowl eligible — and then get stuck with the Liberty Bowl — what do you call it when the Bulldogs lose to Central Florida, 10-6?
This is what it looks like: Mark Richt has lost control of this program.
At the very least, he has lost the benefit of the doubt. The win totals in the last four seasons: 11, 10, eight, six.
Before Georgia’s game against Tech, I stated that Richt’s early success in Athens (two SEC titles in five seasons) earned him another year and the right to fix the problems. A part of me still believes that. But there’s mounting evidence that’s not going to happen.
The Dogs open next season against Boise State. Is there any part of you right now that says Georgia will win that game?
Ten days before Auburn will play in the BCS championship game, four days before Arkansas is in the Sugar Bowl and on the same afternoon a story broke that new Florida coach Will Muschamp is on the verge of hiring Charlie Weis as the Gators’ offensive coordinator, Georgia lost a bottom-tier bowl game to a team from Conference USA, which is a hiccup ahead of the Sun Belt.
If the damage from this was limited, it’s only because Uga VIII stayed home with a stomach virus.
Hopefully, the dog wasn’t watching on TV when Richt sent the worst possible message to his team on their opening possession. The offense had just driven from their own one-yard line to the UCF three. But on fourth-and-1 — and in the first quarter of the Liberty Bowl — Richt opted for the field goal. He defended the decision afterward.
Is that how Richt now defines finishing the drill?
The Dogs didn’t necessarily look emotionless. They just looked pointless.
Central Florida, coached by the familiar George O’Leary, smacked them in the mouth. Georgia didn’t look equipped to smack back. They couldn’t run the ball. They couldn’t get tough yards. They couldn’t make a big play when they needed one. They were 3 for 14 on third-down conversions.
Aaron Murray completed his first seven passes. Then he went 14 for 31 with two interceptions. A.J. Green had eight catches but they covered only 77 yards (9.6 average, well below his 15.7 season average).
Say goodbye to A.J.: He didn’t make it official afterward that his next catch will be in the NFL but logic says that Liberty Bowl humiliation won’t be enough to keep him in college.
This is worse than Starkville, even worse than Boulder. It came at the end of a season, after a month of preparation, when Georgia should have worked out some of its problems.
Also, Colorado doesn’t play in a conference made by Fisher-Price.
In his typical postgame monotone delivery, Richt said: “We’re all disappointed. We didn’t want to finish with a loss. We didn’t want to finish with a losing record. Nobody would’ve predicted that. But it is what it is. There’s reasons why we ended up the way we did. We have to make changes. We have to make sure it doesn’t happen again in the future. We have to change how we go about our business. We’re going to improve. We’re going to get Georgia where it belongs.”
Do you believe him? Because from here, it looks like Georgia just turned into Kentucky – a school looking forward to basketball season.
Georgia loses almost annually to Florida. Now it loses to Central Florida. Get ready for 2012: Florida Atlantic is on the schedule.
Don’t laugh. It’s not that big of a step down. And things are headed in that direction.
– By Jeff Schultz
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2,265 comments Add your comment
john
January 1st, 2011
4:01 pm
Georgia is living in the past and suffers from cronyism,good old boy menatlity.It has lost it’s killer instinct.Living in the 70’s and Vince Dooley dreamland isn’t working.Think outside the box and get you a real coach.It will be expensive but worth it.Mark Richt wasn’t the answer and you are finding out the hard way.Pony up the $$,look past the south,and get with the program or not only will you lose to Florida and Central Florida but if Jacksonville University or Florida Atlantic is on the schedule you might lose to them as well…..GO GATORS!!!
1980 was so long ago
January 1st, 2011
4:03 pm
“”"”"”"”Unrelated to the game BUT why does Richt not go ahead and remove Caleb King from scholarship? I mean if things are going to change wouldn’t this be a good start?”"”"”"”‘
Most “college” programs would do so. This would imply a step in the direction of intregity in the program at uga…..not a chance.
Ron Burgundy
January 1st, 2011
4:03 pm
I find this debate both compelling and rich.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
CFU beat teams with a total record of 42-78 nad lost to teams with a record of 23-13. UCF was no power house that should have been able to hold UGA (the 30+ pt scoring machine) to no TDs and just 6 points.
Letterman85
January 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
Caleb needs to move on. A sure thing
J Clay
January 1st, 2011
4:04 pm
Who could UGA TRY to hire?
Names that come to mind:Chris Petersen, Dan Mullen, Kyle Whittingham, Jon Gruden, Doug Marrone, Ralph Freidgen, Vince Dooley, Bud Foster, Urban Meyer (haha could you imagine), Steve Spurrier, not the new Pitt coach he is in worse trouble than Richt, Chip Kelly, I can name more
DawgFan
January 1st, 2011
4:05 pm
My question is whether Richt wants to coach UGA any longer. He doesn’t even look interested on the sideline.
UGA would have NO issue finding a top tier coach. The UGA football program in in the top 10 consistently in revenue and profits generated and have top notch facilities.
I think Richt will quit before UGA will fire him. He is 9-1 against Tech at least. HAHAHAHA
1980 was so long ago
January 1st, 2011
4:06 pm
“”"”"”"”CFU beat teams with a total record of 42-78 nad lost to teams with a record of 23-13. UCF was no power house that should have been able to hold UGA (the 30+ pt scoring machine) to no TDs and just 6 points.”"”"”"
I kept hearing about the team in Georgia that ran the high school offense, now that I watched the Liberty Bowl, I understand.
Paul in RDU
January 1st, 2011
4:06 pm
J Clay – Congratulations on the 2 straight wins over GT – doesn’t worry me one way or another. I get my biggest amusement reading posts where people just make things up.
J Clay
January 1st, 2011
4:08 pm
I guess Michigan State can no longer claimed they belonged in one of the BCS bowls eh? Also, anyone think Saban was a little miffed about blowing lead to the Plainsmen? Look how solid thye look today. Word to Coach Richt – that is what a month of practice and a chip on your shoulder should accomplish…
Letterman85
January 1st, 2011
4:08 pm
I know many are angry and even hate MR but I do worry about him. Something doesn’t seem right. Looks exhausted and distracted. Still appreciate those 2000 SEC champs
Gator On The Loose
January 1st, 2011
4:08 pm
I think Richt will quit before UGA will fire him. He is 9-1 against Tech at least. HAHAHAHA
It is a sad day when the SEC “powers” now have to set their standards of measure against the ACC programs.
But…….18 out of 21 gives them no other choice!!!!!
DawgFan
January 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
Vince Dooley and Bud Foster. What are they, almost 90?
Ralph Freidgen, PLEASE. He can’t win in the ACC.
Dan Mullen just signed a new 5 year contract and wouldn’t even talk to Florida.
Chris Petersen, remember what has happened to his predicesor at Colorado.
Spurier, please give me a break.
Why not Butch Davis, or June Jones, or Harbaugh?
J Clay
January 1st, 2011
4:09 pm
Paul in RDU – we can agree on that. I’ve noticed your posts on here before and you appear to be an objective fan at least….Something we can’t say for many fans on here (whether UGA or Tech or Auburn for htat matter)
J Clay
January 1st, 2011
4:10 pm
DawgFan – if you did not notice the obvious jokes in there – you need to put down the bottle….
J Clay
January 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
Butch Davis = cheats
June Jones = not a bad idea
Harbaugh = no chance to get him, gonig to SF 49ers or Michigan
Letterman85
January 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
Smart would be best choice. The game has a new Tempo and all that time under Saban has value
DawgFan
January 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
J Clay,
I was agreeing and joking back with with on Foster and Dooley.
J Clay
January 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
How about Rich Rod? I’m hearing he might be available after today. DawgFan – this is another joke just in case you are not sure
The game was not sold OUT
January 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
Can you hear us now? say goodbye to your full tills.
J Clay
January 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
Cool, maybe I need to put down the bottle then!
Paul in RDU
January 1st, 2011
4:12 pm
J Clay – Agree
BRob914
January 1st, 2011
4:14 pm
Good job deleting my post. You can’t even speak for yourself and respond to criticism Jeff? I pity you.
The Wild Dawg
January 1st, 2011
4:15 pm
Our biggest mistake was not seeing this coming earlier. We could have hired Mushchamp.
BTW, where are all of the people who said he could never replace Richt because he’d NEVER leave Texas????
The Wild Dawg
January 1st, 2011
4:18 pm
@ J Clay:
The only reason we’d NEVER get Harbaugh (as you say) is because McGarity doesn’t have the balls to fire Richt and go after Harbaugh!
Big East > SEC East
January 1st, 2011
4:19 pm
Short of a single season 30 years ago, UGA football has been nothing more than a mediocre to average regional program. For God’s sake, UGA couldn’t even beat UF in the Inept Bowl this year.
Phil
January 1st, 2011
4:19 pm
Watching all the bowl games today really makes me realize how far behind we are in the SEC. Alabama and Miss State blowing out their opponents. Florida up on Penn State. We are the bottom of the SEC looking up.
Time to make a big change in Athens starting with getting Richt the hell out of town.
Ron Burgundy
January 1st, 2011
4:21 pm
I find UGA football both compelling and rich.
Resentful Community Organizer
January 1st, 2011
4:24 pm
Can’t believe I’m saying it but, I too am now convinced it’s over for CMR in Athens. Is there anyone on this board who is optimistic about next year? If so, I’d love to hear from you, specifically, as to what it is you are optimistic about. Cause frankly, I don’t see much.
Wild dawg, you make a great point. Muschamp was available, he always was. And at this moment, there are quite a few other talented coaches, hungry and driven, to lead the dawgs.
Let’s get one….right now.
Phil
January 1st, 2011
4:24 pm
The Wild Dawg,
Agree about McGarity. Harbaugh is the best coach out there. Michigan might make a move on him after their debacle in the bowl game today. But if I was McGarity I would be on the phone to Harbaugh right now trying to make a pre-emptive strike. Just like Florida did with Muschamp, snatch him up before somebody else does.
Big East > SEC East
January 1st, 2011
4:24 pm
Even after a 6-6 or 7-5 season next season Rich isn’t going anywhere. Of course any man with pride would have left after last season, but think of all the missionaries he can feed off $3 mil a year in addition to whatever the big boosters are pumping into his church.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 1st, 2011
4:24 pm
the Wild Dawg
Are you as stupid as you sound? come in out of the wild. Harbaugh would never ever for any amount of money coach the STUPID players UGA has. Harbaugh has SMART kids at Stanford not ghetto thugs that don’t want to take real college degrees. Look at where right played and coached and you understand why and who UGA recruits.
Steve is a tranny
January 1st, 2011
4:26 pm
5150 P.O.A.D.
Harbaugh will end up at Michigan. Rich Rod is gone.
DamntheButcher
January 1st, 2011
4:26 pm
Somebody posted AD Greg M email address last night and I sent an email and much to my surprise I got a reply from GM about an hour later. Maybe all you people that are pissed off and want Mark Richt fired should email him as well.
Goodbye everybody He's got to go
January 1st, 2011
4:27 pm
if you wait till next year to fire him. UGA will be another year behind.the powers in charge need to use common sense.the big picture seems to be problem, like attendance, monies, recruiting, etc.
DamntheButcher
January 1st, 2011
4:27 pm
Harbaugh is going to the NFL. Why would he want to coach a collage team when he has several NFL options?
LT
January 1st, 2011
4:28 pm
Supported CMR for years, but it’s over, he needs to resign or Greg McGarity needs to “help” him resign, time to move on, that was just awful yesterday on so many levels. For all these people who believe UGA fans are delusional, not hardly, we have a bad program right now, but we can get this program headed in the right direction again, not undefeated every year, but at least 10 wins every year, which BTW has happened over and over…….
Big East > SEC East
January 1st, 2011
4:28 pm
The new AD probably goes to Sunday School with Richt so your efforts are futile.
If you haven’t figured it out, Athens is one big Christian ‘ole boy fund raising network.
John
January 1st, 2011
4:29 pm
I guess UCF doesn’t deserve any respect for fielding a very good Div-I team? This article is so typical of why people hate the BCS and why UGA has such a poor reputation.
Big East > SEC East
January 1st, 2011
4:29 pm
So how about this Dream Team recruiting class? I bet losing to Central Florida Culinary Tech isn’t going to help that cause…..
Phil
January 1st, 2011
4:30 pm
DamntheButcher,
Give us that e-mail address. If it’s not bogus that is.
Phil
January 1st, 2011
4:34 pm
5150 P.O.A.D.,
There is nothing wrong with aiming high on a coach like Harbaugh. Could we get him? Probably not, but I wouldn’t call out anyone on here as stupid just because we want to replace a clown like Richt with one of the best coaches in college football.
DamntheButcher
January 1st, 2011
4:35 pm
Here is the address. And yes I was shocked that GM actually sent me a presonal reply.
Greg McGarity
DamntheButcher
January 1st, 2011
4:36 pm
gmcgarity@SPORTS.UGA.EDU
Buh Bye
January 1st, 2011
4:36 pm
Boise State 70, Dawgturds 6.
And another season goes down the toilet.
Letterman85
January 1st, 2011
4:36 pm
Finish the drill CR
DamntheButcher
January 1st, 2011
4:36 pm
personal*
DamntheButcher
January 1st, 2011
4:38 pm
Thx for your thoughts XXXXX.
Greg McGarity Director of Athletics University of Georgia
Above is the reply I got from GM on the email I sent him lastnight. I removed my name so all you nut cases wouldn’t get it.
DawginTX
January 1st, 2011
4:40 pm
I have always been against knee-jerk reactions when it comes to firing coaches who have won in the past. But the $800K defensive coordinator gave up 30+ 4 times and the offense looked as bad as they did to start the year with a top-5 pick at WR, one of the most promising QBs in the country, a veteran OL and a future NFL tight end. That with a month to practice. It is clear now that Richt sux without Van Gorder. It is time for him to go.
Hire Kirby Smart and give him $1M to bring in a real OC.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 1st, 2011
4:43 pm
Phil
I am sorry for calling sombody Stupid you are right about that. Sorry again, but NO WAY harbaugh even has UGA on his radar. He peobably go to San Fran and not even move. He would just have a different commute. He finished high school in CALI and has moved back to Cali. He loves the area he is in. Michigan would be the possible College he would consider of course because that is were he played and graduated from. I don’t see any other college on his radar.
Not sure who UGA should look at, but a change has to be made at least Bobo has to go for sure.