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
dick
December 31st, 2010
9:45 pm
IF REICHT GOES, HE BETTER TAKE BOBO WITH HIM.
RT
December 31st, 2010
9:45 pm
Randy,LeMay got kicked off his high school! He should fit in nicely!
Letterman85
December 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
To all recruits. Still a great program and the passion for those that love UGA will keep it that way. Whatever changes that occur have no doubt of it’s return to prominence of course with your help.
WTH
December 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
I just don’t get the UGA fans that are willing to give CMR one more year of support. Need I remind you that he makes $3 million a year to win. In fact, I’m guessing he’s made more off the UGA boosters than most of the UGA fans will make in a lifetime. I don’t like to waste money. Forget sympathy. Me- I light a fire under his butt and let him kow that if I am stuck with him for one more year, it’s not going to be pretty. There’s not going to be anymore “we’re disappointed” speeches. And he can expect me outside his front door with a pitch fork yelling “Via la France” if he continues to loose.
ryan
December 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
Marks Stoops of FSU we should look at .
Go Daaaaaaaaaaaawgs!
December 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
LOL, woof woof
Phil
December 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
Watching the Chick-Fil-A bowl. Greg Reid having a big game. Richt didn’t go after him hard, he wanted Brandon Smith instead. How did that recruiting decision work out??
Another idiotic decision by Richt.
Dirk
December 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
Glad Richt lowered the bar to 6-7, no the pressure’s off.
Saban does that a lot.
Now, 8-5 will be a big improvement.
NOBODYYOUKNOW
December 31st, 2010
9:46 pm
You asked for it dawg fans. Some of you nuts keep piling on other programs talking about UFA. and how Tebow was the only reason the gators won. How a lowly military academy beat GT. And I guess thats true but look at your program. IT STINKS! Some small conference school gave your mighty dawgs a butt whipping. Personaly I like CMR. I hope he can bring success back to UGA. But I just don’t see many fans being patient with him after next season. You got a damn good QB. But I just don’t know about most of the other players. Good Luck.
BgDawg76
December 31st, 2010
9:47 pm
Hey Nick how much did Auburn pay you? And without your $200,000.00 QB where would you and AU be?
Dirk
December 31st, 2010
9:47 pm
Christian Lemay or Hutson Mason, let the games begin.
hjay5
December 31st, 2010
9:47 pm
UCF wasn’t a bad team. GA played well, they just came up a little short. Richt is a good coach and he will have GA back next year.
Q3
December 31st, 2010
9:47 pm
UGA needs to start from the bottom up. Redefine exactly what greatness is all about.
Also need to learn how to count to 4 rather than 1-2-3 punt…..1-2-3- punt. Sad day indeed but fact is…UCF simply outplayed our local heroes. Congrats UCF.
Loyal Dawg Fan Forever
December 31st, 2010
9:48 pm
Richt’s always been kind of like a sister-boy – no fight, no heart at all.
AO
December 31st, 2010
9:48 pm
Wondering how someone with no access to Butts-Mehre knows so much about the inner workings of UGA football. That’s right folks, Jeff Schultz hasn’t been welcome at B-M for several years now.
2011 coming
December 31st, 2010
9:48 pm
Dawg fans will be wet soon looking forward to next year, hee hee
Expectations always high, performance LOW, UGAly
USMC dawg
December 31st, 2010
9:48 pm
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks….A tiger doesn’t chage his stripes….
Mark Richt is not going to suddenly “turn things around”.
What about the off the field discipline BS that has been his trademark of NO DISCIPLINE?
Get a new coach. It doesn’t mean that CMR is a bad person. He WAS a great coach for us and now needs to go.
Summit Dawg
December 31st, 2010
9:48 pm
Embarrassed, embarassed……..Where the hell is Richt’s “go for it” guts???? Fourth and inches
for a first down and a foot for a touchdown…..and this wimp of a coach kicks a field goal????? I say goodbye to Richt and Bobo…..and if Bobo isn’t gone…..Rich should be with him!!! Washaun isn’t given the ball enough……..and hey, why would AJ want to come back to be coached by these two
“Goons?”
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2010
9:49 pm
What will I write about when Mark Richt is gone? I know, I know, Paul Johnson should be fired! He has to go!
Disappointed Dawg
December 31st, 2010
9:49 pm
The real telling feature that Mark Richt is not a good head coach rest in the fact that he has produced no good coaching talent under him… None of our assistants have gone on from the program and been successful head coaches or even position coaches moving on to be coordinators at others schools… Look at Saban, Meyer, Tressel, Brown, Carroll, even Les Miles… all of them have produced talent from their coaching trees. Not Mark Richt though… He cannot part with coaches that don’t get the jobs done… Our staff fails to teach fundamentals, fails to motivate, and fails to make adjustments in game… pathetic…Why would anyone come here if they wanted to get better as a coach or player?
Gregory
December 31st, 2010
9:49 pm
Agree with all.
Mason set a bunch of records at QB, and Lemay is the real deal, can’t wait for 2011, glad 2010 is over, Murray was a total disaster.
Roadside Services
December 31st, 2010
9:49 pm
“Ealey will be back too.”
Forget that crap. Washout Ealey will either be in jail or will have flunked out. By this time next year, the stupid bozo wil be picking up trash on the roadside. Wave at him when you drive by.
south eastern chumps and drunks
December 31st, 2010
9:49 pm
let’s see the UCF assistant coaches probably all make around 40000 to 50000 and UGA’s assistants make around 250000 to 750000, yeah I can see why noone thought this could be possible for UCF to pull off, it is called out coaches and more heart
Hetch Hetchy
December 31st, 2010
9:49 pm
WHO does Georgia get after Richt is fired?
GR82BAG8R
December 31st, 2010
9:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Dr. Phil
December 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
The crash began when Richt sent the team on the field to dance against UF. That sent a message from the coach that we don’t have to follow the rules. Richt has recruited hot shot athletes who play as individuals with an eye on the NFL. The first thing Richt or the next coach should do is get rid of those silly dog bones. That just reinforces the sense of entitlement that has characterized Richt’s teams. The fact of the matter is, Adams does not have the money to buy out Richt’s contract and hire a proven football coach. Richt will be around, with Bobo and company for at least two more seasons. Expect more of the same as long as Adams is pulling the strings.
Stew
December 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
I think UGA and GA Tech should just make a trade. Just swap head coaches!
Steak
December 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
Damn this team sucks, pathetic.
Atlanta JPH97
December 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
hey guys, lets face it, UGA football is in the crapper. 1st off I would get rid of Caleb King, then the next dude who thinks he can go out drinking while driving instead of winning ball games. And idk why UGA would be caring about basketball, the toughest teams they play are Missouri Valley Community College, Eastern Kentucky, and Mississippi Valley State. So…..how bout them Gym Dogs?!?!
Jason
December 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
Richt can’t run a year around quickly?
Sure, what about 2002 or 2007?
Vicki
December 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
Maybe Mark Richt should stop selling fords and carpet and work on his real job – COACHING FOOTBALL!!!
sandyspringsjacket
December 31st, 2010
9:50 pm
Snake Doc, He looks good in his Ford pickum up too.
RomeDwg
December 31st, 2010
9:51 pm
@ jod….. Middle of the road and average, we are…but like Tech? Please, You guys still have a way to go to reach middle of the road or average status. You are not fully realizing the pathetic state of the GT football program.
Freddy
December 31st, 2010
9:51 pm
If he does not recruit the top guys in GA he should be fired. I was told tonight, One recruit will switch to Alabama, And he is VERY FAST
Roark
December 31st, 2010
9:51 pm
Come on Mike…it wouldn’t hurt to give Chuckie a call.
USMC dawg
December 31st, 2010
9:51 pm
“Richt is a good coach and he will have GA back next year.”
Are you crazy?
jod
December 31st, 2010
9:51 pm
SAY GO DOGS SHARRON… HIC VOICE “GO DOGS..”
Smiley McGarity
December 31st, 2010
9:52 pm
All coaches are to report to my office at 8:00 a.m. Monday for testosterone tests.
4th and a foot?
December 31st, 2010
9:52 pm
Field goal? Really, wimp ass decision, typical no balls UGA ly
RT
December 31st, 2010
9:52 pm
Dirk, you got it figured out! Maybe Richt will hire you,he is always needing a smart guy to help him out!
Billy
December 31st, 2010
9:52 pm
Washaun Ealey needs to dominate in 2011. And I feel solid with either of the new QB’s Richt goes with, Lemay or Mason. Next year, with a new QB, and Ealey riunning wild, this offense will be awesome.
hasbeens between the hedges
December 31st, 2010
9:53 pm
Hahahahaha
JDawg
December 31st, 2010
9:53 pm
“The Dogs open next season against Boise State. Is there any part of you right now that says Georgia will win that game?”
****************************
With Bobo/Richt running the offense?
Hell no. Hell no. Hell no!
6-7
3-5
The Goff years are back . . .
ryan
December 31st, 2010
9:53 pm
Here is my wish list Petterson TCU , Smart Bama , Mark Stoops FSU , Harbaugh Stamford , other Petterson Boise State .
GR82BAG8R
December 31st, 2010
9:53 pm
Bulldog fans can always relish their annual victory over Tech, which by design is a “gimme” game. Tech cannot compete on the recruiting field. Georgia has the pick of the litter (pun intended) in a state that worships high school football. Why then, with year after year of elite talent, doesn’t Georgia have a fistful of NCs by now? Who would have predicted that Auburn would have more victories this year than Tech and Georgia combined?
Georgia can gloat all it wants about beating Tech every year, but deep down, they must know it is a hollow victory. All that talent….
Imagine what other coaches would do…
Can U Say...
December 31st, 2010
9:54 pm
Embarrassing?
Go (insert redneck accent here) Daaaaaaaawwwwwwggggs
Smiley McGarity
December 31st, 2010
9:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Billy
December 31st, 2010
9:55 pm
blame rest squarely on…
Aaron Murray for his one folks, not Coach Richt.
53% completions and an 88 pass efficiency and 2 intercpetions and 0 td’s is not the way Richt coaches QB’s.
TXdawg
December 31st, 2010
9:55 pm
Hit the nail on the head, Jeff! This team played with no heart! They played with about as much enthusiasm as CMR shows on the sidelines. Bobo is too predictable and our running backs run scared. An immediate change is needed throughout the entire coaching staff and it starts at the top.
QB not the real problem
December 31st, 2010
9:55 pm
Those of you who think that dropping Murray and starting Mason is going to make any difference next year are dreaming. The problem is the coaching, not the quarterbacking.
It’s past time for Richt to go. If Saint Mark had any real ethics, he would resign now and end the fans’ suffering and humiliation.