Richt’s plan for change is good, but why did it take so long?
Georgia coach Mark Richt is coming off his worst season as a head coach. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
Mark Richt is not going to fire offensive coordinator Mike Bobo but he did suggest Wednesday that he’s going to be more hands-on with the offense and the team in general from this day forward.
Comment: That’s probably a good idea, given that it’s his job on the line.
Question: Why did it take a loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl for Richt to realize something was wrong?
In his season-ending press conference Wednesday, via our Tim Tucker, Richt said that he’s going to have more time freed up in his schedule “to [spend] more time doing the things I love the most, which is study the game of football …”
Later, he reiterated, “I’m going to have the ability to have the time it takes to truly study the game of football, the trends and what’s going on, so a higher percentage of my time is going to be able to be used for that.”
Those are interesting statements. They suggest that non-coaching activities have been taking up too much of Richt’s time and adjustments will be made in his schedule to prevent that from happening again.
I don’t doubt that can happen. The demands on a college football coach can be enormous, let alone a coach in the SEC. If Richt is going to tweak his weekly schedule and athletic director Greg McGarity does some things to give him more time to be hands on with his players and the game plan, that can only be good for the program.
Loading ...But it shouldn’t have taken a 6-7 season for Richt to realize something was wrong. There have been signs of the program sliding for a few seasons, going back even to the 10-3 season in 2008. The Dogs were preseason No. 1 but were flattened in key games against Alabama and Florida. Both opponents looked better prepared. Both played with a physical and mental edge that the Dogs generally have lacked.
Things obviously have deteriorated since. Georgia is 5-9 in its last 14 SEC games. Since 2009, they’ve lost to LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State and Auburn. (Also, Florida twice.). Perception that the Dogs have been passed by other programs in the conference is now reality.
For what it’s worth, I believe the criticism of Bobo has been a little excessive. He deserves some credit for Aaron Murray’s development. In the last seven games of the regular season — before the 10-6 loss in the Liberty Bowl — the Dogs scored 41, 43, 44, 31, 55, 31 and 42 points.
What’s the bigger issue, the offense or Todd Grantham’s defense? In the SEC, Georgia finished fourth in scoring offense and seventh in total offense; seventh in scoring defense and fourth in total defense.
I’ve never believed the problems are as simple as changing plays or schemes on offense or the defense. It’s big picture stuff: preparation, mindset, toughness, focus, edge, consistency. It’s having an identity, knowing what a Georgia team is going to give you from week to week. That whole, “Finish the drill,” thing has been an empty rallying cry.
It’s great that Richt believes that something needs to be done. It just shouldn’t have gotten to this point. The question now is whether this is too big of a hole for him to dig out of so quickly.
– By Jeff Schultz
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575 comments Add your comment
Two former GEORGIA 5 star HS kids to compare
January 5th, 2011
2:03 pm
UGA’s # 1 is Brandon Smith, a 5 star DB “athlete” from downtown Atlanta. The other one in his class of 2009 was Greg Reid of Valdosta. He IS NOW a star D back for FSU and they won their bowl vs SC and Reid led the way with tackles, KEY punt returns and pass break ups.
Smith? One TD vs SC in 09, tons of game costing fumbles,etc. See KY and other games like that. Yes, Smith is fast. so???
Maybe this type of comparsion should be used with every kid that we have signed lately, vs the ones that got away. Richt can then answer those ensuing questions maybe.
We got Aaron Murray and his Batman gloves ……………. UGA is 6-7. Enough is enough.
Next Fall could start ugly gang.
Go Dogs.
JB
January 5th, 2011
2:03 pm
Wreckmaniac. You are correct………Richt saga IS getting old………..Might not want to go to the well to many times with this soap opera……..Long time till Boise in the Dome…….I think we all the get the drift that Richt has lost say 75% of Fans/Alum.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:04 pm
“Muschamps Defense was ranked 2nd”
At Auburn maybe. At Texas his defense was not good. See: UCLA etc….
Tell the truth
January 5th, 2011
2:04 pm
Mobile Dawg Don’t show any restraint with me- all you cowboys have been throwing the whole team and coaching staff under the bus for several years now. Especially the HC.
Mobile Dawg
January 5th, 2011
2:04 pm
wreck, we’re actually going to do like tell the truth indicated and quit whining pretty soon and resign ourselves to another year of mediocrity, if we’re lucky enough to be mediocre. Either Richt turns things around significantly and it gets much better, or lets just lose them all and facilitate a fast change. I can’t stomach another year of watching the Dawgs struggle, underachieve, support the criminal justice system, etc….Good Day Dawgs….
Eatcrackers/can'twhistle
January 5th, 2011
2:05 pm
You’re right Jeff, Grantham is clearly a mistake. Richt kills me. He made the hire based on the recommendation of his brother in law, Brad Johnson, who was at Dallas the same time as the vagabond Grantham. Richt’s like a kid. His mentality is: “isn’t this neat; I’m hiring a defensive co-ordinaor based on the recommendation of my sister’s husband. Won’t that be cool if it works.” The guy must be crazy. Bobo’s situation is similar. He’s not the OC because of qualifications, but as a result of his marriage to Barbara Dooley’s neice, His wife is Barb’s brother’s daughter ! Nothing is looked at objectively up there. It’s all in-bred “Georgia People” who drink from the same cool-aid pitcher and never genuinely challange each other. They all rationalize in the same way because it’s the easy and safest way to exist.
Compare the credentials of Florida’s strenth and conditioning coach with those of Mcgarity’s choice, Tereshinski. There is no comparison. Any objective evaluation would not result in his being hired, but because he was a former player, etc, Mcgarity goes ahead. I don’t know about this guy as an AD. It seems to me he’s being taken advantage of by Richt. But he’s a Georgia man so that’s all that matters. This unhealthy political in-breeding has already cost Georgia in a big way, and it’s only going to get worse, Especially with the emergence of Derek Dooley and Will Muschamp, who leave the emotion and “isn’t this neat” out of the equation and hire in a professional manner based on the candidate’s qualifications. What a mess up there. Lastly, Richt’s in love with himself. the tinted hair, fake tan,etc. and now talk of how he feels like a first year coach. Who cares about his personal feelings. We’re not interested. The guy’s obviously in love with himself. I think the real issue that needs to be addressed is not how the guy feels, but his missing a SATURDAY PRE – SEASON PRACTICE to go watch his son play football. Not a Spring practice but a preseason practice in August. McGarity knows the guy’s not working hard and won’t do any thing about it. Do you think the AD at Alabama has daily conversations with Saban? What a joke! I hope Uga fans aren’t buying into this non-sense.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:08 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS Offense not Defense was Tx problem. How is Malzahn going to be next year without your laptop and test answer thief at QB?
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/2010-college-football-team-by-team-rankings-defense
JB
January 5th, 2011
2:09 pm
Eat crackers……………well said………………If it was a company, it would be Bankrupt by now.
Tell the truth
January 5th, 2011
2:09 pm
JB If you think he has lost 75% of the fans you are truly delusional. You would make that comment why??? Because of all the exceptional, well reasoned comments that are posted on the AJC blogs??? Those truly exceptional comments like”he always kicks off and defers on the kickoff- everyone knows you should take the ball and score first”. Oh yeah- lots of cracker jack comments like that here.Please tell me you have some other scientific form of reading the polls on the thoughts of the fans/alums!!!
Mobile Dawg
January 5th, 2011
2:10 pm
Tell the truth, one thing I can accurately say is I always use facts and keep emotion out of it. If it’s my opinion, there will be an IMO before the statement. Bottom line is at $3 million a year, we haven’t gotten what we’ve paid for. IMO, the program is “pathetic” top to bottom now under CMR’s leadership. Yes, if I could have my way, we would have a new coach tomorrow. Until then, or improvements, I will keep as much pressure on McGarity as my little influential world will allow.
Dawg gone
January 5th, 2011
2:14 pm
Rich can say what he wishes but don’t piss on my back and call it rain.
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
2:15 pm
@Alabama Jack “we had to re-do the plagues”
Unintentionally hilarious, that one.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:15 pm
“Offense not Defense was Tx problem. How is Malzahn going to be next year without your laptop and test answer thief at QB?”
So much of what you just wrote makes UF look bad. Remember, Urban Cryer, a guy who could not beat Auburn, recruited him along with other players who had their fair share of problems.
Good luck with fat boy running your offense. He did such a great job at ND.
Tell the truth
January 5th, 2011
2:16 pm
Mobile Dawg Good for you. Instead of all you whiners bitching bitching and bitching as Marie said- go and do it. Do what you say you will do. Does the bitching and name calling improve your day?? Does your denigrating the HC make you feel better about yourself??? Is your life so empty that your happiness depends on the success of the 19-21 year olds on your college football team??? Is that truly your state in life??? You better smell the coffee Pete- you need some help.
Mobile Dawg
January 5th, 2011
2:17 pm
One more opinion for you Tell the truth and other CMR supporters. This opinion is based on factual information from the alumni, supporters, and fans I know. The revenue UGA will receive via the “Hartman Fund” will be down approx 50% this year compared to last. Attendance will suffer tremendously if we see anything like the performance we saw this year. We’re all Dawgs and hope for the best, but are preparing to make a huge statement collectively with our unified voice….
Tell the truth
January 5th, 2011
2:18 pm
Do it!!! But I suggest you wait and count the attendance next year!!! SRO.
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
2:20 pm
ga gator – Thanks for that link. The top 4 defenses, in order are:
1 – Boise St.
2 – Texas
3 – LSU
4 – TCU
All of the above allowed less than 4.0 yards per play.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:20 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS
Fat Boy has three (that is 3 for an auburn grad) and developed a 6th round draft choice into one of the best QB’s in history. As far as Urban, good ridence and typically of you being uniformed,”fat boy” had defensive problems at ND and actually tried to talk their AD into demoting him and hiring………………………Muschamp as the ND HC. Go back to you cow farm redneck.
Reverend Richt
January 5th, 2011
2:21 pm
He does not get it. Well as a alumni of another SEC East school……I say UGA should give the Reverend Richt a LONG term extension along with his clueless assistants.
Cammie Cams Daddy
January 5th, 2011
2:22 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS
If Auburn pays me another 200K I promise to keep quiet.
Cobb Dawg
January 5th, 2011
2:24 pm
Jeff, I’m with you. But I’m pulling for CMR if he still has the desire. The guy can coach. My only issue is that, in the past few seasons, he hasn’t done much coaching. Time to step up to the plate or let someone who wants to do it give it a try. Looks like we’ll have CMR and Bobo around for ‘11 at least. I hope they can produce.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:24 pm
“All of the above allowed less than 4.0 yards per play.”
Texas didn’t make a bowl for the first time in years. LSU lost 2 games and gave up 400 yards to Auburn. TCU is great and what happened to Boise?
War Eagle, Plainsmen and Tigers
January 5th, 2011
2:25 pm
I am not sure what name we will use once we get put on probation. I guess we will go to something else. How does Toomers Goomers sound?
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
2:25 pm
Gus Malzahn is only 4 years removed from high school coaching. That unusual for a coordinator.
War Eagle, Plainsmen and Tigers
January 5th, 2011
2:26 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS
All of them have one thing in common: they won’t be stripped of a title and pay a former High School coach 1.3 mil. LMAO at the Barners.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
January 5th, 2011
2:26 pm
[...] Florida’s basketball team heads into SEC play on a good note.4. This writer wonders why it took Mark Richt so long to realize that changes needed to be made.5. This scribe compares the Georgia program to Alabama’s.6. Kentucky’s players are [...]
Cobb Dawg
January 5th, 2011
2:27 pm
Cammie Cams Daddy has a good point. What happens when $cam and Daddy no longer have ties with *AU, and thus no more reason to keep quiet. Does *AU have to then start paying for silence?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:27 pm
“Go back to you cow farm redneck.”
Guess they don’t teach English at UF. Then again, you didn’t attend UF.
“Fat Boy has three (that is 3 for an auburn grad) and developed a 6th round draft choice into one of the best QB’s in history.”
You mean, Fat Boy had three bypass surgeries. LOL
“As far as Urban, good ridence and typically of you being uniformed,”fat boy” had defensive problems at ND and actually tried to talk their AD into demoting him and hiring”
Dude, seriously, retake remedial English.
Gene's Chizek
January 5th, 2011
2:27 pm
I will move on to Michigan after Cammie leaves.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:28 pm
“All of them have one thing in common: they won’t be stripped of a title and pay a former High School coach 1.3 mil. LMAO at the Barners.”
Gotta love stupid people. Especially the ones who “predict” that Auburn will go on probation etc….
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:28 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS,
Dude how old are you twelve (that is 12 for cow school grads)?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:29 pm
“Gus Malzahn is only 4 years removed from high school coaching. That unusual for a coordinator.”
Guess that means he’s actually good. Why else would he get offers from multiple schools?
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:29 pm
Gotta love stupid people. Especially the ones who “predict” that Auburn will go on probation etc….
Chizek learned at the feet of goodtime Charlie Pell.
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
2:29 pm
2010 Sec Champs – One can draw many conclusions about the season; nevertheless, those four schools are the top 4 in fewest yards allowed per play.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:30 pm
Guess that means he’s actually good. Why else would he get offers from multiple schools?
Desperation and stupidity to believe that it was him and not the laptop thief.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:31 pm
“Dude how old are you twelve (that is 12 for cow school grads)?”
Like I said, the English language isn’t your strong suit. Speaking of graduating, you didn’t attend college so insulting Auburn is irrelevant.
Now, please get back to delivering pizzas because Fat Boy is gonna be ordering about 15 a day.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:32 pm
“Chizek learned at the feet of goodtime Charlie Pell.”
Good time is two words, dumb a$$. Also, Chizik is coaching a 13-0 team. Going undefeated is something UF has never ever ever ever done. Ever.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:32 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS
Where are you going to watch bowl games the 2 years you are on probation?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:32 pm
“Desperation and stupidity to believe that it was him and not the laptop thief.”
I’ll wave to you from Glendale, loser. Oh, and I can’t wait until the gaytors come to the plains this fall.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:33 pm
“Where are you going to watch bowl games the 2 years you are on probation?”
Since you know the future, how’s about sharing the winning lotto ticket numbers to us all, retard.
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
2:34 pm
2010 Sec Champs – I agree with you on Malzahn. He may be a unique talent.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:34 pm
ga gator
Where are you going to watch bowl games in 2 years after Charlie eats your football team?
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:34 pm
Good time is two words, dumb a$$. Also, Chizik is coaching a 13-0 team. Going undefeated is something UF has never ever ever ever done. Ever.
No, but 2 NC in the past 5 years is more than the cow doctors can say. By the way has Auwbarn been invited to join the AAU yet as a cow school representative?
http://www.aau.edu/
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:35 pm
2010 SEC CHAMPS you must be a fatboy yourself to be so infatuated with his weight.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:35 pm
Delbert D.
If he wasn’t, multiple schools wouldn’t be offering him head coaching jobs.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:37 pm
“No, but 2 NC in the past 5 years is more than the cow doctors can say.”
So what do you have against Vets? Do you hate animals, retard? As far as NC goes, great, you have two with one losses on each team. Oh, and you lost to Auburn in 06! LOL
“By the way has Auwbarn been invited to join the AAU yet as a cow school representative?”
What’s really ironic about your question is the fact that you didn’t go to college. THAT is funny.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
2:37 pm
Delbert D.
If he wasn’t, multiple schools wouldn’t be offering him head coaching jobs.
How many offers did he have before the laptop thief played his one year in cowtown?
Dawglasville
January 5th, 2011
2:38 pm
According to Rivals UGA signed nine 5 star players since 2002. That is one five star player a year. Stop saying we get all of these 5 star players. USC gets 5 star players.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
2:38 pm
“you must be a fatboy yourself to be so infatuated with his weight.”
No, it’s just hard not to notice people who look like they just walked onto the set of “Biggest Loser.” Speaking of infatuation, what’s your fetish with cows? Something tells me you like farm animals a lot more than we know.
Phil
January 5th, 2011
2:38 pm
Mark Richt = Bobby Cox
You can’t get rid of the guy!