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
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:03 pm
Delbert D.
Sorry it wasn’t called that in 73. When were you on active duty?
Tell the truth
January 5th, 2011
3:04 pm
I support Mark Richt- there is a difference.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:05 pm
ga gaytor
It’s not respectful to claim to have been in the military. Just sayin…
Double Zero Eight
January 5th, 2011
3:05 pm
I have a wait and see attitude. Wait and see if
we win the East, and if not bring in someone new.
We have the talent on paper to win 10 games this
year. I hope CMR and his staff can motivate the
team and avoid the stupid penalties. The O & D lines
need to spend some extra time in the weight room.
I hope we get the running back from Columbus. He has
more size than King and Ealey and we need more of
a bruising type running back for short yardage situations.
I think Murray made great progress. The play calling
left a lot to be desired.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:05 pm
“I support Mark Richt- there is a difference.”
Pot meet kettle.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:07 pm
2010 you must be a homosexual to use the gay word.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:08 pm
It’s not respectful to claim to have been an Aubarn grad. Just sayin…
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:09 pm
“2010 you must be a homosexual to use the gay word.”
That makes absolutely ZERO sense.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:09 pm
“It’s not respectful to claim to have been an Aubarn grad. Just sayin…”
Never claimed to be an Auburn grad. Just sayin….
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:09 pm
That makes absolutely ZERO sense.
That confirms it.
ARdawg
January 5th, 2011
3:10 pm
Jorge H. Criminey Jeff Schultz!
Is McGarity reading this tripe his Head Football coach spews? If Mark Richt keeps his job another day after such a no non-informational milk toast news conference as that then McGarity needs to be fired. Can we get Jeremy Foley perhaps?
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:10 pm
Never claimed to be an Auburn grad. Just sayin….
That also confirms it Patrick.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:12 pm
“That also confirms it Patrick.”
You are one dumb human being. But you probably already knew that when you fell off the short bus.
girldawg
January 5th, 2011
3:12 pm
Just the fact that CMR has not made a decision about Dowtin tells you all you need to know same ole same ole….
AltamahaDawg
January 5th, 2011
3:12 pm
Gosh jeff, maybe he was just waiting for you to tell him what to do.The question is pretty dumb, since obviously that he and McGarity have not just had all theses discussions and made these decision in a rush of a few days (since losing to Central Florida)
zorba
January 5th, 2011
3:12 pm
Mark, glad you offer these excuses for not being current to the trends going on in your profession. Just watch Auburn, Stanford, etc… and you will get caught up. Our offense is outdated, as is Bobo. Hire someone who already knows the “trends” and you can keep those administrative duties that have left you and the program behind.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:12 pm
“That confirms it.”
Glad to see you agree that it confirms how moronic you’re statements are.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:14 pm
2010 is Patricks new moniker. How is your chihuahua doing Pat?
Mark (another one)
January 5th, 2011
3:14 pm
Let’s go off topic and talk UGA football.
When I read Richt’s comments, it is an indirect slam against Damon Evans and praise of McGarity. I often thought I felt some tension between Richt and Evans, and Evans because of his position’s authority got his way. Anyone else sense that?
Bama Stan
January 5th, 2011
3:15 pm
gator, he does not know who he is; maybe he is Cam’s daddy.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:16 pm
Out boys, you too Patrick.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:16 pm
Bama Stan
Did that epic Iron Bowl meltdown mess with what little brain cells you have left?
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
3:17 pm
ga gator – Long story. That was in ‘66; I was on the 2-summer, 6 weeks per program. 2nd summer was to be at Mainside. I made the mistake of transferring schools the Fall after Camp Upsher, and I ended up with to few credits to make the projected graduation date. Ticked me off, as I graduated 4th in the platoon. I lost my deferment and got my draft notice 2 weeks later. (Earlier, in the spring, I got my draft notice *while I was a LCpl in the USMCR*!) Those were pre-lottery days. I had the opportunity to go to Parris Island for boot camp and then (most likely, no guarantee) back to OCS, but I got talked into Navy Nuclear Power School and served 7 years in submarines. I still love the Marine Corps.
UGAKev
January 5th, 2011
3:17 pm
EVERYTHING WIL BE ANSWERED TONIGHT AS TO HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE UPCOMING SEASON…IF WE DO NOT GET BRAY AND DICKSON TONIGHT THEN WE CAN FORGET THE DREAM TEAM AND THE SLIGHT CHANCE OF A GOOD SEASON.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:17 pm
“Out boys”
Oh, so you came out of the closet? Makes total sense.
AltamahaDawg
January 5th, 2011
3:17 pm
” Now 3 years and counting to fire Richt. Im curious what exatly it will take.”
So, Rex Kramer, had YOU been the AD at georgia, YOU would have fired Mark Richt at the end of 2008? Sure buddy. Sure you would have.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:18 pm
“2010 is Patricks new moniker. How is your chihuahua doing Pat?”
I’m not sure if government testing screwed your head up or what, but who is Patrick?
dawgfan0711
January 5th, 2011
3:19 pm
Did anyone hear anything regarding some UGA players being spotted at a concert and at bars after the concert the night before the bowl game?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:21 pm
dawgfan0711
Wouldn’t surprise me because Beale Street is very attractive to out-of-towners. I lived there for a few years and spent some nights around the area. Would explain their lack of focus.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:21 pm
Delbert D.
I was there during the summer of 73. I was with India/3/26 in Northern S. Vietnam from 1/2/68 until 11/1/68 before being sent home. You must be highly intelligent to be in the Navy Nuke Program.
keen observer
January 5th, 2011
3:22 pm
I can’t believe that McGarity signed off on these so called “changes”. Richt saying he is going to work harder is not making changes. I thought McGarity being at UF was supposed to know what a championship program looks like. This is the big plan these two genuises came up with? Richt is going to do less administrative work and this is going to make us national champions?
Or possibly McGarity is smarter than we think and he is just allowing Richt to hang himself because deep down he wants a new coach. He is being diplomatic and not wanting to fire Richt since he has only been on the job for about 4 months. He allows Richt to keep all of his below average coaches because he knows the current set up will surely fail. I hope this is the case because anything else would mean McGarity is an idiot.
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
3:23 pm
2010 SEC Champs – The “short bus” comment was unconscionable. My 16-year old grandson, who lives with us, and many other fine kids are autistic. They didn’t choose to be so.
ARdawg
January 5th, 2011
3:24 pm
dawgfan
I was at a number of bars and a concert before the Liberty bowl game. I did not see on Georgia Bulldog. I question if I saw any Georgia Bulldogs during the game but, that is a question for another day
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:25 pm
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
3:23 pm
2010 SEC Champs – The “short bus” comment was unconscionable. My 16-year old grandson, who lives with us, and many other fine kids are autistic. They didn’t choose to be so.
Well said Delbert.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:25 pm
Delbert D.
I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just getting sick of ga gaytors comments.
ARdawg
January 5th, 2011
3:25 pm
keen Observer
Is that to assume Richt was actually doing administrative work before?
ARdawg
January 5th, 2011
3:26 pm
errr that was “one Georgia Bulldog”
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:27 pm
ga gator
Hypocrite much?
Buckeye
January 5th, 2011
3:28 pm
Thought I’d drop by and see how another day of dead horse beating is going.
12-1, Top 5, Sugar Bowl Champs
6-7, Unranked, Liberty Bowl Losers.
Keep beating the horse, “Dawgs”
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:28 pm
ga gator
Also, didn’t you just write about having to leave? I guess lying is something you do on a regular basis, Pyle.
6-7 Plaques
January 5th, 2011
3:28 pm
When will UGa correct those plaques and sell t-shirts to celebrate that 6-7 season, that include a big win over tennessee and ga tech?
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 5th, 2011
3:30 pm
Only Poll I want to see is one with some hot blonde dancing on
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:30 pm
I am the real SEC CHAMP this other diptz chip is an imposter.
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:31 pm
Buckeye
Congrats on your win last night. Although O State didn’t do squat in the second half you guys looked good on defense. Had Mallet not thrown that last interception you’d be crying in your beer right now.
Anyway, since you are a non-SEC PAC-10 guy, what is your prediction on the BCSNCG?
Delbert D.
January 5th, 2011
3:31 pm
ga gator – I never served in Vietnam, obviously. I’m glad you did, and thanks. I merely rode FBM subs in the Arctic, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. As to my intelligence, that’s subject to debate…I was slotted for “Airedale” in the Corps. I guess it was because I could see things upside down ok on the qual exam
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 5th, 2011
3:31 pm
Delbert D
Now I know why you seem to know so much about so many different things. Not only are you smart, but I would guess you spent many hours reading while on the sub. Thanks for your post. you bring class and respect to the blogs.
Hey what is long hard and full of seamen? A Submarine of course. LOL have a good day.
Walker, Texas Ranger
January 5th, 2011
3:31 pm
Buckeye, keep going down the SEC chain till you found a team you could beat?
2010 SEC CHAMPS
January 5th, 2011
3:33 pm
“I am the real SEC CHAMP this other diptz chip is an imposter.”
It’s not nice to steal blog handles, gaytor. Your misspelled words gave you away.
Jordan
January 5th, 2011
3:34 pm
I am no football expert but what if we hired Brian Vancorder to run the team? Then we have kick butt defense and I am sure we can find someone to run the offense. I don’t know if he would even be interested but at least he can coach.
ga gator
January 5th, 2011
3:35 pm
Delbert, you guys are the reason the Ruskies never tried anything; thanks for your service. I would have been claustrophobic riding around in submerged boats. I learned more about people during 10 months in Vietnam than the rest of my time on this earth.