Georgia’s dream recruiting class? Sites credit Mike Bobo
Mike Bobo helped Aaron Murray and is being credited for Georgia's recruiting class.
You know that recruiting class that Georgia has been lauded for nationally and stirred Bulldog fans into a collective frenzy (or at least as much as that’s possible in February)? The individual getting the most credit is also the Dogs’ most maligned assistant coach: offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
First, a few thoughts about Bobo: I’ve long believed some of the criticism directed at him has been unjustified. He deserves some credit for Aaron Murray’s rapid development last season. Georgia’s offense has been inconsistent at times. But that may stem less from design than it does having average running backs (no amplification needed), a weak line and the lack of a physical and emotional presence. Remember, too, that Bobo is running the offense that coach Mark Richt wants.
OK, back to the recruiting honors. ESPN and Rivals both have named Bobo one of the top 25 recruiters for 2011. If you’re going to give credence to those gaudy national class rankings — and Georgia was ranked fifth to seventh by most — then the commendations from ESPN and Rivals are noteworthy.
Here’s what Rivals wrote about Bobo in its annual list of the top 25 recruiters:
Georgia pushed to the top five in recruiting this year largely behind the efforts of Bobo, who was credited with many of the top commitments. He landed five-star defensive end Ray Drew as well as four-stars Christian Lemay, Nick Marshall, Malcolm Mitchell, Jay Rome and Justin Scott-Wesley. Bobo had a hand in signing 10 of Georgia’s 26 commitments in what is easily the most important recruiting cycle of his and head coach Mark Richt’s career. Talk about clutch.
The rest of Rivals’ top 25: Recruiter of the year, Frank Wilson (LSU). Others: Tony Alford (Notre Dame), Joe Barry (USC), Tim Beck (Nebraska), Lawrence Dawsey (Florida State), Luke Fickell (Ohio State), Odell Haggins (Florida State), Clint Hurtt (Louisville), Adrian Klemm (SMU), Tosh Lupoi (California), G.A. Mangus (South Carolina), Tee Martin (Kentucky), Jim McElwain (Alabama), Ed Orgeron (USC), Don Pellum (Oregon), Sam Pittman (North Carolina), Anthony Poindexter (Virginia), Robert Prunty (Texas Tech), Joe Rudolph (Wisconsin), Brad Scott (Clemson), Sal Sunseri (Alabama), Trooper Taylor (Auburn), Tommy Thigpen (Auburn), Darrell Wilson (Iowa).
Here’s what ESPN’s Jamie Newberg and Corey Long wrote in their top 25 list:
It was a great year for the Bulldogs in the Peach State, especially in southern Georgia. This is an area very familiar to Bobo, as he played his high school ball in Thomasville, Ga. Rome, Mitchell, Drew, OT Xzavier Ward (Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt) and QB Nick Marshall (Rochelle, Ga./Wilcox County) were all southern Georgia standouts. Bobo was also a key figure for Georgia in landing LeMay from North Carolina.
The rest of ESPN’ top 25: Jarrett Anderson (TCU), Charlie Baggett (Tennessee), Tim Beck (Nebraska), Lawrence Dawsey (Florida State), Luke Fickell (Ohio State), Eddie Gran (Florida State), Tim Horton (Arkansas), Clint Hurtt (Louisville), David Kelly (Central Florida), Tosh Lupoi (California), G.A. Mangus (South Carolina), Chuck Martin (Notre Dame), Derek Mason (Stanford), Ed Orgeron (USC), Don Pellum (Oregon), Sam Pittman (North Carolina), Anthony Poindexter (Virginia), Robert Prunty (Texas Tech), Joe Rudolph (Wisconsin), Jeff Scott (Clemson), Sal Sunseri (Alabama), Trooper Taylor (Auburn), Tommy Thigpen (Auburn), Frank Wilson (LSU).
OK, just throwing it out there: Where do you stand on Bobo, both as a coach and a recruiter?
By Jeff Schultz
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455 comments Add your comment
Paul N Destin
February 10th, 2011
8:36 am
UGA has no discipline and that is a result of the HC. No matter who calls the plays UGA will not improve much until there is discipline.
tc
February 10th, 2011
8:38 am
“Bobo was a genius 3 years ago.” Walker, lay off the crack.
82Dawg
February 10th, 2011
8:39 am
Paul you say there is no discipline…what would you do different?
Cool aid drinker
February 10th, 2011
8:39 am
Nice job recruiting, Mike. That said, we scored 6 against UCF.
RabidDawgFan
February 10th, 2011
8:40 am
One thing I do agree about is Bobo calling a play-action pass on 3rd and long. Everyone in the country knows we’re not running it on 3rd and 10 but he calls play-action anyway. All that does it turn Murray’s back away from the defense and by the time he turns around most likely there’s a defender rushing him.
Another thing is him getting rid of the run instead of sticking with it. Ealey was on fire in the game vs. Auburn with 6 carries for 44 yards but Bobo didn’t run him. The way Ealey was carrying the ball he would have went for over 150 if given the ball at least 20 or so times. Bobo wants to pass the ball and that’s clear, and that’s fine but have a bit of balance to keep the defense on their heels because if they know your going to pass, they can pin their ears back.
Cool aid drinker
February 10th, 2011
8:41 am
I agree with this:
If Bobo is that good at recruiting, then make him recruiting coordinator. But find someoneone with the qualifications, experience, and ability to be the offensive coordinator. Bobo does not have those traits in sufficient quantity.
Cool aid drinker
February 10th, 2011
8:42 am
I don’t really care if it’s run, pass, balnce, or trickeration as long as we score 1 more point than the other team.
SOGADOG
February 10th, 2011
8:43 am
Bobo’s report card:
Recruiting A
Quarterback development B+
Passing game development A-
Running game development F
Play calling C
Dedication to the program and work ethic A+
Dont write Bobo off. He will grow into the job and have the Dawgs back in the SEC championship game if he can get some help out of Coach Friend with that O line, if CMR will hire a good running backs coach, and if the strength and conditioning program improves.
Les W. Moore
February 10th, 2011
8:45 am
This is even better news for the other schools in the SEC East. Please UGA, keep Bobo and Richt around for a very long time.
Tee, hee, hee!
tc
February 10th, 2011
8:45 am
This is starting to make me sick, Have all of you also forgot we had an awesome drive at the beggining of the game and we are 4th and inches on the UCF one yard line and we kick a field goal. Which player was responsible for that? Again, we stopped our own drive and momentum. After that call all our players realized that the coaches had no confindence in the players so they quit playing for them. That one call lost the game for UGA. even if we went for it and did not get any points. We would have left UCF on their own 1 and we would have sent a message to both teams that UGA is going for it and goping to kick UCF butt all game. Instead we did the opposite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
82Dawg
February 10th, 2011
8:48 am
SOGADOG…the running game development was that a responsibility of Coach Searels since was OL coach and running game coordinator?
tc
February 10th, 2011
8:49 am
82Dawg, I guess you agreed with kicking a field goal on 4th and inches?
robdawg
February 10th, 2011
8:50 am
TCM is exactly right. I’m from Thomasville and I agree. We have the most unimaginative offense in the country. Bobo looked ok calling plays when we had Stafford, MoMas and AJ. Without them, it has been awful. 1st down pass, 2nd down run. So many times it is disjusting. Calton up the middle. WHY? If the man in Baton Rouge can call creative plays, someboby in athen should be able to. It is so sad. Even VD inb 25 years would pull a surprise out of his hat once in a while. Enuff is enuff.
Examples: When is the last time we did anything creative on a 4th down/fake punt. How bout some type of creative blocking. Maybe line up one of our excess tight ends in the backfield to block. Since after 2 years, Washon still has not got a clue. Yet at crucial times, when you had to have a block, he still was in the backfield and Orson or Aaron were parked on the sidelines. These are things that successfull OC’s do weekly. Yet Bobo does not seem to get it. How bout us NOT going back to what works successfully repeatedly. We are throwing deep to AJ against Auburn twice in the 2nd quarter. After that we came out and tried to establish the run. WHY? Do what works and stick with it. Put an extra blocker in the backfield. How bout Florida where AJ had 9 yards at the end of Q3?
Once again, put an extra blocker in the backfield who can block AND GET THE BALL TO YOUR PLAYMAKERS! AJ is gone, what a waste of three years. We wasted MoMas his senior year. So sad. If I was AJ, I would have left too. Similar to the old Michael Jordan and Dean Smith joke, we will read one day, Who was the only person to ever hold AJ under two TDs per game? Answer: MIKE BOBO! Another example was when on forth down in regulation at Florida with 5 seconds on the clock, Florida punted. We sent #1- Brandon Smith back to field the punt on the goal line. WHY? what good will come from this? Only a diasaster waiting to happen. RICHT and BOBO both should have been fired. He fumbles a punt that he had NO BUSINESS ever fielding. Let the ball roll in the endzone, take a knee and let’s go to OT. We did have an all american kicker and they were operating with a punter kicking for them. No way we should have lost that game. It is way past time for a change. Let him take his boring, predictable, sad calls to a Div 2 school where he belongs.
richie
February 10th, 2011
8:52 am
All sec teams have bad yrs.That is the way it goes.Get over it.
tc
February 10th, 2011
8:55 am
you can do sothing to try to stop them or let them continue
82Dawg
February 10th, 2011
8:55 am
tc where did I ever say that?? But to answer your question NO..
Dawgfan79
February 10th, 2011
8:56 am
Bobo gets a bad rap.
Go Dawgs !
joe
February 10th, 2011
9:05 am
Maybe Bobo is da man on the recruiting trail, but he turns into Bozo da clown on gamedays.
Bucket
February 10th, 2011
9:05 am
I believe that it is important that we all remember that Mike Bobo is a DAWG all the way! I do not understand the people who have wanted to throw him overboard the last few years while wanting to bring back people like Kirby Smart. Kirby Smart turned his nose up @ UGA when his university needed him, Bobo is still there working his tail off to turn the ship around. Bobo was obviously very instrumental in bringing in some of the big names for this class and he should be praised for that. As far as the down years UGA has experienced the last 3 years I think the biggest problems have primarily been on the defensive side of the ball. With just a little defense UGA’s record would be significantly better. With that being said, I think Bobo has got to improve his play calling also. He has got to figure out a way to use all the talent that is on the UGA sideline. Last year UGA had arguably 4 of the better TE’s in the country, yet Charles, White, Figgins, and Lynch were way underused IMHO. Also, check the record during Richt’s tenure when UGA has a 100 yard rusher in the game, it’s astounding!!! This points to line problems and running back problems – but an offensive coordinator has got to be able to help fix those problems even if that is not an area of expertise for him. There has also got to be a commitment to run the ball no matter what it takes.
DawginLex
February 10th, 2011
9:07 am
Nobody in the world can call plays and run the ball if you are getting whipped up front. Searles taught the OL the best he could and actually did pretty well in protecting the QB.
Running the ball requires the ability to smash your opponent across the line from you and we can’t do that until we get bigger and stronger.
S&C program is the make or break for this coaching staff and this program right now.
UGA89
February 10th, 2011
9:07 am
UGAS is a gymnastics school. It’s football team over the last two seasons has gone 6-7 and won the Shreveport Bowl. 2011 and beyond will not be any different as you know very well that a portion of this ‘dream class’ will either flunk out, be kicked off of the team, or never live up to expectations –just like the previous few years at UGA.
Mobile Dawg
February 10th, 2011
9:07 am
Schultz, “But that may stem less from design than it does having average running backs (no amplification needed), a weak line and the lack of a physical and emotional presence. Remember, too, that Bobo is running the offense that coach Mark Richt wants.”
Well said Mr. Schultz ! All you people can spin it any way you want, fact is that CMR has failed the UGA, it’s players, alumni, and fans. Everyone hopes he can succeed in the total rebuild of our football program.
I’m still holding out hope Richt is “smart” enough with McGarity’s help to hire Ralph Friedgen as OC and let Bobo shine where his skills lie. Bobo isn’t OC material “yet”, he may get there with some time, coaching, and experience. The comments I’ve read the last few days are in line with what I’ve become accustomed to hearing every off season, how great we’re going to be, then we have to face reality again. It’s time for Richt to fish, or cut bait. That’s about as positive as I can be until we see concrete proof in “results on the field”.
weston cook
February 10th, 2011
9:09 am
Glad to see my long time friend G.A. Mangus get some recognition for all he does up at South Carolina.Walton Raider alumni. Hope to see you soon my friend.
tc
February 10th, 2011
9:09 am
Sorry, Bucket but CMR and Bobo do not have a committment to run the ball. That is 99% of the problem. Running games are not about luck and what running back you have, they are built and designed to work with the players you have. The coaching staff does not get this. They are ACC pass happy trying to run that in the SEC. Does not WORK.
Buckeye
February 10th, 2011
9:10 am
Bo……… Bo……….. Boring
Dr. Phil
February 10th, 2011
9:13 am
Did Bobo engineer the dramatic sideshow that convinced Crowell to sign? Isn’t that special!
dawgfan
February 10th, 2011
9:13 am
Bobo has 3 seperate jobs:
1. Recruiter
2. QB coach
3. Offensive coordinator
Nobody in their right mind would criticize the job he’s done at 1 and 2, but he is in over his head on #3. I continue to ask the Bobo apologists the same question and never get a response. How has Bobo’s offense done against the elite defenses of the SEC? Oh sure, we’ve put up big stats against everyone else, but Bobo’s job as playcaller is to help us win championships. Please point to me where he has demonstrated any ability whatsoever to do that. If we’re up against the top 2 or 3 defense in the SEC the offense is a total no show 9 times out of 10. Please provide SPECIFIC examples where I am wrong.
Thanks.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 10th, 2011
9:13 am
Murphy,
Really? Constently getting in 3rd and 25′S is all Bobo’s fault?
Also AJ Green had 8 catches for 77 yards in the Bowl game. Plenty of targets. At some point you have to give CREDIT to UCF’s defense for not allowing Green to vertically stretch the field.
Dream Weaver
February 10th, 2011
9:15 am
I’ve been very critical about our plat calling over the years. It even goes back to CMR’s time as play caller. I feel it is very justified too! My theory is if something is working, keep running it till the defense can stop it. Whether it’s running the ball or passing. Trying to maintain a balanced attack is great as far as philosophy and keeping opponents honest. But… I say BUT, during the course of a game if you find something the defense can’t handle then by God keep runnin it. I’m so sick of watching our backs average 9+ yards in a game, only to carry the ball a total of 20 times. IE… at the gamechickens a couple years ago. We lost that game!?!?! And don’t get me started on passing deep on 3rd and short!!! Isn’t the I-formation a power/run first offense? Don’t get me wrong here though, I’m a Dawg to the bone! I bleed red! Go Dawgs!
Otto
February 10th, 2011
9:15 am
Bobo runs draw on 3rd and 8 3rd and 15 and 3rd and 25. Bobo may score 30 a game but how many 3 and outs does he give and how many clock killing 5+ minute drives does he have?
Clock killing, game winning drives were a trademark when CMR was calling plays. Now they are a thing of the past.
Mobile Dawg
February 10th, 2011
9:15 am
tc, you are absolutely right about our offensive game plan. Richt’s entire focus, his entire head coaching career has been to try and stock the barn with race horses and throw the ball down the field. You don’t win in this league without a “physical” presence “first”. Richt has never gotten that, will he now? I don’t have much hope. He’s clinging to a wing and a prayer right now.
DawginLex
February 10th, 2011
9:15 am
Lowcountry,
We could have won the UCF game by never throwing a pass if we were strong enough up front to run the ball 60 times in one game.
KeepDreaming
February 10th, 2011
9:16 am
Bobo is a DGD, just for the simple fact that he’s one of only 3 Georgia QBs in the past two decades to have ever beaten the Gaytors!
Mobile Dawg
February 10th, 2011
9:18 am
You, the whole kool aid bunch have truly short memories, and apparently not a lot of football instincts.
dawg2
February 10th, 2011
9:18 am
I don’t buy that BS. BOBO sucks
Otto
February 10th, 2011
9:18 am
Richt’s O isn’t that much different from Bama?
Bama calls more varied plays from their wildcats where Logan had 1 maybe 2 plays.
When did UGA ever run a pistol formation?
Dream Weaver
February 10th, 2011
9:18 am
DawginLex, do you remember the Texas A&M game? We ran that rock with our fullbacks the whole second half and killed them. No way Central Florida is better the A&M. We just simply had no desire. No will to win! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!
Bucket
February 10th, 2011
9:19 am
UGA 89 you need to change your handle because you are clearly not a DAWG fan. tc – you are probably correct that the commitment to run has not been there, but I also agree with DawginLex that they have been losing the running game on the LOS the last couple of years. They have not had time to be patient in the run game because the defense has been giving up way too many points on defense. I think the QB situation has hurt Bobo and the offense the last couple of years also. I think the coaches wanted to be loyal to Joe Cox because he had stayed and backed up Stafford and I understand that to a point because Joe was a DGD, but that also set the program back a year because they have played the last couple of years w/o a QB that was battle tested and ready to rock in the SEC. Murray should be fine after having a year to play, but he should have had his redshirt yanked about halfway through 2009.
The General Feeling
February 10th, 2011
9:19 am
Jeff, this award or recognition is akin to winning the Pulitzer Prize. It is simply assed around until everyone eventually wins it. Well, almost everyone…. keep your head up, my man.
UGAG fans must be SOOOOO Proud
February 10th, 2011
9:20 am
Holy Smoke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
790theZone morning crew just SLAMMING UGAG this morning.
As was described on air:
Crowell’s facebook/twitter pages are so disturbing
with all manner of filthy and vile comments and language,
that the crew was calling for Richt to ban Crowell from facebook/twitter and all other media access.
Man, UGAG picked a real gem with this Crowell retart.
Guess this is what Richt by doing things…the “Georgia” way.
Wacky Dog
February 10th, 2011
9:20 am
His offense was over 30 pts per game with an under-proforming offensive line, two sub-standard running backs who can’t show up for obligations and missed many games due to it and a freshman QB. I guess he did do a crappy job. Give me and Bobo a fricking break and deal with the facts. Oh, I forgot no defensive support, either. And now, a top recruiter. Let’s do something stupid and fire him!!
layinlow
February 10th, 2011
9:22 am
Bobo’s recruiting efforts in south georgia beg the question, why in the world had we done so lousy down there prior to this year? It makes me think that this entire coaching staff had become so complacent they bordered on plain lazy. Did Bobo have fear about losing his job and decided to take it up a notch to prove his worth? Why wasn’t bobo winning those battles in south georgia in previous years?
Mobile Dawg
February 10th, 2011
9:24 am
OK Otto, if clock killing drives were a trademark of Richt’s, Auburn, 2005, we have the lead late in the game, seven minutes left, Richt calls three straight pass plays, runs 23 seconds off the clock, go three and out, we lose. Check the record in 05, see what could have been if we had won that game. “That’s when I knew Mark Richt wasn’t up to the task, and he hasn’t learned anything apparently since.” Willie Martinez’s D got thrown under the bus for giving up a 4th and forever pass play over the middle.
Buckeye
February 10th, 2011
9:25 am
Isaiah wonders, “Whaz up wid my fazebook page?”
ATL Sports Fans
February 10th, 2011
9:26 am
Wow, and I mean WOW!! It amazes me how many un-employed football coaches are on these blogs, or should I say non intelligent ARM CHAIR coaches. I’m willing to bet 90% of you would crap your pants if you had to call a game. First off did you know that you have two or three plays in mind after each play and only have a about 5 seconds to make up your mind?
ATL Sports Fans
February 10th, 2011
9:27 am
One last thing. 10 to 6, you mention Auburn with another beat down of UGA. I think you miss typed and it should have read. Auburn beat down UGA in 2010, its first time in 5 years!!
edumacated
February 10th, 2011
9:27 am
I don’t know more than our current coaches at Georgia. I just happen to believe that there are a lot of other coaches out there who do.
So Bobo had a great year recruiting? So what. What happened last year?
UGAG fans must be SOOOOO Proud
February 10th, 2011
9:28 am
Go TECH!!!!!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 10th, 2011
9:29 am
DawginLex,
Agree, but again being strong up front is not relative to how Bobo calls a game. Obviously he realized our shortcomings upfront and was compelled to call 60 passes that game.
I am a critic of Bobo from time to time, but it has to be a logical argument. Many of these issues that are being addressed are simply illogical.
ATL Sports Fans
February 10th, 2011
9:29 am
Thats nothing new for 790 the Zone to bash UGA. They just happened to be the flagship station for Tech athletics.