Mark Richt might need 9-1 finish to keep job at Georgia
Georgia coach Mark Richt is 0-2 for the first time in his career. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ATHENS – Nobody is going to admit now what tight end Orson Charles acknowledged two weeks ago: “Our first two games will make or break our season.”
Because when a team is 0-2 after two perceived make-or-break games, players and coaches must nonetheless publicly cling to a series of improbabilities. Otherwise the rest of the season morphs into a three-month death march.
But reality is that it will take a miraculous finishing kick for the Bulldogs to have a successful season and possibly save coach Mark Richt’s job. What does that amount to? Try 9-1 in the next 10 games.
That may seem extreme. But Richt’s contract situation, the backdrop of the past two-plus seasons, the demands of coaching in the SEC, the divided fan base and a cryptic comment at a recent athletic-board meeting indicates if the Bulldogs do anything less than win the SEC East, which may take a 9-1 finish, Georgia may make a change.
Richt insisted Tuesday, “There’s not a cloud hanging over us” after losses to Boise State and South Carolina. Maybe he just hasn’t gone outside.
He said the attitude has been positive since Saturday’s 45-42 loss to South Carolina, adding, “If the game went the other way, then Georgia’s the front-runner in the East and everybody starts thinking about the positive possibilities.”
The problem being that Georgia didn’t win, and the SEC isn’t about “ifs.” The game actually just reaffirmed what many have suspected. The Dogs have talent. They can compete with most teams when they play hard and, for the most part, smart. But they seem to have forgotten how to win these kinds of games, either because of a turnover, a special-teams breakdown or a penalty.
Richt would prefer that the rest of the season not be about his job status. It’s not exactly a conducive atmosphere for wins and pep rallies. But it’s reality.
Consider:
• The contract: Richt will have two years left on an eight-year deal after this season. That’s basically death in recruiting unless Georgia extends the contract, probably by at least two to three years. To not extend the contract also would set up the extreme rarity, particularly in the SEC, of a coach potentially entering his third straight “hot seat” season and working on a contract that had not been amended since after the 2007 season (when Richt received a raise).
• The schedule: Every remaining game is winnable. To put it another way, there are no “good” losses left. Florida? Maybe. But how would Richt dropping to 2-9 against the Gators go over with athletic director Greg McGarity, school president Michael Adams and the fan base? Losing to Florida means losing tiebreakers to both the Gators and South Carolina in the East. Beating Florida could salvage division hopes, but only with a strong finish.
• The record: McGarity probably doesn’t have a specific number of wins and losses in mind. But let’s look at this logically. Going 9-1 the rest of the way means a 9-3 finish, while 8-2 means finishing 8-4. Two losses mean the Dogs probably will have lost to Florida again. And/or Georgia Tech (making Paul Johnson 2-2 in the series). Or Mississippi State (for the second straight year). Or Tennessee (to Derek Dooley).
• The backdrop: It’s significant that at a recent UGA Athletic Association meeting, board member Tommy Lawhorne stated, “There are many of us who are really concerned about the status of the football program. Yet we have confidence in Greg McGarity to get us where we want to be.” Note that he referred to McGarity and not Richt.
Winning this week over Coastal Carolina, an FCS (formerly Division I-AA) school, won’t change the important numbers. If you take out wins over FCS (Tennessee Tech, Idaho State) and Sun Belt (Louisiana-Lafayette) schools, Richt is 11-14 overall since 2009. He’s 6-10 in the past 16 SEC games and 2-10 against ranked teams. To go 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the SEC the rest of the way is possible. But it would be a stark contrast to what we’ve been witnessing.
Richt said the South Carolina game “could’ve gone either way. Did we improve tremendously? There’s no doubt about that. I left the field sick about losing but encouraged about the team.”
Improvement is good. But winning saves jobs. Richt has left himself no room for error.
By Jeff Schultz
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698 comments Add your comment
Buckhead Dawg
September 13th, 2011
5:23 pm
It’s just this simple: including the bowl game, he has to go 9 – 2 and one of those 2 losses can’t be Florida. It’s really just that simple.
Patrick
September 13th, 2011
5:23 pm
Well said Columbus…
Picture Imperfect
September 13th, 2011
5:25 pm
In the picture above, Richt just looks befuddled and clueless, even… stupid. At least his shades look fine, mighty fine. I’m surprised he’s not doing sunglass commercials, like he does for Ford trucks and other crap.
Can you find a better photo where Richt looks like he has a clue?
rational
September 13th, 2011
5:26 pm
Yes every remaining game is winnable, but several are lose-able as well. Auburn, Miss St, Florida, GT, and Tenn will all be tough games. Heck, Vandy might not even be easy this year. UGA hasn’t beaten a winning team since they beat GT in 2009. Nothing is a gimme. I would bet a good bit of money on UGA not going 9-1 the rest of the way.
Fake punts have ALWAYS BEFUDDLED RICHT
September 13th, 2011
5:26 pm
Look back, look way back to the Florida UGA game in 2006. We were without DJ Shockley and having to play with Jumping Joe Tereshinski at QB BUT …………..BUT we had a shot to win it late. I think UGA had the lead BUT FLORIDA faked a punt and ran about 34 yds to get the first down, then later they won it at the very end.
RICHT BLEW that situation. I was in my car screaming “fake punt. fake punt” and for sure they did it. First down Florida. Dang it …………then they drove and won it.
UGA has blown about 5 or 8 Florida games by just stupid stuff like last year and Murray’s OT pic.
Go Dogs
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
5:26 pm
Local sports talk…..
Urban Meyer would not leave Florida and go to Georgia. Not happening. Why? Because Shelley Meyer is not going to live in Athens, Georgia. The only places she would consider leaving Gainesville, Florida, for is Columbus, Ohio, and South Bend, Indiana. Now….the only job that could possibly be open between those two schools next year…..is Ohio State….and that is where I think Urban will end up coaching.
Columbus is / was lost
September 13th, 2011
5:26 pm
He thought indians were indians.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 13th, 2011
5:28 pm
Columbus
Get a clue
Ive been hearing we are young we are rebuilding since Stafford, Moreno and Mo Mass left and we are in yr 3
Whats next years excuse we didnt get to change our uniforms
Stop smoking your bong and come to reality
ub
September 13th, 2011
5:29 pm
Dawgs and CMR will be fine fans need to get behind this team it will be very good at the end of the year. Nine wins will happen and next year they will be GREAT GO DAWGS. This fan is in coaches corner.
Hillbilly D
September 13th, 2011
5:29 pm
He thought indians were indians.
But think of his achievement. He took a trip and didn’t know where he was going, got there and didn’t know where he was, and got back and didn’t know where he’d been and he did it all on somebody else’s money.
Send'em UHauls
September 13th, 2011
5:29 pm
I see atleast 4 more losses. Tenn.,Florida, Auburn and Tech. Buh bye Mark Richt…..
Paddy
September 13th, 2011
5:31 pm
Frank Lane…..it is not the job or a responsibility of the AJC to help Georgia recruit. Ther job is to report on recruiting.
yellow britches
September 13th, 2011
5:31 pm
Mark, I don’t see it. UGA could play as well as they did against South Carolina and win out–really. Georgia outplayed Carolina and still managed to lose. Turnovers did them in. As for Boise State, why don’t they get any respect. They are a great team. I love watching those guys play the game. They have the sort of swagger Miami used to display. Crappy helmets though.
Scooter McFadden
September 13th, 2011
5:31 pm
What a lousy fan base! Bunch of douche baggers! No top name coach would consider UGA! Look at you clowns! Meyer, Tressel or whomever you cream about will not consider UGA! You’d have to sell off most of your campus to pay whoever would consider it. Oh, but keep the money flowing fans/alums UGA needs the dues! Lace the Kool Aid with moonshine you are going to need it! Go Danny Ware!
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
5:34 pm
……..we will know more about Georgia’s potential ability to beat Florida this year based on the Gators performance against the Vols this coming weekend. I think the Vols might be the true surprise team in the SEC this year. They are extremely well coached by Dooley and their QB and WRs are very talented. Florida has not played anyone, but looked good playing those teams. But I think the Vols will throw the kitchen sink at Brantley to see what he is made up of…..and we Gator fans don’t have a true answer to that question yet. For sure, Bray and his WRs will test the young secondary of the Gators….big time. Should be a good game……and then Gator and Dawg fans will have a better view of the Florida-Georgia game in late October. I personally think Georgia has a good shot of running the table before playing Florida…..but I thought they would play better against Boise and then beat SC, too. Time will tell. So you Vols fans in THE SWAMP saturday afternoon.
Now….local sports talk……Dooley is the guy Georgia should go after….big time….and pay whatever it takes to get him to move back to his childhood home….as Foley did with Muschamp. Dooley could possibly bring back the 80’s to you guys and end your annual fall nightmares after awakening from long, summer dreams.
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
5:36 pm
Ok, IF Richt were to get fired, lets get a few things straght…Dan Mullen, Urban Meyer, John Gruden, or Chris Peterson WILL NOT be the next UGA coach…keep dreaming…I will lay the house on that.
1.MULLEN…If he turned down Florida, you really think he is going to UGA?
2.Gruden…Everyone has tried to go after him; he hasn’t even considered going back to coaching
3.Peterson…Plenty of teams have gone after him and he says he is staying…kind of like the Gonzaga coach; some coaches like where they are.
4. Meyer…Are you serious?? He is really going to leave Florida to go coach at UGA…that’s laughable. I’ve got $10,000 and I will give you 5 to 1 odds…any takers???
Folks, I hate to tell you, but this whole INSERT SCHOOL is a top job thing is crazy. TN, USC, (Kiffin was like their 5th choice), Michigan all had pretty tough times landing coaches. Just cause YOU think you have a top job, doesn’t mean that is really the case. UGA would either end up with Kirby Smart (which I”m not so sure he would leave Alabama), or an up and coming young coach (i.e. Derek Dooley), but your not getting some pie in the sky Jimmy Johnson, Bob Stoops, Urban Meyer…just not happening
Joey
September 13th, 2011
5:36 pm
“I PERSONALLY THINK NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO COME IN AND WIN RIGHT AWAY, SO WE WILL BE BETTER OFF STANDING BEHIND RICHT!!!…..”
*************************************************
I know!!!
Just like Auburn when they let Tubberville go!!! They’ve been horrible ever since!!!
Kurtis
September 13th, 2011
5:36 pm
With Kevin McGarity now the AD, if Richt doesn’t win the East and play in the SEC championship game, I got two words for ya…………….
Urban Meyer.
Think about it.
Jack Bartlett
September 13th, 2011
5:38 pm
Schultz, when are you and the others of your ilk going to stop fanning the flame regarding the demise of CMR? Most of those jumping on the “fire Mark Richt” bandwagon don’t know their a$$ from a warm rock. Stop trying to bury the man before he is dead. I, and I’m sure many others, are tired of the daily diatribe of all you so called “experts” and “others in the know” . Wait till Mark is gone to begin the crucifixion!!
DawgFan1
September 13th, 2011
5:38 pm
todd Mcshay got it right. Here’s a link to his quotes.
http://espn.go.com/colleges/georgia/football/story/_/id/6959927/georgia-bulldogs-escape-fact-program-decline
Matt
September 13th, 2011
5:38 pm
Two words, Go Dawgs!!!
Hairy Dawg
September 13th, 2011
5:39 pm
I’d defend Mark Richt if he pays me money. Until he starts doing that, he’s gonna have to get his team to make fewer mistakes.
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
5:39 pm
Kurtis…..
If Jeremy Foley was the AD at Georgia, then you could think about it. McGarity…..Meyer wouldn’t give a whole lot of thought to that…..and more importantly, Shelley Meyer wouldn’t. She might consider a move north……way north….and Athens is not in that geographical area.
Lakeoconeedawg
September 13th, 2011
5:39 pm
Jeff Schultz you are an idiot, just write what happens and leave the remarks about Coach Richt out of your dumb a.. articles. AJC needs to find sport personnel who writes about the events and games and leave the negative out of articles. You have to go! Bye.
Joey
September 13th, 2011
5:41 pm
Flat Tire, you must be one of Columbus’ “young and dumb” fans.
Welcome to the club . . .
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
5:42 pm
atlvol55……
When did Mullen “turn down” Florida? He came with Meyer to Florida! He then went to MSU. When Meyer resigned last year, Foley contacted Muschamp the next day and Muschamp was named the Florida coach 3 days later.
did you ever notice...
September 13th, 2011
5:42 pm
that there is an inversely proportional relationship between the length of comments by mark richt supporters and the number of UGA footbal wins. The more mark richt loses, the longer their comments get….now drudging up poll numbers and other things that have NOTHING to do with winning football games…..what is this a presidential election…….anything to justify passing the cocktails amongst the folk sitting in the titanic deck chairs.
“Did you hear that…did we hit an iceberg? Naah, this is the titanic…it wont sink…you’ll see…. Pass that wiskey sour over here….”
1eyedJack
September 13th, 2011
5:42 pm
Columbus, I usually don’t read books published on this blog but…Amen. I teach these kids everyday. They no longer know how to write or read a book or do their own research. I make them buy the books just to use up their Pell checks. They must be edutained.
The AJC must be in such dire financial circumstances that they can only afford a couple of guys to go out and actually do the footwork and research. The rest just peruse the Internet to find stuff to plagerize. Or they come up with preposterous hypothoses based on nothing but speculation to drive blog hits.
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
5:43 pm
Atlvol55….
Gruden considered the Miami job…..flew down there…..and told them, “No.”
FACTS
September 13th, 2011
5:45 pm
Face the truth Richt needs to leave right now we are not competing for a SEC title or anything else so please we move on in another direction for the sake of the Bulldog Nation
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
5:45 pm
Atlvol55…..
Who has gone after Peterson? He has stated from the start that he is not leaving Boise and they have signed him to a 10-year contract with a big buy out clause…..for all college teams…..but not for NFL teams. The only place Peterson would leave Boise for is maybe the Oakland Raiders.
But……you are right on one coach……Meyer.
Love Mark Richt-Hate Coach Richt
September 13th, 2011
5:45 pm
We will never see 9-1 the rest of the way. UGA needs a change and so does coach. McGarity worries me. Also…… I miss Larry !
The Nature Boy
September 13th, 2011
5:46 pm
Jeff Schultz is on the hot seat..??? What..???
valleyboy32
September 13th, 2011
5:47 pm
uga needs sandycreek recruiter cordinator
Shabba Ranks
September 13th, 2011
5:48 pm
Just let the season play out. Good grief.
Kurtis
September 13th, 2011
5:50 pm
TampaGator, you may be right. I surely don’t know the Urban situation as well as you seem to, but I do get the Ohio State part. It’s just that the whole thing seems to have set itself up….Meyer leaving UF, McGarity leaving UF for UGA, Richt on the hot seat after a few UnDogLike seasons……..see what I mean? I just think McGarity will do his best to make a huge splash with someone that 1) he’s familiar with and 2) is a proven winner who can 3) win NOW!!!. And you have to admit, Urban Meyer is all of the above. I don’t know, I just got that feeling. Hey, if I’m wrong, won’t be the first time, or the last.
Regardless, I’m still a Dawg Fan.
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
5:50 pm
Tampa Gator:
I’m not sure I give you the Muschamp thing. I know that is what you may want to believe, but I HIGHLY doubt Muschamp was Florida’s first choice. You are right, I don’t know if Mullen was ever offered to job (hence he could not turn it down), but I would be surprised if he was not contacted. As big of a job as Florida is, I’m not so sure they would offer it to a guy with no head coaching experience as their first choice. Not to say, Muschamp may or may not be a great coach, I just would be surprised if he was Foley’s first choice.
slydog
September 13th, 2011
5:51 pm
All he needs to do is finish 8-4 and beat Florida. 7-5 and a victory over Florida mmmmaaayyyy save it. I think 9-1 is ALOT to ask at this point. 9-1 can’t include Florida in any scenario.
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
5:52 pm
And on the Peterson thing, just because he has said he wants to stay, doesn’t mean he hasn’t been contacted by other schools. I know, TN for one made a call to him and I’m pretty sure others have as well.
Plenty of coaches have said they like where they are, that doesn’t mean schools don’t at least reach out to them
Dawg Tell
September 13th, 2011
5:53 pm
Lose 2 over the next 6 games and he is long gone.A loss to Gators and GT would be the death sentence.The next coach would NOT be Kirby Smart.The man from Bainbridge Ga. burned to many bridges the last time he was at UGA.The big question is if not Richt;than WHO would it be?Look around and all the top name coaches would not come to UGA.If history tells you anything,it will probable be a Asst.Coach at some upper tier program.
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
5:55 pm
I find it pretty funny how most of the UGA fans called Meyer a cheat, didn’t dicipline his players, was a jerk, etc…now a lot of you are wanting him as YOUR head coach….wow….the hypocrisy is really funny
Vampire Bill
September 13th, 2011
5:56 pm
Who cares if we improved between game 1 and 2 or between 3 and 4? The problem is that we are ALWAYS in need of improving. It can be argued that UGA has a young team and the fan base needs to understand that. Well, why do we have a young team with a coaching staff that has been in place for years on end? Elite teams are double and triple stacked at all the skill positions.
I realize that injuries and NFL exits do hurt but all teams face that. Richt is paid BIG bucks to keep the dawgs in elite status. UGA expects to compete at least for the SEC crown every year and be in the hunt for the NC.
I agree with and admire CMR for all the “good man” stuff. He’s a fine human being. My hats off to him there. I also understand a hard fought loss against a quality rival opponent. What I don’t understand and accept is the overall poor level of play and yes I do need to mention the predictable play calling .
We’ve got the facilities, We’ve got the tradition, We have the players but we don’t have the wins….
Answer me this sport fans, What happens if Murray gets hurt? Not to bash Hudson but he’s got maybe 10-15 plays experience? Is that smart coaching?
GADAWG
September 13th, 2011
5:57 pm
Richt needs to FIRE Mike Bobo. He turned over the offense to Bobo at the end of 2006 for the bowl game and the wheels have been slipping off the wagon ever since. Fire Bobo, Start calling you own offense again and this program will turn around and be just fine.
Scooter McFadden
September 13th, 2011
5:58 pm
Can you say the University of Nick Saban. LLC. Esquire.et al. Of course the tradition of blind running drunks despoiling a nice campus would have to end. Probably have to get a mascot other than the most stupid breed of dog on earth. The players would have to actually start attending and passing their classes. Just some things to consider Georgia (sometimes) faithful. What a bunch of Maroons! Hey Dawgs your slip is showing! Caught you looking!
Long season again
September 13th, 2011
5:58 pm
Well sure on paper 9-1 is likely but since game is on field we beat Coastal Carolina by score of 70-3 Sat….I hope but alas if we show no hunger are mad at two lost i could see coastal Carolina in a upset n that be end of Mark Richt’s This is goin be one Helluva Year quote he said for season! Other wise we not be auburn n fla and just squeak pass Vols coach derek dooley who is not goin to turn tail like one did went To Play for USC Trogans! 6-6 record is it
slydog
September 13th, 2011
6:00 pm
1. Charlie Strong 2. Dan Mullen 3. Kyle Whittingham 3. Tommy Tunerville 4. Derek Dooley 5. Gary Patterson 6. Kirby Smart 7. Urban Meyer 8. Mike Leach 9. Rich Rodriguez
This list is in no particular order, but it represents a reasonable list of those who will likely take a serious look at the job. The problem is a of likely darkhorse candidates, like Brett Venables of Oklahoma, Bud Foster of VT, Tom O’Brien of Penn State..etc.
No Brainer
September 13th, 2011
6:02 pm
Hire Urban Crier!!!!! woof woof woof sic em
VA DAWG
September 13th, 2011
6:02 pm
Peterson is not going anywhere because his son has a sickness and there is specialized care in Noise. UM is not wanted in Athens.
Tiago do Brasil
September 13th, 2011
6:02 pm
It is difficult for me to watch my Dogs. Richt tem que ir. Me eschute, Senor McGarity?
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
6:03 pm
atlvol55………
Meyer resigned on December 8 and Muschamp was hired on December 12…..4 days later. Not much time to offer the job to Mullen…..you think?
If you still don’t believe me……read what ESPN printed on December 12:
“Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said he targeted Muschamp shortly after Meyer resigned Wednesday and he was the only person to whom Foley offered the job.”
But….you can still think Mullen was Foley’s first choice and turned it down if you want……