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
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
6:03 pm
slydog:
If I were hiring a coach, I would go after Gary Patterson. That guy can flat out coach
what is this fellow sayin......
September 13th, 2011
6:04 pm
Oh ScooterMcFadden alabama mascot is a fellow in a elephant outfit are Macot real as is vols and buffalos n texas longhorns air force and navy n others use real fake who cares….most is Ga has to win 9-3 if not fla wins he in duck soup are lose to Miss state he in hot sauce…..and auburn be like havin the eagle sweep the poor pup out of stadium!
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
6:05 pm
TampaGator:
Again, of COURSE that is what Foley is going to say. Just because he said that doesn’t mean other people weren’t contacted “off the record.”
That happens ALL of the time. I’m guessing that Foley probably knew the Meyer thing was coming and had already lined some stuff up. Do I know that for fact, no; but please don’t tell me you believe everything you hear??
Ole Ball Coach
September 13th, 2011
6:05 pm
Ray Goff is available.
wastedyears
September 13th, 2011
6:05 pm
5-7 wins against c carolina,kenyucky,vandy,new mexico st and auburn he knows he is thru at ga bring on urban meyer and keep his a$$ as a recruiter he is done
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
6:05 pm
VADawg….
You are right….Dawg fans don’t want a couch who turned around two programs…..Bowling Green and Utah…….took over a Florida team that was totally mismanaged by Zook…….and then won SEC and National titles. Why would Georgia want that kind of coach?
But….don’t worry…..I think Ohio State will take him shortly after the end of the season.
Tiago do Brasil
September 13th, 2011
6:06 pm
Mullen, Patterson, Urban, Derek, Peterson. Leach is a bit too volatile. Oh yes, Kirby.
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
6:06 pm
Also, I’m not necessarily saying Mullen was his top pick, but I think he was probably on the short list
Sick!
September 13th, 2011
6:07 pm
You apologists make me sick. Great programs never accept mediocrity. With our in-state talent and premiere facilities, neither should we.
FACTS
September 13th, 2011
6:07 pm
Why come CMR good man values do not transfer to the playing field. We all understand what an upstanding citizen this guy is, but it does not transfer to the field at all. UGA is in a state of complete denial, I pray it will get better but I understand that this guy is miles behind everyone else in the SEC. Wake up & realize that we are competing in the nation’s number 1 conference so we must perform at a higher level than an average team !!! Hey Mississippi St. is cathching up with us now as well as about 70 % of the conference, even if Texas A&M comes in we will probably lose to those clowns as well!!!
Dr. Phil
September 13th, 2011
6:08 pm
There is nothing in recent years that should lead anyone to believe Richt will win the next 10 games. He might win seven with some luck.
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
6:08 pm
atlvol55…..
I can tell you this truth as well…….birds can fly. But you don’t have to believe it….even if you see one flying.
………..but……your Vol team is looking good this year…..and this weekend’s game should be a really good one……coached by a fine ex-Athens guy….Dooley…..and the only coach Foley offered the Florida job to…..Will Muschamp.
Go Gators!
Ha
September 13th, 2011
6:09 pm
By Gawd we are gonna win the SEC with these here BEWL DAWGS!!!
Even if I have to sell the trailer and put betsy to work giving out hand jawbs at the student union.
GET ER DONE CMR
FACTS
September 13th, 2011
6:09 pm
Richt is toast !!!!
Bob
September 13th, 2011
6:09 pm
I’ve decided that most of the “Richt saviors” have never attended UGA or they don’t contribute to Hartmann or purchase season tickets. They have no skin in the game. I have seen nothing from this staff in the past four years that gives any hope of an SEC championship, much less a MNC. Time to clean house and have a new culture and attitude at UGA. As a 42 year alumni and season ticket holder, I’m tired of Richt and his merry thieves stealing money. Flame away!
Paddy
September 13th, 2011
6:09 pm
Seeing improvement does not cut it in the SEC when you have been the coach for 11 years!!!
1eyedJack
September 13th, 2011
6:10 pm
“Peterson is not going anywhere because his son has a sickness and there is specialized care in Boise.”
There are some pretty good children’s hospitals in the Atlanta area.
Class of 86
September 13th, 2011
6:10 pm
I don’t get why fans get upset at a newspaper columnist writing a column about which many Georgia fans are concerned and rant on the writer. That is his job. He wouldn’t be writing such columns if UGA was 2-0 or even 1-1.
If you are a Georgia fan and are ok with the way things are going with the football program can I ask, what is wrong with you? I know I am spoiled. I went to UGA during the early 80’s when we won almost all the time. But when you constantly have losses coming because of stupid mistakes (SC) or lack of effort (BSU, Central FLA, MSU, Colorado) then there is a real problem.
Add to that I went to high school 45 miles outside of Gainesville, FL and all my high school friends are Gators…and I’m sick of losing to them every year. It is time TO DO SOMETHING!
VA DAWG
September 13th, 2011
6:10 pm
Its not about his track record..you wouldn’t see woody hayes suit up in maize and blue would you?
rward
September 13th, 2011
6:10 pm
I like Richt, but if he sticks with Bobo…..Then I say clean house..
JB
September 13th, 2011
6:11 pm
I have read over last week several people mention Meyer as a possible IF Georgia needs a coach after this year, and I just laugh. He is not coming or won’t be ask. He left Florida on good terms and really has very fond memories down there and many friends at that University.
Georgia was the enemy. He’ll get back in the Game soon enough and if I had to bet, it’ll be somewhere in the newly aligned PAC conference somewhere. Who ever McGarity hires, half will scream because the hunger of the Dawgs being relevant again, and the hire won’t be good enough. The howls will go out that we should of kept Richt.
atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
6:11 pm
Tampa Gator
Fair enough..we will agree to disagree.
Should be a good one this weekend… Go Vols!
RCB
September 13th, 2011
6:12 pm
Why is it that Atlanta based reporters fret so much over poor old little Mark Richt. Is it because they suffer from personal paranoia, or are they running out of things to write about, or do they have a grudge about something? Isn’t football entertaining enough without all the hysteria? Play the season out and then decide on Richt. In the meantime, these writers need something real to write about, you know, like shoe leather on the ground finding out little known facts about the status or health of a player, or a change in the play book or roster. Do you really think the UGA folks who are actually in charge have delegated to this writer the authority to set the bar for Richt’s performance?
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
6:12 pm
Personally….I hope Richt is fired at Georgia. It will make recruiting Georgia a lot easier for Muschamp this and next year. Unfortunately, it might make it harder to beat Georgia in October in future years….especailly if Georgia goes and gets Dooley or the guy at TCU……and I would only go after those two if I was considering firing Richt….and I would have one of the two lined up before I did fire Richt.
Paddy
September 13th, 2011
6:13 pm
FACTS….I must disagree. If you have been a football watcher over the years, you would not be calling Texas A&M a bunch of clowns! It is also one of the most exciting places to watch a college football game in America! We should be so lucky to have that kind of atmosphere in Athens!
Rocket Science??
September 13th, 2011
6:15 pm
Win the rest
JB
September 13th, 2011
6:19 pm
Dooley would never leave Tennessee after two years. They took a flier on him, and he’s doing a good job and he will see it through. EVEN knowing he was not a popular hire and 7-5 this year and 8-4 next probably gets him fired. And the haters on here call us unrealistic.
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
6:19 pm
I too think it is somewhat hilarious that Dawg fans are now want “CUM” and “Urban Crier” to be their head coach. Down right hilarious, in fact. I am falling down on the floor now…..crying and laughing out loud…..just like Urban. I bet Urban is doing the same just about now.
Bob
September 13th, 2011
6:19 pm
Hello Tampa Gator…don’t be too cocky as you’ll be reading these same comments about Muschamp in 2013. UF fans won’t give him more than a couple of years. And, it’s past time for you to get back accross the Courtney Campbell Causeway and go home. Peace brother.
jddawg37
September 13th, 2011
6:20 pm
Here is my prediction –
It doesn’t matter what Richt does the rest of the year. He is done with football and will not return. He will venture into overseas missionary work on a full time basis. I would suspect that the football environment has caused him to question if he is doing what God wants him to do. I respect him and want him to stay. However, I also want to win, with him at the helm. Unfortunately, I don’t think I will ever be able to have my cake and eat it to. Therefore, my greatest concern is that he simply vegitates through the season. After repeated screams for a change at the play calling, he has indicated it will not happen, which would be the most appropriate response from someone who does not plan on being here next year. My concern here is that, who loses? The fans, the coaches, the students? The only real losers are the players, some of which are riding their last hopes on what may be Richt’s disinterested last season. I hope I am wrong but I am betting he is tired of being questioned by people who put football before everything else.
trouble
September 13th, 2011
6:20 pm
Winning this week over Coastal Carolina , an FCS (1-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 last 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
Jeff that last paragraph says all we need to know about where UGAs program stands in the BIG picture of the SEC and BCS football.
Too many fans at UGA start with the ” if” and “what if” and not with the “how did” “why did” the program be allowed to fall this far down the pecking order with the 4th or 5th best talent in the country at the preps level. Absolutely no excuses and anyone making them is just as big of a loser as the staff at UGA.
GaAlum79
September 13th, 2011
6:21 pm
Agree its a realistic look at what Richt faces….he might be wise to announce that he is not returning after this season to spend time with his wife, family and church and we would all wish him the best…..plus it may be motivational for the team to send him out a winner…
Bob
September 13th, 2011
6:21 pm
Tampa Gator…don’t get too cocky, as you’ll be reading these same comments about Muschamp in a couple of years. Time to get back accross the Courtney Cambell Causeway and go home.
JB
September 13th, 2011
6:21 pm
RCB……….because 75% of the reading in sports on the AJC online is Georgia football related. Go look at a blog after a Tech win with 30 post.
Joe Bob Thibodaux
September 13th, 2011
6:22 pm
Seems like Richt is dog bit.
I think there are a lot of programs that would like
to have him as their coach.
JBT
JASon
September 13th, 2011
6:22 pm
“Schultz: Why Richt must go 9-1″
“Mark Richt might need 9-1 finish to keep job at Georgia”
These are 2 different things entirely. I just think its funny that a major newspaper, which I thought was supposed to be pretty good with words, uses might and must interchangeably. Well done aj-c.
Bob
September 13th, 2011
6:22 pm
Tampa Gator…don’t be too cocky as you’ll see these same comments about Muschamp in a couple of years.
TampaGator
September 13th, 2011
6:23 pm
JB…….
To go back to his home town…..no way. To go back and live where his father lives and where he once coached….and is a 1980s legend. No way. To go to a place where he can easily recruit nationally…..no way. To go to a place where he speaks the language of the people….no way. To go to a place that can pay him just about any salary he desires….no way. To go to a place that he woujld be highly wanted….and already loved……no way. To go to a place that is already loaded with talent and he doesn’t have to build it up…..no way.
Absolutely…..no way would Dooley EVER consider leaving the Vols for the Dawgs. Yes, way.
the dude
September 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
GTFANFROM1951, YOU ARE A COMPLETE FOOL. STAY ON YOUR OWN SIDE OF THE TRACKS PLEASE. OR CONTACT ME AND WE WILL MAKE A WAGER. 10-4.
Bob
September 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
Jeff…WTH is wrong with your filters? My posts keep disappearing in cyberspace.
GaAlum79
September 13th, 2011
6:24 pm
Agree mostly jjdawg but if he is tired of being questioned by people who put football before everything else what does he think he’s getting paid all that money for…it goes with the territory…
JB
September 13th, 2011
6:25 pm
GaAlum79………..Correct, if announced that, he would have time to transition Bobo to the Head coach spot………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I’M KIDDING
SEC Fan
September 13th, 2011
6:25 pm
UGA has the possibility of losing to the following teams: Ole Miss(yes, the Right Reverend Houston Nutt is fighting for his job too), MS State, Tenn, FL and Auburn. Getting back to Ole Miss which most UGA fans think is a “gimme”, I have been around long enough to see Ole Miss upset UGA twice in Oxford when UGA had far superior teams. Don’t count this one in the win column yet.
Realistic Fan
September 13th, 2011
6:26 pm
For all you talking about Peterson moving anywhere, forget it. No one has said it on here which means no one on here knows college football enough where they should comment about that. Peterson will never move, not because he likes Boise so much, he likes his family. He has a special needs kid and they have a great relationship with the people helping him in Boise. You can think money talks but he will stick where his family is comfortable due to nothing but that. He makes enough money as is and is winning at a pace Boise never was expected to, won’t happen.
ZinoDawg
September 13th, 2011
6:26 pm
All I know is the good lord wasn’t looking out for Richt on Saturday. Every ball bounced in favor of the evil genius. Must be some kind of test – like 40 nights in the desert.
Coach Scott
September 13th, 2011
6:26 pm
The question is this: Do we trust Mark Richt and his “system” (coaches, etc) with the sensational freshman class we have in 2011. Now is the jumping off spot, if there is one, because many of them will only play through 2013. Personally, I expected us to go 0-2, and then win 10. Let’s stop all the chatter and enjoy the rest of the season – see how they do. I’m tired of the negativity.
Mobile Dawg
September 13th, 2011
6:27 pm
I’m still thinking I saw a good team on the field vs USC. If we minimize the mistakes, and don’t find other ways to self destruct Richt has a pretty good chance to go 9-1. If not he’s gone. I’m tired of the controversy, and on record as not being a “Richt as our Head Coach” supporter but enough is enough. The Dawgs will have several opportunities to win tight hard fought games this year, so let’s give it a rest. If I’m Richt at this point I just shut it down now and deny all press access for the rest of the year.
With that my opinion is still that he isn’t championship caliber. With McGarity’s help he can be a winning coach that takes us to bowls. Of course with McGarity’s help I could do the same thing with the talent UGA attracts.
Bob
September 13th, 2011
6:28 pm
I think the two games that decide Richt’s future are Tenn and UF…any loss and he’s gone. Of course losing to Tech would be cause for public riddicule.
one who barks loud in tn
September 13th, 2011
6:28 pm
Being a dawg fan in TN, I’ve seen first hand what getting rid of a proven coach can do to a PROGRAM. Will probably throw our program back a fews year if we don’t hit a homerun with the hire. Most people have lost faith in RICHT and if we win out it still won’t be enough! KEEP COACH RICHT AND KEEP THE FAITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO DAWGS
Columbus
September 13th, 2011
6:28 pm
MOST UGA FANS AND ALUMNI SUPPORT RICHT.
WE ARE NOT THE BABY WHO CRIES TO GET THEIR WAY…WE ARE THE OLDER CHILD WHO DONT GET THE ATTENTION BECAUSE WE ARE MORE MORE EMOTIONALLY MATURE AND MENTALLY MATURE AND QUIET AND NOT PITCHING A FIT AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH WHAT THE BABY IS GOING THROUGH…..
All of you have no say in this and frankly you dont know what you are talking about. A few wins and the heat is turned down considerably. Dont get caught in the hype nor the moment like AJC.
UGA is fine and Richt is not going anywhere. You VOCAL MINORITY are not going to get your way.
You have to have a perspective of more than the last 15 years. You have to have a perspective based on the last 40 years. 30 years minimum or you dont have enough info to be credible and that is exactly what is going on and the MAIN problem and this whole situation is far less severe than what the media have turned it into. SO due to the media perspectice or bias it IS THIS severe and undeservedly. But rational and reasonable men will prevail, not emotional and narrow-minded outlooks from younguns.
There is much more support than is being reported and that is not fair to ANYONE. These young vocal minority do not know what they are talking about but their ranting, whining and impatience is getting the MOST attention. Who do we have over the age of lets say 40, besides Fran Tarkenton, that is PUBLICLY saying Richt should be fired and putting their name and face behind the statement?
Please tell me someone that is NOT in the media above the age of 40? Or a former player of ANY age? Please? Who? What ALUMNI? What DONORS? WHAT BOOSTER? What ADMINISTRATORS? What public officials? Who? I have heard the word concern but thats about it.
Who other than young fans? Most who never even went to college? Where is all this coming from? I mean the real heat? Where is it coming from? What is the demographic that is putting all this heat on. I will tell you it is the MEDIA!
The media act like it is the VAST majority of fans and that is a lie. They might not say it is the majority that do want Richt out but they certainly make it seem like that is the case in more than one way particularly by beating it to death…..!
Come on tell me someone who wants Richt out that means something? That have said it and are lobbying for it? Come on AJC who? Where is your source for all the discontent other than online? Where is it? Is AJC and Augusta Chronicle owned by the same company? I dont know but it is weird they are an example of contrary news reporting and articles than what we see here….
Where are the people of importance who are calling for Richt to be fired? Ex-players? Donors? Boosters? Come on give me one besides trolls on here? Ok? No, how about you give me about 20 of them? I mean 3 or 4 out of say a hundred for example is not significant. Back up what you write and put out in public as being trustworthy. Realize also there is an ENTIRE STATE outside of Atlanta, GA and the AJC……
Is it 10%? 30%. More like 10% or less! And you have just turned this into something that simply is not as big as you have made it. UGA fans dont like losing sure, but the VAST LESS VOCAL MAJORITY SUPPORT RICHT.
WE ARE NOT THE BABY WHO CRIES TO GET THEIR WAY…WE ARE THE OLDER CHILD WHO DONT GET THE ATTENTION BECAUSE WE ARE MORE MORE EMOTIONALLY MATURE AND MENTALLY MATURE AND NOT PITCHING A FIT AND HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH WHAT THE BABY IS GOING THROUGH…..