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
Dumbo
September 13th, 2011
7:51 pm
TO ALL THE GREAT KNOW IT ALLS, including SCHULTZIE –who in the heck is GA gonna hire that’s as good as Richt —the HC at Boise doesn’t want the competition of the SEC, the DC at Alabama is afraid to make decision unless the Great Saban nods OK. So who is gonna be the preferred leader in the SCHULTZIE sweepstakes to replace Richt…who is it SCHULTZIE. Don’t shy away now SCHULTZIE….you and Finebaum started this push (I understand his push…he is working for Saban, no Richt, no worry about any player he covets in GA), but what is your angle in this, I thought writers were supposed to lay out the story not promote and spin it. Looks like you are trying the Furman Bisher style of sports writing…why not go back and read some Jesse Outlar…maybe you’ll learn something. But I still want to hear who you…..SCHULTZIE….thinks’ will be on the infamous short list to replace Richt!
joe
September 13th, 2011
7:51 pm
why wait fire him now. no one wants him here anyway. If you do that the writers and media people will not have him to trash anymore. Get it over and lets move on to another long tenure of some coach trying to revive the program. Get Smart he is an assistant from UGa. You actually think he will get rid of Bobo his buddy? We need to let the man do his job and support the players.
Mista
September 13th, 2011
7:55 pm
These coaches need to go! Have you guys looked at recruiting lately? Last year dream team this year ding a ling team. Our recruiting is similar to south Carolina this year. If we can’t with with top flight recruiting classes, as we have had the past couple of years. We are in trouble with this 20-25 ranked class. I don’t understand why we aren’t recruiting any of the Stephenson player 14-16 D1 players and we haven’t been recruiting this school until late summer. Creekside has two D1 db’s committed to auburn and virgina Tech, and we didn’t offer,
Boodog
September 13th, 2011
7:56 pm
Get a life! The same people who wanted CMR to rid the team of “thugs” now want the great Urban Meyer who had no problem with keeping “thugs” on his team. Which is it? Also, those who chime this current state of affairs would not be tolerated at Alabama forget it wasn’t that long ago Alabama was a sub-par program for a few years. Lay off the religion. I don’t recall CMR ever trying to convert me or you. Its sad your life revolves around a football game played by 18-20 year olds. I’ve seen your type at youth football games and it isn’t a pretty site. Go drink another beer and go to sleep.
Joey Bag of Donuts
September 13th, 2011
7:56 pm
No wonder why UGA is slowly becoming a laughing stock
Who is out there to hire
We are turning it around; really been hearing that since the 2008 debacle
We are going to win the rest of our games
Fans expect other fans to sit in the stands and continue watching stupidity lose the game LOL
Comparing winning percentage to coaches who have recently won national titles: A big LOL
What a joke of a fanbase. UGA fans remind me of a bunch grownups with thumbs in their mouths
No wonder your program is fast becoming a Vanderbilt
Joey Bag of Donuts
September 13th, 2011
7:59 pm
This just in
Every UGA fan that stays the entire game gets a merit badge
Every UGA fan that stays after getting a beat down gets a merit badge and free T-shirt saying I survived a beat down and stayed the entire game
LOL
Lakedawg
September 13th, 2011
7:59 pm
Will,, you are about as knowlegeable as my beagle dog. Dawgs will go 8-2 rest of year , win bowl game and CMR will return next year with a team that will win 10-11 games and compete for SEC next several years.
Give coaching staff credit, they were not on field when Murray and others made the bone head plays that lost game.
2 losses will be between MSU, Fla, or Tenn. Win the rest.
Columbus
September 13th, 2011
8:00 pm
Supporters of Mark Richt on facebook….
Columbus
September 13th, 2011
8:02 pm
“Supporters of Mark Richt” Its a new Facebook page just put up. Its time to start putting the Vocal Minority in their place. They are wagging the Dawg and its gone on for too long…..
Lakedawg
September 13th, 2011
8:03 pm
Forgot to mention Schultz, thought you were over your get CMR agenda. Your opinion does not mean dog crap in decisions at UGA.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
September 13th, 2011
8:03 pm
Columbus…give it a break sport…UGA is done…again but on the positive side it will be March before you know and you can run that mouth about how great UGA is….all the way to August…again.
What in the heck has Columbus done anthing but send thugs to UGA.
LogicalUS
September 13th, 2011
8:04 pm
Here is the problem…
@ Ole Miss
Miss State
@ Tenn
@ UF
Auburn
@ GaTech
UGA can win each of those games individually if they played with the intensity of their effort last Saturday…(It wasn’t good enough against SC who was simply too talented) But UGA has shown that they lack the ability to play with that level of focus and intensity, and it is unrealistic for fans to expect that of them.
I would expect the same level of intensity against UF but the others boil down to whether they can are better than those teams. (Usually still isn’t enough against UF)
I suspect they will split those games.
Patsy Dawg
September 13th, 2011
8:09 pm
It’s not going to get any better with Richt. Short-term ups and downs, maybe, but the long-term trend is clearly down. Dump Richt now, or keep having this argument 2-3 years down the road, while Richt pockets a few more million dollars of your money.
CHUCK UGA
September 13th, 2011
8:12 pm
Jeff,
When is the last time Mississippi State beat Georgia in Athens? NOT SURE THEY HAVE! Perhaps they have own there, but not in the past 45-50 years (or longer). Someone check this!
Joey Bag of Donuts
September 13th, 2011
8:13 pm
Columbus
Where is your buddy Altamaha Dawg. Havent seen him much talking his trash on here. He might have come to reality
NewbombTurk
September 13th, 2011
8:13 pm
My prediction:
At the end of the season, none of the “geniuses” on this board will be a football coach, athletic director, or university president. They will continue to sit on their lounge chairs spouting judgement about the performance of others. Of course, they would never allow that kind of scrutiny of their own work, particularly from people who have no idea what they’re talking about.
beanster
September 13th, 2011
8:15 pm
Mark Mangino? Oh no. That guy would eat UGA.
SufferingFalconDawg
September 13th, 2011
8:16 pm
Richt is aexcellent man, God Bless!
But he is hired as a football coach and leader of young men, he has not performed to the level of the SEC. Discipline problems and failure to win = change. Georgia needs to recruit in the future, time for the sequel.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 13th, 2011
8:18 pm
Last time Miss St beat UGA in Athens was in the 40’s when they last won an SEC championship
I dont think Miss St has ever beat UGA two yrs in a row though
But Im sure we will get to witness that milestone and ole Columbus the kool-aid man will be on here talking about how the program is turning around
SufferingFalconDawg
September 13th, 2011
8:18 pm
BTW, Bobo should GOGO now, must change the play calling immediately…..
james pierson
September 13th, 2011
8:23 pm
u r full of sh maybe you can get a job with cynthia at uga although i doubt they would have you
mike g
September 13th, 2011
8:23 pm
More Schultz garbage…………….the only thing hurting recruiting is you and Bradley.
Ostrich
September 13th, 2011
8:30 pm
If you guys in the media would just quit reporting on all of our losses then we would be national champs by now.
SHUT UP ALREADY!!! You’re making the Baby Jesus cry!
Murray cannot go 9-1
September 13th, 2011
8:30 pm
he doesn’t take care of the ball…. he’s too much brett favre, not enough matt ryan
KM
Get Real
September 13th, 2011
8:30 pm
Blame the media, blame the AJC, blame the fans, blame whoever you want. Fact is, UGA is 0-2.
beanster
September 13th, 2011
8:34 pm
Wet Willie — Would you have preferred that Crowell go to Bama? Not me.
DamntheButcher
September 13th, 2011
8:43 pm
Fire Mark Richt Tonight…. Hire Urban Meyer tomorrow…
James
September 13th, 2011
8:45 pm
If Georgia fires Mark Richt and does not hire Urban Myer fans should brace themselves for who knows what over the next couple of seasons.I would take another season of Richt over an unproven assistant.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:45 pm
Drove home. Ate dinner. Talked to the wife. Walked the dog. Time to check on your questions and comments . . .
Dawg in gatorville
September 13th, 2011
8:46 pm
I am a Dawg fan as much as anybody, but for all the really smart Sunday morning QB’s (college)
Just who do you think UGA can get to come coach? There are no decent coaches looking for a job and UGA is not that rich.. What ever UGA can pay, another school can pay just much!
I love coach Richt, I am disappointed in last few seasons, But I do believe he will get back to winning.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:46 pm
JWall — “JEFF, How in the hell do you know what Richt needs to do?”
…. I don’t. I just make stuff up. Saves time, you know.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:47 pm
Derek — Where does this “65 percent approval rating” come from?
bugsquacher
September 13th, 2011
8:47 pm
Why Georgia should be thinking about a coaching change…..
1-Georgia is a combined 0-5 against Top 25 teams in 2010 and 2011 and has lost 10 of its last 12 against ranked teams.
2- richt is now 14-14 in his last 28 games
3- Lets look at the remaining schedule. Games they will probably lose: 1- Miss St. 2- Tenn 3-Florida 4-Auburn. Games we should win (if we don’t have an off week): 1- Costal Carolina, 2-Miss, 3- Kentucky, 4- New Mexico, 5-Tech, 6-Vandy. LOOKS LIKE A 50/50 CHANCE OF ANOTHER LOSING SEASON.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:48 pm
DTC — Of course there was improvement from game 1 to 2. And Georgia lost anyway. Last I checked, it’s about wins and losses.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:49 pm
Stinger2 — “Schultz: Why are you, Bradley and the other AJC writers constantly pounding out negative articles that serve only to inflame the already unrealistic UGA fanbase.”
… What’s realistic and unrealistic?
pat
September 13th, 2011
8:49 pm
Why wouldn’t we want Kirby? Saying we need an experienced Head Coach to win isn’t accurate. Where was CMR’s first head coaching job? He won 2/3 SEC championships and put his program back in the National conversation.
I hope CMR goes 9-1 and gets an extension. I think it’s either Kirby or Mullen and there is no 3rd option on the list. I say Kirby IF it gets to that. He can inherit a 3-4 roster for his Defense and hire a pro-style offensive guy through the Saban coaching tree. Mullen would require changing to the spread which will fade 4 years from now. The pro-style Offensive is a constant that will ALWAYS attract great players.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:49 pm
Hairy Dawg — “Like the column, Schultz. You’re realistic about this situation.”
Thank you.
Kirby Smart
September 13th, 2011
8:49 pm
Hire me…hire me…
I can coach without Nick Satan….please call me. I am the man.
Please hire me to a long, long term contract.
DamntheButcher
September 13th, 2011
8:51 pm
Forget about Kirby. Open the pocketbook and pay Urban whatever it takes. His number one goal will be to be Florida’s ass every year!!!
Athens Bulldog
September 13th, 2011
8:51 pm
Who the f cares what Tommy Lawhorne thinks. Be a Dawg or resign from the board. As for Bishop I recall he was the one who couldn’t keep his mouth shut for Dick Sheridan to go tell his NC State team he was going to Ga. Both of these guys have outlived their usefulness on the athletic board. as for Richt let’s see how this season ends up. I for one think he may pass the test of time this year, maybe, maybe not, but what we don’t need is people of authority questioning or program one game into the season. GATA
Jerry Glanville
September 13th, 2011
8:51 pm
Forget little Kirby, I am available.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:52 pm
Lakeoconeedawg — My job is to write my opinion. If you don’t like my opinion, I’m OK with that. Actually, it makes us even.
DamntheButcher
September 13th, 2011
8:52 pm
I say tell Kirby to go straight to hell. He had a chance to be in Athens 2 years ago.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 13th, 2011
8:52 pm
Jeff Schultz
I saw where Richt dragged is press conference along by talking about stupid stuff like Coastal Carolina’s kicking game instead of getting to the real issues like what steps are being done to start winning
Your thoughts
REALISTIC & FRUSTRATED DAWG
September 13th, 2011
8:54 pm
Georgia has become good at losing and losers are good at losing. You guys don’t seem to get it, do you? Alabama doesn’t lose games like Georgia did Saturday. Neither did Florida with Spurrier or Meyer. Bad teams find ways to lose.
We have officially switched places with South Carolina. They used to outplay teams but always snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. That’s us now!
Time to fix it.
Jeff Schulzt
September 13th, 2011
8:54 pm
I am in charge of this board now.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:54 pm
Trouble — Thanks for the comments.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
8:55 pm
Bob — certain words are triggers, sometimes I can explain it and sometimes I can’t.
Jeff Schulzt
September 13th, 2011
8:55 pm
The Braves are getting it handed to them again.
Big Dog 98
September 13th, 2011
8:57 pm
Kirby? You got to be kidding! Where has he been head coach? He is merely NIck Saban’s hand puppet.