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
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
Trouble– Thanks. Bride and puppy are happy.
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
hmmm…wasn’t that “elite” Alabama in horrible shape (strippers, etc.) for years until they got Saban. Take off your blinders.
Richt will make it happen.
ZMAN
September 13th, 2011
10:31 pm
There is nothing wrong with Coach Bobo’s play callin or gameplan.You come up with a gameplan by watching film and scouting other teams.Bobo’s off pute up 40 pts .That should be enough to win at ant level.
Defense and special teams are the problem.Special teams can not execute a on side kick.The only bright side is kick-off return team.
Disipline is a major problem.Too much trash talk and celebrating after routine plays.Defense gives up 50 yd run and celebrates after tackle or gets in backs face.He just ran 50 yds on your ass ,get to def huddle ,get your crap together so it does’nt happen again.
NO matter how good play was Boise State was back in huddle ready for next play.WELL DISCIPLINED.Maybe UGA would’nt need new cond coach if other coach’s could keep players from dancing and following offense almost to their huddle with trash talk.
Jeff Schultz
September 13th, 2011
10:32 pm
JR — Like I said, I’d rather not get into Georgia candidates … On Fisher: He’s coached in NFL for so long that I have a hard time seeing him coach in college. But could be wrong.
Patrick
September 13th, 2011
10:32 pm
Yep Pierce County…i remember the 2002 season and every week it was ‘It’s been 20 years since an SEC title” and how many years did they go in that span without being Tennessee… a LOT!
BobDawg
September 13th, 2011
10:32 pm
We have forgotten how to win… Teams just have to wait for us to make mistakes… Both lines are weak with no depth and Richt should have taken the play calling back several years ago… Combine that with the 0-2 start and all the ESPN pub and this will be his last year… How many of you really believe he will only lose one more game this year????
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:35 pm
I’ll take the job!
Patrick
September 13th, 2011
10:35 pm
To Oh Brother : Bama wasn’t in great shape but the difference here is that UGA is not Alabama…seriously doubt Nick Saban would have come to Athens. I guess you’ll have to settle for one of his assistants if you want to get rid of Richt so bad…
Anotherseason
September 13th, 2011
10:35 pm
Well – UGA’s schedule the remainder of the season – along with the schools he will face being down this year (TN, FL, and likely AU – look what Utah State nearly did to AU) and UGA could very likely win the remainder of their games – save MS. There are no LSU’s, Arkansas, or Alabama’s this year. Besides them – the rest of the SEC that UGA has to play basically sucks. And Tech?? Forget them – Tech will play a close game, but then find a way to lose it at the end (as usual).
Patrick
September 13th, 2011
10:37 pm
Maybe Ray Goff would want to come back…i know he sold his Aaron’s franchises (not sure about his Zaxby’s) but i’m sure he’s available
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:37 pm
Does anyone know if the A.D. has the *alls to fire Coach Richt. He might not be tough enough. It’s not easy to fire a good man, and Richt is a good man.
Atlvol55
September 13th, 2011
10:38 pm
Get Gruden
Actually Gruden’s wife is from just outside of Knoxville. She was a cheerleader at Tn. They met when Gruden startung his coaching career as grad assistant at Tn…Gruden’s not goung to be head coach at Georgia
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:40 pm
Quit knocking on Ray Goff. He was a great dog. Always gave 100%
C C
September 13th, 2011
10:41 pm
Boise and USCe might well be the best two teams UGA plays all year.
As many people have pointed out, there are so many games on their schedule which could go either way…so they could end up with 2 losses, 7 losses, or anywhere in between. UGA is lucky they don’t have Bama OR LSU on their schedule this year.
But even as an underdog, UGA actually underestimated a TOP 5 Boise team. Fatal mistake. Is it because Boise isn’t from the mighty SEC? Didn’t you see what UTAH did to Bama a couple of years ago? Yes the SEC is the best conf but you still have to play the game.
(And before that Boise game I didn’t believe how many “Murray is just as good as Moore” comments I saw. Actually I could believe that…UGA seems to have plenty of delusional fans. Murray is a good quarterback, and who knows how good he’ll become…but BEFORE that game objective observers knew that K Moore was a better QB right now.)
UGA is lucky that GT’s blew that PAT last year…they could have lost that one…how much worse would things be for Richt? He’s not helping himself with his comments and demeanor, considering the way they lost that USCe game.
As many others have pointed out, it seems like it’s been downhill ever since their last big win over Fla and that classy end-zone celebration.
Patrick
September 13th, 2011
10:42 pm
I’m not knocking Goff…met him a few times when i worked at Aaron’s corp offices in Buckhead. I’m just saying people have short memories and it would serve them well to remember what the last 15 to 20 years of UGA football was like before Richt…mediocre
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:42 pm
Patrick, you’re right Uga is not Bama. We are a much higher rated job than Bama. Do your research.
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:43 pm
LOL…right Patrick…because Toledo or Michigan State are powerhouses….think Saban coached there as well….nice argument.
wreckmaniac
September 13th, 2011
10:44 pm
Fans at other schools vote with their feet. UGA fans vote with their mouths. Georgia would be the only school in the nation to build an addition to their stadium after 5 losing seasons and they could increase ticket prices while doing it. Just not a discriminating bunch.
Bill E. Rueben
September 13th, 2011
10:44 pm
Jake — Sorry, just a city kid from L.A. What’s a Mississippi leg hound?
Still laughin Jeff! But hey, I’m sittin back
waitin on the answer too
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:45 pm
CC Paul Johnson is calling you…needs more help with his high school plays.
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:46 pm
Wreck..its called FANS…look up the definition. Too bad your fans don’t exist and you have to make your high school stadium smaller and smaller…what a joke.
C C
September 13th, 2011
10:46 pm
Speaking of delusional: Gruden, Meyer, Peterson: NOT going to happen!
There are some other good candidates out there, and I guess you have nothing to lose by asking…unless word gets out that your top 3 choices all turned you down immediately. How does that look?
WTF
September 13th, 2011
10:47 pm
These AJC hacks are paid to keep you enthralled all week. You guys are such easy prey.
This is called ‘fluff’ and is meaningless.
Read a freakin book or go walk by the river. Don’t waste your time on the AJC sports page.
Get the scores and move on.
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:47 pm
The SMART play is to keep Richt UNTILL the AD has THE choice coach he wants and then make the switch. It won’t do any good to just fire Richt and then take whatever is available. That would be assine,.
Is Bobo smarter than a 5th grader?
September 13th, 2011
10:48 pm
I would rather let Mark Fox take over as the interim football coach, then watch this group of amateurs continue to call draws out of the shotgun. Stafford should be permitted to take a dump on Rich’ts forehead. I would love to see a fight to the death between Richt and Grantham to see who keeps their job.
BobDawg
September 13th, 2011
10:49 pm
… plus the borders of our state are back open again to all the SEC Teams again…. Everyone is poaching in Ga. again… How many of the AJC Super 11 will sign with the Dawgs this year?? one , maybe 2????
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:50 pm
CC…your mom is calling you..time to get to bed…your school bus comes early in the morning!
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:50 pm
Richt will get it done…mark it down!
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:51 pm
I think Urban wants to Coach to the Dawgs!
Patrick
September 13th, 2011
10:52 pm
ok Oh Brother…Saban coached at Toledo and Michigan St. early in his career…Saban had 2 SEC titles and a National Title already when he left the Dolphins for Tuscaloosa. Hey may have gone to a “Georgia” after Toledo and possibly after Michigan State but not after his success at LSU
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:53 pm
oh brother, do you realize how bad Fla was last year and we still lost the freaking game! Do you realize that!
BobDawg
September 13th, 2011
10:53 pm
BTW…. Goff is probably the richest dude in Athens now… parlayed all the coaching money into a franchise empire… I’m glad for him… Donnan should have taken a page out of his playbook.
Coop
September 13th, 2011
10:54 pm
just fire him already…
Peterson
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:55 pm
Ahhhhh…so Patrick…Saban would come but now wouldn’t….what a bunch of garbage. Saban is about dollars…always will be…UGA has much more money than Alabama…but who wants him anyway?
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:56 pm
Yep Pit..I was at the game and saw it. So what?
Brad
September 13th, 2011
10:56 pm
Well if Bear Bryant coached today he would have been fired after the 1970 season. 1968 8-3, 1969 6-5, 1970, 6-5. In 1971 he went 11-1 sec champs, 1972 10-2 sec champs, 1973 11-1 natl champs. But if he were around today he wouldn’t have made it past the 1970 season. Get off CMR back and let him right the ship. Lets face it folks CMR has 2 sec champs, before he got to town UGA hadn’t sniffed an sec champ in over 20 years. But I guess we live in a what have you done for me today era. For those of you who want CMR gone be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
10:57 pm
Think the Dolphins want Saban? ROFLMA…nope.
Pitbull
September 13th, 2011
10:57 pm
So what, I’m going to bed. That’s what LOL
Grafton
September 13th, 2011
10:59 pm
I wonder what the fan base will be saying when Richt goes on to the next team and comes into Sanford Stadium and beats the hell out of us?
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
11:00 pm
Brad…you are spot on. Richt will get it done.
Patrick
September 13th, 2011
11:05 pm
Right on Brad. Oh brother, no he wouldn’t come now. I’m saying after those jobs at Toledo and even Michigan St, UGA would have been a step up and he prob would have taken a job at a UGA if offered. Now, no…5 years ago after his success at LSU..no again.
Strange Murphy
September 13th, 2011
11:05 pm
Yup! Georgia fans are some of the dumbest in all sports.
oh brother!
September 13th, 2011
11:06 pm
Was Alabama a step up from the Dolphins…NOPE!
BobDawg
September 13th, 2011
11:09 pm
I agree with Brad and others Richt did well early on in his reign winning SEC Championships but that just ramps up expectations that much more…Plus, alot of the coaching situations were in unsettled shape, like Auburn with Tuberville, Bama with Shula, Fumer in Tn, Zook at Fla, SC in typical rough shape along with the Miss schools floundering. Now all of these teams have stable coaching situations with great staffs and tremendous recruiter. Let’s face it, if you are in sales does your quota(s) ever go down?? or does your Co keep ramping up the expectations and pressure on you???
cedrick
September 13th, 2011
11:11 pm
Great article Jeff! I felt sick watching the game and I have been tortured everyday this week about the Dawgs. Something needs to change somewhere!
joseph
September 13th, 2011
11:12 pm
i don’t know if mr will be fired or not. but anyone who thinks we will go undefeated the rest of the year needs to take another look at the sch, the coaching and the team. i think we will go 6-6 for the year, i really hope i am wrong, but i don’t think so.
i hope we can and will get another qb some playing time this week. i am starting to have doubts about am, plus with our ol he could get hurt.
go dawgs
Ostrich
September 13th, 2011
11:13 pm
Brad
September 13th, 2011
10:56 pm
Well if Bear Bryant coached today he would have been fired after the 1970 season. 1968 8-3, 1969 6-5, 1970, 6-5. In 1971 he went 11-1 sec champs, 1972 10-2 sec champs, 1973 11-1 natl champs. But if he were around today he wouldn’t have made it past the 1970 season. Get off CMR back and let him right the ship. Lets face it folks CMR has 2 sec champs, before he got to town UGA hadn’t sniffed an sec champ in over 20 years. But I guess we live in a what have you done for me today era. For those of you who want CMR gone be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.
Very convenient, the way Bear Bryant’s career at Alabama began in 1968 — in your little delusional world. I got news for ya Bud. This ain’t 1970 and Mark Richt ain’t no Paul “Bear” Bryant.
UGA in Milton
September 13th, 2011
11:14 pm
I love Richt but I think TODAY he is behind Saban, Myles, Petrino, Chizik, Mullen, Spurrier…., Muschamp is still a ? mark and Dooley is average at best. I hate to say it but after 10 + years in the SEC most teams in today’s world will make a change…
well?
September 13th, 2011
11:16 pm
Look, i want to win the N.Championship just like the next guy, but richt is the coach, support the team. Recruits can read and when they see how Fans talk down about the program who would really want to be a part of that?
but we are still better than tech!
Two Words
September 13th, 2011
11:19 pm
Rich Rodriguez