Missing piece for Richt
Why is it that Mark Richt doesn’t get more respect?
ESPN.com recently released the results of its latest SportsNation poll on the current state of SEC football, and one thing that caught my eye was the response to the question of who is the best coach in the conference. You’d expect Urban Meyer, coming off his second BCS national championship at Florida, to top that list and he did, taking 51 percent of the 17,655 votes.
But who was next? Alabama’s Nick Saban at 22 percent, followed by LSU’s Les Miles at 15 percent. Then came Richt and South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier (whose best days are behind him), tied at 6 percent.
Looking just at the numbers, you’d think Richt might have done better. The guy has won two SEC championships in eight seasons at UGA, and with a won-loss record of 82-22, his winning percentage of .788 is fourth best in the country among active coaches. (Meyer’s overall winning percentage is .830.) Richt is one of only seven coaches in Division 1-A history to get 80 wins in his first eight seasons. He’s also the dean of SEC coaches in terms of longevity at his current school.
Saban has a winning percentage of .683, well behind Richt’s, and so far at Bama he has only an SEC West division title. At LSU, Saban won two SEC titles, matching Richt. But he also won a BCS national championship.
Miles, who was head coach at Oklahoma State before moving to LSU, also lags behind Richt with an overall winning percentage of .693. And he has only one SEC championship. But, again, he also has a BCS national championship.
And that, of course, is why Richt doesn’t get as much respect as you might expect from his won-loss record. He’s in a conference with coaches who have won three of the past six BCS titles, and he has none. It might not be fair, but until Richt brings one of those crystal footballs back to Athens, he’s always going to be considered not quite in the first rank of SEC coaches.
What do you think? Should winning a BCS title trump overall winning percentage? Are Saban and Miles really better coaches than Richt?
Elsewhere, it looks like the latest battleground for bragging rights among BCS schools is spring scrimmage attendance. Part of the Saban lore in Crimson Tide country has been the large crowds drawn to Alabama’s spring games since he landed in Tuscaloosa. Interestingly, though, Bama’s 84,050 for this year’s spring game was only good enough for second place behind Ohio State’s 95,722, an NCAA record according to SportsBusiness Daily. Third place went to Nebraska with 77,670, followed by Penn State (76,500), Florida (65,000), Tennessee (51,488), Michigan (50,000), Auburn (45,381), Texas (44,000) and UGA in 10th place with this year’s G-Day crowd of 42,458.
In UGA’s defense, it’s been noted that the Dogs have a tougher time than some schools in terms of spring attendance because of all the other sporting events going on in the state at the same time, what with pro sports and a little event called the Masters. But, really, does attendance at a spring game mean anything? (Folks on North Avenue, where their game only drew 8,500, probably would say no.) Is it indicative of the strength and fervor of a school’s fan base or just proof there’s not much going on in some areas?
Scheduling note: I’ll be gone on vacation for most of the next two weeks, but feel free to keep the discussion of all things Bulldog going in the comments.
Go Dogs!
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205 comments Add your comment
B
May 18th, 2009
4:26 pm
Richts record speaks for it self. The man is an awesome coach with a very nice record.
Gator Growl
May 18th, 2009
4:26 pm
Hey Denver Dog, don’t be talkin’ like it was Chris Leaks team that won that ‘06 Championship…You’ll only disprove the premise that so many of these “dawg” fans spew everyday…that the only reason Meyer is winning NCs is because he’s got Tebow and when Tebow is gone that will be the end of Meyer and he will be running off to Notre Dame!
George G.
May 18th, 2009
4:26 pm
Here’s CFN’s column that I referenced above…
http://cfn.scout.com/2/863827.html
Saint Simons
May 18th, 2009
4:26 pm
45-42!!!!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahhaahaha
GaDawg
May 18th, 2009
4:27 pm
this is for Ha. The G logo, used by UGA was installed under Dooley and was later incorporated into the Greenbay logo. It was not stolen by anybody. Oh yea HA!
Dorsey Hill
May 18th, 2009
4:28 pm
Tech drew 8,500 to their spring game? That must have been an overflow crowd at Bobby Dodd Stadium. They must have thought that it was a regular season ACC game to draw that much of a crowd. The last time that many people showed up to watch an ACC team play was the 2008 ACC Conference Championship game. Man Tech is moving up. I guess there are only about 150 High School teams in Georgia that draw more fans than Tech nowadays. 8,500? That means that Tech drew about as many customers as the Varsity did that afternoon. Quite impressive. I mean there won’t ever be such a thing as “Tech Nation” but it looks like they might reach as high as “Tech small rural village.”
Jeff
May 18th, 2009
4:29 pm
Mikey-Great post…Richt has my respect as well. The same people who are complaining about Richt would never appreciate a national championship anyway. As I stated earlier, you can tell what is going on with a coach by watching what is happening inside a program. UGA seems stable and consistent. We just need to put it all together for an entire season.
BAMA STAN
May 18th, 2009
4:31 pm
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Rated 4th best in the SEC is not a slight and probably accurate:
Urban – 4 years in the SEC
2 SEC Title games – 2 SEC Titles
2 BCS Bowl games
2 National Titles
Nick Saban – 6 years in the SEC
3 SEC Title games – 1 SEC Title
3 BCS Bowls
1 National Title
LSU – 4 years
2 SEC Title games – 1 SEC Title
2 BCS Bowls (2-0)
1 National Title
Bama – 2 years
1 SEC Title Game
1 BCS Bowl (0-1)
Les Miles – 4 years LSU
2 SEC Title Games – 1 SEC Title
2 BCS Bowls (2-0)
1 National Title
Mark Richt – 8 years UGA
3 SEC Title games – 2 SEC Titles
3 BCS Bowl games (2-1)
UGA last SEC title game 2005 – Florida has been twice and Tennessee once.
As compared to Spurrier – 6 SEC Titles in 12 years, 7 SEC EAST Titles in 11 years, 1 national Title – well, hard to forget those numbers – and he has yet to have a losing record at South Carolina (now that is very under appreciated!!).
After the conference split – Spurrier had 6 SEC EAST Titles in the first 8 years. Richt has 3 SEC Titles in 8 years.
I would put Richt as 5th best coach in the SEC – again – not a slight when you look at the facts – but still probably in the top 10 in the nation.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denver Dog
May 18th, 2009
4:33 pm
Gator Growl get the chip off of your shoulder, your school has won two national championships. If it wasn’t Chris Leake’s team whose was it Jesse Palmer? Anyone that follows College Football knows that it was. Urban Meyer is a great coach, good thing he doesn’t suffer from your insecurity.
Sanford Drive
May 18th, 2009
4:35 pm
Ga Dawg,
Regarding the logo, where did you get that information from? Just curious.
Kenny Powers
May 18th, 2009
4:36 pm
Screw respect, they are voting on who is the best in the SEC
Richt= no BCS titles
When he wins one(or I would like two) he can propel himself above all the coaches above him with winning % and longevity…before that happens, 4th best in SEC.
Richt should have fired someone for the 3rd quarter of the trade school game alone.
LSU
May 18th, 2009
4:44 pm
Coop said “I’m not sure about Les Miles. He won with Saban’s players and coaches with emotion.”
So with your way of thinking richt won his first SEC Championship with Donnan’s players.
LarryTCG
May 18th, 2009
4:45 pm
Richt still ain’t gittin in done, you bunch of what if whinners.
Denver Dog
May 18th, 2009
4:48 pm
Larry TCG/LSU I wish a pox of Jan Kemp on all of your houses
TechBuzz
May 18th, 2009
4:48 pm
Cheap personal foul stunts and blackouts to get his team motivated in big games, instead of preparation and discipline—that’s why Richt is not viewed as a top coach nationwide.
LSU
May 18th, 2009
4:48 pm
Coop you are a dumb@ss….
dawgfan1911
May 18th, 2009
4:49 pm
I agree with the poll in a way but i do realize that with the current system the way it is it will take more time for Georgia to win a National Championship. Lets face it, CMR has been at Georgia for 8 years and has already won 2 sec titles and 80 plus games. Long term, I can see Georgia winning at least 2 or maybe three national titles while he is there. They wont fire him. I just think you win national titles when its your turn. Ga will get their chance. Things have to fall in place. Last year both interior lines were banged up and we had the skill players. This year both lines have debt and are strong but the skill players are unproven. Aaron Murray’s junior year is the year when everything should fall in place.
Gator Growl
May 18th, 2009
4:50 pm
Just expressing my opinion on all the hyprocrisy I see on these blogs. And I’m not seeing any disagreement so far on my original premise that people will always try, by whatever means, to knock down the person at the top. Look, I didn’t like Vince Dooley all of those years that he was kicking out butts, but I had an (unhappy) respect for the man and never labeled him “low class”. I just think in the “brave new” anonymous world of the blogisphere that there are too many out there that like to take unnecessary cheap shots that they wouldn’t dare have the courage to say face to face, that’s all. And also…Absolutely that was Chris Leaks team in ‘06! Tebow himself would tell you that! Which, again, disproves the theory that Meyers success has been all predicated on Tebow.
Dave In Tampa
May 18th, 2009
4:52 pm
Bottom line is National Champioships. I’m a huge dawg and CMR fan and I think it’s a shame that he does not get more respect. However, it’s the same in any sports whether College or the Pro’s, it’s all about the Championships! I do believe that before CMR leaves UGA he will have 2 NC’s under his belt. He’s a class act on and off the field and would not trade him for any other coach out there and there are some good ones.
deezanutz
May 18th, 2009
4:54 pm
I am only writing this because i couldn’t post under the pertaining story. Why does Jon Gruden get so much respect? Why is he getting the spotlight? This man has accomplished nothing in football. Okay, ill give you this, he won one superbowl with dungy’s team not his. he only tweaked a couple of things and won with another mans team and he is an instant legend. suckaducks please!!! stop riding this mans coat-tails, he had done nothing….
Aj
May 18th, 2009
4:56 pm
hey Gator Growl, Do you really think that Urban will leave Fla? I had that talk with a friend of mine (fla grad) and he gave me the third degree on why Urban will never leave. I do have to agree with you that once Tebow is gone it will be hard if not impossible to find someone that can replace him. Go Dawgs!
Georgia Gator
May 18th, 2009
4:58 pm
Until The silver britches can get an entire season together, they might get a conference title.
Dawgtime
May 18th, 2009
4:58 pm
The greatest compliment that I can give a coach is that I would consider sending my son to play for him. As a parent, you have to explore what is best for your children. I don’t place winning a national title as the paramount to being a top coach. I like the idea of having a true Christian making the decisions that impacts the lives of young people. Coach Richt is someone that places what is right above winning at all cost. Yes, you could send you child to an egomaniac that requires kids to buff up with steroids, doesn’t care if you do well in school as long as you win, and teaches the idea that the other players are to be destroyed. No thanks for my child. I’d rather have a coach that encourages Christian values and being the best person you can. I just wonder if Jesus would appreciate all the bragging, taunting, and gesturing that Teebow does during games. WWJD, not that. Win and lose with class. Some coaches have no clue what class means. It is only a matter of time before those type of coaches get caught cheating. They will leave those school on probation. Ask UGA about Harrick. That was a joke. Go DAWGS.
thracer
May 18th, 2009
4:59 pm
Hey Ga Dawg – you are flat out wrong. But don’t let facts get in the way:
“The oval “G” logo was created in 1961 by Packers equipment manager George “Dad” Braisher. The team actually used a number of different logos prior to 1961, but the “G” is the only logo that has ever appeared on the helmet.[25] Although the Packers have granted limited permission to other organizations to utilize a similar logo, notably the University of Georgia and Grambling State University, the Packers hold the trademark for it.[26] Adopted in 1964, the Georgia “G”- though different in design and color- was similar to the Packer’s “G”. Then Georgia head coach Vince Dooley thought it best to clear the use of Georgia’s new emblem with the Packers. However, since its inception in 1961, the Packer’s “G” has been redesigned several times and now looks like Georgia’s original 1964 “G.”[27]”
Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers#Nickname.2C_logo.2C_and_uniforms
dd
May 18th, 2009
5:03 pm
Tech has ugly women!!
TX DAWG
May 18th, 2009
5:03 pm
I still don’t understand why we are obsessed with the BCS national title? It is not a real title. When Auburn (2004) can go 14 -0 in the SEC and not have a chance to play in the BCS title game, why should any team be worried about winning it all. What are they winning – the love of Sportswriters. Until we have a playoff – all the BCS is about is luck and when you lost last. If UF lost to Ole Miss a few weeks later in the season we wouldn’t be talking about Tebow or UF. We would be talking about Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford.
ha
May 18th, 2009
5:03 pm
GaDawg pulled that info straight out of his butt, because dooley ripped the G logo off the packers in 1964. the packers had been using it since 61.
http://www.collegefootballhistory.com/georgia/history.htm
TMC DAWG
May 18th, 2009
5:05 pm
Cmr has had the chances to at least play for the mnc, but as we all know under achieved. I for one are not happy with just 10 win seasons. Until we can go down to Jacksonville and at least compete it will be status quoe. Its about time we look at reality. We play down to the level of our opponet and when the big teams come to town we usually are not ready to play. This trend has to stop. CMR has to start kicking butt and taking names players and coaches alike.
Jake
May 18th, 2009
5:07 pm
It doesn’t depend on Championships in any sport. It’s the coach that gives his team the opportunity. Bobby Cox, Jeff Fisher, Bill Cowher, etc…..You can’t win if you’re not in the mix. Lloyd Carr was a good coach at Michigan, but how far did his championship take him? He got ousted when he wasn’t putting his team in a position to win. Richt keeps UGA in the mix he’ll be around a long time because none of us want to remember the GOFF and DONNAN days
Gator Growl
May 18th, 2009
5:08 pm
Aj, Yes Urban will someday leave, but not anytime in the near future. For one, he is a very dedicated family man and Nate, his son, is still very young. He told his family when he got to Florida that this was gonna be it for a long while, that this was the reason they had moved and moved and moved yet again and sacrificed. At Florida, 80% of his recruiting is done within a few hours of Gainesville and most of the time he can be home eves to watch his son or daughter(s)play ball or eat dinner with his family. At Notre Dame, it would be the opposite. Plus I think he wants to enjoy the fruits of what he has built at Florida. And it won’t end soon, just check out their 2010 recruiting class commits so far! So he will be at Florida for a long time I belieive.
Truth Hurts
May 18th, 2009
5:08 pm
Hey Bama Stain….Once again you fail to understand Bill King’s blog….you are too consumed with patting yourself and the Alabama program on the back for Bama’s one good season in the past ten years. The truth is Mark Richt could care less what you or anyone else thinks of his coaching ability….He has a winning record coaching against Saban and Miles already and before he’s through coaching he will against Meyer to. Saban and Meyer are constantly seeking media attention to feed their ego’s ……if their name is not in the press weekly… they create stories to get their names in the press…Mark Richt, on the other hand…. doesn’t care what the press thinks and is self confident enough in his own abilities as a coach that he doesn’t need anyone else telling him how good or bad he is. I can’t wait for the Tide to start losing games they are projected to win this year. The finger pointing and excuses will begin and once again the Bama faithful will blame everyone but their coach and the pitiful coaching decisions he makes during every game ( see fake punt in the SEC championship game and poor defensive ajustments in the Sugar bowl). I see Bama as an average program…. below Florida, LSU and Georgia, with Ole Miss about to pass you by and Auburn biting at your heels. When your coach can consistantly post 10 plus wins each year while at Bama for at least eight years and win at least two or three SEC Championships at Bama only then will you start getting the respect you think you deserve. Until then you sound like a little boy beating your chest!
Bill King
May 18th, 2009
5:09 pm
The Georgia helmet “G” design was done by Anne Donaldson, wife of UGA assistant coach John Donaldson. She was also my 7th grade art teacher. Dooley did indeed clear it with Green Bay. Here’s the official story:
The Georgia “G” Helmet
In 1963 after becoming the Bulldogs’ Head Football Coach, Vince Dooley redesigned the football uniform choosing a red helmet with a black “G” on a white background as the dominant feature of the new uniform for the 1964 season.
He discussed with his staff that a forward-looking “G” would be an appropriate emblem for the helmet of the Georgia team. Dooley had just hired John Donaldson, former Georgia player from 1945 to 1948, as backfield coach. John was keen on the idea of a new image and volunteered his wife, Anne, who had a BFA in commercial art from UGA to design a logo for the new Georgia helmet with the general specifications Dooley had outlined. Dooley accepted Anne’s original “G” which fit his vision for a forward look to Georgia’s new emblem.
Since the Georgia “G”- though different in design and color- was similar to Green Bay’s “G”, Coach Dooley thought it best to clear the use of Georgia’s new emblem with the NFL team. Athletic Director Joel Eaves called for permission which was granted. However, since its inception in 1961, the Green Bay “G” has been redesigned several times and now looks like Georgia’s original 1964 “G.” Georgia is proud that the Packers apparently liked the special nuances of the Bulldogs’ forward-looking “G.”
Georgia’s oval “G”, eventually replacing Georgia’s old block “G” as the official UGA symbol, has stood the test of time. It made its first appearance in the opening game in 1964 and was an immediate hit with the Georgia fans, especially after Dooley’s first three teams were so successful–highlighted by the 1966 SEC Championship.
Rebel Rouser
May 18th, 2009
5:17 pm
Hey Tech Buzz….I guess with your logic…those rings your team ordered after your one win in eight years makes CPJ an inferior coach and should not be viewed as good coach on a national level. Come beat your chest after you have a string of at least seven wins in a row going against UGA. Until then go try to sell tickets to your home games so you can fill up that 45,000 seat high school stadium of your’s.
Sanford Drive
May 18th, 2009
5:18 pm
Well, now that we’ve gotten important things out of the way, like school logos, maybe we can talk football here.
Urban isn’t going anywhere. Sorry. It just isn’t happening. It’s sad we have to worry about him leaving before we think we can beat his team. That’s not the attitude we need to have at all. For one, it sends a bad message to the team. Secondly, UGA can beat UF consistently if they worked for it. People act like it’s impossible. It’s not. If anyone has a shot to beat them this year, it is us. It’s certainly a long-shot, but it is possible.
Can’t wait to see Tebow take snaps from center. Should be interesting.
Dawg-no-more
May 18th, 2009
5:18 pm
Mark who?
Vito
May 18th, 2009
5:23 pm
Hey Rebel Rouser: How many UGA players can read? And how many were arrested in the last year? And how many ex-UGA players work at a Waffle House, which is owned by a TECH grad? Come to think of it, how many UGA graduates work at Waffle House?
Grouse on that for awhile.
Kenny Powers
May 18th, 2009
5:23 pm
If Meyer wins another BCS, he is South Bend bound and down; although I think that would be a stupid, look at Spurrier.
Voice of Reason
May 18th, 2009
5:24 pm
Did you read your entire post before you copped it from Wikipedia? I quote: “However, since its inception in 1961, the Packer’s [sic] “G” has been redesigned several times and now looks like Georgia’s original 1964 “G.”[27]”
Green Bay may have had something like the Georgia G first, but they liked UGA’s so much that they adapted theirs to be more like it. It can hardly be said that UGA “stole” the logo when Green Bay has since altered theirs to look more like the one UGA uses.
Thus, the reality of the story: Green Bay had a “G” logo. UGA created a new logo that was somewhat similar to the Green Bay G. As such, UGA decided to take the safe route and make sure it wasn’t an issue with Green Bay to use a similar logo. Green Bay ended up liking the UGA “version” so much that they have since adopted it in its entirety, team colors not withstanding.
Sanford Drive
May 18th, 2009
5:26 pm
I tried to work at WaHo, but they told me I was over-qualified.
ha
May 18th, 2009
5:28 pm
if you have to ask someone elses permission to use their design, id call that at least ‘borrowing’
Voice of Reason
May 18th, 2009
5:28 pm
Hey Vito – here’s the answer to the “how many UGA players can read” question: http://www.wneg32.tv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=843:uga-athletics-and-academics&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18
According to this year’s APR results, UGA is one of the best, football in particular.
The new question is how many stereotypes can Vito drop in one post.
My2cents
May 18th, 2009
5:41 pm
2 league championships in 8 years? That’s a good record, but not great. and Richt is a good coach, but not great. We all like to beat your chest and say our team’s the best. But UGA fans have to know deep down inside that Richt is one of those coaches that is too good to fire, but will never be good enough to go all the way.
Steve
May 18th, 2009
5:47 pm
Rather have Richt than Urban, Saban, Miles, Nutt or Spurrier. Why? He seems to win with class and intergrity. Nobody’s perfect, but to have a better Football Academic performance than Vandy? Wow! He can win and do the student athlete thing also. And he’s come in #2 and #3, so while winning a Nat’l title would be cool, he’s still doing great.
P.S. He plays a great non-conference schedule also, unlike some of the other schools. Alabama plays VT and 3 losers. Fla. plays FSU and 3 losers. We play Oklahoma State, Ga. Tech and Arizona State and 1 loser. And for those who say ASU is not that good, we’ll trade that game to you for one of your loser games.
Gator Growl
May 18th, 2009
5:48 pm
Sanford Drive…you are one perceptive Dawg fan…I remember so clearly when Spurrier was first hired as the Florida coach that his first priority was cchanging the mindset about Georgia. And I’m not just talking about the coaches and players, but the fans mindset as well. He said that it was all in the mind that we could almost never beat Georgia, that we played in Jacksonville, FLORIDA and played in the GATOR bowl and that their team had to fly and the Gators took a short bus trip up…funny how things have gone since and now I hear Georgia fans and writers using Spurriers very own original logic to try to move the venue. We talked about that down here too, during the Dooley years, but nothing ever came of it.
jason
May 18th, 2009
5:50 pm
TS, that wasn’t cheating you boob. I think UGA got 30 yds. worth of penalties for that.
doug
May 18th, 2009
5:57 pm
Until you win it all you can only be good and no better. You have to earn that. Richt has not picked up certain skills that will put him over the top. Namely an inability to motivate his troops big games.
You cant be freinds or a Father to you players. You have to be a boss.
A very tough boss. This will never change. But he is good coach.
Fire Martinez
May 18th, 2009
6:10 pm
Mark likes to say that he has assumed the CEO role over the UGA football program. As CEO he must make the right decisions when it comes to hiring/ firing coaches and selecting which players are on the field come game day. So far Mark has been reluctant to fire Martinez and make the needed adjustments on the defense and kicking game. There have been critical times in several games over the years where Martinez looked to be lost in his defensive scheme that ultimately killed our hopes for the BCS Championship. Mark needs to grow a set and fire Martinez.
Urban Warfare
May 18th, 2009
6:12 pm
doug, I agree with you to an extent but I DO believe you can be a bit of a Father and a bit of a friend, but you have to know exactly how far you can go and with who. It’s almost an art and a fine line you have to walk and since different players respond to different methods, you have to really be able to read the person and situation. I would think that if a coach had some training in Psychology or Counseling or both, that would be a HUGE advantage. It doesn’t give you all the answers by any means, but it really helps you in “picking up cues” as to what makes many people “tick”. I think for the most part, Richt is really good at that. But you don’t always have to rule with an iron hand, but you do have to know which hand to use, when, and with who.
Urban Warfare
May 18th, 2009
6:17 pm
BTW, when I referred to knowing what “makes people tick” it would have probably been better to say “what motivates people” because if you can determine that, then 50% of the battle to achievement is already won.
shane#1
May 18th, 2009
6:33 pm
“Can’t win the big one”, is an utterly stupid statement.Noone can win the big one untill they win it. Does winning a MNC mean that you are a great coach? Ask Phil Fulmer. Does going undefeated make one a great coach? Ask the people that hustled Tubbs out of Auburn. Winning a championship takes being in the right place and a little luck.