Martinez’s UGA defense has become predictable
Tennessee knew what to expect from Prince Miller and the rest of the Georgia defense. (Associated Press)
One of the more disturbing quotes that came out of the Georgia-Tennessee game was this one from Vols quarterback Jonathan Crompton, because I think it says volumes about Georgia’s decline as a defensive team over the past couple of seasons. Explaining his unexpected success against the Dogs, Crompton said: “We got the right play calls because we knew what they were going to do.”
Which brings us to one of Willie Martinez’s chief weaknesses: His predictability and lack of adaptability. I know we’ve heard that, contrary to fans’ perceptions, Martinez does make midgame adjustments in his schemes. He just doesn’t seem to make successful adjustments very often.
The most recent example is Georgia’s failure to adjust to Tennessee’s play-action bootlegs, not exactly a New Age offensive wrinkle. Perhaps the problem was on the field, not the sideline, with players unable to make whatever adjustments Martinez called for. But the bottom line is that he trained them that way.
Of larger concern to many observers is that Martinez has the Dogs playing basically the same defense as when he took over from Brian Van Gorder, and he doesn’t change it much, no matter who Georgia’s opponent is.
Offenses keep evolving in the SEC, but the Dogs’ defense stands pat.
T Kyle King of DawgSports provides some historical perspective by taking a look back at how Georgia got back on course after a subpar year in 1974 that left Bulldogs fandom in a nasty mood. Among other things, Erk Russell scrapped a defensive alignment that wasn’t working.
King notes that “Willie Martinez has demonstrated no degree of schematic adaptability comparable to that exhibited by Erk Russell; clearly, a new direction — and probably new blood — is needed. Coach Martinez has had time to change his system, and all we have gotten is more of the same, which we do not need.”
I agree, though I part company with King (no relation) over his suggestion of Tommy Tuberville as the best choice for Georgia’s next defensive coordinator.
First, I doubt Tuberville would want to take an SEC assistant’s job. And I doubt Mark Richt would want a former rival head coach on his staff, possibly lobbying for elevation to the top position.
I think a younger DC with Georgia ties makes sense. As King notes, we can forget about Will Muschamp. He’s the head-coach-in-waiting at Texas. As have others, I’ve previously mentioned Kirby Smart, who has trained under a great defensive mind in Nick Saban at Alabama, but who is never going to get much credit for the Bama defense as long as Saban is around.
Of course, UGA ties are not a necessity. Got any likely candidates you’d like to suggest?
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160 comments Add your comment
L-Dawg
October 16th, 2009
10:35 am
GLORY GLORY TO OLE’ GEORGIA!!!
WHAT TO GEORGIA TACH “FANS” AND UGA FANS HAVE IN COMMON??? tHEY ARE BOTH OBSESSED WITH THE DAWGS!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!
1-7 THIS DECADE. 12 WINS AGAINST UGA SINCE 1965
CANNOT WAIT TO BE IN NASHVILLE THIS WEEKEND TO ROOT ON MY TEAM!!!
should be a GREAT weekend
October 16th, 2009
10:37 am
for college football!!!
UGA should whoop up on Vandy, and Georgia Tech should get whooped by Virginia Tech.
It’s as if the world is back to normal for a moment!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!
ONLY 1,500 seats remaining!!!
October 16th, 2009
10:38 am
1-888-TECH-TIX. 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 cokes and a program…….
WORST, SNOBBIEST “Fans” in college football.
THWGT
Osama Bin Laden
October 16th, 2009
10:40 am
Good Luck my Jackets!!
BIGBOY
October 16th, 2009
10:41 am
There is no team in the history of college football that has ever had a good defense while rushing for under 100 yards a game.EVER
nyc dawg
October 16th, 2009
10:42 am
What about the former tech defense coordinator, Jon Tenuta. I know he’s at Notre Dame now, but Charlie Weis is sure to get fired if he doesn’t make a BCS bowl this year.
JB
October 16th, 2009
10:43 am
YA THINK……………….ANYBODY read the Knoxville paper on line Sunday. quote by Crompton
” we knew exactly where they were going to be, just like the coach’s told us. They never adjusted”.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 16th, 2009
10:44 am
L-Dawg, who is OBSESSED with who?
Brad
October 16th, 2009
10:44 am
Suggestions for DC? Samrt seems like a good choice on the surface but I wonder. Besides him, Sly Croom, Ellis Johnson, or Tyrone Nix all seem like good candidates.
I’ll tell you what I don’t want to see. What we absolutely can not afford if we want to have a prayer of catching up with Bama, Florida etc. We can not promote from within. If John Jancek or Rodney Garner is named DC, I might have a heart attack and I’m only 31 and in good shape. Seriously, we can not make that mistake and I don’t think we need to be shackled to the whole “UGA ties” notinon either.
murfdawg
October 16th, 2009
10:44 am
Bill,
When you line up at qb and you see cover 2 defense every play, what do you expect a qb to do? As soon as the ball is snapped the corners start backpedaling, the linebackers stand like Lot’s wife, and the four DL are being blocked by FIVE OL, and there are huge holes in the defense. and this happens every play!!!!I have not seen any adjustments all year.
As I have posted before, Mark Richt is a wonderful person and a good coach, but he would rather disappoint 92,000 fans than fire three assistant coaches and their families.
L-Dawg
October 16th, 2009
10:45 am
Ramble…….
Who is on WHO’s blog??
Princess Miller
October 16th, 2009
10:45 am
dunno how coach expect us to play better in all these games when all we been doin is practicin against the triple option since camp. dats whack.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 16th, 2009
10:46 am
haha, the first 3 post are from fleabags talking about GT.
to funny, almost as funny as 45-42.
JB
October 16th, 2009
10:46 am
NO TENUTA……..research the guy at TCU……..He has taken marginal players and had them in the top 10 the last two years or so. now, i read this on this blog day’s ago. It needs to be researched.
Gordon
October 16th, 2009
10:46 am
Dave Wommack, the up-and-coming defensive co-ordinator at Georgia Tech. We’ll throw Paul Hewitt in as well.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 16th, 2009
10:47 am
Keep your friends close…keep your enemy’s closer.
where is the D you need it?
October 16th, 2009
10:47 am
The Clemson guy might consider uga next year
mark
October 16th, 2009
10:47 am
While I agree with the part about Richt not wanting a former rival be his defensive coach but I don’t think he should be scared of Tubberville taking his job. Tubberville only won more than 8 games twice while he was at Auburn.
Why would Smart want to leave Bama?? That program is in a much better state than ours. Whose the d. coordinator at S.C.? Their defense has been excellent it’s the offense that sux there!
#1 TAH-NOO-TAH
October 16th, 2009
10:48 am
TAH-NOO-TAH BLITZ!!
JR
October 16th, 2009
10:49 am
Bud Foster from VT? I like the agressive defensive philosophy he has.
Hootie Bookems
October 16th, 2009
10:51 am
“Jonathan Crompton had a career day” The epithet on Willie’s career tombstone.
bigdawg88
October 16th, 2009
10:51 am
How about Marvin Sanders (Nebraska assistant) or Everett Withers (UNC DC)? Both did well coaching against the option and have some pretty good resumes. Not sure how good they are at recruiting, or if they are fiery, but they have good track records.
Bye bye Sweet William!
Hootie Bookems
October 16th, 2009
10:52 am
THE DC at TCU has the best stache in the business. Dick Bumpas
JB
October 16th, 2009
10:53 am
Brad, you better get a physical and keep 911 close by……….It will be inside and my hunch it will be Garner. one reason, Mark will feel like losing him would be a blow to recruiting. This would be a lose he would be afraid of………………………….also ( say this in whiny,girle voice) He’s been waiting patiently in our program for his opportunity and he deserves his shot. Think about how he thinks. Double his pay and make him the recruiting cord., but not DC.
mark
October 16th, 2009
10:55 am
Big Boy- I agree with you. However, it’s ok for our defense to stop the opposing offense on occasion. It’s ok for them to force turnovers as well. They aren’t required to get burned and abused on almost every single possession!!!!
Whopper Dawg
October 16th, 2009
10:55 am
Have to go outside the program. I am relieved to see that there is so much pressure on this situation, that Martinez leaving is starting to be a foregone conclusion, which it should be. I laugh out loud when we play now. The quotes from the TN game sum it up, it is like taking candy from a baby. The only plays our defense ever makes comes strictly from athletic ability, almost never from scheme or play calling. As far as adjustments go, forget about it, they don’t happen or if they do they are ineffectual.
Greg
October 16th, 2009
10:57 am
John Jancek needs to go along with Willie M. We need a BIG TIME Defensive Coord. When the season ends names will be poping up. I like KIRBY SMART!!!
Proud Nerd
October 16th, 2009
10:57 am
Richt will not hire a hot-shot coordinator. The GA decline is not over with.
BIGBOY
October 16th, 2009
10:58 am
true Mark.I’m just pointing out that it goes deeper than firing Willie.
JJohnson
October 16th, 2009
10:58 am
I think that the wrong players are being recruited. I would recommend going for the smartest players because they are more easily coached and they will be able to better adapt on the fly. Why wait on the SAT scores, if a player does not have at least a B average in HS look elsewhere.
Fire Willie Now
October 16th, 2009
10:59 am
Bigboy firing Willie will be a step in the right direction!!!
joey
October 16th, 2009
11:00 am
Willie is just the man Vandy’s QB Smith needs to elevate his game.
JC
October 16th, 2009
11:00 am
Dick Bumpas of TCU would be the one guy I would want above all others to lead UGA’s defense.
Fire Willie Now
October 16th, 2009
11:02 am
I don’t know how good Kirby Smart is as a CO.Saban’s been running the same D for years
Crompton on the bootleg...
October 16th, 2009
11:03 am
The first four posts are all L-Dawg.
Buford T. Justice
October 16th, 2009
11:06 am
Ya’ll naysayers are makin us dawg fans look like a pile a’ monkey nuts!
Mutley
October 16th, 2009
11:08 am
Can we hire Kirby Smart and make him coach-in-waiting because CMR is not going to fire his bffs thereby creating a job opening.
Sly Croom
October 16th, 2009
11:09 am
Please look at my resume and tell me why you think I would be a good DC. I have not coached defense since the mid 80’s.
Winterville NC Dawg
October 16th, 2009
11:11 am
We’re giving up an average of 31 points per game so far this season. No chance of winning a title giving up so many points. Bye Willie!
firemarkricht.net
October 16th, 2009
11:13 am
So has Mike Bobo’s offense.
After watching the Cincy game last night, we need to get their HC Kelly down here and see what he can do with top-notch facilities.
Hootie Bookems
October 16th, 2009
11:13 am
Greg – you are right, we fail to mention that Jancek is the CO-Defensive coordinator. He has to take some blame as well
Palmetto State Dawg
October 16th, 2009
11:14 am
I’ve heard Tommy West, who is the HC at Memphis right now as some believe he will be relieved of his duties there at year’s end. Anybody but these same lame coaches that we have. If I hear Martinez say, “we just didn’t make the play” one more time I will puke. Martinez, Fabris and Janceck need to call the local Remax office and go ahead and put their houses on the market. Kirby Smart would be a great addition! I happen to like Rodney Garner, and he is a great recuiter. We just need someone new at the defensive helm, and a new linebackers and defensive end coach.
Top Dawg
October 16th, 2009
11:15 am
Kirby Smart, Jon Tenuta, John Chavis, Ellis Johnson, Charlie Strong, Brian Van Gorder, anybody whose last name is not Martinez and whose first name is Willie
jason
October 16th, 2009
11:16 am
BIGBOY, you are on your game today. You have some good posts on the blogs. When you said on the other blog and this one about the lack of run game. It shows that the problems are all around the team and not just confined to the defense.
If UGA goes outside the program for a DC, it will not be in the SEC. I don’t see how any HC would allow for their staff to move inside the SEC. I could be wrong and mayebe the HCs don’t have a say.
Doc Reem
October 16th, 2009
11:17 am
Yeah Buford T. Justice….Just like CWM has made our defense look like monkey nuts the last 4 four years. You probably want him around another for another four right? Whatever, the guy sucks monkey nuts…
getthepicturenow
October 16th, 2009
11:17 am
Make Kirby Smart the first call, i know its a “latarel” move but maybe the draw of coming home and getting out of nick saban’s shadow would be enticing. I mean, fans nationally still give CNS the credit for anything they do defensively. or what about Chuck Amato?? would “the chest” come to Athens??
RedandBlack
October 16th, 2009
11:18 am
Coach Richt will need Coordinators that the players will respect and listen to when coached. Those same Coordinators will need to have a resume of successfully coaching, growing, and molding players to learn technique and strategy and most importantly discipline to improve over time. Adaptability will be a strongpoint as well since some things tend to change very quickly. So, will Coach Richt be looking for young assistants or tried and true more experienced assistants?
It is still way too early right now. December will be the time to take care of business. Right now, it is time to support the Georgia Bulldogs. There are seven games left to go including the Bowl game. Go Dogs!!!
jason
October 16th, 2009
11:18 am
Hootie Bookems, excellent point. Why is not one those two upstairs with Bobo so they can see the entire field and looks that oppossing offenses are giving them?
firemarkricht.net
October 16th, 2009
11:19 am
New OC, new DC…if not, new HC.
I think...
October 16th, 2009
11:19 am
…that Pat Dye is available to be the DC!
jason
October 16th, 2009
11:21 am
RedandBlack, I would like to think that CMR would look for a seasoned DC. That will allow him to focus more on the offenses and STs if he has trust in the DC. As far as Bobo, I see him hanging around. I would not demote him, however with a strong DC CMR will be able to focus more on the offense and be able to continue to develope Bobo into a good OC. Remember Bobo was doing a good job while we had a decent defense.
JB, Dave, Todd, Sunny, JoJo and Jimmy
October 16th, 2009
11:22 am
L-DAWG = 55k Seat Stadium = Only 1500 seats remaining
What a schizoid!
jason
October 16th, 2009
11:22 am
I also think we need a Special Teams Coach, not a collection of coaches to coach STs. First team I have seen that does not have one.
uuughh...
October 16th, 2009
11:24 am
Sly Croom would be great. He would bring discipline. Didn’t he play for Bear? Problem is he is old and might jump at a HC position. Same with Tubberville. Might be a good stopgap measure but we would also need a young cat to train as a longer term solution.
Richt stresses continuity in the coaching staff. Nobody wants our Coordinators because they suck, making continuity easily attainable (and raises unnecessary).
Even if they give it to Garner hasn’t he been looked at and passed over for a few HC positions. Great recruiter but doesn’t he hold us hostage every season looking for more dough?
Better to clean house…Richt included and bring in an NFL coach that wants to be here. Let them pick a DC, no ties to UGA needed. We need to hire someone that can say “If you want to play in the NFL, I have been there and can teach you the skills you will need to be successful.”
We need Gruden. I think a SuperBowl ring and the promise of NFL riches trumps Jesus on the recruiting trail (no offense JC).
Instead we are going to listen to another offseason of Richt’s promises of a brighter tomorrow that never come and Louisville will lock Gruden in to a multi year contract.
NEW DC NOW
October 16th, 2009
11:24 am
Bruce Fowler at Vandy…with much less talent his defenses over the lase few years have been ranked in the upper echelon in the nation….everytime you hear a head coach in the SEC talk about them they always compliment how well coached and fundamentaly sound their players play…it makes you wonder how good a Fowler coached D would be if he had some higher quality talent!
Johnny Cash
October 16th, 2009
11:29 am
I think a few Johnny Cash songs best describe the Willie Martinez situation:
“There You Go”
“I Walk the Line”
“Don’t Make Me Go”
“Guess Things Happen That Way”
“Next in Line”
“Home of the Blues”
“Ring of Fire”
“I Still Miss Someone”
“The Big Battle”
“I’d Still Be There”
“Tennessee Flat Top Box”
firemarkricht.net
October 16th, 2009
11:29 am
That’s hilarious…UGA’s offense sucks because we have no defense? Please. The defense, although still pathetic, has been performing better than the O in the past three games. Again, that’s not saying much. The offense is frankly, offensive. That falls on Bobo and Richt. Don’t forget that last year with two 1st rounders in the same backfield our offense still UNDERPERFORMED. So did the D. That word seems to be used quite often to describe Richt’s program.
FU1TIME
October 16th, 2009
11:33 am
I totally agree with the Bruce Fowler comment. They guy has produced top defenses through his schemes and fundamentals, with much lesser talent.
Will
October 16th, 2009
11:40 am
Kirby Smart all the way! Don’t try and be cheap Dr Adams and D Evans. Go out and get him. While we’re at it don’t forget we need a new special teams coach.
dawgshack
October 16th, 2009
11:40 am
Open a Swiss bank account for Kirby Smart and start paying him now. Get rid of Fabris and let Garner coach the entire defensive line. Bobo has potential, so we shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss him.
Supes
October 16th, 2009
11:41 am
Anyone would be a HUGE upgrade over FREE Willie at this point.
Question is, will Damon Evans be man enough to FORCE CMR’s hand on this if he has to. It’ll take a 6-6 or 5-7 season for FREE Willie to be gone. God forbid we have a winning season, CMR will spin it as “see…we are just about to turn the corner BS on defense”
T.O.S.S.
October 16th, 2009
11:43 am
Martinez’s UGA defense has become predictable?
Really? Since when?
This just in: Ice is cold.
Lane Kiffin
October 16th, 2009
11:43 am
That was easy!!!! 3-3
38-3
October 16th, 2009
11:44 am
RAMBLE ON!!!
It’s quite sad to see how uga owns your simple mind!
Keep pretending, your obsession with all things UGA sure is entertaining to watch.
JDAWG
October 16th, 2009
11:48 am
CMR really needs to think about this long and hard! He needs to replace the whole defensive staff! I would really like to see rodney garner stay, but not as the DC! We can do better than mike bobo also.
MtnDawg
October 16th, 2009
11:50 am
Kirby Smart! Pay him enough plus come home – he’ll take it.
Seriously?
October 16th, 2009
11:50 am
Hey, Ramble On is back! It took a while to come out of your hiding. Go Hokies!
barneyb
October 16th, 2009
11:50 am
Why are Martinez, Bobo, and Fabris still on the UGA payroll?
Einsteindawg
October 16th, 2009
11:57 am
My suggestion for Willie’s replacement would be to look at the Big Ten. Usually, they play tough defense, just don’t have the speed we have in the SEC, and we could sure use a recruiting contact for some of the strong, smart offensive and defensive lineman they have. Seems like we have only been attracting the big, dumb, lazy, and penatly prone. Anyway, just my opinion.
Evil Richt 2009 S.E.C. World Tour: "Banned in Columbus"
October 16th, 2009
12:00 pm
CROOM FOR DC! He coached LBs at Bama for 11 years.
double dogg
October 16th, 2009
12:03 pm
If CMR fires Willie and doesn’t hire Garner as DC, I think he will walk away after being passed over as coordinator. Could be damaging to the recruiting.
barneyb
October 16th, 2009
12:09 pm
Just wait….I don’t think UGA has hit rock bottom just yet………….it pains me to say that as an Alumn, but the worst is still yet to come.
Ramblinwreck83
October 16th, 2009
12:09 pm
Everyone of you UGA fans are pathetic. This is a article about UGA defense and how pathetic it is and all you can do is trash talk about Tech. The MUTTs better watch out for Vandy who are poised for a win against a bad UGA team.
birddawg92
October 16th, 2009
12:14 pm
The only way Smart is coming back to UGA is as HC. Why would Richt hire him as DC just to be looking over his shoulder, which would effectively be the case?
The right answer here is to offer Smart HC. Things can’t get any worse.
http://www.saturdayinathens.com
Gman
October 16th, 2009
12:14 pm
How about Bill Belichek? I’m sure he’s jump at the chance to be an SEC asst coach.
Seriously, Croom sounds OK. Would be a good PR move. ESPN would love us which would mean 10 or so spots ahead of where we’d normally be in national polls. Honestly not sure what Croom would be all about as DC.
Garner as DC wouldn’t get me too excited though you honestly can’t get much worse than this. I’d worry about anybody on the current staff being to ingrained in the CWM ways of doing things.
Dawg Dude
October 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
Tech fans amaze me with their posts. Yes you beat UGA last year but let me remind you it was the first time in 8 years. Also why do you brag so much about the score? Do you really want it to brag that in the biggest win for Tech in the past decade you gave up 42 points? It was a good win for Tech but I dont think I would publicize the score as much as yall seem to like to. Oh well typical Tech fans I guess. Cant wait to see Tech get smoked by V Tech this weekend.
damnthebutcher
October 16th, 2009
12:17 pm
Again I am not sure what side of the ball he coaches on but I would love to see Ron Zook on this staff if he gets the boot at IL. He is a GREAT recruiter and must have been a good position coach at FL. Some people just are not cut out to be head coaches. Look at Brian VanGorder.
damnthebutcher
October 16th, 2009
12:18 pm
Croom was a running backs coach in the NFL I think. Maybe I am wrong.
Dr M
October 16th, 2009
12:23 pm
Finding a good DC should not be a problem. Removing WM is the problem- does CMR have the strength of character to put the program ahead of their friendship?
McDawg
October 16th, 2009
12:26 pm
my only criticism of martinez is that the defense is always in reaction mode and not setting the tempo-going back to the 2002 season-our defense set the tempo for the game and by the end of the season we simply dominated the opponent-all the Offense had to do was give it to Musa
perhaps we don’t have the personel to do that but seems like we could change the tempo a bit
Bob
October 16th, 2009
12:28 pm
John Tenuta is big time overrated. ND’s defense might be worse than Georgia. And when did Tenuta ever figure out how to beat Georgia.
I love Will Muschamp, but he ain’t coming. And btw, the last three times he faced Georgia as a DC he gave up 45, 37 and 45….not exactly stellar and maybe even worse than Willie.
Bo in North Carolina
October 16th, 2009
12:32 pm
I agree with the post about the Cincinnati coach. Last night he had fire in the belly and let the players know when they made errors.
Win, lose, or draw I will still support the Team.
birddawg92
October 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
And when did Muschamp ever stop us when he was at The Barn? Not sold at all on Muschamp.
http://www.saturdayinathens.com
athensdawg
October 16th, 2009
12:33 pm
hire dan hawkins to run the offense and mike stoops to run the defense.
they are stinkin it up as head coaches and don’t think that anyone would want to hire them away for quite a while….
Dale
October 16th, 2009
12:36 pm
Bahaha Ramble. “Who’s obsessed with who?” Asked by the GT fan who LIVES for Georgia football. Classic.
birddawg92
October 16th, 2009
12:38 pm
athensdawg, now there’s a thought…especially the Stoops idea—not sure how his defenses have been in AZ though??? I know he’s had precious little success overall out there.
Dennis Steed
October 16th, 2009
12:42 pm
Smart would be a reasonable choice, but Tyrone Nix has done a great job at Ole Miss, and Smart is harder to evaluate since Saban’s influence with the D is probably considerable.
Charlie Strong is relatively underpaid by the Gators and and I have been told by friend in the coaching profession that the assistants at FLA are not big Urban fans.
jack bull
October 16th, 2009
12:47 pm
bud foster from VT.. he would be my first choice…then kirby smart..if those don’t want to come, go and get an assistant from either pittsburgh(steelers) or philly(eagles).
BAMA STAN
October 16th, 2009
12:50 pm
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Interesting article – here are a few thoughts:
Kirby Smart is who Richt ought to go after.
– UGA grad – maybe feels some loyalty
– Excellent training under Saban
– Opportunity to be on his own
Defense is a problem – but all three phases have been a problem – along with penalties and turn over margin. The big picture points to the obvious – this is an overall poorly coached team.
However- If I am a UGA fan – here is an optimistic opporutunity to salvage the season – and let’s face it 2009 is a transition year:
1. Thank the Lord for Vandy – UGA will win this game and start feeling a little better about themselves.
2. Week off before Florida
- rest, work on the basics – game plan against the Gators.
- Florida WILL win – but if UGA keeps it close – this could be uplifing and provide some momemtum to finish out the season.
3. TN Tech, AUB and KY are beatable – if UGA can turn the ship.
4. GT – should be favored – by a bunch. But you never know in this game – a lot can happen between now and late November.
IT is within the realm of possibility that UGA could finish 8-4
- win a bowl – 9-4. Also in the realm of possibility that UGA could finish 5-6, 6-6, or 7-5.
IF UGA gets blown out by Florida and Auburn – they will probably get beat by KY and GT will be down right ugly in the media.
So where does that leave UGA for the future?:
Well – 2009 is a transition year.
2010 – Transition – rebuild part 2- UGA, meet Mr Murray!
2011 – This is the year UGA needs to be relevent in the SEC east and show someting against TN and Florida. At least be competitive.
2012 – UGA under Richt needs to make a serious push for SEC EAST Title… if not – then UGA is no better than when Jim Donnan was HC. .
Big concerns for UGA:
Is UGA in transition/rebuild mode OR has this HC and Staff outlived their affectiveness?
– Ray Goff went 9-3 then 10-2 – but then what happened – 5-6, 6-4, then 6-6.
– Jim Donnan went 10-2 and 9-3, but then went 8-4 and 8-4.
Richt deserves a few more seasons to get it going – based on his past success – but something is wrong in Athens.
Other programs are improving – SC, ARK, AUB. Tennessee and Florida are clearly better programs. (TN has won 3 of last 4 – blown out UGA 2 of last 3 years. Florida? enough said. Signs do not look good for UGA.
Best of luck the rest of the season.
djawjuh
October 16th, 2009
12:54 pm
I think the entire defensive staff beginning with WM need to be replaced. And that includes Garner. He hasn’t had a first round draft choice in the NFL in a long time. I really can’t believe that Damon would stand for Janek being promoted to DC. That’s just what we don’t need. We need a lot of fresh air, new approaches to the game not being utilized by the present crowd. CAN MR HANDLE THAT? DOUBTFUL. HE HAS PEOPLE THERE NOW THAT ARE SUBSERVIENT TO HIM, AN OC WITH NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE, A DC WITH NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE BOTH OF WHOM ARE FAILURES. SOMEONE RAISED THE QUESTION CAN MR PUT THE PROGRAM AHEAD OF HIS FRIENDS? HE DAMN WELL BETTER BECAUSE HE’S GOING TO BE ON UNEMPLOYMENT IF HE DOESN’T. THIS IS THE MOST EMBARRASSING SITUATION WE’VE HAD AT GEORGIA SINCE RAY GOFF AND THAT INCLUDES JIM DONNAN. VANDY, YOU COULD HELP US OUT.
djawjuh
October 16th, 2009
1:00 pm
IF IT WERE ME, I’D FIRE CMR ON NOV. 29TH. SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED IN ATHENS THAT DEFIES LOGIC. GET TOP 10 RECRUITING CLASSES, HAVE THREE SKILL PLAYERS GO IN THE 1st TWO ROUNDS OF THE NFL DRAFT AND WITH THESE GUYS WE DON’T WIN A DAMN THING. NOTHING. FL BEATS US 2 OF 3, ONE A BLOWOUT. I THINK WHAT WE’RE SEEING IS A STAFF THAT IS WAY BEHIND IN ABILITY AND WITHOUT THOSE THREE GUYS, STAFF, MO AND MOMASS, WE ARE EXPOSED AS BEING ON A LEVEL OF KY AND VANDY IN THE EAST. CHANGES COMING? THERE DAMN WELL BETTER BE.
robodawg
October 16th, 2009
1:01 pm
Kirby Smart, Tyrone Nix, Ellis Johnson all sound good; stealing away Charlie Strong from the Gators would be great. I like Bud Foster but I think he’s looking for a head coaching position. Yeah, who isn’t? But Foster, and Strong for that matter, are likely to be head coaches soon.
I can’t say what I ‘d think about Garner … I’ve never seen a defense he’s run, maybe it would be pretty good. I’d trust CMR to make that call I think … he brought in BVG after all, and CWM was a good positional coach, he’s just not consistent shutting down offenses as DC. Not the last two seasons at least.
aa-ugafootball.blogspot.com
October 16th, 2009
1:10 pm
go to my blogsite aa-ugafootball.blogspot.com
Cat Shabazz
October 16th, 2009
1:11 pm
richt needs to promote Coach Garner to DC – this gives him a better chance to be an HC. Something to think about my friends – since most of college football players are African Americans – don’t you think it would be a positive impact for the program and recruiting to hire an African American DC? I am sure there are plenty of well qualified and smart African American coaches out there that would love to run the defense at a school like UGA.
David
October 16th, 2009
1:12 pm
Bill, You obviously don’t know the circumstances of Kirby Smart’s departure from Georgia or you wouldn’t be mentioning him as a possible replacement for Martinez. Please try to incorporate some depth into your analyses.
firemarkricht.net
October 16th, 2009
1:13 pm
Although he’ll get another year, Richt won’t be able to turn things around at UGA.
I’ll be surprised if he replaces Bobo. I’ll be surprised if Martinez is fired completely. I’ll be surprised if Richt ever recruits for or coaches a power game. It isn’t in his coaching or biological DNA. But I love surprises, so here’s your opportunity coach.
UGA is looking at possibly going 6-6 next year as well…then it’s bye bye AJ.
After that…can we have a new coach? Please Damon?!?
Simple choice
October 16th, 2009
1:13 pm
UGA raised more $$$ for the Ath dept than any other school $25million so money isn’t the problem. Why look for a hopeful up and coming star … go buy the best coach for the program. Meyer, Saben whoever. Why should we be scared to go get the best and pay them. We know by winning UGA will continue to raise the $$$. Go get Muschamp and make him the head guy now instead of head coach “in-waiting” crap. Put Muschamp as the guy pay him the $$$ and have him bring in his assistants. Richt will land on his feet at a Wake Forest, UNC, or somewhere he will do well at 8-4 every year. Richt says he is pleased with the running game… but he is the only one. We need someone who has the class, character, and respect of Richt, but we need someone who is not satisfied with poor results and will do something about it! Come Adams you have ticked off everyone since you got to UGA… so go ahead and make the change now.
Cuz
October 16th, 2009
1:16 pm
Wouldn’t Kirby Smart be more inclined to look at a HC job? Why would he want to be designated HC in waiting and wait another ten years? Richt will not retire in a few years. I think we have as much chance of getting Kirby Smart to come home as we have getting BVG to leave the Falcons. If Smart and Satan can beat Urban and the legend, they will play for the NC and if they win, Smart will get HC offers.
charles
October 16th, 2009
1:17 pm
Martinez should have been immediately fired after the Sugar Bowl debacle wth WV. We had no clue how to stop them and nothing has changed since.I’m not sure if the would be interested, but I’d like us to go after Gruden. Dungy or Cowher as HC. If we can’t beat UF nothing else matters because we’ll be olaying for Tampa or Orlando every year.
Cuz
October 16th, 2009
1:19 pm
For all you football fans here is our Friday dance video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmbEuRzlhIs
Turn up the speakers.