Big win doesn’t negate UGA’s need for change
Win over Tech shouldn't be a factor in the decision on Willie Martinez. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
One game, victory or defeat, shouldn’t determine the fate of any college football coach or assistant.
That’s why Saturday’s big win by the Dogs over Georgia Tech should not be enough to deter Mark Richt and the UGA athletic association from making the changes that are needed in order for the program to once again rank among the SEC’s elite.
We’re talking, of course, about the future of defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, whose job security has been questioned for the past couple of seasons as the Georgia defense generally has underperformed and routinely has allowed more than 30 points a game. From all accounts, Martinez is a good man and beloved by his players. But the results speak for themselves.
Martinez is not without his supporters, and I will concede to them that he is capable of getting his players to rise to the occasion. He did it late in the 2006 season and again at the end of 2007. And he’s done it a couple of times this season, most recently against Tech.
But getting good defense a couple of times a season won’t cut it in the SEC. Georgia needs consistency in order to succeed, and that’s where the defense has fallen short. The true blame may belong with the players, but the ultimate responsibility is Martinez’s. And if change is necessary in order to get the Dogs’ defense up to snuff, that means a new coordinator.
There’ve been plenty of rumors about Martinez’s departure already being a done deal, but most of those reports sound more like speculation than leaks. Richt might not want to get rid of his longtime friend and colleague, but at this point it seems unlikely that Martinez can stay. And you’d wonder why he’d even want to. It can’t be fun to be Willie Martinez in Athens any more; he gets blamed for everything that’s wrong with the program, even when it’s not his fault.
Hopefully, Richt and Damon Evans will bring in someone who can take the obvious talent that Georgia has on defense and make more effective use of it. That might mean cleaning house on the defensive staff, never a pleasant process or anything to celebrate.
But the good feelings generated by a season finale win over the traditional in-state rival shouldn’t overshadow the way Georgia’s defense has been trending ever since Martinez succeeded Brian Van Gorder.
Bulldog fans are delighted the Jackets were defeated and that a winning season was assured. We’re even pleased that the Dogs probably will get a slightly better bowl. But we’re not happy with 7-5 and getting drilled by the likes of Tennessee and Florida. And we haven’t forgotten the second-half collapse against an inferior Kentucky team.
It’s still time for Mark Richt to make a change. Judging by the noncommittal way he talked about his staff after the Tech game, he appears to recognize that fact.
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273 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2009
4:39 pm
good call dr. Thier senior PK was really good, KY actually had the better stat last year BUT they both still could only do it about a third of the time. What were they doing to other 2/3rd? SC is near the bottom of the pile this year and really struggling, Ky way off on the TB, so I dont think it’s quite as simple as just saying let’s just do it.
Again we LEAD the league in TB, 17/69, which by any measure college or professional is outstanding.
The problem has not been placement. It’s been coverage.
JB
November 30th, 2009
4:44 pm
I believe that children are our future….
Dawg
November 30th, 2009
4:46 pm
Thanks to the doofus that pointed out that UGA is still not ranked. Really??? Do you think we thought we’d be ranked, even after beating the pathetic Nerds?? No. We’re just happy that we beat the Nerds on their own fake turf, among their 25 “fans”, and that we can tell them all to SHOVE IT now. Trust me, I’ll take being a DAWG any day over a NERD. You’ve run your mouths all year… time now to shut up!!!
mr bodine
November 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
L-Dawg, there is a button on your keyboard just to the left of the “a” key called “Caps Lock”…..please turn it off and do us all a huge favor.
Jon
November 30th, 2009
4:52 pm
Georgia doesn’t recruit players to fit their offensive and defensive schemes, they sometimes recruit the best player available as if it is the NFL draft. Why keep recruiting 5′6 140 cornerbacks? Even if they can run a 4.2 40, they are outmuscled for position, stiff -armed by bigger receivers, can’t effectively play the run (not enough body mass to tackle powerful SEC backs) they can get to the ball quickly, but has no bite when they arrive. If you can’t play man to man in the SEC you’re basically a sitting duck for the top tier teams. Recruit more quarterbacks that with mobility, because no good DC (except WM) will allow you to sit back and pick them apart. Stop using youtube to recruit RB’s with high per carry averages, it doesn’t equate to workmanlike yards needed for the SEC grueling games. How is Georgia striking out the best RB’s from georgia? Because the King’s, Samuels and many on the bench has better youtube videos than their counterparts starting at Alabama & Tenn. stop picking the best available, take what fits your scheme. If you want a ball control offense (see Alabama) pick a 230lbs. RB to carry it 25 yo 35 times, not a 190lbs back easily shoe string tackled, and fumbles easily when hammered by a LB. If you want your kicker to kick the ball deep, recruit players that can run down to make a play on the ball, too often I don’t see a Georgia player come into the play until the runner reaches the 30 yd. line….special team players are no longer just walk-on players roles.
Dawg
November 30th, 2009
4:53 pm
Seriously, does anyone know when Richt is planning to reschedule his press conference? I heard he cancelled it on Sunday, so I’m just wondering when he’ll reschedule… hopefully to announce some changes?
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
30-24
GO DAWGS !!!!!!!!!!
BR
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
Funny how the Nerds on our blog (no shock there) keep saying that the “polls speak for themselves” and that UGA shouldn’t be happy with the “fluke” win. Seems to me that the polls do speak for themselves.. what a JOKE they are to have ever had Tech ranked #7! HILARIOUS! As far as a “fluke win”… not really sure how you get that, especially considering Tech was NEVER ahead during the game, not even once. Georgia won, they beat Tech handily and all you need to do is look at the stats to see it.
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
dan, when did Richt “let willie stay”. No coach in America would have fired a DC after finishing in 2007 #2. Or after a 10-3 year, with more injuries than any team in the nation. Now this year, he had to make some decisions.
THIS is what I have never understood. When exactly was he supposed to have done something until now? (yea yea, I know some of you would have fired the SEC champ DC after losing the bowl game by 3 points, in a game the offense never lifted a finger till halftime either)
SevenMore
November 30th, 2009
5:23 pm
Is Tenuta available now? Would we want him?
BTW, keep Willie. Just not as DC.
Willie Martinez Showed Up
November 30th, 2009
5:23 pm
If 4 out of 5 losses were not Bobo’s fault (3 or 4 turnovers per game) please make the case specifically why is Willie responsible for each loss?
I havn’t heard a decent case from anybody yet.
The Other St. Simons
November 30th, 2009
5:31 pm
This just in:
I just saw St. Simons picking up trash on the F. J. Torras Causeway. Apparently he has been detained by the Glynn County Police for impersonating a man with a real sack. Come out and take your medicine:
((((((((30-24))))))) (((((((((Johnson can’t beat Martinez)))))))))) Hahahahahahahahaha.
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 30th, 2009
5:37 pm
Good to see AltamahaDawg back on the blogs giving em hell!Where is Oledawg?There is truth to what the above posters says…how many games has it been more on Willie’s D than TO’s and poor offensive play?
Spurrier to Replace Meyer?
November 30th, 2009
5:37 pm
I like Spurrier as Meyer’s replacement, it makes sense, his teams could really throw the ball well, very inventive, none of thisd, triple option right, RB for QB, garbage. It makes sense since CBS says Meyer is headed to NFL, Dallas Cowboys.
http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/12585042/meyer-going-to-nfl-believe-it-numbskulls
WildBill
November 30th, 2009
5:40 pm
Well, who would have thought it? CMR actually got mad one time this year. It happened after the Tech game when the big container of Gator Aide was dumped on his head, and the container met up with the top of his head!!!!! He was mad, glad to see some adrenalin flow for a change.
Now, the line is forming behind Charlie Weiss. Who is next? I’d like to see at least 3 UGA asst. coaches in line…….
Obama
November 30th, 2009
5:40 pm
Change works. It got me elected President.
dawgfan13
November 30th, 2009
5:49 pm
New blood is needed on defense! Clean house. Martinez needs to be fired. It makes no sense to keep this guy on the staff to be a distraction. Offer Bud Foster a boat load of cash, with all these rich red neck alumni we have we can fork up the cash. Foster is also a great recruiter especially guys who may not have 5 stars, but he evaluates talent well. He should be at the top of the list. Forget Kirby Smart, he is a suspension waiting to happen.
Huesito7
November 30th, 2009
5:52 pm
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Houdawg
November 30th, 2009
5:52 pm
Hey Anti-Dawg ……. want some more Tech bashing ?
I’m just glad that the ACC Championship game is irrelevant ….. between two losers to SEC teams !
Make ya feel better ??
that's my dawg
November 30th, 2009
5:59 pm
question to all my dog fans. Who do you think will replace martinez?
Gobigdogsgo
November 30th, 2009
6:14 pm
Richt will do what has to be done, and beat Tech again, and again and again and again,
Maybe they can hire Ga Tech Defensive mastermind,
http://www.swarmhornetswarm.com
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2009
6:23 pm
SOUTHGEORGIA, got to come in a jab the tech fans a few days, then back to the Ward.
WIldBill, does that not just sum up this season? Havent been in sync all year. Finally get a big win and still off on the timing with the gatoraid bath.
OhioDawg
November 30th, 2009
6:26 pm
Maybe CMR could hire the UC Bearcat’s strength and conditioning coach. The speed and strength of that team has alot to do with its 11-0 record.
FRED
November 30th, 2009
6:44 pm
I GOT $100 THAT SAYS WM STAYS FOR NEXT YEAR. I ALSO HAVE $100 THAT SAYS IF HE DOES GO THAT EVANS HIRES SOME NOBODY FROM TUMBLE WEED U. I HAVE EVEN LESS CONFIDENCE IN EVENS THAN MR
yogi2
November 30th, 2009
6:56 pm
we all know that Willie must go. To keep BoBo would be a mistake, he is half the problem. All the teams in the SEC that have changed coaches in the last two years have improved significantly. I think Georgia is the only team that has regressed. All the coaches are decent. they could probably do well in the ACC, but not the SEC
BeachGaBulldog
November 30th, 2009
6:58 pm
I have said it for 2 years. Willie needs to go! For me, one game doesn’t change a damn thing. There have just been WAY TOO MANY games where our D gave up 30 or more points.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 30th, 2009
7:01 pm
MISSING CHILD ALERT – St. Simons
It has become clear that St. Simons should now officially be listed as a missing child. His last correspondence was on Saturday November 28, 2009 just before 8:00pm. Neighbors reported seeing him wandering aimlessly in a field near his house at 11:30pm Saturday night.
Authorities believe that a large osprey attacked simon late Saturday night. The raptor, likely thinking the shape of young simon was that of an immature turkey, attacked him and carried him to a nest in the top of a dead pine tree.
GT fans need to initiate a search party for simon, possibly even employing the resources of the US Coast Guard in either Savannah or Jax. He shouldn’t be hard to find. His distinguishing characteristics include enthusiasm (first), imagination (the sheriff will tear UGA a new one) and humor (hahahaha).
It’s imperative that little simon be returned to his mommy prior the 2010 GT-UGA game. If he liked the 2009 game he’ll love the game next year.
Goooooo Dogs, Sic ‘em, WOOF, WOOF, WOOF WOOF
icedawg
November 30th, 2009
7:09 pm
Nothing personal about it for Mr. Martinez. The record speaks for itself. He’s just not the man for the job at this point. The coaching profession for most is a constant merry go round. It is just the way it is. Hopefully a change will be made at the defense coordinator position and maybe another. All the best to Mr. Martinez wherever he goes. Maybe he’ll have better success somewhere else. Hope so.
WildBill
November 30th, 2009
7:16 pm
Well, if CMR does NOT clean house, then the UGA just might as well drop out of the SEC and join the Southern Conference. We could play Furman, Wofford, Western Carolina, and Citadel. Just think of the travel budget and how much it could be cut. No more trips to OSU, Arkansas, or any other ‘exotic’ places. Stay close by, heck a trip to Greenville sounds a LOT better than to Oklahoma! Go to Charleston to visit the Citadel, trip out to Isle of Palms, or even Goose Creek. Oh the possiblities of leaving that mean ol SEC where one has to train hard, play hard, and play smart. Wow, the Southern Conference may be just where the dawgs will be headed if things don’t get better, a LOT better.
Bad Dawg
November 30th, 2009
7:19 pm
All need to go. Top to bottom. The Environmental Protection Agency should fine them all for wasting natural resources. Recruit the best, make them do it the “Georgia Way” and destroy them in the process.
vtfalcon
November 30th, 2009
7:29 pm
It seems to me that Willie Martinez just doesn’t have good play calling. Otherwise, his demeanor is perfect, the players seem to respect him, and if the dogs had won more we’d all love him.
Yes We Can!
November 30th, 2009
7:31 pm
Didn’t people vote for Obama because they thought things would change? Oh well. I guess change isn’t ALWAYS good.
NCDAWG
November 30th, 2009
7:38 pm
I don’t see Willie staying if he is not the DC…….Kirby Smart at DC………Bobo stays at OC………Beamer jr. special teams coach….
Duff Man
November 30th, 2009
7:39 pm
Good luck to WM if he does go… He’s been loyal to our team and school for 9 years, but we clearly need a change. Congrats on getting the guys ready Saturday night, if that’s the last hoorah…
DawgVoiceofReason
November 30th, 2009
8:02 pm
Ed,
You said, “wins over Georgia Tech quit being a benchmark for Georgia teams early in the Dooley era.” Well, I think you have forgotten a stretch with Bobby Ross at Tech where beating Tech meant something and a few years during Coach Donnan’s tenure, but for the most part you are correct. However, beating the number 7 team in the country, in this season for Georgia, is something to be proud of. Don’t dismiss this victory so lightly, however much you might want to insult the Jackets. Or to look at it another way, it meant a lot to wreck their season!
Knowing Dawg
November 30th, 2009
8:04 pm
I know this may sound crazy but I hear were talking to Tuberville about DC ?
Ynot
November 30th, 2009
8:06 pm
Martinez is not the real problem. If it wasn’t for his defense giving all it has late in the forth guarter, we would have lost three more games. Bobo calls some of the stupidist plays I’ve ever seen…Except for the GT game. Put Bobo back at QB coach and we hire Weis from ND as the OC. That’s what made him famous in the first place.
Urban Meyer to Dallas Cowboys?
November 30th, 2009
8:11 pm
That’s what one writer at CBS Sports think. Makes pretty good sense for Meyer.
http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/12585042/meyer-going-to-nfl-believe-it-numbskulls
red5.ws
November 30th, 2009
8:17 pm
Turnovers were a bigger problem than the defense.
Jerry
November 30th, 2009
8:17 pm
Bill I’d rather see you and Fabris gone than Willie Martinez
PT
November 30th, 2009
8:29 pm
I have never seen Richt that intense on the sidelines. It was a beautiful thing to see. If it continues you will see a more disciplined team.
MauiDAWG
November 30th, 2009
8:33 pm
Bill King, any ideas on where Richt may go looking for a DC? Does he have any close ties to anyone outside of the program?
washaun ealey
November 30th, 2009
9:11 pm
30-24 suck it saint simons where u at now?!
VegasGator
November 30th, 2009
9:13 pm
Bill King-
Any ideas on replacements for Meyer if he jumps to the NFL or Notre Dame? What about Spurrier? Anyone that is a Flo grad?
Timmy Tebow
November 30th, 2009
9:15 pm
Coach-
What about my exit strategy? What will I do after football since the NFL doesn’t want my QB skills?
PHIL
November 30th, 2009
9:20 pm
I was going to rant and rave, but I’ll just save time and agree with dawgster 110%. You idiots that wouldn’t know a football from a snow cone, never played, never coached at that level need to get a life. You’re certainly not qualified to criticize the job performance of any one. It’s no different than some kid coming out of college trying to tell some guy who has been doing the same job for 20 years that he knows how to do it better. That would infuriate you and it should. But you all fail to see that you do the same thing.
Bill, now I am being serious, no malicious intent, how did you get this job? What are your qualifications to pronounce what should be done with the UGA badmiton team, much less the football team. And someone mentioned that by not making changes it would really piss off a ton of UGA fans. My question would be why should anyone at the University of Georgia give a rip if you are pissed off? They don’t seem to care that I tell each wonderful little girl that calls to beg for money that there is no way they are getting any from me as long as Michael “I am omnipotent” Adams is associated with the University. Why would anyone care if you get mad??
And another thing Bill, I bet you and all those calling for “change” are the same ones that voted for Obama aren’t you? How’s that whole hopey-changey thing workin’ for ya now?
2Dawgs
November 30th, 2009
9:22 pm
The game was won by the OL, the DL still didn’t do much. Too many missed tackles and out-of-place defenders.
PissedDawg
November 30th, 2009
9:27 pm
I’ll keep Willie if we can dump Obama. Now that’s a change I can believe in
Timber Dawg
November 30th, 2009
9:30 pm
Saint Simons this is for you! UGA 30 Ga. Tech 24!!!!!!
Jackson
November 30th, 2009
9:44 pm
Bill,
Well put…. and let me begin by saying that CWM is definitely not a solution as a defensive coordinator. I believe that there were many things that were absolutely against Willie to begin with. The first and glaring issue is one I have been harping on all season long. The run game at UGA has been abysmal. My breakdown of the offensive play running was more focused on players getting to the right spot versus just hitting someone who was in their area. I believe you saw us getting better at that later in the season but you also saw a lot more simple running plays. The toss was not used until late in the third quarter and was somewhat effective. If you look at the D, they were on the field a heck of a lot due to inept offensive focus. Bobo of all people should know that if you can’t run the ball in the SEC you will not be successful. Everything in the SEC starts with the run. We are not the Big 12 or the WAC… you have to run the ball effectively. Do I mean to say that we need 200 yard running days? No, but you need to put the offense in a manageable down and distances. Therefore, a lot of the problems on D were a result of poor play calling and play design on the offense.
Having said that, I could not agree more with special teams coaching… absolutely awful… put us in a lot of bad positions…
But the D that is not causing turnovers is a D that is going to struggle. It is not bad enough we did not cause turnovers, but we were just out schemed and over aggressive at the point of attack. Meaning we had too much read and not enough focus on controlling the LOS. Martinez looked too much like a secondary coach trying to coach a defense rather than a d coordinator evaluating what the team was doing. Martinez is an excellent fundamentals coach and a great secondary coach… but he does not have the chip capacity to put it all together. The fact that we could not generate pressure or stop teams from setting up simple pass and catch is plain sad. We need a coach who can deliver… one who has been a D coordinator at another school (s) and has show success….
Everyone would like to see Muschamp or Smart come home but that is not going to happen. Since Wies is out at ND, I vote to get Tenuta back to the state of Georgia. He has a strong pedigree for success and knows the recruiting ground well. He produced some good defenses at Tech and would be a good fit for a ship trying to find discipline and focus. JMHO