Finally, a positive spin on Richt’s future at UGA
Do you see Mark Richt growing old at UGA? (Associated Press)
It’s a given that Mark Richt’s program lost a little momentum last season, which in the knee-jerk world of college football “analysis” prompted the “hot seat” talk that reached a crescendo during the prolonged search for a defensive coordinator. After Kirby Smart decided to stay at Alabama, MrSEC.com declared flatly that Richt was “in trouble” and “his days are running out.”
The hiring of Todd Grantham calmed the waters a bit, but there’s still a contingent of pundits who seem to think that anything less than an SEC East title this fall will leave Richt with a tenuous grip on his job.
So it’s refreshing to see ESPN.com’s Chris Low opining that if any SEC coach is in it for the long haul, it’s Richt.
Low says that “Steve Spurrier told me last summer that he doubts the SEC will ever see a head coach again who endures at one place for 16 or 17 seasons the way Phillip Fulmer did at Tennessee. The money coaches are making these days is out of control. The pressure to win (right away) is even more out of control. But if there’s going to be another guy who makes it 15-plus years in this league at the same school, my money’s on Richt.”
Not only that, but Low says that while it remains to be seen if anybody can catch Alabama or Florida in the league, “if anybody can, I would go with Richt and the Bulldogs. He’s shown a willingness to change by overhauling his defensive staff, and they’re again working on a top 4 recruiting class nationally. And even after a disappointing season in 2009, the team didn’t get away from him and actually played its best football at the end. Let’s see what the next couple of seasons hold for the Bulldogs before we start writing Richt’s demise.”
Amen to that. I see Richt at Georgia for the long haul. What about you?
THERE’S THAT WORD AGAIN
Turnovers. The problem that plagued Georgia’s football team in 2009 was also responsible for the basketball Dogs’ loss to Florida Wednesday night despite strong scoring showings from Trey Thompkins and Ricky McPhee and the Dogs shooting 59.6 from the floor, a season high. It was nip and tuck for much of the first half before Florida went on a run in the last 4 minutes. The culprit mainly was poor ball-handling. Georgia turned the ball over 19 times, which translated into 33 points for the Gators.
Best assessment of the game I’ve seen so far came from coach Mark Fox at Georgiadogs.com: “We didn’t take care of the ball well enough or rebound well enough, and [Florida’s] points-off-turnovers and second-chance points ate us up tonight. … When we didn’t turn the ball over, we were pretty good at finishing plays. We have to defend better on the road if we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win. We have to rebound better on the road. We didn’t do either of those things.”
That’s a hallmark of a young team like Fox has this year. But they’re learning. The Dogs finally managed to put a game away against Tennessee. Now it’s time to grow up some more and win one on the road this Saturday against South Carolina, which upset No. 1 Kentucky this week.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE … OR FOUR
If you missed David Hale’s report on Orson Charles in Bulldog Blog, check it out. As part of a military science class he’s taken, Charles has decided to join the early morning ROTC physical training sessions at UGA in addition to his football conditioning. Reports Charles: “It’s definitely different than football — way different. In football, the most you’ll probably run is probably 200 [yards] back and forth. They go miles and miles and miles, and my whole method is just trying to keep up with them.”
Charles found he wasn’t in as good a shape as he thought he was, but he’s relishing the challenge of the 4-mile runs. “It’s more something I wanted to see if I could do,” he said. “Hopefully it rubs off on football.”
I like what this says about that young man.
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449 comments Add your comment
Tron Carter
January 28th, 2010
1:59 pm
Why is anyone responding to a guy who molests dogs?
jellybeandawg
January 28th, 2010
2:00 pm
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho its obvious you dont know what the F_*k you are talking about. I am not only a dawg fan but also graduated from UGA Terry College of business class of 96. Just because I don’t drink Richts fake juice cool-aid and think he is a phony & a very average coach doesn’t make me any less of a fan of the school or a tech fan.
Dawg Pounder
January 28th, 2010
2:01 pm
papadawg, nemov and how2fish, I gotta go but keep on hoping for a different outcome in Jax because next year when I see your side of the stadium empty out with 3 minutes to go in the game I will wonder what excuses you will have then; Heck even the Zooker owned Mark Richt!
Big B CH 99
January 28th, 2010
2:02 pm
As a Tech fan/student, I don’t see why Richt would be on the hot seat, getting rid of him would be just plain STUPID. He’s by far the most successful UGA coach since Dooley, remember that y’all had a down period from Dooley to Richt.
The big thing is if U think about it, how many coaches out there could you get to replace Richt that would clearly be an upgrade, I can’t honestly think of any. And on the Tuberville thing, I think he’s a great coach, but he’s not an upgrade over Richt, I think that would be a lateral move for UGA, personally I think he’s very similar to Richt.
The Grinch
January 28th, 2010
2:03 pm
macrotech
January 28th, 2010
12:43 pm
As always your are one of the best, if not THE best, objective tech fan on the blogosphere.
how2fish
January 28th, 2010
2:03 pm
jellybeandawg your right it doesn’t make you a Tech fan..but I got a question.If you could replace CMR who would you get..what can’t miss name would you pull out of the hat? And what average coach has 90 wins in 9 years..really ? You are entitled to what you think I’m just very puzzled by your statements.
papadawg
January 28th, 2010
2:04 pm
Dawg Pounder you are the one with stars in your eyes. The Gator run at the BCS championship game is over for awhile
WonderDawg
January 28th, 2010
2:04 pm
Alabama’s NCAA Championships = Alabama’s Stints on NCAA probation
Will
January 28th, 2010
2:06 pm
Fans should not put much pressure or over-hype on the 2010 Dawgs. We will have a new qb and will have a new defensive scheme and new players to run it. Fans need to take a Valium and still understand that we will win 8 or maybe 9 games at best. But in 2011 CMR will have his first NC.
nemov
January 28th, 2010
2:06 pm
…and Dawg Pounder leaves without ever addressing the question. Enjoy the kool-aid.
Edugator
January 28th, 2010
2:07 pm
nemov, in ‘07 Florida was not reloading on “D”, they were trying to find people that could tackle but that is not the case here and Matthews is ready to step in.He maybe not exactly like Tebow , but certainly better than most “new” Qb’s around the league. He has practiced the “O” for 2 years and has a great arm.
ga gator
January 28th, 2010
2:07 pm
Good article; Richt is a good man and was glad when he left FSU because they have not been the same. Hope he stays as long as he wishes.
how2fish
January 28th, 2010
2:08 pm
WonderDawg Bama’s NC doesn’t equal Alabama’s Stints on NCAA probation unless you use the Bama math and get to 13….they’ve spent some time on probation…but as much as I don’t like Saban I think he will keep them out of trouble..it will be when he leaves and his replacement has to live up to the “Saban” years that they will wander off the path..once again.
ga gator
January 28th, 2010
2:09 pm
Edugator, you must be an imposter, Matthews is 37 years old; hopefully you meant Brantley!
RxDawg
January 28th, 2010
2:09 pm
There you are Cuz. Glad too see your still around.
Edugator….i like your blog name.
WonderDawg
January 28th, 2010
2:10 pm
Yeah, Saban’s NC is the first “clean” one for the Tide in my lifetime …
papadawg
January 28th, 2010
2:11 pm
I think Kirby stayed at Bama cause Saban told him he could be the new head coach when he left next year.
ga gator
January 28th, 2010
2:11 pm
RxDawg, thanks Cuz, I Edugator better watch it or someone will call him OXYMORON.
ga gator
January 28th, 2010
2:14 pm
I heard some rumors late last season the CMR’s brother in law Brad Johnson might be added to the staff. Anything new on that or was it just talk. Boy if they added him it would make your offense awesome with the talent you have coming back.
WonderDawg
January 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
Edugator, just know that Joe Cox ran the Dawgs offense for 4 years in practice …..
GT71
January 28th, 2010
2:16 pm
Coach Mark Richt is an outstanding person and coach. The State of Georgia is fortunate to have a man of his qualities representing not only UGA but the State. I hope he is the next coach like Dodd or Dooley to stay many years at one school. Best of luck – I hope you win out in the SEC.
Tron Carter
January 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
The dog pounder is too busy pounding his dog.
RxDawg
January 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
Hehe, good point WonderDawg.
ga gator, I didn’t exactly understand your 2:11 post
Otto
January 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
If I were wagering money I would have Saban at Bama when CMR is asked to leave UGA.
ga gator
January 28th, 2010
2:19 pm
RxDawg, Edugator making a mistake=same as oxymoron, weak attempt at humor sorry.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 28th, 2010
2:19 pm
are the dawgs going to hire one more coach or not ? whats the news , rumors , anything, this is a slow day even some entertaining rumors would help pass the day
Edugator
January 28th, 2010
2:20 pm
Brain freeze today guys. I meant Brantley. For some reason that just fell out of my fingers. It could be an oxymoron …sorta like Dawgs championships.
I didn’t realize that Shane was that old. It seems like only yesterday he was rumbling into the end zone like a car with a flat tire.
ga gator
January 28th, 2010
2:22 pm
Come on Edugator, I don’t want to have to defend you, try to lay off the negatives.
jellybeandawg
January 28th, 2010
2:24 pm
how2fish I would trade Richt all day long for the obvious ( Saban & Myer,) but also Bryan Kelly, Butch Davis, Chris Petersen, Gary Paterson and a few others. Any coach that can do less with more is better then what we currently have. Richt wins with better talent PERIOD! He can not win by coaching lesser players up plan and simple. When he doesn’t have it, he doesn’t win.
TommyJack
January 28th, 2010
2:25 pm
As a TN fan, I too hope Richt is at GA forever.
how2fish
January 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN I was wondering the same thing , and what I was really wondering was if the fact they have not closed the deal on the last D coach would that be a indication they are waiting for the assistance D line coach from the Saints Travis Jones??
Edugator
January 28th, 2010
2:28 pm
ga gator, that was weak but I would guess that “ga gator” is more of an oxymoron than me making a mistake. I make them often. The fact is the Dawgs will finish no better than 2nd in the east and leave Jville once again with their tail between their legs.
Tron Carter
January 28th, 2010
2:28 pm
As a UGA fan, I am glad the Kiffins and Orgeron punked UT and made it a stepping stone job.
I am also confident that Dooley will be everything we think he is, and less.
sowegadawg
January 28th, 2010
2:29 pm
Dawg Pounder… Florida has not always been a top 10 team.You need to go back to your history lessons and look at the Coach Dickey/Pell years. 0-10-1 in 1979! Losses to KY and that powerhouse team Duke were common themes.
how2fish
January 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
jellybeandawg I think that is the list I sorta had in my head also..my problem is I have little confidence any of them (save the 1st 2) could ever win 90 games in 9 years in the SEC..and as for having to do more with less how many coaches in the nation could pull of 10 wins with the number of injuries we had in 2008 ? Not Saban or Meyer could have..thanks for the reply and we will agree to disagree..Go Dawgs!
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
One thing that never seems to come up in discussion of Richt’s future is what Richt wants. He has plenty of money by now, does anybody know if he wants to coach till a ripe old age or does he have other goals. Everybody knows he has strong religious convictions and may have goals along those lines such as missionary work. And, although coaching in the SEC is challenging, are there are other challenges that interest him? Pro ball? Turning around the program at Miami, his alma mater? Florida State? I would think that Coach Richt’s goals would be an important consideration in the discussion.
Dawg Pounder
January 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
I love Tech
Tron Carter
January 28th, 2010
2:35 pm
I guess the excitement of watching taffy being made or the B u f o r d P u s s e r museum wasn’t enough to keep the Kiffins entertained in Knukeeseville.
how2fish
January 28th, 2010
2:36 pm
Technophobia CMR has stated many times that he wants to remain at UGA until he retires…now what that time frame is I haven’t heard but unlike most coaches these days …him I believe.
Darrin Horn
January 28th, 2010
2:38 pm
We’ve got next Dawg biyatches.
birddawg92
January 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
The “problem” that plagued UGA this season was the same as the one the previous 4 seasons: Willie Martinez. You play aggressive, fundamentally sound football. Or, in more colorful terms, if you get out there and DECLEAT somebody, turnovers will take care of themselves. Funny how Martinez started his tenure at UGA saying the D would create more TOs, and in the end, we didn’t do that, and not coincidentally, we didn’t tackle anybody either.
I’m still firmly in wait-and-see mode, but the more I learn about Grantham, the more encouraged I am.
http://www.saturdayinathens.com
Blackberry Cobbler
January 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
To: FAKE Blackberry Cobbler @ 11:52am
Since you seem to like impersonating me………………..
you can pick my nose and wipe my butt for me too…….
you’re a a-hole!
timthebrave
January 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
Richt is a good coach…I hope he is in Athens for a long time
astrouga
January 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
We would be lucky to have Richy until he retires.
Blackberry Cobbler
January 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
I don’t much care about the “90 wins in 9 seasons” argument. That is a function of the overall schedule of opponents.
What’s been his record within the SEC?
Go investigate THAT number, not total wins.
Herschel is Better than Tebow
January 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
Tron Carter
January 28th, 2010
2:53 pm
South Carolina (not SC, because the University of South Compton took that from you) is talking trash
BBBBBWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAA
We have alot to do to build our program, so if you do lose to us this year, please David Carradine yourself.
Horn will fail, as South Carolina does at all sports.
Lets look at football for instance.
All-time record 534–536–44 (.499)
Postseason bowl record 4–11
Conference titles 1
AceDawg
January 28th, 2010
2:55 pm
I agree Richt COULD be in it for the long haul still, but he is equally likely to be on the hot seat if his team isn’t pretty darn good this year. 10 wins should be expected even if the Dawgs must rebuild on defense. By most accounts, the defensive coaching is upgraded significantly and should be better.
As such, if the offense produces the way it should with veterans all around talented QB prospects, 10 wins should be easy. If penalties and poor red zone play are the norm on offense but the team is more successful overall, than Richt shoud say bye bye to Bobo.
ga gator
January 28th, 2010
2:57 pm
sowegadawg, I haven’t read where anyone is claiming to be a top 10 forever. I grew up in the 50’s and know quite so well that the last 20 years have been unusually good for us. However, you have had the talent but have underacheived since Spurrier came back to UF.
Technophobia
January 28th, 2010
2:57 pm
One thing about Richt is he’s always had highly rated recruits to work with except for one year at East Carolina where he was OC. They were 5-6 that year but I don’t think you can conclude anything from that. But it would be interesting to see how he did at someplace like Kentucky. I’m not knocking him, just wondering and thinking out loud.