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
Evansdawg
January 29th, 2010
9:37 am
WOW. This is the best blog written by Bill in a while! It got me pumped for the future. Richt is very much like retired Indianapolis Colts HC, Dungy. Quiet, cool and focused. He wants to win as bad as we do. Dooley had down years throuhout his career at UGA. Any coach is going to have letdowns. I would rather have a consistent head coach to prove that stability reigns supreme despite the coaching turnover everywhere else. I was down like every other Dawg last season, but we did go 5-1 after the Gayturd loss with an always satisfying win over The Joke by Coke. Richt wants to build champions on and off the field. I find nothing wrong with that at all.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
January 29th, 2010
9:56 am
Ga Tech…………the Iowa State of the ACC
Tired of Mediocrity
January 29th, 2010
9:56 am
Evansdawg, If you are ok with consistently being beat by Florida, losses at home to KY and Vandy have at it, by I am not. Who knows what our QB(s) will be like this year. A great offensive performance against a lousy Tech defense doesn’t get me excited and then with 14 seniors leaving after next, maybe Garner should be gone also for poor planning. If we win fewer than 9 this year, Richt needs to go.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 29th, 2010
10:03 am
“Auburn= The place parents in Atlanta send their kids who can’t get into UGA.”
Yet, you have no proof of that. Also, U-GAY and Auburn ranked right next to each other in academics.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 29th, 2010
10:05 am
“our worst team in 20 years had the same record as Auburn and your proud of that?”
Uh……you need to catch up on U-GAY football history. Your U-GAY 95 and 96 teams were WAY worse than last years embarrassing squad.
Besides, Auburn is ascending while U-GAY is descending. Proof being Chizek’s recruiting efforts. He’s only a few points behind UF, Texas and Bama.
U-Gay is currently 9 or 10 on the list.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 29th, 2010
10:06 am
UGA………the Texas A&M of the SEC.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
January 29th, 2010
10:33 am
Auburn ………the Samford of the SEC West
Bob LeBlah
January 29th, 2010
10:38 am
Auburn and UGA are both quality schools. No argument there. Those 2 schools are closer to alike than any other 2 schools I can think of.
Also Richt Rules!! You Richt naysayers will be pretending like you weren’t in 3 or 4 years.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 29th, 2010
10:38 am
UGA…………the Dekalb Tech of the SEC East.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 29th, 2010
10:39 am
“Also Richt Rules!! You Richt naysayers will be pretending like you weren’t in 3 or 4 years.”
He’s a great coach. U-GAY still sucks.
Buddy El
January 29th, 2010
10:39 am
Buddy Curry made every tackle: I agree that most big time successful programs have a great running game but how do you explain Texas Tech the last few years?
Maybe willie wasn't so bad!
January 29th, 2010
10:45 am
Top 15 Teams Nationally In Total Defense, 2004-2009
Place Team Games Avg.
1. Virginia Tech 80 268.33
2. Alabama 78 275.32
3. Ohio State 76 279.79
4. LSU 78 285.15
5. TCU 76 287.41
6. Penn State 75 290.36
7. USC 78 295.24
8. Florida 79 298.16
9. Georgia 77 206.09
10. Clemson 75 307.05
11. Miami 75 307.51
12. Auburn 76 312.43
13. Oklahoma 80 312.70
14. Boston College 78 312.81
15. Texas 78 313.52
wsewell525
January 29th, 2010
10:47 am
To be honest, UGA has had the personnel and coaching staff. We just haven’t been working together. We’ve had individual talent, but football is a team sport, and they need to work together. In 07, we finally got there. On offense, and Defense, but in 08 and 09 we tried riding on talent. We also have had horrible pressure on the QB, and horrible play calling. If we can get back as a team, I’m telling you we will have the best team in the nation.
Bob LeBlah
January 29th, 2010
10:48 am
willie was dc starting in 07… nice try
Bob
January 29th, 2010
10:51 am
Even when the AJC writes something goof about UGA they says something like “Finally, a positive sign…” Most of us Bulldogs are quite happy with Coach Richt and our program.
I just hope he or, even more importantly, recruits don’t listen to unfounded negativity that probably comes from a source other than Dawg fans.
Bob
January 29th, 2010
10:53 am
Should have been “something good_ typo
A friendly reminder.......
January 29th, 2010
11:01 am
There is no National Championship in college football, and never has been.
Since they are claimed and not recognized, I have decided to personally claim eleventy billion of them.
Maybe willie wasn't so bad!
January 29th, 2010
11:04 am
wsewell525, all of what you said is true, and it falls on our HC.
BigDawg
January 29th, 2010
11:07 am
Richt is a class act in a world of classless coaches. He represents our program very well on and off the football field and seems to really care about what kind of player he recruits and what kind of person they become after football. Go Dawgs!
Jeremy Wallace
January 29th, 2010
11:16 am
Orson Charles, you’re my hero!Maybe he could get as many of the other team members to “volunteer” for this obviously need extra conditioning.I saw a lot of slowness on plays last year in way too many games.
Jeremy Wallace
January 29th, 2010
11:18 am
er.obviously “needed”.sorry
How2fish
January 29th, 2010
11:20 am
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha we beat Auburn’s ass last year and we will again this year….spin it any way you like it but we beat your ass…you can all us anything else you want but when we play you we win…..and don’t look for that to change between now and the rapture.
Maybe willie wasn't so bad!
January 29th, 2010
11:25 am
We’re 2-2 against KENTUCKY the last 4 years; what happens if they beat us this year?
How2fish
January 29th, 2010
11:29 am
Maybe willie wasn’t so bad …..if we lose to KY again this year we will be 2-3 in 5 years…but keep your shirt on Nancy..won’t happen.
BigDawg
January 29th, 2010
11:37 am
I don’t know why TN and KY is such a sore spot when we lose to them. They are essentially another team full of great Georgia players who UGA wouldn’t recruit because of either their grades or conduct.
Maybe willie wasn't so bad!
January 29th, 2010
11:41 am
How2fish, they beat us last year with a true freshman QB and I was in Lexington when we had Stafford and Mareno and they almost won then. They could be a team to be reconed with.
BACK on TOP
January 29th, 2010
11:42 am
XTENSHUN–glad you are happy with your coach. From all indications Richt is a class act and you could do much worse. Throwing stones at BAMA and Saban may make you feel better but it has no impact on the power structure in the SEC. Need I remind you of “BLACKOUT”. Saban will be a BAMA until he retires—deal with it.
How2fish
January 29th, 2010
11:50 am
Maybe willie wasn’t so bad! Anything is possible but don’t count on it…the schedule always helps KY, we are either worn out or looking forward most years…when is the last time they won 2 in a row? But they are a decent team and need to be respected. And almost winning is not possible if you score more you win..doesn’t matter by how much or how..a win is a win…ask Bama vs UT last year.But yeah they are pretty good what is it 5 bowl games in a row? And unlike the Bugs they win most of them.
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 29th, 2010
11:52 am
“we beat Auburn’s ass last year and we will again this year….spin it any way you like it but we beat your ass…you can all us anything else you want but when we play you we win…..and don’t look for that to change between now and the rapture.”
It took 4 quarters to come back and win in the final minutes. Hardly a beat down.
“and don’t look for that to change between now and the rapture.”"
Are you Jesus by chance?
How2fish
January 29th, 2010
12:07 pm
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha blah,blah,blah…we beat your ass..doesn’t matter how or by how much at the end of the game we won you lost get used to it. Your dismissed.
I Do Believe I’ve Been Called Out | MrSEC.com
January 29th, 2010
12:10 pm
[...] Junkyard Blawg — apparently isn’t a real big fan of MrSEC.com.Yesterday he wrote the following:“It’s a given that Mark Richt’s program lost a little momentum last season, which [...]
ga gator
January 29th, 2010
12:11 pm
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha, that was pretty lame; a loss is loss is a loss………
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha
January 29th, 2010
12:31 pm
“Smashsmeesha Bobeesha, that was pretty lame; a loss is loss is a loss………”
Eh…..
dan
January 29th, 2010
12:36 pm
To Maybe Willie wasn’t so bad:
Kentucky is not a bad football team, and you and a lot of UGA fans need to get that out of your brain. Kentucky has gone to 4 consecutive bowl games and have averaged 8 wins a season. And they have been sending quite a few guys to the NFL lately. If UGA doesn’t show up to play then Kentucky WILL beat them and it won’t be a fluke.
How2fish
January 29th, 2010
12:42 pm
Smashsmeesha Bobeesha that was even more LAME….and dan your correct if you don’t come to play KY will beat you and it won’t be a fluke.They deserved to win against UGA this year..we were sleepwalking….to defeat.
ga gator
January 29th, 2010
12:49 pm
How2fish,dan, I agree with both of you. I can’t think of an SEC team that if you don’t show up can beat you. UF has seen that a few times it’s self over the last few years.
Rivsport
January 29th, 2010
3:33 pm
I have to say I hope Richt will be at UGA a long (and successful) time. As disappointing as this season was, we were one defensive series (LSU) and a couple of terrible passes (Kentucky) from going 10-3. I want to see GA win a National Championship, not just the SEC. I think Richt wants it too. He seems to be showing that. I am proud of the way he represents our school as well.
As for UGA being embarrassed by Smart and other potential DC’s. As far as I am concerned, that didn’t happen. He was going after proven performance. Aiming high is right. Those guys had no reason to leave their current positions.
If we get our quarterback position filled with a solid performer and get the D working again, GA should be fine!
Vick=Dog killing Thug
January 29th, 2010
4:54 pm
Kudos to Orson for working hard. I’ve always felt that strength and conditioning has a been lacking at UGA. I’m sure they work out but it’s not cutting edge. Tons of huffing and puffing in the 4th quarter.
Maybe too much dancing and celebrations ?
Jeff
January 29th, 2010
5:11 pm
Finally someone gives Richt the respect he deserves at the AJC. Richt won’t be around much longer if Bradley, Schultz, and the AJC have their way. They go out of their way to criticize a consistent, successful, and loyal coach. Richt should be applauded instead of criticized for giving Willie every chance to be successful. He chose Willie. What does that say about him if he immediately fires him when not successful? Not much. I bet UT wishes they could reassess firing Fulmer. Richt will not have to reassess firing Willie because he gave him every chance to be successful.
wreckmaniac
January 29th, 2010
5:19 pm
Lord, please keep CMR at UGA forever.
Georgia over rated
January 29th, 2010
6:56 pm
papadawg… learn how to spell and Georgia does not have a QB also.
Georgia over rated
January 29th, 2010
7:03 pm
Mark Richt will never will win a NC at Georgia . mark it down all you dumb inbread hicks.
Rod
January 29th, 2010
7:46 pm
Mark Richt will be the head coach at UGA as long as he wants to be here! CMR is one of the best coaches in the nation.
FLA DAWG
January 29th, 2010
7:53 pm
Use as many ” ” as you want Bill.
Bottomline, if Richt has a bad next season Evans will probably give him one more year.
If there’s no serious improvement then he’s gone.
Dawg 3/20
January 29th, 2010
8:07 pm
09′ was a letdown? Yeah it was but guess what Dawgs, 08′ was a bigger let down then 09′
Rammer Bammer
January 30th, 2010
10:31 am
It will not matter what richt does at uga. Bama is the king of the SEC for years to come. Ga may win the SEC east this year since florida is way down, but Bama will blow them out in the SEC title game. The 2010 bama team may be even better than the national title team—Saban’s recruiting has been outstanding!! Bama wins the SEC in 2010-2012—mark it down, along with 1 or 2 more national titles.
EmoryDawg
January 31st, 2010
9:39 am
I’m a day late in catching up on blogs but I couldn’t resist remarking on Rammer’s Bammer stammer. Saban is a good coach. But I hear he’s going to have at least one major bucks offer from a proteam. No telling how many. And you know, Alabama is a poor state and how Saban likes money. You also know he will move on the right deal as he has frquently. Congratulations on the NC this year and also to Mark Ingram, that man is a class act if there ever was one. I hope UGA is the East winner to play the Tide while you are at the top of your game. It would be fun.
As for CMR, he’s a big man paid big bucks to do a big job. The the WM saga taught him a big lesson. My money is he’ll make the big fix and we’ll be happy with him for a long time. God, I can’t imagine having to put up with some of these other looney coaches who can’t decide whether they are on sick leave or if they want to be in the SEC. GO DAWGS! GATA!
Mike Dogs
February 1st, 2010
2:08 pm
Every 3 years, Coach Richt has a down year. So does Urban Meyer, Saban, Miles, Carroll, and Stoops.
2 out of 3 years, Georgia will be a top 10 team, and 1 out of 3 years Georgia will be competing for the National Championship.
I can live with that.
Rance
February 3rd, 2010
7:46 am
Coach Richt is a class guy who will weather this storm the way coach Dooley did in the late 70’s. When my wife saw on tv that Richt’s wife works on the sidelines during games, she said” if I had a husband that looked that good I would be down there too”.