Richt’s two main rivals are Urban Meyer and himself
Mark Richt must deal with the what-have-you-done-lately attitude prevalent in college football today. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
We don’t need to get into any of that silly “hot seat” talk about Mark Richt, a man who has averaged 10 wins a year in his nine years at UGA. I think it’s instructive that those stories usually emanate from writers in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. Some of these folks cite “widespread” concern about the state of the program within the Bulldog Nation, but from what I’ve observed more often than not the talk about the need for a new coach at Georgia is mainly confined to a handful of anonymous Internet trolls.
It is a fair statement, though, that just about nobody at UGA or in Dogs fandom found last year’s 8-5 record satisfying, and that includes Richt himself. In fact, he was so unsatisfied that he fired three of his staff members, including one of his closest friends.
But what faces Richt is more than just coming back from one relatively disappointing season. As the Chattanooga Times-Free Press pointed out recently, while Richt got off to a very fast start in Athens, his two SEC championship trophies “are beginning to gather dust in a league now dominated by Alabama and Florida.”
It’s particularly the situation with Florida, our main SEC East rival, that rankles. A couple of particularly disheartening losses in the past couple of years dramatically increased the frustration already there from the Gators’ domination of the series over the past two decades and Urban Meyer bringing two BCS national championship trophies to Gainesville.
But Richt is competing not just with Meyer, but also with the Mark Richt of 2001-2005.
Vince Dooley summed it up nicely in the Times-Free Press when he said Richt set a high standard of success for himself. “Once the bar is set that high, then the expectations go right along with that, and anything less than that is judged by what happened last year or the year before. It’s about expectations, and expectations are built on success.”
Back in Dooley’s day, a couple of conference championships was more than enough to tide a coach over through a down cycle. Nowadays, you go four years without winning the conference or underachieve compared with expectations, even if you have winning seasons, and media types start speculating about how warm your seat is.
I don’t think most UGA supporters believe Richt needs to be on the hot seat. As for those folks who would entertain the idea of dumping the third-most-successful active coach among major programs at the prospect of maybe getting the latest fast-rising assistant to have created a buzz, well, they are talking about taking a big gamble.
Richt has been a consistent winner at Georgia, and he’s done it with class.
It’s all about perception, though, and the toughest challenge facing Richt is matching that guy in Gainesville and the younger version of himself.
I don’t have any doubt he’s up to the task.
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262 comments Add your comment
Gator Bull is Patrick
May 18th, 2010
2:40 pm
coachdawg 2000, leave it to the AD? we were 3-14 against Florida this year in all sports, sport.
coachdawg 2000
May 18th, 2010
2:41 pm
Look players have to execute and ours have n’t at times but in 2007 it was against the chickens and orange hillbillies that we came up short against. We aren’t in the Pac 10 where you are afforded an opportunity to have a 1 game season. If we only really had UF to work then yeah his record versus them would merit his termination but we play in the toughest conference in all of college football.
Me
May 18th, 2010
2:41 pm
Richts got one more year before that seat gets downright tepid. I know that alot of people south of the Georgia border would sure hate to see him go. I don’t know though, UGA fans have sure got used to not winning a trophy here in the last few years, maybe they can get acclimated to 8-4 seasons as well.
Sweeper
May 18th, 2010
2:42 pm
Here’s how to make sure penalities/bad calls/turnovers don’t hurt UGA
Winning each game by 20 points would make penalties, bad calls and turnovers irrelevant. Scoring margin has been a HUGE problem. Fla and Bama both average 20+ scoring margin, UGA is -1.
If the offense can average 7 more points than last year, and the defense can give up 7 less points than last year, that’s a +14 scoring margin right there.
Sweeper
May 18th, 2010
2:44 pm
Scheduling by Georgia has been dumb.
Meyer starts out with easy games to build confidence.
Then plays Georgia in Florida every year.
And then plays Georgia after a 2 week bye.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:45 pm
Me
May 18th, 2010
2:05 pm
I can see “yeah whatever!” aka Patrick is well on his way to another 94 posts. That’s an awful lot of time and effort during a working day for someone who supposedly owns a company. Droid or no droid. Or is that all just a made up fantasy, like the things he posts daily??
================================
It seems you have never owned a company before.
.
Having trucks leased to larger comapny (K&R in LA) means the only thing I am responsible for is doing payroll on Thrusdays.
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Drivers drive…
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office employees (K&R) do the paperwork for the loads,
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office girls (K&R) do the logistics as far as insurance and DOT compliance,
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dispatchers (K&R) get the loads and dispatch my drivers….
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Exactly where are you missing the boat on this one?
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I have repeatedly said I am semi retired (Thursdays are the only days I work) unless a driver is sick or on vacation.
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Really not that difficult to comprehend…now is it.
Hang Ten
May 18th, 2010
2:46 pm
Meyer is better ast pyschology, he has a degree in it. Meyer puts his new players in, only when he KNOWS they’ll succeed. Builds confidence.
Richt put Logan Gray in during the Florida game, on his own goal line, and called a pass play.
Gator Bull is Patrick
May 18th, 2010
2:49 pm
sweeper you are retarded, We had the bye last year not florida.
Gator Bull is Patrick
May 18th, 2010
2:50 pm
Patrick you and your chihuahua don’t own a company, you drive a truck.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:50 pm
Meyer did nothing more nor nothing less than Richt when both were 12-1.
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How did Meyer get USC to lose to UCLA?
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Meyer and Fla won teh SEC title game Dec 2nd 2006 then WAITED to see if USC would beat UCLA on THE SAME DAY. UCLA was heavy underdogs…USC was ranked number 2 and Fla was ranked 4.
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How is USC losing a result of Meyer being better at getting into a BCSNC than Richt? Did he use the Jedi mind trick on USC to FORCE them to lose to Karl Dorrell and UCLA.
Hunt
May 18th, 2010
2:51 pm
Richt’s record is 39-3 when he gets a 100 yard rusher. But he only got a 100 yard rusher in 2 games last year. If I knew I’d win 39 out of 42 times, by using 1 tactic, no way I’d ever have a game where I didn’t have a 100 yard rusher.
It’s foolish Richt doesn’t give the ball to Washaun Ealey 20x a game, considering Ealey broke Herschel Walker’s record by 60% in High School, and is averaging 5.7 yards a carry at Georgia, above Walker’s 5.2 average, and considering Richt wins 39 out of 42 games when he gets a 100 yard rusher. Ealey also protects the ball much better than King, Thomas, or Branden Smith. This is simply dumbfounding.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:51 pm
No you are right…I dont own a truck….they owners just let me put my name on the side of them to make me feel better about myself LOL
#1 BAMA FAN
May 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
Yeah Whatever….what’s the numbers like…say the last couple of years between the DAWGS and TIDE. I like Coah Richt but he is 1-1 against Saban with a win in OT and got the brakes beat off of him the last time. We would love to play the DAWGS in the CHICK-FIL-A in 2012…just sign up.RTR
Patricks favorite Stat
May 18th, 2010
2:54 pm
Richt 69% in SEC and Meyer 80% in SEC.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:54 pm
#1 BAMA FAN
May 18th, 2010
2:52 pm
Yeah Whatever….what’s the numbers like…say the last couple of years between the DAWGS and TIDE. I like Coah Richt but he is 1-1 against Saban with a win in OT and got the brakes beat off of him the last time. We would love to play the DAWGS in the CHICK-FIL-A in 2012…just sign up.RTR
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no Richt is 2-3 against Saban
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
May 18th, 2010
2:55 pm
coachdawg 2000
we need to get a grip
who was it in 02 that kept us out of a NC FLORIDA
who was it that we have had to hope they would lose to allow us to go to all our SEC championship games FLORIDA
But I guess 10 win seasons with no chance to play in the big games unless FLORIDA helps us out by losing is what we should strive for.
GO PULL FOR FURMAN OR GA STATE YOU LOSER
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:55 pm
last 4 games against the Tide…..Richt is 3-1….ALA is Richt’s biiitch
PATRICK+HUNT
May 18th, 2010
2:56 pm
He has more personalities than Hershel
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:56 pm
and losing by 11 points is not “getting the brakes beat off of him”
Patrick you don't comment on the 2:54 post?
May 18th, 2010
2:57 pm
Please, I am dying to hear it.
coachdawg 2000
May 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
flat tire- you should probably get back to mopping the BK restroom before the manager cans you!
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:58 pm
I dont think any team with a 75% losing record agaisnt someone (like ALA is against Richt) is in any hurry to “sign up” for more asz whippins
Patrick you don't comment on the 2:54 post?
May 18th, 2010
2:59 pm
Patrick, Patrick where are you?
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
2:59 pm
Patricks favorite Stat
May 18th, 2010
2:54 pm
Richt 69% in SEC and Meyer 80% in SEC.
====================================
OK
.
Meyer averages 9.7 wins a year…if 80% is the record against SEC then he must REALLY suck against inferior non SEC teams like Akron
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You are nothelping him look good
JayBird
May 18th, 2010
3:00 pm
Richt obviously is clueless when it comes to HOW TO TRANSFER LEARNING.
Is it 'hot seat' time already for Mark Richt at Georgia? | Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
3:01 pm
[...] if that qualifies me as being among the “handful of anonymous Internet trolls,” that Bill “Junkyard Blawg” King referred to this [...]
Patrick you don't comment on the 2:54 post?
May 18th, 2010
3:01 pm
He even has a better overall record than Helen Hunt look a like Pat so that one won’t wash.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:01 pm
what is his percentage against the likes of Akron and Nortern Ill? If most of his wins are over teh last 5 years with Zooks recruits why is his percentage so horrible against Akron and Northen Ill?
Patrick you don't comment on the 2:54 post?
May 18th, 2010
3:02 pm
JayBird, he doesnt have to, he has morons like patrick drinking his coolaid.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:02 pm
…against Akron and Northen Ill WITH HIS recruits?
Patrick you don't comment on the 2:54 post?
May 18th, 2010
3:03 pm
Can’t answer that one chihuahua boy, but its pretty good against Jawja.
AlleyDog
May 18th, 2010
3:03 pm
If the defense can hold the other guys to less than 20 points, Richt is 60-6. That’s been missing.
Dr. Phil
May 18th, 2010
3:03 pm
Pat is you dont calm down we are going to have to up your lithium.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:04 pm
no kool aid to drink….
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He is the third winningest active coach with five or more years coaching
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Althought his win total is below Meyer by 7 wins Meyer has one extra year AND MOST IMPORTANTLY 5 years were aginst the likes of Akron and northern Ill.
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AND Richt had a bad season ALLOWING him to CATCH up last year.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:07 pm
from 1999 to 2008 UGA lead the SEC in win totals.
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Last year allowed teams to catch up.
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Richt has had (previous to last years 6 ten + win season more than anyone Except USC and Texas.
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I dont see Fla in that stat.
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Admittedly UGA imploded last year.
Took some time off...
May 18th, 2010
3:08 pm
Just a point. Wasn’t there a previous admission from CMR that he has not been overly involved the past few years and plans on getting back at it. For him to realize, and admit that, says volumes. Glad that he is aware that the team, and Bobo, can use some of his experience(s) and put his offensive mind to work again. It’s good for UGA football, and Bobo should all benefit from it as well.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
May 18th, 2010
3:08 pm
coachdawg idiot
whats the matter someone at Burger King as better intellect than you
Go pull for Tech, you have their mentality, if you beat UGA thats a great season, doesnt matter where you end up
Heres you uh uh uh we have 10 wins uh uh yea 10 wins now everyone give UGA some respect
Please you retard no one cares about your 10 wins
All anyone cares about is championships chump
Now go pull for Tech or Ga State
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:08 pm
correction:
Richt has had (previous to last year) 6 ten + win seasons, more than anyone Except USC and Texas.
Cory
May 18th, 2010
3:09 pm
The more I read what crap you write the more I disgusted I get that you have the nerve to call yourself a Dawg- I wish you would move to Gainsville and buy a trailer- you’d fit right in loser
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:09 pm
more corrections:
.
Richt has had (previous to last year) 6 ten + win season in eight years, more than anyone Except USC and Texas.
BG
May 18th, 2010
3:11 pm
Are Georgia and Florida on level playing grounds? I don’t see Meyer dishing out multiple game suspensions when his players get into trouble. I very seldom see Meyer throw a player off of the team. Usually if Meyer kicks a guy off of the team the player is very seldom a starter. I think Mark Richt plays by a different set of rules than Meyer.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:11 pm
Cory…either correct what ever error you see or admit you are no dawg fan.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:14 pm
saying I am not a dawg fan when I sit here and post factually accurate comparisons indicate you are an imitation. You are probably a Fla fan Cory, and you are mad I prove that Richt is as good or better than Meyer. .
You dont like the facts but they dont change just to fit your reality
1eyedJack
May 18th, 2010
3:15 pm
Urban Myer is not a “better coach” than Mark Richt. He simply has access to more and better players than CMR. When Ga/Fla played the annual high school all star games Fla. usually won. CMR could take his’n and beat our’n too. Are you going to try and say Ron Zook is a better coach than CMR? Then why is he languishing in backwater Illinois?
Now Saban could be a different story. He’s done it in multiple places, though his NFL tenure was a flop.
Topp Dogg
May 18th, 2010
3:15 pm
CMR is what is right about UGA and is right about college football.
Patrick fan
May 18th, 2010
3:16 pm
Doesn’t this “Patrick” aka “yeah whatever!” remind you of Niles Crain from Frasier ? A geeky, effeminate, nerdy kind of guy ? I think he’s hilarious. It’d be interesting to see if he’s a teenager.
AlleyDog
May 18th, 2010
3:17 pm
If you cite your winning % when you can’t win a national championship, you’re not a winner.
1eyedJack
May 18th, 2010
3:18 pm
Also: See Steve Spurrier. Great coach at Florida…at SC not so much.
yeah whatever!
May 18th, 2010
3:18 pm
UGA haters watch this:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/10853/video-sec-east-challengers
Dawg 3/20
May 18th, 2010
3:19 pm
12 Under Armour All Americans from the state of Georgia this past year and 10 of them are leaving the state to play ball. There is plenty of great players in Georgia.