Don’t look for fake ‘outrage’ from Mark Richt
Why are some college sports observers so anxious for Mark Richt to fall? (Associated Press)
Anyone expecting the NCAA “inquiry” in Athens to prompt Mark Richt into jumping on the anti-agent “pimps” and “predators” bandwagon with Nick Saban and Urban Meyer doesn’t really know Richt.
Situational (and not very convincing) outrage trotted out for the TV cameras isn’t his style. (Does Saban think his own agent is a pimp? Just wondering.)
While Richt currently is limiting his comments regarding the NCAA to “we’ll see what they gather,” even after the investigation is concluded and he can talk, it would be a major surprise for him to come out pointing fingers and threatening to ban agents or NFL scouts — actions that are highly unlikely to really be taken by Saban and Meyer in any event. (What a recruiting tool that would be for major talent: Come to Alabama, where we can guarantee you won’t be seen at practice by pro scouts. Please.)
Yes, the current situation with agents trolling for future pro clients is getting untenable, but Saban’s approach isn’t going to solve it. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive probably comes closer with his idea that nationally the NCAA needs to rethink its limitations on contact players can have with agents.
No, colleges paying players isn’t likely to happen, and neither is the NCAA approving players taking money from agents. But bringing the agents into the tent in some officially sanctioned capacity might at least cut down on the attraction of peripheral enticements like the party in South Beach.
As for the specifics of the UGA inquiry, we don’t really know who they’re focusing on, despite the report from the celebrity gossip outfit TMZ that it’s A.J Green.
Green says he wasn’t at the party and there’s no reason not to believe him. It’s possible some other Bulldog was involved. Or the NCAA simply could be working its way through all the top NFL prospects to see what they say.
One thing I do know, though: It was kind of ridiculous the way some pundits were trying to dance on Richt’s grave practically within minutes of the announcement of the NCAA inquiry. One more reason he’s on the hot seat? What a crock.
It’s interesting just how anxious some folks are to see Richt fall, delighting in every obstacle thrown in his path, while the sports media in general genuflects in the direction of Saban and Meyer.
Maybe it’s the nice guy image. Or wearing his faith on his sleeve. Maybe they just can’t believe there’s not an inner jerk hiding beneath that calm exterior. Perhaps if he got openly angry more often and lashed out occasionally like Saban and Meyer the harpies of the sports media wouldn’t be so quick to relish in the prospect of tough times for Richt.
It won’t happen, though. Win or lose, Mark Richt is too much of a gentleman to play that game.
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161 comments Add your comment
dap01
July 23rd, 2010
10:44 am
CMR atleast is not as full of himself as Meyer and Saban. They are full of themselves.
npgator
July 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
da01 – you would give your left nutt to have Richt more like Meyer and Saban.
Sven Ottke
July 23rd, 2010
11:04 am
Good grief. No one wants Mark Richt to fail because he is a “good Christian man” as you toads like to run to quickly. People want him to fail because of the double standards and hypocrisy. If he meant what he says in the public, he’d set examples and reign in his band of thugs. 40+ arrests in roughly 3 years. MAKE A STATEMENT and stop giving us lip service. He is Bobby Bowden incarnate. He runs a dirty program and he knows it. But it’s okay because the tail wags the dog in Athens. Sacrifice academics and ethics to try to put a winner on the field. However 10-10 in conference recently won’t cut it in ThUGaland. He’s got “The Bag Man” on the staff for a reason. Gilfriends of football players have credit cards for a reason. It’s only a matter of time, just like Sick & Tired said.
You guys need to take yourselves less seriously
July 23rd, 2010
11:35 am
Where have the all the grown ups gone? Richt has detractors & supporters. What’s amusing to me is that so many of you get so fired up one way or the other. No matter how much UGA gear, Gator gear, Bama gear, or Tech gear you buy………….you don’t play on the team and it’s nothing more than entertainment for you……….and that’s IF you actually are an alumnus of one of these schools. For you all to be throwing personal insults based on the results of 18-22 year old kids is pretty silly.
Richt is a quality human being, and when the dust settles, that’s all that matters. But truthfully, his paycheck is based on winning football games. Their are plenty of noble folks that can be hired. This is a revenue source for schools and as such its maximized when victories are maximized. How do you do vs teams that are better than you & how do you do vs. teams who aren’t as good as you? This championship nonsense is just that unless it’s Conference Championships, their is no “national championship” in NCAA D1A football and there never has been…………..no matter how many beaty pageants are awareded by varios polls or the BCS. It’s neither awarded nor recognized by the NCAA.
Richt’s biggest problem was keeping Martinez for too long. Really ever hiring the guy in the first place. If he has a good DC for 2006-2009, he probably wins another SEC Championship, and potentially a BCS Championship. The guy coaches in Athens Georgia, as a Tech fan, even I can admit that their is a lot going on in Athens and it seems as though their arrests are mostly booze.
The reality is this…….to the victor go the spoils and if Georgia will perform like Georgia is capable, they can consistently play with Florida and they have more natural resources than Alabama or LSU. If the don’t, the deserve the criticism because UGA now and in the past has underachieved in my opinion.
Gary
July 23rd, 2010
11:39 am
Georgia is lucky to have CMR regardless of NC. He’s a class act in the Dooley mold and he will have our dogs competing for SEC and NC consistently It’s tough being in the same division as Florida in the most competitive leauge in the country. But I have always been proud to be a fan of the dawgs and I coulnt always say that during the Goff/Donnan years. It wouldn’t surprise me if we are SEC champs this year, but if not, I know we will still have a shot next year, and the year after, and the year after with Richt. Not many other programs can say that.
raleigh
July 23rd, 2010
11:40 am
i just want to beat florida to shut em all up. if richt caint beat florida, hire jon gruden. i love coach richt but i cant stand losing in jacksonville year after year, especially when i live here
ca dawg
July 23rd, 2010
1:00 pm
@calhoundawg: agreed on all fronts. sustained excellence (90 wins in 9 year IS excellent) ain’t easy, and no one can argue CMR hasn’t delivered it.
Burroughston Broch
July 23rd, 2010
4:03 pm
All you supporters of Coach Richt harp on what a fine Christian person he is. You seem to turn a blind eye to the thuggery he brings to Athens as fodder for the football program. An earlier post mentions 42 arrests of UGA football players and staff in the last three years; I haven’t verified the number but it seems that every month or so I read of yet another arrest. Is that the sort of climate you want in Athens when your kids attend UGA? Or are you oblivious to everything other than football success?
Don’t bother replying that thuggery is OK because every other school does it. It’s not true.
Big D Dawg
July 24th, 2010
12:31 am
ramble on, I see you’ve finally found your way back to a DAWG blog after 8 months of healing. welcome back. you’ll get your next beating this Nov.
Mr. Georgia Football Returns
July 24th, 2010
3:54 am
You guys are right! Mark Richt would be “OK” if he didn’t lose so many SEC conference games.
Dawgman
July 28th, 2010
7:51 pm
Anyone know what rap song that is on http://www.markricht.com its a new UGA rap song its pretty good but i can’t find out who it is?