Can’t quite bring myself to bail on Mark Richt … just yet
Mark Richt is at a turning point in his coaching career. (University of Georgia)
Some of you are ready to write off the Mark Richt era in Athens.
I’m hearing this from fans who normally are not quick to call for a coaching change. They look at the downward trend in Georgia’s SEC results since the last conference title and figure the die is cast, even though most concede that Richt’s past record has earned him another season after this one, no matter how badly it ends.
And they’re not looking forward to watching that prolonged scenario play out.
Me, I’m not a big fan of change, as my wife frequently notes. I tend to stick with something way past when others would have bailed, whether we’re talking cars, VCRs, old shirts or football coaches.
I’ll admit, the precipitous decline of Georgia’s football program has me teetering when it comes to the Bulldogs’ prospects under Richt. The recruiting obviously has been subpar for several years, the development of talent has been less than impressive, and the players frequently look undisciplined, on and off the field, raising serious questions about the coaching.
It’s true, a couple of key blue-chip recruits can turn around a program nearly overnight, but as I’ve heard more than one fan say in the past couple of weeks, “Why would a five-star recruit want to come to Georgia right now?”
For me, the most disturbing aspect of it all is the seeming lack of urgency among the players and coaching staff. Facing the prospect of starting out “one and whatever the crap we are,” as Mike Bobo put it Saturday, they still were outhustled in Starkville, for crying out loud!
And yet … if Richt coaches his tail off and somehow turns this season around — which at this point would pretty much require winning out, including beating Florida — it will make for one of those feel-good stories that fans and sports media alike love.
Do I see it happening? Frankly, at this point, no.
Still, I can’t yet bring myself to say the words I heard an ardent and intelligent UGA fan utter Saturday night: “I’m done with Richt.”
A COUPLE MORE THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
I know, I know, it’s like picking at a scab, but I can’t let the Mississippi State game go just yet …
Like, for instance, what was going on with that Georgia drive in the fourth quarter where Bobo not only insisted on continuing to try to run up the middle, but was trying it with little Carlton Thomas, the Dogs’ third-string back. Had even Bobo given up on Washaun Ealey and Caleb King?
It sounds like Richt was wondering a bit, too, as he said after the game, “At times we just called running plays blindly. We were going to run the play no matter what, and there were times where we had success and times where we got hit in the mouth.”
Maybe now Richt will bigfoot Bobo and insist on a change in direction. With the Dogs’ offensive line getting manhandled and the backs not breaking many tackles, it’s obvious that continuing to try running play-action out of the I-formation just isn’t working. Our main running threat is our quarterback!
Perhaps it’s time to go to the spread most of the time with Aaron Murray in the shotgun and let him just make plays, whether it’s slinging the ball around or running the QB draw. Spreading things out might make it a little less easy for opposing defenses to jam the line like they’ve been doing so successfully. And if we make opponents defend the pass first, maybe that increases the odds of occasionally breaking a long one on a misdirection counter play with our backs.
Couldn’t be any less effective than what the Dogs have been doing the past three games. …
As for the defense, I still think the linebackers and secondary will figure out the pass coverage one of these days. But Georgia is as soft up the middle as I’ve ever seen them. With our undersized line, everybody’s going to try to run up the gut against the Dogs. It’s well past time for Todd Grantham to figure out a way to bolster the middle.
The Dogs can’t wait for him to recruit the big bodies he needs up front. By the time that happens, this staff may not be in Athens any more. Time to earn those big bucks now.
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621 comments Add your comment
ARdawg
September 26th, 2010
6:23 pm
We knew coming into to the year it wasn’t going to the best of years but, we had hopes. We would lose a few games with a new DC and a different defense and develop a promising young QB. We expected to lose some. The problem as I see it is neither the new D or the young QB they are actually the high spots. We do nothing good or even mediocre. The fundamentals do not exist and we have a legacy of them not existing 4 years running. What the hell are they doing all week? Is anybody even in the film room? I have never seen a more unprepared football team than my Dawgs. I’ve gone from looking forward to them winning to not expecting them to win. Sad really. I too am done with Richt. He has lost complete control of the players and the program. There is no respect to be found
frank perez
September 26th, 2010
6:23 pm
Bobo needs to gogo…
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128003783918065&ref=ts
edumacated
September 26th, 2010
6:23 pm
Richt and Bobo act like there is only one type of offense, the one that they are running. These knuckle heads have never even considered changing it after repeated failures.
TheTaxJacket
September 26th, 2010
6:24 pm
******* 2 – 7 last 9 SEC games ********
(((( 24 – 12 ))))
edumacated
September 26th, 2010
6:26 pm
The TaxJacket, or should we call him by his real name…Saint Simons. I hope you get runover by a car on the way to your minimum wage job tomorrow.
reality
September 26th, 2010
6:28 pm
I cannot believe that I am agreeing with Bill King. Richt will right the ship. Bobo is NOT the problem. UGA is simply not making plays.
dogone
September 26th, 2010
6:28 pm
THUGA !!! That says it all !!! I am sick of this program !!! At least Georgia State is heading in the right direction !!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 26th, 2010
6:29 pm
This conversation should have started Oct. 2007 after the beat down UT gave us in Knoxville. That was the game that showed the flaws of CMR and his system. He looked really bad last night as the camera’s showed him going into what seemed like panic mode and that was a tough image to handle. Those images spoke volumes as to just how far CMR had fallen.
Character Matters!
September 26th, 2010
6:32 pm
I bet ole Greg McGarritty told CMR to kick Baker off the team. richt was probbably gonna tell the kid to come to prayer meeting and run a few laps.
Buckeye
September 26th, 2010
6:33 pm
Got to believe McGarrity will make a change after the Dawgs win maybe 4 or 5 games this year. CMR appears to no longer have the fire and leadership abilty. He has lost control of the program.
WDE
September 26th, 2010
6:33 pm
You are off your rocker. I didn’t expect anything else from you but a piece that attempts to do what is actually Richt’s job- keep the season from unraveling. Georgia is awful, getting worse, and at this point irrelevant. Have fun using your 5-star recruits to play the upset role the rest of the season.
If I hear one more suggestion that UGA will be okay if they run the schedule, beating UF, UK, UT, and Aub, then it is going to get ugly.
ARdawg
September 26th, 2010
6:36 pm
If I were Baker and had committed to playing football for Richt, I’d probably be drinking heavily too
GT92-UGA98
September 26th, 2010
6:37 pm
Clearly CMR and UGA are in a lull. I for one, think CMR will turn things around and that those calling for a firing are premature. BUT I do not believe CMR will be any better in the future than he has been over the last 10 years. That means we should expect CMR to win 8 out of 10 games, occasionally more, occasionally less, and on occasion maybe win an SEC title. So the question for those that want to stick it out with Richt, is that good enough? If it is not, CMR should clearly go, especially since it is more realistic to expect a performance more like that over the last five years (no SEC championships and winning 7 of 10 games).
beatdowns galore
September 26th, 2010
6:40 pm
If Clemson and SC couldnt beat Auburn at their place what makes some of you homers think UGA will do it ?
Ace
September 26th, 2010
6:42 pm
The program is in decline. How many donors have wasted their money this year? This year is another disappointment maybe they will split with Vandy and KY.
kapet
September 26th, 2010
6:45 pm
Where were all of the doubters before the season? We tried to warn you guys that your team wasn’t nearly as talented as you had allowed yourself to believe, but you just called us names.
I said before the season started that an 6-6 season would be a good year, and was soundly booed by the lot of you.
You don’t have the talent to compete right now. It’s not just that Richt is in a coaching funk, it’s that he’s not identifying talent during the recruiting process. You guys raved over how many kids that Georgia has pulled from Florida over the past few years, never mentioning that UF didn’t want most of them. Shouldn’t that tell you something?
Don't Matter
September 26th, 2010
6:46 pm
The biggest problem with a lot of GA Fans, and I think this includes you King, is that they don’t like to face reality even when its staring them in the face. You just went through a whole litnany of valid troubles and short-commings manifested by Richt, the team and staff and yet you are not ready to give up on Richt at this time? What would it take? You can’t live eternally on past glory.
Bill King is a............
September 26th, 2010
6:50 pm
Yes….HE”S KICKED BAKER OFF THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ralph
September 26th, 2010
6:53 pm
So kicking off a hanger on who doesn’t play sends a message? Yea, that message is if you are first or second string – don’t worry – you’ll just sit out an easy game or won’t start. BFD.
boots
September 26th, 2010
6:54 pm
Jeff Dantzler’s radio programs suck. He just kisses up to the coaches and makes excuses. When he used to run the fifth quarter show, he was honest and showed the frustrations of the fans. Now, however, he is a suck up and WSB should replace him. Lame and weak excuse for a radio show.
billybigdawg
September 26th, 2010
6:54 pm
We do not hit anybody anymore. I have not seen Rambo hit anyone from that safty position all year .It has gotten so bad we may not even beat Auburn this year . We need to run a less complicated defense or find smarter players.We play on our heels all game our guys dont know where to be.
Dawgone
September 26th, 2010
6:58 pm
This really has fallen to the point where this coaching staff can’t fix the probelem. The coachs whild standing on the sidelines looks like deer in headlights. All you had to do is look at Mississippi States coaching staffs to see some fire something we lack and with our currect staff i feel can’t be corrected. I was looking at all the skill players from South Carolina, Arkansas and even Mississippi State and you see receivers that are 6′3″ or bigger and jump whip you for the ball and besides AJ we don’t have anything close. Running backs use to line up to come to Georgia but we are way down the list and I now think Crowell will be smart and also head to Bama as much as I hate that. Look at Auburn they went out and got Dyer out of Arkansas and Lattimore almost went their and and neither had UGA anywhere among their favorites. Alabama runs the power I allot like Georgia but they have the players and coachs in place to run all over you. I have a bad feeling this will really effect recruiting for the worse. When you see players jump on Auburn, Alabama & Clemson offers and spurn Georgia and we have the fith best state for recruiting and more monet then we know what to do with they’re major issues. I want to support them because I love UGA and football but it’s gettig harder & harder to do so.
JB
September 26th, 2010
6:59 pm
winning in the SEC is a short cycle…..Watching Auburn Beat the “hottest” team in the SEC last night with their “no name” coach last night does not help things. I’m afraid the exposure will continue this year, as I haven’t seen anything that tells a turn around is coming this year. AJ don’t play defense, OL or RB. Saban has ruined it for most winning a NC in year three. McGarity Does not want to fire Mark this year. Maybe Bobo….But he wants to give him every benefit of the doubt. Most Dawg fans already have their doubt, McGarity doesn’t yet. Mark likely returns in 2011 even at 4-8….with a mandate……..I personally see him working out a financial settlement at years end. The mandates will be tough. Fire Bobo, Searles, Maybe Garner……………..and maybe Grantham…………. I’m serious……. That’s what it might take to save himself…………I don’t see it happening….
Toole
September 26th, 2010
6:59 pm
Richt knew last year he would have to fire Bobo or Martinez to make peace with the Bulldog Nation. This year he has his excuses in place to survive one more year: (1) He will fire Bobo and use that for survival; (2) 1st year defensive coordinator and we need 2 years to adjust; and (3) AJ Green was missing for 4 games. Richt will try to make excuses rather than be like Mack Brown. The Texas coach took full blame for UCLA loss. He said I’m the Head Coach, and it all falls on me.
edumacated
September 26th, 2010
7:00 pm
Beat Auburn? Man, don’t look for us to beat Tennessee, much less Auburn. Heck, even Colorado is in serious doubt.
Blowing Smoke up my rear end
September 26th, 2010
7:03 pm
Yeah Im tired of Of Chuckie Doodle too. what a @ss kisser////
JB
September 26th, 2010
7:03 pm
While I’m moaning……………..If Mark leaves, the mess won’t be fixed over night…..We are headed to where Tennessee is…..I think we have a better base of players though. That game will be interesting by the way…………..
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
7:04 pm
GaDawg RED DOG 77 and AltamahawDawg
have all had ALL DAY LONG to list their excuses why Coach Richt saw fit to
KICK
OFF
TEAM
yet the 4th player kicked off the team since March 7.
1 beat up a guy on downtown Athens street and got Arrested for Public Drunk
1 sexual battery of a coed multiple counts
1 beat up a coed, this the 3rd time
1 DUI
“too many ARRESTS” Michael F. Adam$ proclaimed on the football team
Leaves a lot of room there ARRESTED
Take Branden Smith for example, he used Vance Cuff’s Driver’s License and then all 7 in Tavarres King’s Truck were arrested or had their driver’s license suspended as teenagers.
Or, take Tavarres King who only had to serve a 1-game suspension because he was “ARRESTED.” Of course, just 1 game suspension yet he duped his teammate into driving his Truck so all 7 could drive around Athens to go get DRUNK in his Truck.
Of course, the player he DUPED into driving so that Tavarres King could not be arrested for DUI, also quit the team and he was a very promising running back – probably our best running back now that this season is over and we can look back at it.
So, arrest # 10 (not counting Christian LeMay and his 14-year old “consensual” and now gone too is Demetre Baker the # 25 best linebacker in the U.S. from Florida.
Well there was Lonnie Outlaw who did not get accepted into UGA from this year’s getting more and more POOR RECRUITING CLASS 2010.
SAMMY DAVIS, JR
September 26th, 2010
7:04 pm
Bill, good article. I agree that I’m not quite ready to get rid of Richt, considering the changes that would happen & you’re not guaranteed to be better off with a new coach. Richt’s a smart guy, and I guess that what gets me so much. If some of us fans can see things for what they are, I know Richt does too, and the fact that he seems to wait until forever & a day to make those changes is frustrating. A new D cord was about 2-3 yrs past due –maybe 4 yrs if you count that Sugar Bowl appearance when the GA D didn’t show up until the 2nd half. UGA’s offense has been predictable for the last few years, and I don’t think Richt will hire another O cord. because that would be like admitting his own plays no longer work, and he can’t juggle the play calling & HC. But the biggest thing I worry about is that the players have lost confidence in RIcht, and if so, that could be the nail in the coffin.
FloridaStateinDC
September 26th, 2010
7:06 pm
I hope Richt stays for a long long time that guarantees FSU will get Ga’s best recruits…Thanks CMR!
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
7:07 pm
Chuck Dowdle can LEAVE with the rest of them
DRINK
THE
KOOL-AID Chuck Dowdle
DP
September 26th, 2010
7:07 pm
I wouldn’t have Murray running the ball out of the spread given what’s backing him up. I saw 3 SEC starting QBs get dinged up yesterday from hard hits: Mallett, McElroy and Garcia. All 3 of them are a lot bigger than Murray. If you think Georgia is struggling now imagine them without Murray.
Based on Richt’s comments on the play calling against MSU I predict he’ll announce in the next day or two that he’s taking over play calling from Bobo.
south eastern chumps
September 26th, 2010
7:08 pm
so uga beat writer, what are you going to do if uga doesn’t win a game on the remaining schedule? Continue to sit there and shake in fear of what CMR may think? That is fine with me just this should teach all you big mouths a lesson about bragging year in and year out about all your 5 star recruits on the most undisciplined team in the country. You want to be nationally recognized? You better believe your 10th arrest made all the national papers. Good luck with that
JB
September 26th, 2010
7:09 pm
Sammy D, good point…….I think McGarity will Tell Dr Adams let’s watch what plays out the next 7-8 games…..See if they can “bounce back”……………..losing the players will end it……
And Mark will know it also……………..Mark will eventually end up in the ACC at North Carolina or Wake…………………… Hell be toxic for any SEC school…………or FSU IMO
augusta dawg
September 26th, 2010
7:09 pm
BooBoo has to go back to high school with his vanilla play calling……….. He was never off. cord. material……….. Just watch film and see the runs up the gut on first down for a gain of 1or 2 yards…………… Then a pitch out for 2 and 3rd and long – pass with a bltiz on a freshman q.b. . No play action……………WE are the laughing stock of the SEC…………….. So sorry for CMR………….. The buck starts with HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SAMMY DAVIS, JR
September 26th, 2010
7:09 pm
BoWeevil , I think Richt should revolk Christian LaMay’s offer. We don’t need any additional trouble –No excuses.
Skipper
September 26th, 2010
7:09 pm
Bill, I love the guy as a human being, but as the head coach at UGA I’m sorry to say that it’s time CMR goes. He needs to go to Duke, SMU or some place else. He has stated many times that winning is not everything. Well at UGA it is the most important thing. It is everything. Short of cheating, we got to do whatever it takes to put a winner on the field and CMR is not the type of intense coach to get that done. I could give you a 1,000 reason where he has blown it big time.
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
7:09 pm
After 2005, this is where this football program is :
52-04 Boise State Chris Petersen whole time
52-07 Florida Urban Meyer whole time
48-08 Ohio State Jim Tressel whole time
48-09 Texas Mack Brown whole time
47-09 Southern California Lane Kiffin replaces Pete Carroll who bolted
46-10 TCU Gary Patterson whole time
46-13 Oklahoma Bob Stoops whole time
44-12 BYU Bronco Mendenhall whole time
44-12 Utah Kyle Whittingham whole time replaced Urban Meyer
44-13 LSU Les Miles whole time after Nick Saban AL AL vacated 21 wins
43-13 West Virginia Bill Stewart replaced Rich Rodriguez Michigan
43-13 Penn State Joe Paterno whole time
43-15 Virginia Tech Frank Beamer whole time
42-15 Cincinnati Butch Jones replaces Brian Kelly who bolted
40-17 Boston College Tom O’Brien NC St Jeff Jagodzinski Frank Spaziani
40-19 C Mich Brian Kelly ND Jeff Quinn Buff Butch Jones Cinci Dan Enos
42-14 Wisconsin Bret Bielema whole time when Barry Alvarez made AD
42-16 Missouri Gary Pinkel whole time
40-16 Oregon Chip Kelly replaced Mike Bellotti now AD
39-16 Texas Tech Mike Leach fired Ruffin McNeill Tommy Tuberville
39-17 Georgia Bulldogs Coach Richt and his sorry butt “coaching staff”
JB
September 26th, 2010
7:10 pm
I hope you’re right DP
UGAVIII
September 26th, 2010
7:11 pm
I believe that Bobo’s promotion to OC and play calling generally corresponds to the decline in UGA football.
I agree with several others that Richt seems to have lost interest in it all. It’s time for him to make some serious changes. Those changes are not necessarily players on the field. I don’t think changing the running back, QB, linebacker, or safety is the answer. It’s coaching changes that are needed. If Richt doesn’t think so, it would be interesting to hear an honest explanation from him as to why that is not the case. I think we are all tired of the “coach speak” BS we hear after each pathetic offensive performance. I think Richt could buy himself some credit if he would just be honest and forthcoming about the problems with the team. I swear I can’t believe it is all on the players. How can he not see what the rest of the world sees with Bobo?
Dawg in gatorville
September 26th, 2010
7:11 pm
Hey Taxjacket, You are insane and GAY. The Jackets lost yesterday too remember,
And oh, By the way, UGA has beaten the Jackets what, 9 out of the last 10?
Go suck a #$@!
VA DAWG
September 26th, 2010
7:12 pm
I am as disgusted and disappointed as everyone else on the blogs and I do agree that changes are needed. I think Bobo is over-matched as a OC but let’s not forget that this is Richt’s program and his system. Bobo will only function within his system. If Richt takes back the play calling things may improve somewhat but the fact is that he will still be calling plays in an outdated system. Richt has not kept up with the times and he is now overmatched when it come to the coaching competiton in the league with Saban, Meyer and Petrino. He either needs to hire an innovative OC next year to change things up or resign if he is not up to the job. I don’t relish a coaching change and hope Richt will right the ship but he needs to start tomorrow. If he can’t man up and make the hard decisions then we are better off without him.
JB
September 26th, 2010
7:13 pm
Bo, Boise plays no one…………….. Peterson at Auburn is a 8-4 guy….just say’n
UGAVIII
September 26th, 2010
7:13 pm
I think the reason Ealey didn’t pick up the ball is because he was knocked silly. His helmet came off on that hit and he looked dazed to me. The SC fumble was more offensive to me.
Randy
September 26th, 2010
7:13 pm
Richt needs to figure out how you build confidence.
Keys:
1- Win 1st quarter–get Mo’ on your side
2- Scoring margin
3- Win a game–start a streak
4- sell this plan to the team
Believe in yourself!!
buffdawg
September 26th, 2010
7:14 pm
check texas ucla, still want muschamp?
chazzo
September 26th, 2010
7:15 pm
So who’s on your short list folks? As if we have any say in this…
Bobo
September 26th, 2010
7:15 pm
” Honey, Did Coach Richt drop off that formula like he said he would”…………….?????
UGAVIII
September 26th, 2010
7:17 pm
VA DAWG, I agree Bobo works within Richt’s system, which has never been all that spectacular. It is true that Richt will be calling from the same play sheet. But, hopefully he will make better choices. No doubt, we need a new offensive plan.
BTW, I agree about the whole Carlton Thomas issue. Why would anybody run Carlton Thomas inside the tackles? Sweeps, maybe. Inside, never.
Never going to Outback resturant again...
September 26th, 2010
7:18 pm
I certainly agree with you Bill. I’m not ready to give up on Richt, but, I’m past ready to demote Bobo !!! Remember Spurrier said last year that Georgia has been running the same plays forever !! We need an OC with some ideas, someone who can make halftime adjustments, and an OL coach !!