Putting a UGA slant on all these coaching changes

A former UGA player coaching the Gators ... who'da thunk it? (Associated Press)

A former UGA player coaching the Gators ... who'da thunk it? (Associated Press)

Will Muschamp, huh? Like just about everyone else, I didn’t see that coming. It’ll be interesting to watch what having a former Dawg in charge in Gainesville does to the rivalry.

And if Muschamp manages to lure Kirby Smart away from Alabama for a lateral move as defensive coordinator, as rumors have him trying to do, what would that say to Mark Richt, who was unable to do the same with Smart last year? Think that would get Smart drummed out of the Georgia Lettermen’s Club?

It’ll be fun to see where Gus Malzahn winds up, too. And how long Dan Mullen remains at Mississippi State.

Meanwhile, what did you think of the UGA team of the decade they announced Saturday night? Do Ben Jones and Clint Boling from the underperforming current offensive line really belong on that list?

So there’s a lot to talk about and you can continue to do that here, even though I’m on vacation this week. The Blawg will return next week. Until then …

Go Dogs!

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223 comments Add your comment

PMC

December 13th, 2010
11:06 pm

Auburn Pride, please, you guys stabbed Tuberville in the face and the back and then booed his replacement off the runway.

AuburnPride

December 13th, 2010
11:17 pm

Tuberville couldn’t recruit against Bama and one idiot (he was probably a Bammer anyway) booed the new coach. UGA can’t back a coach with the 5th best winning percentage among active coaches? Who the heck do you think would come coach if you fired Richt? Especially with such a weak fan base. I hear Ray Golf is interested in getting back into coaching.

PMC

December 13th, 2010
11:37 pm

When fans of other teams want you to keep your coach. It’s not a good sign is it?

I like Mark Richt, but they underachieved when they had really good talent in the last 5 years and when the talent eroded in the last two they fell apart at times.

To Richt’s credit, it’s fairly amazing they won 6 games this year after that start.

As far as recruiting, an elite back can come in and win a job right now, an elite WR… same difference and he gets to play with one of the best QB’s in the country for the next 3 years.

Defense has no where to go but up. So any incoming freshman or JUCO could make a name for themselves immediately.

That said, the issue still stands, fans of other teams want Richt to stay at Georgia and therein lies the problem. Yeah Richt has been as good as Georgia has ever had at times….. but those times were 5 years ago.

Highlands Gator

December 14th, 2010
12:30 am

This has to be the most uninformed group of fans I’ve ever seen. Muschamp is going to dominate recruiting immediately, and we’ve got another Tebow starting classes in January (Jeff Driskel).

breadfan

December 14th, 2010
7:09 am

Why does everyone think that a coaching change will affect the way we play Florida? I hate to say it but it won’t. All Florida has to do is put on that orange and blue and we will tuck our tails between our legs and run for the wrong end zone. Heck, they don’t even need a coach to whip our butts! All they have to do is show up, something we haven’t done in 20 years.

no one...

December 14th, 2010
8:39 am

No one has ever decided they wanted to coach and then started as head man. Every head coach was at one time an assistant, and most were coordinators. This is WM’s time. Will he succeed? I hope not. He’s a Georgia man, but so was Roy Barnes, and so is Sonny Perdue. Not every Georgia man is someone I can pull for, and WM is not, either as long as he wears that awful ‘erinj and bloo’.
Richt HAS to come through next year, no excuses, or he needs to be replaced, it’s as simple as that. With the talent in this state, there is no reason to have so many subpar players, or good players being coached down, as we have seen here in Athens for the last three years.
Bradley’s article yesterday (Monday) was dead on.

no one...

December 14th, 2010
8:42 am

Auburn Pride….I”m a Dawg fan, but ‘Tuberville couldn’t recruit against ‘Bama’? Are you serious…Tubs owned Bama, didn’t he? What was his record against the Tidy Bowls From Tusc uh loser?

Dawgystyle

December 14th, 2010
8:49 am

Dawgystyle

December 14th, 2010
8:58 am

CMR must seize this opportunity of UF and UT in transition to win the East. We’ll know by the Spring: if CMR still owns this team, there won’t be any rap sheets or arrests by then.

Dawgystyle

December 14th, 2010
9:00 am

Either Muschamp or Smart would be thrilled with the UF head coaching job, of course, but neither would take another coordinator position. And if given the choice between UF and UGA, they would both take the UF job….it is simply the better gig at present. But they won’t get that choice because CMR isn’t going anywhere.

Dawgystyle

December 14th, 2010
9:04 am

The HS talent in Georgia is considerable, and 75-80% of them can’t even get into the North Ave Trade School, so there is no excuse for CMR to not put together great teams consistently. But make no mistake, Florida has several times the number of talented HS players every year. CMR has owned Tech in state, but we want more and that means tremendous improvement in regional and national performance.

Gatorbaiter

December 14th, 2010
9:06 am

The Gators are so good we’re going to be kickin’ your dog a$$eS with one of your own as our coach. Introducing UF Head Coach, Will Muschamp.

GoDogsGo!

December 14th, 2010
9:13 am

We screwed the proverbial pooch, guys. Muschamp was the next best hope for UGA, and we’ve been sitting on our paws waiting for CMR to re-grow a pair and take control of his players again. It ain’t going to happen, folks. And Smart isn’t going to be a real HC candidate for a few more years. Muschamp was the one, and we let him get away. I’m afraid we’ll be paying for it for a long time to come.

GoDogsGo!

December 14th, 2010
9:15 am

With all due respect, noone, a lot of head coaches have started and some have succeeded without copious assistant experience.

JY

December 14th, 2010
9:24 am

Until UGa gets a running game forget it. If Crowell does not come it is all over.

Go Dawgs!

December 14th, 2010
10:26 am

Why is it so hard to fathom K.Smart going to UF?

He and Muschamp are best friends. Don’t be surprised if Bobo doesn’t get a call as well. They all played together and have remained close friends over the years.

KHELMS

December 14th, 2010
11:18 am

WE NEED THEM 2 BOYS BACK HOME. MAYBE MUSCHAMP WILL SABATOUGE DEM GATORS. CAN ANYBODY REALLY SPELL SABATOUGE??

chris

December 14th, 2010
12:00 pm

If Smart makes the Lateral move for less money when his reason for not coming to UGA was he wouldn’t change for the same position…THAT WILL STING MOST.
If Richt doesn’t turn it around next year, bring in Dan Mullins. Everybody knows he was the mastermind behind Florida’s success. You know he has ties to our new AD and he has proven he can win with less talent at Miss St. than he would be able to get to come to Georgia.

producewiz

December 14th, 2010
12:14 pm

remember where you got your athletic director from.And who trained him.Jamie, think about that 1,because Foley is the best AD in America, and has proven it.

dawgfacedboy

December 14th, 2010
12:29 pm

UGA has 1 top 10 finish in the past 6 years. If you aren’t in the top 10 then you aren’t competing for conference titles and NC. They have underperformed with the talent they’ve been pulling in. Plain and simple. Look at the other “top” programs in the country and how many top 10 finishes they have over the past 6 years. They’ve underperfomed 5 of the last 6 seasons.

Pago Pago Dawg

December 14th, 2010
2:06 pm

I think we’re looking at another pre-season #1.

AuburnPride

December 14th, 2010
2:16 pm

no one…. Let me clarify, Tuberville couldn’t recruit against Saban. Saban started owing him early on in recruiting. Actually, it wouldn’t bother me if you guys fired Richt. He’s owned us up until this year. Cam won’t be with us next year along with a lot of other players- I’m not so sure we won’t be a one hit wonder after this season. I don’t see the doggies gettting anyone better than Richt (you guys seem to be convinced that Mushchamp or Kirby Smart would suddenly be Saban clones, but that’s not given). Heck, if it weren’t for Gus and Cam, Chizik might not look so great. I think I would still take Richt- he’s beaten Saban when Saban was at both LSU and Bama.

Orange10

December 14th, 2010
2:22 pm

Who needs coaches? You guys have that superstar quarterback, the one, the only (little drum roll please) – “Pick” Murray! Let the festivities commence!

Gecko

December 14th, 2010
5:16 pm

Forget about dumping Richt, even if he’s an over-the-hill loser. No decent coach is going to come to Athens to try to coach the morons and gangbangers who Richt recruited.

UGA, winner of the Fulmer Cup and The Cesspool of the South.

Sean

December 14th, 2010
8:11 pm

If the Dawgs are not on top of the SEC East next season then there are no more excuses, period. With the coaching change at UF and USC predictably returning to form, there is no better time to seize the opportunity. The Dawgs must coach up these new recruits and make sure that Crowell is in the new class. With Murray now having game-day experience, he will only get better. That kid is a great QB who has the potential to be the best in college football in the coming years. GO DAWGS!

Big dog fan

December 15th, 2010
7:15 am

Time for a Change. Maybe it’s time for you to change teams. Sounds like you may be the same guy that’s seats by me @ the games crying aobut every play called.

NoFKNdog

December 15th, 2010
8:10 am

Why don’t all of you so called dog fans put a slant on how you all can kiss my big old hairy butt.

As has been mentioned previously, the dogs can recruit and sign the best players in the nation, win every championship created, have the biggest stadium, sell uga gear to every person, but one, world wide, employ the best coaches money can buy, be the greatest ever in history, year end and year out until this world ends. But the greatest trait all you dog fans, coaches, professors, players, support staff, magazine majors, students, et al, and anyone/anything associated with uga, is that you all SUCK!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

DawgER

December 15th, 2010
9:47 am

I can just picture you guys: four fat boys, feet up on the barrel, pontificating about the good ol’ SEC. Well, wake up, fellows. It’s not what the other schools do with coaching changes….it’s what YOU do with your program.

keen observer

December 15th, 2010
10:24 am

To all you fans who keep exclaiming that ” Richt is going anywhere” need to read the writing on the wall. All head football coaches at major programs that are in good standing, there contracts never drop below four years because that makes a statement to incoming recruits that you will be here four more years. It also makes a buyout difficult and gives a coach more security. In case you haven’t noticed Richts deal is now at three years. After next season Richt’s deal will only have two years left on the contract, hence it is a manageable buyout.

Trust me Richt’s job is on the line. From what I hear he will be judged on three criteria. #1 Recruitng- This recruitng class is huge and Richt really needs to make headway with some of the big time Georgia talent. He doesn’t have to get them all but guys like crowell and drew are critical. #2- Player discipline- This probelm has to be fixed period. Double digit arrest next year will not reflect well on Richt. #3 Win- I don’t think there is a set number of games or demand to win an SEC title but the team must show that it is moving in the right direction. All three of these areas will be judged together to decide whether Richt gets a contract extension. If the team is struggling next year late in the season then Richt’s two year deal will be bought out and we will be getting a new coach. The end.

bart

December 15th, 2010
10:29 am

Keen observer, I hope you’re right.

DawgER

December 15th, 2010
10:57 am

Thank you, keen observer. Way too many opinions on here about how Dawgs will be better or worse, based on what others are doing. Your insight is right on.

PonGT

December 15th, 2010
11:24 am

Now that everyone’s favorite son has gone south of the border, when do we get to start calling him “Misschump”?

how2fish

December 15th, 2010
11:34 am

keen observer good points and I think fair ones as well.

Averyboy

December 15th, 2010
12:41 pm

Here is my list for the THUGA all decade team:

producewiz

December 15th, 2010
1:00 pm

uhhh,Dawgs. some news for you.Guy named Dooley plucked from Awbun staff.Pat,cough,cough,Dye,former Dawg.Not 1 assistant at Georgia wouldn’t take the head coaching job at Florida and vice versa.

Gator Mike

December 15th, 2010
1:57 pm

It will get even more interesting in our Gator – Dawg rivalry. Next October in JAX will be wild.
Go Gators!

VIningsTIGER

December 15th, 2010
2:49 pm

UGA fans should be thrilled that BOOM is in Gainesville. His defenses at LSU and Auburn were shredded by Richt. There were times I thought that BOOM had to have thrown the game. UGA should run up and down the field in Jacksonville.

BUT WTH was Richt doing taking Ray Drew fishing on Sunday morning when it was below freezing out side?

AU=THUGS

December 15th, 2010
8:26 pm

Tell me, What the Heck has Muschamp done as a coach?? Am I missing something??? How many times did teams score on his Defenses at TEXAS? How well did TEXAS fair this year? How much HC experience does Muschamp have? Who will he hire as an Offensive cord?
These and many other questions arise when I think of this hire.

I’ve just never seen what he has accomplished as a D-cord –much less a Head Coach…

Bulldog In Jail

December 16th, 2010
1:31 am

Could one of you Georgia fans please come bail me out of the jail in Auburn? I made the sacrifice and set fire to Toomer’s corner after my Dogs got destroyed on November 13th. I have already missed Thanksgiving with my family and now it looks like I might miss Christmas and the chance to see our wonderful 6-6 team in that low tier bowl in Memphis…….On top of that, these red panties need washing……

Hey AU=Thugs

December 16th, 2010
1:36 am

Are you still whining about the beat down in Auburn? If so, you might have missed the fact that Nick Fairley won the Lombardi award for the best lineman in the country. And remember you can’t spell Thuga without UGA. I can see why Ben Jones made the all Thuga team. He is the king of the thugs and has perfected the chop block and the art of jumping on players and punching them in the face after the play is over.

Saint Mark knows a Thug when he sees one. He’s been recruiting them for years. He learned from the master, Saint Bobby at FSU.

At least you Thuga fans can celebrate winning the Fulmer Cup. Not long before the offseason, which means another 11 arrests in Athens.

Don’t forget to get those red panties at Walmart for your stocking stuffer. One size fits all!

Damon Evans

December 16th, 2010
1:38 am

Has anyone seen my red panties? Wayshon is driving the car and he’s already hit 2 more parked cars…….

1 Dead DAWG

December 16th, 2010
3:27 am

UGA as one of the most prestigous jobs in football. What a joke! Athens is a cow patty in the middle of nowhere. Sure GA has a ton of talent to recruit but how many can read at a fifth grade level? A mid-level SEC team with no tradition, the “battle hymn of the republic” for a fight song (In the SEC) and they have to play REAL football schools like UF, UT and Awburn-em every year. UGA is and always will be a middle of the road SEC job and program. Mark Richt has absolutely maxed out the UGA problem. You should be happy to be overrated every year. That will eventually come to an end.

BoWeevil

December 16th, 2010
6:06 am

4-LOSS season average, ALL five (5) of the last 5 years

Boseefus

December 16th, 2010
11:27 am

Snop dog – I’am glad you and some others have come to their senses. After 10 years of CMR combined with the stacks of excuses, its time for a change. The entire Bulldog Nation needs to come to grips with the “REAL” problem – its CMR……………… How many time do we need to hear about “NEXT” year while other schools pick the elite coaches? Why does everybody think CMR is the answer when his record tells us otherwise. His supporters (including the new AD) need to get their heads out of the sand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wes

December 16th, 2010
11:35 am

Clint Boling and Ben Jones should NEVER be on any All-Decade Georgia team. They have been a part of 2 of the WEAKEST offensive lines I have ever seen at Georgia. Ben Jones could not clear 1 inch for Aaron Murray on 4th down early in Tech game when we were leading 14-7. It’s a disgrace how BAD we are up front. We also gave up key sacks in the critical early SEC losses to SC, Arkansas, and MSU. These guys would be back-ups on the top SEC teams. The Georgia team overall is as soft as our HC. We lack a strength and a will to be tough. We lost that attitude when BVG left. Teams knew UGA under BVG’s defense was a force to be reckoned with – we played with a mean streak and real toughness. No team in the SEC fears UGA anymore. Mark Richt has failed miserably the last 5 years. It’s simply unacceptable to EVER be 6-6 at UGA!!! The UGA administration and other CMR apologists have crippled our once PROUD program. CMR supporters and other pansy ass Georgia supporters who have no clue what it takes to win should ask themselves 1 question: Is this what we pay $3 million/yr for? To go to the f____ Liberty Bowl? It takes courage and guts to change – UGA lacks both right now and mediocrity and bad/embarrassing losses are the RESULT!
FIRE MARK RICHT NOW!!

IRISH DAWG

December 16th, 2010
9:10 pm

IF GEORGIA CAN GET ISAIAH CROWELL AND A TOP 10 RECRUITING CLASS IN 2011. GEORGIA WILL WIN THE EAST IN 2011.

Mr. Phelps

December 17th, 2010
12:16 am

If Smart doesn’t come to Fl, well there is always “soft” Willie Martinez.

Boseefus

December 17th, 2010
9:16 am

IRISH DAWG – YOU MUST BE TALKING ABOUT A DIFFERENT PROGRAM. CMR WITH HIS DUMMIES AND THUGS HAVE ABOUT AS MUCH CHANCE OF WINNING THE EAST AS I HAVE FLYING THE NEXT SHUTTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! CMR IS A JOKE AND AS SOON AS YOU AND OTHER CMR SUPPORTERS COME OUT OF THE CLOUDS AND REALIZE A CHANGE MUST HAPPEN YOU CAN LOOK AT ANOTHER 6-6 YEAR. ONE RUNNING BACK WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE – JUST LOOK AT THE BACKS WE HAVE NOW. THEY COULD NOT START FOR ANY OTHER SEC TEAM PLUS THE “PROJECTED TOP RATED OFFENSIVE LINE” ARE SENIORS. YOU LIKE OTHER CMR FANS NEED TO TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR A……

Dagny

December 17th, 2010
11:09 am

Serious Dawg fans need to start organizing and demanding that Richt be fired. Otherwise, sports writers will be asking the same questions this time a year from now.

Richt represents mediocrity. Saban and Meyer represent excellence and championships. Richt simply isn’t in their class, nor will he ever be. Richt would have to be incredibly lucky to win the division, and the odds against him winning the SEC championship would be at least 50:1.

Those are the simple facts, and there’s no amount of enthusiasm or cheerleading or Top 5 recruiting classes that can get around it.

As they say in poker, “Read ‘em and weep.”

Harry the Hat

December 17th, 2010
11:18 am

AJC headline: “I stopped the car, and we got out and ran to the bus,” Ealey said Thursday.

Ealey’s driver’s license was suspended several months ago. What the hell was this punk doing driving a car?

Ealey is the poster child for the thugs and morons recruited by Mark Richt.