What sort of ‘cutting edge’ football are we likely to get from Mark Richt?
Mark Richt doesn't want to "confuse" Aaron Murray with too much change. (Associated Press)
It’s the postseason, so fans and columnists are naturally devoting a lot of energy to parsing Mark Richt’s intriguing but typically vague comments at his season-end press conference.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whole lot of substance there, and what there was isn’t likely to make folks feel any better about the direction of the Georgia football program.
In other words, a typical Richt press conference.
The most interesting revelation was that UGA athletic director Greg McGarity, who was notable in his presence at the press gathering, has taken some of the administrative duties off Richt’s plate, which the coach says is “going to help free me up to [spend] more time doing the things I love the most, which is study the game of football and be an expert and be on the cutting edge.”
Richt didn’t spell out what that meant, but he indicated he was “not making any plans” to take back the playcalling from offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. He said he would meet with his offensive staff to “just look at what we’re doing and why we’re doing it and making sure we’re on the right path.”
Some wondered if he is contemplating revamping or opening up the offense, perhaps installing more spread option elements to take advantage of quarterback Aaron Murray being a dual threat.
But then Richt noted that when you make a lot of changes, it’s tough on the players. “If you just change for the sake of changing, then all of a sudden you’ve got to relearn something all over again. Do I want to confuse Aaron Murray right now? Heck, no. That guy knows what he’s doing, and he’s going to have a lot more confidence going into next season.”
So it doesn’t seem likely that he’s talking about installing the fun ’n’ gun.
Richt’s comments that Bobo and offensive line coach/running game coordinator Stacy Searels “have done a great job — not a good job but a great job” raised a lot of eyebrows and drew the expected hoots of derision. But, really, what did you expect him to say? It’s too late in the game for Richt to be reshuffling his offensive staff. He has to play the hand he dealt himself.
Perhaps a clue to what Richt will be doing with all this extra football time came when he said, “One of the biggest things I am going to be looking for is effort in the team and everyone around here. We need to do what we do well and do it full-speed. As a head coach, that’s the number one point of emphasis that I am going to watch for.”
Coupled with the installation of “old school” Joe Tereshinski in charge of the strength and conditioning program, you might take that to mean that Richt will be taking names and kicking butts during the offseason to try and light a fire under his team.
But then you remember this is Richt we’re talking about, the man mentor Bobby Bowden once joked was so calm and cool you needed to take his pulse to make sure he was still alive. It’s hard to imagine Richt summoning up any inner Nick Saban.
So the bottom line is that Richt says “we’re not looking to blow anything up.”
No wholesale changes, in other words. Which is not surprising. Sure, the Dogs just concluded a poor season in a lethargic manner that makes a good case for major change being needed, but the fact is that Richt only has the one season to turn things around and, as he noted, change confuses players. So whatever change we see on the field in 2011 is likely to be incremental and more of the attitude adjustment variety.
Richt tried to buck up the Bulldog Nation by declaring, “In my opinion we’re very close.”
He meant that the elements are there in his program for success.
But the reality is that if the head coach doesn’t manage to get more out of those elements in the coming season, we’re likely to be very close to the end of the Mark Richt era at UGA.
Were you disappointed by what Richt had to say or was it pretty much what you expected? And what “cutting edge” changes would you hope his football studies produce for the 2011 season?
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282 comments Add your comment
bart
January 6th, 2011
12:08 pm
I question Richt’s ability to get the top recruits anymore. We are already seeing that they are going to the more successful programs…Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, Florida, even Tennessee. Maybe we can meet some of our needs through JUCO transfers. I don’t care how good your coaches are, if you don’t have the talent, it’s hard to win consistently. It seems unlikely that this coaching staff can turn things around in a year’s time, but I really hope I’m wrong. I think it’s entirely possible, maybe even probable, that we’ll start out the football season 0 and 2. Another 4, 5, or 6 loss season appears to be a distinct possibility.
Class of '98
January 6th, 2011
12:15 pm
I agree with Hussy Punter.
It only took a few years for him to settle into the “figurehead” coaching style that he saw Bowden do for so long.
Give a few speeches, talk to a few recruits mamas, and basically let the assistants run the program.
It’s going to cost him his job.
Dave
January 6th, 2011
12:16 pm
By cutting edge, let’s hope Richt means:
1- New blocking scheme–like South Carolina O- Line went to
2- More creative play calls on offense AND special teams–think Boise State or LSU
3- Get Murray running more, now that you have 3 capable QB’s in case of injury, or bench Murray, and let a better more accurate passer–who can throw the long ball with accuracy, take over
4- New ways to stop the run for the 3-4 D-Line that don’t require lots of experience
5- Cutting edge of conditioning & nutrition
6- Cutting edge of attitude stuff–get someone to lead that effort too
7- More rushing production, like Auburn
8- Borrow ideas from different sports to get an advantage
9- mental toughness training–dominate opoponents–think Stanford
10- new ways to use TE’s–look at the Falcons
11- new ways to use a slot guy–look at how Florida used Percy Harvin–use B Smith the same way
Mtn Dawg
January 6th, 2011
12:22 pm
One more year. His misrepresentation of the OC and OLC is too obvious. Maybe it is all he can say. I guess the end is drawing near, and if he can’t squeeze blood from a turnip this year then he’ll be willing to take full blame and step down. Too bad. I do like the guy.
Woody
January 6th, 2011
12:25 pm
When is anyone going to admit that the players we are recruiting have changed? The top recruits today look at college football as a step to the NFL. Everyone thinks they are NFL material. They do not come to Georgia to represent and honor their home state anymore. It is just a way that they can get something from an institution for 2-3 years (required by NFL). Education (yeah right, very few) Dickson on TV last night sounded like a third grader. You think he can pass a college level speech class? The 4-5 star recruits today are looking for fame and the most direct route to the NFL. UGA has to change our antiquated recruiting tactics. Looking for a few good men and good Christian character produces 6-7 teams…Do we sell our soul to the devil??
Ceasar
January 6th, 2011
12:30 pm
With next year’s cupcake schedule 11 wins is a must!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dawginmemphis
January 6th, 2011
12:31 pm
Sat in the front row 10 feet from Richt at the Liberty Bowl coaches luncheon last Wednesday. Jokes were told throughout the entire thing and Richt maybe cracked a smile one time. Its like he is lethargic and has his mind elsewhere all the time. I kept watching for him to see his reaction to things–while O’Leary was hootin’ and hollerin (the life of the party), Richt had a blank stare that said “I’m not really here.”
UGA Insider
January 6th, 2011
12:32 pm
UGA and CMR are married until at least 2013. Plus I would imagine that no big names in the coaching fraternity are interested in the UGA job. I don’t expect any major changes in 2011 or 2012. We need to get ready to take our medicine because all fans wanted CMR to sign that extension when Bobby Bowden was thinking of retiring a few years ago. Sorry, Mike Adams will never spend $13million just to fire coaches.
Big time?? Not
January 6th, 2011
12:34 pm
He lost me in Memphis. Sack over your head embarrassed.
Sanford Boy Scout
January 6th, 2011
12:34 pm
Zebras don’t change their stripes. The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results. I predict the end will come after the game in Atlanta next season. Mercifully so …
1eyedJack
January 6th, 2011
12:36 pm
It’s all Bush’s fault.
Sanford Boy Scout
January 6th, 2011
12:39 pm
The bush behind the red panties.
What next
January 6th, 2011
12:41 pm
To all of you who want to get rid of Richt. Here is my question, who is the hot new hire that you propose? Who are you going to replace him with that is going to come in and definitley turn things around? Keep in mind you must have a guy that you are sure is going to turn things around otherwise Georgia will end up like Tennessee, Michigan, Florida with Zook, Alabama before Saban. So ask yourslelf UGA fans are you willing to endure what those program are and have endured. Because odds are that sure-fire hire is not out there now.
wondering
January 6th, 2011
12:42 pm
Do the folks at UGA realize that Richt has better numbers across the board than Vince Dooley did at the 10 year mark? Seriously! Percentage-wise, wins-wise, bowl appearances-wise, top 25 rankings-wise, Everyway! In years 9 an 10, Dooley went 7-4 each year, and was 3-4 in the the conference. Year 11, he went 6-6!
If you had canned Vince then, would you have won the title in ‘81??
Va'jayjay Jackson
January 6th, 2011
12:43 pm
testi9ng
Dawg with two bags over his head
January 6th, 2011
12:44 pm
Bill,
I’m always disappointed with CEO MR’s press conferences. Foolishly I was hoping for specific details about specific changes. Most disappointing of all, I was looking for an explanation and apology for the lack of effort and preparation for the Liberty Bowl. There needs to be more accountablity for that game; you can’t just ignore it and go on. Statements about the Liberty Bowl effort, team passion, and the “great, not good” jobs by Bobo and Searels were complete falsehoods that I’m still scratching my head about. His arrogance frustrates me to no end.
puppydawg
January 6th, 2011
12:48 pm
“We need to do what we do well and do it full-speed.”
I assume that means he will add games to his speed dial so he can phone them in like he did in Memphis.
georgiadawgg
January 6th, 2011
12:50 pm
POLITICS, POLITICS, POLITICS. MARK RICHT WOULD MAKE A GOOD LIEING POLITICIAN. HE TELLS YOU WHAT YO WANT TO HEAR.
Shaw
January 6th, 2011
12:51 pm
Cutting edge means 2 things must be figured out:
1) Run the ball more often–last 3 SEC Champs ran it for 215 to 290 a game average
2) Stop the run–last 3 SEC Champs have had great run defenses–like 100 a game or less
Georgia was at the bottom of the SEC in both areas, to win the SEC, must be at the top in both areas.
Shaw
January 6th, 2011
12:52 pm
P.S.
RICHT DOESN’T NEED TO TELL 1 PERSON PBILICLY WHAT HE INTENDS TO DO.
THAT WOULD BE PLAINS TUPID TELLIGN THE COMEPTITION EXACTLY WHAT CHANGES YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE
AND EXACTLY WHAT YOUR WEAKNESSES ARE.
Sanford Boy Scout
January 6th, 2011
12:53 pm
UFL beat us to Muschamp, but we could have had Randy Edsall (class act). Rich Rodriguez will be successful again, somewhere (but not at UGA). Gary Patterson would love to coach in a BCS conference. The next SEC whiz is out there. Seek and ye shall find.
cmdawg99
January 6th, 2011
12:53 pm
i bet there will be a big announcement that the dawgs will back to doing 2 a days. heck why not 3 …we’ll need 4
cmdawg99
January 6th, 2011
12:55 pm
I bet there will be a big article written about us that the dawgs are man’n up and going back to 2 a days.. .. .heck why not 3 ….we’ll need 4
Vance Duly
January 6th, 2011
12:56 pm
Some friendly offensive suggestions that are not meant to be offensive to friendly Bobo-ites, but might be:
1. Design some 2nd & 10 plays other than a run between the tackles following an incomplete pass on first down. This is our single most predictable play call.
2. 1st or 2nd & 20 are NOT mandatory running/screen pass downs. Central Florida taught us that.
3.. Orson Charles averaged 2 touches per game. Seems like some lost potential there…….
4. Carlton Thomas barely weighs more than the football and should not be running up the middle.
5. Design more than 4 running plays unless those 4 kick butt. Do we even have 4, or just 3?!
6. Don’t rely upon the run when your offensive line isn’t run-blocking better than a peewee team.
7. Put the offensive foot on the gas pedal until the game is OVER. We forfeit too many drives by doing nothing to challenge the defense (end of 1st half vs. Auburn – 40 seconds, no attempt to get to field goal range). We take a knee. I think we did the same vs. Central Florida before the half.
7. Finally, the most important one —- DON’T STOP WHAT IS WORKING UNTIL THE DEFENSE DOES! (2 Examples: GA Tech 2010, Kentucky 2009). After our offense stopped vs. KY, Bobo said “we probably should have run that play more in the 2nd half.” (referring to roll-out passes to Charles & T. King that went unstopped in 1st half). After Tech, Coach Richt said “we probably should have thrown the ball more in the 2nd half.” (220 yds, 3 TDs 1st half — 5 passes thrown in 2nd half). Note the similarity — AFTER the game, we figure that out.
If Bobo is going to be predictable and logic-defying (3rd & 4 vs Arkansas late in game – no dumpoff receivers, Murray’s sacked, we lose), please find a genius OC and let Bobo be QB coach. Once we have a GOOD defense again, we can afford inconsistent offenses. Until then, we need to assume it will take 40 points to win every game, not 30. Bobo-ites praise our 7 straight games with 30+. But, we lost 2 of those, and almost let Tech come back by crawling into an offensive shell, then letting Ealey stupidly score on the last TD instead of taking a knee at the 5. Go Dawgs!
layinlow
January 6th, 2011
12:56 pm
UGA insider, if our program has another down year in 2011 wouldn’t the university lose money by keeping Richt? How would that affect donations? What does Richt and his staff’s buyout drop to next year? If the total buyout drop to around 10 million or less it might be worthwhile to bring in a new coach. If not they may see their money donations nosedive.
The Watergirl
January 6th, 2011
12:57 pm
Only cutting edge is Logan Gray will fair catch with his left hand this yr. we are a program going down faster than the titanic!! Im not a fair-weather fan and im damn sure not starting now, but enough is enough get it done or get out!! No more talk just do the damn thing
Dawghater
January 6th, 2011
12:57 pm
CMR meant UGA is going to hire a full time lawyer to handle all the player arrests each year so CMR can concentrate on football! CMR spend 50% of his time on getting his players out of jail.
collegeballfan
January 6th, 2011
12:58 pm
“We need to do what we do well and do it full-speed.”
Coach speak. Paul Johnson says this every Tuesday at his presser.
The Watergirl
January 6th, 2011
12:59 pm
Sanford Boy Scout ur an idiot!!! Edsell a class act, he couldnt even tell his players he was leaving!!
G'Vegas Dawg
January 6th, 2011
1:00 pm
I am going to try and stay positive and give Richt the benefit of the doubt for one more year. Changing to a 3-4 defense is not as easy as people who don’t know football make it out to be. The nose guard is what makes the defense run. He is the single most important player on the field. I want to give Granthem some credit for the job he did the first year. We have to have a few true nose guards to play his defense. You can’t just stick a good lineman in there and hope for the best. My biggest question is on the offensive side and no, it’s not Bobo. I can’t fathom why our O-line is as questionable as it is. That was suppossed to be the heart and soul of our offense this year. Instead, it was the weakest and most disappointing. Let’s give CMR another year before we start calling for his head. He has done a good job at UGA other than the past few years with the off the field stuff. Let’s see what he can do under the gun.
edumacated
January 6th, 2011
1:02 pm
Dooley had his bad years for sure, but he never let Georgia lose every year to one team like say…Florida.
Richt has had that blank look for a while now. The cameras hardly ever catch him coaching. I honestly think he has delegated his duties down to being a sideline cheerleader. The only time I remember seeing him coach this year was when he got on to Murray for running with the ball and scoring in the first game. That turned out to be a mistake, because Murray wouldn’t run the next week against SC when he should have. Face it, this guy has his mind elsewhere. Maybe it’s family, maybe it’s a midlife crisis, who knows, who cares. Pay somebody else millions to coach UGA. The only reason McGarity hasn’t canned this guy yet is because he doen’t want to alienate half of the fan-base (you know, the half that doesn’t understand the game) in his first year on the job. Next year, short of an SEC East title with a Florida victory, he is gone.
Ed (The Original)
January 6th, 2011
1:04 pm
Here’s a change: beat a good team next season. Just one. The record this year was 0-7.
cmdawg99
January 6th, 2011
1:07 pm
i dont think its a secret what our weaknesses are.
cmdawg99
January 6th, 2011
1:08 pm
everyone who beat us figured that our . tech for sure almost did.
Ed (The Original)
January 6th, 2011
1:10 pm
Correction: 0-6. Colorado was not a good team.
Ray Goff
January 6th, 2011
1:10 pm
2nd and 30 yards….Carlton Thomas up the middle….Really? And that’s the play GREAT offensive minds call?
YA miss me yet?
What next
January 6th, 2011
1:11 pm
Sanford boy scout I’m not convinced Muschamp to Florida was that good of a hire.
layinlow
January 6th, 2011
1:13 pm
I absolutely hate the “who are we going to get if we fire richt crowd”. They want to be a mediocre program and stay middle of the pack for fear of what? That is a freakin loser mentality. Winners make bold moves and take daring chances to get to the top. Auburn got rid of tuberville and they are playing in the national championship. UT got rid of Fulmer and now dooley has them on the right track. And yes I know kiffen came in for a year in between and jilted them but the chance they took is still worth the risk and a better optoin than hanging on to Fulmer.
And to all of you fans who want to try and compare Richt’s tenure to Dooley, understand that the college football landscape has changed. To stay on top in the SEC you have to be extremely driven and that tends to burn most people out. Once a coach loses his edge in this conference it is over. The life expectancy of an SEC coach is probably going to be only 10-12 years at one school going forward. Urban Meyer had that edge and drive and he only lasted six years at UF. I wouldn’t be suprised at all to see Saban step down in the nnext few years, especially if he wins another national title.We are in a new era of SEC football and Richt has grown stale. Time to move forward.
DrDawg
January 6th, 2011
1:17 pm
The schedule in 2011 is the easiest I have ever seen since I started following the Dawgs in 1973.
TN will still be rebuilding, Newton will be gone at Auburn, and Florida should have some pains adjusting to a new coaching staff. If Richt can’t create some roadkill in 2011, he never ever will.
Also, the days of the 190 pound QB are over. Tebow and Newton set the bar, so we better start looking for a 6′4″ 245lb. QB. OBs are bigger than tight ends. Everybody else is gonna have one. Maybe Richt could study that.
DDAWG
January 6th, 2011
1:27 pm
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HAIR…. CMR still parts his hair down the middle, why? Because he’s soooo busy he doesn’t have the time to stay up to speed on the latest hair styles? I think not. He has a resistance to change and is a man of conviction (stubborn) so I for one don’t think we will see any meaningful change in Athens until this time next year when we get a new head ball coach. Sad truly sad…
Palmetto State Dawg
January 6th, 2011
1:29 pm
This whole program has lost its swagger and toughness that it had in 2002-2005. I’m sure former players from those teams are very disappointed. Name me one school in the SEC that would hire Mike Bobo as its OC. Auburn has Gus Malzhan, Florida has Weiss and we have Bozo……terrific.
What next
January 6th, 2011
1:33 pm
Does anyone really believe Tennessee’s program is better off now than it was under Fulmer? The jury is definitely still out on Dooley. For layinlow, I’m not saying don’t fire Rich but if UGA were to fire him. Then they must have an option that is better than Richt and right now there really isn’t anyone, who UGA can realistically hire, that has proven he is a better option than Richt. So be careful what you ask for?
Coachdawg 2000
January 6th, 2011
1:33 pm
Layinlow-
Do you remember the embarrassment of the DC search last year? We have a delusional fanbase and a murder’s row SEC schedule to play every year. Not everybody feels our univeristy is as primo as some of yall do.
Carlton
January 6th, 2011
1:34 pm
@DrDawg
We had a bigger QB-Zack Mettenberger. Dumba$$ had to go and sexually assault a female in South GA though and now he’s going to kill it at LSU.
And Richt can’t tell the difference between a QB and a tight end-he tried to recruit Cam Newton as one!
DrDawg
January 6th, 2011
1:35 pm
Palmetto has it right. Has anyone ever offered Bobo a job? Bobby Bowden used to say that he would only hire an assistant who wanted to be a head coach. Could you imagine Bobo as a head coach anywhere other than a high school? Our top prospect, Crowell, looked not even average last night. I didn’t see him gain more than three yards on a carry all night and this was against high school players. He has no concept of blocking, so Bobo will love him. We are in trouble.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
January 6th, 2011
1:37 pm
Get rid of the FB! Move to a 3 wideout, 1 back set. Implement the zone read, amke it a one cut run the the tailbacks. Simply and spread the field out this way for your linemen and your tailbacks.
Anything, but stop the short passes to the FB.
LADawg
January 6th, 2011
1:39 pm
Remember a few years back when CMR ran Jasper Sanks into the line against Auburn on the three in the final seconds in Athens and time ran out because we had squandered our timeouts? The next year he gave up play calling so he would have more time to manage the team and the game. Is the team or the game managed? Heck, no!!! This is the same mumbo-jumbo.
And as far as recruiting, we get the recruits who want to play and giggle like school children on the sidelines during games. The SEC elite get recruits who want to compete for championships.
cmdawg99
January 6th, 2011
1:43 pm
i feel that if CMR wants to be on cutting edge we need to throw in a few wild cat formation plays. Lets look at the best right now. How predictable was Auburn? Thats 4 new plays. MR just because because you feel that you might get confused by adding new plays doesnt mean that AM will be confused. Lets take a look. Arron taking x number of hours of college courses. study time/ social time film review time the pressure to know all the plays. with how quickly he thinks on his feet. i think he’ll be ok with those 4 plays. the game maybe easier for him because the coverage wont always be as good. Lets do it MR. go Dawgs.
KB
January 6th, 2011
1:45 pm
I love the University of Georgia and I’m faithful to the institution. To me the University comes first, not the coach, not an assistant, not a player, not an alum etc. As such CMR’s latest press meeting is very disappointing (but expected.)
CMR is beholden to himself and his assistants; he is beholden to his assistants so that those assistants in turn will be his acolytes and loyal to him to the very end. CMR does not hold his assistants to performance standards. CMR judges his assistants by their loyalty to him.
Does CMR carry himself or act in a manner that demonstrates that the University is his top interest and priority? Does CMR demonstrate any sense of urgency? Does CMR show any embarrassment of the poor state HIS program is in? All I see is a guy who is comfortable and feels that he is “entitled” to his position.
Fact – with all the Head Coach turnover, even at his Alma Matter, has any school approached CMR? Answer NO; his own Alma Matter doesn’t even want him. What a joke that Colorado was interested in CMR. Dan Hawkins beat UGA with half the talent UGA had, outcoached Richt and was still fired. For somebody to say that Colorado was interested in CMR is a joke. Colorado wants to improve their program not take it backwards. That whole story was disinformation intended to prop up CMR.
Fact – no other school wants any of our assistants. Since Van Gorder was hired away how many assistants have been hired away? Answer NONE. Searels is suppose to be an O-line genius, Gardner is suppose to be a great recruiter, Bobo is a great OC and QB coach etc. That no other school wants any of our assistants speaks volumes about the state of our staff. Look how many assistants have been hired away from Saban, Bowden, Meyer, Spurrier, Fulmer, Mack Brown etc. Great coaching staffs/programs are mills for up and coming coaches.
Fact – Richt is unable to attract the top, up and coming talent. Just look at our search for a DC. Bud Foster, Kirby Smart and others would not come to UGA. All we were able to land was an unkown NFL position coach who is a disaster. Granthem is worse than Martinez, we took two steps backwards with him. If Richt had been able to hire Smart and/or Foster is there any doubt our defense would have been better? Working for CMR is a career killer; Saban said has much last year when he gave public advice to Smart. Van Gorder was smart enough to know he needed to part ways with CMR and where is Van Gorder now?
The next head coach at UGA has a tall task ahead of him. Not only will he have to completely change the culture and win back the fan base but the next head coach will not have any talent to work with. CMR is already out of talent and he can’t recruit with the likes of Alabama, Auburn, S Carolina, Florida etc. The next head coach will be a in a worse situation than what Donnan had to deal with. The next head coach will need 4-5 years to return UGA to the top-tier of the SEC.
DrDawg
January 6th, 2011
2:13 pm
If Mark Richt had been General George Patton, we would all be speaking German.
He’s much more like George Custer. Custer’s hair looked great right before Little Big Horn.
Custer just refused to realize he was out-manned until it was too late.