‘Be True to Your School’ cuts both ways with Dooley, Tarkenton
Is Vince Dooley a Dawg, a Tiger ... or both? (Associated Press)
I heard from a couple of fans who were bothered by the way Vince Dooley concluded a phone interview this week on Tim Brando’s nationally syndicated Sporting News Radio show. The former UGA head football coach and athletic director signed off with a low-key “War Eagle.”
On top of Dooley pulling for his son Derek when the Vols played the Dogs (albeit quietly at home, away from prying TV cameras), this latest departure from the true Red and Black path might seem like blasphemy to some. But I have no problem with Vince celebrating his alma mater’s first national championship since 1957 (back when he was on the Tigers’ coaching staff). Besides having coached there before coming to UGA, Dooley played football at Auburn and is a graduate of the former Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
OK, granted, Dooley spent more years as a Dawg than in orange and blue and it’s UGA that put up a statue of him.
But I’m more than willing to concede Dooley an occasional “War Eagle” because when it really mattered, in 1980 when Auburn tried to lure him back, he chose to remain at Georgia.
Woof!
Meanwhile, Dawgs 247 had an interesting report that current UGA athletic director Greg McGarity had reached out to former Bulldogs quarterback and NFL great Fran Tarkenton, who lambasted Mark Richt and the Georgia football program on Atlanta’s 680 The Fan.
Greg McGarity was diplomatic in responding to outspoken Fran Tarkenton (University of Georgia)
In addition to ripping the conditioning of Georgia’s players, Tarkenton seemed to be incensed by Richt’s recent comments about McGarity freeing him up from administrative duties so he could spend more time studying football. Said the legendary No. 10: “What has he been doing for nine years? I have never heard any college, high school, professional coach [ever say] that I was not able to spend enough time on football. I had other issues. … It sounds like ‘I am not taking responsibility.’”
Tarkenton added: “I think Greg McGarity has got to look at this awfully hard, I think the signs are that we have a program that is in big trouble.”
McGarity told 790 The Zone that he had a “nice conversation” with Tarkenton after he heard about the comments and seemed to be trying to gently bring the famed scrambler back into the fold.
Said McGarity: “I basically apologized to him for not reaching out earlier, which I probably should have done to a number of individuals but just did not do it. I think he got to know me a little bit better. I got to know him better, and I was able to talk to him.”
And what did the AD think of Tarkenton’s remarks? “Everybody is entitled to their own opinion,” McGarity said. “It’s disappointing that it would come from one of your own. And basically, that’s about all I care to say about that.”
Which is a heck of a lot more diplomatic way of responding to criticism from a former player than the way Urban Meyer handled it at McGarity’s former employer when critical comments from former QB Shane Matthews prompted him to issue his infamous statement: “I’m also going to talk about loyalty with our former athletes. Some are welcome, some aren’t. …We want former Gators to come back, but loyalty’s a two-way street. If you want to be critical of a player on our team or a coach on our team you can buy a ticket for seat 37F, you’re not welcome back in the football office.”
SPEAKING OF BUYING TICKETS …
Despite the declining fortunes of Richt’s Dogs on the field the past couple of seasons, UGA was one of only 18 FBS schools to sell out all their home football games this season. What do you think are the chances that string will continue in 2011 if Richt doesn’t turn it around quickly?
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355 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
January 15th, 2011
6:52 pm
In that photo Vince looks like a wolverine.
A Dog with a bone
January 15th, 2011
6:54 pm
this is just my 2 cents but the players have school to do, then work outs and practice, some im sure have jobs coach (MR) tells them to finish the drill finish the drill but yet hes not finishing the drill his self
harold
January 15th, 2011
7:00 pm
Tarkenton is right. If you want to know how a team is doing look AT THE RECORD! Georgia has looked horrible two years in a row. No Title game in 5 years.
whatever
January 15th, 2011
7:05 pm
Why the heck do I want to pay $200+ for a decent ticket – excluding parking, where you have to park two miles away in order not to pay $50+ to park, plus $15+ for a soda and substandard hot dog – and then multiply the ticket price by 4; just to see a sub-par, under-coached, UGA team play football for 3 hours? I can think of MANY ways I’d rather spend over $1,000 (when you include the gas expense too) just for a Saturday afternoon – especially where I spend NOTHING (dollar wise that is, except for the electricity) to watch it on TV. Just plain Stupid.
ARdawg
January 15th, 2011
7:33 pm
Fran was spot on. The truth is painful but, it is still the truth. Head coach at the University of Georgia is one that is under a microscope and yes Richt answerable to the Dawg Nation whether it is a former NFL quarterback or the occasional UGA hat buyer at Wal Mart.
The porgram is in trouble just as Tarkenton stated. You blind homers that don’t want to recognize it just drink the kool-aid and shut the hell up
1962 Dawg
January 15th, 2011
7:44 pm
Fans expect too much this day and time. Maryland fired a coach who led his Terps to a winning season and a bowl game.
What if UGA get’s rid of Dooley after the 1979 season that was a bad year for the Dawgs?
Mack Brown had the #2 recruiting class in 2010 and is projected to have the #1 class for 2011. Didn’t even make a bowl.
And how did Alabama not repeat as Nat. Champs? Their past 3 recruiting classes ended up 1st 2 years in a row and 2nd the other year.
It takes good recruits and a lot of luck to be successful in football.
Look back, Does Texas win without Vince Young? NO
Does UF win without Tebow? NO
Does Auburn win without Newton and Fairley? NO
Does USC win without Bush? NO
And my UGA friends we wouldn’t have won without Walker.
Remember the luck we had that year? What’s the chances of Belue to Scott inJacksonville happening again? 1 in 10 thousand? Or more?
One day My UGA friends we’ll have a banner year again, we’ll win the close games, we’ll also need some luck, I’m sure. But one thing we’ll have to have is that special recruit that nobody else has.
To all you bloggers that have all this negative talk. Just so you know, recruits, high school coaches, and parents, and sports fans from all over the south read these blogs.
So do some of the UGA players. One lives less that 5 miles from me. His dad and me played ball together. They read these blogs too.
Posting something positive would be a plus for a change.
Ted Striker
January 15th, 2011
7:53 pm
I’m like a lot of folks…haven’t heard much from Francis T about UGA till now. His opinion matters little to me, even if it matters a lot to talk radio or Greg McGarity.
On Dooley. Can totally understand him pulling for Derek’s team. And can totally understand him pulling for Auburn and Cam Newton. Dooley was more compromised with Amp Arnold than Chizik ever was with Cam Newton. And Cam Newton is compromised on his own.
davidinloganville
January 15th, 2011
9:14 pm
Vince Dooley can and should pull for the university where he was both a captian on the football and basketball teams, as for Fran I’ll defer to someone who was a much better player than Fran. When Norm Van Brocklin traded Fran to the NY Giants he said he was not a winner and that he could not win the “big one”. He was right.
Wilddawg
January 15th, 2011
9:55 pm
Richt had so many administrative duties because Damon Evans was more interested in partying and collecting red panties.
James K. Polk
January 15th, 2011
10:29 pm
I never liked Dooley. If we’d have fired him in 1974 we would have had three titles instead of one. He’s Mark Richt with Herschel.
James K. Polk
January 15th, 2011
10:32 pm
Fran has won a whole lot more than Richt could ever dream of. Richt is a loser. Period.
Mobile Dawg
January 15th, 2011
11:23 pm
Richt is a maker of excuses and does refuse to take responsibility. His remarks, comments, and analysis of the condition of our program is pathetic and only adds to his growing perception of weakness and lack of leadership. I for one will be glad when he’s gone, for the sake of our sacred Dawgs. Moreso every day….
Lakedawg
January 15th, 2011
11:25 pm
Little Fran Tarkenton has always had a big mouth and could not back it up. He still remembers the day he go his b–t kicked down on the river for that very reason.
He also has not supported the Dawgs in any way in probably 20 years and is just needing a little attention.
Mobile Dawg
January 15th, 2011
11:26 pm
As for the “War Eagle” whispered by Dooley, my wife is an AU Alum, and I kinda got caught up in the ride. It’s good to see some positives within a program. I see not one positive thing going in the right direction with our program.
AT LEAST WE ARE NOT TECH!
January 15th, 2011
11:26 pm
Fran is an old D BAG, that said we do need to turn this around, but FRAN NEEDS TO SHUT UP!
Mobile Dawg
January 15th, 2011
11:27 pm
Lakedawg, did you not read the comments, he didn’t reach out to UGA, Mcgarity reached out to him.
AT LEAST WE ARE NOT TECH!
January 15th, 2011
11:29 pm
O YEA only 3 short years ago we finshed the season #2 GET OFF THE RADIO FRAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mobile Dawg
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
I believe that was four seasons ago, you are one of the delusional ones obviously….
RED DOG 77
January 15th, 2011
11:36 pm
Lakedawg…….Sounds to me as if you know Sir Francis ?………Well I do, and quite well. I would call him a jackass to his face, as I’ve done before……….Lots of ego for one with the “little big man complex’………..You are right on target Lake…….He decided to sound off just to get his name out there for a while…….more ego. Does he still live in that digustingly ugly yellow houe on Habersham, between Argonne and W.Wesley ?…………Thanks for the reality Lakedawg………if only the others knew the “real’ Francis Tarkenton…………Regards, RED
Lakedawg
January 15th, 2011
11:39 pm
I read the comments, just saying Fran did not reach out to anyone, just goes on radio and runs his mouth. McGarity reached out to him for support of the program, not downing it.
Lakedawg
January 15th, 2011
11:42 pm
RED DOG Don’t know him quite as well as my cousin who kicked his b–t for mouthing off where he should not have. Definitely alittle big man complex.
RED DOG 77
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
Do those of you who want to “dump” Richt remember a few years back when Auburn had a few down years, and then the little plane ride up to Louisville to try to shake Bobby Patrino away and replace Tuberville ?………..The very next year Tubberville’s Tigers went 12-0………I suppose the Richt haters would rather be Texas, or Michigan, or Southern Cal, or Notre Dame, or Miami,or UT, or God knows who fans………..Fools don’t realize college football runs in cycles……..Georgia is mabe one, two or mabe three players away from playing for a National Championship. How do you think Auburn would have done this year without Newton or Fairley………Good Grief !…….RED
RED DOG 77
January 16th, 2011
12:01 am
Lakedawg……….Bravo to your cousin !……..I am just as frustrated as any Georgia alum, but I am a realist when it comes to college football……….You sound like a damn good DOG Lake…….wish there were more like you out there………..enjoy the lake, I am…….on Lanier…..and GO DOGS !!……Regards, RED
RED DOG 77
January 16th, 2011
12:11 am
1962 Dawg………..If you are out there, great post !!………Mabe best ever, I mean it !……..Keep up the good work, lets hear from you more often…….Respectfully, RED DOG 77
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
12:24 am
AJ Green, FLK, – NCAA suspension, gone
Justin Houston, OLB, – gone
Marcus Dowtin, ILB, – Arrested, Suspended, gone
Caleb King,TB, – Arrested, Suspended, Flunked off team
Dontavius Jackson, promising RB – Arrested, Suspended, gone
Montez Robinson, LB, – Arrested, Suspended, kicked off team, gone
Zach Mettenberger, QB, – Arrested, Suspended, kicked off team, gone
Kris Durham, SE, – gone
Clint Boling, OL, – gone
Chris Davis, OL, – gone
Josh Davis, OL, – gone
Shaun Chapas, FB, – gone
Akeem Hebron, ILB, gone
Quinton Banks, SS, injured, – gone
Kiante Tripp, DE, – gone
Fred Munzenmaier, FB, – gone
Brandon Wood, LE, – gone
Demarcus Dobbs, RE, – gone
Darryl Gamble, OLB, – gone
Akeem Dent, ILB, – gone
If you think these 19, all of whom we had this time last year, are replaced by last year’s 2010 class ranked # 17 recruiting class or are replaced by this year’s 2011 class ranked # 14 today, you are a DISNEYdawgs.com
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
12:31 am
That was a positive post. So, is this :
Winning Percentage Finish ranking each of Mark Richt’s 10-Years :
# 67 at 06-7 for 2010
# 35 at 08-5 for 2009
# 18 at 10-3 for 2008
# 09 at 11-2 for 2007
# 33 at 09-4 for 2006
# 12 at 10-3 for 2005
# 11 at 10-2 for 2004
# 12 at 11-3 for 2003
# 02 at 13-1 for 2002
# 34 at 08-4 for 2001
Over the LAST FIVE (5) YEARS :
# 34 is Mark Richt’s Average Ranking in Winning Percentage last 5 years
Over the FIRST FIVE (5) YEARS (Jim Donnan Recruits) :
# 14 is Mark Richt’s Average Ranking in Winning Percentage first 5 years
There are 20 places worse these last Five (5) Years in Average Winning Percentage Rank per Season than there were with the Jim Donnan recruits.
coy crews
January 16th, 2011
12:32 am
No team in the country dreads playing Georgia anymore. Sanford Stadium strikes no fear in any player. Why should it? And given their lack of respect to discipline, our players don’t fear any type of actions concerning their conduct, on or off the field. They don’t even take drivers ed. serious. And how stupid can you be to sell jersey’s on ebay and think it will be a secret? Like they say you get what you pay for with this attitude.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
12:33 am
1 statement NO ONE has made on any page of this blog, is that no one thinks Fran Tarkenton is incorrect.
Herschel Walker said the EXACT SAME STATEMENT last month.
TheItalianDawg
January 16th, 2011
12:36 am
Fran Tarkenton is a damn good dawg, I 100% agree with everything he mentioned because it is the TRUTH. it is a big mistake to bring Richt back. if you do not agree with Fran then you dont care about Georgia
coy crews
January 16th, 2011
1:03 am
I am dissappointed Fran has been pretty much a stranger to Athens since he left school. Shame on him, but he is right. Also, Vince’s but was saved by Herschel. He would have left UGA for politics till he found out he would not win. Herschel & Erk Russell made him. He showed his gratitude when he retired by not hiring Erk as his rightful replacement. That was wrong. He didn’t want to hire anyone who would threaten his popularity or records. Finally making that whole process a joke and having to settle for Goff. A fine man who would have made a good coach had he had time to get some experiance as even a coordinator before being throwed to the wolves. Another disservice to a loyal Dawg. Richt took how long before he figured out Willie Martinez was no coach. Willie still cannot figure out what a rollout is like peewee coaches do every Saturday. Come on guys.
WBDawg
January 16th, 2011
1:41 am
JB, The state of Georgia is not the fertile HS recruiting area that we once were! The state of Fla on the other hand is supporting 7or 8 major programs with leftovers going to other programs in the Southeast! Hell, 25% to 50% of each UGA recruiting class comes from FLA.Let’s face it! Our recruiting just needs to pick up period! Recruit em up, coach em up, and strap em up! We have to do better! At $6K a year before you even get in the stadium, no wonder you think you’re a major stock holder of corporation! You need to think about how you spend your entertainment $$$! This is a kids game!!!
Big D Dawg
January 16th, 2011
2:18 am
So JB, where do you sit. $60k in 10 years? I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1965. 40 years. I won’t brag about how much I give but I will be loyal to my team. I don’t agree with what Fran Tarkenton has done by blasting the team and the coaches on the radio. Just proves he’s an ass. I’ve met him and I don’t like him as a person. He was a decent qb but couldn’t win the big ones in the pros. I wonder if the Vike fans ever blasted him the same way?
Big D Dawg
January 16th, 2011
2:22 am
regarding my last post, I meant to say 45 years.
kathy
January 16th, 2011
2:58 am
Well-well-well he just ’shot 2 hell ULGY…his nose is long as a Turkey neck
UGA FRIEND
January 16th, 2011
5:26 am
In response to one of 1962 Dawg`s “facts”:
He stated that UGA ia the oldest university in the USA. I thought that UVA founded by Thomas Jefferson is the oldest.
Does anyone know which is correct?
Snoopdawg
January 16th, 2011
6:32 am
Fran is crazy and always has been . Go dawgs the D will be back but worried about the QB play. That could cost Richt his job.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:03 am
Big D Dawg,
You didn’t say Fran Tarkenton was WRONG in WHAT he said – that he was incorrect.
TheItalianDawg said is correctly : Fran is right 100 percent.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:05 am
UGa is the oldest state founded University in America
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:06 am
SnoopDawg,
I agree with you the QB play is going to cost Mark Richt his job.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:08 am
# 56 Total Offense
# 55 Third Down Conversions
# 62 Aaron Murray getting sacks (1.9 yds carry on 87 rushes)
# 72 in 1st Downs.
# 72 in 1st Downs and Mike Bobo is “GREAT” to quote Fran Tarkenton quoting Mark Richt, the LIAR.
LagDawg
January 16th, 2011
7:08 am
Any true fan wants to win and criticism comes with the job. All I can say is the truth will come out next year. Whether CMR is the right man for the job or change is overdue. The bottom line is that the truth has been on the field for the past three years.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:13 am
January 27, 1785 The University of Georgia was founded.
Universtiy of Virgnia – established 1819, conceived 1800
first educational institution to offer academic programs in disciplines now common, such as astronomy and philosophy.[citation needed] Its School of Engineering and Applied Science was the first engineering school in the United States to be part of a comprehensive university
UVa is a great University – just not a good football program
ugab
January 16th, 2011
7:15 am
Without H. Walker Dooley would be called Donnan or Goff
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:19 am
LagDawg,
Yes, the truth has been on the field the last three (3) years.
Mark Richt has played 13 teams who finished that season in the Top 25 AP Poll
He beat Michigan State 2008 which I thought should not have been in the Top 25 since they beat no one. Otherwise 2008 Mark Richt lost all 3 other games vs teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 25.
He beat Georgia tek in 2009 who ended # 13 but frankly they beat no one and played a very weak schedule losing all their games at the end of the season. Otherwise 2009 Mark Richt lost all 3 other games vs teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 25.
Mark Richt lost all 5 in 2010. Mark Richt lost all 5 games vs teams who finished in the AP Poll Top 25 for all of 2010.
2-11 vs teams finishing in the Top 25 AP Poll last 3 years – correct LagDawg
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:24 am
With Knowshon Moreno, Matthew Stafford and AJ Green, Mark Richt is called equal with Ray Goff both with 21 Losses their last 5 years here.
With Knowshon Moreno, Matthew Stafford and AJ Green, Mark Richt is called WORSE than Jim Donnan, since Jim Donnan has a BETTER Winning Percentage overall all games, BETTER Winning Percentage vs SEC only games, and Jim Donnan only had 19 losses his 5 years here compared to Mark Richt’s last 5 years here of 21 losses.
did you get that
UGAb
Beast from the East
January 16th, 2011
7:33 am
Fran’s comments may be true, but he really did a disservice to UGA by going on the radio with them. He could have very easily had that conversation with Adams or McGarity, but he chose to air the dirty laundry publicy. Poor decision, in my opinion.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:42 am
So, he told the truth.
But, shouldn’t have.
BoWeevil
January 16th, 2011
7:43 am
Are you 1 of us who thinks that if we don’t call it like it is, that the recruits will not find out ?
dcbl
January 16th, 2011
8:14 am
UGAb –
Wrong. Without H Walker, Vince is STILL ahead of Wally Butts in number of wins and in winning percentage – just without a MNC to match the one Wally one in 1942
He would still be the guy with the most wins and his winning % would be 69.4% – better than Donnan and certainly better than Goff…
But not as good as Richt, the man who will right the ship in 2011.
Dream Team is alive!
dcbl
January 16th, 2011
8:14 am
the one Wally won – oops!