‘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?
Find me on Facebook.
Follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
355 comments Add your comment
Snake Plissken
January 16th, 2011
8:32 am
“Better to be Criticized than Ignored!”…well, that’s the state of the football program at UGA…What are they going to talk about? The 6-7 season? The mass exodus of big name players to the NFL? The stellar coaching job done to get those 6 wins against the teams with losing records? Losing to a CUSA team in the bowl game? How the Liberty Bowl was an upgrade over the Independence Bowl? How Memphis was an upgrade over Shreveport? The excitement over all of the coaching changes? Whether Murray will wear gloves or not? Will any top recruits from the good ol’ state of Ga. stay in state, and if they do will it be UGA or tech?
Yep, everyone should just bury their head in the sand and get ready for “next year!” Ignore the facts that the program is going up in flames! Ignore the man behind the curtain! Ignore the death spiral the program is in!
As long as you homers keep wearing those rose colored glasses, show up at the tailgate parties in your little red and black gear, and expound how CMR is such a good man and deserves yet another chance, well buckle in because it’s going to be a long ride!
Skitty Fritty
January 16th, 2011
8:40 am
I have a BIG problem with Dooley saying War Eagle when your house and pension are 100% provided for by UGA. Why not ask for UGA to stop paying for your house and then you can state whatever you wish.
Would Bulldog Fans be happy if Richt publicly supported the University of Miami? Dooley is and has always about himself only.
dap01
January 16th, 2011
8:43 am
Dooley has the right. Tarkenton does not, he is a self serving idiot. He wanted to be paid to come back to a game.
Joey
January 16th, 2011
8:56 am
” don’t come out once every 30 years to kick your alma mater when it’s down”
_________________________________
NCDawg, I don’t think Fran was kicking his program. He was being critical of Mark Richt.
Lot’s of Dawg fans are sick of the losing, and the player arrests as well.
Joey
January 16th, 2011
9:02 am
Yeah, Fran’s an idiot all right. Multiple times an All Pro QB in the NFL, very successful businessman and motivational speaker.
Shoot the messenger . . .
GT is a 4th rate high school team
January 16th, 2011
9:10 am
The only place I usually see the name FRAN TARKENTON is at EBAY where his signed mini helmets are bering sold.
Carl Spackler
January 16th, 2011
9:12 am
@ RED DOG 77
I remember before last season discussing with you the 3-4 defense. I questioned if they had the players in place to run such. You assured me that this was the case. I questioned if we had the Warren Sapp type needed for NT and you assured me that there were a few who could fill this roll on the team. Questioned about the linebackers and DB’s required to run this defense, and again you assured me that there were players to fill these rolls. Well, what happened? Were the players there and not coached up? Did the players revolt against the coaching staff and just go through the motions (I believe this is the case) and will not play for CTG, CMR, or CMB. I really think that there is a group of players that want this group of coaches GONE. How else do you explain the total lack of respect shown for this coaching staff with the arrests over the years. You’ve mentioned (more than once) about how you played both college and pro ball, so ask yourself, would you ever do that to a coaching staff that you admired and respected. Nope, didn’t think so. I drank your kool-aid last year, but this year I’ll draw on my experience from my college days and having a coaching staff that wasn’t respected who destroyed a storied and highly recognized wrestling program in less than the 4 years that I was there. We never recovered, so I hope that UGA can realize what is happening and get this ship turned around.
BTW, what is your reaction to CMR freeing up time to study football?
I’ll give it one of your “Regards” and the back handed meaning you have to try and be civil after ripping people who have a different opinion than someone with all of your experience.
So, Regards, Respectfully
LakeDawg
January 16th, 2011
9:22 am
UGA tried censorship when Goof was the coach. You know, the old “you’re not a true fan if you criticize the team.” Then and now, these critics are true fans, who refuse to let their program be driven into the ground without a fight. McGarrity is upset with Fran. Why? He didn’t denigrate the university. Only CMR. CMR deserved it. When McGarrity fires CMR after next season, is everyone going to ask why he doesn’t support the program? BTW SoCal Dawg is right on. FIRE ADAMS! UGA has never been as divided as since he became president.
sogadog
January 16th, 2011
9:26 am
My theory is some other team paid Tarkenton to make those comments at the peak of the recruiting season to sway recruits on the fence to choose teams other than Georgia.
In any event, if Tarkenton’s comments reflect his true feelings that is fine, but if he were a true Georgia Bulldog, he would not spout off on the radio. He would pick up the phone and talk to McGarity.
Bottom line is, Tarkenton is a turncoat and a traitor.
AltamahaDawg
January 16th, 2011
9:39 am
Mcgarity reading his note minutes after talking to Fran on the phone:
-Didn’t like the losing record….check
-Didn’t like the words we came up with for the press conference……check
-Doesn’t have any actual suggestion……..check
-Hasn’t had anything to do with UGA for past 30 years……….check
Well thats 20 minutes of my day wasted.
virginia dog
January 16th, 2011
9:43 am
Sir Frances is correct. What was Richt talking about. What on EARTH was Richt spending time on besides FOOTBALL. Could it be SATAN? Well it should have been SABAN!
FIRE RICHT NOW!
wins-by-a-link
January 16th, 2011
9:45 am
I think Fran has made some good points about Richt and the state of UGA football, The program has been in decline for the past 3 yrs with little hope of improvement in sight. The O line and D lines were beaten badly by UCF, Murray was poorly prepared for the UCF game, This season has already cost UGA a lot of recruits and its only going to get worse. Unless Richt can win 8 or more next yr he may leave McGarity no choice but to fire Richt.
AltamahaDawg
January 16th, 2011
9:48 am
Actually BuLLdawg I stated 3 things that I thought Fran was factually incorrect about a few days ago, so yes “ONE” did dispute what he actually said.
But I defended his right to express his opinions. Even though I find just pure complaining to be no more expert than anybody else who can fog up a mirror.
VIningsDAWG
January 16th, 2011
9:50 am
This is easy, the program has gone to hell.
AltamahaDawg
January 16th, 2011
9:55 am
Virginia dog, I would guess “what on earth” would include: academics, monitoring off field behavior, compliance, and other stuff that apparently the old AD had a different view about who should be doing it, than the current one.
I got that from barely paying attention to what they actually said.
Francis
January 16th, 2011
9:55 am
Who is Fran Tarkenton???????? This guy was nowhere to be found for 30+ years and people are listening to him now because???? True or not he is an old washed up angry bum. He should never be welcomed back. Remember what Charles Barkley said about Auburn 2 years ago. He burned that bridge, hope Fran gets the same.
DDAWG
January 16th, 2011
10:15 am
Administrators make 60k not 3 Million! He owes us some money back! What would happen to you at your work place if you did not do your job for 7 years??? I’m totally with Fran.
Indra H. Moedjio
January 16th, 2011
10:22 am
Support your Dogs in bad time and in good time. Who cares about Tarkenton’s opinion ! Go Dawgs !!!!
savannadawg
January 16th, 2011
10:27 am
Bill, this article makes me wonder about your dedication to all things “DAWG”. If and when Dooley came back from AU and that interview for the HC possition, we had just said no thanks were sticking with Erk Russell, I believe the fortunes of UGA would be much different today. Just saying!
Joey
January 16th, 2011
10:30 am
AltamahaDawg, you’re probably right in asserting that Richt may be busy “monitoring off field behavior.”
My take is that he no better at that part of the job than he is at making adjustments during a game.
Exhibit A: 40+ arrests
Exhibit B: Losing to Colorado
I, for one appreciate Fran giving his point of view. His make infinitely more waves than mine . . .
Nobody
January 16th, 2011
10:33 am
Keep in mind we had the wrong AD in place thanks to Adams for years. Fran is on his last minute of fame and wants to be heard. This is the kind of message that divides the base of the program, the fans. The coaches and team are not affected by this type of banter. We are! What a dum dum!!!!
Joey
January 16th, 2011
10:33 am
Getting paid close to $3 Million, and now gets some of his responsibilities taken away? Did he get a pay cut?
Of course not.
Dang, I wish my boss was his boss . . .
savannadawg
January 16th, 2011
10:33 am
Everybody dissing on Fran Tarkington, I just want too know one thing. Is he a contributor to the University of Georgia and it’s Athletic Dept. or not? That will give you a good indication of weather he has validation or not.
Nobody
January 16th, 2011
10:49 am
Joey it is as simple as reorganizing the dept. The former AD was a rookie and gave no ideas or support to CRM. Greg comes in with 19 years or so of working in the best AD system in the country. Do worry about pay so much, there are thousands people associated to atheletics that are over paid. This year will tell all about the future of CMR. I am sure he will move on and we look back and say dang wish we had CRM back.
savannadawg
January 16th, 2011
10:54 am
Hey “Nobody” and any others out there that thinks all this blogging matters or is going to make a difference, I got one thing to say “GROW UP!” This stuff is just for fun! Thats why they call it blogging. Not one thing is going to change until the first block and the first tackle is made against Boise St. at the beginning of September 2011. So until then. Lets not get carried away. Honestly, there is no way we can have another year like this one. It was just absolutely crazy the way things happened. There is no explanation for it, so just keep scratching your heads !
UGA now retired adv pro here
January 16th, 2011
11:17 am
Francis Tarkenton’s name has not been uttered since he was failing at QB with the NY Giants football team. How many years ago is that? Late 70s? Mid 70s? Sad.
As a sales motivator, public speaker and trainer in those fields, Fran knows that you have to get your name BACK OUT IN the public domain to be relevant. He sells his “programs” to businesses,etc. He needed the FREE ADVERSTISING that this has created. See??
Maybe he has accomplished his goal. His name is out there again, albeit for only 25 minutes or so.
Go Dogs.
Nobody
January 16th, 2011
11:24 am
Grantham’s D will be tops in the SEC next year, Murray will play like a vet, Crowell will kill it, and special teams will be tops in the nation. CMR can and will turn this dawg house around!!!!!!
Lake Fairview Dawg
January 16th, 2011
11:26 am
Everybody is avoiding the more structural issues: We are geographically surrounded by elite head coach / recruiters, and Mark Richt’s easy-going personality just isn’t going to bring in the great players we had even five years ago.
When Richt got here, he was a FSU’s high-flying offensive coordinator, which got us Stafford and AJ. That’s ancient history now. Frankly, I don’t know who we bring in that competes successfully with Saban, Spurrier, Jimbo Fisher and…. Will Muschamp / Charlie Weiss. I frankly thing the Gators really beat us to the punch on Muschamp.
AltamahaDawg
January 16th, 2011
11:58 am
Joey, wouldn’t that all the more reason to want that to fall on somebody else? So by your statement that you applaud this latest announcement.
AP
January 16th, 2011
12:14 pm
Enter your comments here
AP
January 16th, 2011
12:17 pm
I think I’m late to the party…but just finished the book “Behind the Hedges.” I was somewhat familar with Adams gaffe’s but this book gives the added detail the media missed on. Recommended reading for all!
Hobnail Boot
January 16th, 2011
1:16 pm
Wonder what Buck Belue has to say about Frans comments? He normally defends evrything about Richt when someone calls into his radio show.
bigal
January 16th, 2011
1:20 pm
Remember, Coach Dooly is why the University of Georgia Football is one of the top programs in the country. I would have a problem with Florida’s coach and Alabama’s assistant coordinator never recognized the school they played football at. I pulled for Auburn for the first time. Proud SEC!!!
Their have never be a question if Coach Dooly loves UGA!!
GOOOOOOO Justin Houston, I am your biggest fan.
Nobody
January 16th, 2011
1:36 pm
All strong successful programs have great leadership in the AD dept., we have not and the president let this happen IMO. CRM has been living on an island. We now are in a good position. We will be back in this in 2011. UGA will win the east 2011. The whole team has taken this personally and have started to lay down the hammer. The talent is here and the team knows it! We may end up with a top five class this year too. That would be huge for CRM and team. Man I wish football was year round!!!!!
Cyber Dawg
January 16th, 2011
1:42 pm
rj5g2 g8hm3 e67he c6j3r ygx9r s3f1v rj5g2 g8hm3 e67he c6j3r ygx9r s3f1v j24g2 g8hm3 e67he c6j3r ygx9r s3f1v rj5g2 g8hm3 e67he c6j3r ygx9r s5dr2
echo hotel
Burroughston Broch
January 16th, 2011
1:52 pm
@ UGA now retired adv pro here
I couldn’t agree with you more. How a humble man like his father could sire a blowhard like Fran is beyond me.
No one mentioned that Fran is also a publicly exposed cheat. Here’s a mild quote from his Wikipedia listing, “In 1999 Tarkenton reached an agreement to settle a Securities and Exchange Commission suit accusing him and ten other executives of the software company of fraudulent activities that led to overstated earnings of $8 million for fiscal 1994. Tarkenton agreed to pay $54,187 in disgorged profits and a fine of $100,000.”
He can hardly speak as a moral authority.
Jborodawg
January 16th, 2011
1:59 pm
If we don’t get Rome and Crowell it’s all Tarkenton’s fault.
Actually, Fran made some good points. But, as has been pointed out, the timing was terrible.
And, Coach Dooley, you’re entitled to a “low-key War Eagle”; after all, it IS your alma mater. Just keep it low-key.
CMR will turn this thing around. Gooooo Dawgs!!
Hobnail Boot
January 16th, 2011
2:00 pm
I have no problem with Dooley saying War Eagle. As far as I am concerned he should have been treated like Joe PA and let him stay at UGA as long as he wanted. Even though Auburn beat us I still pull for the SEC in bowl games except FLA.I just can’t stomach that one.
PT
January 16th, 2011
2:22 pm
Fran’s comments got a lot of attention, enough to get McGarity to respond. As for “it would come from one of our own”, who else would care more about a program? Ken Stabler?
He Hate Gator
January 16th, 2011
2:34 pm
“If we don’t get Rome and Crowell it’s all Tarkenton’s fault.” Baloney…when you’ve let your program slip you have no one to blame but yourself. Richt’s feet SHOULD be held to the fire. Let Richt explain to the recruits that yes they’ve been down and to expect some criticism as real UGA fans only want to be the best and that attitude should NEVER EVER be apologized for….I’m glad Francis’s comments got McGarity’s attention…
RealDawg
January 16th, 2011
3:12 pm
Dooley’s a d-bag. Always has been, always will be. If not for playing possibly the easiest schedule in the history of a national title winner, and needing 2 injuries to finally realize you had Herschel Walker on your team, the 1980 championship was pure luck. I’ve never been sold on Dooley’s “greatness.” As far as Tark goes, he’s a REAL DAWG if there’s ever been one.
Flatsdawg1
January 16th, 2011
3:13 pm
Maybe Tarkenton was drunk? That’s usually a socially acceptable justification for saying stupid things. If you care about the program that made you part of who you are today, you don’t criticize it publicly and cause further damage to recruiting when the program desperately needs players. You talk about what a great academic value it is and what a great program it can be in the future.
McDawg
January 16th, 2011
3:51 pm
Dooley needs to shut his mouth or move to Knoxville
Yoda Dawg
January 16th, 2011
3:56 pm
The fear of losing is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. “Remember, a Dawg’s strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. CMR…CMR do not… do not underestimate the powers of the dark side or suffer your previous coach’s fate you will.
AltamahaDawg
January 16th, 2011
4:30 pm
On top of his timing was bad, he just didn’t actually make any points. None that hasn’t been made. That wasn’t new. Basically what he did was to complain, not make any valid points. All subjective, all opinions, (some just over exagerated at best, factually incorrect at worst). Just wondering what he thought was to gain by it all. Which I imagine was what McGarity asked him.
bitter jim DONNAN
January 16th, 2011
4:47 pm
dooly and fran taking heat, THANKS, WHERE WERE YOU WHEN BULLETS WERE FLYING MY WAY!!!!!!
PS Adams suxs, GO VINCE
Long Time DAWG Lover
January 16th, 2011
5:18 pm
Friends, acquaintances, columnists, bloggers, e-mailers and writers have said over and over that we, the DAWGS, will be back this year, next year, some year because we have “too much talent.” We do? Then what’s happened? Why has the slide continued?
Our team has been in decline now for three seasons. Each season has been worse than the year before. And the coach is Mark Richt who sounds like he’s scrambling to get off the bridge of the Titanic.
Why would one expect that he will solve the slippage that took place under HIS watch? That’s a good question. I see it as one with two components: (1) Because of the success of his first five years, and (2) CMR is a nice guy with deeply held religious beliefs. (I hasten to add that I’ve never met the guy nor have I ever been in the same room with him.
The first five years led me to believe that we were at long last going to create a dynasty. We didn’t.
So I’ve felt the continuing shrinkage in wins has been a betrayal of my trust and people of my persuasion. This man has fiddled and Rome, in this case, Athens, has burned. Again, it has been on his watch.
The reality is that while Georgia slept, our SEC rivals grew in stature. Five of them won National Championships. We didn’t even go to the BCS title game.
The second has created a cache of good feeling among the religiously bent DAWG fans. I think such feelilng has been misplaced and allowed CMR to go to sleep beginning in year five. And, he’s yet to wake up fully. But he has been given great slack nonetheless.
For whatever reason, when the DC quit at the end of year five, we’ve retrogressed ever since.
What we have now is a lousy OL/DL, decidedly mediocre RBs, a defense that thus far has not scared very many, an OC who is over his head, a head coach who goes for a FG instead of a first down on fourth and inches at UCF’s 2 (shows you how much confidence this man has in his own offense), poor coaching, no nutritionist, too many administrative concerns and on and on. And, unfortunately while all this was swirling around, twelve players were arrested last calendar year.
In short, the DAWGS are a monumental TRAIN WRECK. Deal with it.
For purposes of argument, if we have the talent, then why do we continue to get worse? Tell me! WHY DO WE CONTINUE TO GET WORSE? Maybe, just maybe we DON’T HAVE THE TALENT.
But that’s too big a pill to swallow for most of the ones who say we have the talent. I think their supposition is specious at best and delusional at worst.
Would you argue that King and Ealey are really talented RBs? We saw what a talented RB could do early on in Columbia last season. He ripped us to smithereens. No such results from either King or Ealey against any of our foes.
Hey folks. This is a train wreck of epic proportions and that all of you who talk about this so-called “Dream Team” recruiting class fail to realize that it is a rarity when a freshman starts on the OL or DL. So there will be precious little immediate help. Such help is not going to turn this ship around steaming all ahead full in one season. It is going to take some time to do that. And CMR doesn’t have time on his side.
And, how much does he need to improve our record to warrant retention? 8 – 4? 9 – 3?
I think the issue is couched in dollar bills. We can’t pay Richt out with what would be a $9 Million bill or I believe that the new AD would have done so. Note the use of the word “believe.” Belief is the currency of the clergy and should not be such of fans and coaches.
So to many of you, I say WAKE UP. WE DON’T HAVE THE TALENT AND DON’T HAVE THE COACHING EVEN IF WE DID.
And to true believers I say, SMELL THE COFFEE. IT IS A BITTER BREW INDEED BUT NONETHELESS REAL!
Win P.
January 16th, 2011
6:32 pm
Richt…Three+ years ago Richt was given a large salary increase promoted to CEO, turned offensive play calling responsibilities over to a new offensive Coordinator, Bobo. One benefit was Richt would have more time to study current trends in college football. Now he has announced that he plans to do the same thing again. What has Richt been doing,secretarial work for the former atheletic director?
Prehaps Richt should spend time looking at the success of Florida, Auburn,Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU and Miss. State. If you want to defeat Georgia’s quarterback, look at the Florida and Liberity Bowl games. The combination of a poor offensive line, no running game and inept play calling to counter the first two problems; its a wonder UGA won 6 games.
7576DAWG
January 16th, 2011
6:54 pm
The truth of the matter is CMR didn’t have an answer on why we lost 6 games and the bowl game to UCF. There is nothing he can say to answer the question. When he say’s that some administration work was taken away so he could study football what he is really saying is there is no reason to fire half my staff this year and then if I get fired next year you would have to fire the new coaches, so to keep that from happening CMR decide to stick with his old coaches and maybe they will do a better job next year. The only problem I see is if UGA ends up 8-4 I hope McGarity realizes that will be from the easiest schedule we have had in many years.
An 8-4 record will probably calculate into a 6-6 for 2012 and 2013 when the schedule get’s considerably harder.
Damn good Dawg
January 16th, 2011
7:16 pm
Erk was the one responsible for Dooley’s success. Let’s erect a statue to Erk.