‘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
Dan Sweat
January 17th, 2011
5:17 pm
I love Mark and he loves me.
AFDawg
January 17th, 2011
6:58 pm
The Dawgs will be hard pressed to keep the sell out streak going next season. But, that is all right — money talks. Only then will the administration see that something needs to be done to turn the program around.
Jim 007
January 17th, 2011
7:01 pm
Truth in Augusta….
You are 100% Correct !!!
Sleepy Dawg
January 17th, 2011
7:06 pm
We need a black coach that knows the thug life mentality, we need a coach that is willing to bend the rules, and play ball with the boosters. You have to pay and pay big to win richt will not take the measures to get the best talent
AltamahaDawg
January 17th, 2011
7:18 pm
I didn’t mean to imply that Fran was just politely questioning the wording.
I was being critical of him for blasting somebody for what they said without offering one spec of substance to actually dispute it.
dawggone
January 17th, 2011
7:38 pm
Richt must go…enough said.
BG
January 17th, 2011
7:44 pm
Fran needs his a** kicked for talking trash about Richt and the DAWGS! The DAWGS made you ole Fran. Don’t ever forget where you came from.
Freddie G
January 17th, 2011
7:47 pm
I am tired of seeing Ealey make a 4 yards run and then jump up and start his stupid dance, I would like for Coach Richt to demand that Wsahaun Ealey and his friends get back in the huddle and stop the dancing and posing for the Camera. This is where the discipline that has been lacking should begin. Fran Tarkenton wants to see this program doing well, but what he is seeing is not good. You folks who are criticizing him also criticized Herschell when he questioned what was happening in the program. When the discipline is resotored and the Ealey’s and King’s show respect to the coaches, the program, and the university, things will be better and we will start winning again. Why should we believe these guys will do the right thing as far as their offseason conditioning when the coaches are not allowed to be around them, if they are so indisciplined.
AltamahaDawg
January 17th, 2011
9:23 pm
Need to be more committed in the offseason, need to show more respect for (everybody). Need more disclipline. All will be a factor in winning more.
But as far as dancing and posing……our guys do less of that than most teams you saw during the bowl season.
Big Fan
January 17th, 2011
10:05 pm
I have been a dawg fan all my life. I graduated from UGA. I played football there for CMR. I am still very involed both as a booster and letterman. I heard Fran’s comments and all I can say is that he is just saying what a lot of former players are saying as well. Yes Richt is a fine man, but the teams that he has fielded the last few years do not resemble the ones that I was fortunate enough to play on during my time there…. I hope he can right the ship, but there needs to be some major adjustment to take place for that to happen…… Go Dawgs!
Bhag
January 17th, 2011
10:15 pm
Right on big fan, Richt Better make some adjustments, because when you start looseing your core supporter I.e former players like yourself, then he is running out of places to go
Andy O'Plasty
January 17th, 2011
10:40 pm
Tarkenton is a loser…what ??? 3 or 4 Super Bowl losses !!!
Mike
January 17th, 2011
10:41 pm
You have to wonder if Fran Tarkenton has even been following SEC football.
How could he miss all the changes Urban Meyer made last season–how his AD took away so many of the things Meyer used to do?
Here’s an article, since Fran claims he’s never heard of another coach say he is doing too much stuff outside of studying football:
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20100901/ARTICLES/100909955?p=1&tc=pg
Mike
January 17th, 2011
10:46 pm
Mich State’s coach had a heart attack while coaching a ball game. Mike Leach, Dooley, Meyer, have all made changes. Fran can’t claim ignorance anymore. Here’s another article Fran must have never read:
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/09/19/major-college-football-coaches-work-balance-stressful-jobs-healthy-living/
Mike
January 17th, 2011
10:52 pm
Saban’s working a lot less than he used to, and winning Championships, so Fran doesn’t really know what he’s talking about. Saban says you have to get that other stuff off your plate so you can focus on x and o’s, then spend some time for your family.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-12-12/sports/os-urban-meyer-coaching-burnout-1212220101212_1_coaching-counterparts-balance-football-florida-football-program
Mike
January 17th, 2011
11:04 pm
Texas lost to UCLA, Iowa State, and Kansas State. That’s a program in need of some BIG changes.
Georgia lost to Auburn (leading after 3 quarters), Arkansas (lost with 35 seconds left), Florida (lost in OT), Miss St (lost in the 4th qaurter), South Carolina (lost deep in the 4th quarter), & UCF (couldn’t score in the 4th quarter)–all 6 teams ended up in the top 25 in the country.
Lost to Colorado was only loss to unranked team, that was by 3 points.
Mike
January 17th, 2011
11:07 pm
UGA and Mark Richt made a higher profit than any other team in the SEC. Tarkenton critisizing Georgia is like Tarkenton saying Microsoft isn’t managed well, it’s a stupid groundless statement.
Ga Alum 79
January 17th, 2011
11:17 pm
Let’s see, Fran Tarkenton vs Mike….hmmm, whose opinion seems more grounded in actual experience and knowledge about the game? Also which one of the two do we know to be an acutal Ga alum and not a blogger from another school trying to keep things status quo?
Todd A
January 18th, 2011
12:23 am
Vince has never loved Georgia. Vince loves Vince. And Tarkenton is right. I just wish he would wait and express his concerns after Feb 2nd. Good to see McGarity take a proactive approach to try and resolve this situation.
Florida Dawg
January 18th, 2011
12:23 am
UGA may have sold out but if you actually went to the games you would know there were thousands of empty seats…and that goes for all quarters and all games.
And it was because most knew that we may win some some would certainly find a way to loose most. Next year…who knows but I’m not going to buy tickets to find out either.
Wrigley Field sells out nearly every game
January 18th, 2011
1:22 am
so why not UGA?
#1 party school in the country – no one really goes there to demand top tier football, do they?
Mike
January 18th, 2011
1:22 am
Tarkenton’s points are all old stories that are so easily disproven.
#1 Need to jump up and down and wave arms to win (more passion)
Didn’t work for Derek Dooley, Dungy/Tressel won without doing that– so easy to disprove this
#2 Can’t be spiritual and win
Wooden, Phil Jackson, being spiritual doesn’t mean you can’t be a stellar coach, so easy to disprove this, this is the most ludicrous of all
#3 Richt can’t read signs and make changes
2001 to 2002 massive turnaround–made all the right changes
20o6 to 2007 did it again
2009 fired entire defensive staff
2010 started 1-4, finished 5-2, saw signs, made changes, went form 1-4 to 5-2
2010 demoted strength & conditioning coach
Really, every point Fran Tarkenton makes is not true. So easy to disprove this guy.
Questions for Tarkenton:
Name 1 football coach, besides Mark Richt, who has finished in the top 10 20x in the last 25 seasons?
Did Meyer, Saban, or Miles ever finish in the top 10 4 seasons in a row in the SEC like Richt has done at Georgia?
Whose win % is higher, Richt or Saban?
UGA finished #2 in profits in the NCAA in 2010. You got a problem with the management team eh?
Richt has more Captains in the NFL right now than any other coach–why?
More NFL teams draft Richt trained players than those by Saban, Meyer or Miles–why–are they all stupid, and you’re a genius?
henry
January 18th, 2011
1:41 am
Why would anyone want to listen to what Fran Tarkenton has to say? He is just a use to be and not a very good one at that. He needs to go back into the hole where he has been all these years.
Mike
January 18th, 2011
1:47 am
Some of the changes Richt’s 2010 made succesfully:
1) massively improved turnover margin
2) massively improved fumbles recovered
3) massively improved penalties
4) improved offensive scoring
5) improved defensive scoring
6) improved td to int ratio of QB
These were weaknesses of past 2 seasons, Richt saw the signs, made the changes, and still went 6-7.
Based on this season, I see 5 New things to work on:
1) gauging progress by performance against against best teams (highest ranked/best winning record) in pressure situations (red zone, 3rd down, 4th quarter, etc.)
2) rush offense
3) rush defense
4) recuriting the 2-3 key players needed (usually a QB, RB, DL or NT–Newton/Tebow–Ingram/Lattimore–Fairley/Mt. Cody)
5) not having a 1st year starter at QB every season–got to get your back up significant snaps
Fran Who?
January 18th, 2011
8:42 am
Who cares what Fran Tarkenton has to say? He couldn’t care less about UGA. Anyone who is familiar with Tarkenton knows he is out for one thing, self promotion. He is an obnoxious loud mouth looking for the limelight. I’m not a diehard Richt supporter, but he’s our coach for now so let’s see what we can do to support him and the football team in 2011. Where has Tarkenton been all these years? I attended UGA in the 80’s and never saw hide nor hair of Francis. Now I did see the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in the student section of many games getting everybody fired up..”Dooley’s Junkyard Dawgs !!! Yow !!”
Gary
January 18th, 2011
9:48 am
If Tarkenton’s so good at reading the signs, and making changes, why did he lose every Super Bowl, never reading the signs, never making the changes needed? The guy didn’t learn from his mistakes. Then he’s criticisizing Richt for something he could never do? Seems like a hypocritical stance.
Gary
January 18th, 2011
10:00 am
Richt finished #2 in 2007, he didn’t need to make major changes after that season. In 2008, he finished in the top 10, no major changes needed. In 2009, he finished 8-5, and fired Willie Martinez, and 2 other defensive coaches. 2009 was really his first year in 3 seasons out of the top 10. Not a “trend” yet. In 2010, Richt finished 6-7 with an inexperienced QB and a brand new defensive scheme and staff. That’s 2 years outside of the top 10 in a row, the first time that’s happened to Richt in his 2 dozen years of coaching, he saw what he thought was wrong, poor play in the fourth quarter, and made changes: new s & c coach, nutritionist, delegated out some of the things he used to do so he could focus more time on offensive schemes, something he’s a top 5 guy in the country at, that’s using his strength.
Whether you think management is about using your strengths, or hiring/developing/retaining your talent/leadership team, either way, Richt’s finally got the bases covered this season.
There really is no question Richt knows how to get a team to the top, he’s helped FSU win National Championships, and he’s helped Georgia finish in the top 10 6 different seasons out of 10. He’s proven he has the ability. As a coach, Richt’s the only active head coach to have 2 Heisman trophy QB’s under his coaching.
Derek
January 18th, 2011
10:09 am
1- Did the defensive staff need major changes?
No, made improvements in yards, points, turnovers, etc. Held 4 teams to 10 points or less won 3 out of 4 of those games, held SC to season low, matched Saban’s numbers in 2007 1st year with the 3-4, forced 12 to’s against Kent, Ga Tech & Tenn to win all three of those games
2- Did the offensive staff need major changes?
No, made improvements in yards, points, turnovers, etc. Offense scored 30 or more points 7 games in a row, and came up 35 points from setting the Georgia record for scoring.
3- Did the special teams staff need major changes?
No, kicker, punter, returner, among best in the country. Kicker considered for Lou Groza award, punter won Ray Guy award, returner Boykin set SEC record for returns for td’s.
Gary
January 18th, 2011
10:21 am
Fran Tarkenton could never read the signs, and make changes as a QB.
Look at his pass accuracy trends, Tarkenton couldn’t read the signs, and couldn’t make changes:
1963-1965- 57.2, 55.9, 52.0
1967-1969- 54.1, 54.0, 53.8
1974-1976, 64.2, 61.9, 60.1
Look at Tarkenton’s interception trends:
1965-1967- 11, 16, 19
1969-1971- 8, 12, 21
1973-1975- 7, 12, 13
1976-1978- 8, 14, 32
Tarkenton’s problem was he couldn’t read the signs, and make changes in his own career at QB.
AltamahaDawg
January 18th, 2011
10:54 am
Got to respect a former player right to voice an opinion. However, I know 2 former players, one from the 1980 NC team, and one from the 1995 SEC championship team, and neither of them believe that “major” changes make any sense for 2011, given what they saw as identifiable (and correctable)factors in very close losses in 2010. As well as, still recovering from major changes made last year.
Buck Blew
January 18th, 2011
11:19 am
Coach Dooley is my hero……War Damn Eagle anytime he wants to say it. Without Vince UGA would have the tradition of Vandy.
Buck Blew
January 18th, 2011
11:22 am
Her Shell agrees with Fran but isn’t as open about it. if Her Shell wants Richt fired after next season it will happen. Her Shell is the face and mouth of the Dawg Nation.
pb
January 18th, 2011
1:07 pm
Fran is a semi-senile old coot. Sounded like a grumpy old man on radio. Granted, UGA has lots of problems now in football, but his ranting and raving publicly is not the way to solve them. Maybe he is mad the university had not contacted him to ask his opinion-(which apparently they are now.) Hope for better things this coming year for Dawgs.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
January 18th, 2011
3:17 pm
Tallcarl:
FRAN TARKENTON IS THE ONLY GUY WHO EVER SPOKE AT THE ATHENS TOUCHDOWN CLUB WHO SHOOK THEM DOWN FOR A FEE….PAT DYE, VINCE DOOLEY, ET. AL HAVE SPOKEN FREE OF CHARGE, BUT WHEN FRAN SPOKE HE INSISTED AND DEMANDED TO BE PAID BY THE ATHENS TD CLUB…THAT MIGHT TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT KIND OF DUDE YOU BE DEALING WITH HERE…..
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
January 18th, 2011
3:23 pm
AltamahaDawg:
MAYBE THESE 2 FORMER PLAYERS WHO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS CAN LEAD US OUT OF THE WILDERNESS IF COACH RICHT IS NOT AROUND AFTER NEXT YEAR….THESE 2 FORMER PLAYERS ARE PROBABLY LIKE A LOT OF BULLDOG, YELLOW JACKET, AND ATLANTA FALCON FANS, THEY ALL HAVE OPINIONS, AND OPINIONS ARE SAID TO BE LIKE A$$HOLES, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY HAS ONE….USUALLY THEIR OPINIONS ARE WAY OFF BASE…ANYONE CAN TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE AFTER THEY SEE WHAT HAPPENED….
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
January 18th, 2011
3:29 pm
Buck Blew:
HERSHELL WAS A GREAT PLAYER AT GEORGIA, AS WAS FRAN, BUT WE HAVE ELECTED NEITHER AS SPOKESMEN TO TELL US WHAT IS WRONG WITH OR HOW TO RUN UGA ATHLETICS, THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM, OR ANYTHING FOR THAT MATTER….BULLDOG PEOPLE WHO REALLY LOVE THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM DON’T GET ON RADIO AND SAY THE THINGS THAT FRAN HAD TO SAY WITH US IN THE MIDST OF RECRUITING SEASON….MAYBE WE SHOULD GET ON THE RADIO AND SHARE WITH HIM WHY WE ALL FEEL HE FELL SHORT 3 TIMES WITH BUD GRANT AND THE VIKINGS IN WINNING A SUPER BOW…WONDER HOW OLE FRAN WOULD LIKE THAT….
80 Dawg
January 18th, 2011
4:29 pm
Why is everyone in love with Dooley ??? He ran the football team into ????, no where. H.Walker was the main reason for our championship NOT what Dooley did . Dont understand what everyones loyalty is to him ?????? Get him and his wife and Bobo out of Athens and let them all go up to Tenn.
Tarkenton ?????? where in tha hell did he come from ???? I didnt even know he was alive… Read that he spoke at some touchdown club ????????????????????? Havent heard one positve comment from him in public?????? Plus how can he bash someone for not getting something done ???? he never won the big game. Go back to the Nursing home FRAN!!!
And all you UGA bashers ?????? Be a DAWG in good times and in the bad times!!!!
80 Dawg
January 18th, 2011
4:38 pm
@ Gary
agree with you bud Give the man a shot with a new defense and a freshman QB. Looking for good things this up coming year . But Gary only reason Fl. State did all that winning is they cheated like hell. Just another USC but on the east coast.
AltamahaDawg
January 18th, 2011
5:19 pm
Uhhh, you get that my 2 pals were saying that they did NOT have any magic answers, that is why they thought that the measured and targeted changes to some obvious areas, that have already been announced is a reasonable way to go, right?
Ga Alum 79
January 18th, 2011
8:03 pm
One thing’s for sure, no matter what your opinion or what you blogged, a year from now a whole bunch of people who’ve posted here are going to know how silly their statements on here were….
AltamahaDawg
January 18th, 2011
8:03 pm
OK, I am officially tired of talking about what Bill King said about what Fran Tarkenton said about what Mark Richt said.
BoWeevil
January 19th, 2011
12:05 am
Mark Richt era in which over the 10-Year Mark Richt era, Mark Richt himself claims to have The Georgia Bulldogs Football Team # 4 in the entire nation in Winning Percentage :
.723 Winning Percentage 83 SEC Games : Florida 2001-2010
.702 Winning Percentage 84 SEC Games : LSU 2001-2010
.683 Winning Percentage 82 SEC Games : Auburn 2001-2010
.663 Winning Percentage 83 SEC Games : Mark Richt 2001-2010
Maybe Mark Richt meant to be claiming that we are # 4 in our own conference in his entire 10 years here ?
RED DOG 77
January 19th, 2011
12:57 am
BoWeevil………..er….a……”BuLLdawg”……..why, oh, why must you change your name so often ? One thing is for sure though………you will always be “Little Miss Debbie Downer” to me. The statistical crap you rant on with serves no purpose that I can imagine. You left us for a time, I guess to re-charge your “Bummer” batteries………with a fresh crisp new name, but ya can’t fool me “Deb”………..I have one question for you, who ever you are : Do you really enjoy college football that much, or do you, in reality, really prefer to sit down at the computer and try your best to convince us all you are some kind of smart dude ?………..Me? I would guess the latter. Sorry son, it’s just not working………..Regards, RED
BoWeevil
January 19th, 2011
1:07 am
I certainly know how smart you are RED DOG 77 telling us how how 17-interception Joe Cox is great and really throws that deep ball well.
BoWeevil
January 19th, 2011
1:14 am
RED DOG 77
May 17th, 2010 12:37 am
“Bulldog Nation has had some pretty deflating letdowns the last couple years, BUT NOT 2010 !!!!!!!!”
BoWeevil
January 19th, 2011
1:33 am
RED DOG 77
August 21st, 2010 4:19 pm
“The University Of Georgia BULLDOGS will move up the poll slowly but surely. This is our year for consistant improvement. With all the young talent we have waiting in the wings, we should improve significantly to where we are a legitament contender for the National Championship every year.”
DISNEYdawgs.com
UGASlobberknocker
January 19th, 2011
8:29 am
Coach Dooley is human..that means a/ he still has love for his alma mater and b/ he loves his son.
What’s the problem? Doesnt everyone on this blog a/love their alma mater and b/ love their children?
Coach Dooley is one of 4 Dawg icons (w/Larry, Herschel and Uga). Uga is perpetual, but 2 of the other 3, Larry and Vince, are aging fast. Appreciate them while we can.
Herschel Talker
January 19th, 2011
8:37 am
Would take either guy for a coach at Tech! Fire Paul Johnson!
Bobo's Lil Boy Richt
January 19th, 2011
8:43 am
Vince dooley has been treated like a superstar at UGA. A statue of him as coach of the Dawgs. But he’s gonna say “War Eagle” about Auburn winning the National Title ? I’ve lost all respect for Dooley now. He can go get Auburn season tickets and not attend UGA games. And I’m about tired of hearing “War Eagle” from a Tigers mascot football team. This team is so screwed up its has a bird chant with a Tiger mascot. Just change the name to Auburn War Eagles.
Fran Tarkenton only said what 99% of UGA fans are saying here and feeling about the program. And all Mark Richt can do is give generic answers to tough questions. I’m so sick of the “Bobo & Searels did a great job” stuff. You aren’t doing a great job of coaching offense if your team is 6-7 and scores only 6 points in a bowl game. Then Richt has the audacity to blame his poor coaching on time spent with administrative duties ? The same administrative duties of overseeing 12 footbal players arrested and/or kicked off the team ? It all just doesn’t add up.
Bobo's Lil Boy Richt
January 19th, 2011
8:44 am
So Richt can’t handle coaching and administrative duties and win but Saban,Meyer,and Chizik can ? Hilarious !