Dream Team aside, here’s a big reason to pull for Mark Richt
Mark Richt knows there's more to coaching than just winning. (Associated Press)
I first heard the story of James Eunice last Sunday when a post from UGA superfan Mark Dunbar showed up in my Facebook news feed.
Here’s what Mark passed along:
James Eunice, 17, from Valdosta, fell from a boat three weeks ago and drowned while duck hunting. He was found this Monday and his funeral was yesterday. James had been accepted at UGA, and his intention was to try and walk-on the football team. During the busiest time of his year, Coach Mark Richt sent a letter stating James had made the team, and a UGA jersey with his name on the back, was presented to the family.
One word came to mind and I added it as a comment to Mark’s post: Classy.
The story of Eunice is filled out by reports in the Valdosta Daily Times and Thomasville Times-Enterprise. Eunice had played baseball and football at Valdosta High School and had been accepted to the University of Georgia. He had contacted Richt about walking on as a football Bulldog.
Then came the drowning in the hunting accident. During Eunice’s funeral, two of his Valdosta teammates who have signed to play for Richt, Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell, got up to speak. Rome read a letter to the Eunice family from Richt in which he talked about his hearbreak over the young man’s death. At the end of the letter the coach added, “Oh yeah, James made the team.”
John Eunice holds up a jersey that Georgia coach Mark Richt sent to his family in honor of his brother, James Eunice. (Eunice family photo / Valdosta Daily Times)
Then Rome and Mitchell unveiled an official UGA jersey with Eunice’s last name and the No. 23 he had worn at Valdosta. The tearful crowd at the funeral stood and applauded.
The letter and jersey were a simple gesture, but as Mark noted on Facebook, the timing made it all the more impressive, considering the strains of wrapping up easily the most important recruiting campaign in Richt’s coaching career with his job possibly on the line.
“I’m going to play for an incredible man,” Rome said.
Added Mitchell: “It made me proud to be a Bulldog.”
Sometimes, in the fervor over ranked recruiting classes and won-loss records that permeates big-time college football these days, fans can lose sight of some of the more important things.
I’ve heard some UGA fans who’ve lost faith in Richt actually fret that he’ll win just enough games this year to keep his job. Frustrated by the Dogs’ mediocre performances the past couple of years, they’d rather start over with a new coach than see this one get his program back on track.
I certainly don’t think Mark Richt is a perfect football coach and there are plenty of things about his program I’d like to see improved. But the James Eunice story is just one of the reasons I’m really pulling hard for Richt to get back on top.
Like I said on Facebook, he’s a classy guy. And that’s kind of rare in college coaching these days.
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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
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312 comments Add your comment
SAVANNAHDAWG
February 11th, 2011
12:16 pm
Awesome! Great job Coach!! As fans we get frustrated with the losses but no doubt Coach is a good man with a great heart! God Bless that family and Coach!!!
Gary
February 11th, 2011
12:18 pm
I know some dawg fans are obsessed with a NC and want a coach that will get us one at any cost. I’m glad to say I’m not one of those. Remember Jim “I dont mind cheating if I have to” Harrick? Great coach, dissapointment as a man. Left the basketball program in disgrace just as the team was on top of the conference. Give me a consistent winner I can be proud of any day over a Nick Saban or Bobby Petrino. Even though the team has had dissappointing results the last three years, you know Richt is a good man and will find a way to produce a winnner. Have faith. He does. Go dawgs!
how2fish
February 11th, 2011
12:18 pm
Bill great article, I agree we can always improve in all areas of the game..I fail to see how CMR can improve his integrity and compassion. My heart and prayers go out to the family.
Jim
February 11th, 2011
12:22 pm
No one questions Richt’s character–you get the impression he’s never going to personally be involved in a drinking or conduct related incident.
But this doesn’t give him a pass for his on the field performance.
7-5 in 2009, and 6-6 in 2010 is average.
I do think Richt will be judged for how he does this season against the teams with winning records, and SEC East teams especially South Carolina, and Florida. If he can’t win a bunch of those games, he’ll be out of Georgia, despite his top notch character. Being a nice guy isn’t good enough if you can’t perform above average in your job.
OldFan
February 11th, 2011
12:28 pm
CMR’s a good man, and he deserves to be recognized as such by all us fans who would drop him in a minute over his won/lost record. What we have to remember is that admirable qualities are different in different settings. Not all good men are good coaches, and not all good coaches are good men. I’ve love for CMR to be both. But right now, I’ll take the goodness I have. During football season, I’ll be looking for the other, too.
CSA
February 11th, 2011
12:30 pm
I heard about this a day or two ago. Richt is one of the classiest. A real stand up guy. And I trust that he’ll get this team back on track.
woebegong
February 11th, 2011
12:30 pm
CMR is a truely good man, with a high moral character and I believe he is and was still a good coach. The DAWGS will rise again.
Having said that, can you imagine how much it must have took him, to finally put Ealey on a short leash. I am sure a lot of folks said he gives them too many chances sometimes, but he truely cares for the young kids he recruits. In Ealeys case, he is 23 years old, so it is time to fish or cut bait. From what I can gather from reading articles on Ealey, I jhope he has a sharp knife.
jemel riggins
February 11th, 2011
12:35 pm
What a coach we have at uga
ceph
February 11th, 2011
12:36 pm
He did no more than any of the other hundreds of coaches would have done. Everything he says about loving the players. looking after them, wanting to succeed after football, etc,etc,etc, are the same things that the other coaches say.. If you don’t believe me keep tabs on the other coaches. We didn’t hire him to be a preacher ,missionary , priest or chaplain he was hired to coach the football team!!!!!!!
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
12:38 pm
That’s great and all and I’m so glad that Richt is a good man.
I’d rather us have Saban.
tide got rolled
February 11th, 2011
12:39 pm
Jim can’t tell how glad we are to have you impart your wisdom on us the unwashed masses..and I’m sure you have a direct line to our AD as well?
watcher16
February 11th, 2011
12:41 pm
where are all the bitter tech fans today?
tide got rolled
February 11th, 2011
12:43 pm
Bryan G have at it..I promise you can jump on the Bama bandwagon. ceph I promise you most coaches don’t do things like this…if they did how could a coach that went 6-7 this year out recruit so many of them?
WaverlyDawg
February 11th, 2011
12:43 pm
I am as guilty as any in getting so wrapped up in the winning and losing of Georgia football that often lose sight of what really matters. Granted, no one likes to lose, but that is life. It takes true character to reflect back on those defeats and make the necessary adjustments ot overcome. At the end of the day, it is still just a game played by young men blessed with the opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream.
Anyone who reads this article on Coach Riche without a tear coming to their eyes simply has no heart. It speaks to the real character of a man trying to accomplish more than a winning score at the end of a game. This gesture to a family suffering a great loss speaks volumes about a truly great man. What parent could not be proud to have their son participate in a sport with this man? What young man could not be honored to spend 3-4 years of his life in the transition to manhood under this man’s guidance? Winning scores will be forgotten in time, but integrity, honor, compassion perservere.
82Dawg
February 11th, 2011
12:43 pm
Hey Bryan…I am sure there is room for one more on the Bama band wagon….
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
12:48 pm
I’m an alum. You guys are telling me you’d rather have Richt than Saban? Seriously?
Like I said, I love Richt and this is a great story. But 14-12 the last two years isn’t cutting it. I hope it gets better.
But you guys are seriously kidding yourself if you wouldn’t make that trade. You think any Alabama alums would rather have CMR than Saban? I doubt it
Hey ceph
February 11th, 2011
12:49 pm
You are crazy and dead wrong. I lived in Columbia, SC for 4 years, and never did I hear of anything like this going on under Spurrier’s watch. There was always public tension between Spurrier and his players and coaches.
Richt is doing it right, and if he wins, everybody will be happy. If he loses, then he will be able to live with himself. That is the difference between Richt and the Sabans/Jimmy Johnsons of the world.
There is more to life than football. If the fans could just learn that, then their lives would be better too.
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
12:52 pm
Hey ceph, there is absolutely more to life than football. I 100% agree. However, when your job is “Head Football Coach” your jog is to win football games.
But let me put it this way: I’m an attorney.
Do you want to hire an attorney who will win your case or do you want an attorney who is a nice guy and, aw shucks, sure does try hard?
tide got rolled
February 11th, 2011
12:54 pm
Bryan G the day has not dawned that I cared what a Bama grad cared about and yes I’m serious I would not trade CMR for Saban .Not slamming you your entitled to your opinion of course but I for one really wouldn’t trade.
Murphy
February 11th, 2011
12:54 pm
I just read this story for the 5th time and I still tear up over it. Sometimes we all have to put our lives and feelings into perspective.This article has sure made me re-think my feelings towards Richt as a coach.As a person there is no other man I would rather send my son to play for..They say sometimes nice guys finish last and in the relm of college football that seems to be the case.Richt might not be the ultimate winner on the field for UGA but he will always win off the field in his life.
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
12:54 pm
TGR – I meant that I’m a UGA alum, sir.
DAWGS forever
February 11th, 2011
12:59 pm
Great story. I know it’s hard to imagine but there is more to football than just Saturday’s. We do get caught up with the wins and losses. Coach Richt is a solid man that is making an eternal impact on these young men. Solid and classy! Go DAWGS!
woebegong
February 11th, 2011
12:59 pm
Man, the temptation to pull out some old lawyer jokes is right here but I am gonna refrain from it, LOL.
I know the win loss column is his job but I beleive CMR will get it turned around. He will turn it around and be the classiest coach in the SEC and possibly the NCAA.
Athens= God's Country
February 11th, 2011
1:00 pm
Thanks Bill. Can you please forward this to Jeff Schultz and Mark Bradley, and tell them to lay off Richt.
I will gladly put up with two down seasons every ten years with this CLASSY man at the helm. We should be thankful our children are looking up to this man. WIN WITH RICHT!
woebegong
February 11th, 2011
1:00 pm
believe even. Never took a single typing course in college. Still hunt and peck here.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
DAWGS forever
February 11th, 2011
1:00 pm
ceph I hope someone gives you some valentines candy.
82Dawg
February 11th, 2011
1:00 pm
Bryan there is life after football..who would you rather have mentoring your son for 4 years Saban or Richt???
tide got rolled
February 11th, 2011
1:01 pm
Bryan G.I stated I didn’t care what a Bama grad thought I got the fact your a UGA grad…that’s why I stated you have the right to your opinion…I care what you think I just don’t agree on this point.
Winbaby
February 11th, 2011
1:02 pm
Mark Richt is a fine man but anybody that makes over $3 million a year needs to produce. I don’t recall too many preachers making that kind of money. Hope to see vast improvement this year ot it’s time to look in another direction.
NC Dawg
February 11th, 2011
1:02 pm
To God be the glory. Coach Richt is indeed blessed because he’s allowed God to lead him in every aspect of life. Though I may never get to meet him this side of God’s heaven, I’ll always be proud of my brother in Christ, Mark Richt.
Hey ceph
February 11th, 2011
1:03 pm
Bryan G. – That might be the problem. You are an attorney, therefore you don’t understand the concept of “doing it the right way.” I can tell you this, I would not want to win a court case if it meant “winning at all costs.”
No one can predict what a kid is going to do on the field or how a team is going to respond to adversity. You do every reasonable thing to put them in the position to win, and let the game be played. If I was an Alabama fan, I would be more upset today than I am. They went into the season with a vet QB, a stub WR, a Heisman RB and another RB that is better than the Heisman RB, and got “beat down” by SC.
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
1:06 pm
82Dawg – At first blush that seems easy and I want to say Richt. Except I don’t 7-10 Alabama players arrested every off season. So, honestly, I’m not sure. I do know that I think Richt is a good representative for UGA, but so was Ray Goff. Being a good representative isn’t all there is to the job. Your point is taken, though.
I’d still rather UGA win games at the expense of having a coach who is a good person. Sure, you’d love to have both, but I’ll take a winner over a good guy in Athens.
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
1:08 pm
Hey ceph – I assure you, no profession “does it the right way” better than attorneys. We follow the rules or we lose our job/license.
Saban follows the rules. You may not like how he follows them (grayshirting, etc.), but I’ve never heard of the NCAA sniffing around Saban.
Thomas
February 11th, 2011
1:17 pm
Mark Richt is an asset to the UGA program. His special deeds that the general public knows nothing about is a quality not seen in many high profile individuals. He is an inspiration to many that will never attend a UGA game. Mark Richt will succeed and continue to touch the lives of young players for many years to come.
HD27
February 11th, 2011
1:17 pm
This was a classy gesture by coach Richt, but as someone mentioned earlier this is the type of thing that coach Richt does all the time that people don’t know about. Building houses for low income families with the players (I think he’s done that every year since he’s been at UGA), going on missions, visiting low income housing and giving testimonies and seminars. He is truly humble and practices what he preaches. People try to change him, his attitude (on the field) and the way he approaches his business but he doesn’t follow the media. People should be careful what they wish for. God bless you coach Richt!
chiefdawg
February 11th, 2011
1:17 pm
Most all coaches do something similiar to this. College coaching is about winning. That is why Mark Richt gets paid the big bucks.
dawgmeister
February 11th, 2011
1:21 pm
That is a great story that makes you realize how life can be at times. I admit that I have written some things about CMR that wasn’t too flattering. Maybe with this recruiting class UGA can turn it around and if it does I will be the first to admit being wrong.
Dawg 39
February 11th, 2011
1:29 pm
Again: “I am proud to be a Georgia Bulldawg”. Academics & Athletics.
The University, the Athletic Dep’t., & the Coaches all make me proud to be a Bulldawg.
As to winning, I believe that we are on a 3 year plan. Turn it around or get out. (2010,11,&12).
Personally I believe that it will happen & the Dawgs will rise to the top again.GATA.
82Dawg
February 11th, 2011
1:30 pm
Bryan he can’t be with them 24/7, sometimes people have to be responsible for themselves. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink..
My guess is that you think everybody deserves a trophy at the end of the season no matter what.
Your win at all cost is what is wrong today, to much “ME” and not enough of “TEAM”.
Don’t forget Richt has the best record of ANY Ga coach in 10 years….
Hey ceph
February 11th, 2011
1:31 pm
Bryan G.
Doing it “the right way” has more to do with following the rules. The judicial system has more loopholes than “I can’t think of a good comparison” Judges, lawyers, and the whole system is nothing to brag about “doing it the right way.” I’ll bet you that your 10 year track record is worse than Mark Richt’s record.
ncb34
February 11th, 2011
1:33 pm
Bryan.. seriously, a family has lost their son.
coach richt took the time to help out the best way he could.
and you still want to cry about these kids throwing a ball around?
i assure you, if it were your son, or close family member, you woundnt be asking for this man to be fired from job. cry about the coaching next season, this is about more than a game. coach richt understands that.
maciesmom
February 11th, 2011
1:35 pm
I have always admired Coach Richt..win or lose. Stellar example of class. Can’t one imagine that there are other stories…just like this one…things Coach Richt has done that we dont know about? Thanks for giving the Georgia Bulldawgs..another reason to be proud!
Athens= God's Country
February 11th, 2011
1:38 pm
Will Kevin, Bryan G,ceph, and Jim PLEASE GO ROOT FOR ANOTHER TEAM!!! You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Either get on board or get the hell off!
Tech Dude
February 11th, 2011
1:38 pm
I’m glad to see CMR getting some love. I have said before that he is a class act. However, many of you UGAers will be throwing him under the bus a few weeks into next season. From North Avenue, here’s wishing CMR the best and, believe it or not, UGA the best except for that one game.
cs
February 11th, 2011
1:40 pm
My heart goes out to the family. UGA needs a head coach though, not a spiritual advisor or thug esteem builder. Perhaps Richt would be better suited for something further down the trough…say conselor at about 30-40 grand a year. Then UGA can hire a footbal coach. You cant expect to pay someone 2.7 mil a year if they aint winning NATIONAL TITLES and fans want to keep the status quo. If all we are after is tear jerkers, then hire a preacher for 100 grand a year and play ball.
John Galt
February 11th, 2011
1:40 pm
We are all too quick to remember what a class act Coach Richt is in the heat of some unanticipated losses, myself as bad or worst than most. This story puts it all in perspective. UGA is blessed to have him.
Athens= God's Country
February 11th, 2011
1:41 pm
Bryan G.
I can smell your slimy stench from here.
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
1:43 pm
Didn’t ask for Richt to be fired and didn’t say that what he did wasn’t awesome. I also said he’s a great rep for UGA. All I said was, given the choice, give me a coach who wins over a coach who is a good man.
I would ask “Athens = God’s Country” and “ncb34″to take 5 minutes to actually read my comments.
Richt is a great person and a great rep for my school. And I hope UGA can win with him. But, again, give me a winner over a good man. If Richt can do both again, great. But since 2005 (with one exception), he has underachieved greatly. I am glad he’s a good person…but give me a winner instead.
Athens= God's Country
February 11th, 2011
1:44 pm
cs
please go root for another team.
WIN WITH RICHT
Honky Talkin'
February 11th, 2011
1:46 pm
Too bad CMR hasn’t evolved with the elite coaches in the SEC. Next year will be another dissapointing medicore season (even with the Dream Team). The praying doesn’t work.