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
how2fish
February 11th, 2011
2:42 pm
SoCal Dawg best wishes on your daughter’s speedy recovery!
Bryan G.
February 11th, 2011
2:45 pm
Spot on 59bulldawg. Spot on. Some people think you can’t question Richt or UGA and that to do so makes you a bad fan. It’s the same as saying that if you question the US in going to war that you’re “unpatriotic.”
There’s enough room under the UGA tent for people that support UGA no matter what and people who love UGA enough to say when things are going wrong. I am in the second camp.
But, again, I write the disclaimer that I want UGA to win and want them to do so with Richt. But our football program should be a perennial top 10-15 team. If Richt can get us there again, great. If not, we need to shop the job.
I am Bill King
February 11th, 2011
2:46 pm
You guys like how I act like a UGA man? I didn’t go to UGA. Nope. Went to Valdosta State. I’m am like a lot of you, in fact. No connection to UGA at all. One day I hope to go to a game. Typical dumb hillbilly, right here.
Yours,
Bill
how2fish
February 11th, 2011
2:50 pm
I am Bill King your an idiot and a troll have a great weekend loser.
DIT
February 11th, 2011
2:51 pm
@how2fish – L.O.L. good one
SUE
February 11th, 2011
2:53 pm
Mark is the best thing Georgia ever had!
82Dawg
February 11th, 2011
2:54 pm
@SUE …we still have him…
Matthews Dawg
February 11th, 2011
2:56 pm
DIT…you get it and thanks!!
cs…you don’t get it and I won’t argue the points! I guess you never will understand and that is sad for you!
Go Dawgs!!
dawgdip
February 11th, 2011
2:58 pm
When a child of God lives his life serving God with all his might, rest assured the devil is going to come after him and do all he can to cause him to stumble. Mark Richt is being tested in a mighty way and he will be victorius. God is giving him the strength to endure all. I thank God for men like Mark Richt to be out there and be in a postion to guide young men and women to come to know the Lord and receive salvation and eternal life. God is on his side and he will be victorius. He did not send that letter and jersey for the good publicity. He did it because he is full of ” The Gifts of the Spirit”. If you are a Christian, you know what I mean.
DIT
February 11th, 2011
3:00 pm
@dawgdip
You nailed it! CMR is building his treasures in Heaven that’s for sure!
tony martin
February 11th, 2011
3:02 pm
Enter your comments here I like Doug’s post, and agree 100%. Mark Richt is very similar to Coach Wooden. Sometime you have to lose to learn what winning is all about.
My God a Freshman!
February 11th, 2011
3:04 pm
http://www.keepmarkricht.com
cs
February 11th, 2011
3:10 pm
Matthews Dawg
I get it perfectly well. Although I have been baptised it wasnt in the well of mediocrity. Being a contender every now and then isnt good enough for me. And that saying “winning isnt everything” is the first thing losers say.
DIT
February 11th, 2011
3:12 pm
@cs – Curious. Obviously, to you in life UGA winning is everything. Can I ask why?
bulldogmaniac
February 11th, 2011
3:13 pm
FOOTBALL ASIDE………I have a 10 year old son who, one day, I will be sending off to college.
This is EXACTLY the type of person that I hope will be around to coach and teach my son. Not just about football but about LIFE!!!!!!!
cs
February 11th, 2011
3:14 pm
Sometime you have to lose to learn what winning is all about.
Well Florida has certainly given UGA under Richt a schoolin on that. What was that Richt said in south Ga when he got hired and was asked how long it would take him to beat Florida? And he said 60 minutes. Yeah, he’s what? 2-8 against our main rival?
Medocrity with Mark
Sammy Dawg
February 11th, 2011
3:16 pm
And just think, coach turkey neck takes away scholarships. What a man. Stay classy techies.
cs
February 11th, 2011
3:19 pm
Winning might not be everything. Getting your money’s worth might not be either. Lets test that theory. Give me 100 dollar bill and I’ll exchange it and give you back 5 dollars for it. That’s a
character builder right there.
dawgdip
February 11th, 2011
3:19 pm
To Honky Talkin You could not be more wrong. ” Prayer Changes Things” and by the way check out how many times prayer is mentioned in the Bible. I would be glad to sit down with you and tell you how prayer has changed and saved my life. I am very sincere about this offer.
Matthews Dawg
February 11th, 2011
3:22 pm
cs….read Dawgdip’s blog….he gets it!! I want the Dawgs to win more than anything! Trust me, I’m not and Mark Richt is NOT the first loser!! We want the same things, but CMR has class, integrity and things that last for eternity, not something someone will forget in a couple of months or years! Be proud their is a man who is a GREAT coach and leader of men in Athens!! Go Dawgs!!
DIT
February 11th, 2011
3:23 pm
So you want your money back on your tickets when UGA does bad? OK, fair enough, but why would you call the people on here that saying winning isn’t everything in life losers? That’s the part I don’t understand.
Some of us have families and take raising a family much more serious than winning or losing football games. Just saying.
Matthews Dawg
February 11th, 2011
3:23 pm
Prayer does change everything… try it!!
edumacated
February 11th, 2011
3:25 pm
I don’t remember many people questioning Mark Richt’s class or integrity. He is beyond doubt.
Just beat Florida.
edumacated
February 11th, 2011
3:26 pm
Maybe the folks in Haiti don’t pray enough huh?
cs
February 11th, 2011
3:31 pm
Matthews Dawg
I aint reading another blog. Fixin to leave this one. I get it! Yall want a multi million dolllar a year therapist.
DIT
I have a family. I dont drop them off places they can get their arses whipped as a character builder.
DawgByte
February 11th, 2011
3:31 pm
Mark Richt is going to turn this ship around, for that I have no doubt. Richt didn’t forgot how he won two SEC Championships with this program. Every program experiences highs and lows… just ask Alabama!
Sammy Dawg
February 11th, 2011
3:36 pm
Come on techies! I am sure a few of you are itching to make a sideways comment on this article and our real man of a coach, where are you? Oh, that’s right, Friday is a big prayer day for muslims.
Tweets that mention Dream Team aside, here’s a big reason to pull for Mark Richt | UGA: The Junkyard Blawg -- Topsy.com
February 11th, 2011
3:41 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Patrick Haffey and Derrick Jones, Jason Carr. Jason Carr said: Dream Team aside, here’s a big reason to pull for Mark Richt http://t.co/1oaD3vX [...]
DIT
February 11th, 2011
3:43 pm
Did not mean to bring out the serious anger issues you have there cs. Please remember that there is more to life than football. This is recreation and a hobby, not life or death! Have a great weekend my friend!
FanSince59
February 11th, 2011
3:43 pm
We’ll see what some of these bloggers, who are extolling Richt’s virtues now, will have to say at the end of this comming season if he again finishes 6-6 or 7-5. I wonder if they will still be saying the same thing: i.e., that they hope Richt continues to hang around as UGA’s coach in 2012 and beyond.
Douglas Dawg
February 11th, 2011
3:44 pm
It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog! CMR WILL bring us back !
Walker
February 11th, 2011
3:46 pm
Coach Richt spoke in Statesboro Monday night to a packed house at the First Baptist Church. He was there to support DeAngelo Tyson and The Josep’s Home for Boy’s. The debt on the Home is now retired due to Coach Richt and I wouldn’t want anyone else leading our program at UGA. He is nothing but Class and someone who has his Heart in the right place. I think we are headed in a great direction with our program. Thanks Coach Richt.
Dawg in Alabama
February 11th, 2011
3:47 pm
Thanks Bill, enjoyed reading a nice article for a change from the buffoons at the AJC…Condolences to the Eunice family. Way to go CMR!
DIT
February 11th, 2011
3:49 pm
@FanSince59
__
I don’t think there is a Dawg fan out there that would want CMR to continue being the coach if he has another 6 -7 win season next year. I’ve said before that he needs to win 10 to stick around this coming season. I think most of us want to see CMR turn the ship around and get to 10 wins this season and a potential NC down the road.
We are just pulling for him because of the man that he is. At least that’s my take on it.
cs
February 11th, 2011
3:53 pm
DIT
LMAO! Anger issues? I dont have any. I just have a serious gag reflex when I read a lot of bs.
I am not saying he isnt a good person but if he really was such a class act as it has been put here more than once, he would resign.
Mediocrity with Mark
Happy weekend and V Day to you and later.
gt
February 11th, 2011
3:54 pm
classy move richt
Redcoat13
February 11th, 2011
3:54 pm
Proud doesn’t begin to describe what I’m feeling. Thanks Bill. It’s great to be a Redcoat, and it’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
gadawgs
February 11th, 2011
3:58 pm
You are classy man coach! That was an amazing gesture and I am proud to have you as our coach. Thank you for all you do for our great university. You will always have my support. Go Dawgs!!
Larry
February 11th, 2011
4:01 pm
What an honor to have this man at Georgia.
dawgdip
February 11th, 2011
4:05 pm
To cs: Your analogies are really out there. ( a nice way of saying they are kinda dumb)
cs
February 11th, 2011
4:08 pm
I am very bitter and hate the world!
DR. DOOM
February 11th, 2011
4:13 pm
Lay your resignation on the alter coach Richt. All will be forgiven. Then we can start to turn this #%@#%&$ program around with a coach who knows how to “coach em up” and win football games! 2011 will be another blah season for a second tier program whose fan base mindlessly repeats their mantra, “Wait Till Next Year”. It’s one thing to be a loser, quiet another to be a complacent loser!
dawgdip
February 11th, 2011
4:19 pm
@cs A man of integrity does not resign because he recruits some uncoachable players or hires a few less than competent coaches. He does everthing he can to change things and make the right choices to enable all those in his charge to succeed. A true competitor never quits. He fights until the very end. A man of character will never quit and once again I thank God we have that kind of man in Mark Richt.
DR. DOOM aka DR. DUMB
February 11th, 2011
4:19 pm
I hate everything including myself!
Fletcher
February 11th, 2011
4:24 pm
I’ve pulled for Mark Richt since he came to Georgia, and he has done a great job until the most notable 2 years. Having his friend Martinez as DC was not good, and Mark is sometimes just too loyal ( a rare thing these days) and also did not get the player’s attention this past year. I still respect Mark and trust this will be the year he gets it back together and focus on the team, which he is paid to do.
dawgster
February 11th, 2011
4:30 pm
@cs…obvisously it doesn’t bother you that you are probably the only one that has commented on this article that has had anything negative to say…I don’t believe the article was about wins or loses…that could be taken up later…as Matthews Dawg said “you just don’t get it”…the sad part is you never will and probably never have….I’m sure you have a story of your own that might explain things the way you see them, this was not about wins or loses…anyone that doesn’t see this as a class act is really a sad piece of work…to equate football wins and loses to this tragedy is really sad, but somehow you managed to do that…
Athens= God's Country
February 11th, 2011
4:33 pm
What’s your problem cs? You could learn a lot from Richt. I think all of us on here are praying for your family. Stay classy bud.
corkylikesbeer
February 11th, 2011
4:36 pm
Did Coach Richt fly down for the funeral?
PHIL
February 11th, 2011
4:53 pm
Bryan G I doubt many Alabama fans would trade Richt for Saban……………….at this point. That’s why they are Alabama fans. However, if you believe that it is more important to win child’s game than it is to represent my alma mater the way the Richt represents it, you’re a moron.
An attorney, Achmudenajad, Khomeini, and Osama are all in a room. You have two bullets in a gun. Which do you shoot? The answer is shoot the attorney twice.
Obviously you’re the poster child for why such jokes are written.
PHIL
February 11th, 2011
5:02 pm
Bulldawg your statements are NEVER ” ‘I love my school more’ statements of opinion.” Your statements are I get all my self worth from young people winning or losing a childs game. If you loved your school you’d be more concerned as to how it’s highest profile representative behaves than the success or failure of some athletic endeavor. You love your school when it wins football games.
Ever hear anyone use the term “classy” in the same sentence with Spurrier or Saban? Didn’t think so.