Good coaching hire a vote of confidence in Richt?
Kirk Olivadotti apparently is casting his lot with Mark Richt. (Washington Redskins)
Assuming all goes as the Washington Post has reported, Georgia luring Washington Redskins assistant Kirk Olivadotti to Athens looks like a good hire.
It gives UGA another veteran coach with NFL ties and plenty of experience working with linebackers in the kind of defense Todd Grantham wants to run.
But to me the most interesting aspect of this impending move by Olivadotti is that he was the longest tenured member of the Redskins coaching staff, having worked under seven head coaches over the past 11 seasons (including Steve Spurrier), and yet he’s leaving to join a college coaching staff that might not still have jobs a year from now if things don’t improve quite a bit this season.
Talk about your leap of faith.
Either Grantham did a heckuva selling job on the turnaround under way with Mark Richt’s program or this guy really wanted out of D.C.
STINKING UP THE STEG
Wednesday night saw another epic collapse by Mark Fox’s basketball Bulldogs in the second half, this time against Vandy, with Georgia getting outshot and outrebounded down the stretch, scoring only three free throws in the final 9:47 while squandering a 13-point lead.
The Dogs’ fourth loss in the past six home games may not have eliminated them from NCAA bracket consideration, but their grasp on the bubble certainly is a lot more tenuous. It looks like UGA has to beat Tennessee or Florida on the road now or make quite a run in the SEC tournament to nail down a spot.
What’s wrong with the Dogs? Travis Leslie, one of Georgia’s two underperforming NBA-bound players, said he thought “we got a little complacent in the second half and let them back into it.”
A little complacent? I’d say “we couldn’t be bothered to play a full 40 minutes and just gave up” would come closer to it.
Coming into the season, everyone expected Leslie and Trey Thompkins to do big things in what’s expected to be their last season at Georgia. Time’s running out for them to live up to those expectations.
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170 comments Add your comment
BigtimeDawg
February 17th, 2011
12:40 pm
Hate to say it, I really do… Thompkins maybe the most overated player in NCAA. Just don’t see the want/desiree/focus and the hustle… that goes without saying. Needs to mature a bit, then maybe he can turn into that NBA player everyone thinks he can be. I hope he does. Lesley. is a great athlete.
saban
February 17th, 2011
12:42 pm
Just another deck chair on the Titanic.
Was Richt a good bartender?
Preston
February 17th, 2011
12:43 pm
Dawg 39, I agree. Every team has ups and downs and I believe UGA is on the rise again. What will be really interesting is seeing how UF responds to their new coach and how soon, if ever, he can get them back on top. After the lackluster recruiting, it may take them a while to win another SEC championship. The East might be a war between UGA and USC for the next few years and beyond.
AltamahaDawg
February 17th, 2011
12:49 pm
The reason the team(s) lost the games was……..the fans reaction? really! That’s what you figure to be the overriding control?
Because there ain’t enough complaining?
Uh, no.
That theory would not hold up to even the slightest logical scrutiny.
12 CRIMINAL CHARGES 7--er--6 wins 6..NO..7 LOSSES
February 17th, 2011
12:49 pm
Hey! Look what Grantham did! another 6-7 year!
DawginOH
February 17th, 2011
12:51 pm
This is a great hire for the Dawgs and a definite vote of confidence in both Richt and Grantham. We fans should be as supportive of CMR and his staff as Mr. McGarity has been amidst the turmoil of last season. Welcome, Coach Olivadotti! GATA!
GaDawg
February 17th, 2011
12:52 pm
JOE
February 17th, 2011
12:27 pm
dawg fan
Hint: Use caps when needed & PUNCUATE!!
Geez…..
and learn to spell.
grood gief ……
Athen's Losers
February 17th, 2011
12:53 pm
Did he get fired by the Cleveland Browns, too?
Sybil
February 17th, 2011
12:53 pm
“Trey”: your name of the day? How transparent can you be? Clever – not.
green envy
February 17th, 2011
12:59 pm
Adolescent Techsters: Thanks for caring. You cannot possibly know how much we value your comments. We take everything you say very, very seriously. It ruins our day. It is certainly a good use of your time. Please, keep it up. Now, drink some more Red Bull, eat a few more packs of Skittles and crank it up.
GaDawg
February 17th, 2011
1:13 pm
Just think Dawg fans, two more “Dream Team” recruiting classes in 12 and 13, to go with the one in 2011, and Coach Richt will be at UGA until he’s ready to leave……. gooooooo00000000 DAWGS!!!!!!
59bulldawg
February 17th, 2011
1:14 pm
For some reason I’m beginning to feel cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. But the staff has still gotta get it done on the field. 8-9 wins minimum.
Mtn Dawg
February 17th, 2011
1:19 pm
Back to basketball, I was p-oed after that game. Not only for some inconsistent officiating, but the lack of effort by the dawgs. Movement without the ball looks to me to be foriegn concept. I see no plays being run. I just don’t get it.
And oh by the way, I believe the ref that T-d up CMF is the ref that didn’t call ‘over-the-back’ on UTs Williams at the buzer. I’d say he’s a pretty shameful and unqualified SEC ref. Send him on down to Div II or III.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
Welcome aboard Coach Olivadotti. The Dawgs lost a lot of LBs.
AltamahaDawg
February 17th, 2011
1:30 pm
Can’t fault him for the T though. Fox was not walking away till he got one, that was his goal at that point.
Would love to know what Fox kept asking him.
Pretty interesting scene with MgGarity sitting there on camera making a point to just look straight ahead during that entire exchange.
Mtn Dawg
February 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
Yep. Once the first of the freethrows was made Fox had a green light. Nothing to lose at that point, but a little respect maybe. He had it coming and he knew it. I didn’t notice McGarity.
Yea, I wonder what Fox keep asking too. I’ve been T-d up before and my kids appreciated it.
Palm City Dawg
February 17th, 2011
1:54 pm
1953, did I not tell you to go back to your bed. It’s time for the nursing assistant to give you that bath and collect your urine before you pee in you adult diaper.
Abnerish
February 17th, 2011
1:57 pm
If Leslie goes pro this year, he will not get drafted. His game can be summed up in three words – He Can Jump. That’s it. His intermediate jump shot is awful and he is pitiful from behind the arc. He has a lot of work to do to be an NBA quality player. I think Thompkins will get drafted, but only because he has the size and body frame that NBA teams covet. He still needs a lot of work to be effective at the next level. And for those who are dumping on Coach Fox, you obviously are fair weather fans who didn’t watch any of Felton’s teams. This team is light years better coached than Felton’s teams, offensively and defensively. I think teams have learned our achilles heel – outside shooting. Last night’s game was a perfect example. Vandy played zone to take away our inside game and in the first 30 mins, we hit our 3s and had a big lead. Then we stopped making our outside shots and we stopped scoring. Coach Fox can’t make 3s for them.
JRW7DAWG
February 17th, 2011
2:08 pm
WELCOME, CKO, WELCOME to the UGA DAWGS!!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!
Athens= God's Country
February 17th, 2011
2:17 pm
Are there any Dawg Bloggers on here today? Good Lord! It is sad when you have to post as feaux Dawg fan. To all the haters: Richt isn’t going anywhere. We support him. He is the man for the job. He is also a victim of his own success. Get on board or GET THE HELL OFF! Go Dawgs! WIN WITH RICHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lagdawg
February 17th, 2011
2:19 pm
Leslie said that they got complacent, How can you get complacent when you haven’t won anything and you’ve been playing like crap for the last 7 games. Fox has to get his type of players into the program because at Neveda, those guys didn’t have any quit in them.. The two that want to go to the NBA, should not even consider that an options. Both are overrated and Leslie hasn’t shown me anything all year long. What happened to the guard play int the second half? Under no circumstances should one man beat your team. These guys have not pride and they have totally given up. Rebounding and shooting in the second half was none existant. These guys need to get it together fast. I understand that we don’t have an consistant outside threat, but right now this team will not make the NCAA Tournament. Great outside shooter coming in next year. Can’t wait till KC gets here. If you are a good outside shooter, come to UGA. Coach Fox needs at least 3 in the offense that he runs. Oh yea, also need a very talented PG, PF and Center that wants to reboud and block shots. Lots of playing time early on because right now, UGA does not have players of that caliber.
KB
February 17th, 2011
2:27 pm
Byers, Lets talk about Tech most recent probation 2005 and 2006 for academic fraud , using ineligible
players, how about flunkgate, but this is a football blog so lets talk about Tech 15 victories over the UGA since 1957 or 9 out of 10. Or how about this was it coincidence that flunkkgate happened about the same time that Morris Brown lost its accreditation?
kerryb
February 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
Bill King, are you even capable of writing a column without mentioning something about this might be CMR’s last season. I don’t believe you can. This will not be CMR’s last season. Too much invested in him and this top recruiting class will give him at least another 3 years to see how they pan out.
7576DAWG
February 17th, 2011
2:28 pm
I think the basketball team is out of shape just like the football team . S&C has to apply to all the sports at Georgia. I graduated from UGA in 1976 and I know how great it is to live and just be in Athens. These world class athletes get so wrapped up into being apart of the dating scene , studies and just having a good time they forget what kind of effort it takes to stay in shape so they can last an entire game and they lose focus.
It has taken a few years but ever since we got rid of the athletic dorm , curfews and the coaches keeping an eye on the players 24 hours a day the disciplines has deteriorated at Georgia to what we see today.
McGarity needs to address this problem and make these players realize that in exchange for their best effort they are given a free education and we expect more from them.
In 1973 I was a walk on for the baseball team and made the team under Whatley but quickly realized the effort it would take to stay in playing shape , have a social life and study. There wasn’t enough time in the day for all three . I gave up my uniform so I could keep the social scene and keep my grades at a respectable level.I wasn’t going to be able to play at the next level anyway because I was too short but the players today are so good it is ashame that they are throwing such a great opportunity away.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 17th, 2011
2:33 pm
What is the latest on Brent Benedict, the big redshirt OL from Bolles? Is he 100% heading into spring practice?
Red Harrison
February 17th, 2011
2:45 pm
two words – Tyrone Sorrels
Mtn Dawg
February 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
The second half fade as of late for the basketball team is indicative of poor conditioning. I think CMF is a great coach but the starting 5 can’t play 30 minutes not to mention 40. I want to see movement without the ball. It just isn’t there. It’s no wonder Jenkins got open so often last night. He runs like a deer to get open.
I agree with Lagdawg. Thompkins and Leslie need to stick it out another year at UGA and let CMF grow them into what they are capable of being in the NBA.
Where was Marcus Thornton last night, anyway. Did he get any PT?
Snoop Dawg
February 17th, 2011
2:58 pm
The basketball team’s disgraceful performance last night meets or exceeds the lowest lows of the football team’s historical low point of the past forty years.
Fox needs to get his team in shape and coached up to play two complete halves of SEC basketball; otherwise, the UGA doesn’t need to field a basketball team.
I am glad that I did not attend the game–it was downright disgraceful.
10 to 6
February 17th, 2011
2:58 pm
The athlectic program at UGA overall is in big big trouble. Vandy and SC are making strides in their all sports programs while UGA continues to cling on the 3 year history of Herschel Walker Glory Days. UGA is collapsing in the big three sports and folks just keep right on drinking the kool aid of denial.
chiefdawg
February 17th, 2011
3:07 pm
It appears that complaceny has infiltrated the entire Georgia sports Program. How many times did we hear that excuse during the past football season?
FanSince59
February 17th, 2011
3:11 pm
Despite the new coaching hires as well as the alleged “Dream Team” signings, Richt will still be the same old Richt, and Bobo will still be the offensive (to say the least) coordinator.
Mtn Dawg
February 17th, 2011
3:18 pm
I have renewed confidence in the football program. Some badly need changes have been made, and despite the abismal last few years, UGA can still bring in top recruits. We’re still here and Richt isn’t going anywhere.
DawginLex
February 17th, 2011
3:22 pm
2011 will be a big turnaround year for Coach Richt.
He has too much class to tell all the naysayers “I told you so”.
He is a victim of his own success.
He raised the bar.
2011 will be the beginning of a nice run for richt and UGA.
My prediction:
2011: 11-3 Lose to Bama in SECCCG, win bowl game
2012: Good chance to repeat as East Champs and play Bama again. Could be his best UGA team ever if injuries don’t crop up.
Bash away haters.
Richt is not going anywhere.
He is tired of losing.
He is more competitive than any of you know.
He will rebound.
Gravy Train
February 17th, 2011
3:25 pm
The thing some of these fair weather pansies don’t understand is “family” and “loyalty.” Mark Richt could’ve ditched UGA for any number of coaching jobs. FSU and Papa Bowden came calling and Coach Richt said no thanks, same story with Miami. Coach Richt moved his family here instead. Coach Richt has shown so much loyalty to Georgia that people stopped asking him to leave. Now, we have the pansies within our ranks showing no loyalty to the man that gave you reason to believe in the first place. If you want cut throat tactics, the Bammers and Barners are just across the border. Now the pansies will say, but Bama this and Saban that. What championship did Bama win last season? And why did so many of this states best players turn down the Bammers and sign with CMR instead?
I’m starting to realize that you can argue with idiots untill you’re blue in the face, but at the end they’re still stubborn idiots. It’s why Jesus said not to cast pearls before swine.
AltamahaDawg
February 17th, 2011
3:28 pm
I actually don’t remember a single time this past season that a football team representative made the escuse that they built a big lead at halftime and then got complacent. Who said that? What game would that have been?
I’ve heard some fans say that non-specific “complacency” was a problem. Are you fussing at them?
Mtn Dawg
February 17th, 2011
3:34 pm
I submit to you that all the ‘pansies’ and fairweather fans are not true fans. Not part of the family. Not part of the Dawg Nation. Transplants, if you will. For the rest of us – fear not, weep no more.
UGA72
February 17th, 2011
3:35 pm
Please stop with all this hate-Richt talk. Your venom is dripping from my computer screen onto my keyboard.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 17th, 2011
3:39 pm
Richt is the man!!! Dawgs will rule the SEC in 2011!!
AltamahaDawg
February 17th, 2011
3:41 pm
…you can do whatever you want to with us Greg, but we are not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United Sates of America…gentlemen
GaCracker
February 17th, 2011
3:43 pm
You forgot a road win againt Alabama didn’t you?
gbal
February 17th, 2011
3:47 pm
For the longest time BK was the best sports writer that UGA had. Was supportive of the DAWGS and enjoyed his pieces better than any of the “regulars”. Lately, I can only say that it looks like MB and Shultz have rubbed off on him and he is just another UGA basher… Has joined the AJC regulars as one of the biggest problems to the UGA program. BK – Time for a new guest blogger.
Gravy Train
February 17th, 2011
3:47 pm
Real fans don’t let personal agendas trump what’s best for the team. Bill King should take note.
Auburn Fan
February 17th, 2011
4:03 pm
“Richt is the man!!! Dawgs will rule the SEC in 2011!!”
Broken……record…….broken……….record………….
Auburn Fan
February 17th, 2011
4:04 pm
“11-3 Lose to Bama in SECCCG, win bowl game’
Bama won’t be there. LSU will.
The Liberty Bowl
February 17th, 2011
4:05 pm
Hello Dog fans! We in Memphis, want to welcome you back to the Liberty Bowl.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 17th, 2011
4:07 pm
Auburn Fan
Run down to Toomer’s Corner and chop up that kindling wood.
schmeckdawg
February 17th, 2011
4:09 pm
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? HELL NO, and it’s not over now!!!!
Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!
schmeckdawg
February 17th, 2011
4:11 pm
Come on DAWG fans, no jokes about the trees at Toomers Corner, that’s their UGA.
bruce mac
February 17th, 2011
4:12 pm
10-6, huh? What are big three sports and how is a better record than the last five years a collapse in BBall. Please use some logic when you post or quit posting moron.
WIN WITH RICHT
February 17th, 2011
4:20 pm
schmeckdawg
ROAD TRIP!!!!!!