Which season has been the high point of the Mark Richt era?
There’s no question the national championship season of 1980 was Vince Dooley’s best, and the relatively slim pickings from among the Ray Goff and Jim Donnan years make picking their best seasons pretty easy, too: 1992 for Goff, when the Dogs finished 10-2 and beat Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl, and 1997 for Donnan, also with a 10-2 record that included beating Florida and a win over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl.
But looking back over the past 10 years of Mark Richt at UGA, the choice of best season isn’t quite so clear-cut. The 2002 and 2005 teams won the SEC while the 2007 Dogs wound up the season ranked No. 2 in the country and with so much momentum that next year’s team was the preseason No. 1.
Dayne Young of HolyTurf.com tackled the question recently in his overview of the past decade. He noted that the most impressive season of nonconference play for Georgia under Richt was probably 2007, when the Dogs beat Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech and a highly touted Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, while Richt’s best season in the SEC was 2002, with the only loss being to the Gators.
As for the overall best season, Young writes: “This was a tough decision because Georgia ended the year as one of the top teams in both 2002 and 2007. The team in 2007 was probably the better team and more feared by opponents. But the team in 2002 lost one less game, so they get the nod here. That was only Coach Richt’s second season at Georgia. But, they ended up pummeling Arkansas in the SEC Championship by a score of 30-3. The miraculous moment of that season was at Auburn when David Greene completed a corner endzone touchdown pass that gave the Dawgs the victory. The only blemish of the season was a loss against Florida. Georgia ended the season with a 26-13 defeat of Bobby Bowden and Florida State. The Dawgs ended the year ranked number three in the nation.”
Loading ...The 2002 Bulldogs had a pretty awesome lineup, too, with Greenie, Musa Smith, Jon Stinchcomb, Terrence Edwards, David Pollack, Boss Bailey and Sean Jones. And more importantly they went 13-1, with the inexplicable lone loss coming to a less talented Florida team in Jacksonville. That year’s team pounded Arkansas in the SEC championship and cruised to a Sugar Bowl win over FSU, finishing No. 3 in the final BCS standings.
So 2002 gets my vote as Richt’s best season to date. How about you? Feel free to share your views in the comments, vote in the poll or do both.
A LOYAL BULLDOG
I like this a lot: Asked in a teleconference interview about his shout-out to the Bulldog Nation after his “Dancing With the Stars” win, Hines Ward said he wanted to thank Georgia “because that’s where I started from and I still live in Atlanta. Georgia will always be home for me. I love the fine people in Athens and Bulldog Nation. People always come up to me and tell me they went to Georgia — it’s a family to me. The first thing people tell me when I’m signing autographs is ‘Go Dogs!’ I went to school there and I understand the connection with the Bulldogs and the football team. I’m grateful for my time there, and for the fans who have supported me my whole career and are still staying with me and voted for me on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’”
Go Dogs, indeed!
Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!
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168 comments Add your comment
jdub
May 28th, 2011
10:53 am
87th!! Good read.
RabidDawgFan
May 28th, 2011
10:57 am
First!
RabidDawgFan
May 28th, 2011
10:57 am
Not really. But who cares?
RabidDawgFan
May 28th, 2011
11:00 am
Anyway, 2002 was the best season. Anytime you win the SEC title and your BCS bowl game that has to be your best season. I agree that in 2007 we had a very good team, I think we were even good enough that if we had been given the nod to play in the national title game, we would have won. We were on a streak and it seemed like nobody could stop us. Hawaii just wasn’t competition in that game even though they were hyped up to be the next great dynasty (sound like another WAC team?) After we demolished Hawaii, nobody’s ever heard from them again.
With that being said, 2002 was the best season under Richt SO FAR. Hopefully we can say that about the 2011 season. With experience in the defense starting year 2, a new strength and conditioning staff, a new attitude, a new hunger, a great recruiting class, and good pieces in place, with a favorable schedule, we should make a run. Go Dawgs!
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
11:04 am
Duh………….
Last year. 6-7. Loser to Conf USA in the Liberty Bowl!
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
11:04 am
The vote question says all you need to no…………
2007: No SEC Championship but # 2 in the country!
With a freakin exclaimation point no less!!!!
go dogs. woof woof.
Lindsey
May 28th, 2011
11:10 am
2007 was defiantly my favorite year that CMR coached!! From the overtime catch in Alabama, the end-zone dance in Jacksonville and the chill bumps I got when the Dawgs ran out in all black against Auburn it remains my favorite. I feel like we got to see another side to CMR, he is always a class act. I was so happy to see Hines get the mirror ball trophy, he is one of my favorite Dawgs and I loved it when he gave a shout out to the Bulldog Nation (I hope Gator Emmitt Smith heard it to in the crowd!!). Looking forward to the 2011 season, GO DAWGS!!!
ugaclassof2004
May 28th, 2011
11:17 am
Good question Bill,
I think 2002 was UGA’s best season under Richt. 13-1, SEC title, good talent.
However with that being said, if you ask me which of Mark Richt’s teams had the championship swagger to win a National Title, I’m going with the 2007 team. The way they played from the Florida game on was just RAW! The way they dominated Florida and Auburn….Good GOD! I think that team would have beaten LSU in the SEC Title game. I think they would have beaten USC in the Rose Bowl. And I think they would have throttled THE Ohio State for the National Title game.
2002 had some swagger too when they blew out Tech and Arkansas late in the year, but those teams were pretty mediocre. Plus I not sure if the 2002 team could have beaten that Miami team with Ken Dorsey, Willis McGahee etc. That was a VERY talented team. They might could have beaten Ohio State, but I think Miami would have still beaten us, even though I will give us enough credit to say it would be a close game. Whereas in 2007 we were the best team in the country by the end of the season and would have beaten anyone for the title.
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
11:23 am
uga class of 2004,
In other words regarding 2007, shoulda, woulda, coulda??
Isn’t that what you’re really saying??
ugaclassof2004
May 28th, 2011
11:27 am
Buckeye,
Talk to me when you play in a big boy schedule instead of that JV conference you play in now. K, thanks.
Joey
May 28th, 2011
11:30 am
Bill, you are blocking my posts?
Joey
May 28th, 2011
11:33 am
Buckeye, you must be so proud of your lying and cheating coach and program.
1eyedJack
May 28th, 2011
11:39 am
“So 2002 gets my vote as Richt’s best season to date.”
Agreed Bill, 2002 was “Richt’s” best season, but I’ll take the swaggering, take no prisoners attitude of that 2007 team. And the talent. USC was quaking in their cleats with the prospect of having to play those Dawgs. Wussies.
“inexplicable …loss coming to a less talented Florida team in Jacksonville.” That phrase just haunts doesn’t it? I hate that. Well, we’ll get ‘em this year, you betcha.
AltamahaDawg
May 28th, 2011
11:42 am
“With all due respect sir, I believe this is going to be our finest hour.”
Delbert D.
May 28th, 2011
11:42 am
2002 was the high point. Had they played someone other than Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl after the 2007 season, some argument would be more credible; but still 2 losses that year.
JDawg1785
May 28th, 2011
11:43 am
It’s a tough call. The Dawgs won the SEC in 2002 but still lost to the lizards in Jacksonville. They beat Florida in 2007 but didn’t play for the conference title due to two REALLY stupid losses earlier on. If we’re evaluating them in terms of accomplishment, you have to give the nod to 2002. If we’re evaluating them on how entertaining they were to watch, you have to go with 2007.
aarh
May 28th, 2011
11:45 am
Buckeye- Learn how to spell. No means no…as in yes & no.
Delbert D.
May 28th, 2011
11:56 am
Also, the 2007 team had 2 losses in the division, S.C and UT. They were division co-champs, but could they have beaten LSU in the CCG?
1eyedJack
May 28th, 2011
12:01 pm
Delbert, I’m thinking that team would not be denied.
Dr Stu Green ...
May 28th, 2011
12:05 pm
13-1 in 2002 was a GREAT example of what A LOT of luck can do for a team. Clemson, SC, Bama & Auburn should’ve ALL been losses!
Clemson OFFSIDES on a kickoff, and on the rekick GA returns it for a TD. GA wins by 3.
SC fumbles TWICE inside the 5 yd line, coupled with Pollack’s “LUCKY Look-what-I-found in my Lap” play – GA wins 12-7.
Bama picks up fumble at 30 yd line, rumbles 69 yds to GA’s 1 yd line with it … play called dead b/c GA false start – GA scores TD a few. Don’t forget a couple of other killer penalties against Bama either. GA wins by 2.
Auburn’s kicking GA’s butt, the Tubberville goes into “prevent win / ultra conservative mode” in the 4th qrt. GA scores TD on 4th & goal from the 20 yd line???? and wins by 3.
And don’t get me started on the lucky Sugar Bowl win over an FSU team that had its #1 & #2 QBs suspended for the game!!
2007 … yeah right. Good season for sure, but SoCal would’ve kicked the living shee’at outta GA!! Go ahead, and say what you want Dog fans, but SoCal, and their cheating ways, would’ve done to GA what they did to OU.
Get over it!
Ca dawg
May 28th, 2011
12:12 pm
The 2002 team broke a 20 year sec title drought. It’s forgotten now how big a deal that was for us. I can still remember running all over the house yelling after Michael Johnson’s catch against auburn. But I’ve never seen a Georgia team as dominant as the 2007 bunch (Florida game forward), and the Florida and auburn games produced some very memorable moments. Marcus Howard slamming tebow, knowshons goalline stretch against Florida and that cut he made against auburn, Gary Samuelson and lundquist dancing in the booth to soulja boy, massaquoi’s 85 yard td catch, the blackout…
Man, this was a good column.
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
12:24 pm
Is this really a question?
2002
Not his players.
BVG leading the D
He was calling the plays.
Never been better and will never be this good again.
kb
May 28th, 2011
12:32 pm
Buckeye, come trash talk on an SEC board when you can actually compete with players and coaches that don’ t cheat, NCAA is going to be very harsh with The Cheat and the head coach covers it up University.
DAWGS forever
May 28th, 2011
12:34 pm
My favorite is the “02″ because it was a return to the glory days. The only trouble is we need another return…..
The 02 Team was a sleeper than just caught fire. Down the stretch you could see each week how they got better. Once they beat Auburn, who lost their fullback in the first half who was caving in our D line. We steam rolled tech and arkansas and to finish with FSU from who Richt came…. story book.
How about a dream season from the dream team? Go DAWGS!
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
12:35 pm
kb
trash talking on an SEC board is the best place to do it. All SEC do some cheating. The phrase came from the GOD of SEC coaches, “If you ain’t Cheat’n You ain’t Try’n” The Bear.
DAWGS forever
May 28th, 2011
12:36 pm
I have to admit the “07″ team caught fire in the same kind of manner. Tough, tough choice. Let’s just hope 2011 has the same kind of ring to it! Go DAWGS!
Bremen Dawg
May 28th, 2011
12:40 pm
2002 is the best for me.
Hey Suckeye
May 28th, 2011
12:40 pm
How about any season where they ended up beating up on a pathetic Big 10 team?
Oh wait, there’s way too many of those to choose from.
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
12:44 pm
Look at the Character of the 2002 TEAM compared to just the Characters of the 2007 group.
That also says it all.
2002 were Dawgs Players
2007 were Me Me Me players.
Totally different type of Character Richt was Given compared to the type of Characters Richt recruited.
kb
May 28th, 2011
12:44 pm
Still, that isn’t a Bryant quote, that quote came from old Southwest conference boosters.Aj had to sit 4 games last year, and if Tressell would’ve been honest his players would have been ineligible and Ohio State would have lost most of the games they will eventually have to vacate.
Indian Dawg
May 28th, 2011
12:56 pm
2007…my freshman year at Georgia. Enough said.
no dog
May 28th, 2011
12:56 pm
2008
First year rickt did not play old chan
Brandon
May 28th, 2011
1:00 pm
2002 was probably the high point because of the record, championship, and BCS win. Plus it put us back on the national stage. But most memorable would have to be the 2007 season…they sure were fun to watch
Terry
May 28th, 2011
1:15 pm
Dr Stu Green …, Every team has bad calls, Comparisons are odious.
Still@theBAR, Now your just ‘clutching at straws’.
funny...
May 28th, 2011
1:27 pm
That 2002 team beats the 2002 Florida team 9 out of 10 and no one else in the country could stop that team.
Georgia would have crushed Ohio State or Miami that year.
funny...
May 28th, 2011
1:29 pm
That 2002 team also shows that Richt will always be the “almost” guy.
bdawg
May 28th, 2011
1:45 pm
02 hands down the best season. Tennessee beat the crap out of us in 07
Alabama Jack
May 28th, 2011
2:01 pm
His about to be last one
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
2:01 pm
How Bout the Season the GRANDMA Bandit had? Turns out the Georgia Dawg Fan Grandma Bandit is really Grandpa. Got to love the UGA fans.
BOSS GATOR
May 28th, 2011
2:05 pm
YO RED PANTIES…….Season for ” What ya got Loren”…..”.Well, Larry…..Beautiful day here in Jacksonville……Silver Bonnets….Black sweaters…..Red panties….Doesn’t get any better than this…..Until the kick-off…Then……..I’m Leaving….Again….At halftime Darn those Red Panties”….Back to you, Larry”……October 29, 2011……We’;re waiting…….Your BOSS…..
Effie's of Athens Boarding House
May 28th, 2011
2:13 pm
. . . . . . . . gotta beat Boise State . . . . . . . .
2002 team was better
May 28th, 2011
2:25 pm
UGA lost to Fulmer and the Vols 35-14 in 2007
and Zook and the Gators 20-13 in 2002.
fpice
May 28th, 2011
2:31 pm
The season that will be the high point is yet to come. For me it will be the season this poor excuse of a coach is finally fired. How do you lose SEVEN games in one season at UGA?
Dream on!!
May 28th, 2011
2:33 pm
“And more importantly they went 13-1, with the inexplicable lone loss coming to a less talented Florida team in Jacksonville”
Keep telling yourself you were better if it makes you sleep better at night. UGA could not convert a single first down (0-13) against that Mighty Gator Defense. UF was a better team that day…….7 points better!!!!
Dream on!!
May 28th, 2011
2:37 pm
“That 2002 team beats the 2002 Florida team 9 out of 10 and no one else in the country could stop that team.”
Too bad you only get one shot and the BETTER TEAM won that day 20-13. You can’t win when you can’t keep the ball. 0-13 on 3rd downs. You guys sure you want Richt calling the plays again?
Pr1sonMike
May 28th, 2011
2:38 pm
2002 was the best team all around, but 2003 was probably Richt’s best coaching job… brand new offensive line, depleted tailback corps, several suspensions/injuries at the beginning of the season and we were still able to win 11 games.
Ben
May 28th, 2011
2:40 pm
Got to be 2002. 2007 is marred by the beat down against UT. We tacked on a late FG to make it not look as bad as it was. What defined those early teams was VanGorders defenses. We NEVER got blown out. Since 2007 we have had way to many inexplicable lopsided losses.
Ben
May 28th, 2011
2:42 pm
Sorry, should’ve said tacked on a late TD.
DIT
May 28th, 2011
2:46 pm
Have to go with 2002!
MrGFR
May 28th, 2011
2:49 pm
Senator Blutasky and the Kool-Aid Drinkers over at the website,”Get the Apology” are still right here in my lap!
madlydock49
May 28th, 2011
2:59 pm
I paid $32.67 for a XBOX 360 and my mom got a 17 inch Toshiba laptop for $94.83 being delivered to our house tomorrow by FedEX. I will never again pay expensive retail prices at stores. I even sold a 46 inch HDTV to my boss for $650 and it only cost me $52.78 to get. Here is the website we using to get all this stuff, http://GoGetBids.com
RxDawg
May 28th, 2011
3:04 pm
I’ve always thought of 2007 as pretty much a national championship year. It’s a damned shame we lost to UT that year.
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
3:07 pm
RxDawg
you could never win a National Championship Playing Hawaii. You might could say that if the Dawgs played a good team in the bowl game. Hawaii had to be ranked HIGH, but everybody new they were not that good.
RxDawg
May 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
I meant it was a damned shame we lost to USC that year. UT was actually not a bad team to lose to. There always seems to be a team UGA loses to when they aren’t supposed to. Well, in our good years I mean. I guess we lost to lots of people last year =/
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
3:09 pm
What do I know, I have UGA envy! I hate those guys!
idiot Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
3:17 pm
Read the post moron. He said if UGA beat UT. It would have been a NC year. UGA beats UT they are not playing Hawaii, they would have played Ohio State. Tool!
SSIgator
May 28th, 2011
3:22 pm
“the inexplicable lone loss coming to a less talented Florida team in Jacksonville”
Really? I guess in your dreams Bill. When UGA is 3-18 vs UF it is not that hard to explain. Have another round of KoolAid guys.
SSIgator
May 28th, 2011
3:32 pm
“Which season has been the high point of the Mark Richt era?”
That really is a toss-up. I was either the year he was a bartender or when he was a salesman. Wait a minute – he is still doing both. Siphoning $3,000,000 a year out of UGA and serving up the KoolAid to the fan base. What a con artist.
idiot Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
3:38 pm
SSIgator is my Lover
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
3:56 pm
idiot Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
3:17 pm
Read the post moron.
RxDawg
May 28th, 2011
3:04 pm
I’ve always thought of 2007 as pretty much a national championship year.
I meant it was a damned shame we lost to USC that year. UT was actually not a bad team to lose to.
FOOL UGA LOST 2 SEC games. If the Dawgs beat either 1 of those teams they still wouldn’t have played Ohio State for the National Championship.
dawgfan
May 28th, 2011
4:09 pm
Best Richt seasons:
1. 2002
2. 2007
3. 2005
4. 2003
5. 2006 (the end part)
Thanks.
dawgfan
May 28th, 2011
4:11 pm
I’ve long said there is no excuse for us not winning it all in 2007. You can thank Bobo and his usual brainfart playcalling for that one. Seriously. All the pieces were there, but Bobo blew it.
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
4:13 pm
Think I’ll change my name then who will y’all be able to beat on??
Send'em U hauls
May 28th, 2011
4:16 pm
Richts only good coaching job without Donnan players and BVG was 2006 when it won in the Chic Filet Bowl over Va. Tech. Time for him to leave now and Perno too.
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
4:16 pm
Hey dogs hey dogs
Whatcha gonna do?
Whatcha gonna do?
Starting 0-2
repeat………………
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
4:16 pm
Buckeye
that is easy to answer. EACH OTHER.
Just wait til they lose and they will half be screaming for Richt or Bob or Both to be fired. The other half will be saying, but Richt is a great Christian and he is the best we can get. Also Bobo is a lifelong Dawg and he has 5 kids to house, feed, and educate.
Dawgs beat on each other as much as anyone else does. Just wait and see.
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
4:20 pm
Whoever graced me with the spelling lesson……
Byte me.
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
4:25 pm
funny,
See you’re a shoulda woulda coulda dog too.
After going 6-7 and losing to Conf USA in the Loser Bowl, I guess I’d be woulda shoulda coulda guy too.
Stick with ladies softball and your gymdogs.
You’re a wannabee program…..nothing more than mediocre. You’re the Illinois and Indiana of the Big 10.
Our kids can sell Championship rings, conference and otherwise, because we win them. A lot of them.
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
4:30 pm
And, our APR is 985.
Buckeye
May 28th, 2011
4:36 pm
Urban…………..
Time Out
Time Out
Time Out
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
4:55 pm
Did the DAWGS just beat the Gators?
Well, the dawgs can do it in baseball at least.
kb
May 28th, 2011
5:04 pm
Buckeye , Ohio state will wind up with no wins in 2010, and they deserve everything the NCAA is going to toss at them. Big 10 football not in the same league with SEC, LOL if you think Ohio State would be competitive in the SEC.Whats that record vs the SEC ? Ohio State is always overated , playing in a second class league.
MrGFR
May 28th, 2011
5:22 pm
I think his highest achievement was the 31 – 0 drumbing by Alabama at half time in front of a home crowd. This showed without a doubt that Coach Mark Rhetor-Richt had lost control of his program and things have spiraled downward since then.
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
5:35 pm
kb
how long until some thing comes out about the recruitment of the DREAM TEAM?
I don’t think was done wrong but you never know.
I will be very surprised if the Dream Team doesn’t have a few players get into some BAD trouble during their time in Athens.
kb
May 28th, 2011
5:45 pm
Still, That is sheer speculation, who knows how any 18 year old is going to react to college life? So far so good on the trouble front this year.
Reina
May 28th, 2011
6:30 pm
The correct answer is: none of the above. Richt has been a third-rate excuse for a head coach from the day he arrived in Athens.
Fyneman
May 28th, 2011
6:33 pm
A few salient comments about UGA and Mark Richt:
1. Four different SEC teams have won the last five BCS championships.
2. UGA was not one of those teams.
3. During that period, UGA did not win the SEC championship.
4. During that period, UGA did not even win its SEC division.
5. Red panties. Always the red panties. They’ll never go away.
In other words, UGA has sunk into total irrelevancy both regionally and nationally.
So why is UGA paying Mark Richt millions of dollars a year?
Still@theBAR
May 28th, 2011
6:49 pm
Richt is Creflo Dollar or Eddie Long just on a football sideline. Preaching to the people with lies and stealing their money, but they are happy to give it to him.
Mark Richt the Dale Earnhardt Jr of College Football. He can sell you stuff, look good, and NEVER win anything that really matters. Well, except the fans hearts and minds so far.
UGA FRIEND
May 28th, 2011
7:08 pm
Why do so many UGA fans repond so negatively about CMR. The guy has about an 80% win vs. loss record in his career at UGA. These people should be thankful they have not lost him to another school.
1eyedJack
May 28th, 2011
7:23 pm
“Our kids can sell Championship rings, conference and otherwise, because we win them.”
Selling Championship rings?!! We invented selling Championship rings!!
Hopefully we’ll have a few wrestle with that temptation after this season.
redneckDawg
May 28th, 2011
7:24 pm
2007. Something sweet about beating your biggest division rival Florida.
Sad part, Richt might have won 6 SEC Championships instead f 2, if he’d gone 8-2 against Florida instead of 2-8.
If you can’t beat Florida, ultimately, Georgia will need to find a new coach. It’s pretty much the only game that matters, besides South Carolina. And Richt’s got his tail handed to him by Florida, regardless of the coach.
kb
May 28th, 2011
8:27 pm
Fyneman , Go bank to your Tech tickle pile.
sprouse27
May 28th, 2011
9:23 pm
*chuckling* Best CMR season? He was either good or lucky those first five years, but given the resources UGA has you’d think we’d be a lot better than we are. To me, 2007 was an extremely frustrating season. First half of the season was ROUGH. We lost to SC, got absolutely stomped in Knoxville, and barely won the other games until Florida. Then they suddenly started playing like the hottest team in the country. But the damage was done by then, and Tennessee won the SEC east only to get ripped by LSU. We had the talent, but the coaching didn’t have them ready until it was too late. Been down hill ever since and I see nothing on the horizon that makes me think 2011 will be any different. Swapping a couple of coaches is hardly a real dynamic change. CMR is a classy guy, but no way I believe he is BCS material. If he was, you’d have seen it by now. We have an easy schedule and we’ll likely go 8-5 without winning the SEC east. Course even if we did, does anyone really think we’re going to whip the SEC West? We should be SO much better than we are and maybe with the next head coach, we will be…..
Coach Grohbo
May 28th, 2011
9:48 pm
The 1999 National Championhip Season – easily the high point of the Mark Richt era.
His career took a nose dive from there.
Carl Spackler
May 28th, 2011
10:48 pm
“Which season has been the high point of the Mark Richt era?”
Last year certainily wasn’t his high point, but it very well be the most important. He’s removed himself from the CEO routine and has rededicated himself to coaching By his own admission, he hasn’t been on top of things as he should have been.
Welcome back to to the fight coach.
Saban
May 28th, 2011
11:12 pm
I would have to say the year the dawgs lost at homecoming to Kentucky and the mascot croaked. Poor UGA couldn`t take it anymore and went to the other side to avoid the continual beatdowns.
He is in a happier place now. No more new daddies and no more losses to Fla, losing seasons and choakdawg throwing krispy kreme`s at the opposing team`s kicker.
Richt of course will continue bartending in Athens telling his customers exactly what they want to hear for $3 million a year. Ain`t life grand.
SickandTired
May 28th, 2011
11:24 pm
Wow
UGA Alum 93
May 28th, 2011
11:44 pm
Buckeye: Your program has won one national championship in the last 42 years and that was a gift from the officiating crew (nice late flag ref). Get over yourself…no one down here respects your program.
SickandTired
May 29th, 2011
12:04 am
It’s time for a Mark Richt statue outside Sanford Stadium The man is remakable. He’s omnipotent, he transcends greatness in lesser coaches around the SEC the last ten years. All praise to Mark Richt.
funny...
May 29th, 2011
12:31 am
Actually those first four years were with Donnan’s players and recruits, Van Gorder was the only reason they won as much as they did. 2005 was all DJ Shockley, and if he hadn’t been hurt for the Florida game Georgia would have beat Florida as well. Probably still lost at Auburn. But still playing LSU in the Dome with a win would have put Georgia in the BCSNCG. Anyway, since 2005, Richt has been no better than Donnan, in record. Though he does whip up on Tech and that’s what the old alumni like. Just beat Tech is the old generations battle cry. Well these up and coming alumni have a new battle cry, just beat Florida.
This is going to be a disappointing season. 8-4. I’m afraid a victory over UF keeps Richt his job, even with losses to Boise and USCe. They’ll lose two other stupid games. Plus, Murray has never beat a winning team. No go to receiver.
ughhh…
Still@theBAR
May 29th, 2011
12:51 am
UGA Alum 93
May 28th, 2011
11:44 pm
Buckeye: Your program has won one national championship in the last 42 years and that was a gift
And UGA’s 1980 MNC was GREATLY aided by Ga. TECH’s game against ND.
Insert Jack Nicholson’s “ON THE WALL” Speech from A Few good Men.
Still@theBAR
May 29th, 2011
12:56 am
UGA ALUM 93
Nobody in the SEC respects your program down here either.
Fear you TALENT?
Yes.
Respect your Coaches?
No
Fear BOBO’s Play Calling?
Hell the F… No.
USC, MSU, Vols, Auburn, and Kentucky now look forward to playing the Bulldog-less Dawgs with BoZo calling the PLAYS.
RED DOG 77
May 29th, 2011
1:03 am
Bla, Bla, Bla………Who gives a rip about what season was Mark Richt’s best so-far? Coach Mark Richt has proven himself, over his “body of work” to be one of the most consistant coaches in college football. That said, he will win big time once again, and prove the trash talkers wrong. The best year in coach Richt’s time at Georgia is yet to arrive……..mabe this year, mabe next, but one thing is for sure, I don’t know, you don’t know, and Bill King sure as heck doesn’t know!…….I will say this about the past however, I continue to post about chemistry, what happened in 2007 when “my DOGS” caught on fire was just that, chemistry!………….I feel a rumbling in Athens, Georgia that I have not felt in some time………no we might not have the best Oline in the SEC, nor the best Dbackfield……our recievers are un-proven, and we seem to be pinning our hopes on one Freshman from Columbus……….but I feel something in the air! and I’m pretty sure it’s Chemistry, and Chemistry my BULLDOG friends, wins Championships………Regards to all in DAWG-LAND,………RED
Still@theBAR
May 29th, 2011
1:14 am
RED DOG 77 I’m pretty sure it’s Chemistry. Chemistry my BULLDOG friends, wins Championships.
Can a SINGLE DAWG on the Starting O or D pass Chemistry?
Johnny DangerDawg
May 29th, 2011
3:14 am
The 2007 may have had more talent, but… if they could travel back in time and play against the 2002 Dawgs, I’d have to put my money on the 2002 Dawgs winning that game. The 2002 Dawgs had better leadership and a better defensive coordinator. That team played at the level of their competition, so they would have brought their A-game against the 2007 Dawgs. It would’ve been close, but Stinchcomb would’ve given a rousing halftime speech, and the 2002 Dawgs would win a battle in the trenches.
Chris
May 29th, 2011
3:28 am
I agree with Athensgrad’04. On paper, you’d have to say the ‘02 team has been his high point but that ‘07 team could have beaten anyone in the country by the end of the year. They had an attitude, talent and emotional toughness after the Vanderbilt game.
If only UT loses one of those three games that were all close against KY, SC and Vandy. Up 24-9 early in the fourth quarter and Vandy roughs the punter? If UT loses one of those games, we would have throttled LSU in the title game and USC would have been the only team able to give us a great BCSNC game at the end of the year.
If, if, if, coulda, woulda. People who complain that Richt is not NC coach material are idiots. This format is a beauty competition not a true national title game. You’ve got to have a little luck as well as being good to win one of those two spots.
Still@theBAR
May 29th, 2011
3:54 am
Chris it you TRULY believe the Luck and Beauty Contest then you ( AND ALL DAWG FANS) have to Admit Ga. TECH won the 1990 Title OUT RIGHT on the FIELD. The LUCK was the 13-13 tie with UNC for us and Colorado was twice tied and should have had a loss if not for the %th down in another game.
Don’t talk CRAP about how the Dawgs (and other teams need Luck and to be Beautiful) and then Talk CRAP about how TECH didn’t WIN a MNC in 1990.
Beast from the East
May 29th, 2011
6:53 am
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20110529/ARTICLES/110529479/1136?p=2&tc=pg
Beast from the East
May 29th, 2011
7:05 am
“2005 was all DJ Shockley, and if he hadn’t been hurt for the Florida game Georgia would have beat Florida as well.”
funny,
Your name is fitting. Glad you think you can re-write history based on your assumptions. Would it be fair to say that UF would have beat UGA in 2007 if it weren’t for Tebow being injured? No, it would not. Football is a team sport and you play with the team you have to put on the field that day.
Thomas Brown
May 29th, 2011
7:20 am
The Last 5 Years, averaging over 4 Losses per Season, without the Jim Donnan Recruits.
BirdDog
May 29th, 2011
10:00 am
‘02 gets my vote. Remember the Edwards drop @ FL when he was wide open down the middle? Our best receiver drops an easy TD, ugh. I went to the SEC Championship game that year and they destroyed Ark. They were on a roll late and would have beat anybody in the USA.
kb
May 29th, 2011
10:15 am
Thomas you need a math lesson.
kb
May 29th, 2011
10:17 am
Thomas, hit the submit button too soon on who’s recruits did what and the years it was accomplished.
Buckeye's an Idiot
May 29th, 2011
11:02 am
OSU = PROBATION YOU FOOL
BigRedBlackDawg
May 29th, 2011
11:56 am
2002 because of SEC title but really all of them because CMR is such a class act.
If anyone doesn’t thing the Dawgs could have their 6th National Championship whenever they want it is an IDIOT. All the president of UGA has to do is let in all the players that want to be Dawgs but don’t have Ivee League like grades. Everyone knows that UGA has the best acadeamic standards of any school other than the Ivee League (Yale, Harvard, Georgetown for those who don’t know).
GO DAWGS!
Beast from the East
May 29th, 2011
12:15 pm
BigRedBalckDawg appears to be a real “Ivee Leaguer”. LOL
Icing
May 29th, 2011
12:49 pm
Everyone knows that UGA has the best acadeamic standards of any school other than the Ivee League.
What utter BS. And you can’t even spell “Ivy,” you moron.
Thomas Brown
May 29th, 2011
12:57 pm
Vince Dooley told Mark Richt that he had to show up, a week before Signing Day 2001. He wanted to go to an Assistant Coache’s national meeting for another week. No, the 1st 5 years all 5 had Jim Donnan recruits on our teams – all of them. The last 5 have not. And, we are 21 Losses – average in EXCESS of FOUR (4) LOSSES a season.
kb
May 29th, 2011
1:36 pm
After 2002 very few Donnans recruits remained, Donnan was fired in December you think Richt wasn’t recruiting the 2001 Class? Then you are misinformed. You should really take a look back at the roster and the main contributors from 2003 forward.
Ed (The Original)
May 29th, 2011
1:47 pm
Have to go with ‘07 – an SEC Championship season like ‘02 is sweet, but bittersweet when that includes a loss to Florida. Richt hasn’t put together a truly satisying season yet – championship mixed with a win over Florida. But when you’re 2-8 against your biggest rival, that’s to be expected.
Ed (The Original)
May 29th, 2011
1:47 pm
“And more importantly they went 13-1, with the inexplicable lone loss coming to a less talented Florida team in Jacksonville.”
Inexplicable at the time, but 9 years later we know that choking in Jax is the norm for Richt.
Gator Girl in Ocala
May 29th, 2011
2:28 pm
“Inexplicable at the time, but 9 years later we know that choking in Jax is the norm for Richt.”
And that’s a problem?
War Eagle
May 29th, 2011
3:14 pm
2002, SEC has changed, Coach Richt has kept the same demeanor…. CAN`T WIN THE BIG GAME. There are 4 teams in the SEC West that will as strong or better than UGA in 2011, only South Carolina and florida in the East
Bodda Getta
May 29th, 2011
3:59 pm
Ranking the SEC right now (with last year’s record):
1. Auburn (14-0 – until someone beats us this is where we stay)
2. LSU (11-2 – very solid, returning one of the best defenses in the NCAA)
3. Arkansas (10-3 – solid offense, improving defense)
4. Alabama (10-3 – good team, but big questions in the passing game)
5. Mississippi State (9-4 – strong along the lines but can they move the ball?)
6. South Carolina (9-5 – excellent skill players, need players to step up along the lines)
7. Florida (8-5 – starting over but loaded with talent)
8. Tennessee (6-7 – came on strong the second half of the year)
9. Ole Miss (4-8 – in a very tough division – better than their record indicates)
10. Kentucky (6-7 – solid offense – questionable defense)
11. Georgia (6-7 – good kickers but little else)
12. Vanderbilt (2-10 – starting over)
waytogoRicht
May 29th, 2011
5:26 pm
Hopefully, this next one, and I would be pleased for UGA if Richt could win the three key games in my book, Boise, Florida and Auburn. But this is the prersent day Richt and reality has been very pervasive lately.
Fast Eddie
May 29th, 2011
6:46 pm
Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun said it best: “Georgia always wins the offseason.”
Reality sets in...
May 29th, 2011
7:52 pm
“11. Georgia (6-7 – good kickers but little else)”
I would move UGA up a couple of places, but they’re certainly no better than 3rd in their division.
The so-called Dream Team is nothing but a huge bust.
canine
May 29th, 2011
7:58 pm
Reality , Another jealous Tech fan? Bodda getta a brain your rankings are hilarious, it 2011 not 2010 Auburn may win 7 it was a one year wonder.
rankings! here they are! get 'em while they're hot!
May 29th, 2011
8:04 pm
I think ‘02 was the better season AND the better team.
I would rank the teams in this order:
1. 2002
2. 2007
3. 2005
4. 2003
5. 2004
6. 2008
7. 2006
8. 2001
9. 2009
10. 2010
Spot on Bill
May 29th, 2011
8:42 pm
The 2002 season was very special for me; as I was a student, and was able to hit the SEC championship game and the Sugar Bowl. The team was great, but I am not sure had we gone undefeated that we would have played in the NC game. The SEC was somewhat on the outside looking in. I would have to give the nod to the 2007 team as being the better team. I think all of America knows the 2 best teams to close the year were UGA and USC, and I am sure we would have beaten LSU and/or OSU by 2 touchdowns. The swagger that team had was amazing; even down to the “Soulja Boy” dance on the sideline. I think we lost some of that swagger when we stopped some of those antics. I did not always agree with some of the antics of the ‘07 team, but the amount of confidence that team played with is unsurpassed during Richt’s tenure. I think this year’s team will do a lot to get us back in the limelight. Go Dawgs!
Thomas Brown
May 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
6. 2008 7. 2006 8. 2001 9. 2009 10. 2010
So, according to you, the worst years are the last years here at UGA for Mark Richt, and he is now what he was his 1st season – not getting better.
Which is it kb, the years we had Jim Donnan recruits, Mark Richt did better – or, worse ?
Still@theBAR
May 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
Nice call Thomas Brown
Which is it kb, the years we had Jim Donnan recruits, Mark Richt did better – or, worse ?
kb is all over the place on that one.
Buckeye
May 30th, 2011
9:06 am
Only days now until Isaiah, The Annointed One II, crosses the Clark County line.
Rejoice, dogs.
Buckeye
May 30th, 2011
9:10 am
BREAKIN NEWS
Tressel Resigns ( as i ealier preodicted….I said sooner than later)
http://www.dispatch.com
Still@theBAR
May 30th, 2011
9:17 am
But look at what Tressel was able to do in the time Richt was at UGA.
Ohio State’s coach since 2001, Tressel took his teams to three national championship games, won seven Big Ten titles and had a 9-1 record against Michigan
1eyedJack
May 30th, 2011
9:30 am
What’s a Luke Fickell? Any kin of the Fickells around Moultrie? That’s one of the ugliest and sorriest clans of red headed doofey’s around.
Will Muschamp
May 30th, 2011
9:38 am
I Guarantee UGA will have a new football coach next year!
Thomas Brown
May 30th, 2011
9:40 am
He also did not fling the football around the field, the way Mark Richt does. And, he played defense, unlike Mark Richt. He also won the BCS National Championship 2002, unlike Mark Richt. He also was 106-22, unlike Mark Richt 96-33. He didn’t lose to easy opponents, unlike Mark Richt. He had a top record against top-ranked teams, unlike Mark Richt. But, Mark Richt is a Christian and a nice guy. He had a great coaching staff, all of whom remain, while when Mark Richt is let go for failure on the football field, none of his “coaching staff” will remain 1 second. He also was 56-9 the last 5 years while Mark Richt is 44-21. And, so yet another BETTER coach is not there – this makes Mark Richt the # 3 best coach nationally at the same team for more than 10 years. (What hogwash.)
1eyedJack
May 30th, 2011
9:46 am
He’s also out of a job and disgraced, unlike Mark Richt.
Will Muschamp
May 30th, 2011
9:49 am
Mark Richt is a script coach. He cannot coach on the fly or make immediate adjustments. Tressel coached period. Mark Richt will be toast by December.
Bawbie
May 30th, 2011
9:53 am
Fire UGA’s womens softball coach. Another one that chokes!
Sven Ottke
May 30th, 2011
9:59 am
It has to be winning the trophy baby……..The Fulmer-Richt Cup!
Chickasaw
May 30th, 2011
10:01 am
2002 year has to get the vote, with only 1 loss, an SEC championship and a bowl game victory. But the question is a bit like asking, following the 1979 season: “Which season has been the high point of the Vince Dooley era?” I suppose I would have picked 1966, when the only loss was that 6-7 one to Miami, but that loss still rankled. Until Coach Richt has a 14-0 national title season, there will always be an asterisk to the answer.
Buckeye
May 30th, 2011
10:14 am
To err is human. Tressel erred with the world watcing.
He is a good man and this Buckeye will forever have his back.
Go Bucks!
Beat dogs in 2020!
D Bag Trolls!
May 30th, 2011
10:44 am
Lie, cheat, and steal! How is that working for you Jim? Funny stuff out of OSU. This guy just sunk your ship!!!!!
Les Miles = winner; CMR = not so much
May 30th, 2011
11:01 am
great to see UGA softball tean continue the choker tradition in Athens…not to worry, ole’ Bill will soon have a column about the greatest UGA softball teams that never won anything…enough living in the past losers!!!
Thomas Brown
May 30th, 2011
11:02 am
Jim Tressel vs. Teams finishing in the AP Poll Top 10 :
Won Miami of Florida # 2 for 2002 Consensus National Championship
Lost Penn State # 3 for 2005
Won Notre Dame # 9 for 2005
Won Washington State # 10 for 2002
Lost Texas # 2 for 2009
Won Penn State # 9 for 2009
Lost Texas # 1 for 2005
Lost Southern California # 3 for 2008
Won Iowa # 7 for 2009
Lost Penn State # 8 for 2008
Won Iowa # 8 for 2003
Lost Iowa # 8 for 2004
Lost LSU # 1 for 2007
Won Michigan # 8 for 2006
Lost Michigan # 6 for 2003
Won Michigan # 9 for 2002
Lost Florida # 1 for 2006
Lost Wisconsin # 7 for 2010
8 wins vs teams finishing Top 10 with 10 Losses vs finished Top 10
He held his own 8-10, not 3-10 like Mark Richt vs teams finishing Top 10 AP.
Les Miles = winner; CMR = not so much
May 30th, 2011
11:06 am
@ Buckeye…you can forget UGA in 2020…they’ll back out just like they did with Oregon (LSU stepped up…) why play TOSU when Chattanooga is probably available…and they can’t understand why ESPN shows the program no respect…they are a joke!!!!
Thomas Brown
May 30th, 2011
11:06 am
Jim Tressel is a better football coach than Mark Richt. And, in the face of this, you say, Mark Richt is a Christian and a nice guy. They both had the same total compensation per year at 3 million 400 thousand dollars.
He beat the teams he was supposed to beat, and he nearly held his own vs those who truly were the best teams he could possibly be matched-up against.
8-10 vs teams finishing in the Top 10 AP Poll Jim Tressel
3-10 vs teams finishing in the Top 10 AP Poll Mark Richt.
DFWdawg
May 30th, 2011
1:48 pm
2007 team had better offense, especially in the red-zone. 2002 team had a vastly better defense and special teams. Overall, 2002 team is better.
Outside looking in
May 30th, 2011
1:58 pm
Thomas, take a look at most the ranked teams he beat were from from his own pathetic conference and didn’t deserve the ranking.By the way 9 of those games were played while using players recruited by John Cooper and 3 of those you list were played in 2002 using Coopers players.he five wins over ranked opponents since 2005, 4 came within his own conference 1 win (notre dame)vs ranked opponents outside the big 1 little 11 since 2005.
redneckDawg
May 30th, 2011
6:34 pm
High point was 9 years ago? 9 years? You gotta be kiddin me.
UGADawg83
May 30th, 2011
8:08 pm
In what season did Bill quit writing lame blogs? Wait—that hasn’t happened.
needums
May 30th, 2011
9:12 pm
So are we already looking back at what CMR did instead of what is going to be done? It look’s more and more like this will be his final year at UGA.
swampjacket
May 30th, 2011
10:14 pm
Perfect Blog for Dawg fans, who live in the fantasyland of the past….should run it every year. “People drink in the past when the future dries up”!!!
Still@theBAR
May 31st, 2011
6:13 am
Richt’s best year had to be when he had a “KID” (as old as Matt Ryan is right now) playing QB for him at FSU winning a Heisman. Everybody thought Richt was the NEXT Great Offensive mind. I mean he did have 2 Heisman Trophy winners. 1 became a NBA point guard for a minute and the other was and OLD man in College. RICHT must have been Brilliant to coach those guys to Heismans.
DawginLex
May 31st, 2011
8:47 am
2002 was the best total season but the end of 2006 was Richt’s best coaching job and set up 2007. Beating Auburn like a drum, then GT who was ranked and then coming back against VT in the bowl was as good a series of wins as Richt has had.
Nick
May 31st, 2011
9:33 am
Why not 2005? He did alot with a much less talented team and more question marks coming into the season I thought.
it is what it is
May 31st, 2011
10:06 am
how bout year 2010, six and seven, 11 arrest, lost to UCF in Liberty Bowl but managed to have what some 10 players drafted, now that is coaching, keep up the good work on that
Stinkin' Dawg
May 31st, 2011
10:30 am
The key with blog’s title is “HAS BEEN” because that’s all this team of mutts can do – is look backward for glory.
Richt and the rest of his God-awful staff need to replaced ASAP or we’re gonna continue getting lapped by others in the division and conference (USC, UF, AU, UA, LSU, etc.).
DawginLex
May 31st, 2011
11:01 am
Comparing Tressel to Richt is a big joke since everything Tressel did is permanently tainted.
10 years down the crapper
SSIgator
May 31st, 2011
11:26 am
From the Orlando Sentinel:
“Are we supposed to be impressed that new Gators coach Will Muschamp guaranteed a victory over Georgia? A Gator coach guaranteeing a victory over Georgia is sort of like an American general guaranteeing victory over Fiji.”
redneckDawg
May 31st, 2011
11:38 am
Maybe 2011 will finally be Richt’s best year, you never know.
Book 'em, Dano
May 31st, 2011
12:58 pm
Any season when less than a dozen dawgtard players were arrested has to be considered an outstanding season.
Of course, there weren’t very many of those.
Magnetic Attraction
May 31st, 2011
1:01 pm
Comparing Tressel to Richt is a big joke since everything Tressel did is permanently tainted.
When all the facts are in, Tressel will look like a choirboy compared to Richt. Richt is just a giant sleaze magnet.
DawginLex
May 31st, 2011
1:05 pm
Dream on magnet boy.
Go re-attach yourself to the frig.
DawginLex
May 31st, 2011
1:07 pm
SSIgator
May 31st, 2011
11:26 am
From the Orlando Sentinel:
“Are we supposed to be impressed that new Gators coach Will Muschamp guaranteed a victory over Georgia? A Gator coach guaranteeing a victory over Georgia is sort of like an American general guaranteeing victory over Fiji.”
********************************************************************
SSI quotes Mike Bianchi. This is an all time low, even for you.
Like seeking advice from JB Stoner on why power drinking is healthy for politicians.
JTH
May 31st, 2011
2:00 pm
Bill it’s not just you personally, but it seems every article written about UGA football on the AJC lately reads like Ritch’s career obituary. They all are written like he’s already fired and is just playing out the season.
AceDawg
May 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
I’m glad to see the 2002 team getting the nod so far. That team had a better edge. Beating Hawaii in the BCS wasn’t as big of deal as anyone tries to make it in 2007, and the Van Gorder era defense really took off in 2002 and was as good as any SEC defense of any team in recent years.
The 2007 blackout game vs. Auburn was perhaps the high point of the Richt era as far as any one game atmosphere goes.
Coachdawg 2000
May 31st, 2011
3:27 pm
2002-it’s a no-brainer! We were actually the best team in the SEC that year snuck up on LSU in SECCG in ‘05 and 2007 didn’t even win the east. Duh!
Rick S
May 31st, 2011
3:50 pm
Georgia fans need to quit thinking about the past and especially the “Glory Days” and trying to relive the past! It’s time to not only believe but prove to the SEC and the nation Georgia is a contender not a pretender. There was an article in the Orlando Sentel about a year ago that said “Georgia’s Football Program” is one of the most over-rated programs in the country. It’s time this is proven wrong by winning championships!
Jokester
May 31st, 2011
4:48 pm
A graduate from UGA was suffering from constipation, so his doctor prescribed suppositories. A week later the bulldog complained to the doctor that the suppositories had not produced the desired results.
“Have you been taking them regularly?” the doctor asked.
“What do you think I’ve been doing,” asked the bulldog, “shoving them up my ass?”
Bless Your Hearts
May 31st, 2011
6:31 pm
It’d have to be 2007 when the Dawgs beat the Gators after the Gators had lost the majority of their defense from the 2006 BCS Championship team to the NFL and played mostly freshman on defense due to effects of Urban’s first “lame-duck” recruiting class.
whatever
May 31st, 2011
6:48 pm
Richt’s best year was when he was basically using Donnan’s recruits. Since then – Richt hasn’t made it on his own. Sure – many of you say “yeah, but look at his 10 year record – better than just about anyone” – to which I say “yea, look at the TALENT that has been at UGA since then and how much was UNDER utilized”. Many other teams won NCs with not near the talent that UGA had. And please don’t use the 10-game winning seasons over and over – most of those were panzi teams – Richt STILL hasn’t beat the teams that mattered – when they mattered – except in 2002, once again, using Donnan’s players.
Troy
May 31st, 2011
6:56 pm
HOW BOUT “THE” ohio state university……..ha! what goes around comes around…….next up: Hopefully AUBARN!
Return to Glory
May 31st, 2011
9:47 pm
2002 if you ain’t the SEC champ you ain’t the best..nuff said.
gomdawg
June 1st, 2011
5:45 am
YOU CANT FIND ANYTHING TO WRITE ABOUT
JTown
June 1st, 2011
9:28 pm
Ok, 69% say 2002 was Richt’s high point, 9 YEARS AGO. 9. YEARS. TIME TO GO.