Richt: ‘You keep control of your team by disciplining your team’
Mark Richt makes a good case for how he disciplines his team. (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
Mark Richt has obviously heard the sniping out there that a rash of player suspensions on his team is somehow indicative of him not being in control of his program.
And he’s having none of it.
Richt did a good job Tuesday night at an Augusta Bulldog Club gathering of stating the case for his brand of discipline at UGA.
“A lot of people might think you may be losing control of your program because you have a lot of suspensions from the season, but the reality is that’s how you keep control of your team by disciplining your team,” the Athens Banner-Herald quoted Richt as telling the crowd of fans.
And perhaps in reference to how Urban Meyer is reported to have conducted business at Florida, Richt added: “If you notice, we’re not going to have any partiality between the kids that walk on or are starting.”
Richt noted past instances of players who had disciplinary trouble while in Athens but still managed to become successful, including Verron Haynes of “hobnail boot” fame. “He got suspended for the first game of that season along with Randy McMichael and a couple of other guys,” Richt said. “Those guys turned it around and they recovered, they learned and grew from it.”
Richt also made an oblique comparison between the up-front way he handles these situations and the way they were handled by his predecessor at UGA.
“When I first came to Georgia, there had been some issues,” the Macon Telegraph quoted him as saying. “You don’t get a job unless there had been some issues. And the thing that I said to our staff and to my administration is if something happens, we’re gonna clean it up, we’re not gonna cover it up. OK. When you have that philosophy, you’re gonna see some of your dirty laundry. And it’s embarrassing, quite frankly. You don’t like it. But if you face the problem head on, and you take care of it, and you discipline it and move forward in a positive direction, that’s all we can do. So that’s how we’re going about our business. And in the meantime, some other guys are gonna have to step up and play ball in those first couple of games, and get after it.”
Talking with reporters before the Augusta appearance, Richt said he’d told Malcolm Mitchell that he needs to be ready to play both defense and offense this fall, as well as possibly being the kickoff or punt returner, and that he’s met with the strength and nutrition staff to see what might be done to increase Mitchell’s stamina and avoid more hamstring problems. “He’s had a couple of hamstring pulls. He had one last season and he had one in the spring. You just don’t want to overload him is the big thing. If you do, you don’t get him on either side of the ball.”
As the season rolls on, the coach said, “I’ve got a feeling with the temperature change and with the guys coming back, I think he’ll be more freed up to make more plays offensively, but in the beginning, he’s got to be ready to play DB.”
TEAMMATES TALK UP CROWELL
Isaiah Crowell is approaching things differently this season, teammates say. (Johnny Crawford / AJC)
Fans were encouraged to see Isaiah Crowell running strong Saturday in the G-Day game, and we can take more encouragement from the way some of his teammates were talking about him in an ESPN.com profile.
Discussing the change from Crowell’s freshman season, quarterback Aaron Murray said, “He definitely needed some growing up. He definitely needed to mature. He realized that, and I know he heard all the talk going around [about him]. He took it personally.”
Murray noted that Crowell is taking it more seriously this year, spending more time in the film room and even devoting more time to stretching before practice. More importantly, Crowell understands what he’s supposed to do, including in pass protection, and is working hard at it.
The competition from other backs in Georgia’s now crowded tailback corps is a factor, Mark Richt noted. “It’s not going to be like a whole program is resting on Isaiah’s shoulders,” Richt said.
But the bottom line, Murray said, is Crowell is “a special running back. When he puts his mind to it, I really don’t see anyone better than him. When he has the ball in hands, it can turn into a big play at any minute.”
I think Murray’s right. And there’s no doubt a more determined Crowell will definitely be a plus for the Dogs this fall.
LOSING A LEGEND
Athens' remarkable Fred Birchmore rode a bicycle around the world. (Vanishing Georgia)
Athens and UGA lost a legend this past weekend with the death of Fred Birchmore at 100. Birchmore, a remarkable man who gained fame for riding a bicycle around the world when he was young and who built an impressive stone wall when he was in his 70s, was one of my Scoutmasters at Troop 4 in Athens and I spent many happy hours in his woods as a kid. He later donated those woods to become part of Athens’ Memorial Park, and the first time my daughter and I hiked the Birchmore Trail a few years ago, we encountered Fred and had a nice chat with him about the old days and his extensive arrowhead collection. Birchmore, who excelled in gymnastics and boxing while at UGA and was the school’s oldest surviving athlete, also raised a wonderful family of high-achievers, including son Danny, who was my patrol leader in Scouts and went on to become the tennis Dogs’ first All-American player. Men like Fred Birchmore don’t come along very often and I feel blessed to have come under his tutelage. My sincerest condolences to Danny and the entire Birchmore family.
Got something on your mind concerning UGA athletics or a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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— Bill King, Junkyard Blawg
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160 comments Add your comment
Dawg Haus
April 18th, 2012
11:53 am
Ohio Dawg, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mitchell plays full-time on D to start the season. His absence will definitely be felt at receiver, but there are some quality playmakers at that position in T. King, Bennett and Conley. If Wooten is healthy, he could contribute as well.
joory
April 18th, 2012
11:54 am
Question I wish someone would ask Mark Richt at one of these Bulldog meetings:
Coach, looking at Cox and his 18 interceptions, Murray with his 14, our kicker missing 14 field goals last year, seems like once you make up your mind on a player as a starter, that’s it.
Here’s my question: Are you open to changing your mind on starting players or do you believe in blind loyalty?
Spanky
April 18th, 2012
12:03 pm
Lex, how bout a blow-torch?? I, for one, agree with CMR’s stand on discipline…why?..because they are kids, and no matter what they do professsionaly, it will help them!
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:04 pm
if Richt thinks the way to create self discipline, is discipline afterwards, why hasn’t Richt ever benched Aaron Murray, even after Murray turns the ball over 3 times in one game?
Jacket99
April 18th, 2012
12:08 pm
My condolences to you, Bill, on the loss of one of your mentors. Kids so often seem to have no positive role models or mentors. As a result, they may be ill-equipped to make correct choices later. Thank you for sharing your memory of Fred Birchmore.
Spanky
April 18th, 2012
12:08 pm
Dawg Haus, I think you’re right about Mitchell’s playing time, but I would watch for Justin Scott-Wesley to make quite an impact with the WR’s.
Joory, if that were the case, then when you have a bad week at work, should you be fired and replaced?…or, given a chance to percevere and redeem?
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:08 pm
ESPN’s Todd McShay said after the first 2 losses last year, he checked in with other SEC coaches on UGA and found out why UGA was losing was:
1) Offense was too predictable and bland
2) poor adjustments at halftime
Until Richt changes those, he’s not going to beat the great teams.
Dawg Haus
April 18th, 2012
12:11 pm
Spanky, how on earth could I have forgotten about Scott-Wesley? He looked like the real deal at G-Day!
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:12 pm
Murray should have been benched after committing 3 turnovers in games like LSU, Mich St, Miss St, and so on.
Murray has no consequences to throwing interceptions, so he keeps on throwing them.
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
12:16 pm
@joory… There is a lot more to being a QB than throwing touchdowns. As richt said he is a leader everyone looks up to him at how he prepares and the players around him trust him. Also 35-14 td to int. ratio is not too shabby at all.
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:17 pm
How we perform against ranked teams is the best test of the team.
Murray is the leader of the team.
As the leader, Murray has led his team to an 0-9 against teams that finish top 25.
Why is Murray still the leader?
Shawn
April 18th, 2012
12:18 pm
Murray is not the problem in big games, lack of a running game is. You can trick your way past the coastal Carolina teams but you have to have a power running threat to win against tough teams. I think they haved moved in the right direction with these young runners. If we can run the ball, all the pressure problems Murray is facing will be lessened!
Spanky
April 18th, 2012
12:23 pm
WWWWHAT?!?! Fat Phil might be the next Arkansas coach?! I knew we’d see that pumpkin again!! LOL, okay fellas, let’s hear them comments!
Dawg Haus
April 18th, 2012
12:25 pm
I agree, Shawn. One could easily argue that Georgia’s offense is so predictable simply because they lack a solid running game, making it pretty easy for opposing defenses to look for the pass. Things seem to be changing in that regard, though!
DawginLex
April 18th, 2012
12:26 pm
joory blogging the SSDD under his 100th blog handle
IGNORE THE TROLL
Rodney Tweet
April 18th, 2012
12:27 pm
Is that confirmed,spanky? I think that might actually be a sensible pick. I mean Pig Sooiee/Phil. Makes sense.
Dawg Haus
April 18th, 2012
12:28 pm
Spanky, that’s hilarious! Sooooie!
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
12:29 pm
@joory… Murray is still the leader because the coaches feel he gives us the best chance to win. If you really think that Richt plays Murray just because he is his “favorite” you are just an idiot. The coaches get to see these qbs perform on an every day basis where as we only get to see them on game day and in certain situations. I trust MR in his evaluation of QBs because he has a pretty impressive track record for developing QBs. How many QBs have you coached? Because your evaluation of talent is seriously lacking.
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:29 pm
The running game is on Murray as the offensive leader.
1) Limit turnovers, get too far behind, can’t run the ball, have to pass
2) Run audible better, get better at reading defenses
3) Keep defenses honest, by hitting more deep ball, and getting 8 out of the box
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:31 pm
But Murray is 2-10 against ranked teams, how can he think Murray’s leadership is working?
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
12:31 pm
if murray was 6-4 you would be looking at a top 10 pick next year.
Old Dawg
April 18th, 2012
12:34 pm
Thanks for the post about Fred Birchmore, Bill. Wish I had known him and knew more about him. Sounds like a great candidate for a book or movie. It’s an inspiring story.
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:36 pm
Murray’s leadership in big games? 0-9 against teams that finish top 25. I just don’t get why Richt thinks Murray is such a great leader, if he can’t lead his team to a single victory in those 9 games. Richt much be easily impressed with Murray’s wins over teams like Coastal Carolina and New Mexico, because from a leadership standpoint, nothing to admire about Murray’s 0-9 record in big games.
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
12:44 pm
so only top 25 teams only warrant a big game? How bout the 10 game winning streak to win the east last year? Those were some pretty big games don’t ya think?
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:50 pm
Florida and South Carolina are always big games in the East, but Murray is 1-3 there too, best chance to win is with a 1-3 QB? Murray also has 10 turnovers in those 4 games.
Only 4 of Murray’s 16 wins were against winning teams, come on man.
LakeDawg
April 18th, 2012
12:53 pm
I agree with CMR. Most of the violations by players are minor and don’t get publicized at other schools. They do at UGA, giving the impression that things are out of control. However, I am bothered by the fact that so many these mistakes are being made by starters and upperclassmen. It makes me wonder if the team is really committed to playing championship level football. This is a problem CMR has always had at UGA.
joory
April 18th, 2012
12:53 pm
UGA won all the games it was favored in during the 10 game streak, no, not big wins. Just met expectations. Lost all the games UGA was not favored. No big wins.
gbal
April 18th, 2012
12:55 pm
bham – I happen to agree that CMR should have made a switch at times at the QB. In that 10 game streak we won some in spite of Murray in the ints. I remember hollering for a change against Miss. We did win the game as a part of that streak but AM almost gave it away with tutnovers. Allowed Miss to stay in the game. That was the game that CMR should have made the switch. We had the talent to win and AM was obviously having a bad day. Mason should have been in the second half.
Thomas Brown
April 18th, 2012
1:01 pm
DawginLex April 18th, 2012 10:57 am
“Richt also said last night that “some of these kids think they are bullet proof until it happens to them”
that’s called a life lesson
Doesn’t mean they didn’t hear him.
They thought they were bullet proof
Geez, some of you people are dumb”
_____________________________________________________
PERSONAL ATTACK from you, which is all you ever do.
Here, your point is that all these issues are because they thought they were bulletproof.
Yesterday, of course, you posted 6 times that there is NO PROBLEM with Mark Richt’s recruits.
________________________________________
So, the obvious question is :
Which is it DawginLex ?
(1) There is no problem with Mark Richt’s recruits ? Or,
(2) All these issues are because his recruits thought they were bulletproof
abominable snowman dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:01 pm
that 10 game winning streak was a joke and anyone with any sense knows it…except the dawg-o-philes, who consider the streak one of football’s greatest performances…forget the losses to boise, usc (x2, soon to be x3), Lsu ( we won the first half!!! stupid funny), michigan state (we won the first half…again!)…lets not forget falling to the ucf juggernaut to end the previous season…yeah, be proud, be very proud. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!
lonesome loser
April 18th, 2012
1:03 pm
Go DAWGS!!!
JB
April 18th, 2012
1:03 pm
I was there and the stance was received well by the crowd. He also told a friend of mine privately that other schools in the SEC will never on their own drug test to UGA’s over the limit standard. Donan spent 3,000 a year drug testing, he spends 40,000……Get the picture. When hired, Adams told him to clean it up. The truth at other SEC schools would shock…………….And the timer is on for the first Bama poster to say ” We don’t have that problem”….LOL
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:06 pm
@joory & gbal… as i said before i believe in our coaches and putting the best player on the field at every given position. Obviously they believe murray gives us the best chance to win. Is he going to make mistakes? Sure the best qbs around make mistakes. When he does make a mistake though the answer is not to go to the back up. Look at what steve spurrier has done… any sign of trouble from his starter and he is benched. How has that turned out. The back up qb is always the most popular person on the team. (Until he gets in the game and you say why did they take murray out). If yall could evaluate qbs like your posts seems to say then you wouldn’t be trolling these blogs you would have a REAL job. Thanks.
abominable snowman dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:09 pm
JB thats UGA’s choice…who cares what they do at other schools, thats their business. The policy is no secret; the students know the policy and make the choice to adhere to it or ignore it. UGA fans use this as another crutch to hold up their flimsy athletic dept. Pot doesn’t improve performance on the football field.
abominable snowman dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:11 pm
oh, I get it…truther = troll…kool-ader = true fan…
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:11 pm
@Thomas Brown… there isn’t an 18 year old kid that doesn’t think he is bullet proof. Just saying.
WindMiller
April 18th, 2012
1:13 pm
The 10 win streak was due to Coach Grantham, not Murray.
Look at the points Grantham’s D held teams to in the 10 game streak:
10, 13, 10, 12, 28, 20, 16, 7, 10, 17
Of course Murray did ok in those games, he had no pressure to score.
But how did Murray lead when he was needed most when Grantham sturggled against Boise, SC, LSU, and Mich St?
Murray came up short.
My name is Tommy...and i'm a kool-ader
April 18th, 2012
1:13 pm
And i’m a TRUE DAWG FAN. Join me.
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:14 pm
@Snowman… explain how a 10 game win streak was a joke? Sure the teams we played may not have been the most quality opponents but if we lose 1 we aren’t in ATL. That’s why i consider those big wins because a chance at the title was on the line every week. If you can’t see that you are a moron.
My name is Tommy...and i'm a kool-ader
April 18th, 2012
1:19 pm
Tell him bham dawg. We are the best!
SEC's paper tiger is Georgia
April 18th, 2012
1:27 pm
Who considers Georgia to be their biggest rival?? maybe SC, but Clemson probably takes that title…Tennessee has Bama…Vandy and Kentucky have Tennessee…Auburn has Bama…Florida probaly considers FSU or LSU…guess that leave you with Tech…a game you shouldn’t even play…nothing to be gained by playing Tech…does Bama or Auburn play UAB or Troy? Why would they? Well, you have GASouthern to fall back on!
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
this blog is worthless when it comes to real football talk
DawginSewer
April 18th, 2012
1:32 pm
Ypes Richtes keeps allses in theses serwers. Him throughs uses hamss uns chinchekns parts andses wes eats umes.
Weses lives heres uders sandssfords staduisms tills gamess times.
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
@SEC’s paper… auburn georgia oldest rivalry in the south. the tech rivalry has really fallen off mostly for the younger generations due to the lack of competition. this has also happened with the tn bama rivalry. TN and FL are definately the biggest rivals considering that’s who we are usually competing for the east against. South Carolina is starting to take that spot from TN.
joory
April 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Bet those other teammates wish they were A Murray.
Get photgraphed underage possession of alcohol? No discipline or consequences.
Commit 3 turnovers in a game? No discipline or consequences.
Nice to be Mark Richt’s favorite, very partial to Murray.
Fridawg
April 18th, 2012
1:42 pm
Isn’t this the point?? UGA appears to have more problems because we see the discipline. Other schools have the same problems, but just don’t do anything about them. I think a lot of you would just like to live in ignorance and pretend that everything is OK. I’d like to know how all the dissenters out there would handle the discipline issues.
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
1:44 pm
@joory… what’s worse being photographed with a beer the same week you turn 21 or failing drug tests getting arrested and not being suspended for it? because this is what occurs at your school.
joory
April 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
oh I see, anyone differing from you must be the fan of another school?
bham dawg
April 18th, 2012
2:20 pm
no not at all… but we all know you are a troll
a man of character and dignity with free advice
April 18th, 2012
2:39 pm
Fridawg, we assume everyone has the same issues with discipline Everyone handles the issues differently. If not happy with UGA’s policies regarding discipline, work to have then changed. But don’t attack other schools because they act differently on the same issues. Some parents use corporal punishment for discipline; others wouldn’t think of doing that. Just manage your own home.