Fan talk: Richt’s problem isn’t discipline or risky recruiting, it’s perception (Updated)
Was it "risky" for UGA to recruit Isaiah Crowell? (Associated Press)
So, SEC Media Days have come and gone, Mark Richt will be making his annual visit to the Cobb Galleria Monday, and season tickets will go into the mail the second week of August. Now, it’s starting to feel like football season! So let’s check the Junkyard Mail. …
EarthDawg writes: Bill, what do you think of these critics who blame Mark Richt’s recruiting for the disciplinary problems at Georgia, saying he’s taken too many risks and ignored “red flags” with players like Isaiah Crowell. They act like Richt is cruising reform schools looking for junior hoodlums. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Crowell recruited by just about every major football program in the country? Aside from a reputation for taking himself out of the game a lot in high school, I don’t recall any red flags raised in advance about Crowell.
You’re right. Alabama, Florida, Southern Cal, Auburn and other schools offered a scholarship to Crowell, a consensus five-star prospect, and gladly would have enrolled him, yet you don’t see anyone questioning Nick Saban’s recruiting judgment in going after him. “We’re not recruiting bad kids,” Richt said this week. “We’re competing for the same guys everybody else is in the league.”
Looking at the disciplinary problems that have cropped up at UGA in the past year and concluding that Georgia’s head coach must need to change the sort of kids he recruits — especially without explaining what sort of players you would go after instead of the ones every school wants — is a facile argument that doesn’t take into account the realities and complexities of modern-day college football recruiting. As Richt reminded reporters, coaches are limited in the amount of contact they can have during recruiting and do the best they can to root out character flaws in advance. But they’re not able to peer into the future and see how an 18-year-old will react to the freedoms and temptations that come with attending a large university in a hard-partying town like Athens — particularly kids who’ve gotten the star treatment and been coddled and enabled throughout high school to the point that many don’t think everyday rules apply to them or don’t expect to be held accountable.
As for comparing Georgia’s situation with other schools, you have to factor in that not only does UGA have one of the strictest policies in the country for recreational drug use — with the quickest and stiffest penalties — but Georgia players also happen to reside in one of the most closely policed college towns around.
And once the players run afoul of the rules, Richt tends to come down on them harder than many other coaches. Do you really think Stephen Garcia would have lasted through five suspensions at UGA? And how many coaches would kick a quarterback off the team who’s good enough to become the starter at a school in the same conference — and not put any restrictions on where the player could go? Zach Mettenberger wound up at LSU, where first drug offenses rate no suspension and where last year three players (including the Honey Badger) missed just one game after apparently failing at least a second drug test.
Richt correctly noted this week that the playing field isn’t level in the SEC when it comes to drug policies or discipline. “Some people have policies that bring certain things to light and some people don’t,” he said. “To say these issues aren’t happening around the country [isn’t] really realistic.” Not only did Les Miles sign Mettenberger after he was kicked off Richt’s team, but last season Jordan Jefferson missed four games for LSU after being involved in a bar fight. Should Miles rethink his risky recruiting?
Certainly, there’ve also been problems at Auburn, where four players were kicked off the team for being charged in an armed robbery. And yet it’s Richt who carries this reputation for having discipline problems, not Gene Chizik.
It’s not that Richt has a discipline problem or a recruiting problem as much as he has a perception or publicity problem. UGA players get called out more because of tougher policies and get punished more severely. Perhaps the school’s publicists should try flipping the discussion by emphasizing the higher standards to which the Bulldogs are held and making that the topic of national and regional sports talk rather than the numbers of players who run afoul of the rules.
Richard Samuel is a prime example of an unselfish player. (Associated Press)
Matt Cafaro writes: Bill, I don’t know about you, but Richard Samuel is finding his way up my list of favorite Dawgs of all time for his unselfish devotion to his teammates and our Alma Mater. Hines Ward was another Dawg in a very similar situation, and he reacted the same way, with the same attitude: “Put me anywhere on the field, and I’ll play as hard as I can.” I think special attention needs to be paid to Samuel this year by Bulldog Nation for his willingness to sacrifice playing time (to acclimate himself to LB again) and a whole redshirt year in order to do his part to make the Dawgs a better, deeper team. Maybe extra cheers whenever he gets in a game or a standing ovation on Senior Day at the end of the year, or perhaps some attention from the AJC. Something, anything that brings credit to his team-first ideals. I know most of us like to think that ALL the Dawgs should feel and do as guys like Hines and Richard do, but the sad reality is, that just isn’t the case, as we’ve seen MANY selfish, me-first players come and go in Athens (Isaiah Crowell just the latest example).
Well said. I don’t believe Samuel’s unselfish attitude has gone unnoticed by Georgia fans and those who cover UGA, but a bit of extra recognition for his refreshing devotion to doing whatever the team needs certainly is deserved. I know a lot of fans were heartsick when Samuel’s terrific game against the Gators last year ended in injury, and certainly those of us in attendance at G-Day noticed the boost he provided when put in at tailback in the second half. Here’s hoping he gets the senior season he deserves. If he does, it can only be to Georgia’s benefit.
Andrew Smith writes: Hey Bill, Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel seems to be building up the SEC season opener atmosphere. Given UGA’s tendency to take a few games to “warm up” for the season do you see this game being closer than when both teams are in late-season form? Does the fact that the Mizzou QB has only been throwing a few days after surgery now play a factor in your decision?
It’s too early to know what sort of shape QB James Franklin will be in come Sept. 8. If he’s not back 100 percent at that point, it might balance out somewhat the Georgia defense missing however many starters. But to answer the first part of your question, yes, the slow starts Georgia teams have gotten off to in recent seasons is a major concern. If the Dogs’ offense shows up against Mizzou looking as not-ready-for-prime-time it did in the Dome last year against Boise State, it could be a long night for those in red and black.
Art Finley writes: Bill, Here are a couple of recent headlines . . .
May 31, 2012: The football games scheduled for 2020 and 2021 between Georgia and Ohio State have been called off. Ohio State recently informed UGA that it is exercising its right to cancel the games, which had been set up in a memorandum of understanding between the schools in December 2010. “They couldn’t make it happen due to the Pac 12-Big 10 football schedule deal,” Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said Thursday, referring to a recent agreement between those conferences for a series of regular-season matchups beginning in 2017.
July 13, 2012: “We are disappointed to announce today that the Big Ten/Pac-12 strategic collaboration announced jointly in December 2011 unfortunately will not be consummated,” Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said in a statement.
Do you think there is any chance that AD McGarity will contact Ohio State about reinstating the memo of understanding for Ohio State and UGA to play?
It depends on how much strength of schedule ends up figuring in selections for the new four-team playoff. If that really does wind up being a determining factor, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Georgia and OSU take another stab at scheduling a home-and-home. I’d certainly rather pay to see the Dogs play the Buckeyes than Florida Atlantic or North Texas, wouldn’t you?
UPDATE: Speaking to reporters prior to Monday’s UGA Day, Greg McGarity said that he plans on calling Ohio State to see about renewing the deal.
I’ll answer more Junkyard Mail next week, so if you have something you want to discuss 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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197 comments Add your comment
50 arrests in four years
July 22nd, 2012
10:57 am
“Richt and McQuackity will not tell anyone who will be suspended and punished for the 2012 season other than commings, odd to say the least.”
★★★★★★
Yes, it is rather odd. Obviously, Richt is hoping everything will die down, then before the first game, he can slip in all the guys with the DUIs, failed drug tests, and everything else without anyone noticing.
Sorry, Richt, we’ll continue asking you the embarrassing questions that you won’t answer, you liar.
Donnan was NOT coachable gang
July 22nd, 2012
11:00 am
Jim Donnan was not the kind of guy that could be coached up in his PUBLIC demeanor by Dr. Adams or anyone close to him in an advisory capacity. He was bull headed and was caustic and curt with interviewers, fans AND CONTRIBUTORS and he argued constantly with Dr Adams and even Vince Dooley.
Losing to GT three years in a row was REASON ENOUGH to get him canned but his overall comportment with the UGA power structure got him gone.
Go Dogs
chazzo
July 22nd, 2012
11:02 am
Donnan didn’t just lose to Tech. He lost to Tech three years in a row, and he lost to SC, UF, AU, and GT in a season that he more or less promised a shot at a national championship.
While it is an unsubstantiated rumor, it seems plausible that under Donnan’s leadership, the Dawgs were mired with drug and gambling issues. How many players did he suspend or expel?
The one thing Donnan really did right is his big victory against the Spurrier.
Neutral
July 22nd, 2012
11:43 am
@50 arrests in…….
At least we don’t obstruct NCAA investigations, lose our conference championship, have coaches accused of assault………
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
11:44 am
Bill,
Why don’t you do a story about all the readers outside of the UGA program who post negative after negative about all of the coaches and anything and everything to do with the Dawgs. So many people criticize UGA fir not winning an NC. They’re criticized for trying to win at all cost. Criticized for being thugs, then for CMR being too good. Criticized for no discipline, and then too much discipline. There is nothing the outsiders won’t complain about. If they can’t think of something, they make it up. They don’t like UGA anyway and the AJC has become their forum to vent against this University. When a fan is discontent, that is reason for alarm. When another schools fans complain non-stop, you have to wonder if you haven’t touched a nerve. I think McGarity &Richt must be on the right track. The negative comments seem to come from outsiders and pseudo-fans. Personally, I don’t care what they think. Their opinion means less than nothing. Certain Fla., S.C., Bama & GT posters only have negative and cruel things to say with the sole intention of slandering UGA..NO UGA FAN SHOULD WORRY ABOUT WHAT THEY POST OR THINK. THEIR OPINION IS A JOKE.
These pathetic trolls have flooded the AJC/SPORTS BLOG with garbage and disrespect. UGA doesn’t do this to their blogs Bill, why must we read their desperate attempts to slam UGA daily??? Is it really just about blog hits???
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
11:48 am
I didn’t name names. They know who they are and I expect to hear from them shortly, lol…
Paddy
July 22nd, 2012
11:55 am
George……well said!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neutral
July 22nd, 2012
11:58 am
Kingdaddy,
You are right on!!!
SSIgator
July 22nd, 2012
12:08 pm
Perception? Let’s see:
Richt at the U of Miami in the 80’s – The womb of thug culture
Richt at FSU in the 90’s – Taking thug usage to a whole new level
Richt currently at UGA – The thug behavior is well documented
Connect the dots people. It’s not hard. – Perception is Reality
Neutral
July 22nd, 2012
12:09 pm
George……..poorly said!!!!!
Neutral
July 22nd, 2012
12:12 pm
Did I read this correctly? A Gator calling UGa a “thug culture”……that is amusing, very amusing.
GFJacket
July 22nd, 2012
12:18 pm
kingdaddy, UGA has a recruiting advantage like noone else in the SEC. It routinely has top-10 classes, yet has no NCs to show for it since 1980. Meanwhile, Tech, Bama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, and Tennessee seem to be able to garner their talent to win a NC – - some multiple times. Couple that with the continuing loss of highly heralded talent, and you have the recipe for criticism and derision.
Neutral
July 22nd, 2012
12:20 pm
GF Jacket,
Correct, but we do keep our conference championships, our coaches aren’t charged with assault, we don’t obstruct NCAA investigations, etc. Just a thought for you to chew on.
SSIgator
July 22nd, 2012
12:25 pm
Neutral -
Hmmm, I am pretty sure the article is about Richt @ UGA. Let’s see:
“Richt’s problem isn’t discipline or risky recruiting, it’s perception”
Yeah, I was correct. It is about Richt @ UGA. Nice try though.
Neutral
July 22nd, 2012
12:27 pm
Have you ever commented about King Urban and his sleazy legacy?
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
12:32 pm
GFJacket
Did you read what I wrote about outside fans coming into a UGA blog to only criticize our program. I don’t do it because I don’t care about their problems. What makes you comment about UGA? Jealousy, hate, spite, or is it because you are concerned about us, lol…Think about it next time you want to post about this proud University. We care wheather you do or not…
chazzo
July 22nd, 2012
12:33 pm
There are a minimum number of top students. There are even less top students capable of playing at this level. Of the very few blue chip athletes with 4.0+ gpas, only a handful exhibit the type of character that some seem to suggest for a benchmark (an unquantifiable, intangible quality I might add). 150 D1 schools are recruiting that very small percentage of the handful of blue chip athletes. It is mathematically impossible to field an entire team of well-behaved, excellent students with the athletic ability to compete at this level. Boo to the high-risk recruit hypothesis.
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
12:34 pm
Neutral
How can he? He’s too busy making negative post about UGA on the JUNKYARD BLAWG, LOL…
chazzo
July 22nd, 2012
12:38 pm
Additionally, we are taking a bunch of kids (17-23 year olds) many who are from dysfunctional family situations and underserved, impoverished communities and dropping them into an environment with 20-40,000 other kids away from home for the first time, an environment that is full of bars and parties.
We all cheer when UGA is rated #1 party school. We all jeer when the athletes participate in the party.
SSIgator
July 22nd, 2012
12:39 pm
Neutral -
“Have you ever commented about King Urban and his sleazy legacy?”
I don’t believe Bill King has written an article about Urban Meyer, but if and when he does I will comment on it.
GFJacket
July 22nd, 2012
12:39 pm
kingdaddy, are you asking Bill King to ban all us non-UGA fans??? Do we hurt your feelings with our postings? Sorry…
chazzo
July 22nd, 2012
12:44 pm
What turns my stomach are the racist rubes and country clubbers who attribute this behavior to race. What have these guys done that Bubba junior at the SAE, TKE, Kapa Alpah, Phi, or Chi houses are doing? When Bubba jr. gets popped for drinking underage, DUI, public intoxication, or brawling, he’s just sewing wild oats or he just caught up with the wrong crew. Why do so many of these rednecks immediately call a black athlete a ‘thug’ who participates in the same behavior? It is that Ol’ South private pool mentality that costs UGA recruits to Alabama, UT, SC and UF.
GFJacket
July 22nd, 2012
12:44 pm
nope, Neutral, you don’t tell your coaches to prepare for a bowl game without a key player – - thus inviting the wrath of the NCAA for “non-compliance”. Instead, you hold a press conference and tell everyone about the player’s trangressions. Tech can learn one thing from UGA – - how to get around NCAA directions without directly disobeying them. Tech’s AD could also learn some things from UGA AD’s, but I’m pretty sure he would decline….
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
12:49 pm
Here’s a question: Would you rather have kids with high talent and questionable character, or kids with high character and questionable talent???
Unless you can get the Governor to call off the Athens Po-Pos and the new President of UGA to mute disiplinary actions like some of these schools we are competing with that have won an N.C…
Some of these schools insulate their players from disiplinary actions and everyone knows it. It’$ ju$t a wink and a nod, lol…
GFJacket
July 22nd, 2012
12:54 pm
Good point. Until UGA changes its discipline policy, it will continue to have these problems going after the same pool of athletes as the rest of the SEC. Perhaps it is time for UGA to change the athletes it targets. It’s not academics. UGA has enough Turfgrass Management degrees to offer just about any academically challenged blue chipper.
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
12:55 pm
Jacket
I’m not into censorship. I never calked for it so don’t put words in my mouth. I wonder you feel the need to come on this blog crying like a baby with every breath about UGA. If you can’t understand what you read on the post, maybe you should take up coloring-books…
chazzo
July 22nd, 2012
12:59 pm
I wonder what national media exposure, thousands of people kissing my arse, and shadowy figures on the fringes talking millions of dollars in the not too distant future would have done to my ego at the tender age of 18. I went nutso at UGA and got kicked out without having that kind of pressure, attention and workload.
BTW: I made good on my second chance like many of these athletes will. I have two graduate degrees, although you couldn’t tell it from all the typos in my recent posts, and I am gainfully employed and love my career. I also don’t drink anymore. It was a hard lesson that I had to learn the hard way. I will give the same belief and opportunity to these athletes that I gave myself.
I hope Ealey, Crowell, King, and others make good on their second chances. I hope these players learn something from their mistakes and from the disciplinary actions. I hope the team I’ve pulled for my whole life has a stellar season and these young men go on to do great things with their lives.
Before you question the ability of these young men to reach their fullest potential, perhaps you should question your own. I for one still have a lot of work to do.
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
1:04 pm
I would rather have the kids with high character and grades. Kids with heart and ones who bleed Red & Black over immature prima-donnas who only care about themselves. How can we find more Richard Samuels and MMs. Our coaches have to work harder to find and mold these kids into football players. They are already winners, just what UGA needs…
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
1:06 pm
Chazzo
Nice post…
chazzo
July 22nd, 2012
1:16 pm
SSI Gator, your post is hilarious about the “thug culture” legacy of Richt. I lived in Florida my whole life. That dirty little hole called Gainesville is a drug haven, Jack. And the football team there has always, always, ALWAYS participated in the same behaviors as the schools you list. You could make the same statements about the ol’ musty ball coach, Spurrier or that slimy weasel, Meyer. Do I need to remind you of the gun charges and credit card rip off scandals at UF. What about ol’ Zooker rounding up players in the middle of the night to go fight at a frat house? Do I even have to go back to the Pell/Hall years when your team was illegally taping other teams practices and stealing playbooks and still couldn’t beat the Dawgs? LOL
They don’t call it Gainesville Green for nothing. Get off your high horse, and either stop taking drugs or start taking them to deal with your delusional view of the world.
Jacket99
July 22nd, 2012
1:17 pm
Ringleader
July 22nd, 2012
10:02 am
At least we are not Penn State.
——————————–
For this, we should all be thankful. I think most fans and coaches want players who will bring their dinner bucket to the classroom and to the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqWfyAfaFZI
SUN TAN AVENGER
July 22nd, 2012
1:43 pm
The AD said some time back that he saw no need to announce suspensions. Think about it, if Big Mo doesn’t know for sure that Rambo and Smith aren’t going to play maybe they practice differently and have a different game plan. If they are suspended I want their staff wasting time game planning for them, if they play so much the better. Whatever doubt you put in your opponents head is a plus.
harold
July 22nd, 2012
1:47 pm
UGA IS KNOWN AS THE NEW MIAMI. ANY ARRESTS IN ATHENS TODAY?
Mr. Hankey
July 22nd, 2012
1:53 pm
Kudos to the guy up there who said please don’t forget Green’s backup and former Falcon. Talk about a DGD. Maybe the same thing will happen for Samuel. I’d love the see the Falcons take a flier on this guy just for his athleticism and comportment. Totally ready for football but not happy about the secpond home game against pooschway tech or whoever they starting at 7:30 as I have a Falcons game the next day and tailgating starts at 8:30 a.m. Heck, my last beer from the night before will still be cold when I wake up Sund. a.m.
@George
July 22nd, 2012
1:56 pm
The perception is that Chizik has a lot more discipline problems in the short time that he’s been there than Tubberville ever had. Not to mention Cam-gate. So it is fair to point out
Old Dog Class of 80
July 22nd, 2012
2:13 pm
This is one area in which the NCAA should step up and establish uniform rules. It is unfair to have students playing for the competition when they would be ineligible under our program. It puts pressure on us to relax our discipline policy to be “oranges to oranges” to the other programs.
Old Dog Class of 80
July 22nd, 2012
2:16 pm
My question is why ANY college should keep ANY athlete that fails EVEN ONE drug test?
chazzo
July 22nd, 2012
2:33 pm
Old Dog,
I agree with you, and I question the legality of a system that accepts and condones drug use. Of course, it is somewhat of a legal grey area to submit these kids to testing also.
I don’t have an answer. I will say that the guys playing ball in the late seventies (your era) were definitely not squeaky clean. Think about what was going on the culture at large back then.
I will say this, although I am no way including you or accusing of the racist posts and comments I run across, the first black player started playing ball at UGA in 73. When I was there in 84/85 the racial distinction and tension was palpable. There is definitely a group of fans with a double standard for behavior when it comes to black players and white players.
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
3:04 pm
As someone who had to take drug-screens for his job, I was aware of many cases of abuse. Unless the people who instituted the drug policy are serious, the drug screen is a joke and easy to circumvent. The same people that ask or tell you to take a drug screen can and sometimes do turn their head, allowing “certain athletes” to cheat the drug screen. Many ways to do this. Why institute the policy in the first place unless you’re serious? It’$ the perception of doing something without really doing it. Cheating to win should never be acceptable at UGA! Not even to compete for an N.C., even if others do it. Eventually they all get caught and it embarrasses the programs. All we have is our honor and integrity. They can’t take that away from us, but we can give it away rather easily…
Grantham's the Man
July 22nd, 2012
3:22 pm
Spot on about Richt’s so called discipline problem. The only problem that Richt has with Discipline is he’s the only SEC coach who is discipling his players.
Every other SEC coach is sweeping almost everything under the rug and letting the players get away with it.
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
3:31 pm
Gs the Man
Everybody knows its true, but most of the trolls will act like they don’t know what you’re talking about, lol…
Ghost
July 22nd, 2012
4:05 pm
Its hilarious to hear a Gator talking about multiple arrest.Georgias had 3 arrests since Dec 2010 , how many have Florida, Auburn, Tenn, LSu etc had?Floridas had 11 arrested since WM arrived.
Know them
July 22nd, 2012
4:34 pm
It’s funny to me when bloggers mention players they wish for others teammates. You don’t know them personally and asking teammates to be like someone who’s real twitter says “if it ain’t about money…etc”. That’s not team that’s self, which works at UGA. Also, it’s funny when someone can be considered adult. 18 is a legal adult. Someone can be 50 and still act like a child. As I said on another post don’t assume you know any of them. Some know how to say what you want to hear on interviews.
6-18 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
July 22nd, 2012
4:54 pm
“Richt’s problem isn’t discipline or risky recruiting, it’s perception”
Wrong Bill, perception is not the problem. Richt’s problem is having a 0.333 winning percentage against end of season ranked teams since the ‘05 season……and oh btw, never winning the MNC also hurts him a bit too
…and before the haters/deniers/Richt-lovers come out….I am a UGA alum and fan!!!
tony
July 22nd, 2012
5:33 pm
Missouri chose Gary Pinkel over Mark Richt.
Richt on Thursday at SEC media days graciously put it thusly:
“I did get the opportunity to interview for the Missouri job the same season that I ended up taking the Georgia job; I think Missouri found their man in Gary Pinkel. It wasn’t a decision that I turned down Missouri. It was a decision that Missouri believed Coach Pinkel was the best man for the job.
AAAAA Athens Bail Bonds R Us
July 22nd, 2012
6:19 pm
Any more UGA players arrested today?
Georgia Poetaster
July 22nd, 2012
6:43 pm
Who is suspended
And who will play
We’d all like to know
Why Richt won’t say
kingdaddy
July 22nd, 2012
7:42 pm
Poetaster
You write more in the style of Dr. Seuss “Green Egg’s and Ham” , than “The Raven”
Georgia Poetaster
July 22nd, 2012
8:13 pm
“Poetaster You write more in the style of Dr. Seuss “Green Egg’s and Ham” , than “The Raven””
Thank you very much. That’s the nicest compliment I’ve had in a long time. As a struggling young poet, kind words of encouragement are always welcome.
Old Dog Class of 80
July 22nd, 2012
8:47 pm
“agree with you, and I question the legality of a system that accepts and condones drug use. Of course, it is somewhat of a legal grey area to submit these kids to testing also.”
I disagree about the “legal grey area”. At our work we have a pre-employment drug screen, post-accident drug screening, and random drug screening. Being drug-free is a condition of employment as well as taking drug tests. Failing or even refusing to take a drug test is grounds for immediate dismissal. These have not been successfully challenged to my knowledge.