Richt has impressive company among coaches with no national title
Can Mark Richt be called a great football coach if he never wins a national title? (Jason Getz / AJC)
USA Today’s Mike Lopresti had an interesting column this week discussing who is the best current college football coach without a national championship.
Naturally, Mark Richt’s name came up, with Lopresti noting that the coach “has survived the Southeastern Conference hothouse at Georgia for 11 years and won nearly 74 percent of his games.”
But Lopresti consigned Richt to the “resonable nominees” list along with Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio, Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema, Nevada’s Chris Ault (really!!??) and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly (who has the best winning percentage among the top 10 active coaches in career victories).
His main candidates, though, included Kansas State’s Bill Snyder, Boise State’s Chris Petersen, Oregon’s Chip Kelly, TCU’s Gary Patterson and his ultimate choice of the best coach without a crystal football: Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer, who has 251 career victories (the most of any active coach), has had 19 bowl teams and came closest to a national championship in 1999 with a certain dog-abusing quarterback.
Frank Beamer also doesn't have a national championship. (Associated Press)
Who the USA Today columnist picked as the best coach without a national title didn’t interest me as much as the fact that it’s a list of pretty impressive and successful coaching talent who are in the same boat as UGA’s Richt.
So, here’s my question: Just how important to a program is it to win a national championship? If Richt never gets one, will he forever rank behind the Nick Sabans and Urban Meyers, no matter how many successful seasons he coaches at Georgia? That’s been the major knock on Richt and it boggles my mind a little to realize that even if his Dawgs were to manage to win the SEC championship game this season and make it to the BCS game and didn’t win it … he’d still have that same millstone around his neck.
What do you think? Is it all about the national title? If so, does that really make Frank Beamer less of a coach than Urban Meyer?
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382 comments Add your comment
HUH?????
August 22nd, 2012
5:19 pm
“But, my wish for the 2012-2013 season is for an SEC team (any one of them) to play Southern Cal in the National Championship and make that weasel Kiffen cry like a little b*&ch.”
Amen.
The Factor
August 22nd, 2012
5:27 pm
@HUH,
You acting like a professional bloger now. Perhaps you are. Argueing for ther sake of augument. Your poor wife. To say he (Richt) hasn’t done “squat”, you show me now your history as an SEC fan is limited as titles in the SEC are reverant (we are 3rd in # of titles by the way, behind Bama and UT). I suspect you never went to Auburn, only a Johhny come lately or you would respect the UGA/Auburn relationship which is about as fierce in a good way as it gets.
HUH?????
August 22nd, 2012
5:29 pm
The Factor
I love hypocritical dawg fans, such as yourself.
The Factor
August 22nd, 2012
5:31 pm
@HUH???
Dear knew comer: “Comparing Dan Marino to Mark Rick is laughable”
It’s Mark Richt. That’s the name of the coach….Mark Richt.
HUH?????
August 22nd, 2012
5:31 pm
“To say he (Richt) hasn’t done “squat”, you show me now your history as an SEC fan is limited as titles in the SEC are reverant (we are 3rd in # of titles by the way, behind Bama and UT). ”
And what, two national championships to show for it.
“I suspect you never went to Auburn,”
And you can prove this how?
HUH?????
August 22nd, 2012
5:32 pm
“It’s Mark Richt. That’s the name of the coach….Mark Richt.”
I’ll start referring to him by his name as soon as dawg fans stop referring to Chizik as Cheese dip and Cheezit.
The Factor
August 22nd, 2012
5:35 pm
@HUH??
No, I know the history of the SEC because I went to UGA and have great respect for all the programs, even the one out of the Sunshine State who think the conference started, conveniently, in 1990, without 1 SEC Title prior to that. UGA was in double digits by then..
HUH?????
August 22nd, 2012
5:36 pm
“I know the history of the SEC because I went to UGA and have great respect for all the programs, even the one out of the Sunshine State who think the conference started, conveniently, in 1990, without 1 SEC Title prior to that. UGA was in double digits by then.”
Ok.
CEPH
August 22nd, 2012
5:37 pm
Jessie, lets put it this way. if Saban OR Spurrier had been coaching at UGA with the talent that has gone through Sanford Stadium either one of them would have won one or more National Titles. Richt couldn’t pick up either one of their jock straps. As the Bible says, “to whom much is given much is expected” Richt didn’t read the last part.
damngoodawg
August 22nd, 2012
5:37 pm
Dear HUH?????, I’ll bet if you exhibit the same kind of attitude you display anonymously on this blog, you get your ass whipped regularly. I’m just sayin”. Lighten up, dude or be ignored.
Vince Dooley? Fulmer?
August 22nd, 2012
5:38 pm
Can you say great players for these two coaches (Walker and Manning) without them would they have won National Titles? No.
They would have been ranked as good coaches but not great.
PT
August 22nd, 2012
5:39 pm
I find it interesting that Bobby Bowden’s name is not mentioned. : /
Huh's Mommy
August 22nd, 2012
5:43 pm
Huh, 65 messages on the AJC Georgia football blog in a three hour period is over 20 messages per hour, son. Have you finished your homework? Unless you want to be grounded, cut off the computer and get on your school work now!
HUH?????
August 22nd, 2012
5:46 pm
“’ll bet if you exhibit the same kind of attitude you display anonymously on this blog, you get your ass whipped regularly.”
Nope.
“Lighten up, dude or be ignored.”
Gee, you’ll ignore me? What ever will I do?
Huh's Mommy
August 22nd, 2012
5:53 pm
I’m not ignoring you, son! When your father gets home, he is going to turn your hindquarters orange and blue…dude. Now cut off Disney Channel AND that computer.
HUH?????
August 22nd, 2012
5:56 pm
damngoodawg = Huh’s Mommy
Wonder if Lex will call you out. Doubt it.
GTtroll Sry I meant Bob.
August 22nd, 2012
6:00 pm
GTBob. I’ve watched you post negative comments time after time for the past 2 years about Uga football or CMR. Seriously find a GT forum… I understand GT football is awful,but c’mon! Surely there has to be something somewhat entertaining going on in The Buzz world…If trolling negative comments constantly! Somehow makes you feel better about UGA’s dominance over this rivalry….seriously get a flippin life.
LSU TIGER
August 22nd, 2012
6:02 pm
You need to support your team and it will happen sooner or later. It takes the fans along with alumni and every one else to be successful. We at LSU does not bash our coaches or players on the blog. This turns good recruits away that may have came to georgia but heard too much critics on the blog. SUPPORT YOUR TEAM AND EVERY THING ELSE WILL FALL IN PLACE.
LSU TIGER
August 22nd, 2012
6:12 pm
BRING ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND COOL WEATHER
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 22nd, 2012
6:17 pm
Beating good teams and not consistently losing to FL and top 15 opponents every year
Winning the SEC championship without the help of other SEC east schools losing out to allow us to play in the SEC championship game would make me happy
MaconKnight
August 22nd, 2012
6:24 pm
CMR is a good coach he’s proven that. The question is whether CMR has a championship coaching staff even down to strength and condition, that to me is what has been one of the problems along with fair weather georgians just look at the state of LA and AL their kids dont leave there state to play their college ball ours always do just look at the last 7 to 9 years case in point how many guys in AJC super 11 are committed to UGA? the whole UGA Staff has to keep the instate talent in state period. Clemson is getting who they Bama always seem to get who they so does Florida if we can get back to keeping our kids instate like we did in Richt and staff did in his first 5 years i think you will see a more consistent program that will be able to compete for a NAT Title
Stewie
August 22nd, 2012
6:50 pm
Yes, yes it does put Richt lower than Saban and Miles in the coaching hierarchy, just as most people consider Dan Marino below Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, et al, despite having better statistics.
Championships ALWAYS hold sway in discussions about comparative greatness, but that doesn’t mean winning a single championship, for instance, makes one great. Gene Chizik is not necessarily a great coach just because his team won a championship, just as Super Bowl victories did not suddenly make Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson great quarterbacks.
But to be considered among the best of the best, yes, you definitely need to win championships.
Kailey
August 22nd, 2012
6:55 pm
When Richt was at FSU, the power conference was the ACC where richt helped FSU finish in the top 5, 14x in a row.
As Richt shifted to the SEC, the power conference is now the SEC where Richt has led UGA to 6 top 10 finishes in the last 10 years.
Lewis
August 22nd, 2012
6:58 pm
Until SaBAN, miLES or SPurrier gets their winning percentage BETTER than Mark Richt’s, they’ll all be considered 2ND CLASS.
A-Ville Ranger
August 22nd, 2012
7:00 pm
Richt has bigger concerns than winning a NC right not. Last year looks pretty good on paper but we lost aganist every really good team we faced and didn’t look any better in game 14 than game 1.
I do think this will be the deason we get back on track though. If we can’t beat the good teams with this defense and a 3 year starter at QB, when can we ?
Oh, the NC question. Of course Saban with 3 titles will always rate higher than Richt unless he wins at least 1 NC. Even if we win it this season Saban will rank ahead of not just Richt but any other active coach.
GBurdell
August 22nd, 2012
7:14 pm
If player arrests are an indication, then yea, the rev is a great coach.
George
August 22nd, 2012
7:35 pm
This is great reading. I feel like I am watching the comedy channel . I love how Coach Richt is the next coming of Eddie Robinson. I was going to say Joe Paterno but I could not use those two in same sentence. 2nd place is for the first loser As long as Dog fans except 2nd, that’s where they will always be.
Bill King
August 22nd, 2012
7:41 pm
PT: We’re talking active coaches. Bobby Bowden is no longer a coach.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 22nd, 2012
7:41 pm
The ACC was the power confernce during Richts tenure at FSU
LOL
Who was in the ACC in 90’s other than FSU
LOL
Jim
August 22nd, 2012
7:54 pm
Listen up Coach Richt, this say’s it all. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:8291932
Jim
August 22nd, 2012
7:58 pm
Not talking about the nap but the tap.
SSIgator
August 22nd, 2012
8:25 pm
Jim -
August 22nd, 2012 – 7:58 pm
Not talking about the nap but the tap.
____________________
You mean the “tap” on their own helmet that NoShow Moreno (he did have somewhat of an excuse after getting planted by Brandon Spikes in the UF game) invented and subsequent UGA backs have perfected? Isabel had more yards running off and on the field than Walker did his whole career.
Tim Scott
August 22nd, 2012
8:31 pm
Dawg Nation should consider themselves lucky to have a man such as CMR running their program. This gentleman stands for everything that is good about college football. As a Gator fan yes I am happy to have three National Titles but the last two at what cost? Urban is nothing more than a hired gun as has been proved out he did not care about the program or the type of people he brought into it. You need proof how many arrests did we have during his tenure 36 I believe. Spurrier on the other hand geniuely cared about the University of Florida as Mr Richt cares about your beloved University of Georgia.
Had Coach Dooley never won his one title would you think less of him ? What if Bobby Bowden had never one a title would that make his career win total any less important. Some where along the line we have gotten our wires crossed making titles the only thing of importance. What about teaching these children to be quality young men future leaders. Both of my sons were lucky enough to play college ball one at a small D-I the other NAIA the coaches at these institutions wanted to win and did but more importantly they wanted quality people and my wife and I are so grateful they recieved quality educations and good careers after their playing days.
Maybe it’s just my age a different generation but I long for the days when there was not wall to wall coverage,twitter,facebook and even blogs such as this when the mantra at Florida was “wait til next year” So yes Richt with or without a championship is one of the best be grateful Georgia. Go Gators
kingdaddy
August 22nd, 2012
8:57 pm
Richt = ADGD…
Fireball
August 22nd, 2012
8:59 pm
Yeah, Richt’s a real gem.
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2012
9:02 pm
old Dog, a much more likely explaintion would be that he simple does not agree with you on those items.
DawgNole
August 22nd, 2012
9:07 pm
Mike S.
August 22nd, 2012
12:17 pm
In 2007, Richt got voted down strictly because he didnt have a conference title. We all know its because UGA isnt a brand name in the polls.
___________________
And there’s a good reason we’re not a brand name in the polls–our shameful OOC schedule year in and year out. To his credit, Damon Evans (before he got himself fired) was making an effort to “spread the UGA brand” by scheduling decent OOC teams home and home. Those games drew a lot of national attention. You’ll never see that out of the shortsighted McGarity, and thus the brand–and ultimately the team’s rankings–will suffer.
WestOfAthens
August 22nd, 2012
9:10 pm
Winning the SEC Championship is somewhat equal to earning a National.
The only difference?
It is the SEC, once that is decided. Who else can maintain?
AltamahaDawg
August 22nd, 2012
9:11 pm
You didn’t think playing #5 Boise State in the national kick off classic was a brand game?
Natureboy809
August 22nd, 2012
9:12 pm
Has it been pointed out to Mr. King that Chris Ault (really?!?) is in the CFB Hall of Fame (as a coach)?
chazzo
August 22nd, 2012
9:39 pm
Tim Scott,
Good sport / fair analysis.
Troup Co. Dawg
August 22nd, 2012
9:54 pm
Go Dawgs !!!
whiskey breath
August 22nd, 2012
10:03 pm
Sign Richt to a lifetime contract. You know he deserves it.
chazzo
August 22nd, 2012
10:18 pm
Flat tire, this is one of the seldom times that I agree with you. When Bowden picked the ACC over the SEC, I lost interest in the NOles. It just wasn’t al that fun watching them play two games a year.
That being said, I still like Richt and think UGA could have done a heck of a lot worse… in fact they did twice. BTW all the sown in the mouth dogs wanted to fire Dooley when I was a kid.
Mobile Dawg
August 22nd, 2012
10:26 pm
Maybe Richt realized a couple of years ago that he had underestimated the amount of work it takes to maintain a program capable of competing for championships. The jury’s out but the verdict won’t be in for a while yet. Richt isn’t and can’t be considered a great coach I don’t care what his winning percentage is. He’s struggling to regain respect among his peers, fanbase, and media.
Boise was a brand game, we stunk it up, weren’t prepared, and had no idea what to expect. They ambushed us, outplayed us, and embarassed us. Again, we haven’t won a “meaningful” game in years; how could you possibly compare him to the upper echelon coaches? Top recruiting classes every year, no results? UGA deserves a crystal trophy as much as anyone.
Back to my first sentence, this year will tell whether Richt has been reenergized. We need to be competetive, and compete for a championship IMO.
TDog
August 22nd, 2012
10:51 pm
Richt is the third or fourth best coach in the SEC behind saban, miles and maybe spurrier. Spurrier hasn’t won anything at usc and richt has 2 SEC titles.
jimmy campagna
August 22nd, 2012
11:21 pm
Are you serious? UGA has beaten NOBODY that they should not have beaten since 2007 ! UGA is looking UP !!! at South Carolina !!! ??? and he’s a great coach? He is the Matt Ryan of head coaches: just good enough to keep but incapable of taking his team where it needs to/should be able to/ and would go under a coach capable of winning the tough games. Already saying less than a SEC championship is an OK year? If not now, when? I know Darth Saban is still in residence but are we going to start the year playing for second? If Bama steps back a little, we can’t coach with Les Miles and LSU step into the top spot !!!??? He’s a good recruiter but a great coach? Get real
As long as Richt is in Athens and the thugs continue to monopolize the headlines because he keeps bringing them in, UGA will be an 8-9 win team. Wonderful man, but not in the same universe with the elite coaches and not in the same league with the others without national championships, Ask yourself: would you not trade Richt for almost any of the major conference coaches listed who are without a national championship? I thought so.
RHall55
August 22nd, 2012
11:56 pm
dangerranger6969…hit the nail on the head…as long as CMB is the OC and CRG is the RC…UGA will never win a NC…throw in some other under achieving position holders…Dave VanHalanger and Joe T and you are mired deep in crap!! But CMR is the CEO of UGA FB and must cut loose close ties w/ these individuals and make changes….may lose his job in the future if he doesn’t!!!
sailfin
August 23rd, 2012
12:27 am
the dogs will win 10 games again and go to a good bowl–book it!
BlackOutSkinnyOne?
August 23rd, 2012
1:54 am
All I know is that no team on the schedule can beat these Bulldogs!