The Hot Button: Will UGA win a BCS title under Mark Richt?
What once seemed inevitable remains an unanswered question. In 2002 or 2004 or even 2008, Mark Richt was primed to guide his program to a national championship. But he’s about to enter his ninth season as Georgia’s coach and the Bulldogs haven’t gotten there yet, and only once in 11 years has the BCS title been taken by a coach who’d been in place that long — Bobby Bowden of Florida State in 1999.
That Richt is a good coach is beyond dispute. He has won at least 10 games in six of the past seven seasons. He has led Georgia to three SEC East titles and two conference championships. He recruits at the highest level and just saw two Bulldogs taken among the top dozen in the NFL draft. Georgia has finished in the top 10 of at least one major poll five times and in top five twice. But it hasn’t won, or even played for, the BCS title.
Last season was supposed to be the breakthrough. Georgia had finished No. 2 in the AP poll after the 2007 season and was ranked No. 1 last August. It wound up 10-3, and if ever 10-3 could be considered a rank disappointment this was the time. At season’s end the coach made much of the 10-win season in light of so many injuries — and the Bulldogs did have a bunch — but for the first time under Richt it was possible to look on UGA and think, “That team wasn’t very well coached.”
And now Richt has a new quarterback (and figures to have another new one in 2010) and his team has been given almost no chance to win the East, where Florida reigns, and the question occurs: Have we seen the best of this gifted coach? Or is Richt, who has done much already, capable of more?
To be fair, Richt hasn’t failed so much as he has been unlucky. LSU won the 2003 BCS crown with one loss a year after one loss cost Georgia a berth in the championship game. LSU won the 2007 title with two losses after emerging from a league that also housed Georgia, which likewise had two losses. Sometimes you have the right team at the wrong time.
Loading ...But last year’s glaring issues — the rash of penalties and the defensive collapses in Georgia’s three losses — have made some among us wonder if Richt is too nice to finish No. 1. He has vowed to be stricter regarding discipline this time, and it must be noted Georgia didn’t face the same problems with players being arrested this summer as last. And he has promoted John Jancek to co-defensive coordinator alongside Willie Martinez, whom Richt has never once criticized.
Still, it’s worth noting that Steve Spurrier needed six seasons at Florida to win a national championship, and it didn’t happen until he hired Bob Stoops from Kansas State to coordinate the Gator defense. And Mack Brown took Texas to the BCS title in his eighth season in Austin only after importing Gene Chizik from Auburn to lead the Longhorn D. Something similar might need to happen for Georgia and Richt to take the final step.
But would Richt, for whom family and fraternity are of massive import, ever demote or fire Martinez? Is keeping a longtime friend who’s a solid coach — solid as opposed to inspired — more important to him than taking a risk that might (or might not) lead to a greater reward?
We know Mark Richt can coach football. What we still don’t know after eight years of watching is whether he’s pragmatic enough to be a national championship coach.
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446 comments Add your comment
nobie
July 30th, 2009
9:06 am
As long as Willie is our defensive coach, we will never win a NC. Just look at last year. If we did not have a high scoring offense we would have lost 3 more games, because our defense could not stop a blind turtle from getting in the end zone. Willie just does not inspire or scare our defensive players.
Tom
July 30th, 2009
9:07 am
Dowdle’s going to need to remember to speak more slowly and use smaller words than he does on “High-Q”.
Huh?
July 30th, 2009
9:08 am
Mark Bradley, you have been wasting waaaaaay too much time reading the comments on these blogs. That column is basically a regurgitation of what the haters have been saying for years. Richt is too nice of a guy. Richt is too laid back. Richt wants to hold hands with the opposing team and sing kumbaya. I have no idea if Richt will ever win a national title. I can’t predict the future big guy. What I do know is that if he doesn’t it won’t be because he is too nice of a guy. With all due respect, that is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard in my life. It would be one thing if there was some tangible evidence of how Richt’s kind nature has cost Georgia games, but there isn’t. Its nothing but baseless speculation and you, as a journalist, should know better. What a crock. Get real. I’m out.
Another day in paradise
July 30th, 2009
9:08 am
UGA under the leadership of Mark Richt is one of about 10 teams that can go into the start of every football season with a shot to win the National Championship for several reasons including: (1) talent and (2) an SEC schedule with a Championship Game. However, it takes some luck to get into the BCS Championship game because of the bias in the formula. One thing is for sure. Win the SEC and UGA will definately be in a position to be considered for the game.
Conversely, teams not playing in the SEC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 10 or Notre Dame have very little chance of getting to the big dance. This includes teams in the WAC and the ACC which simply don’t have the depth of talent or the strength of schedule for serious consideration. Those teams will argue that they can compete with the “big boys” as evidenced by Tech over UGA (2008) and Utah over Alabama (2008). However, those programs cannot consistently compete at a level sufficient to warrent serious consideration for a BCS championship game and quite honestly, do very little for the BCS series in general. The Orange and Sugar bowls have really been noncompelling in recent years becuase other than the schools in the game who really cares about watching Hawaii, Utah or the ACC champion which was Wake Forest a couple years ago?
Will UGA win the BCS Championship this year? Who knows? One thing is for sure though, win the SEC (no small task) and they will be in a position to play in the BCS Championship game.
ATL GATOR
July 30th, 2009
9:08 am
Urban Meyer is NOT going to ND. I know all the puppy fans hope he leaves but it isn’t happening. Why would he leave the best program in all of sports? He will have 3 titles after this year and will not be going anywhere. Keep dreaming and good luck with your 4 loss season.
» SEC links: Tennessee’s planned billboard for Florida John Clay’s Sidelines
July 30th, 2009
9:09 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC wants to know if Mark Richt will ever win the big one at Georgia. [...]
DawginLex
July 30th, 2009
9:10 am
They have moved up Mark from where they were. The “next step” requires a lot of things to fall into place. It just hasn’t happened yet. I love how all the idiots spew “fire Richt” just because he hasn’t won a NT. It is stupid.
The program has a shot at being really good every year. We haven’t had that under Dooley, Goff or Donnan. I’m talking every year. Not go 6-6 one or two years and then go 9-2, I’m talking 9, 10 or 11 wins very year.
Anybody who says otherwise is not paying attention or is a jealous hater.
On paper, 2009 appears to be an in-between year. That is when having a good coach helps.
tim
July 30th, 2009
9:10 am
never….I repeat not ever
r
July 30th, 2009
9:12 am
Here is the deal. When you recuit the best players in Division I who end up being coached by Division II ( can you say CENTRAL MICHIGAN)level coaches who are evaluated at year end by how well they get along with everyone rather than on coaching ability/results, you will never beat FL or AL much less win the SEC. Its great to be a number 3 in the SEC – so get used to it. The Andy Landers of football!!!!
Eric
July 30th, 2009
9:14 am
Good as he is, the odds are not in his favor. I don’t see it happening for Richt/UGA. On another subject, 78 Dawg is a moron.
Mike
July 30th, 2009
9:14 am
While I do agree with some of the things you point out- Lets be clear- FLA under Urban (and LSU for that matter) have happened to be in the right place at the right time to win the NC. FLA is not God’s answer to football- which most of the media fail to recognize and Urban is not God’s gift to the coaching profession- like the media and Urban beleive. That all said, UGA will win a title- sooner rather than later. It also has something to do with the media/sportswriters since they are the ones that really determine who is ranked where- and we all know they have slept with Urban, Nickie and Pete and Bobbie for awhile now. not so?? then explain to me how a team that is ranked number 1 and beats a good Div 2 school to open the year by a wide margin and drops in the polls????????????
GoldenDawg 84
July 30th, 2009
9:15 am
Sad to say, I seriously doubt UGA will ever win the MNC. The necessary confluence of talent, luck and media support never seem to align for Georgia. We have reached a point of being consistently good (huge improvement from the past and pretty enjoyable from a fan’s perspective).
bm
July 30th, 2009
9:15 am
When do the pictures of Richt doing a back flip off of the high dive come out this year? He’s really good at doing that. And bringing the entire team onto the field to celebrate a 1 yard touchdown run like it’s the Super Bowl. Winning national titles? Not so much. But Georgia is historically a consistent 8 win program so you all should be enjoying these golden years of 10 wins because it’s not going to last forever and your window is closing.
Mike
July 30th, 2009
9:16 am
7-1 and 51-7…..nuff said!
Herschel Talker
July 30th, 2009
9:16 am
No, sir. Mr. Richt will not ever win one. He too often makes foolish mistakes and doesn’t have the moxie.
Judge Dawg
July 30th, 2009
9:16 am
It is because of negative media bais on the part of the AJC that the UGA program will never be ranked number one unless they are undefeated and maybe not then. Get a life AJC.
Lou Vales
July 30th, 2009
9:17 am
Dear mark, Richt specializes in taking up Missionairy Positions around the world. If you want a great neighbor he is your man. Want a National Championship try someone else. Richt’s great salvation is that Meyer is coveted by college and pro teams and will eventually leave. Richt is coveted by NOBODY. His name is NEVER associated with other programs–Why?? This record thing really bothers me. Georgia is one of those ELITE programs like LSU, USC, Texas that is THE dominant school in a fertile recruiting base that every year plays a schedule with at least 7 sure wins due to vast talent differential. Look at who Georgia beat last year, look who Georgia lost to last year. Beat everyone they totally outmatched in talent and lost the games that beforehand would have been seen as competitive. This is why ALL these college coaches bomb in the NFL. Because they were overrated in the first place. Spurrier, Saban, Petrino. I’ll say it again look at Georgia’s schedule over the years. Take out the games against the directional schools, the Vandys, the Mississsippi States, The South Carolinas, The Kentuckys, the Vanderbilts and look at Richt’s record. Still as impressive?? Don’t think so. Basically all these coaches at Elite schools know they are going 7-0 before season starts, 5 competitive gmes, go 2-3 in those games and you have the boot lickers saying “How can you criticize the guy he went 9-3?”–Well, NO he didn’t. He really went 2-3. No directional schools on NFL schedules and definitely no Homecoming patsies. Believe NFL has finally learned and besides Meyer who has a reputation there will be NO college coach getting an NFL gig.
Doublewide
July 30th, 2009
9:18 am
We’re pre-season #1 !!
We’re pre-season #1 !!
We’re pre-season #1 !!
ATL GATOR
July 30th, 2009
9:18 am
The question should be how long befire he gets fired? It appears that UGA is content with mediocrity so he may be there awhile.
Huh?
July 30th, 2009
9:19 am
Time for a new column Mark: “Will GT ever win a Chicken Bowl under Paul Johnson?”
I can’t wait.
Halsey
July 30th, 2009
9:20 am
Just remember that a 1 loss SEC Champ doesn’t get left out of the BCS Title game very often. UGA was good enough to play with Ohio State or Miami. 1 single digit point loss meant the Dawgs were not ‘worthy’ of the BSCS Title Game.
Bowl System = garbage
braveswin
July 30th, 2009
9:21 am
Gee thanks ATL GATOR, to think I was going to waste an entire fall of Saturdays watching football. Now thant I know what is going to happen, I’ll have plenty of time to cut the grass and get up leaves. I hope you don’t take your own life if the Fighting Tebows lose a game or two. Not one team is invincible, not even the “mighty Tebows”. Get over yourself, you ain’t Nostrodamus. Stating as fact, ie “he will” as opposed to “I think or I hope he will” is annoying at best. Good luck to the Gators this year, not that they’ll need a lot of it
ATL GATOR
July 30th, 2009
9:24 am
Florida wins championships and that is the bottom line. Spurrier, Meyer. This talk about how they are the right place at the right time is nonsense. We do what we need to during the year (including the SEC championship). You have to be able to be consistent. Sure, we lost to Ole Miss last year on a blocked field goal. That was one bad afternoon and we never lost again. I will take losing to an SEC west team every year as long as we are in the NC game.
George P Burdell
July 30th, 2009
9:24 am
Willie Martinez may not be a bad DC, but he isn’t good enough to help UGA get a BCS title. Mr. Bradley, please do some reporting and ask Mr. Martinez why there were “heated discussions” on the sidelines between Mr. Martinez and Mr. Fabris during the Tech game? Why doesn’t UGA have a fulltime special teams coordinator?
Mr. Richt, the nice guy, is likely to face a hard choice at the end of the season (either fire Mr. Martinez or Mr. Richt loses his job). I am certain that Mr. Richt will have to change his coaching staff before UGA can get a BCS title. The handling of the changes will say a lot about Mr. Richt.
Nativebird
July 30th, 2009
9:25 am
Your statement; “He has led Georgia to three SEC East titles” says it all. It’s kind of like saying the Braves won 14 division “CHAMPIONSHIPS”. My friend, a division is not a Championship. Yes two SEC titles. Those are indeed Championships, but thats it.
Until he meets expectations the Georgia nation is really demanding and has always demanded (National Title), 1980 is still all this underperforming football program continues to hang its hat on, including the only other “claim to fame” it has, Herschel Walker…a great retired old football player.
scobydoodawg
July 30th, 2009
9:27 am
Richt has had his chances, he is not tough enough. He is to tame, when he was really good is when he had Vangorder which was like having an Erk Russell on your sidelines. Every team needs one to when the big one. Now uga is in a reaction mode rather than a acting mode. dawqs will lose 4 games this year…. richt want be able to bear florida and tech and soon will feel the heat…… even though he is well liked…
Jim morrison
July 30th, 2009
9:28 am
The answer is NO!
Give me a break! Most of you had GA just showing up last year and walking to the NCS!
Stop writing or talking and do your talking on the field.
Until you win a NC, shut the F up!
Unreal that you will write more about GA than the home team GA Tech.
Enough Said!
ATL GATOR
July 30th, 2009
9:29 am
“Willie Martinez may not be a bad DC, but he isn’t good enough to help UGA get a BCS title. ”
Please do not get rid of him. We are looking forward to hanging another 50 on you on 10/31.
Damngooddog
July 30th, 2009
9:29 am
St Simons, techies got rings for a 3 point win against the Dawgs. When we kick that butt by 20 on Nov. 28, they can take them to the pawn shop and maybe get $30 bucks for them. Cubic zircons don’t go for much these days.
Georgia News - 7/30/09 | MrSEC.com
July 30th, 2009
9:29 am
[...] can accurately answer this one, but Mark Bradley of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asks today if Mark Richt will ever lead Georgia to a BCS title.ESPN.com’s Chris Low has posted his “fresh faces” for Georgia… those [...]
Huh?
July 30th, 2009
9:30 am
Had Georgia been undefeated in 2002, we would have probably found ourselves in the same position as Auburn in 2004. Miami was a lock since they were ranked so high to begin with. Then it comes down to Georgia or Ohio State, and tell me who you think the ESPN blowhards would have been pulling for? Back then I used to waste away my life watching that stupid show PTI. Somebody sent in an email question about what they thought about Georgia, who was currently ranked in the top 5 at the time and still in position for a BCS title game berth should someone ahead of them lose. That clown Wilbon said he never watches Georgia because they are boring. Gee moron, how do you know they are boring if you never freaking watch them? I about threw my damn television out the window I was so angry.
That brings me to another thing Bradley, you make a huge mistake thinking that we Georgia fans ever want to be held in the same esteem as an Ohio State or even an Oklahoma. Look what happens to these overrated programs in bowl games. That is not what Georgia wants.
Favre
July 30th, 2009
9:30 am
I will come out of retirment if he wins one.an’t happening.
Huh?
July 30th, 2009
9:32 am
“Unreal that you will write more about GA than the home team GA Tech.”
Obviously you have never been to a UGA v. GT game at Bobby Dodd stadium. Home team? Go ahead and write “Clueless Goob” on your forehead with a sharpie. Same difference my friend.
ATL GATOR
July 30th, 2009
9:32 am
Enter your comments here
dap01
July 30th, 2009
9:37 am
What is the purpose of this blog? Perhaps, you should write about:
1. Can GA Tech ever fill up their stadium with Paul Johnson?
2. Can GA Tech ever win the ACC with Paul Johnson?
3. Will Saint Simons ever have a date?
What a lame subject. CMR has a record that is match by few in the HISTORY of college football. He even combs his hair which is more that can be said of Paul Johnson.
DamnDawg
July 30th, 2009
9:39 am
We Own the Maggots
Jim morrison
July 30th, 2009
9:39 am
Hey Goob!
Go Gators, you moron!
HH
July 30th, 2009
9:42 am
Bradley: In answer to your question: No. He doesn’t have what it takes.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
July 30th, 2009
9:45 am
You dumb As* people think stiring the pot will get mark Richt out of georgia not a chance he’s staying put! Plain and simple, you gators can kiss my hairy dog As* we’ll see you in jax! Tech well we all know when that date is. GATA GO DAWGS!!
Another day in paradise
July 30th, 2009
9:45 am
Jim Morrison. Take a deep breath and a shot of reality. Unfortunately for the GT team, there’s just not a sufficient amount of interest in the football program to warrent a lot of coverage as evidenced by the fact that (1) the fan base will not/cannot fill the stadium on any regular basis, and (2) the GT fan base appears to be spending more time talking down the UGA program than talking up their on program. How bout you and all the other so called GT fans getting out their and supporting your own kids!!! Only then, will GT become something meaningful for the AJC to write about. If it’s passion and coverage of a team that you’re looking for, you’re always welcome to join the Bulldog Nation!! Woof, Woof!!
Chris
July 30th, 2009
9:47 am
How many years did it take Vince Dooley to win a national championship? He won only one and he had the best college football player in history on his roster. Our best team was in 20002, when the team went 13-1, finished 3rd, and destroyed Fl. St in the sugar bowl. My question is, do you risk firing a guy that has made you a top-tier program in the nation? He has brought us two SEC championships and we played for another. GET OFF MARK RICHT’S BACK. The day you fire CMR is the day UGA goes back to the 6-5 days of Ray Goff.
Gator Growl
July 30th, 2009
9:47 am
Nope, they never will. They and their fans are much more worried about Urban Meyer going to Notre Dame or where Tim Tebow is gonna get drafted or if the WLOCP should be moved from Jacksonville or how the Gators are gonna fall down after Tebow leaves or how much money Matthew Stafford is making to worry about any stinkin’ championships.
GA G8ter
July 30th, 2009
9:49 am
I am a gator fan and I will say that UGA WILL win a NC within the next 3-5 years. It will happen my friends, though I hate to admit it. They will get the breaks and top ‘em all. Book it! We will still win 3 out of those 5 years against them though.
BIGBOY
July 30th, 2009
9:50 am
Some of you guys need a reality check.BVG had better players than CWM.Simple as that…we still run the same Defense.Go back and look it up..UGA had great recruiting classes during BVG’s tenure and the better players where defenders.When you are coaching kids who are future pros it can certainly makes u look good!Nobody was complaining about our DE and LB coaches when there was talent at those positions.UGA has had great classes under CWM too… problem is the best players have been on offense.If you don’t have the horses you are not gonna win many races.No offense to the kids but Wynn,Irvin,Byrd, were OK but Owens,Washington and Ellerbe were IMPACT players.Let’s not even get into the DE injuries.It’s not the jersey folks it’s the player wearing it.Some of you seem to think “hell this is GA we should have 2nd and 3rd stringers good enough to get it done” NOT!!Saban the god was unable to overcome losing Smith for one friggin game.Les Miles blah,blah,blah even Meyer the king blah,blah dropped to 8-5 after winning a NC.What? they stopped being this great coach during that season?Their coaching staff went out to lunch or something?People sing Charlie Strong’s praises now but in 07 the FLA defense sucked…SUCKED…same coach.. same scheme..upgrade in talent and what do you know?The gator d is now all of a sudden the greatest ever!!yada yada.We have better players on Defense this year so the D will improve.Most of you will say it’s because Willie is on the hot seat and he wanted to save his butt!Whatever floats your boat but IMHO the change in the D has much more to do with the personnel than the Coaching staff.As for Mark Richt being soft?30-4 on the road in the SEC?Are some of you idiots friggin serious?Enough said.Look out Willie haters!!You get a peek at that recruiting class for next year?CWM aint leaving anytime soon.Of course everyone will get on the band wagon talking about how he got it turned around after being under pressure.Whatever.Tell you this… that Richt guy at head coach…he don’t know a whole lot about losing…check his record over the last 18 years.
John Jenkins
July 30th, 2009
9:50 am
I reralize it is still the off season and the writers are paid to write although I’m sure they are miserable having to come up with such drivel to keep their job. Of course this brings out delusional Georgia fans and I am a dawg fan who realizes the absurdity of such a proposition concerning Richt. This is one fine man with a proven recored on and off the field. He may never win a National Championship, but so what. Winning one won’t solve race relations or effect the economy. Its a game. Too many Georgia fans are living vicariously through a program with 20 year olds. I would not trade this man for anyone and even a less than stellar season should never place this man on the hot seat. Tech’s got a good one too, but they won’t ever win a championship again. It takes a myriad of events to line up to win a championship, particularly with e BCS.It was the media who set Georgia up last year with unrealistic expectations. Stafford and Moreno were good but never played a down of defense.
TampaGator
July 30th, 2009
9:53 am
Mark, you must have a lot of Florida journalism school grads on your brainstorming team! Right? But I know that would not ever happen, not in the AJC sports department which is better known as the Georgia Bulldog PR department. (Just joshing, you know).
Saint Simons
July 30th, 2009
9:53 am
Tech owns UGA 45-42 !!!!!!! How bout that you toothless wanders!!!!!!!!! hahahahahahaha
dan
July 30th, 2009
9:54 am
Oh wow another ” Richt’s too nice to win the big one” article. This argument is getting so old. You have to coach your team the way you know best. Is Mack Brown an asshole? Is Pete Carroll? Is Bob Stoops? No. Do they win National Titles? Yes.Sure the Saban’s and Meyer’s are successful one year, but then they go 9-3 or 8-4 the next season.
Richt is a very cerebral coach which serves the team well in adverse situations. But when you have a head coach like that, then you need other coaches who can light a fire under a players arse. Richt had that in Brian Van Gorder. Van Gorder was the fire to Richt’s ice and it worked out well.I think Richt has missed that dynamic on his staff, in recent seasons. And if you’re going to have an intense coach, then that coach needs assistants who are more level headed. Great coaches have all kinds of personality types on their staff. As for UGA winning a National Title, I think if it does happen it will be in a year when no one expects it.
Gator Nation
July 30th, 2009
9:55 am
Richt is a great coach. Winning the National Beauty Contest..err..I mean the national championship is a mixture of having great talent who plays great as a team and gets a couple lucky breaks. Florida had this for the 96 and 2006 seasons. Richt will have this mix come together for him as well. If Tennessee stays down, it will be easier to do. If Kiffin turns it around, having three monsters in the east makes it tough to do. But really, give me another coach that would be an upgrade for Georgia? Can’t really think of any who would be available.
imgeorgia
July 30th, 2009
9:55 am
Yes, 2008 was tough. Now look at 2007. UGA was #1 in sacks in the SEC and 3rd in total D. In 2006, our D was the one thing going for us. IN 2005, our D won use some close ones and lead UGA to an SEC title. Ya 2008’s D was sub par. IN 2007 Charlie Strong’s pass D was dead last in the SEC. GO look it up. There is this thing called facts you know. The facts last year was we had 1 DE that stayed healthy though fall practice. First game of the season one of our best Leaders on D goes down Jeff Owens. As the season goes on, we can not keep our DEs healthy so without a pass rush which is just as much on the DE coach Coach Fabris(not jumping on him because look at his body of work since 2002) it is hard to run the Tampa 2. Our D held its own until Bama took full advantage of a banged up team. Later in the season CMR decided we were so banged up he told Coaches Bobo and Willie to stop tackling to the ground. Well that was before the LSU game and well things went down fast on D. After that, we looked like Texas Tech’s D not a soild SEC Defense. CMR admits he made a mistake not staying physical in practice. A great leader admits his mistake and corrects them. I find it funny the same D that got us an inch away from playing for a NC in 2007 is now a huge problem. Now for the Techies out there. Keep talking “boys” and enjoy your one year of bragging rights. It comes as often as Haley’s comet.