5 reasons Georgia needs to demote Willie Martinez ASAP
1. Georgia is 97th among 120 Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense, 108th in scoring defense. The Bulldogs rank last among 12 SEC schools in both categories. Simple question: Do you believe Georgia — with Rennie Curran, Geno Atkins, Jeff Owens, Justin Houston, Kade Weston, Demarcus Dobbs, Darryl Gamble, Bryan Evans, Reshad Jones, Brandon Boykin and Branden Smith — has the worst defensive talent in the SEC?
2. Georgia has one interception, one fumble recovery and four sacks in three games. It ranks 76th (tied) in sacks, 116th in turnover margin. Simple question: Does anyone think the Bulldogs’ personnel ranks in the nation’s lower tier in terms of speed, strength and level of aggression?
3. Over the past nine games, Georgia opponents have averaged — averaged — 33 points. In 42 games under Brian VanGorder, whom Martinez succeeded as defensive coordinator, one opponent scored more than 30 points, and that was the 2003 BCS champion.
4. Georgia opponents have scored 102 points in three games this season. In 1980, the national championship team yielded 137 points in 12 games.
5. Georgia football is first-class in every way — the head coach, the personnel, the offense, the recruiting, the facilities, the fan interest — except one. Athletics director Damon Evans says he wants his coaches to win championships. Simple questions: Do you believe Georgia can win another SEC title playing this sort of defense? Is there any reason a program of such pedigree should have the worst defensive coordinator in its division?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
729 comments Add your comment
Maddog
September 22nd, 2009
5:25 pm
Doubt if Tuberville would come. First, he got a ton of money upon his departure from Auburn. Probably some clause about not coaching at a competing SEC school. Second, he was making (I believe) over $2 million as a head coach. What would he get as a DC? 300K – 500K?? Doesn’t Willie fall in that range?
Some college will dump their coach this year and Tuberville will probably be high on that list. Just my thoughts.
Sanford Drive
September 22nd, 2009
5:28 pm
I love how there is a blog that entertains the idea of firing Willie, but we all know that it’s not going to happen. At least not any time soon. Wishful thinking my friends.
Ed
September 22nd, 2009
5:37 pm
I understand and join the chorus against Martinez, but Bobo? I don’t think Georgia’s offense has looked this explosive in a long time. For some reason, a lot of Georgia fans have it in for him.
On the flip side, I’m not sure how anyone still defends Martinez, but there are many fans who still do. It couldn’t be more obvious that he simply isn’t a competent defensive coordinator. Probably a fine positions coach, though. A demotion is definitely in order.
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
5:46 pm
It is simply amazing that some fans “think” they know more about their team than the coaches do.
The coaches are with these kids and other coaches on a daily basis.
We as fans are not privy to practice, training room, film review or the daily lives of our team.
Recite all the numbers and trends you want.
Coach Mark Richt is a good football coach and a fine man.
I will place my trust in him to make the right decisions for my team.
cotdog
September 22nd, 2009
5:48 pm
I’m not jumping on a bandwagon. This problem goes back to the huge hole dug against West Virginia in the Sugar Bowl, Tennessee hanging 50 on us in our own house, etc. Loyalty is a great strength, but a weakness when one loses objectivity. The other place where we are ranked at the bottom is in special teams. Could the answer be that we keep Willie and put his personal intensity over all the special teams, and grab John Tenuta when Charlie Weis melts down at Notre Dame?
C from Marietta
September 22nd, 2009
5:54 pm
To: Deon Sanders
“UGA hasn’t done anything in the BCS games they have been in either. Flat out, it’s Richt!”
They are 2-1 in BCS games and 6-2 in bowl games. WRONG again sorry.
He has a 3-1 record vs. Alabama. 3-2 record vs. LSU. 5-3 record against. 2-6 record against FLA. 7-1 vs GT. 5-3 vs Tenn. So, against our major rivals with the exception of FLA. He has a Winning record. Oh yeah, he is also 4th on the active coaches winning pct. Don’t let your opinions get in the way of FACTS.
The Grinch
September 22nd, 2009
5:55 pm
To 45ACP
So using your logic about how the coaches know more about football and the players than do the fans, Ray Goff should still be the head coach. Is that what you’re suggesting? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Einsteindawg
September 22nd, 2009
5:55 pm
Relax dawgfans…CMR knows what he’s doing (afterall, we’re paying him $2.9M per year). UGA has more class than firing CWM during the season. Richt probably has secured the headcoaching job at Shippensburg State or West Charleston U or Northeast Kentucky State College for Willie in ‘10, and already has a verbal for our new DC. Watch how our defense will be more “out of the box” for the balance of the season, as CMR just might have a consultant working with Martinez. We’ll still go 9-4 which is respectable, but look out for next year. And, our defensive committments can’t wait to get here. Peace.
Jonathan
September 22nd, 2009
5:58 pm
I think its time for Bobo to go and Martinez to go. How long will they just not be consistant. One game things are good the next you wonder what happen. We can not win it all like this. If Mark dosen’t make some changes soon he needs to go right along with them.
A-ville Ranger
September 22nd, 2009
6:02 pm
Yes SEC scoring is up overall.So take that percentage increase and we should average giving up 21 not 33.Also we’ve been at the bottom of the conference defensively NOW and last season not compared to VanGorder’s era.
To address the poster who commented on how poorly VanGorder is doing with The Falcons.His defense has yey to give up as many as 30 points there.So in 42 games at UGA and 18 with Atlanta his defenses have given up 30 1 time out of 60 as DC.Martinez’s defense has surrendered at least 35 points in 7 of the last 12 he’s coached.
dawgs2002
September 22nd, 2009
6:05 pm
Here’s an article on the UGA coach salaries:
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/022809/foo_399405625.shtml
Dill
September 22nd, 2009
6:05 pm
Bugkiller you are so right. Sonnymean thinks its because the game has changed? Look at Florida. The changing game didn’t give them a defense problem. Look at any team that has been a contender over the past ten years and you’ll see a solid defense. Once again I want to remind everyone on this blog that had we had a solid defense when Eric Zier was our QB, we would have experienced another NC. You just can’t do it one one side of the ball. This should be Willie’s last year coaching at GA. If Richt wants to keep him, then unfortunately he must go as well.
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
6:14 pm
Grinch – you know exactly what I mean.
Very bad analogy.
Sec sux
September 22nd, 2009
6:21 pm
Puppies ain’t winning a national championship
with bill walsh, Lombardi, or any other hall of famer on the coaching staff.
BugKiller
September 22nd, 2009
6:23 pm
45ACP… how is that a bad analogy???
Basically, you believe that Coach Richt can do no wrong. That if he says Willie Martinez is awesome, he is.
You’re satisfied with 2 SEC titles in 2 years. So satisfied, you’re now willing to accept the mediocrity facing the program right now.
You know, when Bobby Bowden hired his son to be his OC, and stubbornly decided to remove him when it is was more than obvious for YEARS that Jeff Bowden just wasn’t getting it done, well, old Bobby, resting on his laurels as Richt seems to think he can do now, at least had two MNCs and about a dozen ACC titles to rest on.
What Richt has done in 9 years gives him NO RIGHT to allow Willie Martinez to bring down this program simply because they’re best friends.
You want to accept Richt’s bullcrap excuses? You want to drink the Kool-Aid. Go right ahead.
But you’re wrong. You’re so blind and so wrong.
BugKiller
September 22nd, 2009
6:23 pm
should be 2 SEC titles in NINE years, not two. My mistake.
ofonemind
September 22nd, 2009
6:25 pm
Does anyone but me think that it’s odd that every fan knows more about coaching defense than the Georgia staff? That’s a good paying job. Probably more than 99 percent of the people commenting on this post. Maybe they should apply for a job as a UGA defensive coach.
BugKiller
September 22nd, 2009
6:25 pm
also, should read, stubbornly refused to remove him, not decided… sorry, the complete blind illogic of people like 45ACP makes my typing twitchy.
kevin
September 22nd, 2009
6:27 pm
We need to go after Texas’ DC Will Muschamp and hope that his ties to UGA are stronger than UT. Give him what he wants with the promise to take over in the next 3-5 years and bump Damon Evans to president and Richt to athletics director….i know thats far fetched….so let me dream but we need a DC like muschamp. Why didn’t we fire Willie and go after Chavis when fulmer got sacked….beats me..but willie sucks….plain and simple…
BugKiller
September 22nd, 2009
6:27 pm
Yet another blindly loyal homer, ofonemind, shows his ignorant face.
Yep, take your excuses and like it, ofonemind.
It’s like battered wife syndrome with you people.
You all act like battered wives. Defending the indefensible.
Dog Poo
September 22nd, 2009
6:28 pm
GA will never reach the level of Fl, Tx, Ok
Or any of the biggies that compete and win
national championships. Dawgs play the season
hoping to do better than the Outback Bowl.
ken fuller
September 22nd, 2009
6:29 pm
Enter your comments here
CMR is long on loyalty and I completely understand . Coach Martinez has a family and needs his job and is a good man . Mark has difficulty with his Christian commitment to do the right thing and he is to be admired for his conviction and his loyalty to a friend . Having said that , the coach needs to ask himself how long he must adhere to this loyalty in the face of less than adequate results . If one has an employee who is good , loyal, always at work , but whose results are consistently below that which should be achieved , the hard but correct decision should be made . Find him another place in the office . Do something Mark .Its time .
meansonny
September 22nd, 2009
6:32 pm
Mark… nice attempt at picking the games that our defense cost us.
WVU in 2005? Seriously… 2 turnovers in the 1st quarter alone and WVU scores 21 points in the first 15 minutes of play. We ended up losing the handle 3 times in that game and lost by 3 points after a strong 2nd half.
Alabama 2008? A fumble and an interception in that dreaded 2nd quarter where the Tide scored 21 points. We lost by 10 or 11 in that game after a strong 2nd half.
We would have won those 2006 Kentucky and Vandy games if Andy Bailey wasn’t our placekicker. Coutu’s hammy and lack of any decent backup gave up 2 very winnable games.
Demetrio
September 22nd, 2009
6:36 pm
Mark, you’re falling firmly into a rut here. Five this five that. Surely you can come up with six or more reasons to fire CWM!
BadgerDawg
September 22nd, 2009
6:39 pm
One thing in defense of WM, we do play the weakest part of our schedule at the end of the year, specifically the last game.
meansonny
September 22nd, 2009
6:39 pm
Willie might need to go at the season’s end. But you know what… it’s not the season’s end, yet.
Let’s see if Washington and Houston can make something out of the DE position. Let’s see if Reshad Jones can play like a senior leader.
We’ve played the toughest competition thus far out of all the SEC teams. Mallett will be a 1st round draft pick. Garcia was a top 5 QB out of High School (both QB’s have solid OC’s and QB coaches on their staff this season).
Oklahoma State came at us with a very tough gameplan (conservative 40 rush day with a few big plays to their key playmakers). We did a decent job on that rushing attack, but couldn’t cover their playmakers when we needed to. Cox and Bryant will be starting on Sunday’s. Sometimes you have to credit the other team.
45ACP
September 22nd, 2009
6:40 pm
CWM may be Coach Richts bane. I trust Coach Richt to get it right.
Coach Mark Richt is not going to fire CWM 3 games into the season.
Complain about it all you want.
bulldogRED
September 22nd, 2009
6:46 pm
well …let’s start here. coach RICHT “GET RID OF YOUR BUDDY” yeah …
that guy that you call a defensive coordinator… if you dont know how to call it I do, and i have just the right play for you.
ask Willie over for some beers (about 1 for him and 12 for you) make sure you’re drunk and he’s sober then tell him in a nice drunken fashion that he is “FIRED”
The Ole' Ball Coach (aka The Evil "Genius")
September 22nd, 2009
6:50 pm
Another often overlooked aspect of WM’s defenses: inability to force turnovers. I’ve never seen a more talented bunch of blue-chippers that can’t force a fumble or pick off a pass. Something’s wrong with the entire culture of UGA’s defense, and those who don’t see it either don’t understand football or are relatives of the coaches.
meansonny, the performance in the Sugar Bowl against W. Va. was a flat-out disgrace, at least in the first half. After that it was too late. We seemed baffled by the option or even a simple dive off tackle, and gave up yards in big chunks. We made a big underdog look like the ‘93 Dallas Cowboys. Then, a repeat in the ‘06 & ‘07 Tenn. games and the ‘08 Alabama games. Sometimes the defense simply doesn’t show up. How can that be anything other than coaching?
BadgerDawg
September 22nd, 2009
6:56 pm
meansonny, your comments would have some merit except for the fact that he should have been fired the last several years. This isn’t exactly the first time the team has horribly underperformed on his side of the ball. “Give him more time” has long since lapsed. The only excuse not to fire/demote is that I agree that normally it shouldn’t happen in midyear. I’d still like to see it now though as I can’t see it getting worse with someone else in there.
lamar
September 22nd, 2009
6:57 pm
Anybody that cant see that Martinez IS A PIECE OF GARBAGE THEN THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL! The last 4-5 years GA”S defense points allowed per game as risen to a terrible level! But if you think Richt will FIRE THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE THEN YOU ARE CRAZY! He BETTER WAKE UP & DO WHATS RIGHT FOR THE UNIVERSITY BECAUSE IF HE THINKS MARTINEZ IS A GOOD DC THEN MAYBE THE REASON WE WIN 10 GAMES EVERY YEAR IS BECAUSE OF HIM! WHATS WRONG WITH WINNING MORE? MARTINEZ IS A LEECH SUCKING THE BLOOD OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY! DAMN SHAME HE DID”NT GO TO MIAMI BUT WHY WOULD HE? HE DONT HAVE TO PERFORM AT GA LIKE HE WOULD AT MIAMI! GET THIS JUNK OUT!!!!
Carl Spackler
September 22nd, 2009
7:10 pm
Are some of these guys playing out of position, or a new position than they did in H.S. Are they returning players, or are they all new, or have they moved from some other position than last year…heck, if they can’t get the job done, then bench them and get some whack job ready to run thru a wall to get the chance to play a down…or, you’ll just have to be patient while the coach works out the kinks and play around w/ defensive schemes until they start to have some success,,,how new are some of these guys, if quite a few of them are new, then we have the same thing as Cox, only on the other side of the ball…Cox gets better (?) every week (right!), so there’s no reason not to think the D can get better as the season goes on…
Qavonte Laquan
September 22nd, 2009
7:11 pm
Dawg Nation lets get together and start a : FreeWillie.com If Richt wont listen, then let’s boycott the games and stop sending money to the school. Willie Martinez is playing for the other team!!
Michael Dawgs for life
September 22nd, 2009
7:16 pm
To be honest i don’t think you can blame the mistakes on special teams on the coaching most of those are just bad luck or mental breakdowns by the players
meansonny
September 22nd, 2009
7:19 pm
BadgerDawg… UGA was top 20 nationally in defense in 2005, 2006, and 2007 under Willie Martinez.
What happened after 2007? We lost 2 playmakers. Our stud DE (Marcus Howard) and our stud Safety (Kelin Johnson).
Nobody stepped up last season. We know what happened.
Nobody has stepped up this season. Unless we get pressure at the DE like Howard came on in 2007… it will be more of the same (not ranking in the top 20 nationally in defense)
meansonny
September 22nd, 2009
7:24 pm
Ole Ball Coach… how can you blame the defensive coordinator when the offense coughs up the ball twice in 1 quarter. That happened in the 1st quarter against West Virginia (they scored 21 points). That happened in the second quarter against Alabama 2008 (they scored 21 points).
I’m not saying that Willie Martinez doesn’t have a hand in those points.
But if you have anger and hatred (enough to fire a guy 3 games into the season), how come we aren’t holding these kids accountable for their costly errors?
I’d be more upset about giving West Virginia and Alabama the ball on my own 30 than with my defensive coordinator who is playing uphill with his players backs against the wall.
Those losses (2005 West Virginia, 2006 & 2007 Tennessee, 2008 Florida/Alabama/GT) all had horendous quarters where the entire team played like poo. This is a team sport.
Yes, Virginia. Your offense and special teams can giftwrap the opposing team 14+ points per game (21 points to UF last season).
meansonny
September 22nd, 2009
7:26 pm
Our defense takes a turn for the worst without NFL talent at DE and Safety.
When you’re playing strong offensive teams that have the ability to pass (or a team like GT), you need to have huge production in these areas.
I have no problem blaming Willie Martinez for these deficiencies. But these deficiencies do not merit firing him right now. Let’s see if he can get the defense back on track like in 2007.
Chili Willie Concarne
September 22nd, 2009
7:27 pm
Demote you say? I don’t think so. Willie’s DB coaching has always and I mean ALWAYS been suspect. If Richt is going to make a move, it will have to be an outright dismisal. Frankly, I don’t see that happening.
What has to be considered is this:
Who out there is better than Willie Martinez and is willing to make the jump at the end of this year? Nobody here has the answer to that question.
Please keep Willie
September 22nd, 2009
7:28 pm
because with Willie UGA will never win another SEC Title or ever ever be a contender for a National Title. also Richt will never ever fire Willie. Evans will and Mark Richt leave Georgia.
Hutch
September 22nd, 2009
7:29 pm
WTF. Martinez should have been FIRED a long time ago! UGA have the talent, but Martinez conversative style is ENOUGH. The D is not disclipine at all. Missed tackles, DBs out of position, penalities, etc. If I was the coach, they would run stadium steps all damn practice long. Plus Martinez suck anyway. We need Bud Foster from VT. Those tackles seldomly miss tackles, etc.
meansonny
September 22nd, 2009
7:49 pm
The last time we had production from the DE spot was 2007.
We held Oklahoma State to their lowest point total of the season at 14. 5 sacks
We held South Carolina to their 2nd lowest total of the season at 12 (only Vandy did better). 2 sacks.
We held Florida to 30 points (that was their 2nd lowest total of the season behind Auburn). 6 sacks.
We held Kentucky to 13 points (that was their lowest point total of the season). 5 sacks.
We held Georgia Tech to 17 points (that was their lowest point total of the regular season). 5 sacks.
We held Hawaii to 10 points (that was their lowest point total of the season). 8 sacks.
In those 6 games, Howard had 8 sacks.
DE’s Battle & Lomax each had 2.5 sacks.
Pressure on the ends allow the DT’s to gobble up the QB with the inside pressure, as well.
Hawaii, Florida, Kentucky & Oklahoma State were all ranked around #20 or better nationally in scoring.
EVERY COACH will tell you that you can’t win without the athletes. EVERY COACH will tell you that you need playmakers on defense.
When we get a playmaker at DE and Safety, our season will turnaround. We are not that far off from where we want to be. It all starts at DE.
Pete
September 22nd, 2009
7:50 pm
It’s complicated. Best case scenario is for Willy to stay but be demoted…not sure if that would fly with him. Keep him for recruiting and hire a new DC. I trust CMR but do think he can be soft. All these folks posting on here saying they can do better than Willy have no idea. He does an ok job but we need better. Coaching changes set you back a year or two sometimes but it would be worth it. Make the change at the end of the season.
SagaciousSamDawg
September 22nd, 2009
7:53 pm
Here now!! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! You critics out there who dislike our defense could be a bit quieter!! If you make enough fuss, it is entirely possible that UGA could play boring defensive football again. I’ve seen my last snail race across an acre lot and it would be best not to return to that pastime. For the last time, “Forget about trying to play great defense! ” It makes no sense to score quickly on offense while quickly forcing a punt by the other team. It puts the offense right back on the field again! If you do that regularly in a game, the offense is exhausted by the second half and has nothing else to offer. The smartest defense is to allow the other team to score almost as often as your own team scores. That way the offense gets to rest enough to put on a big show for the next drive. Another benefit of this tactic is that it makes the game exciting which is why fans are willing to pay 40 dollars or more for a ticket. Who wants to pay $40 to watch two teams struggle to in a 2-3 score. Please forget this ‘we need a respectable defense” nonsense!! We don’t need any such thing! Let’s keep a rather poor defense and work on our offense, the part of the team with all the talent. This way all you thoughtless fans can act lazily and not have to construct those silly “Fire Mark Richt” or “Fire Willie Martinez” signs. This way you won’t have to live up to your neurotic reputation when the other teams score lots of points as they are wont to do. If UGA coaches devoted more time to the offense and ignored the defense, we could outscore everybody. And if we outscore everybody, why worry about all the touchdowns and fieldgoals the other teams scores; we scored more! Don’t make me resort to making equally silly signs that read “Retain Mark Richt” or ” Retain Willie M.” Let’s just be satisfied with what we’ve got (a great offense) and let somebody else waste their time making football more boring (with great defense). It is probably that for the rest of the season our ‘great offense’ outscores our opponents and by how much is not to be mattered. “POOR DEFENSE, SUPERIOR OFFENSE wins games! Maybe we lose a couple more to teams who have defenses and offenses better than our own; shouldn’t the best team win?
tizzle
September 22nd, 2009
7:58 pm
Remember This, CMR came from FSU where Bobby Bowden didnt lose nor fired his Offense/Defense Coordinator til Mark Richt lefted in 2000. Mickey Andrews has been there forever. Bobby Bowden has lost many position coaches over time i.e. Chuck Amato. CMR learned everything from Bowden. Left u this….No One call for CWM job when defense wons games i.e. Hawaii and Michigan St.
fanatic
September 22nd, 2009
8:01 pm
Mr. Bradley,
I agree that Willie is not an elite DC. I don’t even think he is good enough to coach in a major college setting. I also think it is ludicrous for him, or any coach, to be evaluated by a second rate sports writer like you. What coaching experience do you have that gives you the competence to evaluate any of them? You haven’t shown the competence to even be a qualified sports writer. Go get drunk and laid and forget sports writing.
J Dog
September 22nd, 2009
8:09 pm
Unless Richt gets pressure from Damon Evans, he will never replace Wilie. Richt’s frindship with Willie has blinded him to the truth of Willie’s performance, and thats sad, because it says volumes about Richts inabality to lead. Anybody who knows anything about football can see something’s bad wrong with Georgia’s defense.
shannon
September 22nd, 2009
8:10 pm
flat out brian evans is the worst player in history at any position
Gdawg
September 22nd, 2009
8:20 pm
Hey Gang,
Lighten up! That giant of a QB for the Hogs is going to light up a lot of SEC defenses this year. I guarantee you the Hogs will be at the top of the SEC in all major offensive categories. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We should be 3-0 save for a purchased win by T. Boone and billions of dollars and the christening of their new stadium. CMR knows what the hell is going on and he is not going to cut his on throat to save the job of any inept coach. Bradley, you disgust me with your pot stirring and kicking a good man when he is down. Give the man a chance. CWM has some very young but promising talent that he is bring along. If he blitzes the Hogs more then we probably give up 60 and lose. Bottom line, this is a rebuilding year, and we are positioning ourselves to win 9 or 10 games with one of the most difficult schedules in the country. So, stop your whining and be thankful that we have the coaches in place that we have; coaches that are ethical in everything they do and coaches who have proven abilities. Bobo is starting to catch on and I truly believe that WM will coach these guys up and by season’s end, we will be a force to be reckoned with. Lastly, Mark Bradley, I am sorry this is not New York and I don’t appreciate your brutally honest perspective of this man. Who are you to call for someone’s job. You are just trying to bring attention to yourself, but mark my words, you will be the guy eating crow at the end of this season.
Thank You!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!! Keep getting better baby!!!!!!!!!
BadgerDawg
September 22nd, 2009
8:35 pm
meansonny, are you MR or are you WM? Or are you a spouse of one of them? Give some credit to WM for recruiting if you’d like, I’m sure that is fair, but we have top 5/10 talent on the D year in and year out and he doesn’t do enough with it. You seem to be one of the few here that realize that.
Gator CHOMP Champ
September 22nd, 2009
8:35 pm
There is nothing wrong w/ Willie Martinez. He’s a fine coach and a fine person. He should get an extension. Georgia is a good fit for him and they’re lucky to have him.