For Richt, change will be tough; for Johnson, it won’t be
PJ isn't a man to disappoint. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Having witnessed Mark Richt’s media briefing Tuesday in Athens, I was struck — not for the first time, and surely not for the last — at how resolutely positive this man is. No, things aren’t going well, he conceded, but his Georgia Bulldogs “are battling as hard as you can battle.”
And I thought, again not for the first time, that Mark Richt would be a mighty fine boss to have: Loyal, circumspect, unwilling to assess public blame.
Then I read the transcript of Paul Johnson’s concurrent media briefing at Georgia Tech, thoughtfully provided by ace publicist and fellow Vinings dweller Dean Buchan, and this passage fairly leaped off the computer screen:
“There’s no doubt about it. We have to get better [on defense]. In my mind, when you play the way we played on Saturday, everyone is accountable. The coaches, the players and I’m accountable because I’m the ultimate guy. I see guys not playing fast and not flying to the ball.”
And I thought to myself, “Paul Johnson might not be the greatest boss, but he’s exactly the sort of man you’d want running your business.” He didn’t candy-coat the Florida State effort by saying his guys made the stops when stops were needed. He said: “We have to get better.”
Again, I’m not trying to suggest one style is better. Mark Richt has won two SEC titles at Georgia and was part of two national championship teams at FSU. He’s a fine coach and a fine fellow. But this much I do know:
Mark Richt will have a hard time shuffling his staff no matter how this season plays out because that’s the kind of guy he is. Paul Johnson won’t find it so difficult to make changes if he determines change is needed. Because that’s the kind of guy he is.
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376 comments Add your comment
AZ Jacket
October 15th, 2009
11:23 am
Ted Striker , you make no sense at all. Your point?
BugKiller
October 15th, 2009
11:23 am
Lex, the differences between me and you (and Coach Richt) is I don’t allow myself to let my thought process be overcome with emotion.
And BTW, to the douche that commented on my spelling, have you ever tried to use the keypad on an iPod Touch? Moving back…
Richt has a pretty decent trend going where he refuses to make the hard decisions needed if one wants to win, whatever it takes (within he rulels of course) as Saban, Miles, Carroll, and Meyer do.
Refusing to bench mediocre Joe Cox is just the latest example of his refusal to do what is in the best interests of the team. He refuses to see that continuing to play Cox is a complete and utter waste, and will negatively impact the team next year.
This is just one of the many reasons he will never win a NC and needs to go.
As for the idiotic refrain from all of the blind homers who refuse to see the truth, who refuse to believe that there couldn’t possibly be ANYONE out there who could take their mediocre CMR’s place, well, I have names:
1) Kyle Whittenham, Utah
2) Chris Peterson, Boise State
3) Brian Kelly, Cincinatti
4) Bronco Mendenhall, BYU
5) Charlie Strong, DC Florida
And those are just 5 names of guys I’m pretty sure are willing to do whatever it takes to win, unlike Richt.
Guys who refuse to accept mediocrity from players (Cox) or from their coaches (Martinez and Bobo) as Richt does.
Richt lost the moral authority to coach this program the minute he put his personal relationship with Willie Martinez ahead of what is best for the team.
That’s a break of trust that simply cannot be allowed or forgotten or forgiven.
Paul ( You doesn't have to call me Johnson )
October 15th, 2009
11:24 am
Mark,
Are you that stupid?
wes
October 15th, 2009
11:25 am
Mark Bradley: instigator
Jeff Schultz: sarcastic
Tony Barnhart: whiney
CFB Lover
October 15th, 2009
11:27 am
Good comment BugKiller, I believe you are correct and it does not make him a bad person. As far as Cox goes, not sure he is to blame for all of the problems but the QB usually gets most of the blame when an offense sputters. Cox is being rewarded for his loyalty for staying in the program…that is nice but does not win games.
dawgrific
October 15th, 2009
11:28 am
gatorman-shut up you douche!
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
11:29 am
tj:
“Average, at best” would be be somewhere around 50th to 60th in the Division 1 rankings. Neither Tech nor Georgia’s defense is “average”. And in their conferences, they are 11th out of 12.
Not criticizing your statement, just pointing out current numbers.
CFB Lover
October 15th, 2009
11:31 am
Say what you want but CMR does not make any adjustments during the season..now that is okay if you are not struggling. CPJ’s kicker missed chipshot FGs, even after kicking a game winner, now he is no longer kicking. You have to perform or sit on the bench. I don’t see any spark in this team and if the assistants cannot get it from the players then it is the head coach’s responsibility. I don’t see that from UGA.
jason
October 15th, 2009
11:31 am
I am not saying that I was expecting us to be bad. I thought it would be a little harder to win some games. With the schedule we had this year coupled with losing 3 MFL starters. I knew there would be a drop off, not a huge drop off but some. The problems on defense is embarrassing. Like you I thought the OL/DL line play would be what kept us in games and winning them. The OL was vastly overated as shown the true talents that Staff and Moreno had. This is the same OL they had last year. The DL is the worst of all. We had a 3 headed monster at DT that has done absolutely nothing. They were the key to the pass rush from our ends. Geno has all but disapeared. Owens is always off sides in the opponets backfield. Weston is the only one playing decent. I was expecting more hard fault and close games this year. A record alone the lines of 9-4 or 10-3.
jason
October 15th, 2009
11:32 am
Otto also while AJ is better than MoMass. Moore is not. King and Wooten are not.
Mark Bradley
October 15th, 2009
11:34 am
Poor Chip is getting hammered, isn’t he?
juvenal
October 15th, 2009
11:36 am
alumni is plural-alums should know that-please watch the anti-Catholic remarks, they verge on klannish-even m doesn’t give chan grief for being a good Christian(by the way, he’s available)…
Island Dawg
October 15th, 2009
11:36 am
BugKiller, you and I need to get together for a beer sometime. This is a pated passage from some religious mag that proves Richt has no right to coach on this level:
Richt spoke of how time consuming his position as Head Coach is. He praised his wife for being such a supportive spouse. With some of the off-season problems involving players getting in trouble, Richt spoke of how his goal is to be a role model for them. He doesn’t just want to coach them on the field, he wants to teach them principles and … Read Moredisciplines. He hopes to teach them life lessons so that they will become better men. He strives to prepare them spiritually by his own example. He really cares for his players and wants them to “be great fathers one day.” Coach Richt really loves Jesus. He seeks Christ in decisions by constant prayer and fasting. His motto is love and obey God. This coach spoke from his heart. As he said it best he wants to “serve the people instead of himself.”
Reality Knocks
October 15th, 2009
11:36 am
1. How does Tech losing to LSU mean the option won’t work in the SEC? By this line of thinking, I guess UGA’s offense won’t work in the SEC either since it lost to UT. And I guess all the SEC hype is gone now too since UGA’s offense won’t work in the mighty Big12 since they lost to Okie State??? Compare the stats Tech’s offense vs. SEC and UGA’s vs. SEC. It’s not about scheme so much as execution and players.
2. Give Johnson 8 years of top 10 recruiting classes of his type players and see how many ACC and MNC he has. If he is sitting at 3-3 in year 8 then we can have the same dicussion comparing him against whoever UGA’s new coach is.
3. During the 7 straight UGA wins how many were a play or two from being GT wins? If UGA wants to base their in-state dominance on one or two plays then have at it.
4. While we are talking about 1 or 2 plays, UGA is just 2 plays from being 1-5 instead of 3-3. What would the UGA Nation being saying then?
dawgrific
October 15th, 2009
11:37 am
tech75, crack kills my man, as your assessment of both tech football and standards show that you must be as high as a kite!
dawgrific
October 15th, 2009
11:38 am
12 and 21, shut up you douche!
CFB Lover
October 15th, 2009
11:40 am
jason said: “I thought it would be a little harder to win some games. With the schedule we had this year coupled with losing 3 MFL starters.”
This statement is nothing but an excuse. With the schedule you had? OKS, overrated to start the year, Ark, SC, Tenn (offensive cellar dweller). LSU is the only team that has played well over all. Every team has starter leave for the NFL, good coaches prepare for that. two of the three lost games could have or should have been wins, look at OKS now and Tenn…well that was bad. Before the season started the dawg nation was feeling they would be 7-0 going into the Fla game. If you say different then you are playing games with the truth.
Paul ( You doesn't have to call me Johnson )
October 15th, 2009
11:41 am
Ward, I’m worried about the Gumps
Aw June, The Gumps will be fine. Gene Stallings is now on the NCAA Infractions Committee.
jason
October 15th, 2009
11:41 am
Island Dawg, excellent post on CMR. Question though. Does that intefere with his ability to be the HC of UGA? As the HC he does have the platform to lead and teach these young men, and to also serve them as you stated. But the end game for a HC is all about wins and losses.
CFB Lover
October 15th, 2009
11:43 am
dawgrific , do you only come here to call bloggers names or do you have something to add?
dawgrific
October 15th, 2009
11:44 am
I need to say it simply, Mark Richt is a great person, a good football coach, but he gets paid 2-3 million dollars a year to win, and that involves being able to make tough decisions-luckily for him, firing willie martinez as a coach (not as a friend) is an EASY decision, but there may be other shake-ups that need to be made too-aka bobo
jason
October 15th, 2009
11:44 am
CFB Lover, Not using it as an excuse. Notice I had a similar record predicted as last year. There have been alot of changes to this team. No, the excuse is the horrible coaching we have, abd the inability to correct the stupid mistakes. That’s the excuse.
jason
October 15th, 2009
11:45 am
CFB Lover, actually I had them at 6-1 going into the UF game. Losing to either LSU or USCe.
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
11:45 am
BugKiller –
Except for the minor retort that included “douche”, I think much of what you said is really on the mark. I’ll go out on a limb and say that most opponents would rather beat a strong team, rather than a weak one. Keep your drive to see UGA improve alive, and don’t be sniped by the whiners.
dawgrific
October 15th, 2009
11:45 am
sorry cfb, the “outsiders” that come on to read (and comment) on our articles get to me once in a while-I apologize to you, but not to them, plus I took my meds so I am feeling better, lol
dawgrific
October 15th, 2009
11:46 am
was my “simple” post a bit better?
CFB Lover
October 15th, 2009
11:47 am
Hope you are feeling better, dawgrific
dawgrific
October 15th, 2009
11:48 am
not entirely, until we start making plays and winning again
CFB Lover
October 15th, 2009
11:49 am
that will come..but if it doesn’t just remember it is a game to be enjoyed.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
11:51 am
Jason I agree it has not panned out but going into the opener the expectations of a 10-11 win season were not unresasonable. It has not panned out. IMO the OL is atleast equal. The RBs have not been getting production which IMO is due to yards after contact and play calling. All the way around the OC, DC, and Special teams coach have not been getting the most from their players.
Another good point with MoMass. Everyone lumps the blame on Cox. Before UT, Cox had a better completion percentage and was on pace for about the same # of INTs as Staff did in ‘06 or ‘07 with less talent. Stafford at QB would have no impact on UGA’s record. Moreno at RB would.
Another thing Az State is not that great. Okie State is a best of the mid level Big 12 type team. I do not buy the schedule excuse. UGA with a few less mistakes and better kick coverage could have easily been 5-0 going into Knoxville. Yes in the same breath UGA is lucky to not be 0-5 thanks to those mistakes.
My Heart goes out to AJ's family and Kandi!
October 15th, 2009
11:52 am
I hear alot of people tell Kandi to give back the kids. Well, I don’t feel that way. A woman who takes kids an raise them with love, warm, etc. That’s the mom. Maybe she needs these kids?
Kandi isn’t a selfish person. Unlike some of these self loathing grinches!
Ted Striker
October 15th, 2009
11:52 am
AZ Jacket — Have observed your general modus operandi when you dislike what another blogger says and you either can’t — or won’t — come up with an intelligent response. Here it is:
1) You insult them.
2) You ask them to rephrase, pretending you “didn’t follow” what they meant.
3) After they clarify, you insult them again.
Well, I’m sorry AZJ but I don’t have time to play with you. Bigger fish to fry.
WTF?
October 15th, 2009
11:55 am
Can anybody say, “Wrong Blog?” LOL!
Not Disappointed!
October 15th, 2009
11:56 am
Enter your comments here
Gen Neyland
October 15th, 2009
12:01 pm
What we’ve all learned in the world of work is this : We’re all expendable and replaceable. Is it commendable to save one in order to sacrifice all..?
“I gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which I must stop and look fear in the the face…I say to myself, I’ve lived through this and can take the next thing that comes along…We must do the things we think we cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt
jason
October 15th, 2009
12:01 pm
My only point on the shedule was that while all were winnable, there was not that gimmie game. Not necessarrily because of the opponet, but rather the change in the personelle. You have a point on Cox. I think alot of his ints are forcing the ball. Someone will go no $hit. What I am saying is that by not being able to run the ball, Coc is forcing throws down field trying to open up space to run the ball. Also a couple of those ints were not his fault. The OSU game was it king who bobbled the pass that was picked off? The only critism I have with Cox is his long and slow delivery. People talk about him locking in on WRs. That may be true, but from what I see is when he makes his read, the long slow delivery accompianed with less zip allows DBs time to break on the ball.
b.davis
October 15th, 2009
12:04 pm
Keep in mind that Georgia Tech, under Paul Johnson, went into Athens and beat the dogs with a team that early in the season was not supposed to have a chance. Georgia was supposed to win the National Championship.
Georgia will always get more talent than Tech. That is why a man like Paul Johnson is importent to the program. His offense neutralizes the difference in talent.
I remember watching Bobby Dodd`s teams for years and the most overlooked part of this as one poster has said the luck is back.
Tech will do well and Georgia will also do well. Georgia Tech will do well because of coaching and good talent. Georgia will do well because of talent.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
12:05 pm
CFB LSU has not been that great. I think they drop another to Bama and one more to Ole Miss or Ark. The LSU defense has been pretty good but the offense has not been impressive but to their credit they do not get penalties or turn it over.
UGA could have easily won that game and nearly did. The defense finally gave in after being stuck with a short field most of the day and a UGA rushing game that put up 45 yards all day. The UGA offense went 3 and out 6 times. Hats off to the defense for keeping it as close as they did.
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
12:11 pm
Gen Neyland – You never cease to amaze and impress me. Mme. Roosevelt eloquently expanded upon Friedrich Nietzsche’s “What does not kill me, makes me stronger.”
Johnson>Richt
October 15th, 2009
12:11 pm
UGA – No team does less with more.
UGA – The Wisconsin of the SEC.
Not Disappointed!
October 15th, 2009
12:13 pm
I wouldn’t be surprise if the comments for this topic don’t hit the 1000 blog mark tonite.
CMR some adjustments they should be fine next year.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
12:16 pm
Jason, I don’t think we’re that far apart from agreeing. Stafford had the opppsite problem, he had so much zip the short passes were being dropped. The running game has turned UGA 1 dimensional and neither Staff or Cox could win in that situation. Gray or Murray may bring something in to help out the rushing game.
Another thing to think about is despite being one dimensional UGA actually ranks very high on sacks allowed. Which makes me think the RBs and play calling are to blame more so than the OL and Coach Searles. Searles had a strong running game at his prior LSU job.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
12:22 pm
Wisconsin has not been to a BCS bowl or won a conf championship since ‘99.
Is UGA underachieving now? Yes but UGA is a long way from Wisconsin level.
Besides GT isn’t exactly over achieving. The most convincing win was in the pooring rain. GT has the chance to change that this weekend. We’ll see what happens.
blazer
October 15th, 2009
12:24 pm
FSU MAY COME CALLING SOON ENOUGH!
jason
October 15th, 2009
12:25 pm
Otto, so true about Staff in comparison to Cox. I don’t think the play calling is the big issue. i like you think the inability to run the ball has dictated what Bobo wants to call. Having said that, I also think he has abandoned the run to early in games. Maybe that is because of lack of confidence in the run game. Here’s hoping Ealy is the answer. King shows alot of talent and potential (loce his hands), but he is more bad luck injury prone tham Thomas Brown.
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
12:26 pm
Otto,
Equally important are the intangibles. I have to say that Stafford may have had the big arm, but otherwise he did not impress me (I’m not a UGA fan). David Green really impressed me in his ability as a leader and with his skill as a QB. I think Murray has the intangibles as well as a strong arm. Coming back too early from a broken leg to lead his team in the state championship game says a whole lot.
jason
October 15th, 2009
12:30 pm
The thing about Staff was that everybody knew he was gone after his JR season. CMR knew, there is no living in denail on that aspect. That’s why alot are upset that Cox didn’t see the field more last year. Staff was a selfish player. That might have had alot to do with how last year played out. It has been mentioned alot about the team chemistry from last year’s team.
Dawgs73
October 15th, 2009
12:38 pm
BugKiller – Your 1:48 am post was truly AWESOME! I agree with your assessment 100%. It’s time for Richt to move on, he is not cut out for the current competition in the SEC. If he stays he will be forced to fire coaches (which he must do), but he will also be in charge of hiring new ones…UGH! I do not believe Richt has the COMPETENCY level to bring the RIGHT coach(es)(to take this team to a Championship program).
Otto
October 15th, 2009
12:38 pm
Slide Rule, Agreed and my point on the leadership and off field problems since Cox took over. Related maybe, maybe not.
Jason, Is the running game not producing because of RBs, RB coach or Bobo’s play calling being predictable? All 3 have been blamed by various people. We can’t say as fans and its CMR’s job to fix it. I am not sure there is much he can do until the offseason. IMO Malzahn at Auburn and Mullen would be finding more ways to use motion and counters to get Thomas and Gray in the game and DCs on their toes. Urban was not happy with his RBs back in ‘06 and they won a title.
BAMA STAN
October 15th, 2009
12:39 pm
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Accurate article – Richt wants a cohessive staff and is very loyal to the people he hires. He is a good man.
Also – as UGA finished #2 in 2007, was pre-season ranked #1 in 2008, and won the SEC in 2005 – he believes he has the staff in place to position UGA for more championships.
However, Florida, Alabama, and LSU have passed UGA as a program since 2005. Tennessee has won 3 of the last 4 – which puts UGA as the 5th best program in the SEC – which is their historical place based on head to head competition. for 2009 season – UGA is now a bottom third SEC team. A total disaster as compared to Richts earlier success with Donnans players.
I commented last spring and summer that this underachiveing bunch in 2008 would struggle in 2009 – probably come in at 7-5 but would not be too surprised at 6-6 or 5-7.
It looks like 6-6 might be it for UGA this year.
7-5 would mean wins over Vandy, TN Tech – then pick two wins between FL, AUB, KY and GT.
The guy has his work cut out for him…. that is something we all can agree upon.