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
WhiteandGold
October 15th, 2009
3:44 pm
In reply to:
Otto
October 15th, 2009
2:18 pm
GT’s QB could not start on any team in the country.
R&B
October 15th, 2009
3:46 pm
Nesbitt is not even a good fit at Tech. He will be gone when PJ can finally recruit a better passing, option quarterback.
BAMA STAN
October 15th, 2009
3:47 pm
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Otto – as always – enjoy your post.
Still would love to see GT in the SEC. The GT/AUB series a few years back was very intense – both stadiums rocked – and GT won both games!
What does THWG stand for?
Would you be in favor of Tech rejoining the SEC?
Fire Willie Now: We have a long history of cheating? UGA has been on probabtion more times that Alabama? Let me correct you – we apparently have a long history of cheating BETTER than UGA!!!
The reality is that Alabama got exactly what it deserved with the probation and embarrassment. I hated seeing some high powered Alabama alums going after Tennessee – could care less who turned us in – we had a staff that was cheating and needed a regime change. It was difficult to go through – but it was needed – glad we were caught so we could clean the mess up. If Alabama get’s put on probation again – we have ourselves to blame.
As you can tell – I feel strongly about this. The integrity of the university and all univeristies – as well as college athletics – is at stake.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!
truedawg
October 15th, 2009
3:49 pm
I do hope that Paul Johnson doesn’t sit down in a hurry . . . you might just find Mark Bradley with his feet hanging out under him!
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
3:53 pm
Otto – Thanks. Definitely mis-remembered that. The two conferences merged to form the Big-12, picking up 4 SWC member schools.
Ted Striker
October 15th, 2009
3:55 pm
I like apples and I like oranges.
Got one of those “EdibleArrangements.com” thingies from a girl friend of mine last week. While it’s not something I’d ever think of buying for myself, their apples and oranges and ll that other stuff was fantastic.
And before I get carried away with other edibles I’m going to stop.
juvenal
October 15th, 2009
3:56 pm
you can’t judge a coach till he’s playing with his players, or on the basis of one off year-conclusions require data…based on the data, Tech leaving the SEC was the worst idea any Tech AD ever made_surely Josh could start for Navy…don’t vandy atheletes really attend peabody?
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
4:08 pm
Nesbitt has more experience in the pro set than Logan Grays does. He played some as a freshman for Gailey.
Backup QB Jaybo Shaw had HS experience in the spread option his junior year, and pro set his senior year. His brother Conner committed to Spurrier.
Jordan Luallen is redshirting this year. His school won the Indiana state championship running the Wing-T. He’s 6′4″, 206. He was a sprinter on the track team. Career stats: 220-of-350 passing for 2,670 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Rushed for 1,646 yards and 36 TDs on 215 attempts. Scout.com 4-star QB, Scout and Rivals top ten dual-threat QB.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
4:20 pm
Stan, Likewise enjoy your posts as well
Mark on the Nesbit vs Cox agreed.
White and Gold yes……?
Back to Stan… GT in the SEC? I would not be opposed. I really do not think much about it as in order for it to happen someone would have to leave the SEC. Nobody is going to leave by choice, so it just is not possible. From a historical point of view GT should be in the over S. Car. and SCar should be in the ACC. As an added bonus it would free up an OOC game for UGA.
Also this maybe a long shot but are you planning on going to the SECCG with a friend from Ellijay?
coach smith
October 15th, 2009
4:21 pm
BAMA STAN
would you please stop posting the “12 National Titles 21 Sec Titles” CRAP!
Bama is playing very well now BUT…..WHEN is the last time BAMA won an SEC title or NC?
It has been what? 20 years between SEC titles?
Just calm down and let them win SOMETHING before pounding your chest.
They are a fine football team. Tough. Well Coached. Agressive.
BUT…UGA, LSU, and FLA have been the class of the SEC for the past 10+ years
Otto
October 15th, 2009
4:26 pm
Slide Rule, The Big 12 botched that expansion by destroying the OU/Nebraska game as it was put on rotation. OU/Neb. is one of the most historic matchups in all of CFB. How many Conf and National Titles were decided in that game?
It is just a shame that the SWC was destroyed. If we’re on the topic of bringing back historic matchups bring back the SWC and make the Cotton a BCS bowl. While we’re at it maybe add Boise St. Utah and BYU to the Big 8 or SWC.
Wayne T. Dawg
October 15th, 2009
4:29 pm
So many fair weather dawg fans.I thought we dawg fans were above this.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
4:32 pm
Oh THWG is to he11 with Georgia.
Whats the Good Word? and the reply THWG is one of the old GT traditions.
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
4:38 pm
Otto, 100%, all of the above.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
4:38 pm
Coach Smith, Bama came dangerously close to going to a SECCG under Shula with limited scholarships in ‘06.
Fran won the SEC West but was not recognized due to sanctions in ‘02.
The last SEC title was in ‘99.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
4:40 pm
Thanks slide rule and good to see another fan that can put the rivalaries aside for good discussion.
mcdawg6
October 15th, 2009
4:56 pm
OK, the Dawgs are “struggling”, playing lousy,etc…whatever. No Dawg fan likes it…but the only Dawg fans that can do anything to fix the problems are the coaches. I remember Bama, LSU, fla, Auburn, USC, Tenn, Tex,ND, Mich; all having years when they “struggled”. Seems to be part of the game. Now if you look at the record of teams Richt has coached…it would be obvious he knows what he’s doing when it comes to football. The unemotional commentators from the national audience frankly do not share the same view of some Dawg fans calling for his head. They think he’s pretty doggone good. This garbage about him being a Christian (Priest?) and therefore not having the stones to fire assistants is an absurd speculation. I’m a Christian. I’ll fire anybody. I just know I don’t have to enjoy it…and I don’t have to be mean or talk tough to get people around me to “like” me for it. I’ve been in the Army for 25 years…tough talkers don’t last too long anyway.
Richt is on track. He has to finish the season with as much winning as possible. He can’t do further damage by firing people right now, or long term damage to recruiting without setting conditions to preserve the current haul. He also can’t say thhings in the press to damage the team just to make himself look good as “tough coach”…who likes firing people. As a Dawg fan, I can whine publicly about not winning, bad defense, etc. or, I can support my team, display faith and loyalty…comport myself with a little class and make UGA the most attractive big time football school I can to bring in talent…whether that is coaches, players, or College Gameday.
Look around…the news is not UGA losing…it’s the “fan outcry”. Kiffin and Meyer and all the rest must just be loving it. By my way of thinking…a lot of you out there should contact our competition and see if they’ll send you an orange T-shirt for all the help in recruiting. It’s a good thing the head coach has better emotional control than many fans and is focused on getting better.
I am certain Richt will make the right changes, at the right time and the Dawgs will get better and better…again. If you still can’t control yourself then have a seat on Oprah’s couch and pass out your emotional baggage, she might even buy you a car.
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
4:57 pm
Nesbitt or Gray?
Clarifying my previous comment: I’m not saying that Nesbitt would ultimately be a better QB in a pro set than Logan Gray, just that Nesbitt had experience in that offense in 11 games as a freshman. Gray does not yet have that much. Nesbitt 2007: 93 yds passing, 1 TD, 2 int 339 yds rushing, 1 TD
DFWTX Dawg
October 15th, 2009
5:15 pm
Unfortunately I must agree with you Mark. I cannot believe how loyal CMR is to his coaching staff and how he always seems to candy coat poor performances that result in victories. The most disconcerting statement, which has become a trend, following a sloppy UGA victory against a vastly inferior opponent is “We got the win.” To me, this is a hallmark statement of a sports program/organization that is not focusing on improvement and on the fringe of collapse. We heard this statement from Donnan. It’s also being uttered by Wade Phillips in Dallas, and there is a lot of concern about the Cowboys organization.
Coach Richt better start focusing on the negative and address it with swift action. There are several good Coaches with Super Bowl rings on the market right now who just might interested in coaching a college program.
JMc12203
October 15th, 2009
5:29 pm
This is for DawgGirl32 – I do not know what you read, or choose to ignore, but these blogs have for WEEKS been filled with the loss of 2 offensive players as an excuse for poor showings. I mean EVERYDAY it is mentioned. Maybe you need to take a class in remedial reading, so you can actually comprehend the written word. But, I do agree,that is no excuse for the lousy play. GOOD TEAMS DO NOT REBUILD, THEY SIMPLY RELOAD. It appears that the puppies are short of ammunition.
Slide Rule
October 15th, 2009
5:36 pm
mcdawg6 -
I for one am not equating “toughness” with firing people. Mark Richt will figure out what to do, I can only presume.
My 2 cents worth, not directed at you or anybody in particular:
The toughness I’m talking about is leadership of the team. Discipline, effort, results, corrections. Same stuff the Army and USMC teach and demand. Paul Johnson will address correctable errors/lack of effort in real time during the game. Is he mean, nasty or rude? He is loud and direct, that’s for sure. Like my DI 32 years ago. Against FSU, he grabbed a DE on the sidelines, showing exactly how he was being hold-blocked: 2 hands, fists closed, thumbs up to fool the ref, twisting the jersey underneath the front of the pads, and demonstrating how to break that with leverage. His DC is up in the booth, so he gets with the offense and defense directly.
Some head coaches aren’t so hands-on. Some are. I guess one could work down the list. Meyers, Brown, Spurrier, Saban, Weis, Shannon, Beamer, Carroll, Miles all the way down the current list of Div. 1A. You get a mixed bag of CEO-types and “game operator”-types. It’s up to the schools to pick one who fits.
Mike
October 15th, 2009
5:41 pm
TOGA is so correct. The price for victory is high but so are the rewards.The “Bear”. As bad as I have to say it.Alabama has lived buy this and their record proves it.Paying top money to coaches.
GA. is just happy to win 10 games a year and their coaching staff proves you get what you pay for.Last in d-fense and o-fense in the country!!
JMc12203
October 15th, 2009
5:41 pm
Coach Smith, SHAME on you for mentioning UGA in the same breath with both of the TWO TIME BCS National Champions. UGA is down a notch or two from those elite programs. And yes, Alabama has passed them by on their way to becoming an elite program also. No, they have not won much lately, but neither have the “Run Hershel Run” Dogs. I guess you still remember that season just like it was yesterday, BUT ACTUALLY IT WAS ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO. UGA is the 4ht or 5th best program in the SEC, and all those pretty stats you can throw out do nothing but confirm that. The Dogs are like the Atlanta Braves – win the Division and Bobby and CMR are satisified, and lately neither has been able to do even that.
coach smith
October 15th, 2009
5:43 pm
Otto
“The last SEC title was in ‘99.”
You are WRONG….The last time Alabama won the SEC Title was 1992 Nearly 18 years ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_football
have a look
NancyT
October 15th, 2009
5:44 pm
It’s time for Richt and cronies to go, past time actually. It would be a blessing if Vandy beats UGA, since that would force the AD to sack Richt immediately.
Go Commodores!
coach smith
October 15th, 2009
5:46 pm
JMc12203
Not shame on me
All 3 teams have won 2 SEC titles, and LSU and UGA have played for 3
The conversation was about who was the class of the S.E.C….not who got to play in a MNCG
NancyT
October 15th, 2009
5:46 pm
In your heart, you know it’s time for Richt to go. Fire him now before we get used to mediocre records and no-name bowls.
coach smith
October 15th, 2009
5:51 pm
JMc12203
and as far as the Dawgs winning lately
2008 finished #10 and WON the Capital One Bowl
2007 finished #2 and WON a Sugar Bowl (what happened to BAMA in theirs?)
2005 finished in the top 10, WON the SEC TITLE, played in a Sugar Bowl
2004 finished in the top 10, Tied in the EAST
2003 top 10 finish, WOn the EAST, played for SEC title
2002 finished #3, WON the SEC Title and the Sugar Bowl
NOTHING BAMA has done compares to that my friend
and for that “great” season they had last year, they didn’t win the SEC, they LOST to UTAH (freakin Utah) in the Sugar Bowl and ended with only ONE LESS loss than UGA
Need to know
October 15th, 2009
5:56 pm
Bama and UGA head to head results for 21st Century? Who has them?
JMc12203
October 15th, 2009
5:56 pm
Well then Florida and LSU are a notch above anyone else. There you go again with your CMR and Bobby thinking. It is not about winning the SEC, it is all about WHAT YOU DO WITH THE OPPORTUNITY AFFORDED YOU. LSU and Florida seize their opportunities and win NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. All UGA does is smile because they lucked their way into an SEC title. They are happy for another year. NO drive, no ambition, just like MR and Bobby Cox. That is sad!!
JMc12203
October 15th, 2009
6:05 pm
2007 against a highly overrated Hawaii team that even Chan’s Tech team could have slam dunked. Glad to see you are bustin’ your buttons with that W. Utah was a very good team, and I picked them to win the Sugar Bowl.
And actually I detest Alabama, but their program has walked a mud hole through your precious Dogs program in only 2 short years. All those high profile recruits, and lousy, lackadasical coaching have put your team in this position. Again, just like the Braves.
Otto
October 15th, 2009
6:08 pm
Coach Smith, I am a UGA fan but we will see what Saban does this year. Bama did very well under and rebound quickly from their scholarship reductions. How many can go 10-2 with scholarship reductions? Saban has a team capable of winning it all and maybe better than any CMR UGA team. We will know just after New Years. Bama is doing nothing but getting stronger, can UGA say that?
JMc12203
October 15th, 2009
6:12 pm
At least you can be comforted with the fact that UGA did win last year’s PRESEASON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. The you all you do is go out and post a W in game 1 and drop in the polls. Then you go out and post another W in game 2 and guess what – YOU DROP AGAIN IN THE POLLS. That is how much respect UGA’s football program has nationally. That would not have happened to LSU, Florida, or Alabama.
Low Country Dawg
October 15th, 2009
6:16 pm
I agree we have problems at Ga; and I agree Mark Richt has some very tough assessments to make-even regarding himself
But this crap that Christianity is made for soft weak men is ignorance
ANY OF YOU CHRISTIAN BASHERS EVER SEEN THE MOVIE -PASSION OF THE CHRIST?????
Granted, Christians today don’t hang on a cross-or should I say a literal one- it takes toughness and discipline to be a real follower of Christ-not just someone who calls themselves a Christian
jason
October 15th, 2009
6:22 pm
“Finish the Drill” Well when are we going to finish the drill. I have been thinking about this all day. I have not heard that MANTRA mentioned all season. “Finish the drill” That doesn’t mean a season, a week, a game, or a half. “Finish the Drill” means finish the one single play at hand. OL, Finish the Drill as you run block. Defense, Finish the Drill as you bring the ball carrier down. It is simply as that. “Finish the Drill. The coaches on this team need to “Finish the Drill” also.
Not Welcome Here
October 15th, 2009
6:29 pm
What is Charlie Weis called? Is he just an actor like in your movie? He coaches Notre Dame.
Not Welcome Here
October 15th, 2009
6:33 pm
One other comment…Tim Tebow, noted world-traveled missionary (for real), will participate in the ultimate assessment of your Dawgs’ Dear Leader.
Wayne T. Dawg
October 15th, 2009
8:04 pm
Well said macdawg6.
77DAWG
October 15th, 2009
8:41 pm
CMR proclaimed that Georgia program is SOLID! and and his buddy Willy is too. If GA offence can score as easy as other teams scored on us, then we will be fine. Only the problem is to convince Willy to coach against us. One thing CMR and I have in common is we don’t watch film to criticize our team performance. We like what it is now, winning here and there just to look good and nothing more really. CMR WILL NEVER FIRE WILLY THE GREAT as long as those losers in Dawg Nation taking his side. The wholesale firing should happened 2 years ago, when Stafford, Allen, Morino, and Massaquei still here. This is so distressful.
Frogger
October 15th, 2009
8:50 pm
We finished the Drill back in 1980. The Drill then went into retirement.
For Richt, change will be hard; for Johnson, not so hard | Mark … by กิ๊กก๊อก : ตามหาฝันบนโลกออนไลน์ !!!
October 15th, 2009
9:19 pm
[...] View original post here: For Richt, change will be hard; for Johnson, not so hard | Mark … [...]
Michael Adams
October 15th, 2009
9:28 pm
Truth is CWM is not a SEC caliber coach
dawgone
October 15th, 2009
9:32 pm
All the talk about Bama. Yes they are having a good year. What have they really accomplished in the last 15 years?
Dawgman
October 15th, 2009
9:35 pm
This just in Mark Bradley and CPJ were just spotted together coming out of one of them funny bars if you know what I mean.
Dawgman
October 15th, 2009
9:40 pm
Yall all know this is all just a waist of time. No one ever reads this stuff.
Ole Kincade
October 15th, 2009
9:41 pm
1980, underachievers for 29 years.
UT just scored again Buck.
Gen Neyland
October 15th, 2009
10:36 pm
UT QB CRompton named AT&T All Ameican Player of the Week. Award looks good next to his SEC Offensive Player ot the Week. I would once again say ‘thanks Wille’ but in essence, Willie had nothing to do with it. CLK’s gameplan did…
Gen Neyland
October 15th, 2009
10:37 pm
…Sorry about the mis-types but I’m in a big hurry here tonight…
Gen Neyland
October 15th, 2009
10:46 pm
Dang…Tried to type an excuse for the hurried pecks in my last post but it didn’t show…YET. ajc software updates need attention, MB…
ButlerDawg
October 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
Bottom-line: These Dawgs have been terrible so far. Lack of fundamentals, execution, intensity, and above all coaching.
That being said I would not be surprised to see an 06′/07′ type turnaround and the Dawgs win out, or atleast win enough to finish with and 8-4 record before the bowl. It is also important that if that turnaround does happen, we as fans need not buy into the sudden fix. I for one do not want to see some of Richt’s “hacks” return in 2010 only to pull the same half-a$$ coaching job before the heat comes on again (see Bowden at Clemson). Changes need to be made on Richt’s staff whether we end up 5-7 or somehow beat Florida and the rest of the bunch and end up 9-3. Stay strong and remember the fraud that has been exposed to all Dawg fans in the past few seasons!