A very short post about a very big topic – UGA’s coaching
Here's Willie Martinez, seen doing some actual coaching. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Shortest post ever. Three simple questions:
1. Which team has better players — Georgia or Kentucky?
2. Which team won the game?
3. What does that say about the losing coaches?
There it is. Have at it.
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
561 comments Add your comment
Starring Henry Wilcoxon as Bishop Pickering
November 23rd, 2009
8:39 am
Steve Spurrier to UGA? Are you kidding? He has morphed into Chan Gailey @ USCe.
monty
November 23rd, 2009
8:39 am
Like one blogger previously stated we will have 3-4 defensive starters drafted, maybe 5 if Prince Miller goes and look at our pathetic defense. Year after year we are up there with the USC’s and Florida’s and Alabama’s in the draft we just can’t compete with them on the field as of late. We aren’t even the best team in our state. The sum total of our parts never equals what it should!
independent
November 23rd, 2009
8:39 am
More of the same next year. dogs will lose at least 6 again and it will go downhill from there. Are the dogs really going to fire richt and bring D Dooley to athens? That is what they are saying on ESPN this morning
DRC
November 23rd, 2009
8:39 am
Any dawg fan that wants to watch ky beatdown again can. It is showing now on espnu.
Dooley's Cardiologist
November 23rd, 2009
8:39 am
I agree with gator hootch. Aside from AJ Green, I haven’t seen a player that is deserving of a five star rating. Well, maybe Rennie Curran (I guess that is how you spell it).
virginia dog
November 23rd, 2009
8:40 am
one topic no one talks about and that is the whole subject of the coaches lack of ability to spot talent. if you can spot talent how does knowshawn burn a redshirt year, how does rambo and ealsey not play in september, or how does logan grey stay at #2 qb. the next test will be why is samuels not at linebacker for the bowl game. if these kids ever believe the best do not play then it is truly over.
The Georgia Truth
November 23rd, 2009
8:41 am
The problem is not Martinez alone…..but he is a problem. Too many offenses marched all the way across the field and scored on us with little effort. In defense of Willie ( not enough to defend his job), 19 of the 26 turnovers Georgia has had this year were in Bulldog Territory. ( I got that info from a tweet by Jeff Owens himself) Therefore, our offense has not helped our struggling defense. I also wrote in my blog about what we lack most. We lack heart. When momentum changes it takes heart to turn it again.
We have enough talent to beat that Kentucky team 45-zip. In the end, we were outclassed by a bunch of guys with a lot of heart.
dawgdude
November 23rd, 2009
8:42 am
We get absolutely crushed by both UT and UF…and then lose to Ky at home? South Carolina should have beaten us. Other than Vandy…if things don’t change we are headed for 5th in the SEC East.
monty
November 23rd, 2009
8:42 am
Its embarrassing when the TV announcers keep talking about the penalties we commit every game and we keep on committing them like someone on crack who can’t stop.
Blackberry Cobbler
November 23rd, 2009
8:42 am
The defense played well on Saturday. Fans really can’t complain about the D.
I thought the kickoff and punt coverage was terrible and what’s up with that swib-kick looking thing that gave UK the ball on the 50?
In short, the special teams and offense (turnovers) costs us that game. The coaching didn’t cough the ball up 4 times. The players lost this game, not the coaching.
Calhoundawg
November 23rd, 2009
8:43 am
Sorry, “euphemism” is spelled with an “e.” Go Dawgs !!!
dawgbyrom
November 23rd, 2009
8:43 am
Mark, Here is my answers to your questions:
1. Georgia
2. Kentucky
3. Every dawg fan can see that there is a problem in Athens.
In my opinion three things have killed Georgia this year:
1. Defense: If I was Coach Richt I would have fired Martinez during the half time of the Alabama game last year. Our defense has forgotten how to tackle.
2. Penalities: Why are we committing so many STUPID penalities. Tackling players out of bounds, Face mask penalities, (for pete sakes a face mask penality on our punter). That is a lack of discipline, and that falls on the head coach.
3. Turn Overs: Interceptions, Fumbles, etc. Hey Coach Bobo here is a couple of tips for you: 1. When your running back is one to two yards behind your quarterback, and your running back goes into the hole for a simple dive play, your quarterback must hand the ball off instead of pitching the ball like it is a toss sweep. 2. Your quarterback must know the difference between a running back, and a defensive tackle. If the play is not there throw the ball at the feet of the running back so the ball is UNCATCHABLE!
http://www.firewilliemartinez.com, http://www.demotemikebobo.com, and last but not least http://www.howbadwilltechbeatgeorgia.com
and Turn Overs.
Maddog
November 23rd, 2009
8:46 am
FWIW, my phone lit up over the weekend and I heard many times over from some decent contacts in Athens that Logan Gray, who knows he won’t be the starter next year, will be transfering. That will leave us with exactly two QBs, Murray and Mettenberger, both redshirt freshmen. So how will we perform with that level of inexperience? Next year doesn’t look too promising if we stay put with the existing coaches.
The Georgia Truth
November 23rd, 2009
8:48 am
V dog…….most of the time when a talented freshman does not start out of the gate it is because of the learning required to know the proper assignments in the scheme.
As far a Moreno goes, what if he did start his freshman year and made big mistakes that broke not only his confidence but the coaches confidence in him. As it is, we cranked out a phenomenal player. We can “what if” in one hand and crap in the other and see which one fills up first.
No doubt this year is a disaster. Lets give Richt the opportunity to face the facts and make corrections. This off season will determine if we have the right leadership.
Atlanta Bob
November 23rd, 2009
8:48 am
Though I’m a Yellow Jackets fan, I will root for UGA the other 11 games out of a season. I liked the Mark Richt hire from the get-go. As a matter of fact I was a little jealous since I was hoping he might take Chan Gailey’s place and stay in the ACC when he made his move all those years ago. However, this year has shown me something different. I think it started in the off-season when it seemed like every week or so another Bulldog player was getting into some kind of trouble (legal and otherwise). This was not the Christian, character-driven program that I was used to under Coach Richt. This lack of discipline has permeated the playing as well. Think of all the dumb penalties, blown assignments, weak effort, etc. we’ve watched this entire season. Sadly, Richt seems rather aloof and non-chalant about these issues. He used to lead his team with an expectation that you play your best under him – now he seems to make excuses more than anything (which reminds me of Gailey actually). I still think he’s a good coach but he’s got to get this program under control.
DP
November 23rd, 2009
8:49 am
Calhoundawg, if Butler hadn’t grabbed the KY player by the facemask Georgia wouldn’t have made the first down. The KY guy was in position to make the tackle and Butler couldn’t get in front of him to block him so he grabbed the facemask. It ended up helping Georgia because instead of Kentucky getting the ball at the spot of the tackle Butler got to punt after the penalty.
cseay
November 23rd, 2009
8:50 am
Now the real trouble begins, whuf, whuf!
Date/Time TV Opponent Result Tickets
09/04/10
Time TBA TBA Louisiana
09/11/10
Time TBA TBA at South Carolina
09/18/10
Time TBA TBA Arkansas
09/25/10
Time TBA TBA at Mississippi State
10/02/10
Time TBA TBA at Colorado
10/09/10
Time TBA TBA Tennessee
10/16/10
Time TBA TBA Vanderbilt
10/23/10
Time TBA TBA at Kentucky
10/30/10
3:30 p.m. ET Florida 1
11/06/10
Time TBA TBA Idaho State
11/13/10
Time TBA TBA at Auburn
11/20/10 — Open Date — —
11/27/10
Time TBA TBA Georgia Tech
12/04/10
Sanford Drive
November 23rd, 2009
8:50 am
Mark Richt is a false prophet. We thought he was The One. He’s not.
Dawg 94
November 23rd, 2009
8:50 am
What a bunch of whiners! The Dawgs have one off year and you morons are ready to fire the entire coaching staff. After the Dawgs DESTROY the Jackets 49 – 7 on Saturday, let’s see how you guys react.
Go DAWGS !
Mark Bradley
November 23rd, 2009
8:51 am
I thought Keanu Reeves was The One.
AthensDawg
November 23rd, 2009
8:51 am
Adam, Excellent post. Well said, and totally called for. I’ve been saying the same for weeks. I’m a Dawg through and through and hate the current situation as much as anyone. But I’m still a Dawg, and I was there at the final buzzer Saturday night, painful as it was. As far as South Carolina, they’ve been saying next year will be their best year in twenty years for the last thirty years, Mallet will be in the NFL and ‘Arky’ will be qb-less again, and I believe Richt will make the needed changes. If not, then that’s another post for another day. Still shocking, though, how this thing came so unraveled so fast. At any rate, Go Dawgs
Herschel Walker
November 23rd, 2009
8:54 am
I sure do hope da Bulldogs play well against Tech and day get to a dee-scent bowl game. If they don’t I won’t be able to go on da road with Barbara cause Vince will be home. Day don’t realy deesurve to go to da bowl game cause they stink. But Go Dawgs and I love Thuga! I hope ole Bucky Belue aint two hard on my Dawgs on he show dis afternoon cause that will stir up all the fans of the Thuga Nation and dat want bee good! Go Dawgs!
Sanford Drive
November 23rd, 2009
8:54 am
Keanu Reeves might be a better coach. He looked pretty sharp in “The Replacements.”
EmbarassedAgain
November 23rd, 2009
8:55 am
Dawg 94 – you need to enter a rehab program. Best of luck.
F-105 Thunderchief
November 23rd, 2009
8:57 am
Obviously, discipline has abandoned UGA’s football program. It’s evident in all the penalties and turnovers. It’s evident in the fact that players can’t be bothered to get a valid driver license, but continue to drive. There is no sense of responsibility. And, on top of that, Joe Cox is a turnover machine.
monty
November 23rd, 2009
8:59 am
A major problem is the on the job training for Joe Cox. Every now and then he shows he’s got some talent there, the problem is he’s not a freshman QB who will be great in 2 years. He’s a 5th year senior who hasn’t gotten to play but rarely except for this year.THat formula worked for Richt with Shockley but that was the exception and not the rule.Next year we start over with an inexperienced Freshman, so we will have to take our lumps again nest year too. Freshman can play and manage the game and not give it away if they have a good supporting cast, heck the Cats beat us with a freshman QB, nut they didn’t make stupid mistakes and their whole was greater than their individual parts, just the opposite of the Dogs.
Sanford Drive
November 23rd, 2009
9:01 am
I’ve always argued that gingers shouldn’t be allowed to play sports at the college level.
TampaGator
November 23rd, 2009
9:02 am
Speaking of coaching…does this sound like a man who is looking forward to leaving Florida for Notre Dame????
Urban Meyer in the Gainesville Sun:
“It’s the world,” Meyer said of the FSU rivalry. “It’s what makes this job the best in college football. It’s what makes this stadium the best in college football. This is going to be a special week. It’s started already.”
You Meyer leaving Gainesville dreamers read and wake up.
Ga Tech Old Timer
November 23rd, 2009
9:04 am
Mark – 1) Georgia 2) Kentucky 3) Nothing. This game was lost because of fumbles in the second half and @@it happens. Many better teams from top to bottom – including better coaches have lost because of a fumble or pass interception or bad call that went against them. There’s no way this loss can be an indictment of bad coaching – the blame for this one lies squarely on the shoulders of the offense and the individuals who turned the ball over. If you’ll recall (mainly last year) Tech kept putting the ball on the ground and were questioning coach Johnson’s offense – and before that with Gailey – Georgia won 4 years by Ball completing passes to the UGA folks not us. Of course, our question then was why Gailey continued to go with Ball and the answer came back the same as CMR’s – “he gives our team the best chance at winning”. If Cox is the heir apparent with no experience, after Stafford, and throughout the season has mustered 6 wins, who do you think could actually come off the bench with no experience either and do better. UGA hasn’t had the luxury of being ahead far enough in any game to put anyone else in to get any experience. Cox was a winner in high school. Don’t you think some one should start questioning the play of his supporting cast on offense? At this point does it become relevant to question the offensive coaching staff. However, there was no need to make major adjustments at half when you’re leading by two touchdowns. Exactly what was the coaching staff supposed to do differently at half time or in the second half that would have prevented those turn overs? If you’re the coach, wouldn’t you think that with a 20 – 6 lead everything was OK and nothing really needed fixing. If you can explain that – then we have something to talk about. This was just a tough loss to a lesser team because of turn overs – nothing more. If you want to bring up the topic of poor coaching, couch it in terms of the whole season or in issues of how to make the total offense / defense play smarter / better but don’t hang this one game on the coach – it wasn’t his fault. I’m actually a bit surprise that this bandwagon got rolling last year after the beat down by Florida and especially after the lost to Tech. The poor record this year has poured fuel on that fire. UGA has a storied history of winning football and losing is hard but I can almost guarantee you that if UGA wins Saturday PM CMR will be the apple of every UGA fan’s eye again and the season will go down as a success. The thing is – fans remember from last year and figure CMR got out coached by CPJ (which he did) and that Tech beat UGA with the “high school” offense (which they did). So, taken all together, a poor season and a Tech win spell Poor Coaching Staff. But wait, what about you’re storied history? Anyone want to stop for a second to remember all the great seasons – including those many wins over Tech, prior top this one, where CMR has been revered and every one has been thankful he ended up at UGA. You’ve all been winners for so long – you’ve forgotten how to lose and what it takes to rebuild a program.
My take on all of this is that if you either get him fired or run him off because of all the negativism after one season and one loss to Tech, you will be sorry and look back with regret. If he goes, what makes you think there’s anyone better out there? One year – I can’t get over it – one year! We had to suffer through Gailey’s 5 years. If you suffer through 4 more years of the same thing that happened this year – I’ll give you some love and sympathy – but come on – you’re not even giving the guy a chance to rebuild or appreciate what he has done for the program since he’s been there.
martin in grovetown
November 23rd, 2009
9:04 am
UGA has the talent to compete and win, but we don’t have the coaching necessary to win. I hope we don’t go to a bowl either, I’d hate for us to lose to some conference USA, big 10, or big 12 chump team. Plus it’ll look bad for us when we don’t sell our allotment of tickets. Change…not obama style…but real change is what is needed in Athens. Richt, are you listening!
grifter
November 23rd, 2009
9:05 am
Mark Richt loves Jesus. I mean there are so many coaches out there who hate God and hate our lord here in Georgia. We are lucky to have a man who loves God and Country coaching our team to glorious holy victory. The score doesn’t matter as long as Richt is on the side of Jesus and Our Lord here in Georgia. People who go to Georgia Tech hate God and are evil. Bless Mark Richt and Bless Joe Cox for being such a great lordly quarterback.
Dawg Tired
November 23rd, 2009
9:06 am
As bad as CWM is, he’s a genuius when compared to the special teams coach. Why is it that our kick-off return guys are getting de-cleated at the 12 yard line and the other team’s kick-off return guys don’t encounter any of our coverage guys until somewhere around the 20 to 30 yard line? What’s with the guy in motion on the punt? Our special teams are pitiful.
XXXVII
November 23rd, 2009
9:06 am
I think Joe Cox decides before the play who he’s throwing to and throws it to that person (or in their general direction)no matter what. And he needs to learn that taking the sack is sometimes the best way to go.
virginia dog
November 23rd, 2009
9:07 am
so let me understand this one hand or the other thing again…. so you think richt and his staff are great for every aspect of coaching but game day? they say the truth will set you free, but with all that brown in your hand it has got to be hard to type… also are we looking to grind out players for the NFL or for good old UGA?
Herschel Talker
November 23rd, 2009
9:07 am
MB:
Willie is a disaster and will be fired. No doubt. But let’s take your column one step further. Willie was not the biggest problem on Saturday, though of course he was one. Bobo and Richt clearly have blown it with the offense. The playcalling stinks, which is on Bobo. Cox has not gotten any better, which is on Bobo and Cox. And Cox should have been benched many games ago, in order to give the freshmen some reps to get them ready for next year. That is on Richt.
Look at it this way. If Joe Cox gave the Dawgs the best chance to win, then considering how stupid his interceptions are, what does that say about the need to get the freshmen some much needed reps so that they can give the Dawgs a good chance to win next year. Richt has blown this one big time. This was as dumb as redshirting Knowshon.
kenny
November 23rd, 2009
9:09 am
I am a tech fan and i dont think the dogs are that bad..i see a tight game sat that UGA may win..then all will be better in athens..but if tech runs away with it, heads will roll..
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 23rd, 2009
9:09 am
Gator Downeast,
I was the blogger who made the Meyer reference. The possibility exists for Meyer to entertain the offer. No better time is there for him to take the job than now, with Tebow leaving. Meyer has already called ND his dream job. Of course UGA has to only worry about itself, but CMR has to look down the road, not just next season but 5 from now and see where this program is heading.
The question is, if Meyer does leave, is Georgia in the best place as a program to capitalize on it? The answer is NO! And will continue to be unless so changes are made.
Hmmmmm
November 23rd, 2009
9:09 am
I am really tired of all the people saying the D is not that bad b/c of all the TO’s causing short fields.
This may come as a surprise to many people who watch the Daags, but other defenses are able to stop teams on short fields after TOs. I would be interested to see any stats about that. It seems that EVERY TO tuns into a td We can’t even hold them to a FG, which would be helpful.
This D stinks. Their is no way to sugar coat it. 31 ppg avg. Last or close to last in every category in the SEC and THE NCAA’s. What else can you say about it.
Ben
November 23rd, 2009
9:09 am
I am thankful this year that I dont have to hear Bob Davie tell me that Willie Martinez is a great defensive coordinator or that Joe Cox is a great QB ever again. That man needs to be fired from the booth. After Cox threw those unexplainable interceptions I wanted to drive to Athens and punch Davie for once again telling me Cox is a great QB.
Theres a reason your in the booth and not coaching you stooge.
Todd
November 23rd, 2009
9:10 am
Imagine how exciting college football would be with this in place
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/11/22/college.football.poll/index.html
dawgsux
November 23rd, 2009
9:11 am
This comments are the same each week….no discipline, poor coaching etc.etc. Georgia started their downfall when they charged the field against Florida. The penalties increased and the losing started. Georgia’s coaches are not coaching them on the field or they have a bunch of thugs who are not coachable. One of the two has to be happening to be last in the country two years in a row. Tech is going to blow them off the field this weekend.
Just say no to ESPN
November 23rd, 2009
9:12 am
independent, haven’t you learned that ESPN talking heads say things just to get viewers? D Dooley may be coming to Athens, but it will just be to visit mom and dad for the holidays.
On final thought about CMR…the Miami and FSU teams he was playing/coaching for always were highly penalized, undisciplined teams. The difference between then and now is that no one, not Florida or Alabama or any other program has talent that is overwhelming enough to get away with that lack of discipline anymore. Maybe when Mark realizes that, he’ll start to ask Saban, Tuberville, etc…what they do/did to correct the mistakes. He obviously doesn’t know how himself.
Mack
November 23rd, 2009
9:12 am
All we had to do was beat Knetucky at home and we go to the Chik fila bowl. Very disgusted with this team and I won’t be travelling to any bowl now.
grifter
November 23rd, 2009
9:13 am
You people need to stop worrying about the score on the field and start worrying about the score in Heaven. Our Georgia players and coaches love God and pray before every game and that makes them winners. Mark Richt is a great man and I wish he would come speak at my church. Those boys need a good role model like Mr. Richt to show them the Lord’s holy light and how faith in him has brought victory on the football field and in life for the Georgia players. Don’t you all see that this is more important than the scores of games?
put me in, coach
November 23rd, 2009
9:15 am
Tech’s defense is as suspect as ours, they have a tendency to fumble the ball, and Rambo will be back, meaning limited snaps for Evans. Now, if we can just teach Butler how to block.
Ben
November 23rd, 2009
9:15 am
Kenny,
You are the ONLY one who sees the Tech game as a close one. I hope your right!
Coaching problems in Athens
November 23rd, 2009
9:15 am
UGA Coaching Staff:
Kentucky QB Morgan Newton is a true freshman and threw no interceptions.
Georgia had 75 yards in penalties, Kentucky had 20 yards.
Georgia had four turnovers, (2 Cox interceptions, 2 fumbles) Kentucky had zero turnovers.
Georgia had 487 total yards, Kentucky had only 260.
Is this not COACHING?
georgiadawgg
November 23rd, 2009
9:16 am
I AM THANKFUL THIS THANKSGIVING THAT JOE COX WANT BE BACK. I WOULD BE REALLY THANKFUL IF ALL THE COACHES WERE FIRED.THE PROBLEM WILL BE THE SAME NEXT YEAR AS IT IS THIS YEAR,WITH THE SAME OLD COACHING STAFF.
browndog
November 23rd, 2009
9:19 am
gatordowneast is absolutely correct. UGA is looking up at UF, UT, SC and now KY. There was a time when UGA was feared by most on their schedule, but not the case any longer. UGA has to start from the bottom and earn everything they get. Question is are the coaches capable of coaching the players to the next level. UGA is definitely regressing. Football is a business and this season the coaches are being paid way too much. In the corporate world the CEO would look at the numbers, tell the manager in charge of the underperforming group to fix things within a time certain and then if not done, hire the best person available to correct the problem and move on. Loyalty only goes so far if the results are not there.
Abilene
November 23rd, 2009
9:19 am
The problem is very simple: coaching. Richt is not in the same league with coaches like Meyer, Sabin, and Spurrier. And part of his problem is that he recruits players with no principles, character, or heart. That adds up to rap sheets for many players and a poor won-loss record.
Richt has to go. Until UGA gets a real coach, there will be no SEC championships or BCS bowls.
Dawg gone.