UGA in Shreveport: A low point, but also a needed jolt
Here's proof Willie Martinez realized pass-rushing was allowed. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Winning doesn’t educate. Winning endorses. Human nature holds that a winner doesn’t ask, “What can I do better?” but says instead, “Why change what works?”
Mark Richt is human. Even in the disappointment of 2008 — Georgia started as preseason No. 1 and landed in the Capital One Bowl — he had his talking points down. And when the Bulldogs beat Michigan State on Jan. 1, 2009, to finish 10-3, he trotted out TP No. 1: Six 10-win seasons out of the past seven was “pretty stinkin’ good.”
In his self-defense, Richt missed the obvious: That something was rotten in the House of Bulldog. All you had to do was screen a video of Richt’s 2002 team followed by one of the 2008 aggregation to see the difference. In 2008 Georgia had more talent but wasn’t as good.
The 2009 season will go down as the worst under Richt, but it many ways it was the best thing that could have happened. As the losses mounted — blown out in Knoxville by a Tennessee team working under a new coach; blown out again in Jacksonville; beaten at home by Kentucky for the first time since Herschel Walker was a sophomore at Johnson County High — it was clear the rot had spread. It took an upset of Georgia Tech for the Bulldogs just to finish above .500, and by then there could be no more pretense.
We’ve known all along Richt is smart. We weren’t sure how demanding he is. Firing three of his four defensive coaches provided the answer. As much as Mark Richt enjoys fellowship among his coaching staff, he enjoys winning more.
We don’t yet know the names of the replacements. We know the Bulldogs head into the Independence Bowl with a defense coordinated by Rodney Garner, the lone holdover, and some grad assistants. (Now watch Georgia shut down Texas A&M. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?) But no matter what happens in the game, there’s cause to believe there’ll be no more Shreveport jaunts in the Bulldogs’ immediate future.
It’s possible Richt could hire someone less adept than Willie Martinez as coordinator. It’s also possible — theoretically, anything’s possible — the sun could rise in the West tomorrow. What’s more apt to happen is an upgrade at the position that can galvanize a program more than the arrival of any five-star recruit.
Steve Spurrier had won four SEC titles and reached a national championship game, but it was only after he hired Bob Stoops to coordinate his defense — a defense that had just yielded 62 points to Nebraska in said championship game — that the Evil Genius took his national title. Mack Brown had posted five consecutive 10-win seasons at Texas, but it was only after he hired Gene Chizik from Auburn (which had just gone 13-0) that the Longhorns were able to win a BCS title. Yes, defensive coordinators matter.
Loading ...Defensive coordinators matter even more than offensive coordinators. A team that scores on every possession but can’t stop anybody feels vulnerable. (Yes, Georgia Tech, I’m thinking of you.) A team that knows it can stop somebody feels invincible. Offensive success is a function of skill and technique. Defensive success involves physical domination. Georgia used to play that brand of ball — ever heard of Erk Russell? — but had come to dominate nothing under Martinez.
That could well have changed by the time Georgia plays its first post-Shreveport game — Sept. 4, 2010, against Louisiana Lafayette. Even though Bud Foster chose to stay at Virginia Tech and Vic Koenning wound up at Illinois, there are good men out there who will see Georgia as the place to make a name by making a difference. There’s no reason to believe Richt won’t find one.
The tough part is behind him. It took some doing for this coach to convince himself that change wasn’t an option but a necessity, but finally he did it. When you’re accustomed to 10 wins and nice big bowls, nothing slaps you harder than a trip to Shreveport. This wasn’t the destination anyone associated with Georgia wanted, but it was, in the grand scheme, the destination Mark Richt’s program needed.
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526 comments Add your comment
Sugar Hill Dawg
December 24th, 2009
5:10 pm
Tech can kiss my Red and Black ….Reality check for UGA and Tech fans – the days of winning streak dominance may be at an end. While nothing brings a smile to my face more than walking out onto Techwood and North Ave. after yet another UGA victory, the fact is as long as Paul Johnson remains at the Flats, this rivalry will be just that – every year, both schools will think they’ve got a legit shot. (Reminds me of the Bobby Ross years. I went to every UGA – UF game in Jax during the 80s – talk about a lack of a rivalry. That worm has turned – we need to bring our game back to the level of the Gators, just as Tech has done in regards to UGA.) Other than Clemson, VT and FSU, the other stadiums in the ACC (and their crowds) are a joke – I’ve see better atmospheres at I – AA games! Tech should be at or near ten wins every time the Hate Game rolls around. With our conference schedule (not to mention the out of conference BCS games we play), we will always have to achieve at an incredibly high level to match Tech’s record. As long as UGA, USC, and UF keep kicking the #%@#! out of their ACC rivals, the Tech record will exposed as a joke. (Pretty soon, the Mountain West will take the BCS berth from the ACC – THEN, we’ll find out how excited the Techsters are to win the conference, then head to Charlotte to play UConn or a team of that ilk.) Congrats to Tech for the Orange Bowl berth, but, let’s get real – since UGA beat USC earlier this year, that bowl should’ve been our’! Go Dawgs!
BJohnDawg
December 24th, 2009
5:14 pm
Sometimes the true hurts. But this is not one of those times.
First this program is not in trouble. The 2008 team never had the defense to go and win a NC. And it did not have the DC.
The 2009 never had the defense nor the offense to make a serious run at even the SEC East. And so the proper moves were made.
The Dawgs are probably two years away from challenging for a top SEC spot. I am a Dawg fan till the day I die. But I don’t cheer through rose colored glasses.
I see next year as a huge year for a strong offense. But the defense needs a consistent pass rush. And better secondary play. We also need a hell of lot better kick off and punt coverage.Kicking game is solid, its the kick coverage/and kick returning that needs strong improvement. Need to stop fumbling kicks and punts. Need to cover a damn kickoff for pete’s sake.
But in the end this team has won 7 games, when it could have easily lost another two or three.
Down year…yes . Worse Georgia team in a decade.
But Georgia will always get the top players in a state that rankings 4 in the nation in producing quality and quantity HS football players.
Richt has already proven that he can win with the talent. Even when his DC doesnt pass the grade.
Program in trouble.
I say Hogwash.
UGA Russ Rules
December 24th, 2009
5:15 pm
Advocare Nursing Homes is the sponser of the Bowl? Who knew that?
Tuck Fech
December 24th, 2009
5:17 pm
Bamaboss the DAWGS still beat Bama 3 out of 4 for the decade. Good Luck in the NCG.
Bradley…Great article!
GTFann223
December 24th, 2009
5:18 pm
Georgia fans,
Yes, you beat Georgia Tech. We all know this. BUT, to hear some of you bash GT and its fans because of this is laughable.
If you honestly think that UGA had more successful season than GT then you are mistaken. Get your head examined. Quick. Now.
Georgia Tech is playing in a BCS Bowl.
Georgia is playing in Shreveport.
Georgia Tech finished 11-2, won the ACC, and is ranked #9.
Georgia finished 7-5, no where near the top of the SEC, and is not even close to being ranked.
Georgia Tech lost to Miami and Georgia.
Georgia lost to Tennessee, Kentucky, LSU, and Oklahoma State. (Yes, I know you’re going to say “THE SEC is soo GOODZ THOUGH!!!” but face that facts, Kentucky and Tennessee AREN’T good. Georgia Tech lost to one bad team (Georgia). It happens
Georgia Tech continued to IMPROVE from last year to this year under CPJ.
Georgia took a HUGE step back this year under Richt.
Fact it, GT is on way the up. Georgia is not. You can take your victory over us. But I would rather be playing in a BCS bowl than in…SHREVEPORT.
Last year, I wanted GT to beat UGA. After that, I had no motivation to even care about the bowl game versus LSU (and it’s safe to say neither did the players). This year, I didn’t necessarily care about the UGA/GT game. It meant nothing to GT. GT was going to be in the ACC Championship game with a shot to go to the BCS whether they beat UGA or not.
GT has had an extremely successful season. UGA has not. I will take our success and you can still cry over the fact that you beat us this year.
Merry Christmas.
Tuck Fech
December 24th, 2009
5:22 pm
GTFann223 and yet you are still OBSESSED with the DAWGS! UGA done been to 3 BCS bowls before Tech could smell ONE!
Fact is GEORGIA 30 Tech 24
Fact is Georgia 60 wins to Tech’s 39
Fact is DAWGS RUN THIS STATE!
How Sweet it is!
Merry Christmas!
Fourth
December 24th, 2009
5:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Fourth
December 24th, 2009
5:30 pm
4th Place SEC east behind FL, Tenn & SC, that’s where UGA will be if they can just get by KY. FOURTH PLACE is what UGA is playing for. GET USED TO IT!!!
BJohnDawg
December 24th, 2009
5:30 pm
GTFann223
Coach Johnson is a great coach and will continue to do a fine job for Tech.
As for Georgia, one off year does not equal a meltdown of the program.Georgia will be back.
Interesting…that you would say the Georgia/GT game meant nothing to you.
But if you are okay with losing this year, as well as 8 of the last 9 years…okay. This is one Georgia fan that can live with that kind of record against tech.
What is amusing is that this years TECH team reminds me of last years Georgia team. Strong offense, really poor defense.
Good luck in the Orange Bowl.
james
December 24th, 2009
6:09 pm
What’s really sad is that UGA will probably still beat Yech/Iowa in ratings
devin
December 24th, 2009
6:10 pm
The ACC is beyond being just laughable
Pago Flyer
December 24th, 2009
6:11 pm
Cris Chase…I think we all pretty much agree with you about vick winning the Ed Block Courage Award…..a giant slap in the face to pass winners. What a disgrace…but, nothing new in the nfl.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
December 24th, 2009
6:19 pm
GTFann223,
Maybe the UGA game didn’t mean as much to YOU since it wasn’t a factor in whether GT goes to BCS but I bet it was important to most of GT.
Don’t think I’d agree that UGA took a hugh step backward at least relative to expectations coming into the season. I do think we’ll be better next year, at least on O and hoping that Reshad and Rennie return on D.
Anyway, good luck to GT in the bowl and next year until we meet at Sanford next year.
santa cruz dawg
December 24th, 2009
6:21 pm
Great article Mark. On this Christmas eve remember that out of hardship across the baren waste land did Joesph and Mary travel to find a small town of Bethleham where our saviour was born.
Thus Richt and the boys travel to Shreveport and may a new attitude of hardnose winning football be born again at UGA.
Then will arrive 3 wise defensive coaches to lead us to the promised land. National Championship Baby!!!
PHIL
December 24th, 2009
6:25 pm
GT FAN you sir are a spin doctor of the highest ability. The absolute worst team we have had in 10 years beats you on the same day as another mediocre SEC team throttles the other ACC championship game participant. A mediocre LSU waxes Tech in the bowl game. What does that tell you buzzy? If you played in the SEC you’d have a losing record and you’d be unranked. Bragging about winning the ACC chumpionship is akin to bragging about being the tallest midget. (OK, so I stole that line but it bears repeating) Tech is nothing. Keep sending people into space with technology learned from tricycle races (what’s up with all that crap?) and leave football to the big boys.
And another thing why does everyone think Erk Russell was so good? He had one good year. Because we had one good player…….on offense. Otherwise his tenure is similar to the Goff-Donnan era that people have called unacceptable.
Gratefuldawghead
December 24th, 2009
6:27 pm
YEAH! What Santa Cruz Dawg said!
Gratefuldawghead
December 24th, 2009
6:39 pm
Phil.. it was ERK that….Headed butted the players until he was bleeding from his bald head to fire them up, made the TEAM/me t-shirts,and started the GATA. When Sports Illistated did a story about violence in college football they asked Erk about a picture of 9 UGA players tackling a Clemson player..his reply..Where are my two other men! Captain Frank Ross said…I wasn’t scared of Clemson I was afraid of that bald headed basterd I got to answer to! Erk had great years at Georgia every REAL DAWG FAN knows this! He also started Georgia Southern back to playing football!
KGTECH
December 24th, 2009
6:52 pm
Richt did not make the decision to fire!!!
Hey Richt you will fire them or be fired,
that is how it worked, nobody is fooled!!!!!!!!!!!!
HT
December 24th, 2009
6:52 pm
Georgia plays for and wins The National Championship next year!
Sam
December 24th, 2009
6:53 pm
I love it when Tech fans get all giddy over their first major bowl since 1966. Let’s compare combine bowl revenue over the past decade. I think UGA has several of those $14 million BCS bowls in the past 8 years.
I think the Independence Bowl will be aligned with the ACC in 2010. I pray Tech ends up there!
Monticello Dawg
December 24th, 2009
7:01 pm
Important announcement for all football fans in this great state:
The Georgia Bulldog bowl game is coming up shortly. Many of you are rightly busy with the Christmas season, so as a public service let me say- The Georgia State Champs and the Defacto ACC Champs will be performing for your enjoyment. If you are a football fan, don’t miss it. Remember We Run This State.
PS The state runnerups, a fine team in their own right, will be taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes a few days later.
KGTECH
December 24th, 2009
7:03 pm
Calling all UGA fans its time to crawl from under your ROCK,
you have a toilet bowl to scrub after A@M washes your A@@ in it!!!!!!!!
LLMMAAOO
willie martinez
December 24th, 2009
7:12 pm
thank goodness i am not there.that place stinks.
GUESS WHO?
December 24th, 2009
7:15 pm
Want to get a wakeup call BDF at HFG? Go visit the BUTTS MAIRE bulding on the UGA campus. Its one of the best athletic facilities anywhere. I’m a Tech fan also. But the money
Want to get a wake up call BDS at HGF? Go visit the BUTTS MAIRE bldg. on the UGA campus. I’ve been to 5 or 6 colleges and its one of the best athletic facilities I”ve seen. I’m sure there are others as good or better but thats the best I’ve seen. It shows just how much alumni and fan base UGA has. And what money can do. I have a large family and many are UGA grads. That buldg. is not only athelic offices and players locker rooms, its a museum of UGA sports history. Some freinds and family attended Ga. Tech also and I can tell you the Tech athletic building does not campare. And I will tell you I’m no Tech hater.
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
December 24th, 2009
7:18 pm
I just want to know how georgia can have the “absolute worst team we have had in 10 years with 10 straight top 10 recruiting classes. Hahahahahaha. Something doesn’t add up. We simply over looked you guys because WE wanted to win OUR conference championship AND go to the BCS Orange bowl. YOU were NOT OUT signature game this year. Maybe you guys should prepare for Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee like you did for us. LOL. Hahahahahahaha. ROFLMAO!!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
December 24th, 2009
7:21 pm
Mark,
Thanks AGAIN for another outstanding article. Always look forward to your analysis of UGA FB. It typically initiates intelligent (well at least some intelligent) discussion on the blog.
Merry Christmas to you and family. Looking forward to another good year for UGA athletics in 2010.
TUCK FECH
December 24th, 2009
7:23 pm
ADD This up 1.4 …30 to 24 and 60 to 39 in the series = DAWGS RUN THIS STATE!
TRY FILLING UP YOUR STADIUM FOR HOME GAMES AND TALKING ON YOUR OWN BLOG LIKE REAL TEAMS FANS!
Forbes Rank's Georgia's $90 Million Football Program #3
December 24th, 2009
7:28 pm
Georgia raked in over $90 million, $43 million profit. Georgia college football is ranked #3 out fo 120 teams, over $90 million value by Forbes.
http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/20/notre-dame-fooball-biz-sports-cx_ps_1120collegeball.html
DAWG07
December 24th, 2009
7:38 pm
Nice article……………………..GO DAWGS
Stinger
December 24th, 2009
8:07 pm
Who cares who your next DC is! It won’t be Kirby Smart and if it was, he is not that good. Alabama has much better players than UGA. You will not see an improvement on the defense regardless of who the coach is until you get better players. Yeah I know you have all these 4 and 5 star players. Yeah right. Tell that to some of the other teams offenses that pounded you unconscious. The 4 or 5 star is only on paper and is bogus. It doesn’t mean squat. Coach Johnson knows how to evaluate players and these recruiting agents don’t know squat but try to sell magazines. If you want to spend your hard earned money that you made at McDonalds go ahead and buy these recruting magazines. Even worse , believe them and bet your hard earned money from McDonalds on the games.
TUCK FECH
December 24th, 2009
8:16 pm
Stinger Believe this DAWGS 30 Tech 24
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
messin with sasquatch
December 24th, 2009
8:22 pm
the team playing for NC in January was in Shreveport in 07. Doggs need to accomplish more than humbling nerds. 2010 will tell us all we need to about CMR.
Santa
December 24th, 2009
8:23 pm
Twas’ the night before Christmas when all through Athens not a Dawg was stirring, not even a Cox. The 4th place trophy was hung by the chimney with care, in hopes and delusions a National Title would soon be there. The Dawgs were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of an Advocare Bowl danced through their heads. And Mark in his kerchief and Rennie in his doo rag had just settled for a Bowl nobody cares about. When out on the field there arose such a clatter, A.J sprang from his bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window he flew like a flash tore open the bed sheets and threw up his stash, the moon on the bench of a new fallen coach gave the lustre of Saturday afternoons to objects below, when what to his wondering eyes should appear, but a gigantic Gator and 8 Large defensive ends. With a dominating force so lively and quick, the Dawgs knew it must be St. Meyer.
Santa
December 24th, 2009
8:24 pm
Merry Christmas from the Gators, it has been a pleasure doing buisness with you this decade.
Gratefuldawghead
December 24th, 2009
8:25 pm
Good point Sasquatch! Need to get back beating Florida (yes we still lead the series) and Laughing at Tech (never stopped)!
Merry Christmas!
messin with sasquatch
December 24th, 2009
8:26 pm
the road to Atlanta goes through Jacksonville? Oh yeah, we forgot about that……..
Tom
December 24th, 2009
8:27 pm
CMR fired Martinez just to show people that he could actually do something. Our defense has played well under Willie. You must be disciplined in all phases of the game; offense, defense, special teams, turnovers, and penalties. A lack of discipline and you’ll perform poor in all.
messin with sasquatch
December 24th, 2009
8:28 pm
Bowdens run came to an end, so will Meyers.
NERDS!!! 30-24!!!
December 24th, 2009
8:30 pm
NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!! NERDS!!! 30-24!!!
messin with sasquatch
December 24th, 2009
8:34 pm
totally without class. act like you’ve won before.
messin with sasquatch
December 24th, 2009
8:36 pm
or are you still in kindergarten?
Vince Dooley
December 24th, 2009
8:42 pm
I’d rather have them 4 shinny National Championship trophies any day over that one-on-one record
Coffee Bluff DAWG
December 24th, 2009
8:52 pm
Stinger,
UGA fans care about who our next DC will be. Don’t really think you know who it will or won’t be now although it looks like you have an interest or you wouldn’t comment.
I will agree that UGA needs a few more closers on D (ie in the mold of Rennie). However, sounds like you’re still upset from 30-24 in ATL if you believe major UGA donors work at McDonalds.
Maybe it was your attempt at humor.
Suffered a concussion
December 24th, 2009
9:23 pm
who am i?
w
December 24th, 2009
9:23 pm
Enter your comments here
willie martinez
December 24th, 2009
9:24 pm
thanks Tom. i thinkn so too. merry xmas. willie
willie martinez
December 24th, 2009
9:27 pm
its Christmas tonight
a child’s delight
gifts for all
most from the mall
but its still a wonderful sight
willie martinez
December 24th, 2009
9:31 pm
i heard the bells on Christmas Day
their old familar carols play
and wild and sweet
the words repeat
of peace on earth
good will to men
Ealey&King.
December 24th, 2009
9:50 pm
Todd Grantham would be a great DC. He coaches the d-line for the dallas cowboys.
Ealey&King.
December 24th, 2009
9:53 pm
“$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl”
Tech still got beat, deal with it sour puss.