Who gains from the SEC’s turmoil? Alas, not UGA
The SEC East is in flux in a way nobody could have envisioned on Christmas Eve. Urban Meyer resigned and recanted and is said to be relaxing. Tennessee has no coach. Kentucky has a new coach. Vanderbilt … OK, there’s the one constant.
With so much in motion, the moment seems ripe for a stable program to make a bold move upward in 2010. That program would not seem to be Georgia.
Having searched for six weeks, the Bulldogs don’t have a defensive coordinator or a defensive staff. They’ll enter next season with a new quarterback, the result of having left Aaron Murray to redshirt. (A wise choice in most years, but not necessarily in the worst season under this head coach.) Worse still, there’s a growing feeling across the South that Mark Richt is a year away from feeling the big heat.
From MrSEC.com, usually a clearinghouse of conference links, came this post-Kirby-Smart post from John Pennington, its headline reading: “Smart Stays; Richt In Trouble.” Pennington’s argument isn’t that Richt should be in trouble but that, having been spurned three times now by coordinating candidates, he’s being perceived as “inept.”
Short of landing Bill Belichick, it will be nigh-impossible for Georgia to emerge from this protracted search with a coordinator who will satisfy the majority of Dog-lovers. And it does seem troubling that three men who worked in the South and have coached against Georgia — Bud Foster of Virginia Tech, John Chavis of LSU and Alabama’s Kirby Smart, who’s a Bulldog born and bred — saw greater opportunity in the current positions than anything awaiting them in Athens.
Is Georgia now radioactive? Is Richt viewed in the industry as damaged goods? Is there a way for the coach who once moved from strength to strength to overcome this onset of weakness?
Sure. There’s a way. Just win, baby. (That’s Al Davis’ signature quote. The second-most famous Al Davis utterance: “Lane Kiffin is a flat-out liar.”) But I don’t see Georgia as poised to win big even in an SEC East that’s without Tebow, without Kiffin and perhaps without Meyer. Indeed, if you’re looking for the program harboring realistic expectations of a 2010 breakthrough, look first to the one that has never won anything of consequence.
South Carolina.
It has a head coach, which puts it ahead of Tennessee and perhaps Florida, and he has a national championship in his portfolio. It has a defensive coordinator, which puts it ahead of Georgia, and Ellis Johnson is a fine one. Its quarterback is returning, along with 15 other starters on offense and defense. And it plays Georgia in Columbia on Sept. 11.
No, the Gamecocks weren’t much good in 2009: They finished 7-6 and looked awful in losing the Papajohns.com Bowl to Connecticut. But the new season is another day, and long-suffering Gamecock fans get geeked up for every next season as a matter of course. This time they might actually have cause.
Not many Georgia fans seem similarly enthused, at least not at the moment. The coordinator search won’t go on forever, but it has left a mark on the Bulldog psyche. Georgia fans are like most: They can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to come coach their team. But they’ve just seen three men choose to remain in place despite the lure of big money at UGA.
Loading ...We learned in 2005, when he won the SEC in his first season without David Greene and David Pollack and Brian VanGorder, not to dismiss Mark Richt. We saw it again this season when he took his worst team and beat Georgia Tech’s best aggregation in a decade. That said, the prevailing wind now seems to be blowing against him.
He’s 14-8 over the past 22 games. (And that’s with victories in the final two of 2009.) He can wind up making a good hire and it won’t be seen as such. Some of the UGA fans who once swore by Richt have taken up a different brand of swearing. As Pennington suggested, Richt is no longer the fresh prince of the SEC but an elder and somewhat diminished statesman.
Five years ago I wouldn’t have thought Richt and Georgia incapable of anything. Now, heaven help me, I see South Carolina as the program on the rise. South Carolina, of all teams.
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
785 comments Add your comment
Why Richt is NOT in Trouble...
January 13th, 2010
4:43 pm
Look, Richt went after 3 loyal coaches, Foster to Beamer, Chavis to Fulmer/Miles, Smart ot Saban. It was a LONG SHT because of their LOYALTY, Richt knew that, but SHOT HIGH ANYWAYS.
Easier to hire a guy with no championship experience who is not loyal? Of course. Richt didn’t start this search that way.
People who don’t understand why you target a loyal guy with championship experience, are idiots.
PT
January 13th, 2010
4:43 pm
Sorry Mark I must have overlooked that talent in the Papajohns Bowl. Sometime the Chattanooga rag is a better read!
Really?
January 13th, 2010
4:44 pm
1980 – so you live in a trailer park? How is that working out for you?
AceDawg
January 13th, 2010
4:44 pm
The prestige of UGA is possibly a tiny bit lower than Alabama due to its title history and current success, perhaps Florida due to its current success as well, but UGA is certainly on par with Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, and well above the rest of the SEC.
amy
January 13th, 2010
4:45 pm
Yes, three coaches chose to stay put, but they were coaches that were long shots to begin with. I wouldn’t hardly call UGA “radioactive”. Not yet, anyway.
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:45 pm
“point well taken UGA is #11 behind USC. #11 isn’t close to being in the top 10 at all. Out of 119 Schools UGA is #11. That is certainly a middle of the pack team.
11.Georgia 732 389 54 .623 113 1175.”
Yep, and what do you clowns have to show for it?
Hell, GT has more National Titles than you gals do. Yet UGA fans always talk about how UGA is the top football school in JAWJAW!
drunk dawg
January 13th, 2010
4:45 pm
are you RETARDED Bradley?
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:46 pm
“so you live in a trailer park? How is that working out for you?”
Well, it’s fine right now. Your family says “Hi!”
Kenneth
January 13th, 2010
4:46 pm
just another item you will be wrong about Mr. Bradley.
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:47 pm
“The prestige of UGA is possibly a tiny bit lower than Alabama due to its title history and current success”
Bama=13 National Titles
UGA=1
savannadawg
January 13th, 2010
4:47 pm
Mark Bradley, Why did you put something like this in your column. You just showed how uninformed and petty you are. Why don’t you get into coaching for about one day, and see how you like it. There are tones of defensive minded men out there whom can help the University of Georgia. So don;t put this crap in here anymore. You look stupid.
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:48 pm
“but UGA is certainly on par with Tennessee, LSU, Auburn, and well above the rest of the SEC.”
Auburn is WAY above TN right now. They are about to sign the top running back in the country. Also, they are about to sign a 5 star QB. Just hope he doesn’t start stealing laptops again.
Really?
January 13th, 2010
4:49 pm
1980 – so would you say that TECH has a better football program then UGA?
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:49 pm
“You just showed how uninformed and petty you are.”
That sums up UGA fans.
Lanier Dawg
January 13th, 2010
4:49 pm
Mark called out on his hypocrisy:
http://blutarsky.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/did-mark-richt-forget-to-renew-his-aj-c-subscription/
Coach Richt takes the time to pick the right coach. Goes after three big guns and all three decide against it. Mark writes column after column saying this is getting embarrassing.
Coach Johnson says he doesn’t have a new DC yet and that they will get one. Mark smiles and praises the Coach. No hurry needed.
Then, Mark goes off and says SC is better positioned in the SEC East because it has a head coach and a DC – no matter how embarrassed both were made by that powerhouse known as UCONN.
Boy, no wonder the AJC is losing readers. There was once a time the sports section was actually decent.
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:49 pm
“1980 – so would you say that TECH has a better football program then UGA?”
Uh……yeah.
drunk dawg
January 13th, 2010
4:50 pm
hey 1980! get a life! or go back to Blakes in midtown you Homo
The weakest link, goodbye
January 13th, 2010
4:50 pm
Mark Bradley is a troll. The AJC sucks…
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:50 pm
GT=4 National Titles
UGA=1
Oh My Gosh
January 13th, 2010
4:51 pm
Mark, I have read you for years, since you came to Atlanta, in fact, and have almost always either agreed with you or been able to at least glimpse your point of view. South Carolina? Really? Richt as ‘inept’? Really? After a year where he went 8-5? Keep in mind that this team, like the ‘07 team, found their running game well into the season, which bodes well for helping Murray, Gray or whomever is qb next year. Do you really think this Pennington guy knows his elbow from third base?
You seem to indicate that Richt has forgotten how to coach, or that the game has passed him by. He’s 50 and only two years removed from a #2 finish, your argument sounds weaker that OJ’s and you don’t have Johnny Cochran to make it for you. Not your best effort, my friend.
south
January 13th, 2010
4:53 pm
Sorry Mark- Richt isn’t in trouble and he’s not going anywhere for quite awhile.
Trying to rile up Bulldog fans with baseless blogs like this do nothing more than gather the Bulldog Nation closer together in support of Richt.
Richt is a huge asset and I can’t imagine where the program would be today without him.
GO DAWGS!!
BAMAFan!
January 13th, 2010
4:53 pm
1980 – your credibility is lacking my friend. If you are going to post on here at least do some research first. UGA has 2 NC’s not 1. You aren’t representing our fans very well if Bama is who your team is.
Jeff
January 13th, 2010
4:53 pm
UGA fans…STOP replying to Mark Bradley’s blogs. He HATES UGA and took a cheap shot at Richt with this article. All of the SEC turmoil has NOTHING to do with UGA. Richt is the reason we will never worry about our coach leaving us in the middle of the night for a “better” job. He is a good coach and person, which is boring to Bradley and Schultz because they can’t write articles about it. So, they choose to stir the pot with articles about Richt not doing his job.
UGA FANS…STOP REPLYING TO THESE BLOGS AND STOP READING THE AJC!
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:53 pm
Fact: No one talks about UGA outside of Georgia. UGA is considered the Cleveland Browns of college football.
Trust me, I know.
Just the Facts.....
January 13th, 2010
4:54 pm
Mark, The fact that at this point in the recruiting game we are currently ranked # 4 in the country with this class doesn’t look like a “BIG” dropoff. Your second rate attempt at journalism is showing. Maybe you need to call Furman Bisher up for a few lessons in “real” writing!
The Real SugarHillDawg
January 13th, 2010
4:55 pm
What pray tell will SC use for a football team? UConn, a second rate team from a second rate conference gave the Poultry a football clinic!I GUARANTEE UGA will beat SC or whoever Bradley’s dartboard choice is to win the east!
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:55 pm
“your credibility is lacking my friend. If you are going to post on here at least do some research first. UGA has 2 NC’s not 1. You aren’t representing our fans very well if Bama is who your team is.”
You mean like Bama claiming 13 titles even though they have only won 8?
Well, if we’re playing that game then Auburn has won 13. You know, since Auburn has gone undefeated 13 times in it’s history.
As for credibility, I don’t listen to Bama fans who never went to Bama.
LOL
January 13th, 2010
4:55 pm
Hey Mark Bradley – You’re inept and the AJC is a sinking ship… Is this the National Inquirer?
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:55 pm
“UGA has 2 NC’s not 1″
Oh yeah, I forgot about the one they won back in 1845. They went 3-0 that year, right?
What a Moron!!!
January 13th, 2010
4:56 pm
Another swell article written by a jacka$$ at the Atlanta Urinal and Constipation! You’re a Moron Bradley!
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:56 pm
“GUARANTEE UGA will beat SC or whoever Bradley’s dartboard choice is to win the east!”
YEE HAW! We’ll beat that SC powerhouse! We’z number 1!
Mobile Dawg
January 13th, 2010
4:56 pm
There has to be a spreadsheet somewhere at the AJC logging the negative article competition between Schultz and Bradley, with a column listing the number of bites they get from irate Dawg fans. Right now I’d say Bradley by a nose. Who knows what they will come up with next, how about “Russ had a sex change operation”. It would be about as interesting reading.
drunk dawg
January 13th, 2010
4:56 pm
1980- You have to be the biggest LOSER I have ever seen on ANy of these posts! you must have a sweet job to posts so many posts that u do. It is obvious that there is a hint of jealousy on your part by how much you are saying. By a gun and pull the trigger, loser!
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:57 pm
“Another swell article written by a jacka$$ at the Atlanta Urinal and Constipation! You’re a Moron Bradley!”
Yep, the entire country respects UGA fans! Yep.
Jeff
January 13th, 2010
4:57 pm
UGA FANS STOP READING THE AJC AND RESPONDING TO THESE BLOGS! BRADLEY, SCHULTZ, AND CO. ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO RUN RICHT OUT OF TOWN. LOOK WHERE THAT GOT UT RUNNING FULMER OUT OF TOWN AFTER GOING 151-50 AND WINNING A NC.
ONCE AGAIN, STOP READING THE AJC. THIS ARTICLE IS AWFUL AND MAKES NO SENSE TO EVEN PRINT.
1980
January 13th, 2010
4:58 pm
“You have to be the biggest LOSER I have ever seen on ANy of these posts! you must have a sweet job to posts so many posts that u do. It is obvious that there is a hint of jealousy on your part by how much you are saying. By a gun and pull the trigger, loser!”
Yep, you must be a UGA grad. You can’t spell or write a complete sentence.
I guess that’s what UGA will do to a person.
1990
January 13th, 2010
4:58 pm
You guys haven’t won half of anything in 20 years!!!
Catfish Lanier
January 13th, 2010
4:59 pm
Bradley was fisted by Jan Kemp, he holds a grudge…..
A Guy Who Has a Different View Than Bradley
January 13th, 2010
4:59 pm
Here’s a perspective from a guy who sees it as a positive that Richt shot for really loyal guys, and ALMOST pulled each of them away from an excellent position.
http://ugadogsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/fleeting-thoughts-coaching-search.html
Just the Facts.....
January 13th, 2010
5:00 pm
1980, Who talked about Bama before Last year this whole Decade, and ya’ll better not get to comfortable over there. Remember Les Miles and LSU? That # 1 class they had last year been marinating quietly. At best Bama is second place in the West next year. Remember your QB is the Buck Belue of this Decade. Just hand it off and let Mark run!
Really?
January 13th, 2010
5:00 pm
1980 -So because Tech won 4 Titles to UGA’s 2 and 2 of Tech’s 4 Titles were before the 1930’s you are saying as it stands today TECH is a better football program then UGA?
GT STILL IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
January 13th, 2010
5:00 pm
JUST A REMINDER. HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHA
1980
January 13th, 2010
5:01 pm
“You guys haven’t won half of anything in 20 years!!!”
Who hasn’t? Be specific.
Really?
January 13th, 2010
5:02 pm
1980 – who is your team?
1980
January 13th, 2010
5:02 pm
“Who talked about Bama before Last year this whole Decade, and ya’ll better not get to comfortable over there. Remember Les Miles and LSU? That # 1 class they had last year been marinating quietly. At best Bama is second place in the West next year.”
Uh huh, sure they will. By this time next year, we’ll be celebrating with our 14th national title.
If we finish in 2nd place, I predict UGA to finish last.
1980
January 13th, 2010
5:03 pm
“1980 – who is your team?”
The Pittsburgh Steelers.
1980
January 13th, 2010
5:04 pm
“So because Tech won 4 Titles to UGA’s 2 and 2 of Tech’s 4 Titles were before the 1930’s you are saying as it stands today TECH is a better football program then UGA?”
Yep.
1990
January 13th, 2010
5:05 pm
1990. Tech. Dumbazz. Unless you’re a newbie sidewalk ‘Bama fan. And if you are, your team hadn’t done anything in almost a decade before Nicky “I’m the original Lane Kiffin” Saban came slithering in.
1990
January 13th, 2010
5:05 pm
Well, since we’re talking NC’s here, that’s almost 20 years between for Bama, too.
Catfish Lanier
January 13th, 2010
5:06 pm
he hides his love of anal pain at the hands of jan in each post its a manifestation of his desire to be dominated by a uga alum in drag…