Blame Mark Richt? He’s not the one who’s embarrassing UGA
Even tougher love goes only so far. (Special to the AJC)
Mark Richt is a nice guy. Mark Richt believes in forgiveness. Mark Richt looks for the best in people. Mark Richt coddled Odell Thurman.
All of this is true. None of it explains, at least not fully, why Georgia players keep getting arrested.
Let’s stipulate that Richt was too lenient for too long. But he has toughened since the egregious offseason of 2008, when eight Bulldogs got arrested and stole a goodly part of the luster that should have descended on a team ranked No. 1 in preseason for the first time in school history. He has kicked more guys off the team. He has instituted an automatic one-game suspension for anyone arrested (for the first time) on an alcohol-related charge. Yet here Georgia sits, two summers later, having cut its offseason arrest total by …
One.
Seven Bulldogs have been arrested this calendar year. Three have been dismissed from the squad, including Montez Robinson, who figured to play at linebacker, and Zach Mettenberger, who might have challenged Aaron Murray as Georgia’s starting quarterback. Backup tailback Dontavius Jackson, arrested Saturday on DUI and five other charges, has been suspended for half the 2010 season.
This is no longer the Richt of repeated second chances, but it hasn’t much mattered. Bulldogs are still messing up — even as we note that an arrest isn’t a conviction, we must also face the reality that getting arrested generally isn’t a signal of meritorious behavior — even though they should know their actions can and will have consequences.
No, Georgia isn’t alone in having football players make the wrong kind of headlines. But it has happened so often with these Bulldogs that each incident bears a subtext: It isn’t that a Georgia player has been arrested but that another Georgia player has been arrested. And Richt, as head coach, must bear some responsibility. But responsibility isn’t the same thing as blame.
This man is a football coach, not a prison warden. In the name of discipline, he cannot put his men under dormitory lockdown. If he did, it wouldn’t be discipline. Discipline is about having the freedom to make choices and then choosing wisely. Too many Georgia players continue to be, for want of a better word, unwise. And that’s not on the head coach. That’s on them.
Maybe Richt needs to be more careful about the players he pursues — recruiting risks tend to bite the hand that signs them — but that can be said of every program everywhere. Richt is in business to win games, not to oversee the glee club. He’s going to be in a lot more trouble if Georgia goes 8-5 again than if another 19-year-old gets caught with a beer. But the 19-year-olds have to smarten up.
Loading ...If they can’t grasp that there’s increased scrutiny on this program — especially after the arrest and resignation of Damon Evans — they’re not bright enough to attend an institution of higher learning. If they can’t understand that being a Bulldog is both an honor and a responsibility, they shouldn’t be allowed to wear the red jersey.
Too many college athletes (and not just Georgia athletes) have been so pampered they believe they’re untouchable. Reality check: They’re not. Just because a bunch of folks followed their recruiting and got excited when these blue-chippers put on a certain school’s cap doesn’t mean a player can’t be arrested, can’t be disciplined, can’t be forgotten in the time it takes to say, “You’re off the team.”
Say what you will about Mark Richt, but for more than a decade he has carried himself in a way that has conferred honor on UGA. He is, alas, only one man. He cannot make choices for 85 others. He can try to lead them, teach them, punish them when necessary, but in the end everything comes down to free will.
Too many Bulldogs act as if they’ve been handed a free pass through life. (Reality check: Nobody gets one of those.) Too many Bulldogs need to grow up or go home.
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831 comments Add your comment
PMC
July 12th, 2010
5:14 pm
It would be awesome if we could get though one or two blogs without the word Thug.
It’s boring how often it’s overused…like a bunch of high school girls calling other girls sluts because of some boy they like.
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:15 pm
Why don’t you go wrench on your jalopy RAMBLE ON!!!?
dog789xyz
July 12th, 2010
5:15 pm
Georgia Southern fans need to really reflect before they comment on UGA. Believe me I know more dirt than they want divulged.
GSU (not Ga State) fans are crap. They play in 1AA., a completely insignificant division. They have no following outside Bulloch County, Statesboro. Even in the pathetic little 1AA Division they are not respected.
UGA fans, this piece of crap school is where Paul Johnson of GT got his start. He was just as big of an ass when he was at GSU. He never missed a chance to say antything he could bad about UGA. I hope he never gets another win in his coaching career.
GA_ t
July 12th, 2010
5:15 pm
For all those Tech fans bashing a hit and run, alchohol induced incident – I remember less than a short year ago that a former heralded quarterback, newly on assignment at GT as recruiting coordinator and coach, with a felony hit and run/fat sack of nugs(marijuana possession)/DUI charge just a day after signing on with the Stingers. Stay Classy, techies!!!!
DIT
July 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
PMC – Consider the source. That’s all the techies have against UGA because their Football team surely can’t compete!
RickB
July 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
The Head Coach takes the blame; he is the face of the not only the Football team but the entire college and he gets all the credit and glory when they win. I played for UT in the early 80s and we were scared s*&&*&less of doing anything stupid off the field. Majors kicked many a good player off the team if they crossed the line and most of the stupidity didn’t make it to the media like today. We all knew alcohol was a death sentence period! Make a few examples and throw them off team forever.
Tide Rising
July 12th, 2010
5:17 pm
Casn you dig it,
Sorry if it bothers you but the results of Saban’s stern disciplinarian approach speak for themselves. One player arrested in the past year. You can say that its due to the Tuscaloosa police giving Bama players a complete pass but it doesn’t explain the 7 arrests in Saban’s first year or the arrests under Shula.
And calling us rednecks doesn’t bolster your argument. It only diminishes you.
And for the record my girlfriend who is from Athens and I went to the Bishop park 4th of July fireworks show with her. And let me tell you something. After observing all the rotten teeth, toothless, jorts wearing crackers at that park wearing UGA gear you have absolutely zero grounds to be calling anybody redneck.
GA TECH VIRGIN #1029385738
July 12th, 2010
5:18 pm
I love 2 read!
eagles
July 12th, 2010
5:20 pm
dog789xyz – it surely sounds like you got rejected by GSU. ur probably another barking sidewalk fan. leave GSU alone; you obviously know nothing about the school or fans. u douche
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:21 pm
Georgia Southern rejects people?
Ginger
July 12th, 2010
5:21 pm
Another thought—James Vaughters prized prospect committed to Stanford..One thing that Stanford uses in recruiting is the Former Sec. of State Condi Rice will mentor some of the Stanford players..She is a big football fan and on staff at Stanford…Last year Ta-Lier Jones committed to Stanford and part of the reason was that Rice was going to mentor him…Now Jones wound up going to ND….and will get an excellent eduction and football opportunity..(here he is doing great in practice).
But my point is this….Georgia players need some more mentoring because we are having too many arrests for drinking etc…..Having the right mentors would be a great recruiting tool….So UGA should look at who is on staff that could mentor players for 30-45 minutes per week and also maybe who could they hire do this…think that President Adams would be good mentor–he certainly is very successful and handled the Evans situation well. I am sure that there are others…Famous personalities who have done very well in life that attended UGA or that are UGA fans….this would be a win in recruiting if the right people are mentors and be a win in that every player would have a mentor who would give advice to the student athelete weekly on how to be successful….Another person that comes to mind is Sen. Saxby Chambliss–.
BIG BEE
July 12th, 2010
5:21 pm
Hey guys, this is a UGA problem so butt out.GT, Al., LSU, Tn. and many others have more than we need. If you live in a glass house____!!!
Tide Rising
July 12th, 2010
5:22 pm
Scott W.
What was that about us writing the book on NCAA infractions? We’ve had 3 or 4 major infractions cases, all coming from the 90s since. Let me give you the facts.
CHEATING HALL OF FAME THE TOP 29 NCAA DIVISION I TEAMS IN TERMS OF ALL-TIME MAJOR INFRACTIONS CASES.
Source is NCAA.ORG (ncaa legistlative database of major infractions cases)
1. Arizon state 8
2. SMU 8
3. Auburn, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Whichita State, and Wisconsin all with 7 each.
4. Cal, FSU, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, and UCLA with 6 major cases each.
5. Baylor, Cincy, Colorado, Miami, Fla., Mich. State, Miss state, NC State, Texas-Pan American, USC, UTEP, Washington, and West Virginia all with 5 major infractions cases each.
Linseed lohan
July 12th, 2010
5:22 pm
I will not go to Jail….!!!! What gets me is the percentage of players who dont have a valid, current, fricken DRIVERS LISCENSE. Cant they get their liscenses straightened out? If in the past theyve let their insurance lapse or have outstanding parking tix or WHATEVER Pay the frickin fines and get some decent LISCENSE. Half are taken in for driving on suspended. Also college kids got screwed when they upped the legal age. If some young man or woman can fight for this country and our freedom then they are adult enough To have a beer. Can you ask a guy to live in Afghanistan and not serve him a beer on his off day? What people dont understand is that taking away their right to drink
leads to them finding alternatives to get buzzed. So sadly some students are hitting the cough syrup cocktails, smoking narcotics, doing blow, and everything else . Just my opinion… In my humble opinion I think if freshman and sophomores could drink legally there would be less chance of them being involved with drugs.. Im talkin college students in general -not just atheletes. Then have free rides for people under the influence . Or very inexpensive rides home…Insurance companies that took all the bonuses should fund it. Think of the lives it would save.. And Scholorships… out
w&l dawg
July 12th, 2010
5:23 pm
Mark Richt recruits these kids, many of whom make a mockery of the school’s academic standards. He coddles them as their rap sheet grows and the school’s reputation takes hit after hit with this nonsense. He comes from the classical Florida State line, where thuggery was tolerated and he has brought that reputation to Georgia.
To this day, FSU has not shed that label, and I doubt that UGA will be able to shed it either. He may talk of being a “good Christian”, a family man, etc., but let’s call him what he is:
an enabler who has tolerated this behavior from the beginning of his career, smearing the name of whatever institution he represents.
From Michael Adams and Damon Evans down to the players, THIS HAS TO STOP. I am tired of our school being butt of every joke!
the facts....
July 12th, 2010
5:24 pm
great athletes often make bad choices…..doubt that will ever change…maybe CMR should recruit a tailback that volunteers on his off time but only runs a 4.8 40yd dash..???
dog789xyz
July 12th, 2010
5:24 pm
I know all GSU Eagles suck. YOU suck too. GSU never rejected me. I would never consider them for any reason.
I assure you I know WAAAAAY more about GSU than you. That’s GA Southern.
Big D Dawg
July 12th, 2010
5:25 pm
Fulmer Cup past winners >> Past winners
* 2006: Marshall University
* 2007: University of Illinois
* 2008: University of Alabama
* 2009: University of South Florida
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:25 pm
What am I banned for?
Larry
July 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
We didnt seem to have this problem when Coach Donnan was here.
Jay in VA
July 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
Well stated Mark. I am proud that Mark Richt is our football coach. That’s not to say that I don’t occasionally second guess him. I have to wonder why we’re experiencing more than our share of these issues, and the coach needs to get a handle on that. Still, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else in the country. I value his character and loyalty to the school, and 10 wins per year as an average is not to be taken lightly, especially in this conference. I’m confident he’ll adjust to the realities of the day. The learning never stops for any of us after all. With all the turmoil swirling around the program right now, the last thing we should want to do is undermine the calm in the eye of the storm.
GO DAWGS!
Dawgtards ruin this state
July 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
thUGA with 6 major NCAA cases and the NCAA will still investigte “Red Panty Gate”
my 2 cents
July 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
Ginger….I like your thought process….and if we were in a “focus group”..I’d take your side…BUT…kids wanna party and drink in college…always have…didn’t you Ginger..??
Linseed lohan
July 12th, 2010
5:27 pm
Im not going to jail !!!
DIT
July 12th, 2010
5:27 pm
Great Post – Jay in VA !
Dawgtards ruin this state
July 12th, 2010
5:27 pm
Mark Richt learned from Bobby Bowden, nuff said!
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:27 pm
Got a link Tide Rising?
@ Larry
July 12th, 2010
5:29 pm
Larry…don’t go there…Donnan’s teams under-achieved ON THE FIELD…that can’t happen…..that team that beat UVA down in Hawaii should been playing on New Year’s Day…..please tell me you know that..??!!
GatorBob
July 12th, 2010
5:32 pm
Nice list Tide Rising. You will notice of course that Bama and the Gators are conspicuously absent from your top 30 list. So much for some of the duly embarrassed Dog fans on here! Georgia already has a reputation (and continue to enhance that reputation) as THUGA.
DARE me to Rick Rogers
July 12th, 2010
5:33 pm
Please get in some more crappolla cuz I want him to transfer to Foghorn State. Hes gonna haunt the Dawgs….My octopus tells me Hes gonna HAUNT US
shane
July 12th, 2010
5:34 pm
Its simple. In Athens they enforce the law. Most places they do not when it comes to athletes.
Alabama is famous for it. I can remember seeing David Palmer escorted out of a keg party by t-town police. He was drunk and underage just like other people who got in trouble at the party but Bama needed him on Saturday so there was no arrest or anything. Certainly no publicity.
I mean who ever heard of 18 or 19 year olds getting drunk. I know I never did ( wink wink ) and none of you did either.
S.C. DAWGS
July 12th, 2010
5:34 pm
MARK THIS IS A GREAT ARTICLE I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS ALL ALONG THESE GUYS HAVE EVERY THING TO GAIN TOWARD LIFE HOW CAN YOU NOT LISTEN TO WHAT MARK RICHT SAYS AND COME AWAY WITH A BETTER PERSON THAN WHEN YOU CAME TO UGA.
BehindEnemyLines
July 12th, 2010
5:35 pm
Richt isn’t directly responsible for their actions. He is responsible for the sort of people he brings to campus on scholarship & how he deals with their actions afterward. He’s failed dismally on both of the latter, particularly the former.
Mark Bradley
July 12th, 2010
5:36 pm
Thanks, S.C. DAWGS.
shane
July 12th, 2010
5:36 pm
Tide Rising
July 12th, 2010
5:22 pm
Scott W.
What was that about us writing the book on NCAA infractions? We’ve had 3 or 4 major infractions cases, all coming from the 90s since. Let me give you the facts.
Who are you kidding? Bama runs the dirtiest program in the south. You guys almost got the death penalty a few years back. Man bama fans have short memories dont they.
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:37 pm
The list post is bogus.
dog789xyz
July 12th, 2010
5:37 pm
by the way, i’m an idiot and know nothing about what i’m talking about. ignore my further posts. woof woof
news flash for Linseed
July 12th, 2010
5:39 pm
Linseed lohan …yes you are….take some books and read…rest…you can do it…(I’d love to be the 3rd shift jailer…aka turn-key..) while you’re locked up….
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:39 pm
Jun 11, 2009 University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Impermissible benefits obtained by student-athletes through misuse of the …
Nov 16, 2005 University of South Carolina, Columbia This case was processed as a summary disposition. Violations of NCAA legi…
Oct 27, 2004 Mississippi State University Violations of NCAA legislation regarding recruiting (improper recruiting c…
Apr 17, 2003 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Violations included: extra benefits, recruiting, financial aid, employmen…
Feb 1, 2002 University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Athletics representatives actively engaged in violations of recruiting and…
Jan 31, 2002 University of Kentucky Recruiting inducements for prospective student-athletes and high-school co…
Mar 5, 1997 University of Georgia IMPROPER RECRUITING: improper recruiting contacts made by and inducements…
Mar 7, 1996 Mississippi State University IMPERMISSIBLE RECRUITING: recruiting assistant offered cash and other ind…
Aug 2, 1995 University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa AMATEURISM, EXTRA BENEFITS: $24,000 in impermissible banks loans made to …
Nov 17, 1994 University of Mississippi IMPERMISSIBLE RECRUITING: improper contacts by athletics representatives;…
Aug 18, 1993 Auburn University EXTRA BENEFITS: athletics representatives provided at least $4,000 in cash…
Sep 18, 1991 University of Tennessee, Knoxville IMPERMISSIBLE RECRUITING: arrangement for an airline ticket on credit to a…
Sep 20, 1990 University of Florida
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:41 pm
Straight from the database
dog789xyz
July 12th, 2010
5:42 pm
Jay in VA. I am sick that Mark Richt is our coach. Tell me how you feel after we waste a few more years on this incompetent coach until we finally replace him.
The number of wins averaged is a very distorted statistic. How can Vandy and Kentucky beat us? How do we lose to Tennessee? What about OK ST?
Under Richt we never beat someone that we are not supposed to. We lose each year to one or two teams that should not have a chance to beat us. CMR is not a coach! He does not hire good coaches. CMR is not a good judge of talent. CMR is not a motivator.
UGA has settled. Some UGA fans are excited about our running backs ( like CMR would run the ball). Actually, our running backs could not start for any SEC team. They are average at best
dog789xyz
July 12th, 2010
5:43 pm
Scott W.
Lot of SEC teams in your list wouldn’t you say?
TampaGator
July 12th, 2010
5:43 pm
Say what you want about Saban at Bama….but I think his players both respect and fear him…and I think they know they are not going to play if they don’t do what he tells them to do on and off the field…no matter who you are or how talented you are. Richt has let his players get away with too much (and he IS responsible for that)….as has Meyer at Florida in the past few years. Meyer is seriously trying to change that now and is doing more of the Saban thing at Florida. Richt needs to do the same….I think Richt’s players respect him….but they obviously haven’t learned to fear his consequences for their bad choices. If he doesn’t change the culture in Athens soon, his program will become a train wreck (if it isn’t already). I think Richt knows this and will make the required changes that will hold his players more accountable for their actions. But no program is perfect, and Bama will have their own player issues in the future as well. But Georgia has been out of control lately…and again…Richt IS responsible for that cultural failure.
Scott W.
July 12th, 2010
5:44 pm
Yep because I searched by the conference only SEC teams are on that list. How perceptive of you.
MyPatooti
July 12th, 2010
5:45 pm
One thing jumps out at me about this. If it were all colleges, I could probably agree with MB more, but it’s not. In the SEC, more often than not, it’s either UT or UGA who are the worst of the group. I think I know what the common thread is, but will keep it to myself for now and see if others can pin it down. HINT: It does have to do with recruiting.
DIT
July 12th, 2010
5:46 pm
I have to disagree with you for now dog789xyz. I say for now because I want to see what the coaching changes bring. He does need to get in the NC race quickly. However, I remember the Goff/Donnan years all too well. CMR is head and shoulders above them. I think that we will see how good of a coach he is within 3 years if he will be long term or not. Just saying
shane
July 12th, 2010
5:47 pm
DUIs are a ride home for BAMA players. Trust me.
Truer words were never spoken. Ive witnessed this personally.
Charlie Sheen
July 12th, 2010
5:48 pm
Mark, i just cannot understand this repetition of bad behavior!
TampaGator
July 12th, 2010
5:50 pm
……back to learning from recent history…..if you (the head coach) let your players go undisciplined out on the field to celebrate in the face (with intent to embarrass or challenge) the other team…then you probably can expect those same players will think it is OK to embarass or challenge others (and otherwise act inappropriately) in public as well. I hope Richt has learned his lesson in that area.
shane
July 12th, 2010
5:50 pm
If you dont think they cheat at bama ive got some Textbooks to sell you.