There’s no other way to say it: Mark Richt is in trouble at UGA
This was Mississippi State's first touchdown Saturday. It would add two more. (AP photo)
I wouldn’t have thought such a thing possible a month ago or a week ago or even 24 hours ago, but here it is:
Mark Richt is in trouble.
It was possible to write off Georgia’s first two losses as having come against superior opposition. It is not possible to write off losing in Starkville. It is not possible to square all those ballyhooed recruiting classes with being 0-3 in the conference. It is not possible to look on the Bulldogs as anything more than a middling SEC team.
Five years ago, how many other league schools would have gladly traded their coach for Richt? Nine? Ten? How many would today? Maybe three, and that’s depending on how Ole Miss feels about Houston Nutt this week. Too many SEC programs have caught and passed Georgia, and this has nothing to do with the superpowers in Tuscaloosa and Gainesville. Consider:
Last year Georgia lost to Tennessee in Year 1 of Lane Kiffin. Last week Georgia lost to Arkansas in Sanford Stadium in Year 3 of Bobby Petrino. Last night Georgia lost to Mississippi State in Year 2 under Dan Mullen.
No longer does an opponent tremble at the sight of Georgia approaching. On the contrary, this has become — three weeks running! — the team you want to play if you’re looking to establish your program.
The old Steve Spurrier critique of Ray Goff — “Georgia gets all these players … I don’t know what happens to them” — again applies. Georgia doesn’t lack talent. It simply cannot bring its talent to bear. Its new 3-4 defense mustered one sack against Arkansas and Ryan Mallett. Its touted offensive line was able to carve out 113 yards rushing against Manny Diaz’s Mississippi State defense. Its offense could not score a touchdown against South Carolina and needed 58-plus minutes to manage one in Starkville.
There has been no improvement week over week. There is only a weird stasis. The weeks and the opponents change, but Georgia looks no different. How does that happen?
Loading ...Granted, the season might look different had A.J. Green played these four games. But he didn’t because he broke a rule, and that’s the other reason Richt is in trouble. A coach can get away with having his players mess up off the field if the coach keeps winning big on it. But Richt is 10-9 dating back to Nov. 29, 2008, and guess what cheery news awaited him on his return from Mississippi?
You got it. Another player has been arrested.
When I say, “Richt is in trouble,” I don’t mean I expect him to be fired this week or even after this season. I think Greg McGarity, the new athletic director, will err on the side of patience with a coach of such distinguished pedigree. (And a strong finish to this season — winning the next eight and beating Auburn and Florida en route — would effectively get Richt out of trouble.) But the loss at State seems a tipping point. It seems the game in which the majority of Georgia fans stopped seeing Mark Richt as the answer and came to regard him as the problem.
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1,529 comments Add your comment
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
3:55 pm
I like Jim Donnan, too.
Reggie
September 26th, 2010
3:56 pm
At least we have a lock on the Fulmer/Richt Cup.
GR82BAG8R
September 26th, 2010
3:56 pm
46-39, how do you “own” someone if you’ve lost 17 out of the last 20 meetings with them?
All the historical records are good for reminiscing and not much else. What matters is what the current regime’s are doing against each other. Dooley/Goff/Donnan’s records have no bearing on what Georgia will do this and next year. Neither do Pell/Spurrier/Zook’s on what Florida will do this year and next. Richt and Meyer as the current regime’s set the tone…
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
3:57 pm
Yep, I am sick of beating the dog.
DC Dawg
September 26th, 2010
3:57 pm
I want toughness on both sides of the ball. Haven’t seen it the last few years and certainly don’t this year. Was hoping TG would bring it to the defensive side of the ball….clearly not the case.
Dogs Smell
September 26th, 2010
3:58 pm
Where is the talk of running the table? I guess a win in CO , will bring back the talk of running the table? You should beat Colorado !, but then again you thought you should have beaten MSU ! Dont be shocked if Tennessee keeps with tradition and beats you !
46-39
September 26th, 2010
3:58 pm
Fake Urban Meyer, We have no undefeated seasons but we have more championships than UGA.
Finally getting somewhere. True, FL has NO undefeated seasons. FL has more NC’s than UGA. UGA still holds the head-to-head record 46-39.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 26th, 2010
3:59 pm
Bully called me this morning. We had a good talk. He’s not a bad guy. We’re going fishing after the season. Bully said playing Georgia was like fishing at a catfish farm. What does that mean?
catlady
September 26th, 2010
4:00 pm
First, recruit on character. Second, recruit on academic ability. Third, recruit on athletic skill. Then, when we lose, at least we will have an “excuse” for being like Vandy and Duke.
Any player who makes a “mistake” like those we have been seeing, including DUI and driving without a valid license, should be off the team and their scholarship rescended immediately. The way you put an end to this is to send a clear message that it will not be tolerated for a moment. And quit making an excuse that these are young people who make mistakes. 98% of the student body gets by without making these mistakes, and they are not getting food, housing, tuition, travel, and per diem given to them.
Students who play for the university should be viable students. No more “special admits.”
Let those who meet numbers one and two play. Give them the scholarships–they deserve them.
Dawged
September 26th, 2010
4:01 pm
Anyone who thinks CMR should be fired is a complete idiot Most of the fools on this blog are not part of the true Dawg Nation.He is the best thing to happen to UGA going back to Walker and Coach Dooley.He will get this ship righted and do what he has to do with with the staff.He will be here many more years and win more SEC’s and a couple NC ’s before he is done.Go Dawgs!
Herschel
September 26th, 2010
4:01 pm
The Mark Richt “Bulldog Highlights” Show has been canceled due to lack of interest.
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:01 pm
GR82BAG8R, YES, you ‘OWN’ the record. If you are going to go back 20 yrs, why stop there?
Either talk about the ‘past’ or don’t talk about the ‘past’. If you choose to, then 46-39 is the head-to-head record of UGA vs FL. If you choose not to talk about the past, then don’t.
Your choice.
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:02 pm
It the championships that count, 46-39. Also I like our chances of evening up the series the next decade.
Patrick
September 26th, 2010
4:03 pm
Coach Richt -
If you’re not willing to change, I am. As of 9/26, I am going to forgo my next donation to the Hartman Fund and pass on renewing my season tickets for 2011. Your leadership lacks meaningful introspection and therefore remains remarkedly stagnant in the progressive landscape that is college football.
Your long-overdue defensive change was a meaningful example of your leadership opportunity (read: weakness). Now, with the offense continuing to sputter, it’s more than apparent that you have waited too long on making a change on the offensive side. To make matters worse, I’m afraid you have yet to aknowledge the last point after making yet another defense of Coach Bobo after yesterday’s loss. (Yes, I agree with your comments that we could have had 2 additional touchdowns against MSU; however, that translates to only 21 points against a subpar defense and would not have been enough to win the game.)
Best wishes coming grips with the state of the program. I’m afraid upon you doing so, you wont like what you see. I know I dont, nor does Bulldog Nation,
Regards,
Patrick
Joe Cox
September 26th, 2010
4:03 pm
“With an incredible recruiting advantage (no real in-state competition to recruit 5-star athletes in a state that worships high school football) Georgia should have a fistful of NCs by now……..that was spot on GR82BAG8R. There is no excuse for uga to be in the condition that we are in. Tons of NFL talent from GA, tons of money, no real in state recruiting competition.(compared to other major programs) UGA has underachieved for quite a while now. Uga would be a perfect job for Petersen or Harbaugh. Any UGA fans who accept richt’s mediocrity are delusional. He hasn’t won anything since Van Gorder left or since Saban has been at Bama or Urban has been at UF. He isn’t on their level. If you cannot see this you are blind.”
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:04 pm
Some of these ‘GATOR’ questions are slow to be answered. Me thinks that there are TECH geeks on here that are having to Google for answers.
Just a thought….
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:04 pm
17-3 is mighty impress and that is the last 20 years. We will knock that up to 18-3 later on this year.
Herschel
September 26th, 2010
4:04 pm
Forget about another Blackout. Time to pull out the Red Panties.
GTFanny
September 26th, 2010
4:05 pm
I’m so happy to have my Dawg friends wallowing in the same class of football I’ve been experiencing for the last 46 years of my life. Welcome! Is it college baseball season yet?
Patrick
September 26th, 2010
4:05 pm
And yes, I’m discounting the last touchdown… hence, 21pts
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:05 pm
46-39, I think you are using dial up; you need pgrade to DSL, UVerse or cable.
Herschel
September 26th, 2010
4:05 pm
Did y’all see how Auburn did against Lattimore last night? Didn’t look like the same back that gained 180 on Thuga.
Patrick
September 26th, 2010
4:05 pm
Oh, we had 2 FGs… lets go ahead and call it 20pts. Depressing
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:06 pm
Joe Cox , you disapointed me last yr, but I agree w/ your post.
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:06 pm
46-39, I am also watching the Falcons.
Herschel
September 26th, 2010
4:07 pm
Whats the over/under for the number of arrests of Thuga players this week?
marinedawg
September 26th, 2010
4:07 pm
A recent comment makes sense.During basic if one recruit screwed up the whole platoon paid the price.It took one mistake and we took care of the problem.Reason being that screw up could cost us our lives. All Marines know that.First player screws up all pay the price.Second time the first and second violstor pay the price.Girlie schools do not count in suspensions must be sec games. Wally would have run em out on a rail after being tarred. Time for puppies to become DAWGS.
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:07 pm
Fake Urban Meyer, lol… That won’t improve FL’s record…
Herschel
September 26th, 2010
4:08 pm
Don’t worry, you got A.J. Green back this week, providing he doesn’t sell another jersey. That means you only lose by 1 touchdown.
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:08 pm
Fake Urban Meyer…me too
Bo in North Carolina
September 26th, 2010
4:09 pm
Remember the day David Greene took the team down the field in the last minute against UT in Knoxville? That would never happen with Bobo.
Brock, that was good humor. I thing the Lord, Himself, smiled at that one.
bilbo
September 26th, 2010
4:10 pm
One of the most profitable football programs in the country. One of the most devoted fan bases in the country. One of the most talent-rich states in the country w/ no instate recruiting competition. 10-11 in the SEC EAST SINCE 2006. THAT’S WHY RICHT NEEDS TO GO. SIMPLE.
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:11 pm
The Falcons have been infected with UGA disease.
bitter jan kempt
September 26th, 2010
4:11 pm
see what following the rules get you, just thank me for the loosing record butt nice sa+t scores, mutt fans, im leaving nicely on the pay off years ago but im watching for future infraction mutt fans.
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:12 pm
Bilbo, stop trying to get rid of Mark Richt.
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:12 pm
Looks that way….
UGA's future cannot be held hostage to 2011 recruits
September 26th, 2010
4:13 pm
Folks ……….this is very easy to read. To start with, UGA has had these same problems for about 5 years. In the past, the KYs, the SCs, the MSUs or Ole Miss teams of the league could not hang with UGA’s somewhat better athletes and Richt and his teams would usually win outl. Now? That has changed with the influx of BETTER mid level teams. They went out and got better head coaches.
Over the last 10 years, Richt could not hang with the Floridas or the UTs on A REGULAR BASIS. He did just ok with the LSUs and the Auburns and the lil GTs, Mich States, and Hawaiis of the world. UGA was a solid second tier prgram and I was fine with that like 10-2 and a nice NY Day bowl. Second Tier on a consistent basis is very hard to maintain and we now see how hard that is.
Richt Now? He lacks QUALITY O linemen, d linemen, linebackers and corners and safeties and running backs and did I say running backs and receivers and a good, solid back up QB. He has let it slip between his fingers. His schemes that worked in the 90s at FSU vs. weaker defensive teams like GT and Wake Forest and Maryland and NC State and mighty NC, Clemson,etc. have been solved and his FSU smallish players cannot compete with the beef here in the SEC. This is the core problem. Period. it is this easy.
Anyone beyond a casual UGA observer knows that this is true. Richt has been TOO SLOW to recognize it out of stubborness or maybe arrogance. It will cost him his job. He refuses to get better players. He inheriited Donnan’s kids.
There SOON WILL BE mid season changes in the UGA coaching ranks at a minimum. UGA can go get former players TODAY that played for years in the NFL and do better than the current line coach, the running backs coach or the receivers coach and the O co ordinator. That should be step one.
If there are no major wins this year like UT and Auburn and Florida and for sure GT, Richt will be fired and frankly, I doubt that Dr Adams would even consult his new AD. Adams will just call Richt and ask him to resign and if not, fire him. UGA- AD McGarity knew coming in what the SEC rap was on Richt. I will guarantee that. He just cannot imagine that it is happening so rapidly on his brand new watch. I suspect that the AD is stunned.
Folks, this UGA problem will take 3 to 4 WONDERFUL years in recruiting to make UGA really a top level SEC squad again ………….. a new coach will not be that quick fix like we might imagine.
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:14 pm
Hartley is going to missing the field goal. The announcers are jinxing him.
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:15 pm
Make myself clear…I don’t really care who UGA keeps/hires… I just want to WIN.
Looks like it may be a while. Good think I’m still (fairly) young..
RL
September 26th, 2010
4:15 pm
Fake Urban Meyer. I just moved to Atlanta in late April. With all the trash talking on the AJC site I thought that the UGA-FL series was very competitive. When I looked it up it looks like UF has completely dominated UGA the last twenty years. I don’t think anything is going to change that any time soon. It looks like there are starting to be some other teams that are also going to start to dominate UGA also.
SEC1
September 26th, 2010
4:15 pm
Soft, lethargic, uninspired, passive, tentative. Any others?
Richt’s team approach for the football season is like that of a couple’s retreat – let’s meditate, hold hands, go swimming, and get to know each other a little better. We will runs some plays later.
Saban/Meyer appear to be all business, all football, and focused on winning.
I get the impression that a player called in to Richt’s office might say something akin to, “hey Mark, thanks for the hug, I’ll try to do better next time”.
On the other hand, Saban’s player has a bowel movement in his under armour’s before entering the doorway.
Sometimes fear is a good thing.
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:16 pm
I told ya’ll.
Ugaguy
September 26th, 2010
4:16 pm
2 words for Uga Kirby Smart
Joe Cox
September 26th, 2010
4:17 pm
Don’t blame me blame the coaches for playing me. Spot on Bilbo With an incredible recruiting advantage (no real in-state competition to recruit 5-star athletes in a state that worships high school football) Georgia should have a fistful of NCs by now……..that was spot on GR82BAG8R. There is no excuse for uga to be in the condition that we are in. Tons of NFL talent from GA, tons of money, no real in state recruiting competition.(compared to other major programs) UGA has underachieved for quite a while now. Uga would be a perfect job for Petersen or Harbaugh. Any UGA fans who accept richt’s mediocrity are delusional. He hasn’t won anything since Van Gorder left or since Saban has been at Bama or Urban has been at UF. He isn’t on their level.
46-39
September 26th, 2010
4:17 pm
Fake Urban Meyer…WOW..You called it. I’m not listening to it but they must have been talking about how he hasn’t missed in 500 kicks or something….
George
September 26th, 2010
4:17 pm
Maybe Richt’s heart is not any it anymore. Seems like he is disconnected and uninterested. Maybe millions of dollars per year have made him more interested in missionary work than football. I bet if he is fired or quits at UGA, he doesn’t coach anywhere else. I bet he does mission work, which is a very noble thing to do.
Robert Fields
September 26th, 2010
4:18 pm
For the first time in over 30 years, I did not renew our 4 season tickets for 2010, and now I’m glad we didn’t. Coach Richt, sorry to see you go, but the program has been on a downward spiral for the past 5 years. Let’s put together the most attractive package available for either Will Muschamp or Kirby Smart. It’s time to hire someone with a defensive mind; that’s what wins games, not offense. And by the way, Philip Fulmer is still a tremendous offensive line coach!!!!!!!
Joe Cox
September 26th, 2010
4:18 pm
Kirby Smart? really yeah lets get a guy who is unproven as a HC.
Fake Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
4:18 pm
46-39:
They kept talking about the first game, against MN, when he missed 2 FGs.
GatorGuyur
September 26th, 2010
4:19 pm
Dawg Fan
Look on the brightside. Based on their recent body of “work”, Dawgs are now being considered worthy of the ACC. So cheer up. Think of Tech as your new in conference rival. SEC will get by w/o you. I see CMR behind the register at Chick-Fil-A before Thanksgiving. Happy Holidays.