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
ATL is TigerTown
September 27th, 2010
9:16 am
You sure are a fair weather bunch. Glad I’m not one of you.
UGAX
September 27th, 2010
9:16 am
Since this season is toast, here are a few suggestions:
(1) Tell AJ Green to go ahead and declare for the draft NOW. We don’t need him or want him on the team- no matter how bad we get beat each week.
(2) Richt needs to take play calling away from Bobo. Let Bobo work with Murray and Matson, then let him go at the end of the year.
(3) Get rid of Stacey Searles. Our offensive line was supposed to be our strength; they can run block or protect the QB.
(4) Sit King and Ealey and let Thomas play. He’ll wind up getting killed (see# 3), but at least he plays with heart.
(5) At season’s end, when we’re 3-8, let Richt resign and then get rid of Garner and Grantham. Pay Muschamp what he wants (the only out he has in his contract is to be HC at UGA).
(6) Bring in the Offensive Coordinator from Boise State or Oregon.
Bob
September 27th, 2010
9:17 am
You can trace this back to the celebration in the end zone at the Florida game. It was at that time the players started running the show. It worked out fine for that team with that senior group but since then it has been all down hill. Remember Jim Donnan won a lot of games but he lost control of the players and was a little to arrogant to admit it. It happens to the best of them, Fullmer, Bowden, etc. If you don’t mind waiting out some bad years maybe it comes back (Paterno) but in most cases once the magic is gone, it’s gone.
Delusional Dawg
September 27th, 2010
9:18 am
Dawgs Roll in JAX!
May 11th, 2010
10:23 pm
Mark it down–this Dawg team may be their best in 20 years! The D will be loaded and with Grantham’s 3-4, Florida’s offense with brantley (good, not great) will be shut down cold! The Dawg running game will be the best in the SEC and will be pounding the ball for 200 yards on the florida D that lost all their good talent. Dawgs 30 Fla 20–bank on it!
Poobah Gator
September 27th, 2010
9:19 am
He should have his team purposely get a celebration penalty if they ever score another touchdown.
Delusional Dawg
September 27th, 2010
9:19 am
DAWG258
May 12th, 2010
1:27 pm
Dawgs will win the SEC in 2010. Book it!
Bama fan be greatful Colt came out the game or you would’ve been down 14-0 and probably lost the game. with that call on the kickoff you aren’t what you think you are! But you hold the crystal so you have the spot!
Gator fan please look at what happened after the 1 recruiting class the basketball team had left, you now see what your future holds. there is no more cupcake schedule and you will lose 4 games this season; welcome back to reality. Your coach will have to earn respect from this point and by next year im sure the word that will follow him will be OVER RATED! remember anyone can beat OSU. be thankful that 3 teams lost to let you in. We all saw with No Dan Mullen your offense isnt good and now we will see without Charlie Strong your Defense wont be either
UT is laughable
GT is a joke
Go DAWGS! GATA !
FMR Dawg
September 27th, 2010
9:19 am
The last five years of Donnan’s tenure he went 25-15 versus the SEC with only one win against Florida, and look what happened to him. Richt has gone 21-14 in the past five with only one win against Florida. I seriously doubt we will go 4-1 in SEC play the remainder of the season. We’re looking at 3-5 at best bringing Richt to 7-9 the past two years. His nice guy status and a cautious administration are the only things that will keep him around for one more year. He’s paid to win and obviously not doing it. Georgia needs a new face who will bring intensity and discipline to the program. Richt is becoming a lack luster mediocre coach like Donnan, however Donnan Did Better.
WAR DAMN EAGLE
September 27th, 2010
9:21 am
Hey Gaytor fans: PONDER THIS!!!!!
Cam Newton Named National Player of the Week
Against South Carolina, the SEC’s top run defense going into Saturday’s game, Newton rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries in a 35-27 win. He also passed for 158 yards and two TDs to earn Rivals.com National Player of the Week honors.
With the Tigers trailing 20-14 at halftime, Newton did his best work in the second half, accounting for three of his five touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters.
“He has been a great addition to our football team,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. “I think he has handled all of the circumstances really, really well with a lot of class. He was a huge reason we won the football game, let’s not make any mistake about it, but there were a bunch of others out there that did it, too.”
Chizik’s comments could be an understatement — Newton leads the SEC in rushing and in passing efficiency.
RednBlack
September 27th, 2010
9:21 am
Is it to early to see if Stanfords coach is interested in coaching great talent up to it’d potential?
DawginLex
September 27th, 2010
9:22 am
st richt,
Are you 5? Steaming log?
Can you read?
I said there is a big difference between a DUI and what Ealey did-FACT
I said I disagreed with his suspension time of one game.
I said show me a link that ever indicates Ealey was drunk.
I’m not defending anything. I’m showing the differences and stating my opinion.
Jon Gruden
September 27th, 2010
9:30 am
I believe I am just the type of coach who can bring the fire and intensity that you’re looking for. I calmed the hot mouths of Sapp and K. Johnson and won a Super Bowl with Buccaneers and almost got there with the Raiders. I’m going to cost a pretty penny, but I would love to stroke my ego in the best conference of all of college football where egotistical coaches run ramped. Not even Meyer, Spurrier, or Saban could ever be able to recruit the kind of talent as I can because every high schooler with aspirations of the NFL wants to learn under me. Give me a call sometime. —GRUDEN
He Hate Gator
September 27th, 2010
9:31 am
If CMR is the good Christian he thinks he is, he’ll realize how wrong it is for him to steal millions from the university for a job he’s not doing…
Tech Alum
September 27th, 2010
9:36 am
Think= UGA Alum…”Wiinniest” what the hell is that
We (UGA Alums) need to be very careful on this one. Wiinniest coach ever – fired? Think twice how we will be perceived nationwide. Recruits will jump ship, etc, etc. etc…It would not be pretty. So support the school and Richt to turn it around or we will wish we had not torn down the program so publically.
dallis04
September 27th, 2010
9:36 am
Word on the street is Richt’s resigning at years end to pursue the ministry…
rincon dawg
September 27th, 2010
9:42 am
Let me break it down guys was it me or did CMR say this O line has a 02 feel to it. There not even close. FLORIDA who lost everybody including their D Coordinator was supposed to be rebuilding (4-0) We have returning starters everywhere and play lathargic. If you people think this is ok to be sub par your foolish and ignorant just like the coach. Im not happy that our coach is outcoached every game. By the way we had a chance to get M. Diaz for half the price that Grantham is being paid. Its ironic he just kicked our butt huh?
Scott "Phillip" Wallace
September 27th, 2010
9:48 am
30 years of excuses……
Your just a bunch of losers, deal with it.
Jim Nasium
September 27th, 2010
9:49 am
Is it me or do I hear Crickets?
UGA — more arrests than Wins.
Bishop Eddie hired to motivate players.
Richt set to appear on Jeopardy to get answers.
Iron Dawg
September 27th, 2010
9:50 am
I believe based on his going for it on 4th down and 10 with so much time on the clock and so close to the end zone CMR thinks he’s in trouble too. Clock management has never been his forte but that was telling. Sad, very sad state of affairs for the Dawgs.
ERK fan
September 27th, 2010
9:52 am
You can tell from his expression on the sideline that Mark is just as disgusted with player effort, play calling, and discipline as we are. He now has to realize, and accept, that he is the only one who can do anything to improve it.
There is an attitude problem that he must fix quickly by inserting toughness into his easy going ways. Being disgusted with Bobo’s inability to run an offence and lack of personal integrity on the part of too many players on and off the field won’t change a thing. He must act on that disgust.
Fireing him won’t fix anything either. His new coaches need time to get their areas adjusted to their methods, and some sorry asses need to be kicked.
I just hope that he is capable of doing this because we will lose a great head coach if he can’t. Some of his good coaches will jump ship and good athletes will be reluctant to sign with UGA if he does not do it now. We will see a repeat of what we saw after Vince was pushed aside by an arrogant higher-up.
There is time to act and that time is now.
Bill
September 27th, 2010
9:52 am
Richt is a great coach! There’s no one that UGA could find that would do a better job. At the moment, he needs to totally re-evaluate the Georgia gridiron program. Does he need to alter his basic offense? Does his defense need changes? Probably. May other coaches have caught up with his game. But, foremost, Richt needs to look at his recruiting. The last three years his teams have been annihilated by dumb stupid plays and actions on and off the field. Ten dogs have been arrested since March. All of them should have been shown the door. I can’t image Vince Dooley keeping a player around who gets picked up with a suspended drivers license after a hit and run accident. Particularily after the coaching staff told him not to drive a car! I don’t care how good he is. Get rid of him! Discipline off the field results in discipline on the field!
rincon dawg
September 27th, 2010
9:58 am
If you think its not coaching then why do we have someone Brian Mclendon coaching RB s and Tony Ball coaching WR s? If you cant put your coaches in the right spot how are you gonna put your players in the right spot? Not CMR my butt/ The defense was the only thing changed from last year for your information. Offense still has no identity. Even CMR said we were calling plays blindly. Not coaching please
Godawgs75
September 27th, 2010
10:00 am
Run, run, pass. Run, run, Pass. Anybody could do Bobo’s job. He needed to go last year, but as usual Mark Richt hangs on to poor talent and gives them thier shot. Just look at the quarterback situation, is there any other school that doesnt know who thier quarterback is going to be?
UGA finlo
September 27th, 2010
10:00 am
Two white guys playing wide receiver in the s.e.c?? Poor Murray..that just sums it up.. Can Kris Durham and Logan Gray get open on the likes of P.Patterson,J Jenkins, etc,etc??? NO!!! Somebody please fire BoBo..he’s not showing any kind of potential…CMR is the man for UGA but needs to take a voluntary pay cut…
rincon dawg
September 27th, 2010
10:01 am
You can blame Bobo all you want its CMR s offense and hes the CEO. Wake up people why are you satisfied being last in the SEC?
rincon dawg
September 27th, 2010
10:05 am
Do you know what they call CMR in alabama? Runner up Richt. Seriously. He has no resect from other programs but our program still wants him here. Stupid. Yeah he did good 5 years ago.
2007 Endzone Taunting Dance
September 27th, 2010
10:10 am
It was the beginning of the end for richt—no discipline, encouraging players to taunt the opponent, laughing it off. Note to dawg fans: UGA wins that game easy without the taunting—UF wasn’t any good that year. But, Richt learned from the master—the dirty coach bobby bowden! I guess it didn’t work out the same!!!! Enjoy dawgs–you earned it!
AJC Reporter
September 27th, 2010
10:12 am
This just in, Bobo has called a run up the middle on 3&12
PonGT
September 27th, 2010
10:15 am
Vintage Mark Bradley. MB at his best, MR at his worst. 10-9 since Nov 29, 2008. UGA has beome what it was in the early 90’s … mediocre!
UGA finlo
September 27th, 2010
10:19 am
Rincon dawg, Im frustrated too..but who can we replace him with? Smart? ….not proven! Muschamp?….not proven either!! Who??? Its not CMR s fault that the AD gets arrested for a dui and tries to bribe the police..That’s a real bad example for the players.. Let’s just stick with CMR and see what happens..
EmoryDawg
September 27th, 2010
10:23 am
Bill, I agree with everything you have said, mostly. My question is if Richt has the ability to “re-evaluate” the team why are we at this juncture? In other words, he should have been able to observe and to become aware of the problems without having so much devastation before hand. I really think we have to pay attention here to more than just fairness to CMR. The fans, traditions, University, students and also all the players. The coaches and particularly CMR are paid handsomely. Three years of evaluating and tinkering with the minutiae is enough. If he doesn’t have enough self-esteem to resign he should be terminated. I don’t believe his heart is in coaching. As Dooley said, you’ve got to have the fire in your belly. He’s a fine person but he impresses me as somebody trying to get a load up to go to heaven today rather than a BCS bowl in January. Iam est vicis.
rincon dawg
September 27th, 2010
10:39 am
UGA finlo
So your happy being 8-5 last year and 1-3 this year? Give me a break.
Urban Meyer 2 BCS titles with two different QB s
Nick Saban 2 BCS titles with two different teams
Les Miles 1 BCS title
Wake up.
rincon dawg
September 27th, 2010
10:42 am
What about Nevada Coach, Utah, Stanford, Temple? All are crappy programs but winning which is the point
Dawggone
September 27th, 2010
10:44 am
I like Mark Richt he is a good coach, but sometimes you have to make a change and if UGA does not go at least 7-5 and make a bowl (any bowl) he should be let go. Can not blame the little guys you have to sometimes start at the Top
Dawggone
September 27th, 2010
10:46 am
Start Logan Gray back at QB he at least will make better decisions, however Aaron has been productive but at the wrong Times and the Penalties, good me a fudging Break!
DawgieStyle
September 27th, 2010
10:54 am
Dear Coach Richt, I understand that Alpha Pi is trying to build an offensive line for their Greek interleague play. You could let all your guys play and at least the Dawg OL could get some quality extra practice (but they might get hurt). I don’t think I would take a chance on the running backs, and the girls don’t want our defense.
DawgieStyle
September 27th, 2010
11:01 am
Did you notice that MSU made adjustments at half time to shut down what we were doing in the first half? Did you also notice that, as usual, we made no adjustments?
Barnhard Stumptrian
September 27th, 2010
11:07 am
In trouble? Yeah, I heard about those pass due library books.
Hump
September 27th, 2010
11:16 am
Barnie Stumptrian, it’s “past due”. Pass is when you don’t fail as in grammar – in English class.
atlhawkeye
September 27th, 2010
11:20 am
Getting rid of Richt would be one of those mistakes that people will look back on and realize that they jumped the gun. I think changing coaches would make things worse before getting better.
I think Mark Richt is a great coach. But with all of the 4 and 5 star players that Georgia has been fortunate enough to recruit, the problem might be that the coaching staff may not be continuing to coach these players “up” and instead, relying on the talent that got them there.
I look at the difference in one year that Nick Saban made at Alabama. He was able to get much more out of the players than the previous coach. I guess looking at it from that perspective, maybe a new set of lungs and ideas may BE what is in order.
I just hate seeing everyone jumping all over the guy and not allow him to correct what is going wrong. This all seems to have happened since Green graduated.
Do the math.
David Granger
September 27th, 2010
11:26 am
War Damn Eagle
re: Your 9:21
I’ve wondered why Florida let Cam Newton get away, myself. He could sure step right in and run that spread offense perfectly…except for the bible verses under his eyes, he’s about as close to being the same exact player that Tim Tebow was as we’ll ever see. Only real difference is that Cam is a righty, has better passing mechanics, and more speed. Tebow was a great leader, and was the heart and soul of some great teams…remains to see if Cam can become the same, but you have to like what you’re seeing so far.
Vick=Dog killing thug
September 27th, 2010
11:43 am
As bad as the dawgs are playing.. I still have to think they would put a major hurt on GT if they played tomorrow or anytime this year for that matter.
Bruised Dawg
September 27th, 2010
12:01 pm
I think the problem is that Richt has lost his desire to be a college level head coach, considering what one has to put up with. I also think that his heart and calling is in the field of missionary work. Maybe that’s where his talent, desire, and future lie, just waiting for him to realize and accept it.
That does not mean he is inadequate, just means coaching is not where his heart is. There is a whole world of life and happiness outside the world of football and money should not be the determining factor.
Which ever way he goes he has my respect, support, and prayers. He is a mighty good man.
Joey
September 27th, 2010
12:05 pm
Mark–
Richt, in trouble? You’ve got to be joking.
Richt’s ranked top 5 in wins of all 120 active coaches with 5 or more years coaching.
Richt’s ranked in the top 20 for wins SINCE 2005, yes, it has slipped, but Georgia has finishe din the top 10 as recently as 2007 (#2) and 2008 (#10).
Richt ain’t goin anywhere, even if he goes 1-11.
Top Dog
September 27th, 2010
12:22 pm
I do not think CMR can save himself. No way we win 3 out of 5 of our remaining conference games. I hate it to the point it really makes me sick. He just seems to be a defeated man right now and I hope he can pick himself and this team up. He is a Great Man that really represents this University well. I think that he can now clearly see how badly this thing has spiraled and he just does not know where to start. Not Surprising since he has never been there. I surely hope that he has some strong mentors out there that will give him good advice that he will follow. I for one am pulling and praying for him.
Once it happens- Give John Gruden the money. Hands down The Man. He may not come, but its worth a shot.
lizard boy
September 27th, 2010
12:42 pm
Well, aint much to say really—my God hard to believe all this writin about some simple stuff. If you don’t hit hard you aint gonna make it in the SEC. Time to let it all hang out—-what do you have to lose? Its now or never. Aint no joke baby. This all for real now. Play or get smashed the rest of the season because everybody has a target on you now. Most of the SEC teams out there right now probably cant wait to play Georgia. Sad but true.
Bulldog59
September 27th, 2010
1:33 pm
Good read MB….and think you hit it on the head. At the end of the season expect the meeting between McGarity and Richt to result in the dismissal of at least 3 of the 4 current offensive coaches. And yes, their coaching is “offensive” to everyone watching. Richt gets one more year to turn it around.
GOT FIRE?
September 27th, 2010
1:37 pm
Gruden now there is a thought
Dawg gone gittin' it
September 27th, 2010
1:56 pm
Okay, if Marks in trouble, I’d like to throw out a name to consider for coach. MICHAEL VICK!!! He has said his heart is really in training fightin’ Dawgs.
Alabama Dog
September 27th, 2010
1:58 pm
THE ENTIRE COACHING STAFF SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED AFTER THE GAME SATURDAY NIGHT & MADE TO WALK HOME FROM STARKVILLE! This is without a doubt the WORST, MOST EMBARASSING Georgia football team in the last 15 years-BAR NONE!
Kentucky DAWG
September 27th, 2010
2:03 pm
They would fire me where I work and I would have seen it coming and had resumes out by now.