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
'87Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:34 pm
For those who think a coach doesn’t make a difference, i point to 3 programs.
Florida- stayed on top with Myer hire.
Alabama- regained championship form with Saban.
Boise St- they don’t have superior talent, but great coaching.
UGA is regressing fast both on & off the field and needs to act quickly with changes.
They need to determine what those changes are, but something needs to be done ASAP!
Ga. Southern
September 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
La.-Lafayette, as a member of FCS, I resent your comment. FCS teams have some big wins over so-called BCS conference teams this year. We’d gladly play Georgia this year and whup their ass.
Dawg Trainer
September 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
As a Tennessee fan, Georgia’s season comes down to our game in Athens. Coach Dooley will have the Vols ready to play. If we beat you in Athens, your staff had better start updating the resumes.
dawgsfan1990
September 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
if you fire Richt now, you’re looking at 2-3 more years of mediocrity as the new coach gets his own recruits, the players learn his system and everything else. Bobo’s run left, run right, throw an 8 yard slant and 3rd and 9 offense has got to go but Richt should get at least 2 more years. the biggest worry i have is the arrests. every team, coach, program has an off year once in awhile, well except florida maybe…a five loss year this year is not the end of the world…as long as the coaches and team learn and grow from it.
wawel78
September 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
who was first choice? I ask b/c I don’t remember.
AHS
September 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
Georgia’s “new defense” couldn’t stop a crack head!
bruce mac
September 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
It continues to amaze me how many stupid rednecks call themselves Dawg fans. A DUI makes you no part of a Gangsta or Thug. However, your comments do make you a racist.
Obvious
September 26th, 2010
12:35 pm
UGA has obviously coddled and promised an NFL path to some of these 5 Star recruits. And then you Dawg fans wonder why they get arrested. When it’s all about “me” these 5 Star recruits are less worried about Georgia’s reputation than their ability to get into the NFL.
If I were AJ Green I would be on eBay selling a dozen jerseys just so I could avoid the rest of the season and get a few bucks before entering the draft. At least AJ wouldn’t be subject to injuries on the field and the embarrassment of being a Georgia Bulldog. Maybe AJ saw what was coming and had it right all along!
MaJo
September 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
These players are afraid of whatever punishment that Richt gives out, because he slaps them on the wrist by suspending them for games against out-of-conference patsies. They probably don’t want to play in those games anyway, especially the first-team players.
dawgsfan1990
September 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
doh…meant throw an 8 yard slant on 3rd and 9….
Jason
September 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
When are the players going to step up to the plate? Stop with the coaches…players need to execute…they need to stop fumbling inside the 5 yard line (how many times has that happened?).
Loren Smith Jr.
September 26th, 2010
12:37 pm
We must seriously consider the candidacy of Bobby Petrino.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
12:38 pm
Perfect day The Dawgs replay is on CSS and Titanic is on TBS. No, they really are to different but similar stories.
G
September 26th, 2010
12:38 pm
I finally agree that it’s time for a change. Besides the pathetic offense and turnovers the dawgs still look soft and don’t play with fire and intensity. The d has givin up way to many big plays but have kept us in the game and the offense gives them no help with turnovers and three and out. Still can’t believe Richt said we were improving after the loss to Ark. Im tired of other teams doing more with less and the dawgs do less with more. Time for Adams and Mcgarity to fly to Austin.
You Ain't-Know Gaily Whacker
September 26th, 2010
12:38 pm
Reporter: What will happen to the player arrested for DUI this morning ?
Greg: He will be suspended for the season. It’s no wonder we can’t hold onto the ball, our players can’t even find a door knob. They have the DTs–not the football kind. They are seeing bats, rats, snakes, and real bulldogs.
Here is a video of Demetre, made at five o’clock this morning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A6yi_2pLLM
The reason we fumble at the goal line is someone in the stands turns on a flashing blue light.
The announcers last night referred to us as Georgia, and Mississippi State as The Bulldogs.
Michael
September 26th, 2010
12:39 pm
Win the next 8?? Are you nuts? There’s absolutely no reason to believe this team is going to win the next 1, forget about 8. At this point the only win I’m fairly certain of is Idaho State. We may lose the rest, and yes that includes Colorado, Vandy & Kentucy.
I fumble this state
September 26th, 2010
12:41 pm
Not even shreveport will want us back this year. We are a joke.
Phat Phil Phulmer
September 26th, 2010
12:42 pm
Richt could not be in any more trouble right now if he had gotten one of UGA’s mocha cheerleaders pregnant… one of the MALE ones.
JeJe
September 26th, 2010
12:42 pm
Every single week people say “this week is Richt’s biggest game at UGA.”
STOP MAKING EXCUSES. FIRE HIM. MB SAYS HE WON’T BE FIRED AFTER THE YEAR? WHY? BECAUSE WE’D HAVE TO PAY HIM? GET RID OF THIS ARROGANT GARBAGE COACH
FLA DAWG
September 26th, 2010
12:42 pm
BIG DAWG,
You make a very, very good point.
We will all find out what kind of man Richt really is.
When this season is over with the worst win/loss record in over a decade Richt will show us if he is the kind of man he represents himself as being.
The proof is exactly as Big Dawg states. If the man uses his contract to stay instead of doing what is right for the players, alumni, school, fans, etc then we’ll know all of his, “goody two shoes boy” stuff was / is a front.
mike
September 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
I agree with J Clay, MR’s heart is not into making UGA a championship team any longer. His priorities changed three years ago and I totally understand why he made the change. UGA will never have a national championship team under MR.
UA Alum92
September 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
Having watched UGA vs. Miss State shortly after the Bama vs. Arkansas game, the thing that really struck me was how slow Georgia looked. I know UGA has great recruits with world class speed, they just don’t seem to play very fast on either side of the ball which I believe you can attribute to intensity. There just doesn’t seem to be any sense of urgency and that has to be chalked up to coaching. Thoughts?
Billybob
September 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
Bobo’s play-calling is the problem here. Georgia was a couple of plays away in all three losses this year and I don’t agree that Richt should go. The Defense has given them a chance to win, but Bobo has proven he is not the man to call the plays…..start here and then re-evaluate at the end of the year.
1eyedJack
September 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
CMR’s comments are certainly not a vote of confidence for Bobo. If he should wish to replace him at this point in the season he should look no further than across the Sunday dinner table. Brother-in-law Brad Johnson. Played for Richt at FSU, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl QB.
The offense is installed already. You’re certianly not going to trash the playbook now, but if you want somebody to call the plays and coach QBs he’s available. And he’s family so surely he’s been watching the games.
azdawg
September 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
It was one of the few times I saw disgust and anger on CMR’s face after his team and players threw TD away by fumbling and penalties (ball hit Rambo on punt). It was actually one of the few high points of watching a team w/supposed talent get pushed all over MSU football turf. What a terrible display of “blind” play calling on 3rd downs. You’d think the UGA DC would take a page from MSU’s DC by blitzing instead of laying back and putting no pressure whatsoever on MSU QB. Both the OC and DC have to go. To be honest, I have not seen anything to make me AND MANY DAWG FANS think any UGA coach should retain their jobs. I was considering going to the CO game but not anymore. Win or lose, this teams play is too painful to watch. It’ll take a miracle to beat AU, FL, and dare say the remaining SEC teams on GA’s schedule.
Iy hurts to say CMR has to go but it certainly is looking that way unless drastic changes to coaching are made. Jim Harbough get your resume ready.
Jonathan
September 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
I think you guys should join the Big East or Conference USA… its obvious that the SEC is to much for you guys to handle…
Phat Phil Phulmer
September 26th, 2010
12:44 pm
Why don’t you all trade coaches with Tennessee and make EVERYBODY happy?
(Outside of Knoxville, that is!)
OK look
September 26th, 2010
12:44 pm
Richt is a good Coach, you can only play with what you have, and the 3 2 D the kids don’t what they are doing yet I am sick of people acting like if you are UGA fan start acting like all team go throw something like this from time to time, hang in there with the dawgs. Adam has already said rickt isnot anywhere till after the 2011 season, you change things on these guy there are bond to some loses untill the get used to the new game play. and yes Rickt’s heart is here I have met the man and the players think the world of Rickt and think about this to we had one of star players out for 4 games, the NCAA slapped UGA hard there too, I think once we have our hold team bacvk on the flied they can turn the season around. so stop with the wishy washy fans.
Insider
September 26th, 2010
12:44 pm
BOBO NEEDS TO RESIGN ASAP. LET RICHT CALLL PLAYS AND EVALUATE AT THE END OF THE SEASON. I DO FEEL WE NEED A NEW DIRECTION. AGAIN LOYALTY TO PLAYERS AND COACHES COME BACK TO HAUNT US. MY EARLY LIST OF CANDIDATES TO REPLACE RICHT. MUSCHAMP,STOOPS, GRUDEN, SMART, PETERSON.
SonofaDawg
September 26th, 2010
12:44 pm
Listen to how the so-called “college football” experts on 680 spin this one. It’ll be quite intersting to hear their explainations for why Saint Mark Richt needs to stay in Athens(only to piss everybody off of course)!
turkeycaller
September 26th, 2010
12:45 pm
The program IS a reflection of the type kids UGA gets and the current work ethics of the staff. That very statement is also true of the other schools. Playing with heart and hustle apparently is not a by product of this group.
Horrible playing
September 26th, 2010
12:45 pm
“Washout” Ealy, I mean “Washout Early” left the ball in the end zone.
Chili Dog
September 26th, 2010
12:46 pm
Mark Richt’s in trouble? Ya Think?
Thank you Captain Obvious for your incredible insight.
dawg gone
September 26th, 2010
12:46 pm
uga is like other schools..if you don’t win expect to be gone. I love Richt and don’t believe its all his fault but the buck stops with him. He has to be man enough to fire the ones that need be and kick off dead A@@ players that get drunk and go to jail. That has become a weekly joke. I pray for coach Richt and his players.
Billybob
September 26th, 2010
12:46 pm
Johnathan,
Just curious who you root for….
UGALEE
September 26th, 2010
12:46 pm
Jesus was a good man, I hear…. but would he have been a good football coach?
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
September 26th, 2010
12:47 pm
I tucked my tail and left the stadium. To make matters worse, some of the players and coaches were mouthing off to the Mississippi State folks on the way off the field. I got home and found another player was arrested this morning. Coach Richt looked bad on television this morning. White and pasty like my painted a$$. I think the hoodlum factor on this team may have caught up with us. It is a sad day for UGA football.
NCR
September 26th, 2010
12:47 pm
The worst thing would be for Richt to actually win enough games this year (5-6) to make a case for keeping his job.
Krebs
September 26th, 2010
12:47 pm
Hurts to watch this. CMR is a coach you would entrust your son to. But he has lost institutional control of this program. He is too nice and everyone is in a comfort zone. The players will miss him when he is gone.
ReddJonn68
September 26th, 2010
12:47 pm
Well Mark, no one can question whether Mark Richt is a good person, but what is in question is his coaching skills & ability to control his players ? I’m sorry, but Richt has not been able to deliver on the latter part. I think the only reason he has had any success, is due to the fact our state remains a top provider of talent. He just does not have that intangibles needed to win in the biggest football conference in the nation. I wish him well, but the time has come to close this chapter in UGA football history.
Casual Observer
September 26th, 2010
12:47 pm
The problems that are facing UGA are tatimount to the situation of to much hype for foootball players, too much party level in the students, an overaggessive Athens/Clark/ UGA police forse and too much idle time.
Most of the kids that are getting into trouble are from families that are not well to do, and most of them have no money. They are cast into a melting pot of PARTY town USA and are not supervised to the extent that they should be. They are also so required to be a part of football and NCAA rules so they cant get off season jobs to save some money to go to school with. They save the simple stipend they are given for road trips so they will have just a little money to have to spend.
These players are at UGA to make the coaches look good and to continue their (coaches) carrers. Less than 50% of football players graduate. If not for football schlarships less than 10 % of the football team based on SAT and ACT scores could even get into the univercity. There is way to much of a liberal appraoch to disipline as a whole. Tatoos, thug hairstyles, xbox image, and showoff mentality is way to previlent.
What ever punishment for missed tackles, fumbles, blown assaignments, missed blocks, poor choices, breaking team rules isnt working to solve the displine problems. There is way to much catering to the stars of the team, while the rest go lacking, a sort of do see dont tell attitude prevails among those that are supposed to supervise.
The overall problem with UGA football is lack of disiplne among the UGA coaches, players, administrators, Georgia regents and president.
Castle Pines Canine
September 26th, 2010
12:48 pm
It appears to be a big dissension on offense. Is it possible that the line doesn’t want to block for Bobo plays. Is there something between Searles and Bobo. Is that where the problem is now? We hit the slilp screen for a big gainer. We don’t run it again. We run the stretch play with Carlton Thomas cutting back. Don’t try it again. We leave a linebacker one on one with the running back on defense. Even Josh Nesbitt can hit that pass. This line is supposed to be the best in the conference. They can’t block anybody. Change the game plan, fix the covereage. Be good or be gone!
Dave
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
Don’t listen to 680, tune in to Paul Finebaum on XM. He put Richt on the hot seat last year. Hmmmmmmmmm….
Alumnuts
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
Putty in the house.
Bulldog fan
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
Need an OC. BOBO is no OC. Richt did a better job calling plays. Its bad when the broadcasters knew what he was running. Its all about the W. CUT HIM LOOSE and find an OC.
Cardinal Sin
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
GA like most other programs needs to get the THUGS off of their teams, and start recruiting kids who not only get it done on the football field, but in the classroom as well. In other words, if you can not quaify acdemically, you don’t play for a university at the Div 1 level. That is the problem here to me. We have too many takers on this team and not enough TEAM PLAYERS!
Gators win the East again 2010!
Enough Said!
Dawgs73
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
dcbl – “he gets AT LEAST one more year unless we lose the rest of our games”…What???? If you think that Bobo is calling the plays without Richt’s input, then you are delusional.
Richt is 100% responsible for everything you are seeing on the field. He hired Martinez, not because he was the best D.C. available, but because he didn’t want to be overshadowed by his D.C. Martinez was a HORRIBLE coordinator and yet he still held his job (that he didn’t deserve) for 4 years. Now, you have Bobo who is Richt’s puppet and he clearly has not brought a system that successfully utilizes his players strenghts.
Richt is the CEO of UGA and he has shown that he is not capable of adjusting to trends, staying on the cutting edge, and making improvements to this program. He lacks the competence to hold his positiion as coach (as the level of the SEC competition has passed hime) and should gracefully step down. If any of you think that he is capable of changing his stubborn, unproductive ways, then you need to take your rose colored glasses off and be objective. It’s time for him to gracefully step down or he needs to be fired.
dobearsbare
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
Mark, you’ve sugar-coated this. A middling SEC team is putting it kindly. UGA is looking up at middling. It would not surprise me to find that Idaho State is looking forward to its date at Sanford Stadium. Seriously, other than that game, it’s a struggle to look at the rest of the schedule and find a win.
Ed
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
If you want to know what’s wrong with the two Georgia programs, check out the picture on Bradley’s Georgia Tech article. It looks like NC State is gang-tackling Medusa.
No way in hell a player wears his hair like that on my team. Does he carry a purse around in the locker room? Coaches who can’t even enforce basic grooming standards can’t expect to maintain discipline. Richt is exhibit A – Georgia has several players on the team that have interesting hairstyles, probably more than Tech.
John Wooden once called Bill Walton’s bluff about quitting the team when the coach insisted that he shave and cut his hair. Walton stayed, and UCLA won championships. Any b-ball coach in the country would have sold his soul for a player like Walton, but Wooden wasn’t bending the rules for ANY prima donna. Walton worships Wooden to this day. That’s integrity and leadership. Richt is actually doing these players a disservice by trying to be their friend.
I fumble this state
September 26th, 2010
12:49 pm
isn’t it funny how we rag on the acc? I bet we couldn’t beat Wake Forest or Maryland. We suck…