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
Old Gold
September 26th, 2010
2:35 pm
Paul Johnson is the one who needs to be fired!!
TampaGator
September 26th, 2010
2:35 pm
As a Gator fan, I honestly thought this Georgia team was one of the top three teams in the SEC East. If I were a Georgia fan, I would be more upset with A.J. Green than Richt. Here is your top player and one of the best players in the country selling out himself and his team for $1000. With A.J. Green, you don’t lose to both SC and Arkansas…and you certainly don’t lose to Miss. State….and if you are at least 3-1, this would not be the situation it is. Mr. Green….you sold out your coach, your team, and your fans…for $1000. If I were a Georgia fan, I would not want Mr. Green back on my favorite team…as I do not want Chris Rainey back on my Gators. Both sold out those who they were responsible to first. With all the issues in Athens and Gainesville with inappropriate behavior and actions, both Green and Rainey should be the poster players for what happens when you directly make decisions that could directly impact your team and university in a negative way. I hope the University of Florida suspends Rainey for the rest of the year….and Georgia should not be welcoming Mr. Green back with open arms. Obviously Richt will….or he would not have asked for his suspension to be reduced…and I think his (or the University’s) decision to try to get the suspension reduced impacted the attitude of the team in a negative manner…and Green’s actions certainly had a very negative impact on Georgia’s performance on the field in games one through four (maybe not one…but certainly games 2 through 4). Rainey’s actions came at a bad time….and Meyer simply would not address Rainey’s actions other than saying “he is not part of the team”…which sent a strong message to his team….that they are a team…they are not Chris Rainey. By Richt trying to get Green back early….I think he sent an entirely different message to his team…that Green IS the team…and we ARE NOT a team without him. Too bad for Georga…and too bad for Richt…maybe shame on Richt.
Urban Meyer
September 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
I am starting to pity you guys. Might you show you a little kindness this year and only beat you by 30.
dawgfan
September 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
Hey guys, lets hire that Paul Johnson guy. You know, the guy that talks alot tougher than his teams play. The guy that cannot win a bowl game. The guy that gets his doors blown off everytime he takes his high school offense outside of the ACC. The guy who talks trash about teams that just beat him and makes sore loser excuses about bigger fish to fry. The guy who lets his players have rings for a 9-4 season. Yeah, that guy. Lets hire him.
Just a friendly reminder to all the Tech fans out there popping of at the mouth that we are still your daddy. We still own you. If anything, this meltdown we’re having just puts all the more pressure on your joke program to beat us. Imagine if you lose to the worst UGA team in almost 20 years. How embarassing would that be? Only losing to Kansas could top it. No pressure fellas…
Paul's Johnson
September 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
What’s fair weather venting about the team not getting it done and not playing well? I haven’t read one giving up on UGA, other than, maybe doing anything great this season…..
JB
September 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
I can’t believe the product is that bad. We do nothing well except punt and kick a field goal now and then. By the way, Lattimore had 33 yards against Auburn’s no name head coach and Ted Roof for crying out loud.
Beast from the East
September 26th, 2010
2:36 pm
Hang in there, Dawgs! We’ve all been through it before as fans/alums from each of our respective universities.
Like the old saying goes, “what don’t kill ya makes ya stronger”.
Get after it in practice this week and go get ‘em next Saturday!
Herschel Talker
September 26th, 2010
2:38 pm
TampaGator:
Very well said.
HT
dawgfan
September 26th, 2010
2:39 pm
TampaGator, have you seen us play? I have my doubts. You think missing AJ Green is our only problem? What, pray tell, could AJ Green do about a defense that is getting pushed around like a blocking sled? What could AJ Green do about an offensive line that couldn’t block a bunch of grannies in wheelchairs? AJ Green is the least of our worries right now. I had honestly forgot all about him until you just brought him up.
Gator Nation
September 26th, 2010
2:39 pm
Bradley……did you just write, winning the next 8 and beating Florida and Auburn would get Richt out of trouble…………..HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…..have you seen anything that would lead you to believe that this outcome is plausible?
Dawg4eva
September 26th, 2010
2:40 pm
You losers are pathetic….whine, whine, whine….best run in UGA history and you want to replace him because you let your expectations run away with you and you have to blame someone…oh the horror of thinking that maybe this team is just not that good this year!!! whine, whine, whine….it happens, get over yourself! RSF QB, new D scheme with players that were not recruited to play it, O-line (er, Ok, I’m at a loss for that one), Sophomore RB’s still learning to block and run downhill, etc, etc……Who will replace him? Smart? he’s a proven HC, Muschamp? Yep another proven Offensive guru. Careful what you wish for, the green grass you see on the other side may be fertilzed by a pile of donkey doo! But hey, anything is better than going to work on Monday follwing a loss, I mean thats the real reason for the pity party right?! Who cares if CMR has done more for this program that you will ever dream of doing! He “embarrased” you and you’ll show him, won’t you!…boo hoo hoo!!! Get a life..Walk in CMR shoes before you start planning for his future!! Go Dawgs, kick some Colorado butt!!
Captain Allen Waters
September 26th, 2010
2:40 pm
I see niece is not spelled correctly but it has been a long day riding from Kolkata to Mumbai, India on JetAirways as a passenger. Especially after staying up all night to endure the loss to MSU. It is going to be the same all nighter next week for CU. (That is, if I am not scheduled to fly as Captain on Sunday). Boulder is a beautiful place. Any fans going to the game should take the drive up in the Rocky Mtns National Park if hwy34 is open. Remember when their sorry team came to Athens? We just did beat them with the 4th qtr tds, so help us out team by getting a W!
harold
September 26th, 2010
2:40 pm
ALL THE OTHER SEC SCHOOLS HOPE RICHT STAYS. HE HAS LOST 7 OUT OF HIS LAST 9 SEC GAMES AND IS NOW 20-15 OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS. WE HOPE YOU KEEP THIS NICE GUY.
Herschel Talker
September 26th, 2010
2:41 pm
dawgfan:
Well said. The big point is that with AJ Green, we might be 3-1, but that record would be covering up the cancer growing in our program, just like 2008 did. Hopefully this start will get people to realize what some of us have been saying all along, that Richt is the Emperor with no clothes.
HT
Beast from the East
September 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
Tampa Gator,
I’m with you on this one. Both players made stupid decisions, embarassed their schools and need to suffer the consequences. Sit ‘em both out the remainder of the year and IF they can prove they can steer clear of trouble then invite them back for next season. If not, then good luck with whatever the future holds for them. Each team is bigger than ANY one player.
hotdawgs
September 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
coach bozo needs to clean out his office monday morn.his services are no longer needed.CMR needs to start calling plays mon. morn. The ad needs to make a phone call mon.morn to Cach kelly at Oregon to see what it will take to get him at GA next year and can bring anybody he wants to plus whatever it takes to get him here. These players have lost respect for CMR and now can’t wait for this season to be over and will no longer run thru a wall for him. CMR has lost control both on & off the field another player jailed last night. I predict a 5-7 record for the rest of the season. Even if we had greedy AJ on the team we would be 2-2 at this time. Last time i checked mister me AJ didn’t play on defense. I fo one drank the kool-aid during the off season on how this season would pan out i will never ever drink the kool-aid again as long as CMR is there. It is his time to go he has done all he can do at GA time to move on and bring in Coach Kelly to bring in new blood for the team. Hate to even think how many recruits we lose because of this joke of a season but maybe Caoch Kelly can bring 3& 4 stars with him that have a heart and a passion to wear the G on there helments.
Einsteindawg
September 26th, 2010
2:42 pm
I believe that CMR is doing all he can to win…unfortunately, the game has passed him by. The FSU offense/defense of the 90s just doesn’t work that well today as football has become faster. Our “pro-style” offense works great when you have “pro-type” players. Notice how looooooooog it takes for our plays to develop, then watch Bama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Auburn, etc. I would go after Utah’s coach first, and Temple’s next. Just my opinion. (And kick the LB who got arrested this AM off the team)
JB
September 26th, 2010
2:43 pm
The Mark richt era coming to and end was not about last night. It’s just been building to this. The rope is about to snap. it can’t hold the weight much longer. The next 8-10 weeks will tell the tale.
UGALEE
September 26th, 2010
2:44 pm
Thanks, Raleigh. Its not about making fun of Jesus, or religion. Its about football.
JB
September 26th, 2010
2:44 pm
Well, who’s it gonna be ?
Philss
September 26th, 2010
2:45 pm
We “Fair Weather” fans have given Richt 10 years, repeat 10 years, to take this program to a new level. Well, he’s done it, an all time LOW level.
Lets not fall into the same trap the Braves did with Bobby Cox and keep him another 10 years. The Braves should have made a change 10 years ago, Georgia needs to make a change at the end of the year.
Bradley, you still predicting 9-3 ????????????????????
I think 3-9 is more likely.
Phil
September 26th, 2010
2:48 pm
Colorado coming off a bye week, I see another road loss next week. AJ Green can’t do everything, including coaching and calling the plays.
tony
September 26th, 2010
2:49 pm
I knew that Kiffin was a loose cannon when the Raiders got rid of him so why didn’t the Vols know that. I rather watch our young men lose games under a new HC who will make good decisions for the team and know how to get the players to play smart fundamental tough football than to see the same old stupid game managing by the current staff. List of coaches who will make a difference at uga:
1) Chris Peterson – BS
2) Butch Davis – NC
3) Brian Kelly – Cin
4) Mike Martz – Lead the Rams to a SB victory(outstanding OC)
5) Dan Reeves – from the state of GA
6) William Larry Muschamp – from the state of Ga
7) Dennis Green – former NFL coach
JenWill
September 26th, 2010
2:49 pm
This was the most pathetic game I have ever seen. I’ve been saying for three years that Bobo has to go. Watch the Bama games. How many times do you question their play-calling? None. And btw, try living in the Athens area. It’s appropriately called the “Land of Wannabees.”
UGA man
September 26th, 2010
2:50 pm
I’m so disapointed, I already had my tickets for the National Championsip game to watch the “dawgs” be crowned champs!!!. With all these “super-star” recruits and our easy schedule, I just knew we were No.1.
George Stein
September 26th, 2010
2:50 pm
Battle the Saturday after Thanksgiving to see who sucks less in this state. At this point, “running this state” looks like determining who’ll be the tallest midget.
Richt ties Goff with 0-3 SEC start
September 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
” 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.)” Mark Bradley
Mark, what are you thinking?????????????????????????????????????
What pedigree, winning with Donnan players? Richt has absolutely no chance on winning 8 in a row and ZERO chance to beat Florida or Auburn. Actually I expect the dawgs to lose 2 of the next four games. They then lose to Florida and Auburn and have a 50-50 chance to beat Tech. All in all you are looking a 6-6 season, 7-5 at best.
TJ Stroker
September 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
I WANT BRIAN KELLY FROM OREGON. I used the all caps to show I was serious.
JB
September 26th, 2010
2:51 pm
After watching last night, 9-3 would have books written about it….This team will be 4-8
G-heckler
September 26th, 2010
2:52 pm
UGA fans are like a Ford Pinto…hit ‘em in the rear and they burst into flames. Wake up, there is life after football and an endless string of player arrests.
GT man
September 26th, 2010
2:54 pm
Dont worry dawg fans; you’ll get to play our great Al Grohs 3-4 defense; it should be great for 400 rushing and passing yards. Since our fans all dressed in white and made NCST feel at home with their white uniforms, maybe when we play ya’ll, we’ll be told to dress in all red.
Ted Striker
September 26th, 2010
2:54 pm
This has been a disappointing season and Richt clearly needs to wrap his arms around this program — now.
That said, UGA has always had a disproportionately high percentage of boo-birds and fair weather/low-class fans. Even during the Herschel Walker glory years I heard boos in Sanford Stadium directed at Dooley and many key players.
About 65% of UGA’s fans are great. But the rest of them don’t deserve success and perhaps this is just karma for the program. I love UGA but the truth is that 35% of the fans hurt the program more than they help it.
JB
September 26th, 2010
2:54 pm
What’s Jerry Glanville doing ?……………..LOL
JB
September 26th, 2010
2:56 pm
Ted,with all due respect,after watching last night, we are past boo bird phase. We stink
nightmare on elm street
September 26th, 2010
2:56 pm
gee, are there 6 stars players out there? Is there such a thing? 5 stars aren’t getting it done, who knew that you still have to have coaching when your team is loaded with 5 stars
crossdawg
September 26th, 2010
2:58 pm
On top of a really U G L Y game last night, mike adams had the gall to have his girls calling on Sun afternoon while I’m taking a nap,to ask for a donation to UGA.. I shouldn’t have told her what I did.
Hogan
September 26th, 2010
2:59 pm
‘I’m still stunned at what has transpired in Athens.”
So am I, and in a very good way.
Motorcross Junkie
September 26th, 2010
3:00 pm
Richt’s gotta go. You can’t fire 45 players but you can fire one coach (or 6 coaches).
Made famous by Hershel
September 26th, 2010
3:00 pm
Johnny, hate to admit it, but these Dawgs are an embarrassment to the university.
crossdawg
September 26th, 2010
3:01 pm
After the really U G L Y game last night, mike adams has the gall to have his girls wake me from my Sunday nap to ask for a handout. I shouldn’t have talked to her like I did
Mike BooBoo
September 26th, 2010
3:02 pm
I think I’ll run the ball up the middle. Hmm, no yards. Better try it again. If I do with that scheme four out of five times, it will surely work at some point. But again, I have no creativity and should not have a job as AC anywhere in FBS schools.
Bobo has got to go!
Motorcross Junkie
September 26th, 2010
3:02 pm
I was thinking that UGA would beat Missy State like 27-17. Then they geat beat 24-12. The laughing stock of the SEC…
Brunswick Tech
September 26th, 2010
3:03 pm
….just got back from dicks sporting goods and they are all out of Bama caps and shirts. But if any one wants a bulldog cap or shirt they are buy 1 get 3 free. …..lol…. like rats leaving a sinking ship, and headed for higher ground
JB
September 26th, 2010
3:03 pm
Offer Bill Cower 6 mil.
Denver Dog
September 26th, 2010
3:03 pm
Face it Dawg fans, we are NOT an elite program, only in pre season rankings, then we flop.
UGA is a good SEC football school, that’s it. To think we’re better than that is delusional.
Casual Observer
September 26th, 2010
3:04 pm
I continue to read, but again no one is addressing the disipline issues. You got AD Damon Evans example with a woman frolic and dui in Atlanta. You got Regent Leeburn with his woman frolic but he gives money so there is no foul. jeez.. You have have some positive examples and there are none. Richt is sticking his head in the sand, hoping that prayer and devotion will help, and unfortuately unless there is the same devotion and piousness among his players there will be no change.
then there is Adams over paid as he is doing nothing. the whole bunch over there is screwed up. The regents need to rid us of Adams.
The athletic association needs to rid themselves of players that cant follow the rules, they have the oversight use it and take charge.
there needs to be some haircuts and less showoff “lookee here at me” crap.. Recruit kids with want too not with dred locks and gold teeth. get some disipline or you will always be an also run.. Look at U of miami and FSU.. Look at your selves UGA ..
BJ College
September 26th, 2010
3:04 pm
HA! HAHAHA! couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of morons!
JB
September 26th, 2010
3:05 pm
B Tech……………….you did see ya’ll play yesterday didn’t you ?
Doug
September 26th, 2010
3:06 pm
Are U kidding me? Oh and 3 in the SEC in a down year for the league? Embarrassing indeed.
This team has no discipline, no passion, no sense of urgency, CMR go get a damn spray tan, you’ve lost any control u had over this team and program.
JB
September 26th, 2010
3:06 pm
Damn, they just blasted us during the Falcon game in promo for next weeks game