Alas, Georgia’s coaching is no longer championship-caliber
It was another hair-raising loss for UGA and Mark Richt. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
On Oct. 27, 2007, Knowshon Moreno scored to give Georgia a 7-0 lead against Florida, prompting the Bulldogs’ semi-planned and twice-penalized on-field celebration. What you knew: Georgia won that day 42-30, marking the only time Mark Richt’s team has beaten Urban Meyer’s.
What you didn’t know: The day of the Gator Stomp marked the first and last time — in six tries, mind you — a Richt team has taken a lead on Meyer’s.
As disheartening as Richt being 1-5 against Meyer is, the repeated failure to nose ahead even 3-0 is more alarming. It’s a direct reflection of coaching, or the lack thereof. Rule 1 in the Coaching Manual: Get your team ready to play. Sad to say, the Bulldogs under Richt are rarely ready.
Say what you will about Meyer, but the man can coach. His work against Ohio State in Glendale, Ariz., in January 2007 was the greatest coaching performance the BCS title game has ever seen, and his work against Georgia on Saturday was no less inspired. In Jacksonville he took the demonstrably lesser team — anybody see an A.J. Green or a Justin Houston or even an Aaron Murray or an Orson Charles among Gators? — and wrung 450 yards and 34 points from it. Meyer tried everything. Richt’s team tried running the ball on second-and-10 in overtime.
The best you can say about Richt’s coaching is that his players didn’t quit when they fell behind. That’s surely because they’ve had so much practice: Georgia hasn’t led in any of its four SEC losses. South Carolina and Arkansas took the ball first and drove to touchdowns. Georgia took the ball against Mississippi State and went three-and0ut; on Saturday Murray threw an interception on the first snap.
We once considered Richt a splendid gameday coach, but that time is gone. Georgia was 52-13 in Richt’s first five season, reaching the SEC title game three times and winning it twice. It’s 42-19 since. Not coincidentally, Richt’s decline dovetails with Meyer’s rise. (Although it must be noted that Richt has a losing record against three Florida coaches: He was 0-1 against Steve Spurrier, 1-2 against Ron Zook.)
There’s still great talent at Georgia — the old Spurrier knock on Ray Goff now attaches itself to this coach: “Georgia gets all these players; I don’t know what happens to them” — but the coaching has fallen below SEC standards. If we’re looking for the sea-change game, we need underscore Sept. 27, 2008, the night Nick Saban and Alabama came to Athens and not only jumped ahead but led by 31 points after 30 minutes.
Back to Saturday: The Bulldogs got the ball to start overtime, which means the worst they should have done was gain no yards and let Blair Walsh try a 42-yard field goal to put them ahead. Instead Murray threw the ball into stacked coverage and saw the Gators nearly end the game without having to play offense. Murray has had a terrific freshman season and had a fabulous second half, but in the season’s biggest moment he made the one play a quarterback cannot make.
That’s what Georgia under Richt has come to do: It makes the one play to lose a game, as opposed to David Greene throwing to Verron Haynes in Knoxville or to Michael Johnson in Auburn. (Or even Matthew Stafford throwing to Mikey Henderson in Tuscaloosa.) Georgia under Richt has become the toothless tiger — the team everyone respects but nobody fears.
Richt’s 10-year body of work stands as a mighty argument for administrative patience. More current events suggest the Richt of 2010 isn’t the Richt of yesteryear. It took four full seasons under this coach and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder for Georgia to lose 10 games. The Bulldogs lost five times last year, changed defensive coordinators and have already lost five times this.
And now Richt’s gifted Bulldogs have fallen to the worst Florida team Meyer has fielded. In a year where the SEC East was ripe for a young team to rise up and march to the Georgia Dome, that team will not be Mark Richt’s. He’s no longer a championship coach. Dating back to Nov. 29, 2008, his Bulldogs are 13-11, which means he’s barely even a winning coach.
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1,352 comments Add your comment
Iknowwhy
October 31st, 2010
8:42 pm
What qualifies Mark Bradley do have any knowledge about coaching?
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:43 pm
Fake Tampa Gator….I believe they kick you off forever if you steal someone’s blog name and post something like you did at 8:32. Maybe you will be lucky and Bradley will not read and catch you this time.
The said thing
October 31st, 2010
8:43 pm
My boss fired me for only getting 2 out of 10 projects done. Said I wasn’t productive enough to make all that money to complete 20% of my job in the last 10 years.
FLA DAWG
October 31st, 2010
8:43 pm
Tampa Gator,
With three losses and such an impressive win over Great UGA this season your words are worthless.
Do you know that Dawgs read only one of your 100 sentences and then rightfully respond that you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Dawg Nation is well aware our team stinks – we dropped 4 in a row to the worst of The SEC.
For UF to have to go to OT to beat our sorry team means The Gators are as close to stinky as we are.
Did you graduate from UF or are you a Convenience Store Worker on I 95?
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
Stop coping me Fake TampaGator @ 8:32 I might not be a productive member to this BLOG.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:47 pm
Enter your comments here
DawgVoiceofReason
October 31st, 2010
8:47 pm
Why do so many people not know the difference between “lose” and “loose”? It is really unbelievable.
HitaSingle
October 31st, 2010
8:48 pm
TampaGator – Yea Rainey would like to kiss it.
teacher
October 31st, 2010
8:49 pm
I wonder if UGA is still looking for his replacement. After all who would that be? I mean the most basic piece of the puzzle in SEC football is a very strong running game and every year—-its the same ol deal at Georgia—-no running game to speak of—-and now I am sure all of the good backs are going to other colleges.
Is it impossible for a nobody to step in at UGA and say—from now on we are going to have a strong running attack——
Kingston Gator
October 31st, 2010
8:49 pm
Another Ga.-Fla. game, another Gator victory. It’s become so routine that it’s almost boring. Doesn’t matter who your coach is. We OWN you. Learn to live with it.
HitaSingle
October 31st, 2010
8:49 pm
The said Thing – Anybody can wait on 10 booths. You must have really been loafing or eating all the profits.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:50 pm
Someone please post the blog rules for all to see since someone is faking blog names. We sure don’t want anyone kicked off.
HitaSingle
October 31st, 2010
8:51 pm
Will the real TampaGator stand up, I am confused.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:51 pm
Fake Tampa Gator….
I jumped on the Gator bandwagon in the late 60’s when John Reaves was throwing TDs to Carlos Alvarez and stuck with them while attending school in the early 70’s when the Gators were horrible….went and shouted at every game when I was on campus….but I have to admit…I went mostly because of the gorgeous cheerleaders on the sidelines….one was my girlfriend at the time. I have cheering and sticking with them ever since…..ANSWER YOUR QUESTION and bandwagoning?
mayor bob
October 31st, 2010
8:53 pm
Got an idea….going forward..let’s play Florida the 1st game of the season….that way when we lose…we don’t have to fret till the end of October to deal with the hurt of losing ..it hurts worse later in the season…
JB
October 31st, 2010
8:53 pm
Auburn runs off Tuberville….. Now.#1 in BCS in year TWO OF NEW MAN….Go figure……..As the Auburn people said ” Gene who” when hired….LOL………. I’ve seen enough. Pull a Bama and put a stud in Athens……..Richt was a gamble when he was hired…..Too much talent in Georgia to be floundering…………..
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:53 pm
Also….one of the reasons I have been such a Brantley fan…..his dad was the triple option QB on a real lousy Gator team in the early 70’s….and I loved the team because they played every team tough…played their hearts out. This tells you how bad they were…their “middle guard”….yes…they called the nose guard…middle guard then….weighted 185 pounds…but was as tough as they come.
The said thing
October 31st, 2010
8:55 pm
HitaSingle-
Actually I was trying to put CRMs job into a hard working individuals realm. And as for me I am on one of my very few days off in the sand box protecting my countries intrests. So have a good night sleep.
Bottom line....
October 31st, 2010
8:55 pm
CMR is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Combined with his buddy Bobo, it’s dumb and dumber.
I will say this.. When you have a flaming nut case facist as a University President, the FB coach’s job is difficult.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:56 pm
HitaSingle…..I think I know who the fake one is…I think it starts with a…..D…..and ends with a “ster”….am I right…Hita Single…I mean Dawgster. Only Bradley knows for sure…..and I sure wish he would tell us. Maybe he will.
JaxDawg
October 31st, 2010
8:57 pm
I AM TIRED GIVING MONEY TO THE UGA FOR TICKETS AS WELL AS VARIOUS SCHOOLS. I AM EMBARASSED AND WITH THIS COACHING STAFF WE WILL NEVER BEAT THE GATORS OR THE SEC. BOBO IS GLUELESS. HIRE A NEW TEAM OF COACHES AD GREG MCGARITY. ALSO, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE TO STOP GIVING THE GATORS ONE WEEK OFF TO REST AND HEAL THERE WOUNDS AND PAY THE GOVERNMENT OFF TO GET THERE CROOKS OUT OF JAIL OR FELONY CHARGES!
mayor bob
October 31st, 2010
8:57 pm
Got an idea….let’s play Florida the 1st game of the season…that way we get the pain of losing to them out of the way…it just hurts more losing in October….
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:58 pm
TampaGator here
….and that was not me at 8:50….and maybe Bradley will honor your request….fake Tampa. I sure hope so.
You are who we think you are
October 31st, 2010
8:59 pm
Most folks who think Georgia can’t tolerate this downturn have lost any grasp of Georgia history. Fire Richt and Georgia history indicates you’ll do far worse. Some fans were lulled into a sense of unrealistic expectations by Richt’s parade of 10-win seasons and top-five and top-10 poll finishes. This downturn is right in line with Georgia history. Go back and look at Wally Butts’ year-by-year record. Look at the seven-win seasons in Dooley’s record. How difficult would it be to pick a date in Dooley’s history and count out a 13-11 record? Richt has delivered two SEC championships, a third appearance in the SEC title game and all those New Year’s Day bowl games and now folks think Georgia should do better? Good luck. But you’d do better by taking a reality pill. This is Georgia. You are who we think you are, even if you refuse to believe it.
RT
October 31st, 2010
8:59 pm
Great article Mark,you are right, Richt has lost his swagger! Time for a change.One more year want change anything.6-6 or 5-7 this year.No AJ next year!We want be any better next year.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
8:59 pm
mayor Bob….
Good idea….then Meyer will have the entire spring and summer to prepare for the Dawgs….well….maybe not such a great idea for your Dawgs health.
The said thing
October 31st, 2010
9:01 pm
HitaSingle-
I was just trying to put CRM’s production against any hard working person out there. As for myself I am in the sand box on one of my very few days off. I am here, would you like if I only gave you 20% of my abilities. I mantain 100% so you can sleep at night in a free country. Thanks for being understanding to my parody.
thwg
October 31st, 2010
9:01 pm
Can’t wait till Nov 27 to slam the door on the dawgs bowl hopes! Statement as to how pathetic the bowl system is and how little it means when a team like UGA can get to one. AU gives the dawgs loss #6 and then we get to give ‘em number 7 – love it.
But please don’t fire Richt. We love both he and Bobo!
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
Finally…..
for those complaining about Florida having the week off before the Jax game…and that is the main reason Florida wins.
Well….a year or two ago….Georgia had the week off before the game and Florida didn’t….and Florida won by over 30 points….so…it isn’t the week off is it….more like better coaching and better talent…don’t you think.
Good night. I am still in a fog from driving home last night….
Maybe they will make it home and home…..so at least one year I can just drive 2 hours to watch the Gators win again against the Dawgs….and fly…instead of drive to Atlanta…and ride over with friends to Athens….and the Gators did just fine….scored over 50 in their one visit to Athens….what was your excuse then?
When can the game be moved. I am all for it.
Pat
October 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
Mark Bradley sucks. Confirmed. Schultz takes a dump on MB’s chest.
He Hate Gator
October 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
I don’t know which group of losers is hurting the university more, those who don’t think the program is or has slipped, or those that think its the players fault…
Delbert D.
October 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
TampaGator – (the *real* one) – Cavs over Canes, I didn’t see that coming.
ckgator
October 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
MARK:
No play makers on Florida’s squad? Ever hear of Demps? Rainey? Hill? And now Burton? They made a few plays on Saturday.
Amazing how people in Georgia are so impressed with the Dogs’ talent, yet how seldom they beat Florida. Your heroes aren’t all that, folks. In truth, the game should not have been that close.
Richt is as good as it gets for Georgia. Don’t make the mistake of being the next Tennessee.
The said thing
October 31st, 2010
9:06 pm
HitaSingle-
Pardon me for trying to make a parody to hard working american poeple.
As for myself I am on a very few and far between day off. For I am in the Middle East protecting the intrest of America. Would you want me to mantain a 20% completion rate. I don’t thank so. So please have a good night sleep on me.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
9:06 pm
I hear they are playing the World Series tonight….anyone care? Baseball is so…..so….so…..boring….if the Braves are not playing.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
9:08 pm
Bradley is now blocking me….don’t know why….I am not the one faking my posting name.
But…if this goes through….Delbert….
No….but Mark Richt probably is now glad the Canes lost….maybe the door for him to return to Miami got a little wider.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
9:09 pm
Thanks….and good night. The real TampaGator.
The said thing1
October 31st, 2010
9:09 pm
woot
Gregory
October 31st, 2010
9:10 pm
Looks like the Lone Blogger, aka Sir Post a Lot, is busy here under all his various fake names.
Hi thwg/TampaGator/RT/HitA—-etc.
99% of these posts are the same dude trying to act like a bunch of Richt dissenters.
Blah, blah, blah.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
9:11 pm
….and all….a good night. Still in recovery from the long drive home last night. Take rest Dawg fans…..summer is just around the corner.
The said thing1
October 31st, 2010
9:13 pm
HitaSingle-
Sorry you didnt get the parody I made. As far as me I am sitting here on a few and far between day off in the Middle East. You would not tolerate me doing my job at 20%, and I make no where near the paycheck of CRM. So please have a great night’s sleep tonight on me.
TampaGator
October 31st, 2010
9:13 pm
Gregory….not the case. But nice try….fake Tampa.
He Hate Gator
October 31st, 2010
9:15 pm
In any endeavor where you are the 6th highest paid person doing the job, then your work results should reflect that…if not either bring in someone who does reflect that, or find someone else for at much less the salary….
Nut Job
October 31st, 2010
9:17 pm
Richt’s record at UGA vs. SEC teams that really matter plus GT and Bowl games…Looks pretty darn good except the obvious dark cloud at the top…
UGA vs. Florida 2-8
UGA vs. Auburn 6-3
UGA vs. SC 7-3
UGA vs. LSU 3-3
UGA vs. Alabama 3-1
UGA vs. Tenn 6-4
UGA vs. Arkansas 5-1
UGA vs. Vandy 9-1
UGA vs. Kentucky 8-2
UGA vs. GT 8-1
UGA vs. Bowl Team 7-2
Let's Talk About UGA!
October 31st, 2010
9:21 pm
DawgNation,
Our half-bulldog, half-chihuahua, (we call him Uga VIII’s little white-trash cousin) was hit by a car while trick-or-treating this evening — right there in front of Mama’s trailer.
Mama said that the death of Uga VIII’s little white-trash cousin was almost as scary as UGA’s a$$-kicking yesterday.
Please,
A moment of silence.
If I didn’t truly believe that my beloved dawgs needed me, as much as they do, I’d run out in front of a car myself.
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
saban
October 31st, 2010
9:23 pm
And the beatdowns go on and on.
Auburn wins by 30. Richt holds a sermon at Clark County Correctional after the game letting the lads know losing by 30 points is only a small step in life. He tells the squad, hey I make 56000 a week and wining is not such a big deal.
GTBob
October 31st, 2010
9:23 pm
I don’t think UGA will ever be a great team under Richt but can you really fire him at this point? Who do you replace him with? Most of the good coaches out there are already taken by programs better then UGA or wouldn’t come to UGA because they are waiting for other opportunities. UGA is kinda stuck right now.
UGA1970
October 31st, 2010
9:26 pm
Unfortunately, I must agree this time. The team was obviously not ready. What do you have to do to get a team ready for Florida in Jax? Shouldn’t be much to juice them up but the staff didn’t do it. It was almost like – hey, they’re the Gators and look what they’ve done to us so many times so let’s just let it happen. Then you have the very best receiver in the country – and you don’t use him until LATE in the game and NEVER in ot. Come on folks! Definitely not chanpionship caliber.
Dogs with rise again
October 31st, 2010
9:27 pm
Many fans of the Georgia have accused the AJC and Mark Bradley of an anti-Georgia and anti-Richt bias. I haven’t been one of them. However, when Mr. Bradley
wrotes: “In Jacksonville he took the demonstrably lesser team — anybody see an A.J. Green or a Justin Houston or even an Aaron Murray or an Orson Charles
among Gators? — and wrung 450 yards and 34 points from it.” I must take exception. If you look at the Scout and Rival recruiting from 2005 – 2010. (Honestly,
I don’t know how much stock should be place in these rankings, but we must start somewhere. And, at the very least people at Scout and Rival
put a lot more time and energy in evaluating these things then I do.) Florida has an average ranking of 5.7 and 8 and points of 2480.33 and 3707 by Rival and
Scout respectively. Georgia, over the same time frame, has an average ranking of 8.5 and 9.2 and points of 2037 and 3078.17 by Rival and Scout respectively.
Whereas Georgia has had a top five ranking by Scout in 4 out of 6 of those years, Florida has had a top 3 ranking in 5 out of 6 years by Rival, including 2
rankings of number one rankings by Rival and a consensus ranking of number one in 2007 by Scout and Rival. You are right Florida did not have an A. J. Green,
Justin Houston, Aaron Murray or Orson Charles, but these are special players. And, A. J. Green is very special. I still don’t believe I saw what I saw when Green
made “the catch”. And, there isn’t another A. J. Green in all of college football. But, Georgia did not have a demonstrably edge in talent. At best, the talent
was even with Florida having a slight edge. And in this day and age coaching starts with recruiting. But, the primary role of a coach, especially a head coach,
is a leader. And how do you gauge leadership?: By how willing those you are leading are willing to follow. Or to paraphrase Mark Richt, whether the players are
willing to do it the way coach say to do it, because coach say to do it that way. The kids on the Georgia’s football team played their hearts out on Saturday.
Which is one reason, I still love them to death. And why did they play that way? Because they believe in in Coach Richt and the coaching staff. Whereas I too
get frustrated with the Georgia’s overally system. However, Coach Richt is still a great leader and thus a great Coach.
GDawg
October 31st, 2010
9:29 pm
Once again, The Gay-turds have come out of the word-works to post after UGA lost! Congratulations! You had 2 weeks off to prepare, we made 4 turnovers to the Gay-turds 1. We take that piece of crap team to OT even AFTER all of that. Yes, you did win. NO, you won’t be going anywhere in January. You will have the exact same record as UGA at the end of the year after FL State and South Carolina wipe their butts with your sorry team. ENJOY…