Question: Will it ever get better for Mark Richt at UGA?
Has Mark Richt run out of steam? (AP photo)
AUBURN, Ala. — On the weekend of Cam-demonium, the Georgia Bulldogs were rendered a footnote. But one snippet of semi-news did emerge Saturday morning, courtesy of the Denver Post: Colorado is apparently interested in Mark Richt to fill its coaching vacancy.
And that might be the best for all concerned: Richt to the Rocky Mountains and a new challenge, Georgia spared a decision no program wants to make. Namely, when and how do you say goodbye to a man who lifted your program but seems incapable of further lifting?
In Year 2 under Gene Chizik, the Auburn Tigers clinched the SEC West by winning Saturday. In Year 10 under Richt, the Georgia Bulldogs fell to 5-6.
Said Bacarri Rambo, the safety: “I never thought the University of Georgia could be 5-6.”
Said Akeem Dent, the linebacker: “That would not make sense to anybody.”
It doesn’t make sense, but it’s grim reality. Georgia was 8-5 last season, its worst under Richt, and it will be worse this time — worse with 10 of 11 offensive starters returning plus a hotshot quarterback making his debut, worse with a $750,000 defensive coordinator hired as a presumed upgrade.
Georgia took a 21-7 lead on the nation’s No. 2 team Saturday, whereupon Todd Grantham’s defense yielded touchdowns on six of the next seven possessions. Yes, Auburn has a great offense, and yes, after days of uncertainty the famous Cam Newton not only played but played beautifully. Still: Had the Bulldog defenders even practiced?
Linebacker Justin Houston on Newton: “He didn’t do anything special.”
Then, asked how Auburn could score seven touchdowns and amass 463 yards: “Blown assignments — that’s what has been going on all season.”
How could a defense still be making mistakes in its 11th game? Have players not yet learned the scheme? Houston again: “I guess not. Some guys are not as focused as they need to be.”
That indictment of Grantham is a greater indictment of Richt. The failing of Georgia this season hasn’t been skill or desire but stamina. Players appear to tire, and even the coaching seems to flag.
Georgia had it going Saturday. The Bulldogs were throwing deep off play-action — Auburn doesn’t play much D, either — and running hard, and then coordinator Mike Bobo ordered a direct snap to receiver Branden Smith that gained nothing on second-and-five and blunted a second-quarter drive. Why throw a change-up when they haven’t hit your fastball?
Soon the game was tied, and Richt lost his nerve. Georgia took the ball at its 21 with 51 seconds left in the half and one timeout remaining. It ran a draw to Caleb King and let time expire, content in the belief that it would take possession to begin the second half.
“I guess we didn’t want to make a crazy mistake,” said A.J. Green, who to that point had caught five passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns against Ted Roof’s overmatched secondary. “We took the safe way out.”
Only it wasn’t safe. Chizik called for an onside kick. Auburn retook the lead without Georgia touching the ball. Richt said he told his kickoff-return squad to be wary of such a maneuver. He also said: “I guess you could only tell them so many times.”
Make no mistake: Auburn was the better team. But Georgia had a chance here, and its coaching failed. Same as in Jacksonville. Same as in Starkville. The same thing, again and again.
Richt on this saddening season: “A few key plays, if they went the other way, we win.” Then: “Teams that win championships win close games. We haven’t won a close game yet.”
For the record, Richt spoke in the same room that housed his triumphant press briefing Nov. 16, 2002, the day Georgia beat Auburn in an excruciatingly close game to clinch the SEC East. There was a time when Richt’s teams were the aggressor throughout, when they made the requisite plays at the end. No longer.
Asked about Colorado, Richt smiled and said: “Georgia is my home.”
Asked about Richt, the newly minted Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said: “I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
And yet you wonder if it will ever get better for Mark Richt at Georgia, if we haven’t already seen his best work. His Bulldogs had a chance to grab the nation’s attention Saturday, and they led by 14 points. They lost by 18.
They got weary. Then they got beat. The same thing, again and again.
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1,438 comments Add your comment
Going Bowling!
November 14th, 2010
10:46 am
Guys, we still have a chance to make the BBVA Compass Birmingham Bowl Game! 1 more win and we will be 6-6.
Woohoo! Go DAWGS – Sick Em !
Bosshog
November 14th, 2010
10:46 am
FedUp
November 14th, 2010
10:42 am
If ANYONE thinks this story is going away on Cam and his father you’re crazy. Even if Cam knew nothing about it, it makes him ineligible, all records and season stats will be gone. It’s a shame for Auburn
—–
story? you mean the fairy tale?
you need to jump on the cammy cam band wagon and enjoy the ride. the NCAA is going to say we do not have any credible evidence and just let this go away.
It’s all just ms state crying sour grapes.
cammy is the man. gretaest college football player ever.
cammy cam for president.
big bad BRUCIE (Uga VIII)
November 14th, 2010
10:46 am
Thanks bosshog, I was looking for some food, thought I saw Fairley coming down the aisle and peed on myself.
atltiger15
November 14th, 2010
10:46 am
FBI has been involved, this scandal will be bigger than steroid scandal. In the end AU and Cam will be clear. AU compliance director was former NCAA investigator and we have been on top of this since july. Why do you think it took us 3 weeks after spring practice to name Cam the starting QB. AU knows the whole story and you will know a lot by the time the Iron bowl is here. …This week should be huge. Keep eye on Kenny Rogers few names to remember. Masoli, wonder why he played terrible, remember Brent Schafer, houston Nutt
Wally
November 14th, 2010
10:47 am
Hey I admit Georgia is not playing up to par and things could be better, but all programs are going to have ups & downs so you got to be able to roll with the punches. Name me one program that has not had a bad year. I am saying that a true Georgia fan sticks with this team through hell and back. We don’t need fair weather fans that are there when we are winning but turn south on us when we are losing, either you are with us or against us, your choice
East Atlanta
November 14th, 2010
10:47 am
Hey, we might still win that game once the NCAA/SEC/FBI finishes their investigations.
ugadave
November 14th, 2010
10:47 am
Woops, I meant Bradley. But Schuiltz is not muchg better over there.
Jan Kemp
November 14th, 2010
10:48 am
you guys still crying and talking about cheating? Too funny…
“Jan Kemp (1949 – December 4, 2008) was an American academic and English tutor who exposed the bias in passing college football players and filed a lawsuit against the University of Georgia.
Born in Griffin, Georgia, Kemp earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a doctorate in English education. She began teaching at the University of Georgia in 1978. In 1981 Kemp was one of the teachers who complained claiming that Georgia officials had intervened allowing nine college football players to pass a remedial English course, allowing them to play against Pittsburgh in the Sugar Bowl.
Kemp was demoted in 1982 and dismissed one year later. She then filed a lawsuit claiming she had been fired due to her complaints about the passing of players. During the time after she was dismissed Kemp tried to commit suicide twice. The University defended its actions saying that Kemp was dismissed for “disruptive conduct and for failure to conduct adequate scholarly research.”[1]
The jury found the University guilty for the illegal dismissal of Dr. Kemp and she was awarded $2.5 Million, which was later reduced to $1.08 Million. Kemp was reinstated and University President Dr. Fred C. Davison resigned. After the trial Kemp spoke to The New York Times, saying, “All over the country, athletes are used to produce revenue. I’ve seen what happens when the lights dim and the crowd fades. They’re left with nothing. I want that stopped.” Kemp retired from teaching in 1990 and was named a hero of the 1980’s by People magazine.
Al
November 14th, 2010
10:49 am
I think I my be one of the top 100 Richt in the nation! Having said that, I think it would be best for him and his family to consider a move. You want to go while your stock is still high – you get more money at the new place!
Jan Kemp
November 14th, 2010
10:51 am
UGA is what it is.
Pot meet Kettle
Vick=Dog killing Thug
November 14th, 2010
10:52 am
I wish you would run out of steam Bradley
Mark Richt
November 14th, 2010
10:52 am
please give me a raise for going 5-6. thank you-
Scott
November 14th, 2010
10:52 am
Yeah well welcome to reality . The fans have known this for a couples years or so ,that It is time for the university of GA to part ways with Richt..But they were out match yesterday.
BoWeevil
November 14th, 2010
10:54 am
QUOTE :
Beast from the East
November 14th, 2010 9:24 am
“Hairy Dawg, What does his religious beliefs have to do with his win-loss record? If he was 13-0 every year but was a Muslim would you want him fired? It’s football, not Sunday school.”
END QUOTE
That is what I have been asking from the beginning of all this after the 2005 season. What the hell does his religion have to do with ANYTHING ? He is 5-6 this year, 8-5 last year, 55-28 vs SEC all 10 years now, 20 losses the last 5 years now, and after this season loses 14 seniors and 4 juniors, while he is not recruiting these in-state offensive players, and oh yeah he also will have fired every coach he hired in a 12-month period. Anyone notice the chop block by us ? Anyone notice AJ Green shoving players down on his routes all night long ? Cam Newton is the number 6 opposing QB to play better than our QB in the game this season. We lost all 6 games.
BoWeevil
November 14th, 2010
10:55 am
QUOTE :
Beast from the East
November 14th, 2010 9:24 am
“Hairy Dawg, What does his religious beliefs have to do with his win-loss record? If he was 13-0 every year but was a Muslim would you want him fired? It’s football, not Sunday school.”
END QUOTE
G-Strings
November 14th, 2010
10:55 am
Spain
November 14th, 2010
10:42 am
Lattimore goes for 212 yds. for 40 carries. Thats what a back can do when he gets the touches. Ealey should get many more touches, but that’s not happening
Could not agree more, except I hope its Crowell next year.
BoWeevil
November 14th, 2010
10:56 am
That is what I have been asking from the beginning of all this after the 2005 season. What the hell does his religion have to do with ANYTHING ? He is 5-6 this year, 8-5 last year, 55-28 vs SEC all 10 years now, 20 losses the last 5 years now, and after this season loses 14 seniors and 4 juniors, while he is not recruiting these in-state offensive players, and oh yeah he also will have fired every coach he hired in a 12-month period. Anyone notice the chop block by us ? Anyone notice AJ Green shoving players down on his routes all night long ? Cam Newton is the number 6 opposing QB to play better than our QB in the game this season. We lost all 6 games.
coach smith
November 14th, 2010
10:56 am
Auburn is a team that CBS said had 20 SENIOR Starters and Cam the cheater Newton….Georgia is a team full of underclassman…I would take Georgia’s future in a second over Auburn’s
Correct me if I am wrong but Saban went 6-6 in year one with a loss to ULM
and now the Gators (in much the same position as Georgia youth wise though they have more upper classmen) are getting embaressed on their own home field
Georgia has lost 3 games on the last play of the game…Georgia will be fine
Bud
November 14th, 2010
10:56 am
Please get this defence going , especially at the line of scrimmage !!!
BoWeevil
November 14th, 2010
10:56 am
That is what I have been asking from the beginning of all this after the 2005 season. What the hell does his religion have to do with ANYTHING ? He is 5-6 this year, 8-5 last year, 55-28 vs SEC all 10 years now, 20 losses the last 5 years now, and after this season loses 14 seniors and 4 juniors, while he is not recruiting these in-state offensive players, and oh yeah he also will have fired every coach he hired in a 12-month period.
UGA Dawg 97
November 14th, 2010
10:57 am
It is time for Richt to go! The Colorado job would be a perfect way for us to part ways. Peterson, or Mullin to UGA…
BoWeevil
November 14th, 2010
10:57 am
Anyone notice the chop block by us ? Anyone notice AJ Green shoving players down on his routes all night long ? Cam Newton is the number 6 opposing QB to play better than our QB in the game this season. We lost all 6 games.
UGA Dawg 97
November 14th, 2010
10:57 am
And he can take Grantham with him…
UGA Dawg 97
November 14th, 2010
10:58 am
And Bobo…
His time is here
November 14th, 2010
10:58 am
I have to admit this hardtruth for us UGA Dog to digest: AU has gone undefeated about 3 times ( so far in 2010 ) and in Richt’s era or a combo of Donnan and Richt’ eras. Bowdon, TT and now.
IF I am correct ……………….does AU play in the same conference and do they not recruit the same type of kids? Why can we not go 11-0 once over the last 25+ years?????
It has so far, taken UGA over 30 years to be undefeated again and in 2011, it might happen but not until then. UGA is a lower level now ………..plainly and simply we are. UGA with our $$ and our HS kids and our facilities and ssuch should aways go 8-3 or 9-1 or 10-0 over like 10 years.
Richt should step down and IF he wants to continue coaching, some school some where would hire him.Frankly, he is better suited in the ACC where they play small ball.
UGA will hire a new coach within two years and we will be playing good ball. Richt’s time has come and gone.
UGA class of 71 & 73
Bud
November 14th, 2010
10:58 am
There are defensive beasts out there. Jr. Colleges, Prisons, their there.
rob anderson
November 14th, 2010
10:59 am
auburn is in the same boat as the dogs were all those years ago. They have an average sec team that woke up one day with a stud that makes them a national championship contender….remember hershel….btw please dont get rid of richt.
Obvious
November 14th, 2010
11:00 am
Where were all of our 4 and 5 star recruiting classes this year? Everyone thinks that we have great players but they don’t seem to improve in our system. Newton is a Heisman candidate and one of the best QBs in the nation, but we were recruiting him to be a tight end? Hello! So, it appears that we can recruit talent, but it doesn’t appear that we can coach that talent up. Richt needs to go; he’s had 10 years to build a program, but the last few years have been simply average. Sorry CMR, we like you as a man but you’re just not doing enough with what you have… and you have a lot!
Auburn Fan
November 14th, 2010
11:00 am
I’m embarrassed at how that game ended. That wasn’t good for college football. There was no need for either side to act like they did. What Auburn’s players did was inexcusable and I hope they’re punished further by the team.
I’m ashamed of Nick Fairley. He’s the dirtiest player I’ve seen in a long time. He’s extremely talented, but he needs to be sat down until he gets his act together.
I hope Murray is ok. I understand the frustration of Fairley hitting Murray late all day, but two wrongs don’t make a right. You can disagree with me all you want, call me names, neg me, etc . . . but your player shouldn’t have hit Fairley on the ground.
I’m embarrassed that Trooper Taylor is a part of the Auburn family. He has instilled a culture in our players that I despise. He encourages Fairley, dancing around with him like an idiot. I don’t care if he’s a good recruiter, I want him gone tomorrow.
In the end . . . that was a hollow victory. I have an unsettling feeling in my stomach. Between the cloud hovering over this team with Newton, Fairley’s play, our players throwing punches and Trooper acting like a clown, I’m ashamed of this team right now.
But again, good game UGA. Yall gave us a helluva game
Tired of Losing at UGA
November 14th, 2010
11:02 am
Well you can’t blame Grantham because he has not recruited the personnell to run his defense BUT were supposed to have quality people to run any defense. Good old Richt just loves Bobo and that alone should get him fired!! Bobo for the last few years has made some POOR, POOR play calling games. Our team gets into the redzone and we are playing for FGs instead of TDs. Bobo as the OC has not turned out as well as Richt might have expected but he had not made the change to get rid of Bobo and now its biting him in the BUTT now. Stop being life long friends with Bobo this is a business. If your business were going down in flames you would make the neccessary adjustments to fix your business and now Richt has to do the same or down down in flames with Bobo.
Rich
November 14th, 2010
11:03 am
ANt risk of UGA players being suspended by the NCAA for going on the filed when the first fight broke out?
Rich
November 14th, 2010
11:03 am
Any risk
UOA1992
November 14th, 2010
11:05 am
UGA better not let CMR go! We would be fools! I would rather win 7 or 8 games a year with class, than win like the classless tigers win down on the plains. If it takes dirty players and players that cheat like Auburn has, I would rather not win at all. CMR will improve. Bear Bryant and Vince Dooley all went through rough patches in their careers. He is a good coach. The fans that scream the loudest and call for all the coaches to be fired probably never attended UGA as a student. They should lay off! Go Dogs!
NickSaban
November 14th, 2010
11:05 am
You Georgia fans amuse me. A few thoughts.
1) You cannot compare Richt with Fulmer and Bowden as they both won National Championships! The SEC keeps churning out National Titles, but UGA has none under Richt.
2) Georgia has the talent, but the coaches are not coaching the talent up! BooBoo could not call a complete game in junior college, much less in the SEC and that Grantham fellow is just plain bad. Perhaps he should spend less time heckling other players (Florida kicker) and more time inspiring a listless defense.
Winning in the SEC take more than talent. It takes a group of young men buying into the “process” that the coaching staff create. It is obvious to everyone that your coaching staff is LOST. Come over to T-Town and bring your boy Kirby back home and you’ll start winning again.
Top Recruit
November 14th, 2010
11:10 am
Good to see a brillant sports writer like Bradley saw the key play in the first half. The play calling by Bobo. At the beginning of the season Coach Richt said he would be surprised if we did not run the ball and run it well. Why do you call a play for Smith who has contributed nothing all season and Bobo has not figured out how to use him. Put him on the edge and hold a DE and OLB. Did Bobo not understand that you can not let Auburn run 73 plays with Newton carrying the ball 30 times. Our offense got shut down after that play. You have 2 sets to get 5 yards. If you have no more confidence in your running game than that then tell us what Searels, Lilly, and McClendon do on the staff. McClendon is a joke for a position coach. Bradley write about the rushing stats rather than your constant griping of Richt. If Richt does not change his O staff, he will continue with the same weak unproductive offense. Do not put Murray under center and start finding some spread sets for him. 21 points in the 1st quarter and 10 the other three. Auburn is good but their defense is suspect. Let’s see what they do against Bama and Carolina that have a productive running back and running game. A former Auburn coach told Richt several years ago that you have to run the ball to win in the SEC. He was right. Georgia has lost its way with a receivers game and with big name receivers that hurt or out or simply marking time to go in the NFL draft where they disappear [except Hines Ward]. For a QB who played with a Ward, Bobo can not figure out a set to get his quickest and most productive players on the field. And the O line…why not zone block to get RBs on the corner. Bradley ask Richt or Bobo why they gave up on the running game. Puzzled and amazed at that. Grantham does not have his personnel…late hire and Rodney Garner is the D recruiter he is alleged to be. Garner does a poor job evaluating D players. At least they are getting away for those pint size DBs.. Recruit some D players that can run, because not many can on this squad.
Canton DAWG
November 14th, 2010
11:10 am
Keep Mark Richt for as long as he wants to stay. The offence is not the problem it is the defense and the occasional turnover. The defense cannot be fixed in one season and turnovers are just part of the game. This team has a good future. Stay with Richt and I predict at least one SEC championship in the next three years. Dawg fans need to stop listening to these sports writers as they could care less about the teams they cover. Their job is too create controversy to sell newspapers and then laugh all the way to the bank.
HBTD
November 14th, 2010
11:13 am
Alec Ogletree is going to be a fine football player in the SEC but he had no business playing as many minutes as he did yesterday. Two of the passing TD’s allowed were directly related to his blown coverage. Safety play was actually pretty good lately with Shawn Williams in the game and that should have never changed.
On another note, the SEC needs to step up and start enforcing some rules to protect players. If hits are illegal in the NFL they should be illegal in college football. When Fairley speared Murray in the back after the ball was released, he should have been tossed for leading with his head as it was obvious he sole purpose was to intentionally injure Murray. The SEC officials allowed for the game to get out of hand. Maybe it’s time for Rogers Redding to lose his job since his officials keep screwing up year to year.
Dawgs 2010
November 14th, 2010
11:13 am
But Auburn paid close to $200K for their West Championship and that too will be stripped. Richt is fine and our coach all the bandwagon fans need to shut up. Even our beloved Dooley had rough years through his tenor Anyone who knows football knew this would be a tough year changing defenses and having a new quarterback. 3 games are won if it were not for MAJOR player errors on 3 seperate plays (fumbles and failing to fall on the ball in FL) would you be writing this article were GA 8 -3 going into tech with a chance for 10-3 to finish it out. Richt is the guy and we will be fine. Losing the O-line for next year may be a very good thing for us
Jeffrey Rowser
November 14th, 2010
11:13 am
I am proud Auburn Alum and Die-Hard Auburn Tiger fan. We as loyal college football supporter of our team must totally admit, as long as our favorite college admit marginally qualified students with questionable aptitudes we get what we get. College football is load across the nation wth students on scholarships with limited scholarly ability. All of our schools are at fault for this, but it makes millions of dollars so nothing will change. War Eagle! Former Drum Major of the Auburn Band 78-80! It is what it is!!!! By the way, Mark Richt is the more moral coach in the nation with high standards. However, the bottom line is in eyes of the money people. He’s gotta win and he will, whether at UGA or somewhere else. God takes care of those who worship him.
Kick 'em out
November 14th, 2010
11:16 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkzzjTaOLHw
Obvious
November 14th, 2010
11:16 am
Our SEC record the last two years is 7-11. That’s not even close to being an average, break-even team! We are in the SEC cellar folks! Wake up apologists. Yes, CMR is a great man but we’re not paying him JUST to be a great man… he needs to win games too!
Does anyone have any news on Murray. I hate to see that kid go down. He has more heart on this team than anyone else. We need him. Fairley… well, others have said what needs to be said there but we didn’t lose the game because of Fairley, we lost it because we were out coached and we didn’t utilize the talent that we have. That talent was on display in the 1st QTR but disappeared. Why? UA made adjustments and we failed to do the same. That’s coaching folks!
Buckeye
November 14th, 2010
11:17 am
Good Lord people, go to church or go for a walk with you kids. The World really doesn’t care about Georgia Football any more than they care about……
THE B I R M I N G H A M B O W L !
Observer
November 14th, 2010
11:17 am
Jeffrey Roswer,
If Richt is so moral than why has he had 11 players arrested this year alone and something like over 40 since 2007. His morality certainly isn’t rubbing off on his players as this team is completely out of control.
Ed (The Original)
November 14th, 2010
11:20 am
I wish we would hire Petrino or Meyer or Chizik or Kiffen. They are all proven winners and that’s what we need at UGA. UGA should win at least 11 games every single year, as inferred by AJC sportswriters.
Penn Stater
November 14th, 2010
11:20 am
Much as I hate to agree with a buckeye fan especially after last night its true. Georgia football is irrelevant. Always has been. Dawg fans you aint no alabama so you should temper your expectations. Go out and enjoy the day and look forward to your girl’s gymnastics team. I hear they are really, really good.
nittany valley lion
November 14th, 2010
11:23 am
Just reading the comments and I hate to agree with a buckeye fan after last night. But it seems to me dawg fans should just temper their expectations. You’re not Alabama. You’re Georgia- a good regional team but certainly not an elite national program like your neighbors to the west. But I hear you have a great girls gym program. Take a walk, enjoy the day, and look forward to the girls gym team.
nittany valley lion
November 14th, 2010
11:24 am
Ed,
Give it a rest. You’re not Alabama. You’re georgia- a good regional program but certainly not an elite national program like the bammers.
Brad
November 14th, 2010
11:26 am
WAR EAGLE! Need I say more?
Buck Blue
November 14th, 2010
11:26 am
Richt…nice guy.
Saban…not nice guy.
Richt…no edge.
Chizik…edgey.
Richt…smart but not brilliant.
Spurrier…brilliant.
Edgey, intense, brilliant. Can we look to the fellers at TCU, Boise Blue, or Derek Doo?
NickSaban
November 14th, 2010
11:28 am
When are you folks going to wake up? You are all in denial if you think that talent is the problem.
Year after year Garner and Richt bring in top 10 classes. (according to the recruiting services)
The last 4 years according to Rivals.com, UGA has been 10th, 6th, 7th and 15th and yet right now, UGA is sitting at 5-6 and ranked around 50th in the nation right now! (Sagrin’s elo-chess rating which is used in the BCS formula has UGA at 59th)
How do you explain this? It is simple.. Poor coaching