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
Ty
November 14th, 2010
3:10 pm
Just ignore him guys. techies have to live through other teams because they can’t beat UGA. Sucks to be the little brother! UGA 51 techie 7 !!
Little to Late
November 14th, 2010
3:10 pm
I don’t think the problem is with CRM personally it’s his ability to make changes in key positions i.e. Bobo. I do think deffense will come around.
We aslo need to learn to change the flat tire after we get a flat. We run (play) ok until that flatr tire hits. Then it’s all down hill.
So my sugestion to CRM is to find an OC that can adapt and a new conditioning and strenght coach. FYI the new OC needs to be considered the “coach in waiting”.
These are just my opinion and not ment to offend anyone.
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:11 pm
Heard you guys have hired a fulltime bondsman for the campus??
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Ty
November 14th, 2010
3:12 pm
2-8 vs FLA
My question to you is, “Do you really think they would come to UGA?” I know Patterson won’t. I can pick out names, but getting them to come to UGA is another question. I just think and believe we have the right coach in place right now.
WDM
November 14th, 2010
3:12 pm
Why do all of you buy into the idiocy spewed by a never has been & never will be sportswriter Mark Bradley. He is no fan of UGA or even the state of Georgia. Go back and read all his articles and what you will see nothing more than a series of juvenile put downs. Has anyone stopped to check Mark Bradley’s coaching record? The fact is has never coached so his opinion is of that of someone who doesn’t really know what he is talking about. His opinion is equal to the anonymous blogger who knows everything. Even after this season, the worst season in Mark Richt’s tenure, Dawgs will still make it to a bowl game (God willing) and he is still one of the winningest coaches in country. The worst thing that can happen to UGA is for Mark Richt to leave (which he isn’t) and that is what Mark Bradley wants because he is Tech fan and from all his crybabying, he apparently suffers from ED.
The Grinch
November 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:11 pm
Yep, the same one that sprung you. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
sammiamm
November 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
techwrech–heard you hired a full-time (sword swinging) bodyguard for yours
Red Harrison
November 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
put this alumnus down as one vote for Mark. I’m proud he’s a Georgia Bulldog.
oh lord, I couldn’t send my kids to or support a school that behaved as trashy as what I saw last night. And when they finally get Cecil’s bank statements, and they will, the SCam will be over, and it’ll be over for Auburn’s program, which they deserve. We are Georgia = and georgia tech, for that matter – something no one from those states will ever be. If the Alumni Assoc asks for my, opinion, that’s what I will say. I’m sorry if you don’t agree.
The Grinch
November 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:12 pm
Your most profound post so far. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Little to Late
November 14th, 2010
3:13 pm
Techwrench…
Your an idiot, GT fights to recruit the same players as UGA. So please shut your stupid mouth.
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:14 pm
See ya here 11/28,notLLMMAAOO
sammiamm
November 14th, 2010
3:15 pm
techwrech–back to your basement
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:16 pm
No not the same players idiot, the recruits UGA has would never make it through
TECHS rigorous academic requirements,so go back and play with your toys boy.
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:16 pm
And back to your rock
2-8 vs Florida
November 14th, 2010
3:17 pm
Admittedly, the last two years have been poor but that doesn’t erase the first 8 years.
——————————–
He’s been at UGA 10 years and hasn’t won the East division in the last 5 years, much less the SEC conference. How long will people continue to make excuses? Florida sucks this year without Tebow and UGA still can’t beat them.
Recruiting
November 14th, 2010
3:18 pm
For all those that state that losing Richt would hurt recruiting, have you ever considered that keeping Richt might be hurting recruiting?
Willie Martinez
November 14th, 2010
3:18 pm
DO YOU MISS ME YET????
Dick
November 14th, 2010
3:19 pm
CMR has had plenty of time and returning experienced players to win the SEC several times. I think he needs to go. Remember , the guy he learned under, Bobby Bowden, couldn’t win the big ones either. Mark seems to be a great guy but boosters and alumni look at the score board. As to comments about Cam and his father, no doubt they are both guilty/
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:19 pm
Willie I miss you>HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH:)
wreckmaniac
November 14th, 2010
3:19 pm
All of you Bradley/Shultz bashers should just stick with the Clarke County Gazette and ignor the AJC.
There are other newspapers/websites/blogs. Why not just go to one that tells you what youwant to hear ?
Red Harrison
November 14th, 2010
3:20 pm
put this alumnus down as one vote for Mark. I’m proud he’s a Georgia Bulldog.
oh lord, I couldn’t send my kids to, or support a school that behaved as trashy as what I saw last night. And when they finally get Cecil’s bank statements, and they will, the SCam will be over, and it’ll be over for Auburn’s program, which they deserve. We are Georgia – and georgia tech too, for that matter – something no one from those states will ever be. If the Alumni Assoc asks for my, opinion, that’s what I will say. I’m sorry if you don’t agree.
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:20 pm
wreckmaniac: agree
2-8 vs FLA
November 14th, 2010
3:21 pm
Ty you don’t think Patterson is tired of going to press conferences & constantly playing politician trying to win support or votes for his teams every single year ? I think Koetter is tired as well, neither would have that problem coaching an SEC winner !
Little to Late
November 14th, 2010
3:21 pm
Dont start with the acadimics Bull$HIT. Your football players are not any smarter. They are football players, period. And yes they do go after the same players. Look at your players and UGA players and look at the offers it’s in black and white.
Dick
November 14th, 2010
3:22 pm
Bowl games are becoming an award for a mediocracy program. Why should six wins get you in a bowl game. We have too many bowl games, some need to be dropped.
CJDawg
November 14th, 2010
3:24 pm
Replace Mark Richt huh?? One of the winningest active caches around. You are a bunch of numbnuts. WHO WILL YOU GET THAT IS BETTER?? If ya don’t like CMR, feel free to become a tick fan. I won’t miss you one bit,
2-8 vs FLA
November 14th, 2010
3:24 pm
To all who say we should keep Richt in place, if he stinks it up against GT what then geniuses ?????????????
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:24 pm
Little to whatever: Get a life and grow some balls, UGA is no better than a third rated
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????/
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:25 pm
Or who will you get that is any worse??
WDM
November 14th, 2010
3:27 pm
People wanting Mark Richt fired are mostly Tech fans. Last year, Joe Cox was a first year starter and this year we have a freshman starting. Ga has a great team they are just young. Bet next year is a different story. Mark Bradley has never run an elte football program, he has never coached an elite program, I don’t know if he has ever put on a jock strap (other than the ones he put on upside down over his head to sniff the crotch.)
Little to Late
November 14th, 2010
3:28 pm
techwrech…
What does that make GT your our whipping post.
We_Run_This_Country
November 14th, 2010
3:28 pm
GT and UGA do recruit the same players….the problem for UGA is their coaching. They take these athletes and offerr no mentorship and no curriculum. They turn into thugs with free reign over Athens, GA. You put these gentlemen in college at GT and the coaches will straighten this young man out. It’s all about coaching…more than coaching football, coaching life skills. GT has good coaches, UGA does not.
59bulldawg
November 14th, 2010
3:28 pm
Any time you make a coaching change, it’s a risk. But that risk can be minimized by doing the homework on possible candidates and whether or not you’re locked in on so-called “big names” in the business or willing to consider talented head coaches at smaller schools and assistant coaches looking for a head coaching position. With our search last year for a new DC, I got the feeling it wasn’t just UGA they turned down, it was UGA with Richt as head coach. Plus I don’t think Richt had a good plan for replacing Martinez last year because I think he was only half-hearted in making the change. He didn’t really want to do it and when his first couple of choices (unrealistic as they were) turned him down, he became desperate and hired Grantham on VT’s recommendation only because he was unhappy in Dallas and was the first person willing to come to Athens. Just because you can’t think of a name to replace Richt doesn’t mean there isn’t one out there. Basically it comes down to two different ways of attacking a problem. You can actively attempt to correct it or you can passively sit back and hope things get better. The program has been spiraling downward for several years now. I know he’ll more than likely be back next year because we owe him too much money right now. But he’s had enough time and has been paid very well to keep the program operating at a very high level. His refusal to make timely changes and to stay hands on has brought us to this moment. The buck stops at his his desk and I hope like hell his time left in Athens is short.
Ty
November 14th, 2010
3:28 pm
2-8 vs FLA – You could be right about that. I just believe that CMR deserves next year to turn it around. In the meantime, why not get some “feelers” out there on those two coaches and any otehr potential.
Yes, it would be tough if that happened. Highly unlikely though. It would be hard for me to sit here and back CMR, but I would stand by my word and give him 1 more year!
techwrech
November 14th, 2010
3:29 pm
See you guys here 11/28——————-doubt it.
Ihatejackets
November 14th, 2010
3:33 pm
I assume most of you haters posting are teenagers. Or younger,based on the immaturity of your posts. And for you that are adults, quit wasting time worrying about mark richts future.he is going nowhere. He is/will be uga’s coach Auburn showed it’s no class in the game yesterday, and Mark showed his class by taking a knee at the end to prevent a fight. Cash Newton and Nick Unfairly and Auburn deserve each other
2-8 vs Florida
November 14th, 2010
3:35 pm
Ty,
I think Richt deserves 1 more year as well; he has earned it. Based on the last 5 years, though, I have no confidence things will get turned around.
Big Bob
November 14th, 2010
3:37 pm
Mark Richt is not going anywhere. He will have the DAWGS back on top as soon as next year. He does it the right way and will not sell out to the win at all costs that Cheatsick has done at Awbren buy buying Scam and play an ape that plays so dirty as Prick Farley.
2-8 vs FLA
November 14th, 2010
3:40 pm
@ WDM When Richt came here 10 yrs ago he was dubbed an offensive guru, but let’s really look at his track record. How many QBs under Richts tutelage have actually went on to the NFL beside Strattford, including his time at FSU. So my question to you & several others is, does Mark Richt coach players up or down. How many times have we led the nation in scoring ?????????
Ty
November 14th, 2010
3:40 pm
2-8 vs Florida
Nothing personal, but I hope your wrong. I would just hate to go through a coaching change. But, sometimes it needs to be done. I do agree about demoting Bobo to QB coach. Let CMR call the plays next year and then look for a great OC the following year, if he turns it around, I look forward to the anual “kicking of the bugs” in 2 weeks. great way to blow off some steam for a dissapointing year and it will happen!
Interlocks
November 14th, 2010
3:47 pm
The result is Georgia starts looking like the under conditioned, under disciple, manipulating the press, the referees and yesterday actually whining about the thugs on the Auburn team tackling too hard, team they have been since Richt got here.
GT’s analysis is absolutely spot-on. Go to the previous page and read the entire post, it’s worth it.
Then tell me how much you want Richt to stay.
SEC West Champs
November 14th, 2010
3:48 pm
Thank you AJ Green for the bulletin board material. It helped!!!!!
WDE!!!
SHC
November 14th, 2010
3:49 pm
To Mark Bradley and the rest of you idiots, you don’t know what you’re talking about. End of discussion.
the Owl of Prophecy
November 14th, 2010
3:50 pm
Richt has been very well-paid to coach at UGA and doesn’t deserve another year based on his past performance. In fact, what have you seen during these last two years that would merit another year? Are you telling me that SC, Miss State, Colorado, Arkansas, and Florida all have better athletes than us? If not, must be coaching and that’s why we need to clean house. Willie’s defenses were WAC calibre and Grantham has improved us to ACC quality; however, we play in the SEC. I’m not sure what conference Bobo’s offensive (no pun inteded) schemes resemble.
Hairy Dawg
November 14th, 2010
3:50 pm
The problems is we got stinkys players and we goning have to cut loose them stinkys boys and bring ups the Hargraves mens. Adams is keeping us from recruiting the winning talents and McGarity has got to man up Adams and tells him we run Athens. Then we gets the players with the talents for winning to bring in an Christainizing to then unloading whooping can on all smack talking chump teams like Awful Burn Cheese Dips and arrogant horse backside Myers Gaytors.
Rob Dog
November 14th, 2010
3:55 pm
I realize that Coach Richt hired TG and it has been 11 games and the defense is making the same mistakes, no adjustments, can’t stop the same plays that have been runned since the first game. How can everyone get on here and continue to beat up Bobo and the players that are only doing what they are told to do (or allowed to do)but you barely say anything about TG. Here we have a Pro coach almost making a million dollars abd he can’t come up with a scheme to stop the run when everyone in the stadium know it coming. Tubbleville had the guts to know that he had made a mistake with his OC at Auburn, I hope Coach Richt and the AD realize what a hugh mistake that has been made here. Coach Gardner and two unpaid coaches did better than he has done in any game that mattered.
SHC
November 14th, 2010
3:58 pm
Who the crap is Hairy Dawg? He’s an idiot too.
Now back to bradley. He’s a critic. Why? Cause he couldn’t play, coach, or be involved with football in a real sense, so he’s a critic. See “The Critic”, Toby Keith. That’s Bradley
Monotonous Languor
November 14th, 2010
4:01 pm
You Dawg fans who trash talk Georgia Tech enjoy yourselves all you want. The thing is… Tech alumni and fans have lives that don’t depend entirely on what a bunch of kids does on Saturday afternoons. College sports are fun to follow, but the biggest reason for going to college is to get an education.
UGA fans don’t seem to care about anything but football, and they don’t care if their players are enrolled in silly majors that no parents who are paying the bills would send their kids to UGA for. The very few football and basketball players who graduate have no job opportunities and end up unemployed or working in menial jobs that hardly require a college degree.
Georgia Tech is a real school with serious academic standards, and that includes scholarshipped athletes. UGA has a long history of being a party school, where parents send their kids for an easy degree, even if the degree itself is practically worthless.
Jan Kemp exposed the crap going on at UGA with athletes being enrolled in courses a ten-year-old kid could pass. That was almost three decades ago, and nothing has changed. If anything, the abuses are more blatant today. Way too many illiterate morons are being recruited, and the very high arrest rate shows clearly that Richt does not care if his players have any morals or self-discipline.
The bottom line is that most Tech fans have very good jobs and productive lives that don’t depend on Tech’s football record for their happiness in life. It would be great to beat UGA more often, but when you put scholar-athletes up against dummy-athletes, it’s usually no contest.
It’s pretty pathetic to see UGA fans who typically have never been within miles of a college classroom and who live or die with UGA’s weekly results on the football field.
So keep on posting your trash mouth all you want, especially since you’re home with plenty of time on your hands. I wish you well, maybe you’ll get lucky and get your old job back at the Waffle House before your unemployment checks stop coming.
the Owl of Prophecy
November 14th, 2010
4:02 pm
Was that Trooper Taylor on the field late in the game or was that Re-Run from “What’s Happenin’”.