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
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 14th, 2010
9:38 pm
I gave UGA the edge over Auburn this weekend, and it blew up in my face, thus back to questioning the UGA program. The blame does reside with CMR in terms of hiring and firing, since he only has himself left to fire.
However, the problems with the UGA program run deeper than CMR, it resides with Vince Dooley and his 2 previous hiring disasters. Dooley brought UGA one championship and then was converted to AD God, which was a major mistake.
The problems with UGA are based on a very arrogant and narcissitic fan base which does not allow critcism of themselves or the program.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 14th, 2010
9:40 pm
The Dogs disapponted me big time by getting drilled by Auburn, and apparently Cam Newtown is better than we give him credit for.
Auburn Fan From Atlanta
November 14th, 2010
9:44 pm
For all you whining Thuga fans, check out the link below about one of your fans getting arrested for starting a fire at Toomer’s corner.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/517511-georgia-fan-sets-fire-in-down-town-auburn
rhettsimmons
November 14th, 2010
9:48 pm
Same old deal georgia fans whining after a buy whipping no coach will ever satisfy them they think they are suppose to win ever game they think Ga is the only school in the U.S. what a bunch of babies.
Mike T.
November 14th, 2010
9:57 pm
Let me ask all you idiots who think we should fire Mark Richt something..
Who exactly would you plan on hiring to replace him?
Who did FL have in mind when they fired Zook,Who did Bama have in mind when they fired Shula,who did Auburn have in mind when they fired Tuberville,or even
Tech when they fired Chan Gailey? Georgia is number two in football revenue
behind Texas, they need to go shopping before revenue drops due to status Quo.
nolan
November 14th, 2010
9:57 pm
herschel talker? is this the same herschel talker from youtube(TTC)?
Georgia need to get serious
November 14th, 2010
10:06 pm
Auburn Fan From Atlanta,
I think its a conspiracy against UGA.
FRED
November 14th, 2010
10:07 pm
I AM TELLING YOU KIDS NEXT YEAR WILL BE AN UGLY ONE. UNLESS WE CAN PLAY UTAH STATE 4 TIMES WE MAY ONLY WIN 3-4 GAMES WITH CMR.
Jay
November 14th, 2010
10:14 pm
This article seems almost the same as “Mark Richt and UGA return to Auburn, but nothing is the same”, with added player quotes. Auburn without Cam are no better than they were last year when UGA beat them with Joe Cox at the helm. Throw in Newton and they are virtually unbeatable. He is that good. So UGA had blown assignments? Well every time Cam jukes a blitzing LB that LB blew his assignment, didn’t he? Must be something about their offense that causes teams to miss assignments, get weary, and lose. Take a look around the league……..two teams with new superstars on their teams are playing for the SEC championship, and no, it isn’t Bama vs UF, the teams that have had top five recruiting classes the past few years, and more talent on their rosters than anyone else in the SEC. After getting manhandled by SC last night UF fans would have you believe Meyer is done or that it was all Tebow. Yes, I believe Richt we get UGA back to competing for the east and even with the bad season I think they have shown improvement. The two biggest questions have shown progress, Murray and the new scheme defense. Easy to argue that the D is not doing so well, but I am talking about comparing them to the beginning of the season when they looked totally confused at points. Like I said in my long post to your other auburn article, each year that Richt has had a “down” year, we had first year starters at QB. 2001, 2006, 2009, and 2010. In 2002 we ended up ranked #3 and 2007 we ended up ranked #2. It will be interesting to see how well we play next year with a full year under Murray’s and the defenses belt. I see us getting a quick start next year and that will bode well for us. Murray may be our superstar next year, like Lattimore is for SC. I would say like Cam is for Auburn……..but that guy is “brother from another planet.” He is better than Tebow and even more valuable to his team than Tebow was.
Travis
November 14th, 2010
10:19 pm
Since Ga now has a engineering program, let’s just combine the two schools. Maybe then the state could have a winner. Not
Uga lee
November 14th, 2010
10:20 pm
Well at least next year the schedule is easier and sets up for 9 wins.
tex dog
November 14th, 2010
10:20 pm
this just in Mark Bradley just received his 200 k bonus for going over a certain number of blogs.
You owe me big time Mark for this. Keep throwing out these articles designed to receive hits and
you will become the multi millionaire you desire to be. Then off to ESPN and more worthless writing and reporting there. Send my money to the Democrat National Committee to p&*^ off 90 percent of
your readers. Or to a certain church.
Bright side
November 14th, 2010
10:31 pm
at least you will get to play in another crappy bowl and beat another crappy team to pad your bowl stats
Julius Thompson
November 14th, 2010
10:37 pm
First, leave Mark Richt in place as the Georgia football coach!. Unless you’ve coached any sport at any level, you have no idea how to coach the modern athlete. You must realize that coaching is more than a publicity campaign. It’s taking young men and molding them into a cohesive winning unit. It’s more than sitting behind a computer and making comments just to get headlines. (I was a copy boy with the New York Times and a sportswriter with the Philadelphia Bulletin (Full-Time) and Atlanta Journal-Constitutiuon (Part-Time) . I know the sports wiritng business. I’ve been going to and watching Georgia football games since the days of Wally Butts. We have a fantastic coach, get off the man and let him coach and recruit. Wake up Georgia Fans and Support and let Mark Richt Coach our football team. We Will win if we realize it takes patience and committment!
Hairy Dawg
November 14th, 2010
10:58 pm
Dawgs should have been spitting fire and burning down walls after all them cheap shotting from Auburn. I respects paying the players for recruiting but not cheap shotting my QB. That just dirty scum behaving like trash.
PaulieOldSchool
November 14th, 2010
11:46 pm
I’ve been saying it for weeks now–Richt needs to go. Rocky Mountain High or wherever, he needs to get gone. The sooner the better.
Hairy Dawg
November 14th, 2010
11:54 pm
And another thing I tellling is that Awful Burn has always been a second rate chump team behind Bammers. Awful Burn try copying and then stinks as usual with Loudermouth calling shots even cheap ones. That why Bammers is real team like Dawgs and not some jonny lately fake program that chumps.
Keep Him
November 14th, 2010
11:59 pm
Mike T.
Saban was already known to be a great coach. Won national title with LSU before he bounced to the NFL. So, there’s no surprise there.
Meyer was a bold move by Florida and it paid off great. Okay? As you can see this year..not having Mr. Tebow in the backfield makes a difference doesn’t it?
Tech replaced Gailey with a guy who runs the option..wow. Yeah worked the first year good job, but guess what? After enough games, coaches have figured it out. That was a stupid, stupid hire by Georgia Tech.
And.. Tuberville. They hired Gene Chizik who has less than .300 winning percentage WITHOUT Cam Newton. I find this similar to the Urban Meyer situation. Tim Tebow was the reaason (along with a stout defense) that Florida won all those games. Look what they’re doing with Brantley back there. If Auburn didn’t have Cam Newton, the Dawgs would have beaten them by three scores.
So, those were some pretty crappy examples that you gave here I’ll have to say. And no crap Georgia doesn’t know who they would hire right now if they fired Richt. But there is no way i could see Georgia hiring a guy like Urban Meyer or Gene Chizik from one of those non-AQ schools. Or Derek Dooley. And i see no coaches that resemble a Nick Saban type situation.
So, please. Go ahead. Name some potential coaches that could fill Mark Richt’s spot. Btw if you do that..guess where our current Top 10 recruiting class is gonnna go?
UGA2002
November 15th, 2010
12:07 am
From one of the other threads:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/517057-georgia-auburn-gets-ugly-why-richt-must-go
Fairley tackles Washuan Ealey after a gain of about 3 yards. During the play UGA’s number 61 Ben Jones holds the jersey of Auburn’s number 93 Mike Blanc and pushes him out of the play. Then in a pre-mediated manner Jones immediately pounces on Auburn’s number 90 Nick Fairley and grapples with him on the ground. On the video you can clearly see Jones punching Fairley in the abdomen as he pins him on the ground. Seeing this, Auburn’s Mike Blanc and Stevens pull Jones off of Fairley. UGA’s Washaun Ealey gets in the middle and starts shoving and punching Blanc. UGA’s #60 Clint Boling then jumps in the middle and starts punching any Auburn player he can see, all while he continues to thrust himself into the Auburn side of the line of scrimmage.
While Boling is punching players, Auburn’s Goggins pushes him away from the Auburn players that Jones is attacking. While shoving Goggins away he shoves the face mask of Boling. Then Washaun Ealey, already suspended this year for going to jail, punches Goggins in the facemask.
Of course, in the Professional manner of SEC officiating, the Referee calls the punch on Goggins and ejects him for the deliberate actions of Mark Richt’s players, specifically Ben Jones, Ealey, and Boling. Then, while the SEC officials explain the penalty, Mark Richt has the audacity to come out on the field and tell the Ref that this is what happens when you don’t call the personal foul on Nick Fairley on the previous play.
But wait, it is not over. Two plays later, UGA runs the ball to the right. During this play, UGA’s #60 Clint Boling goes after the knees of Auburn lineback Craig Stevens. Also, #71 Cordy Glenn, blocks Auburn’s #93 Mike Blanc in the back and out of the play while holding his jersey. UGA’s Glenn continues pushing Blanc out of the play and Blanc starts pounding the chest of Glenn in the same manner as lineman punch during a pass rush. Glenn continues to shove Blanc after the whistle blows and tries to shove him into the UGA players bench.
Of course, in the Professional manner of SEC officiating, the referee call Blanc for a punch and ejects him from the game. Once again, as the result of Mark Richt’s out of control players and program a second Auburn player is ejected from the game.
So, I guess Mark Richt got what he wanted, two players ejected. Instead of graciously accepting his loss, he lashes out and instructs his players to involve themselves in behavior demeaning to the University of Georgia and the rest of College Football. Instead of graciously accepting defeat, his jealously will likely cause 2 Auburn players to miss the first half of the Auburn Alabama game. Mark Richt’s jealous rage could affect the outcome of that game and the outcome of the BCS.
Worse, Mark Richt has lost control of his program. Richt has had over 11 players arrested, one of which, Ealey, was in the middle of and instigated these actions. The lack of institutional control has been reflected for over 5 years now and shows its head amongst the game, the players, penalties, coaching, and on to the fans and worse yet, the students. I have over 5 stories (I’ll spare the details) of UGA fans harassing me at a UGA Auburn game. Two of these stories occurred after watching UGA players dance and stomp between quarters in an effort to show off. In addition, I have witnessed first hand Georgia players punching and gouging players in the pile.
I can’t figure out how Richt is able to portray himself so well off the field, but portrays himself so poorly on the field. Lastly, I can’t figure out how the Georgia football nation has not figured it out as well.
In conclussion, Richt has lost control of his program. For the benefit of Georgia and college sportsmanship, it would be best if Richt regained that control.
UGA2002
November 15th, 2010
12:08 am
Losing to Auburn sucks, losing and then bitching about it shows how much we suck.
Chaz McDonald
November 15th, 2010
12:52 am
To those saying Auburn had the Dogs outclassed and they never had a chance, grow up. That’s why you play the game. And, if you make it a practise to only play those you think you can beat you won’t win much. Worst part of this article is Richt blaming the players. You can think it but you can NEVER say it. (if this is foreign to you, please read BEAR by Paul “Bear” Bryant. He’ll discuss this at length in the book and perhaps you’ll learn something) A very sad performance on Coach Richt’s part and should be UGA’s cue to send this guy on his way.
fire Richt now!
November 15th, 2010
1:50 am
i have been saying since 2008 season… fire this guy!!
2011 is the Year!
November 15th, 2010
4:50 am
In 2011, Richt will win the SEC east—mark it down! The Dawgs running game and Oline will be the best in the SEC and Murray will light it up in the passing game. Florida and sc will have nothing next year—this is the year of the dawgs!!!!!!!!
SEC: Auburn-South Carolina to meet in title game : Acrylic Sports
November 15th, 2010
6:10 am
[...] Will it ever get better for Mark Richt at Georgia? asks Mark Bradley of the AJC. [...]
Joe B.
November 15th, 2010
6:22 am
I think Mark’s assessment is spot on, especially his noting the coaching seeming “to flag”. I think CMR looks tired, Grantham has some fire and energy, but I think CMR is worn out and we need a new coach with energy and more of a passion for winning. Just not seeing it with Richt, JoePa in his 80’s appears to have more energy than Richt at 50…yawn.
howard
November 15th, 2010
6:23 am
The slower UGA is to address its coaching problem, the longer it will take to rebuild the program so the sooner the better. Richt is history. The only question is when. The answer should be now.
MrDan
November 15th, 2010
7:16 am
Hmm. Kind of like wondering will things ever get better at the Atlanta Urinal and Constipation!
Charles M
November 15th, 2010
7:18 am
The flicked fan how quick they get off players and coaches. Frustrating yes time to run the coach out of town I think not . Changes need to made and I am sure there will be as soon as the season is over.
Dixie Normuss
November 15th, 2010
7:24 am
My neighbors brother is an orthopedic surgeon and a friend of his has looked at Murray’s knee. He has some big problems. There are some torn ligaments and tendons. He is looking at 6-8 weeks rehab. CMR won’t release that info just yet for obvious reasons. In other words, the Dawgs will lose to GT and thus not be eligible for a bowl. Hutson Mason, or is it Mason Hutson, will not be able to run the offense. Fire CMR.
F-105 Thunderchief
November 15th, 2010
7:28 am
Did it ever get better for Vince Dooley after down years? Yes. Bear Bryant? Yes. Nick Saban? Yes.
By the way, Dooley and even Bryant went through multi-season “slumps,” so all the sky-is-falling cr@p is simply that … doo.
Pauly
November 15th, 2010
7:29 am
Dixie’s nickname is “Tiny.”
Aubie-won-knobi
November 15th, 2010
7:30 am
UGA2002….Dawg fans are angry and when one is backed into a corner, they’ll say and do ANYTHING to try and get out. You seem like one of the only rational posters so thanks for the interesting read. It was just as ugly on the side of Dawg players but they only want to talk about Fairley…and for the record BLOGGERS – it’s FAIRLEY…not FARLEY. If you’re gonna blog, at least know WHO you’re talking about.
Now, why is anyone STILL talking about this game. It’s over. But yawn. Now we have to hear the SAME crap ALL over again for the next two weeks from Bama and how we haven’t played anyone as good as them ALL year and we’ll lose. Yep…best 2 loss team in the country. Bama is AUsome!
Pauly
November 15th, 2010
7:33 am
Dixie’s name is “Tiny”. Believe me I know since I have been down there so much.
gary
November 15th, 2010
7:37 am
we’ll be fine next year, let’s face it our Defense suks. With a full year of recruiting Todd will get the kind of players we need at UGA. Look what’s happened to teh Cowboys since he’s left.
Aubie-won-knobi
November 15th, 2010
7:42 am
By the way, if anyone wants to complain about FAIRLEY’s driving sacks on QB’s, you should have seen the Titans/Miami game yesterday. A LB the size of Fairley sacked the QB in the EXACT same manner as Fairley does but with even MORE ferocity. AND NO FLAG as some bloggers have said “had it been NFL, Fairley would have been pulled.” Let’s talk about that one for a sec…the NEW rules in NFL are talking about paralyzing or even death related headbutts – not good old fashioned smash-mouth ball. And that’s now Fairley plays ALL his opponents. Good old smash-mouth. Players like FAIRLEY are NFL material for a reason and separates the boys from the men on the field and why only a select few are GOOD enough for the NFL. Enter Fairley! He’s already a PRO as a selected SEC ALL-STAR. He’ll go in the first round draft. And you’ll all be singing a different tune if he ends up with Falcons or your other favorite NFL team. You’ll be REALLY happy you have him and please don’t respond otherwise with “oh, we’d be too embarrassed..he has no class, blah, blah, blah”. The only person who believes you is yourself.
papadawg
November 15th, 2010
7:45 am
I wonder if the Texas fans are asking that their coach be fired since they were playing for the National Championship last year to bottom dwellers this year.
Dog Fan
November 15th, 2010
7:48 am
Keep Richt, fire Mark Bradley.
papadawg
November 15th, 2010
7:48 am
Auburn fans I know one thing when I played ball and someone pulled what Fairley did he’d gotten the high low play and he too would be having knee problems.
Dexter manley
November 15th, 2010
7:50 am
Still not physical, still can’t tackle. Heip!
BMDPD
November 15th, 2010
8:01 am
Run the D@MN BALL!!!!! Our backs were getting over 5 yards a carry.
Denns
November 15th, 2010
8:15 am
Without Ham Newton, and a higher bid than Miss St, Auburn would not even be 5-6. UGA has had a chance to win in every game. At this point, laying aside our record, I’d say we are a very good team, with the exception of our pass coverage. Firing CMR would be a very costly mistake.
SugarHillDawg
November 15th, 2010
8:15 am
Hey Gary, so you’re saying that the guys we sign next year will help us next year too? That’s an intelligent post dude.I say keep Grantham because he hasn’t been given a chance BUT the rest need to go.
Dexter manley
November 15th, 2010
8:15 am
Still not physical, still can’t tackle. Help!
Double Zero Eight
November 15th, 2010
8:23 am
Richt will never will a national championship at Georgia, regardless of the talent that he has.
snapshot
November 15th, 2010
8:24 am
There is nothing more important at muttville than football. If you don’t deliver, your gone. That simple. Nothing more important, NOTHING. Period……
Tech fan
November 15th, 2010
8:24 am
yes
Aubie-won-knobi
November 15th, 2010
8:25 am
Oh please Denns…Auburn did not pay for Cam. The only people who talked money were Rogers, Bond and Cecil. Even Bob Stoops and Lane Kiffen reported their dealings with the recruit of Cam were clean. Aside AUBURN has the NCAA #2 Compliance guy we HIRED at AU. Do you think HE might know a LITTLE more than you? Ignorance – you must live in a double wide and sit in deer stands all week.
snapshot
November 15th, 2010
8:25 am
Well, maybe alcohol.
WAR CAM EAGLE
November 15th, 2010
8:30 am
Hey Georgia fans:
You are the biggest Pussieses. We play tackle football you powder puffs. Nobody complained about your junkyard dawgs busting up everybody back in the 70-80s. Maybe you should stick to John Madden football where its safe.
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Aubie-won-knobi
November 15th, 2010
8:30 am
PapaDawg…go back and read UGA2002….he saw Dawgs JUST as aggressive and get in JUST as many illegal hits. So it’s okay to look the other way when it’s YOUR guy doing the hits? Keep making excuses. It will not change 49-31. Be an man and suck it up. You got flat-out beat contrary to ALL the lip service AU had to hear this week from BOTH Dawg AND Bama fans of how we would get flattened on the plains.