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
UGA Poor losers
November 13th, 2010
10:19 pm
Linebacker Justin Houston on Newton: “He didn’t do anything special.”
bawahahahahahahaha
The quarterback ran 30 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 148 yards and two more scores
ya nothing special at all Houston… bawahahah POOR LOSER
Abel Playcaller
November 13th, 2010
10:19 pm
If we could stop our opponents just half of the times that we have failed this year on 3rd down, we might have lost one or two games at the most. You’re right – our stamina stinks. We fade as the game goes on. A member of the training profession, who was familiar with Dave Van Hallenger and who has since left this area to work for a university’s football team elsewhere, stated 2 years ago that UGA was falling behind other programs partly because of antiquated strength and conditioning. He stated that Van Hallenger seemed to think he knew all that he need to know, and did not attend the professional conferences where the newest approaches were being taught. In 2008, this same person predicted our failings and our significant injuries that hit that year. Had his predictions not come true, I would discount what he said. Apparently, nothing much has changed. We recruit this 3,4 and 5 star defensive players and we end up with mediocrity for the most part. We need a few Junkyard Dawgs instead of guys who look good chasing our opponents around the field……….! Also, why do we take the foot off of the gas on offense once we get a lead!?! Try plays that fail instead of continuing with the ones that have not been stopped!?!! Let the 1st half clock run out with no attempt to score!!?! ………Go Dawgs!!
Dawglasville
November 13th, 2010
10:19 pm
BVG was huge but we did finish #2 in the nation with Richt’s players.
Fender Guy
November 13th, 2010
10:19 pm
Georgia will finish 7-6, same as Saban did in 07′ in his first season with the 3-4 there, so considering Georgia started out 1-4, 7-6 is pretty awesome.
ryan
November 13th, 2010
10:19 pm
Newton one and done him and Green NFL bound and if Richt does go BOB STOOPS ! Green had 167 yards .
ENJOY IT AU FANS
November 13th, 2010
10:20 pm
THIS WIN WILL BE VACATED (ALONG WITH THE REST OF YOUR SEASON) WHEN THE NCAA RULES SCAM NEWTON WAS INELIGIBLE.
SCAM NEWTON….THE BEST QB MONEY CAN BUY!!
Grant
November 13th, 2010
10:21 pm
Thought it was funny, a freshman QB threw for more passes than Newton.
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
November 13th, 2010
10:21 pm
Our guys are weak, no stamina, get pushed around all the time. Get a new strength coach.
Roscoe
November 13th, 2010
10:21 pm
Before we play Tech, Richt needs to motivate his team by taking them to a double feature and then an all day swim. Throw in another of his famous gimmicks such as black jerseys and helmets, and we won;t lose another regular season game. Is the Bluebonnet or Oil Bowl still around? I don’t remember Erk using any of Richt’s motivational techniques. I guess Erk didn’t have the savvy of Richt. Bring David Greene in as OC. He audibled 20 times a game as needed. I don’t remember Bobo ever making a change at the line.
Dawglasville
November 13th, 2010
10:21 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle – We looked at Cam as a tight end maybe because we didn’t think he was worth qb money.
Whopper Dawg
November 13th, 2010
10:21 pm
Mark, the top of your column said it, “it would be best for all”. Sometimes, it is just time for a change. I think it would benefit Coach Richt and UGA. Time to move on. Mr. Harbough please.
cmac
November 13th, 2010
10:22 pm
Look at the teams in the SEC who are not bowl eligible after the 11th week of he season:
Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Tennessee & UGH!!!!!
OUCH!!
Dave
November 13th, 2010
10:22 pm
I figured this one would finish at 68-24, Auburn. Surprised Georgia held Cam Newton to under 60, Newton puit up 62 points on Arkansas. And the Georgia offense scored a lot mroe than I thought.
Hello
November 13th, 2010
10:22 pm
Hey Katherine… You mean like the Karma that was repaid from when the jawaja players were dancing to soldier boy on the sidelines BEFORE THE GAME WAS OVER.. You just got served. Hope you enjoy it.
Steve
November 13th, 2010
10:23 pm
WHY DID WE STOP THROWING DEEP TO GREEN????? AUBURN COULD NOT STOP IT! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Disgruntled... again
November 13th, 2010
10:23 pm
A 3-5 SEC record. Someone remind me why we’re paying Richt millions of dollars a year.
Another year down the toilet.
NICK FAIRLEY
November 13th, 2010
10:23 pm
IS A DIRTY PLAYER. I WISH JOSH DAVIS HAD CHOP BLOCKED HIM!
Big Wally Dawg
November 13th, 2010
10:24 pm
LOL, that Colorado is interested in Richt. The coach that they just fired, out-coached him earlier in the year.
Wake up
November 13th, 2010
10:24 pm
GRANT… When you can run for 315 yards you DONT HAVE TO PASS!!!!!!! Wake up loser.
Eric
November 13th, 2010
10:24 pm
Auburn had a little help from the refs:
1- called 10 penalties on Georgia team that averaged 5, kind of odd
2- let Fairley make illegal hits on murray after the play
3- Let the onside touch at 8 yards go, looked the other way
4- let the fumble on the goal line go, looked the other way
Josh Davis
November 13th, 2010
10:25 pm
I tried to chop block the whole game… Luckily they only called it once.
Grant
November 13th, 2010
10:25 pm
I got a kick out of watching a Freshman QB throw for more td’s than Cam Newton.
Saint Simons
November 13th, 2010
10:25 pm
(((( 49 – 31 ))))
HAHAHAHHAHA
Frank
November 13th, 2010
10:26 pm
You people really are idiot’s!!! these UGA kids play there butt’s off. So now you are telling me Mark Richt needs to be fired? Give me and every one else a break who are real UGA fans. UGA lost a game. who care’s. Big deal GODAWGS!!!
Oh please
November 13th, 2010
10:26 pm
Please please please, fire Richt now. Tonight. Be done with it. The guy is just a loser.
Herschel Talker
November 13th, 2010
10:26 pm
IS ANYONE WATCHING THE FLORIDA GAME??? RICHT SHOULD BE FIRED ON THE SPOT FOR LOSING TO THESE LOSERS. THEY HAVE ONE GARBAGE TIME TD AGAINST SC, OTHERWISE THE OFFENSE HAS SCORED NOTHING. WHAT A JOKE THAT ANYONE CONTINUES TO ARGUE THAT RICHT SHOULD KEEP HIS JOB.
Gus
November 13th, 2010
10:27 pm
UGA will finish out on a 5-2 run, pretty good tone setter for 2011.
Cam Newton
November 13th, 2010
10:27 pm
OK lests see 39 touchdowns compared to what for mr murray
HitaSingle
November 13th, 2010
10:27 pm
Fairley=SEC THUG OF THE YEAR
Chizick=SEC THUG COACH OF THE YEAR
rilo
November 13th, 2010
10:27 pm
quote “Linebacker Justin Houston on Newton: “He didn’t do anything special.”
…except make you look stupid by pushing you back every time it was 3rd and 2.
Cam Newton
November 13th, 2010
10:27 pm
Dont have to throw for them when I can run over your linebackers like they are middle school players
Notadawgfan
November 13th, 2010
10:28 pm
I am not a dawg fan. hate them actually. But I respect Coach Richt. Hope it works out for him. UGA has not been the same since Van Goder left. Seems he was the guy who made it work. He needs to find another Van Goder.
Herschel Talker
November 13th, 2010
10:28 pm
WOULD YOU IDIOTS PLEASE STOP COMPARING SABAN’S FIRST YEAR TO RICHT’S TENTH YEAR? SABAN WAS TAKING OVER FROM A BAD COACH AND HADN’T GOTTEN HIS PLAYERS YET. RICHT IS IN HIS TENTH FRIGGING YEAR. ARE YOU GUYS MORONS?
Richt is a hero
November 13th, 2010
10:28 pm
MB you are a complete idiot….we are lucky to have kept it close with Auburn. CMR will bring us back!
Dawg Fan
November 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
He’s got a better winning percentage than Vince Dooley and 2 years ago we won 10 games. Give Richt 1 more year…if we’re like this come next November, then it’ll be time to move on. Nobody including Mark Bradley will never truly know how hard it is to coach a college football team in the SEC. They just write articles or comment on blogs about how “MARK RICHT SHOULD BE FIRED”. Give me a break!
Big Wally Dawg
November 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
Well, Auburn and SC in the GA. Dome. I hope the roof collapses.
Karma
November 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
Ok UGA fans your coach has had a bunch of thugs for how many years.. and you are calling AU out?????????????????? give me a break… how many arrest did you have this year… CRININOLES
Home for the Holidays
November 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
Finishing #2 is crap. We lost to a pathetic SC team at home and not scoring TD. All of Richts losses to SC, UGA did not score a TD. Pathetic !
AWJ
November 13th, 2010
10:29 pm
I can’t wait for CMR and UGA to win 10 or 11 and everybody will SHUT UP. Compare our defense from this year to last. BIG improvement and we don’t have the right personel and it is a new defensive philosophy. Nick Saban went 7-6 when they put in the 3-4. Nobody can win 10 or 11 EVERY year. Is Urban Meyer suddenly a bad coach? CMR is going nowhere but UGA…WE WILL rise again….
old timer
November 13th, 2010
10:30 pm
Murray,Torn ACL.Out For SEASON.
old timer
November 13th, 2010
10:30 pm
Murray,Torn ACL.Out For SEASON.
HitaSingle
November 13th, 2010
10:31 pm
Fairley should have been ejected when he hit Murray with helmet first lick in the back. Newton should have been flagged when he threw punch on stiff arm. I never thought I would pull for Spurrier over Auburn, but go Gamecocks. How does Green get flagged last year for just looking at crowd and Fairley was allowed to show boat on field like he did? White Hat official was very weak. He better be glad he had a strong crew around him.
Home for the Holidays
November 13th, 2010
10:31 pm
SC putting a beatdown on Florida. Fire Mark Richt Today !
Why I hate college football
November 13th, 2010
10:32 pm
The Head Coach is probably not making enough money. UGA should hire a different HC and pay him more money.
Dawglasville
November 13th, 2010
10:33 pm
chazzo – Cam Newton may have been in the pros this year. Fairley… his antics with the belt are what got me. This kid will make and lose more money in the next 10 years then most of us in a lifetime if he doesn’t learn some humility. He is going to end up another NFL casualilty, busted up and broke like 80% of the NFL players. The kid has sick talent but he had better get his head on straight.
Dawg Fan
November 13th, 2010
10:33 pm
2 years removed from a 10 win season…95-33 and a better winning percentage than Vince Dooley. Chill out guys….you go coach an SEC team in football and see how you do. Richt has earned the right to save this ship and I think next year we should be 100% behind him.
He Hate Gator
November 13th, 2010
10:33 pm
The Auburn game was a microcosm of Richt’s tenure….started out fast ahead of the opposition but was caught and passed by superior coaching….CMR should think long and hard about that Colorado job….
Darrell Searcy
November 13th, 2010
10:33 pm
Yes, I’m tired of seeing Georgia fall short in these big games, and i’m definitly tired of seeing them lose to florida time after time,can we ever get back to national title contenders.
Buckhead Bulldog
November 13th, 2010
10:33 pm
Well written, PHIL 10:14 pm, well written. I agree with everything but the OC comment. Sorry! I just have serious issues with his play calling.
Like you, I’m 100% in CMR’s corner…he/we will get through this. Adversity makes you stronger, and when the wins start coming again they will be all the more sweeter.
And no, I’m not a blind homer.
Go Dogs
Katherine
November 13th, 2010
10:33 pm
Hello
November 13th, 2010
10:22 pm
Hey Katherine… You mean like the Karma that was repaid from when the jawaja players were dancing to soldier boy on the sidelines BEFORE THE GAME WAS OVER.. You just got served. Hope you enjoy it.
As I hope you enjoy the loss by the gators tonight