5 reasons Mark Richt won’t leave UGA for Miami or anywhere
"Leave all this? And give up showbiz? Are you crazy?" (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
First it was Colorado. Now it’s Miami that’s believed to be interested in Mark Richt. As noted earlier, it might be best for both Richt and Georgia if he found a new job. But I’m guessing he won’t see it that way. And the reasons for that guess are:
• He makes too much money. Neither Colorado, which might not be seriously considering Richt, or Miami, which surely is, can match the $3 million Georgia is paying. His job security might be eroding — he needs to win at least nine games next season to feel safe — but he’s not so near unemployment he needs to take a pay cut.
• He works at a big-name school in the biggest-name league. You don’t exit the SEC to take a job anywhere but the NFL. (The weirdo Dennis Franchione is the exception that proves the rule.) The SEC is the place a college coach works all his life to land; it’s not the place you leave, at least not of your own volition.
• He’s a Miami alum, but he might not be a Miami fit. The folks in Coral Gables are serious about football — they just canned Randy Shannon on merit — but they’re more serious about image. The Hurricanes have worked mightily to clean up their image as Rogue U, and their president is Donna Shalala, who served in Bill Clinton’s Cabinet and isn’t about to let her school revert to being a rule-flouting football factory. And Richt, as we know too well, presides over a program that has seen 11 player arrests this calendar year.
• He has no powerful enemies in Athens. Nobody who matters wants Richt to fail. Already bearing the scars from Jim Donnan and Vince Dooley, UGA president Michael Adams isn’t anxious to fire another high-profile football man, and Greg McGarity, the new AD, is utterly sincere in his admiration for Richt. Indeed, Richt was the biggest beneficiary of Damon Evans’ midnight ride through Buckhead. The former AD’s often-stated goal was to win championships, and 6-6 in a season that coulda/shoulda been 9-3 wouldn’t have been received nearly as well by Richt’s former boss.
• He doesn’t see himself as the problem. For all his cordiality, Richt is a massively confident man. He hasn’t yet conceded that his stewardship is in real trouble. (Not many coaches would, it must be said.) Asked after the Auburn game how Georgia had gotten to 5-6, Richt leaned on the it-was-just-a-play-here-and-play-there crutch
I say again: I don’t think Richt is going anywhere, but I do think he should consider it. Because I’m not sure it’s going to get significantly better for him in Athens, and because the understanding Mr. McGarity mightn’t be so understanding if Georgia continues to be one play away. A coach gets paid $3 million to control his circumstances, not to be the victim thereof.
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324 comments Add your comment
okay, I'll say it
December 1st, 2010
12:53 am
I live in Athens, and did not go to Georgia. I am amazed that a great place to live has such a backwards country village mentality in its police department. Granted, Ealey took a car belonging to his teammate, wrecked it and drove off. Absolutely moronic, no excuse for it. But riding a scooter down an alley, shooting off fireworks, etc…and being arrested for it is a little ridiculous, a well. I read the local news every day, keep up with what’s going on over at the University as it is the engine that drives the economy here. There have been, by my count, four or five arrests that were legitimate, no kidding problems where arrests were warranted (no pun intended) the rest ranged from silly to absolutely ridiculous. No, he doesn’t have a squeaky clean group of players, they’re teenagers away from home for the first time and I certainly did my share of stupid things when I was away at school, they’re no different. Put it to bed, already!
Finally, Officially a Dawg
December 1st, 2010
1:03 am
Granted I haven’t read every single post since the article was posted but let’s not get all quick to usher Coach out of town. Some comments have been made about how this is similar to when Fulmer lost the team in Knoxville. Has anyone taken a look at that program since they made the once obvious move to get rid of Fulmer? Richt’s a good coach. In my opinion, the SEC is more cyclic than people would like to admit. Richt has a proven record. Honestly, who else would fill his shoes? I’m sure there’s a Lane Kiffin out there and we would consider ourselves oh so lucky to have such a coach when compared to Richt. He has a .744 winning percentage…IN THE SEC! Come on folks… It’s alright to have a year when you bat .500. Change sports and you’re in the hall.
Thoughts from a Real GT Fan
December 1st, 2010
1:43 am
Look I really don’t understand this Mark Bradley bashing. I mean the AJC is a really crappy newspaper from cover to cover, but Mark Bradley’s column is among the better parts. He is typically a “fan of the home team,” but is willing to issue a wake-up call from time to time. Get over it, folks.
Tee
December 1st, 2010
2:19 am
God I hate UGA!
Tee
December 1st, 2010
2:20 am
and their fans!
Elliot Garcia
December 1st, 2010
2:48 am
keepmarkricht.com
Chuck
December 1st, 2010
3:04 am
CMR needs to fire his buddy the strength and conditioning coach or else they will both get fired next year.
Travis McGee
December 1st, 2010
4:50 am
PreyDawg: You are absolutely correct. And, if UGA was looking for an example of a good, honest role model,humanitarian and human being, Richt would fit the bill.
But, as the football coach for the Dawgs, he has become a mediocre coach and 6 and 6 won’t feed the dawg, no matter how wonderful he is as a human being.
Davis Mann
December 1st, 2010
5:21 am
Mr. Bradley, fortunately for you, your insight is so flawed and off-beat that it manufactures interest, while allowing your apparent lack of (at least) constructive jabber to be ignored. Are you completely fabricating this issue, because regardless of any offers/interest on behalf of “tha U,” there is no chance that Richt would leave UGA willingly FOR ANYTHING! He’s comfortable (lifestyle wise, not w/ respect to job-security obviously), where he enjoys a premier recruiting base, one who’s major concern is competition from the state of Florida, which would sky-rocket w/ a move to Miami. He’s within the Bible Belt, so that his post party-boy “Chrustanity” can be respected, despite the fact that he has trouble relating to high profile athletes…that said, are you seriously saying that he would bring DETRIMENT to “tha U’s” rep? That’s laughable and not worth further comment.
Further, where do you get the idea of his apparent loyalty to the alma-mature, besides the fact that he did, indeed attend “tha U in tha Eighties.” He was overshadowed throughout his entire career in Miami, and absolutely holds more esteem for Fla. St. than Miami. Tell your editors (who hopefully will wake up some time soon) to let me know when their hiring.
Davis Mann
December 1st, 2010
5:24 am
“…they’re…” Just feel the need to correct, in the case that you (AJC editors) do look to replace Fart Sadly.
Davis Mann
December 1st, 2010
5:28 am
…this correspondent really, really should jump back into the toolbox…one I expect belongs to a 7 fingered handyman “willing to perform a variety of odd jobs!
lookin for a good story
December 1st, 2010
8:21 am
georgedawg for prez, done with you for vp. back to 1st freedom mag
Jack_in_Homestead, FL
December 1st, 2010
11:26 am
fuzzybee
November 30th, 2010
8:49 am
Does anyone else find it ironic that the UGA coach is considered too dirty for Miami, a school once known for its thugishness?
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Great comment from a fan of a school that once suited up a FEDERALLY INDICTED DRUG-RUNNER..just so that they could win a game against Larry Coker. Yup…bumbling Larry Coker
jwilli120
December 1st, 2010
12:19 pm
i would just like to know when will UGA and CMR “finish the
drill” 10yrs on the job and the longest tentured coach in
the SEC and ZERO NATIONAL TITLES…but he wins 10 games a
year ..not anymore. AUB coach 2yrs in may win a national
title before CMR and this is fine with the BULLDAWG NATION,
as they say on ESPN COME ON MAN…..just sayin. I for one
would love for CMR to stay and I would like to attend or see
the DAWGS in the BCS TITLE GAME and if that means CMR needs
to go so be it. Just tired of seeing other programs “Finish
the drill” that we can’t and haven’t in the last 10yrs.
jwilli120
December 1st, 2010
12:36 pm
we have been passed by Aub, Miss St, SC and maybe even TENN
COME ON BULLDAWG NATION we deserve better, because we are
better just not well coached, not respected, not feared,
not strong, not disciplined, not a factor in the SEC, this
is not JUNKYARD DAWG FOOTBALL folks, when will the bulldawg
nation stop putting up with this CRAP, I think if CMR and
company don’t end up in the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME next
year he should be shown the door, anything less is
unacceptable CUT AND DRY PEROID 12-0 or 11-1 or FIRE CMR
Dawg H8R
December 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
1) He’s a Coach In Name Only.
2) Proven undisciplined leader.
3) Did I say he ain’t no real coach already?
4) The kunservative dawg backers love this ole boy!
5) Outside of Oklahoma or Free Shoes University,why would anybody hire Richt?
Dawg H8R
December 1st, 2010
1:19 pm
As a native South Carolinian, I never liked Spurrier.Upon moving to ATL for 15 years, I hated him. Now that he is OUR coach, I appreciate the way he COACHES.The way he looks for more from his guys. He demands accountability. Arrests are unacceptable. Skipping class is unacceptable. Changing the loser mentality culture was a huge hurdle here. Now it’s paid off. Win or lose on saturday, we are still SEC EAST CHAMPS. Whether other teams are down or not, the games still have to be played. Spurrier is not dirty, never has been. Cocky,yes. Dirty,no!
No need for me to insult Georgia,I just want to say how good it feels to be at the top like UGA/FLA etc have enjoyed for so long!
Go Gamecocks!!!!!!!!! USC 27 AUB 24
Hire Smart while there may be a chance!
December 1st, 2010
3:40 pm
Now would be a great time for Richt to bolt, then maybe we cold get Kirby Smart from Alabama as HC. I have never seen anyone mention that most of Richts best years were done on the foundation that Jim Donnan built. I don’t see how we can be much better than 8-4 next year and that may be wishful thinking. I am afraid that Murrey is going to be this generations Eric Zeier. A strong armed short QB big on guts and stats but short on pulling out the close wins. We need a big body QB in this league.
I love traditional offense, but are we going to be the last team in the SEC to have a pro set instead of some sort of spread offense?
RODE O CLOWN
December 1st, 2010
7:14 pm
Reason #6: No university would be stupid enough to hire Richt, a proven failure. Richt has been @ UGA for what, 10 years? How many SEC championships? How many national championships? And now that ALABAMA and AUBURN are back in the “zone” UGA will be sucking hindt__t for the next few years. Hell, even Derek Dolley, in his first year with Tennessee, did a better job coaching than Richt. Yeah, Mark Richt want leave UGA because there not another university stupid enough to hire him.
TheTruth
December 2nd, 2010
9:49 am
Most of you might want to be careful of what you wish for…1.)Richt is the winnest coach in Georgia history(% wise)..I know in our what-have-you-done-for-me-today society that does not mean much…but it is fact and staying the course might be best considering..2)When was the last time Georgia attracted a big name coach from a division I prorgram(exactly..none of you where born when that happened even Richt was a coordinator when he came…so stop dreaming of all these names you think might come!)…Geogria is not the plum everyone thinks it is(and if on the off chance it is now..it is because of Mark Richt!)…higher expectations then can be expected realistically…coaches know that this is TheTruth!!!!!
Billyboy
December 3rd, 2010
1:22 pm
Mark, you are as bad as the robo-calls and the TV commercials during an election. No true comparisons and no real research.
Maybe you should go back to your high school newspaper, you might qualify.
harold
December 3rd, 2010
2:42 pm
BAD NEWS FOR GEORGIA AS MARK HAS LOST THE MOJO!
maddog
December 3rd, 2010
4:39 pm
CMR has not been a good coach since getting that 8 year contract extension. But look for him to have a great year at uga next year cause his job is on the line. I believe he can turn it up or down like most people adjust their thermostat. With the talent he has he can have almost any record he wants. I think Bobo is a great oc and he was a great quarterback at uga. Bobo is a living legend. CMR should definitely not gett a contract extension as we will never get a national championship as long as he is head coach. His ties and loyalties are with the state of Florida. What we need in the near future is a good ol georgia man like derrick dooley or kirby smart. GO DAWGS!!
Jim
December 4th, 2010
6:29 pm
Richt must go. Nothing but a pattern of decline for 5 years.