Fran Tarkenton on 680 The Fan: UGA ‘is in in big trouble’
If you haven’t heard what Fran Tarkenton had to say regarding Mark Richt last Friday on 680 The Fan, you probably should. The most famous former Georgia Bulldog (non-Herschel division) eviscerated the Bulldogs’ coach and strongly suggested the program needs a new leader.
Francis T. began boldly — “What has happened over the last week with Georgia has been the most disturbing time I have seen in a long time; you know, people don’t want to look at reality” — and didn’t pause for breath. (A partial transcript is available at SportsRadioInterviews.com.)
Richt’s all-is-well press briefing of Jan. 4 apparently set Tarkenton’s teeth to gnashing. Concerning the announcement that Richt would re-immerse himself in the finer points of football, Tarkenton said this:
“Holy cow! Yesterday, where Mark Richt says, ‘I have been freed from administrative duties to spend more time on football.’ Then I quote him, he said, ‘The moves give [me] more time to study the game of football and be an expert and be on the cutting edge.’ What has he been doing for nine years? I have never heard any college, high school, professional coach [say] that [he] was not able to spend enough time on football.”
Asked by host Christopher Rude if Rich might have been devoting too much time to academics or somesuch, Tarkenton said:
“No, it sounds like a cop-out! It sounds like, ‘I am not taking responsibility. I have other things.’ We hire people to be football coaches. We pay him and others millions of dollars to be football coaches, not to be administrators. He didn’t do a very good job there — we had 12 people arrested this year, including a top-ranked quarterback who was a top kid that is now going to play LSU [Zach Mettenberger], and that has been going on forever.
“[Richt] is a wonderful guy. He is a good Christian guy. He wants to be a missionary. He goes on missions. That is a wonderful thing. But do you know the religion of Nick Saban? Or Gus Malzahn? Or Chip Kelly playing for the national championship? I don’t think we care what their religion [is]. We hire them to be football coaches. If we are hiring religious instructors, let’s go to the Candler School of Theology over here in Decatur and get some of their people to come and coach our football team.”
Let the record note that Tarkenton is himself the son of a preacher. Which isn’t the same as being the son of a diplomat, and is evident throughout this diatribe. More Fran: “You’ve been there nine years [10, actually] and you say [you] haven’t had time to spend on football — if you don’t think that’s a problem, Georgia people, and [athletic director] Greg McGarity, if you don’t think the signs are there, my friend … Bad news does not get better with time.”
Regarding last week’s announcements that two top in-state prospects plan to sign with Alabama and Auburn, Tarkenton said:
” We’re going to lose the elite players this year. We haven’t in the past — we’ve gotten the elite player. We either didn’t choose right or we didn’t coach right, because we didn’t have success.
“Right now our program has had three years of regression, and I don’t see any way this thing is going to get out of the ditch. When I read comments like [Richt's] … we’re putting spin on everything. In the meantime Alabama and Auburn and Tennessee are working and kicking our butts and recruiting people and getting coaches that have spread offenses. I mean, can you imagine? We scored two field goals against Central Florida.”
The son of a preacher then offered a benediction: “I think Greg McGarity has got to look at this awfully hard, I think the signs are that we have a program that is in big trouble.”
And now you’re asking: How noteworthy is this? My answer: Very. It’s one thing for some newspaper guy (like this one) to carp about Richt, quite another for a most distinguished alum to sound the alarm. In the space of nine minutes, Sir Francis essentially said what more and more folks are thinking: That Georgia needs a new coach.
By Mark Bradley
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1,032 comments Add your comment
wayx
January 12th, 2011
7:32 am
Tarkington has badmouthed every Georgia coach since Vince Dooley and has NEVER lifted a finger to help his alma mater. Sour grapes from a disgruntled trouble maker and
con artist.
Earl
January 12th, 2011
7:33 am
I used see Fran Tarkenton so drunk in Buckhead he was stagering.
BoWeevil
January 12th, 2011
7:34 am
Vance C. Smith, Jr., should not be fired as Commissioner of the Georgia Department
of Transportation.
&
Mark Richt should not be fired as head coach Georgia Bulldogs’ football program.
For 3 days now, DOT has done nothing to get rid of the ice. We have 11 plows total, and he thinks he can keep his job.
For 3 years now, we have 2 extremely weak wins over Michigan State and Georgia tek, and 11 losses vs Top 25 teams otherwise and he thinks he can keep his job.
I have news for both, and their supporters which are damn few and damn far between.
BoWeevil
January 12th, 2011
7:40 am
Whenever someone says the TRUTH, he is attacked personally by the Richt Apologists
NEVER a discussion that the statements are incorrect.
Why is that ?
Whenever someone says that Georgia DOT Commissioner Vance C. Smith, Jr. should have had more ice plows here after the debacle a month ago for the same circumstances, excuses are offered up for him as well.
What is their life purpose ?
Is it God ?
Or, is it their DAMNED JOBS ?
AU Liberal in ATL
January 12th, 2011
7:42 am
It’s great not to be an Ugger. War Damn Eagle!
Escaped from Email Purgatory
January 12th, 2011
7:47 am
Amazing.
Many posts from the Keep CMR Club are defending their beloved coach by ripping Tarkenton’s character rather than refuting Tarkenton’s comments.
You folks obsession with Richt’s character is astonishing.
Let me ask you this. How much integrity does it take for a guy to accept a $2 million dollar salary while going through the motions at work? CMR pretty much admitted that to be the case in his press conference.
Bottom line is, you loyalists are completely blind to reality and unable to analyze the situation with any objectivity.
Here’s hoping you’re relatively small in number – and that the UGA brain trust doesn’t share your affliction.
Pete
January 12th, 2011
7:51 am
Ever wonder why Fran the Man isn’t really a part of the Georgia Family even though he was one of the program’s all-time greatest? He’s a cocky, mouthy, ego-maniacal INDIVIDUAL who puts himself above all others. He’s an arrogant, short man. Fran, stick to satellite radio self-promoting commercials where you describe yourself as a “hall-of-famer and serial entrepreneur”. Who says that about THEMSELVES?
Nativebird
January 12th, 2011
7:52 am
Hey, how about Georgia hiring your little boy, Coach Pauly Johnson? Then the Bulldogs can run a gimmick highschool offense and recruit quarterbacks who cannot actually throw a pass, all the while smuggly flippin off the media and public as beneath him and unable to understand his “genius”.
Buckeye
January 12th, 2011
7:53 am
Truth hurts, eh?
By the way, stop beating the horse. It remains dead.
dap01
January 12th, 2011
7:55 am
More people Bi_ch about a player getting kicked off of UGA, but they are ok with CAM being anywhere with his academic and felony records. They complain about parking tickets at UGA but are silent on the 300+ independent studies classes offered to Auburn players.
Cadillac Williams only had one class his last year at Auburn, an independant study. He was the only student. Why are the media saying ANYTHING about that?
Cam’s Dad got paid major dollars. Cam has always admitted that his Dad chose the college. But everyone still kisses CAM’s butt.
Shut up Fran.
DawginLex
January 12th, 2011
7:55 am
Do you fire him now Francis?
Who do you hire -NOW? Francis?
Want to wreck the program for multiple years Francis?
Think before you speak Francis!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fire him now and watch the program go in the toilet.
The decision has been made to keep him for next season.
Why doesn’t everyone just shutup and support the team and the coaches and let’s see what happens.
There is a correct time to replace the coach and now is not it.
Thanks Francis for destroying our recruiting momentum.
Letterman85
January 12th, 2011
7:55 am
Summarizes what we already new. The great job comment still bugs me. Reality is that these are our coaches who are on a very short chain. This is still The University of Ga which will move forward therefore let’s encourage the coaches and more importantly the athletes and future players. Our legacy will right the ship no matter the current crew.
Phil
January 12th, 2011
7:56 am
Couldn’t agree more with Fran. Even Herschel himself said basically the same thing a few months ago, but not as direct as Fran did. You people need to wake up.
Don’t tell me it’s too late in the year and all that crap to do anything about Richt. Michigan just hired a new coach yesterday. Several others within the last week. We could get it done by the end of this week.
But no, let’s keep the clown for another year. And I guarantee you by the middle of next season, all you Richt loyalists will be wishing you had listened to Fran.
Buckeye
January 12th, 2011
7:56 am
I wonder when the F you guys are going to move on. Turn the page. Talk about Thompkins and your Gym Dogs. Your recruiting season will stink. The Spring game will come and go and you can look forward to Boise taking it to you.
Can’t wait until The Masters…….
» SEC: Florida gets a rare hoops win at Tennessee John Clay’s Sidelines
January 12th, 2011
7:56 am
[...] Mark Bradley: Fran Tarkenton rips Georgia football [...]
Murphy
January 12th, 2011
8:02 am
Thank you Fran for stating what many fans/alumni feel. This is exactly why I have forgone my 27 years of donations and season tickets for 2011.Its sad that this has to be played out in the press but the truth is what is needed to change the culture of UGA Football.
Sue Henson
January 12th, 2011
8:03 am
I agree with Fran. Very well spoken and what true UGA football fans should be thinking. Being a “nice guy” does not = a good football coach!
Escaped from Email Purgatory
January 12th, 2011
8:05 am
Letterman 85.
With due respect to your time as a player, your post is all platitude and no substance.
Want to talk about the current market value of “legacy” after a once-respected program has floundered for a few years?
Want to talk about The University of Michigan? Legacy? UM’s got it out the wazoo. How many coaches said “No Thanks” before one accepted as Rich Rod’s replacement? Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles. Both alums for goodness sakes.
Will this dude from San Diego State right the ship? Who knows. But he was no higher than the third most qualified candidate to do so according to UM’s athletic brain trust.
Joe Bulow
January 12th, 2011
8:06 am
You figure by 2005 Donnan’s recruits are gone, so its Richt’s team. 2005: 10-3 ranked #10.
2006: 9-4 ranked #23. 2007: 11-2 ranked #2. 2008: 10-3 ranked #10. 2009: 8-5. 2010: 6-7.
So a couple of off years or a trend? Remains to be seen. I wouldnt be too hasty in calling for his head.
I like Wally Butts myself. He and Bear Bryant knew how to make the game interesting.
War Eagle!
AYC alum
January 12th, 2011
8:09 am
Fran Tarkenton is an arrogant a**hole; always has been, always will be!!
Jimmy Buffett
January 12th, 2011
8:10 am
test
Letterman85
January 12th, 2011
8:12 am
The substance of the matter is there will be no coaching changes until potentially next season so why entertain the what if thoughts. This is our team, coaches and all, and constructively improvement is an unconditional expectation. In the mean time we should……..
chazzo
January 12th, 2011
8:13 am
I am sorry but where does Fran coach? Undoubtedly, Tarkenton is one of, if not the greatest grandaddy Dawg. His accomplishments as a QB are stellar. He is not a coach, though, and not a collegiate coach in this day and age. Nor has he been in the locker room with the Dawgs these past three seasons. It’s kind of easy and kind of obtuse to pick a part a general news conference speech meant to assuage. I am not defending Richt or the program. Again, I don’t necessarily disagree with Tarkenton. The way he has gone about expressing his opinion, though, is fairly lame.
I think it will be a great day when Mark Richt man’s up and says, “You know what, I am the coach. So, all of you out there either shut up and get behind me or piss off.” That statement should include ex-players and alumni, no matter how much money they give or what their accomplishments were on the field. I think one of Richt’s biggest faults is that he tries to please too many people. He ought to try pissing a few people off once in a while.
FLA DAWG
January 12th, 2011
8:13 am
Travis,
Your post on page 13 says it all!
Well done.
trey
January 12th, 2011
8:14 am
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Hello? Richt is coming back for 2011. Doesn’t matter what Fran says, what sidewalk fans say, or what UGA graduates say. The dude is coming back. Get a clue, go buy a vowel. The money boosters are happy with him and gave their nod for another year.
Bradley you obviously are behind on a car payment so you decided to start a retarded blog that would cause major hits.
gary cantelmo
January 12th, 2011
8:19 am
targingtin is a full of crap has-been. shorty probably would not even make the scout team today. my guess is mark’s parents are more proud of there son than fran’s are of there’s. richt has great character and fran has class – but his class is all 3rd. go back to your hole shorty.
Buckeye
January 12th, 2011
8:19 am
Parcels: “You are what you record says you are”
Fran the Man
January 12th, 2011
8:21 am
Atta boy Mark “I can’t think of anything to write so I’ll post some week old news” Bradley.
Joe Bulow
January 12th, 2011
8:22 am
“Mommy, Cam is cheating! Waaaaa! And Nick is playing dirty again! Waaaaaaa” Wow, newsflash. “And Stephon Marbury’s GPA at GT was 0.00. Waaaaaaa! Mommy! Do something! Mommy?”
You dogs used to be hard.
SGD
January 12th, 2011
8:22 am
Here we go again, another negative column by MB. Georgia’s AD has already made the decision to give coach MR another year. While I too am concerned about the path of the program over the last three to four years, the decision has been made. It appears to me that MB will say or do anything to bring down UGA and MR. All this negative stuff at this point will not accomplish anything other than maybe hurt recruiting efforts and possibly some donations.
Jalex49
January 12th, 2011
8:23 am
Mr. Tarkenton,
You are my all-time favorite quarterback and as a fan I understand your feelings regarding the Georgia program. I agree with what you said, but we all know that, Coach Mark Richt can right the ship if his demeanor and attituide changes.
He can still be a”christian and demand the best out of his players”. I would hope that the Georgia nation would see the football program for what’s happened and take a deep breath and let’s figure out how we can support those currently on the team and the wonderful guys who have committed to try and turn this program around.
In my mind these are the ” top-recruits” regardless of ratings because they could have taken the easy out and went to a program that’s ok, but they chose to come help a program, that desperately needs their talent to get it back to the top.
I honestly believe if some key players, they know who they are, would take this same approeach it will pay dividends in a positive way in their football career. They have the opportunity to lead a program and leave at the end of their individual careers a legancy that has not been equal since the bulldogs of 1980(Championship team).
I would hope that Mr. Tarkenton would and other notable football players of the past get behind these men of Georgia football. Spend the money and spare some time and go see these guys and Coach Richt and his staff and offer support and a few words of wisdom.
I as a fan, I call upon, the Walker(H), Davis(T), Ward(H), Stinchcomb(J), Baily(C) and all others who have worn the “Georgia “G” go and see these guys and spend some time to explain why you wore the “G” and why you as an alumni, are so proud of them. Tell them what”you” did to be sucessful !
This is a time, if ever, the Team needs for you guys to step up to the plate, regardless of where you are at!
Coach Richt, if any of these people come, please take the time to “pick their brains” and see if somehow the missing ingredient can be found and bring Georgia back to greatness.
I’m sorry I have been so wordly, but I can’t influence these guys, but someone who has been in the Georgia fight, can. I don’t see any other way for this program to turn-around until some who can give-give and those who can-support -support these young men.
‘GO Dawgs”….
Bill
January 12th, 2011
8:26 am
I wouldn’t put much stock in what Fran Tarkington has to say about anything. He’s not the Fountain of Knowledge on coaching football; Hell, he’s not even the Pool of Knowledge on coaching football. Budweiser, maybe.
barneyb
January 12th, 2011
8:26 am
Thank you, Fran Tarkenton for having the balls to say what nobody in authority will. This will not improve under the current head and assistant coaches! Mark Richt IS NOT the man for the job, and frankly, never has been.
I don’t give a rip about total W-L. I keep stressing blind homers to lok beneath the overall stats and look at records against SEC and ranked opponents. It’s deplorable! When VanGorder left after being treated so badly and Donnan’s recruits graduated, Richt has really done very little with the program. Sorry to say it, but it is true. Other than the uptick in 2007 (which could be defined as an anamoly), Mark Richt has not had good teams overall, and continues his downward spiral.
w.b.burns
January 12th, 2011
8:27 am
Let’s see, this is the same Tarkenton who, some years ago, was invited to a reunion of his ‘59 football team, but he demanded an “Appearance Fee” to participate. UGA refused and Takenton wasn’t there. Yea, right, I’m going to listen to guy and his “love” of the Bulldogs.
Get a life!
January 12th, 2011
8:34 am
I don’t know if UGA needs a new head coach, but I know Mark Bradley needs a new topic! Get a life dude! What did Mark Richt do to you?
Jim Nasium
January 12th, 2011
8:35 am
Not first.
Dawg in Iraq
January 12th, 2011
8:37 am
I think it is safe to say that Mark Bradley and Coach Richt are not going to be going to dinner anyway soon. Let us move forward, at least for this next year, as coach Richt is not going away next year. Does anyone remember when Auburn tried to hire coach Petrino while Tuberville was still their coach. I believe Tuberville came back the next year and had a pretty good year. I think he went undefeated. Maybe things will be better for the Dawgs next year, if not, then we get another coach. All this mud slinging is not doing anything but creating negative press for the Dawgs on the recruiting trail. Why not sling a little mud in the direction of Auburn? Oh I forgot, they are clean as a whistle, can’t assume anything is wrong without proof unless it has to do with Mark Richt’s program. Wow, enough allready, can’t wait till next year!
crossdawg
January 12th, 2011
8:39 am
Fran for Head Coach!!!
dt4c
January 12th, 2011
8:39 am
BS! What does Fran know about UGA football? Nothing! He has not even taken the time to visit UGA on game day in 50 years. He is a gutless POS. He has access to a phone doesn’t he? Why not pick up the phone and call GM! Why? Because no one at UGA gives a crap what this dinosaur thinks, that’s why. Fran should say these things in private if he GAS about UGA at all. There is no place at UGA for a washed up motivational crook like Fran. He doesn’t care about UGA when he gives hacks like you a chance to put these statements in a column.
Joe Bulow
January 12th, 2011
8:39 am
Hey, Auburn is clean as a houndstooth.
Dawg in Iraq
January 12th, 2011
8:42 am
Another thing, I can’t understand why everyone wants to blame Richt’s recent trouble on his Christian beliefs. he is not the one that makes a big deal out of it, it is everyone else. I believe it is a non-issue. He doesn’t spend all his time on Mission Trips, but if he uses his vaction to practice what he believes, thats OK. Would it be better if he were an athiest? Would that make his team better?
Joe Bulow
January 12th, 2011
8:44 am
Well, I dont know if it would them any better but it would at least stop that praying with the other team at the end of the game.
War Eagle
SEC Football
January 12th, 2011
8:45 am
Watch what you wish for! 2010 was a transition year with all the new coaches on defense. Sure there were mistakes this year and there have been a couple of down years. Give them this year to to get the players to play the 3-4. If we are not at least 9-3 in 2011 then let the howling begin!
Furman Bishop
January 12th, 2011
8:47 am
Fabulous Francis is right on the money. The best NFL player UGA ever turned out certainly knows a loser when he sees one. McGarity would do well to heed his advice. Keep telling it “like it is”, Francis.
Arthur Redding, Jr.
January 12th, 2011
8:48 am
Fran Tarketon?
Who’s that?
I’ve been following UGA football for 45 years and I have NEVER heard of Tarkenton doing one thing for UGA football. I’d be interested in knowing precisely what he has done.
There are plenty of former UGA players I’d be interested in hearing from. Tarkenton’s not one of them.
Bradley’s making way too much of this.
Vince
January 12th, 2011
8:48 am
Well thanks Fran. By making those big mouth comments now, you may just hurt recruiting and overall morale and your wish may come through next year. If you have so much insight why didnt you say this two or three months ago? And if the coach had fired BoBo would that make everything right? And who would we have been able to hire? So many programs have trouble with the players right now. It is not just UGA. And who would we hire? Maybe they would be a superstar or maybe it would be a 5 year experiement.
weatherdog
January 12th, 2011
8:48 am
Bradley—–I guess you are happy that you have been able to bring out a few hundred idiots who don’t like the fact that CMR is a good man and doesn’t jump up and down like a wild man. You have made every effort to discredit coach Richt and the program for as long as I can remember. You sit behind your little computer and spew crap all over the internet and your little lemmings jump right in behind. It would be just sad if you weren’t causing such discourse. All of us will have to answer for the things we have said and you will be no different. I hope you can come up with a good column when that time comes. Go Dawgs and coach Richt and team —-I am with you.
JB
January 12th, 2011
8:49 am
Me Thinks Michigan did a little knee jerk firing Rodriguez and didn’t have a firm plan or a man hired ….and had to settle. I’m hoping If If If Mark has to be let go, McGarity has prepared, fires him the day after the Tech game, and gets 3-5 weeks to interview and pursue the right guy, cause he will get turned down, as Richt did hiring a DC. He’ll swing for the fence to cover his butt, but at least hopefully have time to not knee jerk a hire. Tenn. folk think that’s what AD Hamilton did up there.
Bull Meacham
January 12th, 2011
8:49 am
Way to go Fran!! Thanks for telling it like it is instead of the usual spin we get out of Athens. Our rivals (UF, Tenn, and now Auburn) all have recent Natl Championships. After watching the innovation and boldness (yes – both teams actually go for it on 4ht and goal!) you know we will not get there with Mark Richt.
Dostoveyskiy
January 12th, 2011
8:50 am
You can’t love both CMR and FT at the same time. So come on now, whose side are you on? There’s trouble in paradise. Look out recruits, the camping ain’t too happy at UGa. Do you want 4 years of this negativity?