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
Morley Safer
January 12th, 2011
8:53 am
The Dawgs suck….and it’s going to take a few years for them to re-surface on the SEC East scene. Richt needs to focus the Georgia recruits, lock them up with commitments and figure out what they’re doing on offense. By the way, a defense would certainly help UGA get back to prominence quicker. What about Mike Leach? I bet he could shake things up and get the Dawgs back on track.
Joe Bulow
January 12th, 2011
8:53 am
The best NFL player from Georgia was Fran Tarkenton? I dont know about that. He probably had the best infomercial of anybody from UGA though. I know he passed for like 10 miles, and he was a scrambling little rascal (his O linemen truly hated him), never did win the big one, etc. etc…. I dont know, Furman. I miss your old show by the way with you and Jim, etc. “I’m goin with Vandey on this one.” You and Wally Butts were friends. I miss Wally.
jerry
January 12th, 2011
8:53 am
If you Bible pounders think you can keep your hero, think again. Go vote for your favorite Republican that has the moral high ground.
UGAFan
January 12th, 2011
8:54 am
I just need to get this straight . . . because Richt did good things 5-10 years ago, we’re supposed to kiss his butt today?
Hell, with that logic, Authur Blank should have kept Jim Mora around for another 5 years – he had a hellova 1st season!
UGAFan
January 12th, 2011
8:55 am
What a stupid post, jerry.
Jeez . . .
Wall Butts
January 12th, 2011
8:56 am
Anybody want to bet on the Boise State game?
JB
January 12th, 2011
8:56 am
People around the country associate Fran with the NFL more than UGA. Most around the country probably couldn’t tell you where he went to college…..BUT, agree or disagree, he is an Alum, a letterman and a Big name in sports for anyone over 50. I personally think he’s stating the obvious. There are those on here who are happy with the last three years. Too many resources to have these results. The program is being run poorly as of the last three years…..Unless you’re happy with where we are….Then, you’re happy….most aren’t.
Wally Butts
January 12th, 2011
8:57 am
Stop using as parody of my name, Wall.
Really, anybody want to bet?
1 more year
January 12th, 2011
8:57 am
Richt’s got one more year–either win big, or McGarity’s moving him out. No more excuses, feel good stories about mission trips, etc. win big—or hit the road.
dawgno91
January 12th, 2011
8:58 am
Fran Tarkenton? Somebody ask Fran what he has ever done for UGA. He only speaks when he has somethng to complain about. Bitter old man.
eastofA1A
January 12th, 2011
8:59 am
In this photo Mark Richt is:
A) Showing turning skills he learned at truck-driving school.
B) Showing how Dowtin grapped his victim before punching him.
C) Showing how McGarity held against the wall during their last conversation.
As the toughest exams at uga are multiple choice, you guys should do well on this.
CovDawg
January 12th, 2011
9:00 am
FT is a bitter old man. What a jerk. FT never did win the big one in the pros. 3 superbowls and 0 superbowl rings. Good job!
Shut up Fran
January 12th, 2011
9:01 am
Fran Tarkenton is an attention grabber all he does is talk nonsenseevery week on the radio to draw attention to himself. His predictions are awful and he has no sense. CMR has earned the chance to fix things people are so quick to forget where the program was before he got there. Give him the chance to fix it and if he doesn’t then make a change. NO team wins every year. Look at Texas, Usc, FLa, Tennessee. You are going to have bad years that doesn’t mean richt forgot how to coach football!! Shut up Fran and go be a coach yourself somewhere since you know so much!!!
MARK
January 12th, 2011
9:03 am
Keep Mark Richt means automatic loss to Flordia 2-8 folks, We need someone that can beat Flordia!! Do yall understand that!! He has proven he can’t no matter how nice he is he can’t get it done I’m sorry 2-8 says it all for me.
UGAFan
January 12th, 2011
9:03 am
“Somebody ask Fran what he has ever done for UGA.”
______________________________
I”ll bet he hasn’t embarressed UGA by having 40 player arrests, 2-8 record vs UF, and going 6-7 this season.
mac daddy
January 12th, 2011
9:04 am
I have listened to many of Fran’s comments over the last year, from Favre to the Vikings to the Dawgs; this is a bitter old man. I have never seen him at any recent games nor heard of “any” contributions he has made to the program. So, pipe down old man. There is a reason that no one wants you around the places you have played!
Gator CHOMP Champ
January 12th, 2011
9:05 am
Simmer down Fran. Everything is just fine in Athens.
UGAFan
January 12th, 2011
9:07 am
So Fran not winning the big one makes him a failure? You mean like Dan Marino and Jim Kelly were failures? It’s a team sport, dufus. Even Elway lost several before he go Terrell Davis.
Incidently, Fran had most of the career NFL records that Marino broke years and years later.
John
January 12th, 2011
9:08 am
The facts show that CMR is really poor at growing leaders so he might as well focus on football.
kl
January 12th, 2011
9:08 am
spin is correct for richt. its all he does
Bark Madly
January 12th, 2011
9:09 am
A bitter, mean old man trying to get some attention. A crooked businessman old to pasture piping up about not cheating enough to keep up with the Auburns……..and my evil twin Mark agreeing with him.
Mark has only been correct about one thing….and that is that NOBODY can stop Paul Johnsons offense!
DawginLex
January 12th, 2011
9:09 am
WOULD FRANCIS HAVE THE GUTS TO BE A MAN AND MEET WITH COACH RICHT IN PERSON OR IS HE JUST A DRIVE BY SHOOTING LOUD MOUTHED WIMP WHO HAS NO GUTS????????????????
coondog
January 12th, 2011
9:10 am
Religion is a good thing. It should be kept private. When your best shot is “I’m a great Christian” you are using it for either a crutch or cloak. Standing in a church does not make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
UGAFan
January 12th, 2011
9:11 am
That’s right, shoot the messenger.
Sharkman
January 12th, 2011
9:13 am
Go back to Lexington Bradley! YOU SUCK!!!!! What the hell have you ever done except sit behind a typewriter and give your idiotic opinion. Why don’t you go to San Francisco and work for the 2012 reelection campaign of Obama! Atleast that’s something you might do well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGAFan
January 12th, 2011
9:15 am
Fran is right on the money – I care if my coach is a Muslim or a Buddhist as long as he doesn’t lose to Colorado and Central Florida.
Casey
January 12th, 2011
9:15 am
How many UGA players have to be arrested before you people think MAYBE there is a problem here?
DawgByte
January 12th, 2011
9:18 am
Fran is obviously frustrated! Everything he says is true and accurate, however I’m not sure I’ve reached the same conclusion… i.e. fire Richt now.
We need to give Richt an opportunity to turn this program around. If we don’t see significant improvement next year then McGarity will have to make the tough decision.
Wally Butts
January 12th, 2011
9:18 am
Arrested or convicted?
Wally Butts
January 12th, 2011
9:20 am
Yeah, he’s got one more year. 8-5 (4-4), then 6-7 (3-5) this year, another down year and its a trend.
dawgstyle
January 12th, 2011
9:20 am
I think MR is a great man ! I have had the chance to meet and talk to him two times, great man ! But I believe Fran is right ! WE ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS OUR LAST GAME !!!! Period. Stats are for bookkeepers. RICHT MUST right this ship NOW ! What ever it takes!!!!!!!
Va'jayjay Jackson
January 12th, 2011
9:20 am
Casey -
Hello is anyone home? We know arrests are a problem. Perhaps you didn’t get the news, but Marcus Dowtin has been booted from the team. It’s clear that Richt has incorporated a ZERO tolerance policy.
Mike
January 12th, 2011
9:21 am
Amen Mr. Tarkenton. Rich & Boo Boo must go. Also, hurry up & get well UGA. Russ ain’t cuttin’ it.
yogi2
January 12th, 2011
9:23 am
Fran T. should be Athletic Administrator for Georgia. He,atleast has an idea of the problems. I think he hit the nail on the head with his assumption of Richt. Just include Mike Bobo when we tar and feather
these imposters. They should be arrested for impersonating a football coach.
gt
January 12th, 2011
9:23 am
What is really hard to understand is why Richt is not more effective as a disciplinarian if his faith is first and all other things are secondary. He has probably the most out of control group of young men in the SEC. I think the world can handle the losing, what makes it so unbearable is the losing by losers. Do you honestly think a player coming to Georgia is better leaving than when he arrived. What is Christian about that. Go observe a Whitefield or a Wesleyan school here in the city. You will see what real Christian leadership can do with kids. They stop problems before they happen. They build character and in doing so the build winners. Go to a Jewish community and you see the same thing on steroids, could you imagine a Jewish kid having an expired drivers license? Enough of this selfish personality being associated with faith, walk the walk, get your real priories done. Too busy for football? This man is too busy for the kids that are his responsibility. What is this guy doing in Athens, there cannot be that many distraction in that little town.
Jborodawg
January 12th, 2011
9:24 am
“…find something else
January 11th, 2011
5:45 pm
Seriously? You report a week old radio interview that has already been reported. How no talented can you get?…”
My first thoughts too on seeing the headline.
needums
January 12th, 2011
9:27 am
Richt is not going to fix this. I have heard from very reliable sources that a lot of the players can’t stand him. How can you fix anything if the players could care less about what you think .
Wally Butts
January 12th, 2011
9:28 am
I’ll trade you Paul Johnson for Mark Richt. Right now. Straight, no chaser.
charliecole
January 12th, 2011
9:29 am
http://www.secsportsworld.blogspot.com
TheAntiMe
January 12th, 2011
9:30 am
Nice of Fran to bring along one of his law enforcement friends to give the Athens police a hand in arresting Richt’s Renegades.
UGA fan
January 12th, 2011
9:30 am
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
All I know how to do is make excuses and blame other teams for our failures.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
John
January 12th, 2011
9:30 am
Tarkenton is the no 7 athlete of the century at UGA for those who care about such things
Bob
January 12th, 2011
9:31 am
Va’jayjay Jackson – a ZERO tolerance policy. EXCEPT for his prize recruits.
STUDENT ATHLETE
January 12th, 2011
9:31 am
I did not know that Francis Tarkenton had any interest in the Georgia Football Program.
Bob
January 12th, 2011
9:32 am
Va’jayjay Jackson – BTW, he had an arrest AFTER the ZERO Tolerance Policy.
HE’s a joke.
Mother Superior
January 12th, 2011
9:33 am
We always have a place for you Mark:
http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114:last-word-on-football-we-really-do-exist&catid=32:languages&Itemid=47
Wally Butts
January 12th, 2011
9:33 am
Actually, Va’jayjay, Cremins had a true ZERO tolerance policy at GT. Stephan Marbury’s average 0.00.
TheAntiMe
January 12th, 2011
9:34 am
Too busy for football? This man is too busy for the kids that are his responsibility. What is this guy doing in Athens, there cannot be that many distraction in that little town.
Hey, you have to realize that it takes a lot of time making all of those Ford Truck commercials. You don’t see Dennis Leary doing a lot of movies these days either.
scott
January 12th, 2011
9:34 am
all though i agree with some of his points,fran did way more damage to our program than mark has done this year, by his out burst,signing class feb 2 ,what i want to no is who paid you and how much,what a idiot….
DavidSDawg
January 12th, 2011
9:35 am
Fran’s years at Georgia saw two winning seasons, 1959 (10-1) and 6-4 in 1960. The other two seasons were 3-7 and 4-6. He should know about turn around seasons then shouldn’t he.