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
dawgs
January 11th, 2011
7:40 pm
Good for Fran! Watching Bo Jackson on the sideline last night reminded me of something UGA is sorely missing: Former players with a vested interest in the state of the school and the athletic program. I hope Fran’s words can help alumni see clearly
Falcons Fever
January 11th, 2011
7:40 pm
Tarkenton is a “fame hound” and that is all he is. He is generally disliked and even despised by most who know him. He couldn’t care less about UGA except when it involves self promotion. Bradley, this is such old news. I know you’re looking for something to write about, but come on man..weak, very weak..
ugab
January 11th, 2011
7:40 pm
Team is the Key! Alot of Seniors help too. AU
dawgschiro
January 11th, 2011
7:41 pm
Well said, GlenU!
There’s a time and a place for criticizing the coach & doing it right before national signing day isn’t it.
Rick
January 11th, 2011
7:41 pm
We should keep Mark Richt because he is a good christian man!!
Wise Ol Dawg
January 11th, 2011
7:41 pm
Finally! One of the most famous Bulldogs ever tells it like it is. And what it is is bad. I have been saying for the past two years that Mark Richt is no longer SEC Caliber…if he ever was. His program has been in decline since the last of Jim Donnan’s players graduated (or used up their eligibility). Since he has been at UGA two different coaches have won BCS titles at LSU. Nick Saban won another one at Bama. Urban Myer won two at Florida. And now Gene Chisik has won a title at Auburn. And both Myer and Chisik won titles in their second seasons as head coaches. I think the only thing Mark Richt learned from Bobby Bowden was how to over stay his welcome!
Les Miles
January 11th, 2011
7:42 pm
keep CMR…it’s one of the reasons I came back…to beat ole’ sweet meat…
Rick
January 11th, 2011
7:43 pm
you mean sour meat don’t you Les?
Tech cant block Rudy
January 11th, 2011
7:44 pm
When you get out coached by Dan Hawkins it is just sad
JB
January 11th, 2011
7:44 pm
Lot;s of UGA folks on here happy with two SEC titles in 30 years. We are Gators,War Eagle, Tide’s best friend. The only reason he has kept his job, he owns Tech. SEC, another story.
Fan
January 11th, 2011
7:44 pm
Yeah I remember years ago the Georgia coaches, I think during Goff years, said Fran insisted they pay him for some signed letters they requested him to send to recruits. Sounds like he really is loyal to ol’ Georgia.
Billy Jack
January 11th, 2011
7:45 pm
@westcoastvol …not bad…next time sneak in a pic of Kathie Lee
JB
January 11th, 2011
7:45 pm
Mark hasn’t gotten better. The Conference has. Stuck in time in Athens.
Carlton
January 11th, 2011
7:45 pm
I don’t think Mark Richt is a “cancer” on this program-he has had success in the past and he has recruited well. I’ll tell you one thing though, when we get a talent like Stafford, Moreno, or Green, we tend to focus solely on those players and those players only. To win a Championship-you need a TEAM effort. I’m not saying having great players is a bad thing, but when our team goes 1-4 without AJ Green and then 5-2 with him, what does that tell you? It means that Mark Richt and Bobo rely too much on those players who are game changers rather than utilizing ALL their weapons.
This is why when UGA didn’t have any big names on teams of old (from ‘01-06 basically) they were a better TEAM unit. Richt’s gotten to concerned with recruiting highly and not developing players around the stars they have (and this I suspect, is also why Moreno, Stafford and green left early). if they saw a UGA TEAM that actually did well and was winning championships, they would be more apt to stay instead of bolting after 3 years. We’ve become a funnel for the NFL-no more, no less.
Not having AJ Green on our team next year could be the best thing to happen to us. Because, now, we won’t just have #8 to throw to like Bobo and Richt like to do, they’ll have to find other ways to get the ball down the field which I believe they can do with players like T. King, Marlon Brown, and Orson Charles on our offense..
SID
January 11th, 2011
7:46 pm
Does anyone think Murray will grow any taller?
uga_fan39
January 11th, 2011
7:46 pm
He’s right on the money, crazy rant or not he’s completely correct about everything he said. We pay CMR millions to win football games and championships, this isnt Vandy, well at least it wasnt until a few years ago. I dont care about his religion or the missions he goes on or if he starts adopting babies from 3rd world countries. I care about the program and where its heading. And right now its heading straight past Vandy to the bottom of the SEC. We’re losing instate recruits to other schools because they see the writing on the wall as well. He has a cupcake season comming up, anything less than at least making it to the SEC championship is unacceptable…
Glenn
January 11th, 2011
7:46 pm
That is the truth, but he has one more year to prove himself. Thats is it, one more year.
kral
January 11th, 2011
7:46 pm
sarcasm sarcasm ..rick no you should keep a coach who has been successful loyal and I believe dedicated..tell me which one i am wrong on
gomdawg
January 11th, 2011
7:47 pm
FRAN T I THINK YOU HAVE CROSS THE FENCE CMR WILL TURN THIS PROGRAM AROUND EITHER YOU WITH US OR NOT FRANKLY I DONT GET A DAMN, IF CMR DONT TURN THIS AROUND NEXT YEAR THEN WE GO GET ANOTHER COACH.
Rick
January 11th, 2011
7:47 pm
We need a coach who is dedicated to WORKING HARD!!
kral
January 11th, 2011
7:48 pm
You’re right JB, MR appears to have gotten worse but you will have to admit he set the bar pretty high
Jones12
January 11th, 2011
7:49 pm
Georgia’s problem is recruiting the wrong players in the state. If a WR is under 6′, Georgia may not recruit him. The shorter receiver may be better than the 6′ 2″ receiver.
JB
January 11th, 2011
7:49 pm
Yes I’m pi$$ed, but he’s earned ONE MORE YEAR. I’m pulling for him, but…….We’ll see. Hope the team that didn’t want to get off the bus in Memphis is a different team.
kral
January 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
Rick you make me laugh .you must know something I do not you must hang with MR
Woodstock Dawg
January 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
I went to UGA in the 80’s. I don’t think I have ever heard Fran Tarkenton support UGA, ever. In fact I never heard from Tarkenton at all. He was nonexistent but now when it’s easy to jump on the pile to get some recognition, he’s all over it. When you think of UGA alum and great UGA athletes, does Fran tarkenton come to mind? Didn’t think so.. And sure, he may be right about Richt but how is it helping the situation by going on 680 and spouting off like the moron he is. We already have a divided fan base and next year it’s going to be even worse. Ever heard the one about the guy who would rather whine and complain than actually help come up with a solution? Good work Fran.
always a silver lining
January 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
JB The West has gotten better- but not the East. The East is very weak right now. Next year is completely open for anyone to take- even Georgia. That’s the facts Jack.
DamntheButcher
January 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
Mark you are all over this story. Lets see,,, It’s almost 5 days old. How did you get an inside tip this quick? LMAO.
Three Steps Mister
January 11th, 2011
7:50 pm
TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THREE !!!!!
Dave in Covington
January 11th, 2011
7:51 pm
So let’s give him one more year to right this thing.
Right, it’s always one more year. Tarkenton was right on the money.
Richt needs to be fired today.
Roy P. Barnes
January 11th, 2011
7:51 pm
Tarkington has done nothing for georgia since his playing days and now he wants to run his big mouth! Go back to that crmbly TV show you once was on1 Need some attention it seems to me!
harold
January 11th, 2011
7:51 pm
FRAN IS RIGHT ON THE MONEY. IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO.
icedawg
January 11th, 2011
7:52 pm
I heard the broadcast. I respect Tarkenton and I also respect Richt. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and there are a lot of them, especially on the blogs. Tarkenton made some valid points. The numbers do not lie, this program is and has been heading in the wrong direction for at least the past 3 years for whatever reasons. The question has been when to pull the plug? Now? Or next year barring a miraculous reversal? The powers that be have determined to wait another year. That’s what we’ll have to do.
JD
January 11th, 2011
7:52 pm
Tarkenton may be entitled to his opinion but he needs to shut his pie-hole. Yes the program has had a rough couple of years, and yes, CMR needs to come out of the gate swinging this fall. until then, let the man coach. If Fran wants to be involved then he can start showing up and working with the QB’s in the spring and summer, otherwise, shut your mouth up old man and let the kid get back to work.
and cut out all this holier-than-thou crap Tarkenton. Those of us who cut you slack back in your playing days know what kind of a twit you are.
Suwanee Dawg
January 11th, 2011
7:53 pm
Sir Francis only wants attention! He is a loser now!!
always a silver lining
January 11th, 2011
7:54 pm
Does no one on here read the news. McGarity has said he is coming back next year. He is not going to fire Richt regardless of how much your panties are in a wad. And regardless of how poed you are. Get a life.
the rock
January 11th, 2011
7:54 pm
IF RICHT CAN NOT GET IT DONE IN 2011,THEN I AM SURE KIRBY SMART OR GUS MALZHAN OR GARY PATTERSON WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY .
kral
January 11th, 2011
7:54 pm
jb jb jb yes they looked bad but to say they did not what to play is an excuse..that I guess is the coaches fault…they did not care they did not want to win..hel..the players did not care they did not want to win..soooorry butch of assitudes..give me a break
Dawgster
January 11th, 2011
7:56 pm
Last year, it was “Give Richt another year.” now after a 6-7 season and a humiliating loss to mighty UCF, it’s “Give Richt another year.”
Hell, let’s just give him a lifetime contract and stop complaining. We’re irrelevant anyway, so it can’t get much worse.
doug
January 11th, 2011
7:56 pm
If you ask me there is too damn much religion in everything these days. Fran Tarkenton, you are my new hero. Let’s go back to the old days when religion was content to dominate just one day or week, or if the missionaries have to get involved in every damn aspect of life, then let’s do what we should have done a long time ago, tax the damn churches.
Rick
January 11th, 2011
7:56 pm
Krah – the answer is Richt’s testimony…he will now spend more time on the study of football and try to be an expert.
Holy Cow..
Red
January 11th, 2011
7:56 pm
Sir Francis just needs a little attention. It is this type that is what is wrong with the program. The fair weather supporters are the big problem.
Dawg#1
January 11th, 2011
7:57 pm
Fran Talkenton has not been of the UGA Campus in years. He is not envolved in UGA Atheltics at all. He has no idea what is even going on in Athens.Did not know Damon had been fired for a month.To run his mouth about our beloved Coach as he did shows no class.In fact he has not shown any class for the past 30 years.
Glenn
January 11th, 2011
7:57 pm
It sounds like a lot of Bulldog fans are as complacent with Mark Richt as he seems to be with his job as Head Coach of the Bulldogs. Just because a Coach “goes through the motions” doesn’t mean the fans have to in their support of him.
After watching Mark Richt on the sidelines (no emotion whatsoever), and seeing the “results” on the field and off, and then getting a load of the press conference after the Bowl loss, and finally, the most recent comments made about this coming season, and his description of his “duties” as UGA’s Head Coach in the past, I have to wonder, what has REALLY changed?
There’s an old saying; fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Well, what about being fooled MORE than twice? Shame, shame on me and you…
kral
January 11th, 2011
7:57 pm
Give me the savior dave..I want a name…fire fire …might you be wrong come on next year ..address me ifyou right i will bow to you if your wrong..you better not cheer a moment
icedawg
January 11th, 2011
7:58 pm
Doesn’t really matter what any of us think, including Tarkenton. The decision has been made. The Richt era has been extended another year. We’ll have to live with it.
dawgster
January 11th, 2011
7:58 pm
@Rick..to address several of your comments. my point is that whether what Fran said is true or not and whether you agree with his comments doesn’t matter…the fact that he publically called out Coach Richt and the program the way he did it to me is a little classless in my opinion…There are proper channels for UGA x-players to make their concerns known in a respectful manner…what Fran did and has been doing is more like tabloid talk…I’m still waiting for you or anyone to tell me how what he says helps this program right now, in the middle of recruiting…convince me and other dawgs that it was the right thing to do and that it will make our team stronger for next year…We already know who our HC will be next year, everyone from our AD, Coaches, Players, Fans know the score and what the expectations are…There is nothing that Fran said that helps this program in any manner, so in my opinion, his words are irrelevant…
You made some comments about some of us being apologists or something, well let me tell, i’m not happy at all with where we are or what has taken place the past two seasons, but i also have been there on the field and off the field when things were very difficult and the future didn’t look bright, but amazingly we were able to turn things around in one season…why?…because the players believed and worked their rear-ends off, the coaches believed and push everyone a little bit harder, the fans believed and gave us full support…go dawgs
Marion Morrison
January 11th, 2011
7:59 pm
Tarkenton should know a little something about sub par performance….he played for 18 years in the league…was in three Super Bowls. How many rings does he have???? NONE…ZERO…NADA…ZILCH. And to all of you fair weather nay sayers….you remind of the Barners when they met AU AD Jacobs at the airport to boo his recent hiring of Gene Chizik. Wonder how they feel today???? Here’s the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7TxIMAwc1k
Mark Richt
January 11th, 2011
7:59 pm
Shut up Fran. Your the same gut that said Mike Vick would never become a good QB. Go give a speech to a bunch of low self esteem wanna be execs…
Jeff
January 11th, 2011
8:02 pm
We love a team full of winning thugs, or a team full of losing saints, but a team full of losing thugs is unacceptable.
Richie
January 11th, 2011
8:05 pm
He is a nut.What did he win at UGA?(Nothing) He should get loss.Go to a retirement home.In