It’s not easy to restart a program, but UGA’s Richt just might
How 'bout these young Dawgs? Isaiah Crowell on Signing Day. (AP photo by Mike Haskey)
Hoover, Ala. — His program, figuratively if not literally, was headed south. “Georgia had declined in record and in how people nationally perceived our program,” Mark Richt said. “I realized that.”
That was important. Realization that you’re going wrong is the first move toward making things go right again. But such knowledge isn’t always the precursor to change. Fact is, it’s harder to recapture momentum than to build it in the first place.
“You can get it back,” said Richt, speaking before his appearance before the full body of the SEC media here Thursday. (These glitzy Media Days are like the Oscars in that there’s a pre-show for selected local and national scribes.) “There’s positive momentum around our program right now. There’s a sense of excitement. Anticipation is very high.”
He’s right. There is. Over the winter, Georgia went from being the team that couldn’t score a touchdown against Central Florida to the program that assembled a recruiting Dream Team. And here’s quarterback Aaron Murray after seeing the heralded freshmen in summer workouts: “I wasn’t sure if they were going to be that good, but they’re definitely as good as advertised. Seven or eight of them could start right now.”
For all the speculation that Richt must win big or be gone, there’s no sense, as Richt himself said, “of gloom and doom.” This team thinks it can win the SEC East. (More than a few observers, this one included, would agree.) This program has overridden the grim reality of an 8-5 season followed by 6-7 … at least for now.
Here we pause to assess reality. Tennessee won consecutive SEC championships and the 1998 BCS title; a decade later, Phillip Fulmer was pushed aside to make room for, ahem, Lane Kiffin. Florida State finished in the top five 14 seasons running but not once after 2000, which is why Bobby Bowden was jostled into retirement. Having suffered four losing seasons in five years, Penn State has since had three 11-win seasons — but that was in the Big Ten, not the SEC.
In the SEC, everything is accelerated. Terry Bowden won his first 20 games at Auburn and resigned after coaching 45 more. Tommy Tuberville, who succeeded Bowden, went undefeated in 2004 and was gone in 2008. David Cutcliffe went 10-3 at Ole Miss in 2003; the next year he got fired.
The exceptions: Bear Bryant had six-win seasons at Alabama in 1969 and 1970 but won eight of the next nine SEC titles; Vince Dooley went 5-6 in 1977 and 6-5 in 1979 but was 43-4-1 over the next four seasons. Bryant’s turnaround came when he began to recruit black players; Dooley’s came when he signed Herschel Walker.
If there’s a surge coming at Georgia, it will likewise be tied to recruiting. The Dream Team, center Ben Jones said, “was the turning point we needed. The juice is back.”
Said Richt: “The recruiting class did give us momentum, and [there was momentum] even in the class itself. So-and-so would jump on, and then so-and-so, and there was a climax at the end with Isaiah [Crowell, the Columbus tailback] and [JUCO nose tackle Jonathan] Jenkins.”
There’s another component to G-Buzz 2011, and it’s a function of Richt being bold. Opening against Boise State is a considered risk — the Bulldogs might well lose, and there’d go your buzz — that had to be taken. “That game would jolt you back into the consciousness of the college football world,” he said, and the coach is milking it as feverishly as an ambidextrous dairy farmer. (Five seconds into his opening statement to the main media body, Richt spoke the words “Boise State.”)
In Athens on Wednesday, Richt stage-managed the unveiling of the Nike-styled Pro Combat uniforms the team will sport against Boise. He pretended to throw a fit when Murray and cornerback Brandon Boykin didn’t show up — the coach even threw his notepad — only to have the two players walk into the room in full (top-secret) regalia. “There’s excitement over our uniforms,” Richt said.
If Georgia loses to Boise and then to South Carolina the next week, excitement will yield to raging speculation over how Kirby Smart will fare as the Bulldogs’ head coach in 2012. In his pre-briefing briefing, Richt was reminded by Ivan Maisel of ESPN that Sports Illustrated writer Dan Jenkins once said, “No matter how pretty a woman is, there’s somebody somewhere who’s tired of her.”
Richt laughed out loud. Then he said, “I know where you’re going with this. We’ll see how pretty we look at the end of the season.”
The guess here that they’ll look pretty darn good. The guess is that Richt will do what demonstrably great coaches have failed to do: He’ll execute a mid-course correction and take Georgia back to the top of the SEC East.
By Mark Bradley
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239 comments Add your comment
JB
July 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
Bama can rag us, but I saw a total second half melt down last year of supposedly the best college football coach in America, with supposedly the best defensive mind, blow a lead with a pretty darn good team himself. It happens to everyone. Bama lost THREE games last year with all that talent and coaching greatness, just say’n
@Buckeye
July 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
Can you spell D E A T H P E N A L T Y?
Ted Baxter
July 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
uga will struggle mightly on offense. boise will be able to move the ball. i dont see this as a close game at all. central fla..hello
boise 34 ga 20
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
Losses: Boise, SC, Miss St, Tenn, Florida, Auburn
Auburn is going to be terrible. They lost their entire offensive line and $cam and their defensive is still going to be epically bad.
UGA wins all those games ( Richt has a winning record against all those teams )
Lose to Florida again.
Big time........not!!
July 21st, 2011
2:11 pm
Carnie Norris was the starting tailback against the big orange in 1980……….I know. Long time ago. But you never know.
bobby
July 21st, 2011
2:12 pm
uga i think can have a great season but it depends on how offensive line and if a running back and 2 wide receivers step up. the defense will be darn good. but if uga beat bosie and carliona they will have a bounce back season.
Eddie
July 21st, 2011
2:12 pm
Lost to MSU, Florida, Miss St, and Auburn last year. 0-4. Don’t like chances against top 5 ranked Boise either, 0-5. Tenn will be tough in Tenn, 4-0 home team over last 4 meetings, 0-6.
Spike 80DF
July 21st, 2011
2:13 pm
at least Turd Roll came out and admitted his racism instead of just insinuating it.
GoofN
July 21st, 2011
2:14 pm
Ben Jones is the only returning starter at his position on O-Line. So much experience, this unit will be dominant.
Eddie
July 21st, 2011
2:14 pm
Forogt SC, lost to them last year too, 0-7.
virginia dog
July 21st, 2011
2:17 pm
FLASH: i hear rumor the ncaa has auburn in there sites … and hear this … the sec office might be involved as well. imagine how big this story would be if the conference was involved in the cover up.
stay tuned… the ncaa is back and warming up the death penality.
GoofN
July 21st, 2011
2:22 pm
With Jarvis Jones out, and his back up Samuel moving to running back, with the #3 OLB starting against #5 Boise and #8 South Carolina, UGA will show those teams how good you can be with your #3 starter at OLB.
Same at RB. With King & Ealey & Thomas out, we’ll show them how good we can be starting the #4 rb.
Wow, can’t wait to see how we do with all these back ups to back ups to starters, starting.
GoofN
July 21st, 2011
2:22 pm
#4 ON DEPTH CHART AT RB. #3 AT OLB.
Eddie
July 21st, 2011
2:25 pm
I do see 3 wins for sure, Vanderbilt, New Mexico, Caosty Caro. Ole Miss, never know. Georgia Tech? UGA is 2–1 against CPJ.
patrocket
July 21st, 2011
2:25 pm
Big time…wrong!
Carnie Norris no, Donnie McMicken yes
Jrome
July 21st, 2011
2:27 pm
Mark Bradley,
I’m a believer too. Aaron Murray will pull off what will become known as the Athens Georgia Miracle to become the 1st QB in UGA history, NOT FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA, to win the SEC.
And, Murray will go from 0-5 against ranked teams to 5-0 in 1 season.
Ted Striker
July 21st, 2011
2:28 pm
1) Good article, Mark.
2) I remember when Dooley was winning SEC championships in the early 80’s and folks in the stadium were complaining about “ugly wins”
3) I love UGA and college football — and I’m still pretty young — however once you’ve buried enough friends and loved ones the outcome of a football game or even a season doesn’t carry the same gravitas. Some would say that makes me less of a fan. I say I’m as much a fan as I ever was I’m just way more appreciative of the bigger priorities.
God Bless everyone reading this, regardless of your chosen team!
DMAN
July 21st, 2011
2:28 pm
All the jerks hating on Richt,sounds like jealousy to me!Buckeye your team has been BITCHSLAPPED by the SEC over and over,exept for a mediocre Arkansas team.Bet yall really looking forward to this year,man what a clean program.
Big Ten Champs Nebraska....Dawg
July 21st, 2011
2:30 pm
Be easy on Richt. It took Tom Osborne many years before he finally won a a national championship. The one thing Osborne has/has going for him is he doe have a doctorate in education……..That could explain all the Academic All Americans Nebraska has.
Carry on
Dread
July 21st, 2011
2:31 pm
Hmm, seem to me, Gators had loaded up with talent last year, #2 recruting class. Had a pretty bad year
Talent + bad QB + No running game = bad season
Dread
July 21st, 2011
2:33 pm
All dem top recruits didn’t elp ole Texas out too much last year—lousy QB…
Alabama Jack
July 21st, 2011
2:33 pm
Who cares? Its only jawga.
TruBlu
July 21st, 2011
2:34 pm
Jawga will go 14-0, win each game by 62 points.
Bartender, pour me whatever Mr. Bradley’s drinking.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:36 pm
Who cares? Its only jawga.
Same jawga that has whipped Bamers tail three of the last four.
Some have such short memories
Sigh.
TruBlu
July 21st, 2011
2:37 pm
Scheduling Boise State was a bold move of genius instead of a nail in Mark Richt’s coffin?
Bartender, pour me another one of what Mark Bradley’s drinking.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:39 pm
Jawga will go 14-0, win each game by 62 points.
No but 10-4 sounds about right.
We have averaged 10 wins a year over the last 10 years. Why wouldn’t that continue?
I know the last two years weren’t that great. They are the exception not the rule.
TruBlu
July 21st, 2011
2:39 pm
There’s positive momentum around the program?? Yeah man, down from 11 wins in 07, to 10 in 08, to 8 in 09, to 6 in 10, love the positive momentum.
Bartender, pour me two of whatever Richt’s drinking.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:40 pm
Scheduling Boise State was a bold move of genius instead of a nail in Mark Richt’s coffin?
Last time UGA played Boise St
Score
UGA 48 Boise St 13
TruBlu
July 21st, 2011
2:40 pm
If there’s a trunaround coming it will be due to recruiting.
That’s what Meyer thought, right before he retired from coaching.
Pour me another Sam.
Buckeye
July 21st, 2011
2:41 pm
@Buckeye
Ain’t happening. And I take back $500 of the first $1K I offered to paint the Dome turf Boise Blue and I’ll make a wager on it.
Curious, any reason we’re already on Sat Night Prime Time 3 times already? And uga, once vs. Boise in the only game you will play in the Dome this year.
You are a second tier second rate program in the SEC Least.
Get over it.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:42 pm
There’s positive momentum around the program?? Yeah man, down from 11 wins in 07, to 10 in 08, to 8 in 09, to 6 in 10, love the positive momentum.
No. But 2 years out of 10 are the exception. Not the rule.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:43 pm
UGA goes back to its 10+ win ways after a two year “blip” on the radar.
Every program has them.
TruBlu
July 21st, 2011
2:44 pm
Dream team will do it.
Well now, silly me thought you had to coach players.
Bartender, keep pouring what Bradley’s drinking.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:46 pm
You are a second tier second rate program in the SEC Least.
Get over it.
LOL wrong.
All time SEC Chamionships.
Alabama 22
Tenn 13
UGA 12
LSU 10
FLA 8
Auburn 7
UGA is 11th All time NCAA in wins just behind USC
Georgia is an Elite program any way you slice it.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:48 pm
Dream team will do it.
Well now, silly me thought you had to coach players.
Richt has.
2nd most wins last decade in the SEC (90) LSU had 91
Averaged 10 wins a year.
Why wouldn’t that continue?
Old School
July 21st, 2011
2:48 pm
Mark:
Regarding “Bryant’s decision to recruit African-American players”, Coach Bryant wanted to recruit African Americans back in the 60’s but unfortunately the political climate at that time with Governor George Wallace prohibited that in a big way.
DawginLex
July 21st, 2011
2:49 pm
Sad thing Buckeye. All your accomplishments over the last 10 years are tainted, destroyed and rendered meaningless by a cheating coach who tried to cover it up by wearing a vest.
Including your 2002 title. I guess there WAS something wrong with Clarett.
We have won 96 games and 2 SEC titles in the same time period.
OSU is left with nothing, nada, zippola.
Those are the cold hard facts and all your ripping on UGA and Richt and Crowell isn’t going to change the facts.
In other words, I’m through playing nice with you as you royally pizzed me off.
4th in the WEST!
July 21st, 2011
2:49 pm
Just wait and see what type of product the DAWGS bring on Saturdays. If you are scheduled to play the DAWGS you had better go get back up. This team is going to make you bleed red and black in addition to breaking a few bones along the way. With the size and speed, bring it! Also, for you trolls that talk about the last 2 seasons we had J. Cox and and a frosh at QB, what would you expect? This year is going to balls out great! Everyone talks about BSU, keep in mind they got whipped with virtually the same hype several years ago and SC has more issues than you think on there team right now. Not to mention they could not win a game at the end of last season. Both of these games are home games and with the 12th man in the house they are going to lose there mind with the sound of madness. Keep on trolling maybe one day you will catch something. BTW, for all you UF fans, Mushchump has no idea how to run a program and will be learning on the job like current Prez. and that ain’t working out very well.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
2:51 pm
Governor George Wallace prohibited that in a big way.
Correct.
DawginLex
July 21st, 2011
2:51 pm
Buckeye it is truly a sad thing to realize that your last 10 years of football are tainted, destroyed and rendered useless by a lying cheating coach who tried to cover up his deeds by wearing a vest.
Your constant UGA/Richt and now Crowell bashing really hack me off.
I once thought you might be ok but now, I judge you a hopeless idiot.
puppydawg
July 21st, 2011
2:52 pm
You Bama trolls are amusing to those of us that are intellectually superior, i.e. everyone else on the planet. You have convinced yourselves that your opinions are more valid than ours simply because your football team can beat our football team. Tide Roll, Crimson Tide, Alabama Jack and you other brain dead sacks-o-poop, does Nick the Prick value your insight as much as you think we do?
HardTruth Soldier
July 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
So much hate from so many wannabees, RollTide where was you at last year when SC handed ya’ll a national television beatdown? Curious George, why you so curious? Do you want to be the Center so you can always have your hands on the ball? And to all Tech fanz(no it’s not a misspelling) please shut up, you Probation cheating scandalous punks who can’t even sellout home games without the Varsity’s hotdog’s. Get a grip and stay off the Dawg pounds blog.
D BAG TROLLS!
July 21st, 2011
2:53 pm
Just admit it you all LOVE THE DAWGS!
BTW, with the junk this rag allows on these blogs and then to have a well written blog blacklisted is just wrong BRADLEY! Where are your manners boy?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
July 21st, 2011
2:54 pm
DawginLex,
Do not forget his constant badgering of Trey Thompkins. He along with every other Buckeye fan deserve exactly what they are getting right now. OSU is going down in the tank. Buckeye is a classless troll.
D BAG TROLLS!
July 21st, 2011
2:58 pm
Trublu/puppy how many handles do you hide behind. drag too? You litter these blogs with many handles and a bunch of talk that seems to smell weird.
BigTimeTechFan
July 21st, 2011
2:59 pm
I being a Tech fan actual thinks UGA has a pretty good program and team, just not as good as most of their fans think.
By the way I was watching some of the SEC media days on ESPN during my lunch break, Matt Stichcomb is a very good football TV analyst.
headley lamar
July 21st, 2011
3:02 pm
pretty good program and team, just not as good as most of their fans think.
Maybe not but 3rd all time in SEC Championships and 11th All time in Wins NCAA is pretty good isn’t it ???
D BAG TROLLS!
July 21st, 2011
3:02 pm
GT+OSU+AU+UA= lie, cheat, and steal U!
puppydawg
July 21st, 2011
3:07 pm
D BAG, speaking of handles, you win the award for most appropriate handle on the blog. Even so, here’s one that fits you better: “A$$WIPE”
BigTimeTechFan
July 21st, 2011
3:10 pm
@headley lamar
All time UGA is very good program
Currently pretty good
2006 (9-4): Good
2007 (11-2): Great
2008 (10-3): Good
2009 (8-5): OK
2010 (6-7): Bad
That 5 year overall of 53-21 record is best in SEC east. which is good but no titles to show for it.