Win or lose Saturday, can Richt ever again feel safe at UGA?
"Let's try that play where we jump offside. That's working!" (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
The label “must-win” has affixed itself to the South Carolina game, but a more precise description is “darn-well-better-win.” There’s a chance an 0-2 Georgia could still make something of its season. Say the Bulldogs win nine of their next 10: Wouldn’t 9-3 with a strong finish coming after 6-7 be construed as, ahem, significant improvement? That said …
Beyond simply saving himself for next week or next season, can Mark Richt ever again be truly safe in this job?
When the second game of any season is deemed, however inexactly, a “must-win,” matters have already deteriorated. When something is so far gone, is there any going back? The Georgia-Tennessee game of Oct. 6, 2007, was considered a “must-win” for Philip Fulmer, and he won it 35-14 and rose from 2-2 to 9-3 and led the Vols to the SEC East title (shading Georgia on a tiebreaker). Great recovery, huh?
Reality check: Philip Fulmer was fired in November 2008.
The Fulmer parallel is often invoked regarding Richt, and it’s apt. Both men won big for a good long while. Both took two SEC championships. (Fulmer even won a BCS title, a prize for which Georgia under Richt has never played.) Then they stopped winning so much. Fans noticed. Fans began asking: “Is he still the right guy?”
When enough fans ask that loaded question enough times, games stop being games and become referendums on the coach. This week a man who has a finger on the pulse of Bulldog Nation estimated Richt’s job-approval rating at five percent. Should Georgia lose to South Carolina, what might the approval rating be? Two-point-five percent? Zero percent?
We need to ask this, too: Even if Georgia wins this game, will Richt’s doubters again become believers? Or will they just doubt a bit less until he loses again?
A coach cannot serve for long at the displeasure of his constituency: This has always been true, but it’s truer than ever in a world where the athletic director has an e-mail address and anyone with Internet access can post on Twitter and Facebook and AJC.com. With so much money in play and so many seats to fill, can any AD wage a protracted fight against the wishes of his fans?
Loading ...When C.M. Newton was in charge at Kentucky and folks were upset that Bill Curry wasn’t winning, the AD advised the dissidents to go find another school to support. Even with such administrative backing, Curry wound up resigning. When you lose so often that the roar of discontent drowns out the huzzahs raised in any victory, you’re a goner even before you actually go.
Richt is treading perilously close to that tipping point. Losing to Boise State mightn’t have been so bad on its face — the Broncos arrived ranked No. 5 in the land and were favored by Vegas — but the manner of the loss was devastating. This disjointed performance didn’t augur a new beginning; this was merely more of the same, which made it worse than ever. You sign the Dream Team and can’t stay onside? To borrow from Steve Spurrier’s famous 1991 dismissal: “Georgia gets all these recruits, but I don’t know what happens to them.”
Should Georgia lose to South Carolina, as coached by the dastardly Spurrier, Richt won’t resign on the spot or be fired on Sunday. He might still win enough to keep his job. (For another year, anyway.) But here’s the bigger issue: Even a win over the Gamecocks won’t convince many folks that the 51-year-old Richt remains the daring young man who Finished The Drill way back when.
It might take another SEC championship to do that. It might take a BCS title. And if, after Boise, you espy such glory on the horizon … well, count yourself among that five percent.
By Mark Bradley
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594 comments Add your comment
Point to Ponder
September 9th, 2011
9:59 pm
no
Concerned Citizen
September 9th, 2011
10:24 pm
Here’s what we gotta do…we gotta put Garcia on his @SS, then we gotta hit Lattimoe in the mouth. then we gotta run up in the stands and slap they Mama !! And these are my keys to the game! Any body on the GA team got the balls to do it…step up UGA! Don’t be a wussy…get some DIrty Dawg in ya! That’s all I gots to say!
bawbie
September 9th, 2011
10:30 pm
Fire Dave Perno!
BigTimeUGAFan
September 9th, 2011
10:36 pm
I hear ya! Richt needs to get a clue. We should be dominating! What happened? Is the game in Athens? I mean Athens, Georgia not Athens, Italy. That’s a geography lesson for you guys! Now I’m not one to brag but I’ve been there too…I seen it on the history channel. They’ve got canals and boats floatin’ on them and all sorts of historical places of interest. From what I remember Noah’s Ark is wedged between the leaning tower of Pizza and Pompey’s magnus. Never could figure out the last part but I gather it means Pompey was a private investigator in those times and all those magnus’ Italians created a tourist attraction right next to the leaning tower of Pizza! Well, neither side could abide by such a situation and took matters in their own hands. Here’s where it gets tricky, those magnus’ got so fired up they marched all over and found Noah’s Ark in Central Europe…I think it was Transylvania (I can’t be sure). Then they dragged it back and placed it between the leaning pizza and the tourist attraction. And now that’s the state of affairs in Athens, Italy. Oh, Oh, I’ve been near Athens, Georgia too….I’ll wait until tomorrow to share my experience. AND GO DAWGS!
Joe Bob Thibodaux
September 9th, 2011
10:42 pm
Concerned Citizen to you I say:
B R I L L I A N T
I am expecting a good game U G A – S C
You have all the right keys.
Good Luck Georgia!
JBT
In Dawgs We trust
September 9th, 2011
10:43 pm
@wreckmaniac…hey, pick up your letters and take em’ to the AL.com website…we don’t give a rat’s arse about alabama, ya’ll should worry more about pavin’ yalls roads or selling beer on sunday…a rat tat and a ratty tat tat!! This is Bulldog Country !!! and we ain’t giving in! The Pride of Georgia will rise up baby and Pounce on your head fool! Keep your corruption @ Confunction Junction! We trying to Get with it Fo Shizzle! Play Hard Dawgs! That’s all we are asking for!! We miss ya Larry M.!! You brought lots of color to the game. It has’nt been the same without you!
JRW7
September 9th, 2011
10:44 pm
Leather Helmet says CMR has already told AD McGarity he’s leaving at end of this season.
sports
September 9th, 2011
11:08 pm
I think lattimore will get 165 yards and Garcia will throw 2 tds. Carolina wins 34-28…not good. Bobo will still run the plays of taking the ball from center and handing to the back 5 yards deep in the backfield…stupid play. Murray will be harassed all day and throw 2 tds and get sacked 7 times, Crowell will have an oustanding day.
Garth
September 9th, 2011
11:13 pm
Richt is as good as gone. USC will win easily, and that will be all for Richt. Good riddance.
SEC Fact Finder
September 9th, 2011
11:13 pm
After watching the game replay for UGA vs Boise and after working the game at Charlotte between USC and East Carolina, I will add my two cents worth.
First of all, I lost count the number of passes to recievers that UGA players dropped, all changing the tempo, down and distance and deflating of many offensive players while putting doubt in their own ability to come back from a deficit. If UGA makes half of those catches on Saturday we will see a tight game and it will allow some of the running backs to make plays. If they drop those same passes that they dropped last week early in the game it will be a long day in Athens.
For USC, they entire team kept looking over at the sidelines last week after each pass Shaw overthrew or did not make the correct read on the defense, did not check out of a bad play and turned the ball over. What were they looking at, Steven Garcia. When he started to get ready to come in the game, the entire atmosphere on the USC sideline changed for the good.
USC will need to make throws early, use their underneath passes and break a few tackles to open up the defense of UGA. I expect that Lattimore will catch more than 5 or 6 passes out of the backfield to open up some space for him to run as UGA has the front guys( when not too tired) to hold the trenches on saturday.
Good luck to all of your teams and Wishing the best for all SEC teams against out of conference foes.
Americo Vespucci
September 9th, 2011
11:18 pm
I think BigTimeUGAFan has been adding some adult beverages to his Kool-Aid.
Either that or plate tectonics have changed the world a lot since I was in school.
State Patrol
September 10th, 2011
12:14 am
Vixzilla is actually a prostitute from Commerce, Ga
PTC DAWG
September 10th, 2011
12:21 am
Yes.
JaxDawg
September 10th, 2011
1:02 am
Bozo is an arrogant, “wannabe” coach. Absolutely needs to go away as soon as possible!
Loren Smith
September 10th, 2011
1:36 am
You people (most anyway) are idiots. First of all, there’s no shame in losing to the #5 team in the country. He could easily have scheduled Toledo or another cupcake like everyone else does and we wouldn’t have had to read the garbage this AJC hack of a writer put out there. It’s sad that a major league city like Atlanta has only one “bush” league newspaper. Mark Richt would probably be better off if he just packed up and left. He could find a very good job tomorrow. Maybe you idiots can go and find the next “Lane Kiffin”.
James K Polk
September 10th, 2011
1:44 am
Please stop it with the Kirby Smart talk. He has never called a defense at Bama, much less ever game planned anyone. That is Saban’s defense. Smart would be a disaster. No more experiments with coordinators. We need a head coach. I say throw about 4 or 5 million at Gruden or Fisher. If they are not interested, throw 4 million at Mullen or Peterson. As a matter of fact, it would not kill me if they asked Spurrier. However, Smart has Goff written all over him.
Flying Pigs, Knuckleheaded QB’s, And GA-SC « Everyone's Entitled to Joe's Opinion
September 10th, 2011
2:28 am
[...] AJC sports columnist Mark Bradley expresses a similar viewpoint: Win or lose this week, Richt can never again feel totally secure in his position at Georgia. [...]
LDeal
September 10th, 2011
3:28 am
If richt wins the sec east, mcgarity will give him a long term contract and huge raise. If he doesn’t, he’ll be looking over his shoulder, even if he beats south carolina and florida.
Doggoneit
September 10th, 2011
5:22 am
I’m a big fan of CMR, but Im trying to remember the last time we looked like a disciplined well coached team in a win. Even when we win against inferior talent, we really struggle. Our offensive line can’t run or pass block and Grantham’s 3-4 scheme has been underwhelming. We just don’t make plays good teams make when we have to have one. Hoping Dawgs can turn it around Saturday against the Cocks,
its simple
September 10th, 2011
5:23 am
you are not building a space ship here———-get a good running game going and run over people. Thats it. Of course we all know UGA will never do that with the staff they have now. Nothing against anyones character but——Im just sayin.
legionaire
September 10th, 2011
5:26 am
When they started paying coaches millions, any sentiment went out the window. Richt is nothing more than a CEO that had better put out a good competitive product each year. If being a nice guy counted Saban and Petrino would not be in the league. I do not know Richt and owe him nothing more than the price of a ticket. IF UGA is going to demand a king’s ransom to see a game, the team can at least be prepared and not look like a high school team. Personally I think he is gone after this season because he is not McGarity’s hire and McGarity did not come to Athens to fail.
Larry
September 10th, 2011
5:40 am
Richt, like any Head Coach, is only as good as the talent recruited and his Offensive and Defensive Coordinators. The talent is there; the coordinators are among the worse in the land, and this will be the downfall of Richt.
tennessee tom
September 10th, 2011
6:37 am
I don’t think Richt is where Fulmer was just yet,but by mid season he might be,Fulmer thought he was bigger than the program,and he was allowed the run it in the ditch.This is the 3rd season after Fulmer. and after watch LSU and Oregon last weekend. I do not believe Tennessee has one player that could start for LSU.When you hire inferior coaches that want treaten the head mans job,you are on the road of no return.At this point they start coaching not to loose,instead of taking chances to win.The 10 year rule is in full force,after 10 they need to move on.but some guys just can’t let it go.Football coaches need to look at successful businesses,and see they hire the best and the brightes,and they have to,to stay in busines. Richt might be out of business by Halloween.
UGA hopes
September 10th, 2011
7:33 am
I hate losing more than anything, but it would be easier to accept if we had more class and discipline. If you choose to recruit questionable characters then we should at least win. It’s hard to have both but we should dream as citizens of this great state.
RGP
September 10th, 2011
7:56 am
Players need to execute on offense and defense. They need to bring their A game every week instead of C game. The coaches don’t block and tackle or catch passes.
wastedyears
September 10th, 2011
8:08 am
im a dawg fan .these days that dont mean a whole lot what i seen last sat nite disgusted me i had to quit the beer and go strait to the vodka about mid secound quarter… lets face people ga football is dead dead dead ..every aspect of it is infected i remember the junkyard dawgs defense hell my ole ladys cat could take it to the house against this defense…they have no heart no desire and no backbone…the offense..looks like they just met the day before the game..bobo here is what you need to do …might save your job…at start of game go strait to no huddle and run it the whole game…granthem what you need to do is blitz every down …you are playing against colledge qbs not tom brady remember pressure creates mistakes..there i said it the big secret is out ..you two guys implement these two simple steps and you may well save your jobs ..but in reality UGA needs a change a new direction we need a coach and staff like les miles or nick saban some one that dont take no sh*t and will get in your a$$ when you screw up when our team plays now they look like little boys in a grown mans world..today south carolina will win big mark richt will not be fired UGA just will not renew his contract next year..even next year with a new coach GA is three to four years away from being good remember its time for ALA and LSU to come back into the rotation if richt was fired 2 years ago which would have made to much sense…then proudly this would have been our year ……thanx
Woofy One
September 10th, 2011
8:16 am
What we need is for CRM to coach like he played at Miami and Boca High before that. He was far meaner and played for keeps. Go back to the dark side Mark.
ATLG8TR
September 10th, 2011
8:20 am
Leave it to a Gator (Coach Spurrier) to finish off this Dawg fraud coach. We never forget that Richt is a UM player, FSU-Bowden boy and also-ran Bulldog. A trifecta enemy. UGA’s base has been more patient than this guy ever deserved. If you think he would’ve lasted this long in decline at UF, you’re crazy. He’s Ron Zook without the charisma. (And even Zook left with a winning record against this guy.) Did you ever notice CMR had his title success when his East division coaching competition was weakest? But hey, please keep Richt around as long as you like. Your pain has been enjoyable to watch.
Joey
September 10th, 2011
8:24 am
If Richt/Bobo trot out the same game plan, it’s gonna be last Sat night all over again. Here’s hoping they are ready this time.
Go Dawgs!
harold
September 10th, 2011
8:24 am
THE PRODUCT RICHT HAS PUT ON THE FIELD THE LAST 27 GAMES JUST SUCKS. HE IS RECORD SPEAKS VOLUMES 14-13 IN HIS LAST 27 GAMES. NO SEC TITLE GAME IN SIX YEARS—-THAT GETS YOU FIRED AT TOP TIER FOOTBALL PROGRAMS IN THE SEC.
IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO.
wAlterEgo
September 10th, 2011
8:29 am
Richt could have done just fine all along had he not held on to overwhelmed if not incompetent coordinators (and perhaps some other positional coaches) too long. His “loyalty” to staff over UGA is a big problem for him. IF Richt does well enough to warrant another season and IF he gets rid of Bobo and IF he gets a competent replacement, he and UGA can become relevant again.
Side note: IMO Grantham is at least up to the task. Not enough pressure once Alec went down and opened up the middle of the field, but no play over 20 yards. That stat alone keeps you in the game. It’s hard to “out-spread offense/no huddle” Boise and that’s exactly what our looney offensive coordinator tried to do. Offensively, we beat ourselves before we even took the field and gave their offense and Heisman hopeful QB more time instead of less.
howard
September 10th, 2011
8:31 am
I hope the dogs lose now so we can begin the search for a new coach…this slow slide down to the bottom is painful. Its past time to move on and until we hit rock bottom Richt keeps hanging on and dragging us down. Let’s get it over with and start anew.
harold
September 10th, 2011
8:33 am
THE OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE LINEMEN ARE TOO BIG AND TOO SLOW. CROWELL WAS A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT TOO.
BOBO IS TOO PREDICTIBLE. THE $500,000 DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR IS DOING JUST HORRIBLE.
WHAT EVER BECAME OF ” THE DREAM TEAM?”
Stacy
September 10th, 2011
8:36 am
“But hey, please keep Richt around as long as you like. Your pain has been enjoyable to watch.”
It certainly has been fun watching UGA sink lower and lower into a morass of pain and oblivion. Today should be the end of the suffering under Richt.
South Carolina 31, Georgia 13
Brenda87
September 10th, 2011
8:42 am
USC wins big today. Game over for Richt.
Troup Co. Dawg
September 10th, 2011
8:51 am
Murray doesn’t have any receivers that he can go to unlike last year where AJ and CD made plays happen. Georgia is going to have to make some things happen…no blocking up front trying to run a spread offense…something we’re not used to yet…if you run this offense, you need a QB that can withstand some hits and take off up the field. I don’t know what the game plan is ,but I sure hope it consists of 2 men in the backfield or else we take sacks all afternoon! Murray needs to stay off the ground! Bring in LeMay and wild Dawg it!
Buckeye
September 10th, 2011
8:53 am
Feel safe?
If I was making $3M a year – not to mention a buy-out when/if I got fired, I’d feel safe.
Wouldn’t you?
Go Cocks!
Go Bucks!
Go Falcons!
» SEC: Georgia-South Carolina today’s top league matchup John Clay's Sidelines
September 10th, 2011
8:54 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC wonders if, win or lose, Richt will ever feel safe again at Georgia? [...]
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 10th, 2011
9:07 am
Sorry guys, I just can’t be optimistic about today’s game. Spurrier is on a mission to win another national championship before he retires, and he has the beginning of another powerhouse at S.C. Even with a seasoned team with players like AJ Green and others this would be a tough tough game, but with a bunch of freshmen and a Soph. QB, I’m afraid we’re in big trouble. I’m hoping for a miracle, because that’s what it’ll be if we beat this team.
“GO DAWGS”!
Lil' Jimmy
September 10th, 2011
9:07 am
This will be year 3 of underachieving…. enough is enough. Richt lost it when Alabama destroyed us in 2008 and he has been grasping for straws and underachieving ever since. It’s time for a breath of fresh air.
small fry
September 10th, 2011
9:17 am
To bring a new coach it will cost 6 million
dale morphy
September 10th, 2011
9:24 am
University of South Carolina 28, University of Georgia 13
Confused
September 10th, 2011
9:27 am
USCe 135
UGA 3
PHIL
September 10th, 2011
9:33 am
How has that firing Fulmer thing worked out for the Vols?
KrispyKreme4Life
September 10th, 2011
9:40 am
Richt is less than half the man Fulmer was.
Literally.
The Ol' Ball Coach
September 10th, 2011
9:41 am
Enter your comments here
Timob
September 10th, 2011
9:43 am
Richt has to win consistently. This is how it goes for most programs in the SEC. This is nothing new. Dawg fans should NOT accept mediocrity. This Tide fan hopes you guys get a win today.
The Ol' Ball Coach
September 10th, 2011
9:47 am
Ya’ll remember back in 1995 when I brought my Gators to Athens and put 50 something on ya’ll. That was fun; I think I’ll try to do that again today, and then I’ll be the only coach to do it twice and with 2 different. See ya’ll at the game, at least for a little while.
Buckeye
September 10th, 2011
9:47 am
Go Cocks!
Go Bucks!
Go Falcons!
icedawg
September 10th, 2011
10:04 am
For some reason for the past few years the recruiting and coaching along both lines has been sub par. The result has been a defense that cannot get off of the field and runs out of gas and an offense without much of a running game. Interestingly the offense can score quickly at times via the pass but cannot grind it out and keep the other team’s offense off of the field. Other teams have been able to score a lot of points on us. There is enough of a pattern that has developed to warrant concern.