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
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 9th, 2011
1:09 pm
Antoine Carr
I have your answer
There are too many old farts who still live in the Bobby Dodd days and think beating Tech is righting the ship
Tech is a has been
Beating FL consistantly is righting the ship
FL has played 10 times in the SEC championship games out of 18
I would think FL is our most important but too many still think Div II GT is. Donnan couldnt beat Tech consistantly and was fired
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:10 pm
SSI
From all of us DAWGS
STFU
your act is really old.
JB
September 9th, 2011
1:10 pm
How all you guys gonna feel if we win Saturday?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 9th, 2011
1:11 pm
Antoine Carr
Goff lost to Tech once and never beat FL
I forgot to add that
And as bad as Goff was he lasted 7 years
Jake
September 9th, 2011
1:11 pm
8-5 would be a 33% improvement in # of wins over 6-7 last year.
9-4 would be a 50% increase in wins.
Let’s get the wins going in the right direction this year, improve on last year’s 6-7 by 33-50%, then work on getting a little better in 2012, and better in 2013.
14-0? Sure, we’d love it to happen every year, but it’s not realistic.
33-50% increase in wins over 2010 is what we need in 2011.
McGarity just wants to see improvement, and a change in direction in wins.
01HAWK
September 9th, 2011
1:11 pm
How about that new hire Offensive Line Coach Will Friend from UAB. That O Line looked awful.
14 Games, 6 W's, 8 LOSSES
September 9th, 2011
1:12 pm
Big Dawg
Listed in this article are the 4 top teams of the past 12 years with NFL starters.
1 – Ohio State
2 – Southern Cal
3 – Georgia
4 – Oklahoma
Georgia is the only team not to play for a National Championship during that stretch. Pretty sad. Bottom line: We’ve got the talent, we’re just missing the coaching.
YOU NAILED IT and it’s only because Richt is the most undiscipline coach when it comes his playes.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 9th, 2011
1:13 pm
JB
I answered that at 12:42 pm
Burdell 90
September 9th, 2011
1:13 pm
Still laughing…love how y’all are the greatest before the season starts and then…oh yeah, you have to actually play a game!!
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:14 pm
JB
I will be really happy if we can win. I will be upset with a loss but less so if we play as well as we are capable of and we just lose because they were better.
The outlook sure changes for the season with a win. Winning the East is possible. With a loss, we are 2 games behind the team that is expected to only lose maybe 1 game(Arkansas) the rest of the way.
South Carolina 31
Florida 7
I would think that any gator with a brain would slither away and not post regarding playing SC considering last year’s outcome.
01HAWK
September 9th, 2011
1:15 pm
YEA, YEA, YEA………………………………All of this BS that you should have won in 2002 because you were cheated is BS.
BAMA could have stated that almost every SEC school had a bye week to prepare for them because the SEC screwed up the schedule and that contributed to BAMA losing 3 games.
Do you think anyone feels sorry for UGA or over paid coaches.
SSIgator
September 9th, 2011
1:15 pm
DawginLex -
A little testy today aren’t we? Get a grip. After the pain of this year has been forgotten, brighter days are ahead. Next year UGA will have a new coach and a renewed optimisim for the years ahead. Time to let go of your love affair with Richt and move on.
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:16 pm
Goff actually did beat florida in 1989. He never beat spurrier
tony
September 9th, 2011
1:16 pm
Mark Richt pass too much on 1st downs.
2010 On 1st dn Ga pass 131 times…..rush 104 times
2010 On 1st dn AU pass 126 times…..rush 202 times(Won NC)
2009 On 1st dn Ga pass 116 times…..rush 96 times
2009 On 1st dn AL pass 117 times…..rush 153 times(Won NC)
2008 On 1st dn Ga pass 163 times….rush 95 times
2008 On 1st dn FL pass 129 times….rush 154 times(Won NC)
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:17 pm
SSI
your act is old. I have no love affair with richt. He is our coach and I support him and I appreciate what he has done in the time in Athens. If he gets fired, I’ll support the next guy.
your stealing his paycheck,kool aid drinking, bartender lines are old useless and pathetic.
SSIgator
September 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
Jake -
A stat major are we? As my accountant says – numbers are anything you want them to be.
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
01HAWK
History supports my statement
Ohio state cheated
Miami cheated
I understand it is revisionist thinking. Contrary to what you think, I’m not stupid or a blind homer.
Argue away einstein. Facts are facts. they cheated. so did USC. We didn’t.
whatsgoingon
September 9th, 2011
1:19 pm
So – I wonder who and what Boykin (Boy-Kid) twitted this week?? I hope CMR – if he truly believes in discipline put a stop to that.
14 Games, 6 W's, 8 LOSSES
September 9th, 2011
1:20 pm
gcs
September 9th, 2011
1:01 pm
The only way Richt saves his job is if he wins the SEC championship game vs. Alabama/LSU. I don’t see that happening.
What are you smoking?????????
Here’s what happens, Carolina wins easily, Richt regroups to beat Coastal and the Rebels, but then Dan Mullins comes to town with a better Miss State team than the one he beat the dawgs with last year. Miss State wins big and this will be the coup de grace for ol’ Mark Richt. McGarity fires him Sat night—end of story.
01HAWK
September 9th, 2011
1:20 pm
Might as well cut your losses. CMR will never win a title at UGA. You have not won one since 1980. Going on 32 years.
BAMA has won 2……………………………………1992 and 2009.
Boz
September 9th, 2011
1:20 pm
Since 2008 our team has usually showed up not ready to play. Our coaches have usually been outcoached by the staff on the other sidelines. In most cases, badly out coached. Embarrassingly out coached. I had fervently hoped that, coming into this year, this would change. Based on what I saw Saturday night, nothing has really improved.
Maybe I will finally see something positive tomorrow. I sure hope so, though I doubt it. If the big turnaround in attitude doesn’t happen very soon, I think Coach Richt will have virtually no support left–and shouldn’t.
Highlands
September 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
Win tomorrow, beat UF, beat AU, beat GT (all winnable games), and this Dawg is happy.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
SSIgator
Let me first say I hate FL. Thats why I named my handle what I did
But if our fanbase was like FL we wouldnt be in this position
We worry too much about which pair of Red pants we are going to where, how much Jack Daniels we can guzzle down, and if we beat Div II GT.
Thats why we have been floundering around for years
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:21 pm
01HAWK=CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
Congrats
SSIgator
September 9th, 2011
1:22 pm
DawginLex -
Settle down and take one of your wifes Midol tablets. Don’t believe I have said anything recently about Richt’s former profession although I hope he did better bartending than coaching.
Watching From Outside
September 9th, 2011
1:22 pm
Just a thought for Dawg fans to consider: How well did the last coaching search and changes work after the last great Georgia coach retired? After Dooley, you had Goff then Donnan. Just what wonderful savior is waiting for UGA to call when you fire Richt? Every year won’t be a championship year, and every new running back won’t be the next Hershel. You may need to change coaches, but you have no guarantee that change will immediately be for the better.
01HAWK
September 9th, 2011
1:22 pm
DawginLex ……………………………..Can we get you a new NIPPLE FOR YOUR BABY BOTTLE ?
Whining bunch of fans as I have ever seen.
14 Games, 6 W's, 8 LOSSES
September 9th, 2011
1:22 pm
no comment
bware
September 9th, 2011
1:23 pm
give the ball to Crowell 20-25 times and lets see what he ’s got!
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:24 pm
01HAWK
You comparing losing 3 games on the field and blaming that on bye weeks as compared to 2 teams blatantly cheating shows what a moron you are.
what should I expect from somebody from alabama
don’t you have a trailer to fix?
Mobile Dawg
September 9th, 2011
1:24 pm
Ignore’m Lex, SSI Gator is no more than a “low class” troll looking for a bite.
01HAWK
September 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
GOOD to be a BAMA fan isn’t it…………………………………….GO BLOW YOUR NOSE…………………..WHINERS
Lowcountry Bulldawg
September 9th, 2011
1:25 pm
Flat Tire-
Ugh ok…
Bob
September 9th, 2011
1:26 pm
I don’t believe the SC game alone will decide Richt’s future at UGA; however, a combination of two losses to either Tenn, Miss State, Ole Miss, Florida, Auburn or Tech will…maybe just the Florida game itself. For the first five years, Richt was a proactive and innovative coach, but he has become increasingly reactive…and stubborn. Just my observation and opinion.
balismith
September 9th, 2011
1:26 pm
think you reporters are just trying to sell newspapers. Everything will be ok .Georgia gets its swagger back when they take care of the gamecocks tomorrow….if not all bets are off..just kidding ,i guess my question is if not richt then who.Hate to see georgia go through what they have in the past.hope Richt and company gets the job done this year
Mobile Dawg
September 9th, 2011
1:26 pm
No coach can ever feel safe, that’s why the good one’s are always putting in so much time. CMR took several years off, thought he had it made without the superhuman effort required of coaches.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 9th, 2011
1:27 pm
AltamahaDawg
Where did you go
Dont worry I know if we win tommorrow you’ll have at least 50 posts Sunday on why the program is heading in the right direction
01HAWK
September 9th, 2011
1:28 pm
How about you guys have a WHITE OUT………………………….You have tried a BLACKOUT, REDOUT, or you can try a GRAYOUT.
Antoine Carr
September 9th, 2011
1:28 pm
Flat Tire: you are making my points. I think we agree on most stuff. The reason Goff lasted so long was because he was dooleys’ protoge and Dooley kept him around too long. Ego again. RE Donnan I could care less about beating Tech today.
01HAWK
September 9th, 2011
1:30 pm
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH…………………………………Chalk up a loss tomorrow.
To borrow from Steve Spurrier’s famous 1991 dismissal: “Georgia gets all these recruits, but I don’t know what happens to them.”
lil dawg
September 9th, 2011
1:30 pm
Love Mark RICHT and his family..there comes a time when its best to move on like Bowden at FSU.
UGA needs someone with a fresh start and Coach Richt needs a new start…in other words the thrill is gone.
Maybe the Lord will open new doors for CMR..and thats not being ugly. He is a great person and coaching is not his only plus.
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
Florida people saying they wish the series was more competitive.
What a lie and what a joke.
If Muschamp loses this year to UGA(or to anybody else) they will be cranking up the http://www.firemuschamp.com website before the ink dries on the Sunday morning paper.
SSIgator
September 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
Highlands -
“Win tomorrow, beat UF, beat AU, beat GT (all winnable games), and this Dawg is happy”
I admire your optimism. Hope you deal well with reality.
Red Panties
September 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
DawginLex
Let’s not get our panties in a wad, you are exceptionly testy today.
Spurrier with a superior team wins—-simple as that. Just relax.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 9th, 2011
1:32 pm
Antoine Carr
Now take what I said and watch if we win Tommorrow;
There will be so many more people on here jumping back on the the bandwaggon thinking the program is turning the corner for the better.
Antoine Carr
September 9th, 2011
1:32 pm
To the fans that are such wuzzies that they are afraid we can”t find a decent replacement. And what? are afraid we might have a losing season? That’s what we have now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least with a new coach we would be re building not sinking
DawginLex
September 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
Sc 35
Bammer 21
I guess that was the fault of the bye week last year?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a maroon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RiffRaff
September 9th, 2011
1:33 pm
Why is it that Richt, who is suppose to be a offense driven kind of coach, has his O team so unsure of themselves? Missed blocking assignments, no-huddle hurry up ( but then you wait to get a signal from the sidelines ), a running game that could have out done Boise with speed to the outside but instead trying to run between the tackles?, a QB that hangs on to the ball too long, no quick slants, and really no halftime adjustment to counter with? Was the shotgun / spread offense suppose to rattle Boise?
SSIgator
September 9th, 2011
1:34 pm
lil dawg -
“coaching is not his only plus”
Have you followed UGA the last few years and watched the games?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 9th, 2011
1:34 pm
01HAWK
All those UGA recruits end up in the NFL where they are coached and become the players they were supposed to be