Georgia’s Richt makes recruiting his top priority
I asked Newnan safety Alec Ogletree only Monday if he’d heard anything about Willie Martinez possibly being on his way out as Georgia’s defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Ogletree told me he had heard rumors to that effect but that whatever eventually happened would not affect his decision to commit to the Bulldogs.
Georgia coach Mark Richt (R) with defensive ends coach Jon Fabris last season. (AP photo)
That was still Ogletree’s stance upon hearing that Martinez — along with defensive ends coach Jon Fabris and linebackers coach John Jancek — had actually been fired on Wednesday. But the reality of it all definitely took the AJC Super 11 selection by surprise.
“I was at practice watching film when I got the text message,” Ogletree told me Wednesday evening. “Man, I was just surprised. It was a shock for me because I wasn’t really expecting it, at least not right now.”
That said, Ogletree reaffirmed his position from earlier in the week.
“It doesn’t really affect my commitment because like I said before I really want to play for Coach Richt and he’s still there,” said Ogletree, the No. 2-ranked safety in America according to Scout.com. “I’m sure they’ll bring in somebody good.”
At that point Ogletree had not heard from Richt or recruiting coordinator Rodney Garner. But he has now. And Richt said recruiting was going to be his top priority going forward.
“The next couple of days I will probably be more active than I normally would be [in recruiting],” Richt said. “Coach Martinez and Coach Jancek and Coach Fabris will not have any more recruiting responsibilities at Georgia even if they choose to stay through the bowl. So the other coaches and myself will have to pick up a little bit more of the load in that area.”
Ogletree’s reaction was echoed by most of the other commitments that commented on the subject Wednesday. The Bulldogs currently have 18 players committed to sign in their Class of 2010.
“I talked to Coach Richt and Coach [Stacy] Searels tonight,” Walton defensive end Brandon Burrows said. “I was shocked at first. But I have a lot of faith in Coach Richt and he told me he had to do what he thought was best for the University of Georgia. He said to stick with them while they work this out.”
“I am shocked,” Deon Rogers, a linebacker commitment from Port St. Lucie, Fla., told georgia.scout.com. “I did not see this coming. I am staying with them right now though. Mark Richt called me and let me know what was going on and I still love Georgia. I want to sit back now and see what happens though and see who they bring in as the new linebackers coach.”
Probably the shakiest of Georgia’s commitments at this point would be cornerback Nickell Robey of Frostproof, Fla. He had expressed concerns about Martinez being dismissed weeks ago. As of Wednesday, however, he said he remains committed.
Richt said he will not be making any other staff changes. “All the other coaches are in good shape,” he said. So recruits can rest assured of that.
He also assured them he would be bringing top-notch defensive coaches to Athens.
“We want to make sure we’re playing Georgia ball, playing with the type of speed and intensity it takes to be champions,” Richt said. “That’s what we’re looking for.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2011 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
86 comments Add your comment
Top Dawg
December 2nd, 2009
10:02 pm
Am I really first?
Top Dawg
December 2nd, 2009
10:03 pm
Well, golly gee, then let me give a shout out to all you Dawg fans out there. Go Dawgs!!!
Ledhead
December 2nd, 2009
10:04 pm
Good to hear these kids minds are in the right spot. Come to UGA to be champions!!
BAMADAWG
December 2nd, 2009
10:07 pm
IF THEIRS A FIRST IT’S ME & I DON’T EVEN BLOG
BAMADAWG
December 2nd, 2009
10:07 pm
OH WELL!!
yea com on
December 2nd, 2009
10:10 pm
yes, right move richt, hard on your part but had to be done. Thank you now bring in kirby smart and get the recruits to stay and were good. i see good things in the future. now bobo better step it up or he is gone. GATA hope tech wins so we can get to the chik fil a bowl. Go DAWGS!!!!!!!
reality check
December 2nd, 2009
10:17 pm
Great to see Coach Richt taking such interest. He always does but he stepped it up. Tough day for many.
The staff is short handed for sure and all are picking up more responsibilities. I hope the hire comes soon but is a slam dunk as well. Go DAWGS!
Hairy Dawg
December 2nd, 2009
10:34 pm
Chip,
Any truth to the rumor that Texas came after Coach Searles? Sounds good that he is contacting recruits. Does that indicate it isn’t so or that he has decided not to leave?
Great move by CMR. Overdue but still great.
Go Dawgs!
BAMA FAN #2
December 2nd, 2009
10:38 pm
X-mas has come early for dawg fans!!!
athens georgia "the new liverpool"
December 2nd, 2009
10:42 pm
WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO PLAY FOR RICHT? 60 WINS IN 6 YEARS, 70 IN 7, 80 IN 8 YEARS (LESS THAN 10 GUYS ALL-TIME DID 80 IN 8 YEARS–ELITE HEAD COACHING SKILLS)46 GUYS TO THE NFL, 4TH WINNINGEST COACH IN THE NCAA, LOADED WITH TALENT FOR 2010, GREAT TUTORING FOR THE PLAYERS, WORLD CLASS CHARACTER BASED EDUCATION PROGRAM, NEVER HAD 2 BAD SEASONS BACK TO BACK, 6 OUT OF 8 YEARS HAD A 10 WIN OR MORE SEASON
mike on lake hartwell
December 2nd, 2009
10:42 pm
30-24 losers
bh
December 2nd, 2009
10:46 pm
have any of the three dismissed coaches stated if they will stay on and coach the bowl game? anybody heard a time line on naming a new def. cooridinator?
Bill
December 2nd, 2009
10:50 pm
Bobo needs to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chip Towers
December 2nd, 2009
10:51 pm
bh: No word from coaches on whether they’ll hang around. I’m kind of skeptical that they would. . . . CMR said specifically there was no timetable for naming a DC. I assume Rodney Garner will be acting DC for the bowl if that were the case. Could pose a problem.
Hairy Dawg: I, too, had heard that rumor about Stacy Searels and Texas. Don’t know for sure because you’re not going to get a straight word from anybody involved. The fact that he’s out actively recruiting for Georgia at the moment is a good thing.
td
December 2nd, 2009
10:57 pm
Chip,
Which recruits did the three dismissed coaches recruits are on the bubble now and how will losing CWM effect our recruiting in South Florida?
Stockdog
December 2nd, 2009
11:06 pm
Coach Willie had to go, CMR did the right thing in firing FreeWillie. I don’t think that Kirby Smart is interested in a lateral move. He wants a head coaching gig. VanGorder wants a head coaching job as well, preferably in the pros. I doubt Bud Foster would leave VT after so many years. If I was Richt, I’d go after Bumpas from TCU, or a position coach from the NFL.
FranktheFalcon
December 2nd, 2009
11:11 pm
This was a move that had to be made! The defense had slowly been deteriorating over the last 2-3 years. The defensive secondary was the worst coached part of the team and it was coached by Coach Willie Martinez. What was so bad was giving up 30-40 points so often over the last 2 years in particular. What I couldn’t stand was a receiver being wide open so often. Like against Tennessee there were several times that no one was within 10 yards of an open receiver! Against Colorado last year we never did make proper adjustments to cover the TE on that short route. He (CWM) could not make adjustments like an outstanding coach should be able to do For some reason, our secondary has been confused for the majority of two years when it comes to pass coverage. Maybe a new DC will fix that! We have to go back to an attacking, aggressive defense!!! It is more fun to play and more fun to play! THERE ARE BETTER DAYS AHEAD FOR THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS AND I APPLAUD COACH RICHT FOR MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE NEED A BVG OR KIRBY SMART TYPE OF COACH!!!
WATCH ALABAMA PLAY DEFENSE,THEY WILL KNOCK YOUR HEAD OFF!!!! Coach Martinez was two passive and played too much zone because he could not properly teach man to man defense!!!!
Forsyth Dawg
December 2nd, 2009
11:11 pm
Any truth to the rumor about Tommy Tubberville or is that just a pipe dream?
FranktheFalcon
December 2nd, 2009
11:13 pm
corrections; the aggressive style of defense is more fun to play and more fun to watch.
Also, too passive, not two passive. Sorry!
td
December 2nd, 2009
11:18 pm
FranktheFalcon, I watched Bama play Auburn last week and they looked more confused and the receivers more open then against Georgia. Now I will give you that the Bama LB’s will come up and knock your head off.
Big L
December 2nd, 2009
11:27 pm
Van Gorder a long way from a HC job. He is not comin to UGA though. Sylvester Croom.
Big Dawg's Bite
December 2nd, 2009
11:27 pm
I would not bring in Tommy Tubberville. Two roosters cannot guard the same hen house. CMR had to keep Rod Gardner. Too good of a recuiter. I know a lot of people wanted CWM out as DC. If you were in that group, you need to make a $20K donation to UGA so CMR can hire a good DC that will satisfy your huge expectations.
Big Dawg's Bite
December 2nd, 2009
11:30 pm
I would not be surprised if Tony Dungy is advising CMR. To me, CMR and TD have a good friendship. It never hurts getting some sound advice from a guy who knows something about defense.
GJE
December 2nd, 2009
11:30 pm
UGA dominates the Nerds….60-37-5……All time series.
hugedawgfan
December 2nd, 2009
11:31 pm
Do I feel bad for Willie? Sure. But the writing was on the wall and he had plenty of time to correct this. Maybe UGA did not have the athletes to run his kind of defense. I want to go back to smash-mouth football and make UGA fered once again (T. Davis, S. Jones, G.Blue and et al). We have not striken fear into the hearts of our opponents in quite some time. Would love to see Tuberville but highly doubt this will happen as Tommy is looking to be HC again(did hear his name for the Louisville job). Kirby would be a good hire as well as Bud Foster. Don’t really know about Kevin Steele as well as how Garner would do. I do believe we need new blood and not a hire from within. Will be interesting to see what develops in coming weeks or months. Would think Jon Gruden would be a great hire but too much of a control freak and he wants to be in charge. Heard Jon Tenuta’s name thrown out there but I don’t know about his style of play. Just want a head hunter that can recruit smart players for the field (not so much in the classroom!). Go Dawgs and THWGT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big L
December 2nd, 2009
11:33 pm
hey Big Dawgs Bite. I don’t think asking your DC to hold teans like South carolina under 30 points is unreasonable. Or for that matter, any of the sad teams we gave up 30 points to.
JohninJax
December 2nd, 2009
11:39 pm
First of all I have been a UGA fan for over 40 years. I love my Dawgs and I have the utmost confidence in CMR. All these rumors of Van Gorder, Tubberville, Croom, Foster, and Kirby Smart are so funny. The people who keep suggesting this NONSENSE have NO IDEA what you are talking about and do not know much about football or coaching. I am not going to speculate but I do believe CMR will get the right men to continue the success at Georgia.
bwell
December 2nd, 2009
11:46 pm
Who every Coach Richt gets to take over those positions. They need to come with some fire and put fear in those kids to play and execute, weekly. Look how Coach Saban took over a mediocre team and now have them posed to play for NC. Yeah I have faith in CR to bring in someone who will gets us back over the top.
What are you thinking?
December 2nd, 2009
11:48 pm
Croom was a OL coach and Gruden is an offensive guy too. Where are you idiots thinking they fit in at UGA?
UGA needs to hire the Air Force special teams coach and the Penn State LB coach Vanderlin as the DC.
Hammerhead Shark
December 2nd, 2009
11:52 pm
The only thing every recruit wants to know is about the Head Coach and his cred and commitment to the program. All these rumors about Meyer going to the NFL or Notre Dame, or the Texas DC, or the Cinn Coach leaving or Stoops–at least we know richt’s going to be here for a long time. That’s all I care about–his cred and commitment are both as solid as a rock. 80 wins in 8 seasons is a tough thing to do–he’s in the top 10 all-time there. Best of luck to all the kids, whereever they go.
What are you thinking?
December 2nd, 2009
11:55 pm
Sorry…Ron Vanderlinden…Former Maryland Head Coach and Northwestern DC. Now LB coach at Penn State. Great recruiter, mentor, and good at developing LB talent.
td
December 2nd, 2009
11:55 pm
CMR did what he thought was in the best interest of the football team and I support his decision. Now how do we do what is good for the program and have a purge of the uneducated, disloyal, diarrea of the mouth, ban wagon fans? The so called fans that only support the program when we are doing well and trash the coaching staff, players and school when times are not as well.
Time for all of you to give up your season tickets, burn your UGA gear and go find another team to put down.
What are you thinking?
December 2nd, 2009
11:58 pm
We will get good players this year and we already have plenty, we need a new scheme and new coaches to lead in the development of that talent. Once they see the improvements next year, we will get our pick of players. Strong is come for the Gators, along with 7 of 11 starters. They will suffer.
What are you thinking?
December 3rd, 2009
12:00 am
TD- most of them are Techies or Auburn fans acting like UGA fans. The lunatics don’t matter; these moves were made for the mainstream, not the morons who think Jon Gruden will be our next DC.
bulldawghuff
December 3rd, 2009
12:19 am
notice defensive end coach gone,linebacker coach gone, secondary coach gone.who does that leave defensive tackles coach rodney garner,im just saying he brings recuits,every year his guys go pro .this year he will send j owens, g atkins, k weston .last year two of his back ups got drafted.my point is the guy can coach,recuit,and motivate his players ,not to mention all the coaches sitting around waiting on richt to screw up and bring in someone else so they can come get coach garner.watch if he doesnt get this job he is gone . p.s. ga tech needs help on defense,i really would hate to see them go after garner.but if cmr doesnt want him cpj would love to stick it to uga and sign him.just food for thought.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
December 3rd, 2009
12:29 am
Go after Charlie Strong and make him the coach in waiting behind Richt!
bulldawghuff
December 3rd, 2009
12:32 am
30-24 ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.sorry couldnt help that.
HardTruth Soldier
December 3rd, 2009
1:22 am
30-24,8-1 for you GT fans to chew on. Now lets get down to business: This year alone UGA brought in Marlon Brown, #5 in the nation receiver, Chris Burnette #3 rated guard in the nation, Orson Charles #7 rated in the nation, Washaun Ealey, rated #11 in the nation at TB, Brandon Smith rated #5 in the nation, Montez Robinson rated#8 at Strong DE, Rantavious Wooten, rated #29 in the nation, Arthur Lynch, rated as #2 TE in the nation, Aaron Murray rated as the #3 pro-style QB in the nation, Zach Mettenberger, rated as the #11 pro-style QB in the nation, Abry Jones as the #9 DT in the nation, and so on and so on. DAWG nation that is n’t even counting A.J. Green, Caleb King, Branden Boykin,and DeAngelo Tyson who where in the top 20 of there classes! People you should expect the very best in this, the DAWG Nation. Willie Martinez, the man is a good man, but Willie Martinez the DC wasn’t getting it done. I hope nothing but the best for him, and the other coaches, but business is business, and this is a program that should be on the level of Florida, LSU, USC(THE REAL ONE OUT WEST), and we were not getting it done. Dawg Nation it’s time to get it done!
Hey Jaded Jacket
December 3rd, 2009
2:56 am
With Smith, Boykin and Rambo, I am not the least bit concerned with “shaky” commits by cornerbacks
Clayton
December 3rd, 2009
3:30 am
We can all dream and hire Brian Billick! LOL! That would be great! But of course I’m dreaming. Don’t care about the name as long as its the right guy. If Damon Evans meant what he said about getting the best coaches available then we should be alright. Already have the talent, just need to be coached better. As far as the Bobo talk, its hard to run an offense when you don’t trust your qb to throw the ball without being intercepted. Hopefully that changes next year with Murray. Go DAWGS!!
takedowndawg
December 3rd, 2009
5:24 am
Now, let the rebuilding and reassemblying begin! Coach Richt has made the hard decisions. Now let us get behind him. We do need a proven DC not a dc in training. Same for special teams. Soft “anything” does not work against top opponents. Maybe, “soft” hands and “soft” shots in basketball but not FOOTBALL. I looking for a proven hardnose DC who will bring discipline and unity to an assembly of great athletes who currently don’t qualify as a team judging the performance of this year. Inconsistency. Some interesting names being thrown out but as of right now, I kinda like the idea of Tuberville. Always, always has had a strong defensive team under him and his leadership. Some have mentioned that he’s considering some head jobs and that would be reasonable. Also, I am not sure Coach Richt would like to have too strong of a personally under him. I understand he and Van Gorder did not have a comfortable relationship. But , one can wish that Coach Richt sees the necessity of a tough guy to lead the program. The next guy will have to believe in bringing the house every play instead of the mostly prevent defense schemes we have seen the last 3-4 years. Go DAWGSS!!!!!GETTUM. That is the coaches we need!
Topp Dogg
December 3rd, 2009
6:47 am
CMR is commited lets see if D Evans is also,actions speak louder then words.
ToothlessinTennessee
December 3rd, 2009
6:57 am
GATA…Get onboard boys..
DONUTDAWG
December 3rd, 2009
7:02 am
rise and shine dawgbrothers, I was up at 5am this good Thursday morning and first in line at the donut shop to get those hotttt glazed ones. gee, do we not have a game this weekend? Don’t they know we’re the dawgs? Oh well, the local chapter of the Inbred DAWGheads met last night. It was good to see Bubbadawg and Cooterdawg back. Boogerdawg slipped and fell in the lake but luckily Myrtle the truckstop waitress was there to help him out. Dozierdawg thanks for that good’un chew, it hit the spot. Hawgdawg you left your notes from last weeks meetin but Ill hold on for ye, and congrats to Dempseydawg who was able to walk to the mailbox with only taking 2 breaks to rest. Keep that Budweiser comin
sportzfan
December 3rd, 2009
7:20 am
HardTruth Soldier…..coming out of HS rankings mean nothing, the game is played on the field. Yes, UGA should be an elite program with all the talent in the state….again the game is played on the field. Also the Univ. of South Carolina was a univwersity before California was even a state….so they are the real USC.
Just Noticing
December 3rd, 2009
7:21 am
Anyone else notice how much Coach Fabris looks like Smeagol from lord of the rings in that picture?
The (painful) end of an era « Get The Picture
December 3rd, 2009
7:43 am
[...] carry over to the spring. It would also cut down on the strain that Richt will likely be under to hold the 2010 recruiting class together. (You can hear Junior’s pitch to Georgia’s defensive commits, can’t you?) [...]
Paddy
December 3rd, 2009
8:42 am
My guess is that the new DC at UGA will be someone, here to for, not mentioned. Much like BVG was in the early years.
BVG is a long, long way from being a head coach at any level.
traderdawg
December 3rd, 2009
8:42 am
anyone notice how there wasn’t a single comment by a Tech fan on a UGA post. How sweet that is
Dawg Fud
December 3rd, 2009
8:55 am
i don’t understand why so many recruits are surprised by this