Georgia’s Bobo a rising star in coaching ranks
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo held a teleconference call with reporters on Thursday. And while the information he shared (more on that later) was interesting and useful, just the fact he was holding a teleconference was the most intriguing thing for me.
Bobo, 34, has kind of quietly become the star coach of head coach Mark Richt’s staff and his rise to his current status therein has been meteoric.
We all took notice when Stacy Searels and Rodney Garner turned down lucrative job offers at other institutions to remain at Georgia. Richt promptly rewarded those coaches’ loyalty with substantial raises for this coming season. Searels got a $54,600 bump and Garner $36,699. Linebackers coach John Jancek, who was recently named co-defensive coordinator after turning down a job at South Florida, will probably receive similar treatment in coming weeks.
But lost in all that was the fact that Bobo received a $57,500 raise. Now only defensive coordinator Willie Martinez makes more than Bobo’s $335,000 salary. Just to be sure I asked Bobo Thursday whether he’d had an interview or entertained a job offer after last season that we hadn’t heard about. “I did not,” he said.
So that got me to looking back and did you realize just over five years, Bobo has more than tripled his income at Georgia? In 2003-04, Bobo, then just a young quarterbacks coach, was making just $95,000. Of course his responsibilities have increased exponentially since then, too, both on and off the field. Bobo and wife Lainie have five children under age 5 at home. And in addition to coordinating the offense, calling plays and coaching quarterbacks, Bobo also is one of the Bulldogs’ most popular and effective recruiters.
So clearly, Richt is a big believer in Bobo and feels he is extremely important to Georgia’s success. And when you think about it, while suitors haven’t swooped in by the dozens for Bobo yet, it’s only a matter of time. Bobo’s best buddies include Will Muschamp, who’s defensive coordinator and head-coach-in-waiting at Texas, and Kirby Smart, who’s DC at Alabama. One of these guys is going to get head job very soon and you know they’ll want join forces. It looks like Richt is doing everything he can lock down Bobo at Georgia.
Heck, he’s already giving him his own teleconference!
Speaking of, here were some of the more interesting tidbits to come out of that session:
- I thought Bobo’s statements about tailback Caleb King were the most revealing. With Richard Samuel and Dontavius Jackson sidelined for the spring with injuries and Washaun Ealey not on campus yet, Bobo indicated he expects King to take the job by the throat and make it his. At least that’s what he hopes. “He’s going to be the primary back back there. He’s got a great chance to show us what he’s got. He’s been working hard in the offseason. He’s doing a great job in our morning workouts. We’ve seen the flashes and the quickness and the explosion we saw coming out of high school. He’s shown us at times. Sometimes it’s difficult for a guy with a guy like Knowshon Moreno in there and you’re waiting you turn. But I think now it’s his time and he’s taking advantage of it. I think he’ll have every opportunity to show what he can do this spring. And I’m excited about him. I think he has a bright future here.”
- Bobo wasn’t too excited about the big numbers the offense put up last season. “Yeah, we had some productive numbers and stats, but that really doesn’t mean anything. We lost three games, got blown out in two of them, basically disappeared for some stretches of those games, and lost to our archrival Georgia Tech in the last [regular-season] game. . . . There is still a bad taste in our mouth around here.”
- On O-line: “I think we’ll be better. I thought we’d be better this year and then we had injuries hit. But we were able to fight through that and Coach Searels and those linemen did a great job no matter what the lineup was. They went out there and found a way to get it done for the most part and I think that experience will be very valuable going into this year. But, knock on wood, we need to stay healthy at that position and find some continuity if we’re going to truly be better up front. You have to have continuity and depth and we have the prospects of that.”
- On where Clint Boling, who played every position but center last season: “Clint will probably start out at left tackle because Trinton is not going in the spring. As far as Trinton getting back, he played left tackle last year and we obviously see him play8ing there. But we’re going to just find the five best guys and find a way to get them on the field.”
- Who might step up to fill MoMass’s leadership role at receiver: “Mike Moore has done a nice job this offseason. He was inconsistent in too many areas early on. Last year he became more consistent last year and he came though this year and did a very outstanding job for us and has carried it over into this offseason. … Out of that group, I’d say Michael Moore has done an outstanding job and look to him improve on what he did last year.”
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195 comments Add your comment
Thomas Brown
March 7th, 2009
11:39 pm
This is a better football team than last year. 11-2 is my prediction. This is year 20 and we have Won Exactly 3 games against Florida in the two decades, if we don’t beat Florida this year down there in the Gator Bowl.
Recruiting was really fantastic this year. I really wanted 1 more DE with speed to sack quarterbacks, but there is no denying that both our DL and OL are very strong, and we might well see sacks from the DT.
I hope that we do not Redshirt Orson Charles, as he is an NFL Tight End. He will be here 3 years, and that is it. If you Redshirt him, you will have him for 2 years on the field.
Reshad Jones found himself in bad defensive schemes where he should never have been lined-up.
The Fullbacks 49 Shaun Chapas and 48 Fred Munzenmaier are first class and along with the Tight Ends this season, should find UGA with an Offense that will not be just a 3-year Interview for the NFL that we experienced with the 18 fumbles and 33 Interceptions the last 3 years by Matthew Stafford.
Both the 2 Freshmen quarterbacks have to be Redshirted. We cannot afford another year like the year Matthew Stafford had his Freshman Year, not now. In a lot of respects, both Matthew Stafford and UGA have not yet overcome that season of Matthew Stafford. In case you have tried to forget 2006, Stafford had 10 fumbles losing 6 of the 10 fumbles while having but 3 rushing Touchdowns. Passing was even worse, with but 7 Touchdowns Passing and 13 Interceptions. Ending up Number 23 in the Final AP Poll 2006 was absolutely no fun. So let me be the 1st to say before Spring here now that playing Aaron Murray this year will be a similar disaster and he and Zach Mettenberger both have to be Redshirted because we have Joe Cox 14 and because we have Logan Gray 6.
It is hard to believe that we have 13 Scholarship Linebackers; this is a clear strength of the team.
We ended up Number 13 in the Final AP Poll last year and having beat no one who ended up in the Final AP Poll Top 25 except for Michigan State, who beat no one in the Final AP Poll Top 25 either and had no business therefore in the Final AP Poll Top 25. Had we begun last year where we will begin this year in the Preseason Polls, we would never have been ranked at all last season. Georgia Tech last year ended up Number 22 in the Final AP Poll and this marked the 8th Consecutive Season and Counting that Georgia Tech has ended their season ranked Worse Than UGA in the Final AP Poll.
As for the ACC, they do not have a premier football program and have not had. Florida State goes on Probation for 4 years, just as Georgia Tech last year went off their 4-Year Probation for Academic Cheating too. Clearly, the NCAA was soft and lenient on FSU with 2 Lost Scholarships next year and 1 the year after. Georgia Tech had 6 Lost Football Scholarships for Academic Cheating NCAA Major Infractions Database Probation in Football 2006-2007 by comparison.
Georgia Tech’s recruiting was horrible this year and their 3 more players who all 3 just quit the team makes it even worse.
Tennessee volmits had a horrid recruiting year again this year too, just like Georgia Tech. Scout.com and Rivals.com have UGA at Number 4 and Number 6 Recruiting Classes this year and the vols with the same number of recruits as UGA are ranked 10 places worse in the Rankings than UGA.
Auburn also did a sorry job of Recruiting this season too, compared to UGA.
Cuz
March 7th, 2009
11:40 pm
Bamastan, just win the SEC and you got almost a fifty-fifty chance of playing and winning the MNC. Get your priorities straight. That is why you lost the SEC last year. Bama was too busy trying to figure out where to place the crystal football that they forgot they had to win the SEC first. Then after being outcoached and outplayed in the SECC, your team fell apart in the Sugar Bowl and lost to a team that had no conceivable chance of beating the fourth place SEC team much less the runner up. I think you should take care of your own house before you tell us how to run ours.
BAMA STAN
March 8th, 2009
12:05 am
Cuz – you make good points – I can’t argue how we finished – but you have to admit – no shame to losing to Florida in a very good game. We made a few mental mistakes that really came back to hurt us regarding field position – and Florida was the better team that night by virtue of beating us.
Utah – well, we reaped what we sowed.
Yes – win the SEC and you will go to the NT game. NOT SO FAST my friend. It depends on who is ranked ahead of you.
UGA should have played in 2003. 13 – 1 record. But the pollsters had OK and USC ahead – and UGA played FSU in the Sugar Bowl.
A 1 loss Big 12 team will be put ahead of a 2 loss SEC team.
And is USC is undefeated – they are in!!!
I get what you are saying – but what I am saying is Florida, LSU and Bama talk about National Titles. Richt talks about winning the SEC East First – then let’s see where the chips fall. It’s a matter of how you view yourself and your goals.
On the surface, they may be one in the same – but dig deeper – it’s an entirely different mindset:
We are after a National Title!!!!!
or
We hope to win the SEC East, and see if we can win the SEC – and then see if we are fortunate enough to play in the BCS Title game.
Not just semantics – but a mindset of believing where you belong and the expectation.
Good Post – and I enjoy and respect you posts and point of view.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shane#1
March 8th, 2009
12:19 am
Darn, I find myself in agreement with with Thomas on his last post. When you consider the fact that it snowed in Lee County last week that means the Dogs must win the MNC. Two minor differences though Thomas. While the LB corps is a strong point, the DT slot will be loaded. DT may be the strong point of the D. However, I feel that the O line, provided that Sturdivant is fully recovered, will be the strong point of this team. Ben Jones has a good work ethic so he should be much better at center, and Sturdivant’s return will allow Boling to be shifted back to guard. I don’t know if you have thought about it partner, but that is the beginings of one heck of a line. Any QB and TB can look good if they have the blockers up front. I agree with you about the TEs, maybe the best group ever. I don’t remember ever having three four star TEs at UGA at the same time. Richt cannot afford to red shirt both freshman QBs. UGA has only two returning scholarship QBs, they need three QBs in the rotation. I think Murray is the most ready, so he should get the nod. Hopefully, he won’t have to start.
Cuz
March 8th, 2009
1:03 am
Bamastan, I meant the post as constructive critisism in win the SEC first, not belittling your desire to win an MNC. I hope you took it that way although upon rereading it does come across as kind of harsh. You made my point on the fifty-fifty by bringing up the 2003 Dawgs. And don’t forget Tuber’s undefeated Auburn team. Maybe it is a mindset that I agree with the coach. Win the SEC East, win the SECC and let the chips fall where they may. I for one thought we did not belong in the title game in 2007. We did not win our conference chaimpionship, nuff said. I did want to play USC in the Rose Bowl and may the better team have won. All I ask is my players giving it all and leaving it all on the field. If an L comes with it, so be it. But if the team is special and believes in itself, more W’s will come than L’s.
You are happy with St. Nick. I am happy with soon to be Saint Richt. Now to the top of the page, to the top of the blog, dash away, dash away, can’t wait till the Fall.
Thomas Brown
March 8th, 2009
1:19 am
shane#1 : Don’t waste Aaron Murray the number 3 Quarterback in the country according to both Rivals and Scout.com. Not when we have 2 more Top 10 Quarterbacks in the nation already long-since established in this program in 14 Joe Cox and 6 Logan Gray. Joe Cox had 3 rushes for 14 yards and 11 of 15 passing for 151 yards. That’s all he got and you are talking about the Number 3 Consensus Quarterback in the nation sir who you want to play so we have 3 Quarterbacks. If you need Aaron Murray, go to him in November and ask him if he wants to take off his Redshirt for what ? 1 game ? What will he do in that game ? Clearly, if Joe Cox goes down, and that could happen, then Logan Gray has proved his meddle with his Punt Returns and his 2 rushes for 21 yards last season. Both Cox and Gray are Top 10 Quarterbacks in the nation too. Logan Gray could be a significant change of pace in a season where you have to admit, we will miss Knowshon Moreno after but 2 years on the field.
Matthew Stafford was not ready for the NFL this year. Who cares if he is gone after 3 years ? He will not play, even on a sorry football team like Detroit. He’s not ready.
He also was not ready in 2006 with 10 fumbles of which he lost 6 of those 10 fumbles of his, with but 7 TD passes to his 13 Interceptions and our eventual fall from grace to Number 23 in the Final AP Poll 2006, his freshman year he played all 13 games and was the only QB who did that year.
Alabama Crimson Tide last year ? Excuse the living hell out of me sitting there talking about UGA who ended up Number 3 in 2002 and Number 2 in 2007 in the Final AP Polls, Alabama played the Number 35 Official NCAA Strength of Schedule last season to UGA’s Number 4 SoS. We had injuries and you did not, as a direct result thereof.
Alabama ended up Number 6 last year in the Final AP Poll. (UGA Number 13.) Alabama ended up Number 8 in 2005 (UGA Number 10.) and Alabama ended up Number 8 in 1999 (UGA Number 16.)
In the 12 years that UGA alone has been the only Football Program in the Nation to be Ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll Every Single Year since 1997, Alabama ended up Ranked ahead of UGA only these 3 years Number 8 Alabama Number 10 UGA 1999, Number 8 Alabama Number 16 UGA 2005 and last year Alabama Number 6 and UGA Number 13 in the Final AP Polls. That’s 9 of the Last 12 Years that UGA has ended up Ranked ahead in the Final AP Poll of Alabama’s easy soft schedules in the Down SEC West.
And, you sit there talking about UGA Number 3 in 2002 and Number 2 in 2007 in The Final AP Polls BAMA STAN, you blithering Idiot talking about National Championships ?
Kiss my backside BAMA STAN. You beat UGA 41-30, and then you Lost Both of Your Last 2 Games last season BAMA STAN. In addition, you struggled with LSU whom we ran out of the stadium, like you struggled with UGA. And, you struggled with unranked Ole Miss. Frankly, Alabama last year struggled with UGA who had no business being ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25 had we not started out Number 1, Alabama struggled with LSU who never was ranked last year and struggled with Ole Miss who likewise was never considered for the Final AP Poll Top 25 either. Your ultra-soft Number 35 Official NCAA Strength of Schedule saw you Lose then to Utah for God’s sake and to an SEC East team. Alabama beat no one last year and you come running in here having been ranked as high as Number 6 once and Number 8 twice in the last Dozen Years talking about UGA finishing in the Final AP Poll all dozen years and Number 3 in 2002 and Number 2 in 2007. You have no clue BAMA STAN. How can you talk about National Championships and admit UGA was Number 3 in 2002 and Number 2 in 2007 playing far tougher schedules and actually doing something which Alabama clearly did not do over there in the Down SEC West.
Thomas Brown
March 8th, 2009
1:46 am
http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/records/calc-wp.pl?start=1997&end=2008&rpct=1&min=1&ss=on&se=on&c1a=on&pt=on&by=Wins
You sit there talking about National Championships and your expectations for them BAMA STAN having been ranked ahead of UGA 3 times the last Dozen Years barely ahead of UGA at Number 6 one time and Number 8 twice, talking about UGA ending in the Final AP Polls Number 3 in 2002 and Number 2 in 2007.
Your schedule was a JOKE.
Alabama beat no good team last year, not 1.
I-A Wins 1997-2008 (12 years)
—- ———————– ——- —- —- —- —–
Rank Team name Win-Pct Won Lost Tied Games
—- ———————– ——- —- —- —- —–
1 Texas 0.78947 120 32 0 152
2 Boise State 0.78808 119 32 0 151
3t Ohio State 0.78146 118 33 0 151
3t Oklahoma 0.75641 118 38 0 156
5 Georgia 0.76974 117 35 0 152
6t Florida 0.75817 116 37 0 153
6t Virginia Tech 0.75325 116 38 0 154
8 Southern Cal 0.74834 113 38 0 151
9 Florida State 0.73203 112 41 0 153
10 Tennessee 0.71711 109 43 0 152
11t Michigan 0.72483 108 41 0 149
11t Nebraska 0.70588 108 45 0 153
13t Louisiana State 0.70199 106 45 0 151
13t Miami-Florida 0.71622 106 42 0 148
15 Wisconsin 0.68627 105 48 0 153
16 Oregon 0.68243 101 47 0 148
17 Texas Christian 0.67808 99 47 0 146
18t Auburn 0.65772 98 51 0 149
18t Kansas State 0.65333 98 52 0 150
18t Utah 0.68531 98 45 0 143
21t Boston College 0.64430 96 53 0 149
21t West Virginia 0.65306 96 51 0 147
23t Georgia Tech 0.62914 95 56 0 151
23t Marshall 0.63758 95 54 0 149
23t Texas Tech 0.63758 95 54 0 149
26t Louisville 0.63946 94 53 0 147
26t Penn State 0.63946 94 53 0 147
28 Brigham Young 0.62416 93 56 0 149
29t Fresno State 0.60131 92 61 0 153
29t Southern Miss 0.61745 92 57 0 149
31 Toledo 0.62069 90 55 0 145
32 Air Force 0.60274 88 58 0 146
33t Oregon State 0.59589 87 59 0 146
33t Purdue 0.58389 87 62 0 149
35t Alabama 0.57718 86 63 0 149
shane#1
March 8th, 2009
1:54 am
Thomas, I don’t think Murray is goimg to stick around for five years anyway. The kid is a straight A student so he should graduate in four years or less. IMO, he should be in the rotation and getting as many snaps under center as possible in practice since he took snaps in the shotgun in high school. Mett admits he needs a lot of work on his accuracy and footwork and needs to red shirt. Don’t get me wrong, I think it would help any freshman QB to red shirt, but I just don’t see it happening here. Both of the new QBs will practice this spring so we will see what shakes out. Cox is a very accurate passer and if the running game picks up he should be okay. King has the talent to be the man, but will he take the starting slot? Nobody “gives” a starting slot away, you have to TAKE it. Does King have the moxie that your namesake and Moreno had to take his shot? This will be a fun year, that’s for sure!
Thomas Brown
March 8th, 2009
3:21 am
Except for the running backs, I agree it will be a fun year. But, Logan Gray can help the running game, as DJ Shockley did. We don’t need to rush Aaron Murray onto the field.
Who are you going to rush him out there on the field against anyway shane#1 sir ?
We don’t have a schedule like Alabama had last year, for example.
We just don’t.
The only game you could get a 3rd string true freshmen quarterback in is November 3 against Tennessee Tech.
We learned our lesson rushing Matthew Stafford out there his True Freshman Year.
This is not the number 35 football program over the last dozen years, shane#1. We are a Top 5 Football Program.
The only bad year we have suffered in the last dozen was 2006 when we rushed out Matthew Stafford as a true Frosh and watched his 3 rushing TD to his 10 fumbles 6 of which he lost and his 7 passing TD to his 13 interceptions and our therefore Number 23 in the Final AP Poll.
Matthew Stafford was never going to be here 5 years either, they said. So, what ? Now, he leaves and is not ready for the NFL.
You rush Aaron Murray out there now with Joe Cox having but 15 throws as Number 2 all season last year, with Logan Gray sitting there entrenched at Number 2 behind Joe Cox, and you accomplish nothing.
You do more harm to a football program doing that, for what ?
To help out Aaron Murray ?
At the expense of our football program and at the expense of Joe Cox and at the expense of Logan Gray.
Aaron Murry does NOT play this season, even if he isn’t going to be here 5 years and even if Joe Cox goes down.
I’m fed up with these True Frosh QBs coming in here thinking they can play the Number 4 toughest schedules in the nation year after year and what ?
10 fumbles and 13 interceptions to 7 passing TD for 13 games played.
Don’t want to hear about it.
shane#1
March 8th, 2009
3:14 am
I hope it isn’t necessary to throw Murray to the wolves. As to who gets red shirted, that is the UGA coaching staff’s decision, not mine. Thankfully. Good night Mr Brown, I have enjoyed talking UGA football with you.
Too Easy
March 8th, 2009
8:02 am
Could it be that Thomas Brown is …………BuLLDawg?
AltamahaDawg
March 8th, 2009
8:02 am
Murray was quoted that he was hoping that Stafford would stay so he could RS and learn from him. Back when he signed on, there was still some speculation that Staffard would stay, pushing him back to 4th, or 5th. So he was not opposed to the idea.
I tell you what, we would have a heck of a scout team with him and Mett.
Bulldawg Billy
March 8th, 2009
9:05 am
PLEASE!!! PLEASE!!!PLEASE!!! NO TRUE FRESHMEN AT QB!!! They do well in those spread offenses that read the movements of 1 or 2 defensive players and choose run or pitch.We are in the catbird seat with Cox and Grey.
Bulldawg Billy
March 8th, 2009
9:14 am
Opposing linebackers will have to be sharp this year,our back field and tight end threats are stout. A senior QB to read and audible plays at the snap,its going to be fun!!!
Cuz
March 8th, 2009
9:19 am
Thomas Brown just got bored re-habing the knee with the Falcons and decided to help us out with his overwhelming knowledge of UGA football. Alas, BuLLDawg is no more, RIP #39.
AltamahaDawg
March 8th, 2009
9:39 am
Cuz, you say that as if 4:00 in the morning doesn’t exist anymore.
I’m thinking of doing a post about how good Dr. Adams has been for the university to test your theory.
jeremy
March 8th, 2009
9:46 am
Boboo’s pay increase was kept out of the media most likely because only RICHT thinks he’s worth this money (can’t put a good buddy with 5 little mouths to feed out on the street no matter how sorry his work). Boboo hasn’t been offered any jobs because he’s nothing but an avg coach. duh. Even a 4th grader can see this.
Again, as in many, many, years past, UGA has star players, and subpar coaching. Boboo and Martinez will always destroy every team UGA fields. And so be prepared AGAIN to choke in 2 to 3 big games this year.
But UGA fans seem to enjoy mediocrity so (SHRUG) what else is new? Let’s just keep giving money pay increases to the sub performers (Boboo and Martinez) and carry on with business as usual.
Gen Neyland
March 8th, 2009
9:55 am
Do I hear Don Meredith wailin’n the Ode to Dawgy BuLL, or is it Jerry Jeff Walker and Lefty Frizzell singing about ol’ #39 heading down the tracks..? Whatever, out of ‘Thomas Brown’s’ Top 10 1-A wins 1997-2008, how many collective Crystal Footballs are in that stellar group’s trophy cases since 1997..? Sorry #13, you gotta be in the top 10 in THIS poll…and ‘Thomas’, volmits..? Really. That’s rather BuLLish, don’t you think..?
shane#1
March 8th, 2009
10:31 am
Any fool can laugh, but it takes a train to cry. Or a hungover Shane. What was I doing up at four AM? It was that Woman’s fault. Ain’t it always? She had the nerve to go to bed early and leave Me alone with the beer.
mike addington
March 8th, 2009
11:05 am
Don’t worry so much about the offense, just get the defense to toughen up and do some slobber knocking.
Bulldawg Billy
March 8th, 2009
11:07 am
AMEN!!! Mr. A!!!
AltamahaDawg
March 8th, 2009
11:21 am
Yes, a 4th grader might definitely see it that way.
Ken
March 8th, 2009
2:05 pm
Someone on this blog said we might meet Alabama in December. Presumably, that would be the SEC championship game. Sorry, but that won’t happen. Alabama will be lucky if they can beat out Ole Miss in the West for second place. LSU will probably win the West. Bama has had one good season in the last decade and all of a sudden they’re the best team in the SEC? Please, they couldn’t even beat a WAC team. Who’ll be their QB? Do they have one? Let’s face it- since the Bear retired Bama hasn’t been anything except average. When did they last win an SEC championship?
Opiner
March 8th, 2009
2:51 pm
Don’t know why you guys let Bama Stan get to you the way he does. Its like 30 children arguing with one child.
As far as the argument goes between who is a greater program between Bama and Uga just give it up. UGA wins the very short term argument as in the 2000s but that is pretty much it for UGA. And they win that argument solely because Bama was levied with the 2nd worst probation ever handed down in 2002 including playing with 21 fewer scholarship players than everyone else. Even then it is remarkable that we posted 4 10win seasons since 1999, we won the sec once and we won the division 3 times but in 02 but were ineligible due to the probation. Even given the devastating probation we still fielded some pretty good teams sandwiched by some mediocre teams. Most programs would never have recovered from this nor had at least some successes during those lean years yet we did. We rose back from the mat in very short order and we’re right back where we need to be. Get used to it and just deal with it. It is what it is.
Now that we are back at full strength you can look at the 90s to get a good barometer of where we should stand going forward. In the 90s we were the 5th winningest program of the decade nationally and were 2nd in the conference only to Spurrier at UF. The sec was basically just a 2 horse race for much of that decade. I think what upsets a lot of people is that when we are at full strength we are a dominant force to be reckoned with. And quite frankly a lot of people are scared and upset about it given that Saban is at Bama and has stockpiled 2 consecutive no. 1 recruiting classes. Coaching wise he took an average talent Bama squad to within less than 1 qtr of playing for the nc this year. As for the Utah game. That was just a letdown of a game where our team didn’t especially care to be playing Utah after the seccg. Back to the job Saban is doing. Kinda scary isn’t it to look at the looming juggernaut to the west. You should be scared.
UGA fans can pick a point in time say the last 10 years or the 2000s and say that UGA has been more relevant in the 2000s or in the last 10 years and you are absolutely right. Be happy that you have this one bragging point. But LSU and UF can also pick a point in time to bolster their argument. Lsu can probably say from 2003 on that they are the best in the conference.UF can say from 2006 on or from the inception of the 2 league division in 1992 that they have been the best in the sec. Everyone can pick a point in time to augment their argument.
But please stop arguing with Bama Stan over the alltime stature of UGAs program vs Bamas. You got bragging rights in the 2000s when Bama was down from probation so just stick with that. If you want to look alltime then it aint even close and you will just end up looking foolish. You cannot argue against facts. A fact is a fact and let me tell you why you will never win this argument with Bama Stan.
Over the last 100 years of football Bama is the single most dominant program in the nation. Coming into the season ND led Bama 743 to 742 wins over the last 100 years of football. Since we won 12 games and they won 7 we are now the winningest program of the last century. If you pick a point in time from say the inception of the ap poll in 1936 or the first major polls in the 1920s or the inception of the bowls we are still either no. 1 or certainly in the top 3.
Since everyone that is relevant had a program going since the 1920s we can look at each qtr century from 1925-1950, 1951-1975, and 1976 to 2000 we were 2nd, 3rd, and 3rd winningest program in each of those qtr centuries of football. How’s that for consistency?
We have 12 national titles to UGAs 2. We won 25 conference titles including 4 in the old southern conference to UGAs 14.
Bama Stan is wrong about the bowls. We lead the nation in bowl appearances with 56 not 51 as he says and we are tied with usc for the most wins with 31.
We are 2nd in the nation in double digit winning seasons with 29. Oklahoma has 30.
We are in the top 5 nationally all time and number 1 in the conference by a wide margin in terms of overall winning % and overall # of wins. Michigan will always lead simply because they started their program in 1869 and most other big time programs started in the 1890s or the early 1900s. Most everybody that is somebody had a program since the 1920s which is a better barometer of overall success and consistency. I wonder who wins the argument based on that merit?
We lead the series against UGA 36-25 and as a matter of fact we own the head to head record against everyone in the conference. UGA is 5th in head to head in the conference.
We have 4 separate coaches who have won national titles. Bear Bryant is but 1 of 4 to win it all. By the way, let the man rest. We’ve won the national title and several sec titles since he died.
As for Thomas Brown and his criticism of Bama’s scheduling please allow me to learn him something on scheduling. Part of what gives Alabama a national mystique that only people in Georgia refuse to acknowledge is our historic scheduling. I’m 43 and grew up in the 70s,80s,90s and watching Bama play regular season and home and homes with national powers at that time like Notre Dame, Nebraska, the real USC, Penn St, Ohio State, Washington under Don James, Miami, FL., and very good regional teams like Texas A&M, Missouri, BYU, Boston College with Doug Flutie, etc. I’m probably leaving some teams out but you get the point.
In the 2000s we took on a UCLA program in 2000 and 2001 that had the nation’s longest winning streak in 1998-1999 at 21 games. At that point UCLA was the dominant PAC 10 team and not USC. We went on probation in 2002 but still took on No. 1 Oklahoma on the road that year and again the next year in Tuscaloosa. This year we took on preseason top 10 Clemson. Not our fault Clemson ended up 8-5. Next year we open with a solid Va. Tech team that will certainly be a preseason top 10. Va. Tech has been the most consistent team in the ACC in the last 10 years and along with USC I believe is the only other team to post 4 straight 10 plus winning seasons. In 2010 we will open the season in newly expanded (101,000 seat) Bryant Denny stadium against Penn State and renew a traditional home and home with them that we’ve played several times. Thomas Brown should learn a little about scheduling before he talks smack.
UGA played outside the cozy confines of the immediate southeast this past season against a mediocre ASU team. That was the 1st time in 50 years that UGA had stepped up to the plate during the regular season and played a bcs conference team on the road and outside of the immediate southeastern U.S. UGA entertained UCLA at Sanford in a good game in 1985 but UGA refused the return trip to UCLA the next year.
This glaring disparity in scheduling quality non-conference opponents is what has really traditionally separated the 2 programs. Alabama has always played on a marquee national stage in the effort to win national championships while UGA has always been satisfied being a good regional program. This is why when you travel around the country and talk college football to anyone over 35 or 40 they recognize the tradition of the Alabama brand.
I say this not to belittle Georgia. I think they are a fine regional program under Richt that is trying to grow into a national program in baby steps. You will see UGA step up and play mid level regional programs like ASU and OK. state this year but you will never see them step up and play the top 1 or 2 programs in a conference like a USC, a Notre Dame in their prime, Ohio State, etc. Mark Richt already said so in an AJC article last year concerning the ASU game. The reporter asked if there were plans to play someone like a USC and Richt flat out said “uh, no. That’s not something we want to do”.
As I said UGA is still a good program. Its just that on a historical level they are simply not in Bama’s league.
So the next time Bama Stan goads you dawg fans just respond by saying UGA has been better in the very recent past when Bama was on probation and leave it at that. Don’t argue with a Bama fan over the historical place of Georgia football vs Alabama football. In the words of Ronald Reagan to Mikhail Gorbachev regarding the arms race during the cold war “IT IS A BATTLE YOU CANNOT HOPE TO WIN”.
JustCallMeChamp
March 8th, 2009
5:31 pm
Hey I know how Bobo and the rest of UGA football can get their hands on a BCS National Championship Trophy (or two). Get on I-75 south about 500 miles give or take, get off at the first Gainesville,Fl exit, make a right on campus and take a right on Stadium Rd. Go directly to the new Gateway of Champions complex and make a left. Ask for Urban.
SOUTHGADAWG88
March 8th, 2009
6:06 pm
Anybody besides me thinking about our defense?Before you get started on Martinez…. the way I see it the injuries hurt more on the defensive side of the ball than lack of scheme or adjustments.No Owens,Banks,Washington and for the most part Ellerbe was a serious blow.Going into spring last year the future of the DE position was thought to be C.Washington,Ball and Toby Jackson.None of those kids have gotten to the field yet.Add that to the mix and I guess you can say that we didn’t have the horses we expected.The second thing is a little bit of a mixed bag.We had to play some guys a lot more than we planned.Youth is great but inexperience leads to mistakes…part of the package…so in short I think the coaching was not as bad as some may think.Moving forward though we have some areas of concern.A lot of guys hurt are going to be out until fall camp so I don’t think we get an idea about the pass rusher’s of the future until then.Allen played well to me and I haven’t seen anybody so far as good a corner as he was.It looks like two positions where we may look to a freshman or 1st year player to play big minutes.Hopefully we will be healthy this year and have a lot of competition at all positions to allow some play makers to come forward.I do think that Jones and Evans will be a good duo at safety.A super fast FS and physical SS is a good mix.Owens allows us flexibility to have him and Atkins as penetrating tackles and Weston and Tyson as a run stuffing duo.I like that.If healthy the LBs are stocked with athletes so I think we should see more physical play on special teams from more than a few players from this group.That’s my take.DT, LB and Safety are strengths.. but DE and CB are question marks.
AltamahaDawg
March 8th, 2009
7:14 pm
AS88, we’ve all looked at the simple logic of how who plays in an Athletic contest will have some bearing on the outcome, but frankly that doesn’t read as well as conspiracy theories, mind readings, and pesimistic predictions.
PTC DAWG
March 8th, 2009
8:21 pm
What’s up with all the anal Bama fans? Who cares? They should be getting ready for LA Monroe.
Cuz
March 8th, 2009
10:50 pm
Opiner, I really don’t care that much past the last two to three years. The 2005 SEC championship is now ancient history to me. Unfortunately, I still remember 2006, but I digress. I am glad that Bama has made a comeback to the ranks of the national powerhouses. I am an SEC fan, one step behind being a Dawg fan. I am dam proud of my conference. You are in the West, so other than being an Auburn fan, Coach Dooley, Coach Russell, yall can flip flop or fly. Just send a team to the SECC. You mistake sometime bloggers for us who can’t wait to see our names on a daily basis, okay multi-daily basis. Us regulars are fans, not fanatics. Learn the difference. You do not have to prove to me that you are the Bama version of our dear departed BuLLDawg, Allah bless his name. I am going to give you the number 40. You are not near as good as #39.
One other thing on scheduling. We try not to schedule as many home and away games with other out of conference teams because it limits the number of home games. Your team used to play in Birmingham. I notice you don’t do it anymore. Why, money. Home games pay the budget. We play one home game every year in JAX for our South Georgia faithful. The Okie State-ASU abberation is just for the rest of the NCAA to see that we will play out of conference, then we will shut it down for the Temple Owls and the Richmond Spiders so we can rake in the big bucks. Welcome to Football budgeting 101. Damon Evans will be your instructor. I could go on, but I am boring myself. So rollover Tide.
Thomas Brown
March 9th, 2009
2:39 am
http://media.scout.com/Media/Doc/64/649366.pdf
2009 Spring Depth Chart by Coach Richt shows what we will see in the nationally televised Spring G-Day Game, which is free attendance for the game to insure we have a huge crowd.
You will note, for example, that the 2nd-string Tailback today is Redshirt Freshman Carlton Thomas. This is because Richard Samuel will not play in the G-Day Game but like these others will be ready for the Fall Camp to challenge Caleb King.
This is a tremendous opportunity for these players listed on this Depth Chart, to step up and show their meddle for everyone to see live or on ESPN.
http://media.scout.com/Media/Doc/64/649366.pdf
Carlton Thomas, Jr. Redshirt Freshman is from Frostproof Florida and is not only listed ahead of injured Richard Samuel as the Back-up Tailback, but also is listed as a Kick-Off Returner. Carlton Thomas 5 feet 7 inches 170 lbs. last year was Under Armour High School All-America, is listed as the Number 8 Running Back in America by ESPN, had 2,386 yards with 25 Touchdowns just rushing the football his All-America Senior Season alone, and is a track star with his Nike 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash. Notre Dame, West Virginia, Auburn, Clemson, Arkansas and Iowa all thought that they had Carlton Thomas. Coach Richt has used all-purpose running backs like this every year getting them on the field and getting passes out to them too. His timing is very good for this stage he steps onto with Richard Samuel’s fumble costing us the Tech game and Caleb King has not exactly set the world on fire either. We will see if he can move the football and hold on to it, something neither ahead of him have done yet; and, now we don’t have Knowshon Moreno after just 2 years playing for us. Carlton Thomas is tough.
Thomas Brown
March 9th, 2009
3:30 am
Opiner
Look son, Alabama played the Number 35 Strength of Schedule last year finishing Number 6 in the Final AP Poll one of 3 years in the last dozen that you have finished ahead of UGA (barely all 3 years) in the Final AP Poll. Georgia played the Number 4 Official NCAA Strength of Schedule.
Your schedule SUCKED last year. Try admitting it instead of your garbage excuses and Alabama is great.
Alabama is NOT great. Neither, by the way, is Notre Dame. And, if you want to know the facts of the matter, neither is Michigan.
As for your excuses for Losing to Utah, or your Bowl Record which is not as good as UGA’s Bowl Winning Percentage, you are off-target to the point.
The point is that Alabama over the last Dozen Years is Number 35 in the nation in Wins.
Number 35.
You have a bag full of excuses for every point, and all your excuses do is to make the point ever more clearly that Alabama has been ranked ahead of UGA 3 of the last Dozen Years and been worse-ranked 9 of the Last Dozen Years.
You won the game 41-30.
As for your recruiting rankings, UGA has far exceeded the recruiting of Alabama again this year. Your average recruit is no where in the same ballpark as UGA’s. You simply have recruited MORE PLAYERS last year and this year than we have. Look at the recruiting rankings again. UGA is Number 4 in Recruiting 2009 with an average of 3.95. So, we only signed 20 and you 27. That does not make your players better than ours, with your average of 3.67 to UGA 3.95. By the way, Alabama is Number 2 in Recruiting Rankings by Scout.com and UGA Number 4 based upon 27 times 3.67 Alabama compared to 20 times 3.95 for UGA.
http://georgia.scout.com/a.z?s=135&p=9&c=14&yr=2009
When you are NOT CHEATING in recruiting, Alabama has a very poor state to recruit in, the state of Alabama. There are twice as many good football players in the state of Georgia than in Alabama. The state of Georgia is Number 4 in the nation in high school football players who go on to the NFL behind ONLY California, Texas and Florida.
Instead of sitting there with a mouth full of excuses Opiner, admit it that Alabama IS NOT the football Program that UGA is and has not been the last Dozen Years.
Utah. Bwaaa.
Play over there in the Down SEC West. Play your soft schedules. Hire St. Nick. Add more seats than UGA in that sorry little state of football, Alabama. Quit with the excuses and then see what Alabama actually is.
If your recruiting is so great, who is your Quarterback ?
For example.
You Lost BOTH of your LAST TWO (2) FOOTBALL GAMES.
If your Recruiting is so great, why does Alabama only have 26 in the NFL and UGA 45 ?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/college?letter=a
Please respond with more of your EXCUSES for being a CHEATER because when the playing field is level, the state of Georgia is a far better state to work, live, play high school football, play college football, and play NFL football than Ala DAMN bama.
Opiner trying to make out the team who played in fact the Official NCAA SoS Number 35, in fact played a tougher schedule than UGA at SoS Number 4 is a waste of your time. So, too, are your excuses about the point.
Opiner and BAMA STAN trying to make out that Alabama IS DOING BETTER THAN UGA in Bowl Games with our far-better Bowl Winning Percentage than Alabama is also a waste of time. You dressed out 250 players when you were any good. AND CHEATED.
When you DON’T CHEAT, your recruits are not measured as good as the recruits at UGA. Getting more, lesser football players, does not make you better. In fact, it is the opposite.
Opiner and BAMA STAN, you are in fact the Number 35 college football program in Wins over the Last Dozen Years, now tell me again how that is better than UGA at Number 5 in the nation ?
Or, try giving me some further EXCUSES OF CHEATING as to why Alabama has only 26 in the NFL to 45 for UGA ?
UGA student
March 9th, 2009
3:52 am
It becomes harder on a daily basis to read this garbage. It’s as if you clowns have never seen a Georgia football game. When was the last time that Bobo did something remotely noteworthy? UGA did not win a single big game last year. Bobo has never had a defining playcall. Stafford never progressed. He, himeself, was a terrible UGA QB. This consistant propaganda is the reason that Georgia football will never progress. What do you think Alumni/Donars read? Football fans think that there is nothing wrong with Georgia football. And, many could counter this argument with a consistant 8-4 record.
I pray daily that some MAC bottomfeeder will sign this joke of a coach to an outrageous contract. Towers, I expected more out of you.
Thomas Brown
March 9th, 2009
4:48 am
No. I’ve become immune to the AJ-C Sports Writers’ opinions like Mike Bobo is a great offensive coordinator.
It’s like this software we try to post with.
There is nothing to it, and never has been.
To make matters worse, Chip Towers leaves this blog up like he has hit on something great.
UGA Student, your comments are absolutely correct.
AltamahaDawg
March 9th, 2009
7:14 am
I guess the rest of us just have more important things to pray about.
AltamahaDawg
March 9th, 2009
8:00 am
And TB, I can’t believe that you would actually bite on some comment from a tech poser.
Snoop
March 9th, 2009
8:29 am
What? A few months ago, UGA fans were calling Bobo Boo Boo. That was before they settled on Martinez as a whipping boy for Richt’s shortcomings.
» SEC links: Tampa tournament is tough sell John Clay’s Sidelines
March 9th, 2009
8:52 am
[...] Chip Towers of the AJC writes that Georgia football assistant Mike Bobo is a rising star. [...]
BILLY JACK
March 9th, 2009
9:05 am
Bama Stan it would probably be wise to stop worrying about Georgia and worry about all the violations Alabama is racking up.Alabama is a serious repeat offender and a couple more charges you could be looking at the death penalty-see SMU.
Bulldawg Billy
March 9th, 2009
9:21 am
Lets have a relativly healthy season before we pass judgement on this staff.Every one is frustrated (me included)with last years big game performance.Screw bama,we will cross that bridge when we get there.Let’s focus on the damn gator’s,if we can’t win that game,we can’t win the EAST,we can’t win the CONFERENCE,we can’t win the MNT,we can’t win ANYTHING!!!!! Spurrier took the UF job with UGA his only priority.Look what it got him! Richt should focus on UF!!!!!!
SEC links: Tampa tournament is tough sell | MrSEC.com
March 9th, 2009
10:22 am
[...] Chip Towers of the AJC writes that Georgia football assistant Mike Bobo is a rising star. [...]
PTC DAWG
March 9th, 2009
10:29 am
Mentioning 8-4 and Mark Richt’s tenure is just plain DUMB.
Perspective
March 9th, 2009
11:04 am
Bama Stan: Alabama has NEVER won the National Championship because it doesn’t exist in Division 1 NCAA football. We have a BCS Championship but it’s not awarded by the NCAA and it’s nothing more than a beauty pageant and that’s all it’s ever been. UGA is easily the third best team historically in the SEC with the third most wins, the third most SEC championship, and the second most bowl wins and bowl appearances. And frankly with continued success they can pass UT for SECC and get pretty close on wins. All won ON the field. Georgia is a bigger state than Alabama, a more populated state than Alabama, has more high school football talent than Alabama, is a bigger school with a bigger donor base than Alabama. Nothing Fundamental points to the fact that UGA going forward shouldn’t be better than Alabama. It is what it is. Records compiled pre-integration have very little impact on what is to become of college football going forward.
gte268p
March 9th, 2009
2:50 pm
The SEC was absolutely horrible in football this past year.
GATORMAN 722
March 10th, 2009
5:32 am
Bama Stan missed one or two points about Georgia. They care more about winning percentage than they do championships. There great coach was only 1 and 2 against Ron Zook. They have won only 3 times in the last 20 years against Florida. They only have the history before 1983 to brag about.
Jimmy
March 10th, 2009
8:40 pm
My main concern w/ this year’s team is Joe Cox. Is he really ready to be the man? He reminds me of JoeT a few years back. As good as a guy he was, a QB he wasn’t. 8-5 or whatever sounds about right to me. Think about it, if Cox or Grey were as good as people want to make them out to be, why weren’t they starters earlier in their UGA careers?