Richt on ‘hot seat’ talk; recruit Fields not admitted; more from SEC meetings (UPDATED)
DESTIN, Fla. – Quickly, some news, notes and quotes from Mark Richt at the SEC meetings:
- It didn’t take long for a reporter to ask Richt what he thinks when his name appears on media lists of coaches supposedly on the hot seat. Replied Richt with a smile: “I didn’t know it had. Is that true?”
- Earlier in a chat with reporters, Richt discussed his approach to the job: “My mindset has always been, let’s do what I think we need to do to succeed and try not to be influenced by anything other than the people who are closest to the program. And quite frankly my goal has always been to try to conduct myself in a way so that the university would be proud and my Lord and Savior would be proud too. So I’m trying to do things . . . with a lot of integrity and a lot of character. And hopefully we’re winning games and we’re still educating young men. . . . Of course you want to win. Absolutely. But also we still want these guys to get their degrees; we want these guys to be preparing for life after football. We think you can have it all.”
- Richt said he doesn’t buy into the notion espoused by some that it’s hard for coaches to have success in the same job for more than 10-12 years: “I came from Florida State. I was with Coach Bowden, who had been there forever. And that was sort of the model that I saw and that I really aspired to have.”
- Dalton defensive end Jalen Fields, a member of Georgia’s 2010 signing class, apparently will not qualify academically. Richt said Fields has not been admitted to Georgia yet, adding that he doesn’t expect him to enroll this year. Richt said he doesn’t know where Fields will go to school this fall, whether Georgia Military College or elsewhere. All other UGA signees except WR Lonnie Outlaw, who was known to be GMC-bound, have qualified, Richt said.
- Richt confirmed that cornerback Vance Cuff was, indeed, timed at 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash this spring, the fastest ever by a Georgia football player. More on that is here.
- On the “Dream Team” concept that Georgia coaches are pitching in recruiting the 2011 class, Richt said: “I think some [recruits] think it is pretty cool.”
- Richt expects much chatter this week about conference expansion but doesn’t expect anything to come of it, at least not soon.
- Richt reiterated Georgia’s QB situation entering preseason. Logan Gray is the No. 2 QB even though Gray will work more at WR than QB. Freshman Hutson Mason will work more than Gray at QB but won’t be considered No. 2 until he proves himself. And Richt said again that Aaron Murray would have been the No.1 QB at end of spring practice regardless of the Zach Mettenberger situation.
- Scratch the rumors about CB Sanders Commings and WR Israel Troupe possibly playing baseball for a local amateur team, the Athens Pirates, this summer. They won’t, Richt said.
Follow @ajcuga on Twitter for more news, notes and anecdotes from the SEC meetings.
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214 comments Add your comment
Gatorbait 17-3
June 1st, 2010
4:23 pm
Wow, The Sporting News has UGA at #38——they be underdogs to # 5 Florida, #17 Auburn, # 21 Arkansas, and #27 South Carolina. I don’t know which one, but they
will proably drop one to Tenn, Ky or Miss. State.
This will be Richt’s worst and last record in the SEC. I’d call that a very hot seat if this occures.
GatorBob
June 1st, 2010
4:25 pm
gdawginkalamazoo – “Regarding those rankings up there. We can’t help it that as defending ACC Champs we can’t get any respect.”
You might want to try to win the SEC, or even the SEC East, to get some respect, since that IS the conference you’re in.
PeeOnaBee
June 1st, 2010
4:25 pm
We don’t care what you believe.
SEC coaches rankings by SI mag
June 1st, 2010
4:25 pm
1-Nick Saban
2-Urban Meyer
3-Les Miles
4-Bobby Petrino
5-Derek Dooley
6-Steve Spurrier
7-Gene Chizik
8-Bobby Johnson
9-Miss State coach
10-Houston Nutt
11.Mark Richt
SOOHSO
June 1st, 2010
4:26 pm
CMR wants UGA band to play DIXIE!!!!
Kasey
June 1st, 2010
4:27 pm
Meyer didn’t handle pre-season #1 ranking well, he choked last year got beat 31-13 to an Alabama team that almost got embarrased by a fresman QB in the BCS.
Meyer, pre-aseason hype, not.
Boots
June 1st, 2010
4:27 pm
I’d just be happy if they played tough football and put all the rah! rah! stuff on the shelf. Having everyone running out on the field or wearing black jerseys just doesn’t feed the Dawg!
The Real World
June 1st, 2010
4:28 pm
BooBoo on the “hot seat” this year. They need to win 9 games or he’s gone. On deck….Mark Richt.
JB
June 1st, 2010
4:28 pm
LIsten cuz we don’t fire coaches for not winning NC titles and SEC titles. We learned in the Dooley era without Herswchel we have no chance. Keeping it real from the kitchen fryer.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 1st, 2010
4:29 pm
GatorBob, that ACC title was just a bonus. Our new DC will take care of business now. You can’t win in the SEC with a soft defense you know that. I know that.
Its Richt I tell U!!!
June 1st, 2010
4:29 pm
destin dawg is the REAL CMR!
He WAS first, then gave away secrets to winning this year.
Its him, I tell u!!!
Mobile Dawg
June 1st, 2010
4:35 pm
CMR feels the heat, that’s why the Dawgs will have a pretty good year. All you warm and fuzzies should thank the “intelligent” vocal supporters. Richt hasn’t produced lately, now he has to or that seat will get hotter. I promise….
JB
June 1st, 2010
4:37 pm
Unitl we get another Herschel no pressure on Richt to win. We ARE the Michigan State of the south.
Boca Baby
June 1st, 2010
4:40 pm
For all the yayhoos in the world of ESPN who can’t find anything to write about so they something up: Mark Richt is not going anywhere. Should he win 10 games this year (10+ is his average) he will be the most successful coach in UGA history for a ten year period. Georgia does not get rid of people like this. Write about something else.
RDR
June 1st, 2010
4:41 pm
With the coaches and players in UGA now has in place, no reason to think they can’t win the SEC this year. Take a look at the depth chart……………Dawgs are loaded.
Jax, Fla Chamber of Commerce
June 1st, 2010
4:44 pm
Thug-dawg faithful:
This message is to remind your boys to pack their cute little black pants and black helmets for the annual game on the St. Johns.
Oh, and have you made your reservations for Shreveport yet? December will be here before ya know it – provided y’all are bowl eligible, that is.
Jealousy
June 1st, 2010
4:46 pm
Nice try Bama Boy,
Turene is a LOCK for UGA!!!
Boca Baby
June 1st, 2010
4:47 pm
JB: Get me up to speed. When did Michigan State win two Big Ten titles in the last eight years? Compare UGA to someone else more apropos.
GatorBob
June 1st, 2010
4:47 pm
Interesting… everyone keeps talking about Richt on the hot seat except Richt… obviously others know something that Richt doesn’t. Could it have something to do with the very lofty expectations and delusions of the Dawg faithful?
The General Feeling
June 1st, 2010
4:49 pm
What has Richt done lately?
Q: 90 wins in first 9 seasons, three SEC East titles, two SEC titles, and one BCS title.
A: Phillip Fulmer
Get ready for the next 5-6 years of “hoping” to get back to those great years…
DawginLex
June 1st, 2010
4:50 pm
Delusions like thinking that a pro style QB is going to win the SEC in a spread option system with no tim Tebow to come in and save the day like 2006?
No Tebow=no titles
Tebow is florida’s Herschel
Sandy
June 1st, 2010
4:52 pm
If Richt isn’t on the hotseat, he should be. He’s being paid millions of dollars to win the SEC, not lead the team onto the field in Shreveport.
Shreveport. Does that roll off your tongue or what?
JB
June 1st, 2010
4:53 pm
Your right–Georgia is more like Purdue than MSU. Always suching hind tit to Gators,Bama ,LSU and Tennessee. Just another SEC doormat.
Boca Baby
June 1st, 2010
4:54 pm
General Feeling: How lately is lately to you? 2007 #2 ranked in the nation. Should have played for the NC. Could have beat Hawaii in the morning and LSU that night.
Hey Sandy
June 1st, 2010
4:54 pm
Good news is if we have another crappy season they can’t send us to Shreveport back-to-back years.
DawginLex
June 1st, 2010
4:55 pm
Purdue?
Purdue’s last big Ten title was when?
Idiot
Your fries are burning JB.
Jealousy
June 1st, 2010
4:56 pm
GatorBob,
let me tell you something about expectations. UGA DOES have high expectations , as does any other title aspiring program. This includes about a dozen teams who can come through at any time. These are the same 12 teams that have the highest winning percentages over the last 10 years or so. These 12 teams EXPECT to win and are greatly dissapointed when they don’t (you can’t win every game). Yes, Georgia IS one of these 12 programs. If you don’t expect to win, then don’t play the game. This high level of expectations and excitement is why UGA has a very large and national following. Your beloved Gators are in that group, but remember: they have NEVER won every game in a single season!!! With Mr. Walk on Water gone, let’s see what happens in that cesspool known as Gainesville this season. I EXPECT us to win all games including the WLOCP. You maybe a little young, but UGA used to kick that butt every year and it will happen again!!
DawginLex
June 1st, 2010
4:56 pm
Suching?
Is that a nerd term?
must be a cross between sucking and munching………….
Applies to Tech boys doesn’t it?
Boca Baby
June 1st, 2010
4:58 pm
JB: Get your facts straight. #3 football program in the SEC in the past ten years and just a couple of ticks behind LSU which would not have been the case if UGA had rightfully played for the title in ‘07. The next year UGA kicked their butts in Baton Rouge. Three of the last four. Don’t sound like hind tit to me.
Preston
June 1st, 2010
5:00 pm
For God’s sakes how many times does ohio state have to get BEAT DOWN by the SEC before everyone realizes they’re a paper tiger. The Big 10 sucks! So does the Pac 10! The SEC champ is the national champ every year they don’t get screwed by the BCS. In other words, when we play for it, we win it!
Boca Baby
June 1st, 2010
5:01 pm
And by the way, give Herschel 18 more games to do it (as Tebow had to do it in) and you would not even mention Tebow in the same breath. You shouldn’t anyway. Walker was good for at least one TD a game.
Preston
June 1st, 2010
5:03 pm
SEC Coaches rankings, please provide a link. There’s no friggin’ way that’s right.
Boca Baby
June 1st, 2010
5:04 pm
I can’t remember the last time UGA lost to a Big Ten team. Oh, I wasn’t born yet? Heck I’m 58 years old. That long? hmm.
FIRE MARK RICHT AS OF 2 YEARS AGO
June 1st, 2010
5:16 pm
“On the “Dream Team” concept that Georgia coaches are pitching in recruiting the 2011 class, Richt said: “I think some [recruits] think it is pretty cool.”
WHAT A WASTE TO GIVE RICHT ALL THAT TALENT AND WATCH HIM UNDER- ACHEIVE AS USUAL.
IT TIME TO REBUILD GEORGIA’S PROGRAM.
BEING A GEORGIA FAN SUCKS! WE (AS USUSAL) WILL BE OUT OF CONTENTION BY THE 4TH OR 5TH WEEK AND HOPING SOMEONE ELSE LOSES SO WE CAN HAVE AN OUTSIDE CHANCE.
Gator Growl
June 1st, 2010
5:23 pm
God I sure hope we’re not still talking about Tebow being the high point of our program 30 years from now like they talk about Walker. It’s good to appreciate history but these people live in it.
Corporate America
June 1st, 2010
5:26 pm
Dalton defensive end Jalen Fields, a member of Georgia’s 2010 signing class, apparently will not qualify academically. Richt said Fields has not been admitted to Georgia yet, adding that he doesn’t expect him to enroll this year.
Uh-oh, there goes Richt’s Carpets of Dalton commercials. Lamar!!
Richt List
June 1st, 2010
5:26 pm
Richt #5 on winningest coach list out of 120 coaches. Pete Carroll no longer active, so really #4.
http://www.coacheshotseat.com/WinningestActiveCoachesIA.htm
F-gatorbob
June 1st, 2010
5:26 pm
GatorBob, i f-ed your wife
Gillislee
June 1st, 2010
5:26 pm
There is another “dream team” that will all be together soon in Gainesville, 16 incoming freshmen All Americans.
Me
June 1st, 2010
5:27 pm
That “Dream Team” of recruiting will turn into a nighmare of decommitments if UGA starts losing ballgames. South Carolina will be the first domino to fall for the “Dream Team”.
turkeycaller
June 1st, 2010
5:28 pm
Hope Ga. does the smart thing by getting kids who can play without getting penalties for making routine plays. Lack of discipline on the players part has been evident for all to see the past few seasons. Players can play with emotion without doing showboating and getting the team penalized for their lack of caring about the outcome. I feel too many 4 or 5 star kids are not necessarily the answer. Get some kids who can actually withstand the academic college level and will listen when given instructions. We sign too many little smartass thugs. Teamplay instead of look at me would be a welcome change.
Hater Howl
June 1st, 2010
5:28 pm
If you ever saw the man play, you’d still be talking about him, too. Truly amazing player. Why should be be forgotten? No room in a Gator’s pea brain for Tebow, Spurrier, and Kerwin Bell?
GatorBob
June 1st, 2010
5:32 pm
Jealousy – your handles says it all. Enough said.
GatorBob
June 1st, 2010
5:34 pm
F-gatorbob: 41-17 (2009) and 49-10 (2008)… glad it still hurts!
Me
June 1st, 2010
5:35 pm
Gillislee…And I think they are all qualified.
Weak Schedule
June 1st, 2010
5:35 pm
When’s the last time Ga had the nutz to play the Big Ten. Yeah 1965 weak schedule puppy dawgs. But we played at Ariz state LOLZ. Pup-pee dogs get your Shreveport hotel reservations.
Let’s see. LSU won a NC title since Richt arrived. Fla has 2 titles with Richt at Jawga. Saban has two titles while Richt toils in Athenz. Tenn had one just before Richts arrived.
So yes Richts UNDERACHIEVED during Reich in Athenz. But Ga never considers NC title as a goal.
One, two, free, fo, fi, them der Gator don't take no jive!
June 1st, 2010
5:36 pm
Richt handled that question well. What else was he going to say? I don’t consider him “on the hot seat”. I do think if he has a repeat of last year then he truly will be feeling the heat next year. That being said, I expect UGA to be much improved. I’ve said it before, they could go 10-2 or 11-1 if they get solid QB play and the defense gels. Gonna be a really fun year in the SEC. Might not bring home the crystal trophy this year because we’ll most likely all have AT LEAST one loss, but it should be very competitive!!!!
Me
June 1st, 2010
5:36 pm
GatorBob…classy, aren’t they?
Kasey the dumb ase
June 1st, 2010
5:36 pm
Kasey Urban handled the#1 ranking better than UGAY! Mutts are Gator Bait.
CMR
June 1st, 2010
5:38 pm
Guys how did my $5 haircut and spray on tan look? SWEET!