DESTIN, Fla. — Is Georgia football coach Mark Richt on the hot seat?
Yes, according to several media-conceived lists of coaches whose jobs could be in jeopardy after the 2010 season.
No, according to Richt’s bosses.
In separate interviews at the SEC spring meetings here Wednesday, UGA President Michael Adams and athletics director Damon Evans rejected speculation that Richt will enter the season with the heat turned up on his job security.
“I don’t pay that stuff any attention,” Evans said. “Mark is a good football coach. I’m glad he’s our football coach. He’s had a great track record here.
“I think when they see a little adversity, people want to jump on it and attack it,” Evans said. “There is no need for that because he’s not on a hot seat. Mark is in a good place with us.”
Said Adams: “I don’t know whose hot seat he is on. He’s got a pretty nice long-term contract, seems to have the AD’s support, and I don’t have any reason to know where a hot seat would be.”
Adams acknowledged, though, that Georgia’s 2009 football season (8-5) was substandard and noted that all UGA coaches face high expectations.
“Did anybody think last year was a great year in football? No,” Adams said. “But most people would say I’ve had a year or two that weren’t too hot, too.”
Among the publications and Web sites that have put Richt on off-season lists of coaches who are believed — at least by those making the lists — to be on the proverbial hot seat are the Orlando Sentinel and the Mobile Press-Register. CBSSports.com gave Richt a “hot seat rating” of 3.0, meaning “on the bubble — you never know.” ESPN has weighed in about the topic on various platforms.
On Tuesday, Richt professed not to be aware of any of this, saying he didn’t know his name had appeared on such lists. “Is that true?” he asked. On Wednesday, he declined to delve into the issue, saying cheerfully: “I’m just doing my job.”
Georgia has averaged 10 wins per season in nine years under Richt, going 90-27 and winning two SEC championships. On the other hand, the Bulldogs’ most recent SEC title was in 2005, and they are 2-7 vs. Florida under Richt.
Although rejecting the hot-seat tag, Adams referred to comments Evans made at last week’s UGA Athletic Association board of directors meeting in which he expressed disappointment with the school’s all-around sports year.
“There are very high expectations at the University of Georgia,” Adams said. “We feel like we have the fan base, we have the financial resources, we have the facilities, we have the capacity to recruit. … Here we finished second in the SEC [all-sports standings], and nobody was satisfied because we did feel like it was a year where several teams underperformed. And I think if you asked any of those coaches they would say the same thing.
“I think people need not lose sight of the pressures that are on all of these folks to compete, just by nature of the expectations. And that’s fairly characteristic now of the whole university. We expect business professors and physics professors to publish and to teach well. … I don’t know of anybody who thinks we’ve not made adjustments as were needed [in football], and we’ve made adjustments through the years in other sports and we will again if they don’t perform at a high level. But I don’t think characterizing Mark as being on the hot seat from my standpoint is fair.”
Asked if that would change with another football season like last fall’s, Adams passed.
“You know me well enough [to know] I don’t deal in … hypotheticals,” he said. “I think we’re going to have a good year. I think we have a good, solid team. I think the defense is going to be improved. We’ll just have to wait and see, but let’s also not forget that this is by any measure the most competitive football league in America. … We want and expect to win, but you’re just not always going to win.”
Please follow @ajcuga on Twitter for the latest UGA news and notes.
364 comments Add your comment
GaGator
June 2nd, 2010
7:42 pm
Hi there
“LMFAO that would not be “one more time” that would be “the first time”. Currently (they are still going to compete) Meyer holds the lead 4-1. 7-2 total against Richt….one bad stat thats overwhelmed by tons of other great things. his other overwhelming successes mitigate his one flaw”
What’s with this mitigation crap, you sound like some environment whaco that cause the spill in the gulf. If the environmentalist hadn’t forced drilling into the middle of the gulf,
none of this would have happened. You could stop this in an hour not months.
“
skeered
June 2nd, 2010
7:45 pm
Richt is at least two more 8-5 type seasons from even being on the hot seat. UGA doesn’t aspire to win national championships. 10 wins and whipping GT is good enough for them. At a place like Bama or Florida, Richt’s seat would be melting.
UGA SUX
June 2nd, 2010
7:47 pm
ugay to scared to play lsu,bama.
GaGator
June 2nd, 2010
7:50 pm
hi there
June 2nd, 2010
7:37 pm
From 1978-1989, Georgia won 10 games and Florida won 2.
From 1990-2007, Florida won 15 games and Georgia won 3.
Nice try Patty, you missed two game 2008,2009, lets try 17-3 and 17 out of
20 is better than 10/12
hi there
June 2nd, 2010
7:51 pm
GaGator
June 2nd, 2010
7:42 pm
Hi there
“LMFAO that would not be “one more time” that would be “the first time”. Currently (they are still going to compete) Meyer holds the lead 4-1. 7-2 total against Richt….one bad stat thats overwhelmed by tons of other great things. his other overwhelming successes mitigate his one flaw”
What’s with this mitigation crap, you sound like some environment whaco that cause the spill in the gulf. If the environmentalist hadn’t forced drilling into the middle of the gulf,
none of this would have happened. You could stop this in an hour not months.
====================
whoa big guy….i am right there with ya. Drill on land…easy to clean up if a spill occurred on land. Deep water drilling makes little sense. But this spill could have been stopped on day two. Pinch the steel pipe and the spill will be reduced to a trickle. Whats hard about that?
hi there
June 2nd, 2010
7:51 pm
hi there
June 2nd, 2010
7:37 pm
From 1978-1989, Georgia won 10 games and Florida won 2.
From 1990-2007, Florida won 15 games and Georgia won 3.
Nice try Patty, you missed two game 2008,2009, lets try 17-3 and 17 out of
20 is better than 10/12
====================
didnt miss it…i was pointing out cycles.
hi there
June 2nd, 2010
7:53 pm
both cycles ended with the losers winning a game.
.
10-2 cycle ended with Fla winning
.
15-3 ended with UGA winning
.
this is a new cycle. IMO
UGA SUX
June 2nd, 2010
7:53 pm
can’t stop oil leak, hypocrite mark richt can’t win bcs title.
hi there
June 2nd, 2010
7:54 pm
10-2 and 15-3 is the exact same percentage
hi there
June 2nd, 2010
7:55 pm
Gagator….use your other name. or I will start in on religions again
Save pc beach!
June 2nd, 2010
7:56 pm
where will all the uga fans go for vacation?
Pope UGA XXIII
June 2nd, 2010
8:05 pm
Really getting tired of these articles.
OK – fine. Last year was not even remotely what anyone,
including CMR, Damon, and el Presidente would like to see.
As best my Bulldawg annual tells me, CMR’s records has
been more than acceptable, and I’m certain that the insects
from the institute would love to have it.
The AJC continues to try and stir the pot, so why don’t you
try and drum up something realllly funny. Cynthia Tucker seen
making out with Colonel Rebel has a nice ring to it.
Keep Mark Richt
June 2nd, 2010
8:13 pm
glad to see you dumb hillbillies think he the best, as long as he is at thuga never ever a chance for national title ever. enjoy losers.
Roll Tide!
June 2nd, 2010
8:16 pm
More National titles than any one!!!! Georgia sucks and always will!
GoDOGS1
June 2nd, 2010
8:35 pm
Once scuzz bucket Perdue is out, and his little side kick on the BOR Leebern is thrown to the side, then the water will begin to boil for MAdams. UGA can then be able to finally flush the fat POS Adams down the toliet, and the Dogs will rise again…….only then.
fedupdawg
June 2nd, 2010
9:08 pm
damon EVANS time to get rid of our DOOLEYS DUMMY. why pay another ray goff selection.
Sunny Day
June 2nd, 2010
9:15 pm
You guys hear the big news?
The #1 most accurate prediction college football expert says Georgia will be much improved next year, has them in his top 20, and says Georgia could win the SEC East and go on a run.
Yip eeee!!
jesse james
June 2nd, 2010
9:15 pm
fedupdawg – we are glad you are fed up. You have been on the hot seat for some time. They have been trying to get rid of your sorry you know what for some time. We don’t really give a damn what you think. You carry no weight in Dawgnation. Go over to Techwood Drive or to Silver Springs, wherever you feel like you are a big shot. Because you aint- well I better not say it – worth anything in Georgia
Sunny Day
June 2nd, 2010
9:21 pm
Also, more great news!!
Athlon, the #1 most accurate college football predictor over last 3 years, says Georgia’s running game and strong defense will carry the team until the QB comes along.
Says Georgia will finish #15, which would be a 10 win season.
http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/18972/no-15-georgia-bulldogs
...also
June 2nd, 2010
9:34 pm
What’s really funny is that this entire blog is being typed by one guy, talking with himself.
...also
June 2nd, 2010
9:41 pm
Richt and Georgia are Gatorbait! GO Gators!
2010--The Year
June 2nd, 2010
9:50 pm
Ga wins the SEC east in 2010—count on it!
A third Georgia basketball player transferring | UGA sports blog
June 2nd, 2010
9:56 pm
[...] Richt not on the hot seat, Adams and Evans say (UPDATED) [...]
Hmmm
June 2nd, 2010
10:16 pm
This is how I would rank the current SEC coaches
1. Nick Saban-great college coach. Went into 2 programs that were in the gutter ( LSU and Bama) and turned them into perennial powerhouses. He’s a dictator, which makes him lousy at the Pro level. But the guy is a great college coach.
2. Urban Meyer-innovative coach who has been successful where ever he has been. Not sure I give him credit for building a program because he stepped into a good situation at UF. But he hires quality assistants and his system produces results.
3. Steve Spurrier- he’s been less than spectacular at Carolina, but the guy was dominant at Florida. Florida was a perennial underachiever until Spurrier turned them into champions. Meyer is living in the house that Spurrier built.
4. Mark Richt- his teams have been lousy lately, and he’s not particularly great when it comes hiring quality assistants, but 90 wins in 9 years can’t be over looked. Richt’s teams on a good day can beat anyone in the country. Unfortunately those type of wins have been few and far between the last few season. 2010 is make or break for Richt.
5. Les Miles- Considered putting Mile at 4# but his has done less with more. Miles stepped into a good situation. But his ” National Championship Team” wasn’t exactly dominant, and his teams the last few years have struggled like Richt’s have. 2010 is also make or break for Miles.
6. Houston Nutt- Houston is a great recruiter and his teams are capable of knocking off anyone because he usually has great NFL talent. Unfortunately, Nutt’s teams never seem to take the next step towards dominance. Still his teams are almost always a tough out even in down year’s, and should not be underestimated.
7. Bobby Petrino- lousy person, was an absolute train wreck as a pro coach. But Petrino had solid teams at Louisville and his offenses are usually pretty good when he has a good QB like he does now with Ryan Mallet. Like Houston Nutt, his teams will probably never be more than middle of the pack, but he too should not be underestimated.
8. Bobby Johnson- Johnson never gets credit he deserves for the job he has down at Vanderbilt. He’s a coach who does more with less, and as long as he is at Vandy, his teams will play hard for him. Unfortunately, playing hard usually isn’t enough because he’ll never have the talent the big boys have.
9. Dan Mullen- Mullen’s stock could be on the rise. His players play hard for him and is he’s able to get the talent he needs to run his scheme, he’s going to be dangerous. Plus he’s loyal, which is a plus for Bulldog fans.
10. Gene Chizik- I actually think Chizik’s stock is on the rise as well, and he’s a better coach than people give him credit for. His OC Gus Malzahn is a good play caller. Unfortunately, his DC Ted Roof is awful. As long as Roof is Chizik’s DC, Auburn will be middle of the pack.
Jury still out on- Derek Dooley and Joker Philips.
Sunny Day
June 2nd, 2010
10:30 pm
Here’s how the #1 most accurate college football precitor see Georgia:
#19, #1 O-Line in nation, could win SEC East and go on a run.
woof.
jellybeandawg
June 2nd, 2010
10:39 pm
Hmm that is a very fair and accurate assessment ranking coaches in the SEC. Evans also got it right in saying that “Richt is a “good” coach and I agree. A “good” coach but not a “great” coach. He is the 4th or 5th best Coach in the conference. The best we can hope for as Dawg fans is that Saban and Myer both leave the conference because until they do our chances of winning another conference title are slim to none.
thomp
June 2nd, 2010
10:42 pm
I think you have grade anyone over the long haul, which is means Coach Richt will be here as long as he wants! I would rather see Evans and Adams leave than Coach Richt! Did Bear Bryant ever have a 8-5 year or worst? How about Bobby Bowden? How about Vince Dooley? How about Joe Pa? Mark Richt is a classy good coach and a better man.
Hunkerdown
June 2nd, 2010
10:48 pm
Who can tell me why Jarvis Jones is leaving USC after a stellar perferformance at USC? Yes he substained a neck injury but that is not cause to leave a program.
shane#1
June 2nd, 2010
11:26 pm
Seems to me that most posters that put CMR on the hot seat are enemy fans. If you are a Techie, Bama fan, or you pull for AU, UF or UT please STFU. The temp of CMR’s bvutt does not concern you.
houstondawgfan
June 3rd, 2010
12:20 am
I concur about UGA being the Wisconsin of the Big10, good enough but always the bridesmaid.
CMR is not a Nat title coach, 10 years has shown that. I do get tired of the national media treating the fball as a second tier SEC team. Just pay attention when CFB talk starts up on TV and they will never mention UGA or its the last one mentioned. Too bad its the truth. we will have to get used to the outback bowl and 8-4. 9-3 seasons. Whoo Hoo
Urban Meyer
June 3rd, 2010
4:40 am
“Good Coaches do what they can; Great coaches do what they must.”
Florida Fan
innocent bystander
June 3rd, 2010
5:02 am
This is a junk theme bred by ignorance or malice. The operative phrase in your column is ‘media conceived.’ Mark Richt is sixth in winning percentage among active coaches.Is Damon the sixth best AD? Is Adams the sixth best President in the NCAA? And if we were to fire a great man and a great coach we just pick one of those Sabans or Urbans who grow on trees right?
hi there
June 3rd, 2010
5:55 am
a good coach? No that would be Saban with 2 Great years
.
Nick Saban went 6-5, 6-6, 6-6, 7-5 at Mich St.
He went 8-5 at LSU 2x
He went 7-6 at Alabama.
Saban has gone 5-3 or worse in conference 8 times.
Richt has only gone 5-3 or worse in conference 3 times in his first 9 years.
Compare that to Saban’s record and consistency in his 1st 9 years.
Richt has NEVER had a 7-6 or 6-6 season, Saban’s done it 5 times, including once at Alabama.
.
Hardly the sign of your number 1 coach…learn football and get back to me
hi there
June 3rd, 2010
5:56 am
Urban Meyer
June 3rd, 2010
4:40 am
“Good Coaches do what they can; Great coaches do what they must.”
Florida Fan
========================
and Meyer and number four Fla made #2 USC lose in 2006….HOW exactly?
Reality Dawg
June 3rd, 2010
7:39 am
NO WAY IS RICHT ON THE HOT SEAT!!!!! Coach Richt is the winningest coach in Georgia Bulldog history. He has averaged 10 wins per season and he owns our arch rival. I look for Richt to retire at UGA after at least 25 seasons as our head coach and we’ll be naming facilities for him.
Flowery Branch Dawg
June 3rd, 2010
7:48 am
Mark Richt has won 90 games in 9 years as UGA’s head coach and the overwhelming majority of the Dawgnation will not even consider any thoughts of replacing him! I feel very sure that mark Richt’s best coaching seasons are yet to come.
Here is a list of coaches who did not win their first national championship until after 10 years of being a head coach:
Bobby Bowden
Joe Paterno
Bear Bryant
Vince Dooley
Gene Stallings (he did not win an ultimate championship until he was almost at the end of his career
Michigan’s Hall of Fame coach Bo Schembechler never won the national championship.
The Most Tanned Coach In the World
June 3rd, 2010
7:51 am
Mark Richt says: ” I may not always be on the HOT SEAT, but when I am, I prefer a HOT SEAT from Carpets of Dalton. Stay stupid my fellow redneck UGA fans”
A true Georgia Bulldog
June 3rd, 2010
7:52 am
Mark Richt IS our coach!!!! He will be our coach for many many years to come! Richt is the classiest coach in the SEC and he wins a heckuva lot of games. Mark Richt is loyal. I have no doubt that sooner or later he will coach to Dawgs to national titles.
Richt addressed the biggest problem he had by firing 3 assistants that were woefully inadequate. Just watch how things will get better! GO DAWGS!!!!!
The truth slaps you in the face....
June 3rd, 2010
7:56 am
I’d rather be a Georgia Bulldog any day rather than a tank top cut-off jeans wearing, illiterate redneck member of the the U. of Florida’s TrailerParkNation.
You are owned!!!!
June 3rd, 2010
7:57 am
Mark Richt has won 8 out of 9 against GA Tech and is undefeated on their “historic” Grant Field in their tiny high school sized Bobby Dodd stadium.
Common sense
June 3rd, 2010
8:01 am
How long before Urban Meyer and Nick Saban jump ship? Probably very soon! Their track record shows that they move on pretty quickly. Urban’s already whining and crying a lot so no doubt he’s getting close to moving on. He’s already toying with the idea. It won’t be long. And Saban will be gone soon also, whether he gets Alabama placed on NCAA probation or not!
KeithB
June 3rd, 2010
8:11 am
SickandTired: Very well stated.
KeithB
June 3rd, 2010
8:13 am
You are owned!!!!:
Keep comparing your Dawgs to Tech to make yourself feel better. Don’t you wish GT was in the SEC East…you might actually have a winning record in the division!
Will the real hot seat coach stand
June 3rd, 2010
8:15 am
Urban pukes if/when he thinks about Tebow leaving or the SEC Championship game in 09. THAT is a hot seat …………if you quit, then you stay, but then you quit only to stay. Epitomy of HOT SEAT is Urban’s hot stomach. Ugh !! Cottage cheese all over the place.
Saban ………….is a wanderer. He longs for the big challenge on a big stage. Ann Arbor, Michigan can give him his next ………..challenge. If he wins it again in 2010 …….he will leave. Hot seat does not get hot with Nick, cause he always leaves for the next hat trick.
Les Miles IS on the Hot Seat …………what has he done lately and at LSU that means HOT SEAT.
Spurrier is ON THE HOT SEAT for sure, cause he ain’t done nuttin at Carolina. The REAL HOT SEAT.
I rest my case.
Go Dogs.
Nerds, chemistry class and case of dumb
June 3rd, 2010
8:18 am
Like um how are all those chemistry experiments working nerd boys? Hmmmmmmmm
Whadayah mean that I am gonna miss school …………….I have a chemsiitry class to go to.
Wow ………………big case of DA that was.
KeithB
June 3rd, 2010
8:19 am
Sunny Day
June 2nd, 2010
9:15 pm
You guys hear the big news?
The #1 most accurate prediction college football expert says Georgia will be much improved next year, has them in his top 20, and says Georgia could win the SEC East and go on a run.
Yip eeee!!
=============================
Yeah, and you were pre season #1 not too long ago too. How did that work out?
No Sense
June 3rd, 2010
8:21 am
Please tell me where is Nick Saban and Urban Meyer going to go?
Saban has tried the NFL so he’s not going back, where else would he go cmon
Meyer isn’t going anywhere else in the college ranks because there is nowhere else to go thats going to give him the ability to recruit and have a chance to win.
You think Meyer is going to the NFL I doubt it. Pete Carol is going to find out again that he isnt going to win in that league he just left because of the allegations comming down
Hot seat will be at tech in 2010
June 3rd, 2010
8:22 am
CPJ has to win with his players. If he does not, then he will be on the hot seat. No bowl wins and major embarrasing loses to big boys Iowa, LSU and UGA ( with their wrost team in 20-25 years ) and to no body Miami.
He had better win it all or he will be on the HOT SEAT. Ask the Waffle House execs ……they know.
Hey keithB
June 3rd, 2010
8:23 am
Are you educated?
"Home of Mediocrity"
June 3rd, 2010
8:50 am
“What passes for optimism on this post most often reflects complete homerism.”
Georgia had the best rushing average in the country………… the last four games of the season, ha, ha!