Richt: ‘We’ve got to look within, starting with me, as to the things that have kept us’ from success
For a complete roundup of the AJC’s coverage of Georgia’s loss to Mississippi State, please click here.
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Partial transcript of Mark Richt’s news conference following Saturday night’s 24-12 loss to Mississippi State:
Opening comments: “We’re definitely in a position that I’ve never been in as a player or a coach. . . . It’s certainly not a good place to be, but we are where we are. We’ve got to stay together, and I’ve seen no signs of change in my mindset that we’re a close-knit family. But we’ve also got to look within, starting with me, as to the things that have kept us from having the success that we want. That’s what we’re going to do.” (Later, asked for specifics, Richt said: “I’m not going to say anything right now, because I’m not sure. I need time to watch and reflect.”)
“I want to congratulate Coach Mullen and Mississippi State on the great job they did. They came out ready to play. They played hard, and they did what they had to do to win the game. Their fans did a wonderful job of supporting them.”
On Georgia’s lack of scoring: “We had a turnover inside the red zone and a penalty on a touchdown that got called back, so that’s at least one touchdown and possibly two touchdowns right there that got taken away.”
On where the team is: “If you go by watching film down by down, you’d say we’re not as far off as some people might think, but if you look at the record, then we are pretty far off of where we want to be.”
On Mississippi State’s defense: “They were blitzing a lot and out-numbering the running game and trying to pressure the quarterback. They were blitzing the quarterback a lot because he was a freshman, but they blitz a lot anyway, period. My guess is that there were a higher percentage than most of their games. At times we just called running plays blindly. We were going to run the play no matter what, and there were times where we had success and times where we got hit in the mouth.”
On being 0-3 in the SEC: “I never would’ve predicted it, but that’s where we’re at.”
On Mississippi State’s opening touchdown: “You’d like to get a stop and get points on the board yourself. It’s a 60-minute football game, though, so it wasn’t the difference in the ballgame. It was good for Mississippi State to build momentum, but we didn’t feel like that had a tremendous effect on the football game.”
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727 comments Add your comment
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
5:24 pm
Did y’all see how many yards Lattimore got against Auburn? 33. How many did he get versus thuga?
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
5:26 pm
Buck Belue says everybody should wear red panties against Colorado.
Warhorse
September 26th, 2010
5:28 pm
Jack bull, UF has had 30 arrests in FIVE years, less than UGA with ten in less than one year. BTW one of the UF arrests was Cam Newton who will QB Auburn to yet another win over the pups. He is NOT playing for UF but for you rival in Alabama.
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
5:30 pm
The rest of the S.E.C. says to please keep Saint Richt.
Herschel Walker
September 26th, 2010
5:31 pm
Has Wayshon taken that defensive driving class yet?
Atticus
September 26th, 2010
5:31 pm
There is NO WAY that Kirby Smart should be the HC at UGA. None. He hasn’t earned it. Go find a guy that has been head coach for a number of years and a proven winner. Get the BEST in the business that you can get. Get Jon Gruden.
Other Dog
September 26th, 2010
5:35 pm
hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahhaaha
as an atlanta msu fan who attended the game: all I can say is we kept trying to give uga the game and you just didn’t want it… and for that hahahahahhahaa
go ahead, fire richt. he’s the best coach uga has had since dooley, but if you want to let a couple of down years bother you, then fine, run him off.
maybe you can hire derek dooley. or les miles.
TazzDawg
September 26th, 2010
5:39 pm
Look all you Buck Belue’s out there.
This is MR’s offense, he is the offensive genius (sic) on this team. This is HIS play book, HIS offense, HIS game plan. He hired these coaches, this is all you get!
If you think anything will change with Mr. Blindly calling running plays, yes he approves all of this, then you’re as blind as Belue!
MR has go to go. This is as good as its going get. MR compiled his record when the SEC was down, No Cryer, No Saban, Spurrier trying to build a team, no Petrino. Richt is over matched when it comes to coaching!
Sorry but his fate should be sealed. Blindly calling running plays? OMG, do you really think thats a plan?
joey
September 26th, 2010
5:39 pm
Bring Donnan back, atleast he recruited good players! Didt he Richt? ; )
AFDawg
September 26th, 2010
5:47 pm
gomdawg, You’re right — Muschamp and Smart are not head coaching material. I don’t think Boise’s coach would be a good fit in the SEC either. Harbaugh would probably be a good choice. Bottom line — we need a complete shake up in the coaching staff from the top down. It might take 2 to 3 years to realize the results — but we’ll be better off for it in the long run. Think of it this way — what high powered program would try to hire Richt right now — none.
Don Henley
September 26th, 2010
5:51 pm
The World doesn’t owe you a thing, Get Over It.
CHAMP
September 26th, 2010
6:03 pm
uga lets play hard and smart the rest of this season,because mark r.-should be given another full season to turn it around,he has earned that,
1.young QB-HE WILL BE MUCH BETTER IN THE NEAR FUTURE{THIS YEAR-ESP-NEXT YEAR
2.A BUNCH OF DRUNKEN PLAYERS WONT HAPPEN NEXT YEAR!
3.DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR-MAY NEED TO GO
NEXT YEAR-TOP 10-BUT WE MUST KEEP RICHT-
CMR
September 26th, 2010
6:10 pm
How soon we forget, you country hicks were nothing before i showed up. You were still living in the 80s with walker. Fire me lol……I am still the best thing to hit this state since coke.
Billy Jack....
September 26th, 2010
6:11 pm
I’m with Joey…I liked Jim Donnan…(are we still paying him…??)
CHAMP
September 26th, 2010
6:17 pm
CMR I AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT LESS THE NAME CALLING-RICHT IS NOT EASY TO REPLACE-HE DESERVES ANOTHER FULL SEASON-#2 IN THE NATION 4 YEARS AGO
Bob H.
September 26th, 2010
6:20 pm
There is absolutely NO DISCIPLINE on our team, both on and off the field. There never will be until Coach Richt makes these guys pay the consequences. This goes for players and coaches alike. If a player makes a mistake sit him down and play the second string until he knows you won’t tolerate medoicrity, if that doesn’t work dismiss him. If a coach can’t coach or call plays replace him.
I know there is pressure on the coach to win; however, more games will be won with discipline instead of ignoring problems.. Leadership is the art of influencing people toward the accomplishment of a common goal. Where is our leadership?
joey
September 26th, 2010
6:25 pm
Billy Jack= It would seem that way, except Donnan could do more with less when it came to his recruits.
Zooker
September 26th, 2010
6:36 pm
Remember Fla fired Ron Zook after loss to MIss State in mid season. The new GA AD has had a front row seat to how a good SEC program operates. Don’t be surprised if Mark is removed by week’s end.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
6:39 pm
Nice to see Richt kicked the last arrested player off the team. I fel sorry if a Star players is the next to screwup. I think with Richt on the hotseat any player getting in trouble now is gone.
To all the USC, UGA and Bama tards
September 26th, 2010
6:41 pm
WAR DAMN EAGLE, retards!!!!!!!!
To all the USC, UGA and Bama tards
September 26th, 2010
6:42 pm
“BTW one of the UF arrests was Cam Newton who will QB Auburn to yet another win over the pups.”
I guess the stupidity never ceases. Cam Newton was never arrested. He was never charged for anything.
SUCK IT, DAWG FANS.
Skipper
September 26th, 2010
7:01 pm
CMR kicks Baker off the the team for under age drinking. He did this because it was an opportunity to get rid of a player that wasn’t right for the new defense. Yet, AJ Green commits a worst transgression and CMR says he’s a good boy and can’t wait to get him back playing. This wishy washy stuff is what is wrong at UGA. Green got 4 games suspension by NCAA, now UGA should add 4 more. Now lets see if he leaves school early for the pros when he only gets too play a hand full of games. Pros will not draft him in first round as a junior and only playing a couple of games. He deserve it.
layinlow
September 26th, 2010
7:07 pm
Baker was kicked off the team. I’m ok with that but why kick this kid off and not aj green and washaun ealey or others who have had dui’s and other alcohol related arrest. This season is lost so I believe kicking AJ Green off would be the right move. I still believe that AJ is dirty and knows exactly who he was dealing with when he sold that jersey. But as usual the no name guy pays the ultimate price while the star gets a slap on the wrist. Uneven discipline is pure cowardice.
layinlow
September 26th, 2010
7:10 pm
Cam newton knowingly purchased stolen equipment. I would much rather have a kid get arrested for underage alcohol that harbor a lowlife thief.
Scott
September 26th, 2010
7:11 pm
Get a 100 yard rusher–Richt’s 39-2 when that happens.
layinlow
September 26th, 2010
7:12 pm
Damn skipper our line of thinking is spot on. I posted that same thought beforee you’re post showed up. Of course i wholehardly agree with you’re thoughts on the subject.
Scott
September 26th, 2010
7:19 pm
Lewt Logan Gray QB/Lead this team.
Better team chemistry, the team loves the guy, lots of buy in to his leadership.
Lazy Eye Luscious
September 26th, 2010
7:29 pm
What coach calls plays blindly ?
Lazy Eye Luscious
September 26th, 2010
7:31 pm
Richt kicks non-starters off the team not starters.
Lazy Eye Luscious
September 26th, 2010
7:32 pm
Mettenberger has the last laugh after all…
To all the USC, UGA and Bama tards
September 26th, 2010
7:33 pm
“Cam newton knowingly purchased stolen equipment. I would much rather have a kid get arrested for underage alcohol that harbor a lowlife thief.”
LOL!!! Nothing better than seeing crybaby UGA fans whine. Cam was never charged with anything.
Retards, thy name is UGA.
DOO DOO LEE
September 26th, 2010
7:34 pm
so let me get this straight, Baker kicked off the team and becomes the SCAPEGOAT for the 3 losses and 10 arrest. BRILLIANT CMR that’s showing them!
Missy State Rules UGA
September 26th, 2010
7:34 pm
Thanks for coming to Starkville for that beating we laid on ya’ll. Ya’ll are the new Vanderbilt in the SEC. Congrats !
Misery
September 26th, 2010
7:44 pm
Maybe we suck because we don’t have UGA VIII yet. I guess Sonny doesn’t want to subject a young pup to this disgrace of a team.
Yuck
September 26th, 2010
7:46 pm
@ To all the USC, UGA and Bama tards
Maybe lay of the use of the “retard” tag…kind of offensive
Missy State Rules UGA
September 26th, 2010
7:49 pm
SteveW, you smokin’ a bent cigarette ain’t ya ? Murray is very average and will not even be mentioned as a Heisman as a Jr. or Sr.
Keep on living in your UGA world while everybody else lives in the real world.
To all the USC, UGA and Bama tards
September 26th, 2010
7:52 pm
“Maybe lay of the use of the “retard” tag…kind of offensive”
Ma’am, I’m not one for political correctness. If you want play mommy, go over to the AJC Momania blog.
Kenny Powers
September 26th, 2010
7:52 pm
@Randy September 26th, 2010 5:20 pm
Your post…
“Georgia’s #1 porblem is they make decisions based on hypotheticals instead of real world tests.
Example, Aaron Murray as QB over Logan Gray or Hutson Mason. Also, Joe Cox as QB was a poor decision last year.
These guys need an on the field try out, and the winner is the QB. That’s the only way to get that decision right.”
WTH does that gibberish even mean????
Murray won the job based on what the coaches observed of all of the QB’s. Why would they just hand him the job? He won out fair and square.
Murray is playing great, the team as a whole is having issues. Murray is posting good numbers. Imagine if the team was playing lights out. Imagine the #’s Murray would be putting up! A freshman playing in the SEC, on a team that can’t find their way out of a brown paper bag, while playing at a very high level in spite of all that’s NOT happening around him. Knock him? H3ll UGA doesn’t deserve him!
Yuck
September 26th, 2010
7:53 pm
@ Missy State Rules UGA
It’s a little hard to measure Murray’s value as a QB four games into his college career. He could end up average or he could end up great…unless you or SteveW have a magic crystal ball.
Missy State Rules UGA
September 26th, 2010
7:55 pm
Murray’s 1-3. He missed a bunch of open receivers especially in the final possession. He will play like a freshman as a junior.
Missy State Rules UGA
September 26th, 2010
7:56 pm
I can only base it on what I see. Let’s base it on that. He sucks.
Kenny Powerless
September 26th, 2010
7:58 pm
We need a coach fans. We need a new head coach.
Yucky
September 26th, 2010
7:59 pm
I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m just a UGA homer.
Dawgfans=knuckleheads
September 26th, 2010
8:00 pm
You “fans” amaze me. Prior to CMR’s arrival, UGA football had been nonexistant for 20+ years. He has won 2 SEC Championships and finished #2 as well. Exactly what benchmark are you dilusional fans using as a measuring stick? Your last SEC Championship was 1982 prior to his arrival. You guys always win the “this is the year” Preseason National Championship, but it is always self proclaimed. Face it, short of one outstanding running back in the early 80’s, you guys are mediocre. Be careful what you ask for, because most of the time, the grass is not greener…
Wallydawg
September 26th, 2010
8:01 pm
Turn out the lights the party’s over (for Richt & company). If McGarity doesn’t clean house after this season, then fire him and get someone in here who will demand that these coaches earn their paychecks.
t bradford
September 26th, 2010
8:15 pm
We will be aggresive and attacking on defense. yeah right maybe in his dreams.
mettenbooger
September 26th, 2010
8:18 pm
I gave the Georgia play book to everybody bite me UGA!!!
And Jerry Mathers as the Beaver
September 26th, 2010
8:20 pm
Dawgster, I agree. That show by Jeff Danzler is horrible. How many times do I need to hear that they are at the Hotel Indigo in beautiful downtown Athens? And that some sorority is having a shin dig there? Take some callers and let some folks gripe for crimeny’s sake!
NOBODYYOUKNOW
September 26th, 2010
8:37 pm
Yea, its gonna be a long year. Look at the games comming up. Colorado,Vandy, Tenn,Kentucky, those are pretty sure losses. UGA surely can handle the Techkies. But who the hell knows any more?
nmdaawg08
September 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Murray may be a feshman, but plays with courage and a sense of urgency. With experieince, and a little better protection, he will be praised by UGA fans. Coach Richt looks disinterested to me.