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
RHALL55
September 26th, 2010
8:51 pm
Let Bobo go!!!! The most predictable offense in the country (or demoted to QB Coach); Let Van H!!! I’ve heard bad reports on how he is running the strength and conditioning program; evidence by being dominated at the line of scrimmage; if CMR cannot do these things because of allegiance to these guys, then it’s time to bring K Smart with a Championship knowledge, attitude, disciplne, and a staff that has the same pedigree!!! Bringing in K Smart will help save the recruiting class and bring others to UGA!!!!
lost dawg in bama
September 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
The team is soft; what happened to all those weight lifting records early in the Richt era? Have not heard about any strength records in a while. We just are not strong enough. The defense needs to sub more; the defense was gased in the fourth quarter; hince 14 points given up. Somebody tell Grantham that this is not the NFL. You have to sub to have something left for the 4th. AJ is back hopefully we will have some good luck and fire. Go dawgs; its going to be a long long season. Thank goodness Tech can’t win the the weak ACC.
Yucky
September 26th, 2010
8:54 pm
Ealey has cost us two tds fumbling inside the 5 yard line twice. Bench him.
Dawg_Mike
September 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
I agree about Ealey but in his defense, he didnt know what time zone he was in when he tried getting up. He got hit by 3 at the same time and was just a little bit confused to say the least….
DAWG WANTS A TITLE
September 26th, 2010
9:11 pm
About Muschamp and Smart; Why not? What more experience do you need besides knowing how to win, what winning is about, being darn good on defense, and understanding how a winning program operates? Besides, don’t we (sec) take pride in our defense?
CDAWG
September 26th, 2010
9:15 pm
Man, how bout them Falcons????
TheItalianDawg
September 26th, 2010
9:16 pm
Bobo must be fired now! HE IS TERRIBLE! is this Georgia? Georgia is supposed to have their second string by the 3rd Q! what a shame
CDAWG
September 26th, 2010
9:17 pm
I can’t remember but was Richt a head coach somewhere else before he took over at UGA? I thought he came straight from Florida State.
Scott
September 26th, 2010
9:17 pm
Hey Richt,
Why don’t you start by firing Mike Bobo.
wildbill
September 26th, 2010
9:17 pm
Pink slips, pink slips, I want to see some pink slips.
DAWG WANTS A TITLE
September 26th, 2010
9:19 pm
You’re right CDAWG. The season is’nt over yet. The red and black still have a chance, but maybe just on sundays.
Randy
September 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
Murray got the job after throwing a lot of INT’s over Spring and getting beaten like a pup on G-Day by Logan Gray and Mett. Murray did not earn his starting position, he was granted the starting title, based on hypothetical guesswork that his leadership and game would be like it was in high school, instead of what it was like in a real game situation, like g-day. Murray can’t lead. Sorry. That’s thwe bottom line. The team’s 1`-3 since he’s been put in charge and have lost complete confidence.
hutch
September 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
You are really embarassing to the state of Georgia and the UGA fans….please wake up and get r done! It is time for the real DAWGS to step up and play like the DAWGS of old. For this program to continue changes need to be made now.
Randy
September 26th, 2010
9:27 pm
Washaun Ealey does not deserve to touchn the ball in the red zone for the rest of the season unless Georgia has a 28 point lead.
CDAWG
September 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
Randy, I was at the G-day game. No way Murray beat out Mett. Mett was the man.
CDAWG
September 26th, 2010
9:36 pm
I realize Murray is a freshman but my God can he not see when he is throwing into double and triple coverage? Does he close his eyes before he throws?
Big Perm
September 26th, 2010
9:40 pm
Yo Smokey, you better have my weed and my money by 6:00pm or else.
Big Perm
September 26th, 2010
9:41 pm
And my name is Big Worm.
Big Perm
September 26th, 2010
9:45 pm
Whut up homeys ? My neega Smokey says da Dawgs ain’t nuttin’. I gots some ice cream on da’ truck.
buckeyedawg
September 26th, 2010
9:46 pm
I have never ever heard of a program that wins consistently yr after yr after yr on and on ect. teams go on runs for periods of time when they win and they have periods of time when they struggle I believe we are in a short period of one those struggling times. CMR has won before and i believe he can do it again be a true ga fan when times are tough be a supporter no one likes to be kicked when they are down
BullDawgMike
September 26th, 2010
9:47 pm
Another DWI Sunday morning, another player kicked off team……..Just more of the same old CRAP!!!!
Big Perm
September 26th, 2010
9:50 pm
Dawgs playin’ wiff dem 1/4 star recruits pretendin’ to be da 4 star recruits. I toldt Smokey dey can’t win frontin’ like some Freakiedeakies.
Preston
September 26th, 2010
9:52 pm
Sorry Coach. I believe you’re a great person but we’ve had too many great recruiting classes to be this terrible. Wish you the very best but it’s time to get a new coach that’s fired up to take advantage of the opportunities that UGA has. There has to be a coach out there that can come in here with all the talent that we pull in here year after year and NEVER have seasons like we’ve endured the last few years. You got us a couple of SEC championships but the next coach needs to realize that that’s just not good enough when Florida, LSU, and Bama have all won MNC’s with similar talent. That’s just the breaks in today’s SEC.
Big Perm
September 26th, 2010
9:52 pm
Richt dont wanna be kicked wen he be down den he need to gets his sorry tale ups ! He need to start coachin’ and stops pimpinz.
Yuck
September 26th, 2010
9:59 pm
Murray’s stats:
18-31-274-0
and he ran the ball for 7 times for 32 yards
in an SEC away game…as a freshman.
That should be good enough to win, but UGA made dumb mistakes.
We lost. Get over it.
Richt isn’t resigning. No one is getting fired.
We’re not going 1-11 or 2-10.
The sky isn’t falling. Yes, it’s disappointing, and yes it’s frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. We will get better. This team will improve. If it doesn’t, then changes will be made. But Murray isn’t the problem. He (and Durham) are the only reason we’ve scored at all this year.
Preston
September 26th, 2010
10:02 pm
Look everyone, you need to stop blaming Richt for these arrests. I promise you that in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and Gainesville, most of these type of arrests never would take place. Hell, in Bama, they just give em’ a ride home instead of jeopardizing their football program by locking them up like they do here. Athens doesn’t give football players breaks like all the rest do so lay off Richt for the legal problems. The competition’s players are no saints I promise you! Richt’s problems are with his assistants (particularly Bozo), motivational issues, and preparedness. Those problems fall squarely on the head coach. They’re not new. we’ve had motivational issues for most of Richt’s tenure here. Van Gorder was the best motivator we’ve had since Erk Russell and we need to give Grantham some credit for not letting the competition embarrass us worse than we already are. I’ll hate it for him when we have to make the difficult choice to fire Richt for not taking care of replacing poor assistants long ago. Now he sees that he waited too long and it’s too late. He should have never given up calling the offensive plays and he should have never made martinez the DC when VG bolted for the pros. Grantham has inherited a bit of a mess but he’s not doing bad considering. Maybe the new coach will keep him on because he’s a good one.
Preston
September 26th, 2010
10:06 pm
Yuck, is there someone on here actually blaming Murray for our woes? Please tell me you’re kidding. That guy’s going to be great if Richt will run his own offense again. Bobo’s awful!
crabapplejoe
September 26th, 2010
10:07 pm
@DawgsfanNAfganistan who wrote: “DAWGfanNAfghanistan
September 26th, 2010
1:59 am
http://www.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1129276
According to the Rivals.com rankings, Boise State has 11 commitments in its 2011 class, five of which are three-star prospects. Still, it’s not enough to land Boise State in the Top 50 of Rivals.com’s 2011 rankings.
Boise State’s 2010 recruiting class wasn’t even best among WAC schools. Or second-best. The 10-member class featured a four-star and six three-stars, but the Broncos finished behind Hawaii and Fresno State in their own league.
Go Get Chris should be the new chant at UGA”
What does your quote tell you….that the whole Rivals “four-star” and “five-star” rating system is a joke. They refuse to rate white players, particularly at defensive back, WR, or running back. These are the players that Boise goes out and gets because nobody else wants them. Rivals rated Toby Gerhart as a two star “fullback” even though he was the third leading rusher in U.S. high school history. So Georgia, USC and others refused to recruit him as a RB….only Stanford said “come and tote the rock for us”. He repaid them with being the leading rusher in D-1 in 2009….should have won the Heisman. Wes Welker barely got a D-1 ride, Dallas Clark had to walk on at Iowa. Peyton Hillis who was rated as a “fullback” had 180 all-purpose yards today for the Browns as a running back. Eric Weddle, a “two star”, shut down Calvin Johnson in the Emerald bowl as a cornerback (Johnson had 13 yards if I recall corrrectly)…and now plays for the Chargers. Under Mark Richt’s regime Kirby Smart, Scott Woerner and Jake Scott would not have been recruited….think about it.
Preston
September 26th, 2010
10:13 pm
buckeyedawg, i agree nobody likes to be kicked when down but what do the great programs do when faced with the problems we’ve had for a few years now. they go out and get a coach that can right the ship. several years ago, we were winning SEC championships. now we’re losing 3-5 games a year with this season looking much worse. you’re supposed to build on success, not slide into consistent mediocrity with with the recruits that we get here. no excuse for it! NONE! Coach Richt was great for a while but he’s lost something. his approach or style doesn’t work anymore. don’t know if he’s tired of coaching or just ready to be a motivational speaker but he needs to let a coach that will light a fire under these players’ asses when they screw up come in here and get us back to prominence.
Wally B.
September 26th, 2010
10:27 pm
Richt will kick a 4th stringer off the team in a heartbeat but he winks at Ealey and Green. This isn’t leadership. It is pure hypocracy.
Yuck
September 26th, 2010
10:27 pm
@ Preston
A couple of guys on the board seem to be blaming Murray for poor leadership and/or expect 85% completion rates and 4 touchdowns…unbelievable. Bobo is frustrating to no end though. To say the play calling was vanilla is an understatement. The opposing teams don’t seem to have any problems pushing our line around or stopping the run. I liked it better when Richt was calling plays, but I don’t think we will go back to that. Ultimately, it may be Richt’s undoing, but we will have to wait and see. I still think he can get us back to 2002/2005/SECC levels. I don’t know if he can do it with Bobo though. I hope so, but I don’t know.
LTC Phil
September 26th, 2010
10:30 pm
Good point, Crabapple Joe. Take care of yourself.
fire richt
September 26th, 2010
10:44 pm
get jim harbraugh
JCH
September 26th, 2010
10:51 pm
We are not winning on the field or off. We don’t show up ready to play…ever…or ready to finish. We aren’t physical. We abandoned our roots of a power running team a long time ago and it’s obvious that we don’t put much time into the run game in practice. We haven’t trusted QB’s to get us first downs on third down in a long time. I can dang near call every play we are about to run on offense…and if i don’t get it exactly i would still have guys in position to defend. And if their a** blew it then they would sit down and somebody else would get an opportunity. It should be figured out at practice anyways. We have soft practice weeks…a soft coach…and players who are attracted to playing foe a “good guy.” We don’t want just a good guy, we want somebody who can prepare a football team to be physical, make the other team react to what we are gonna do, run the d*** ball, recruit team players and not me first guys (it’s easy to tell even when they are in highschool)…it’s all part of the UGA job. Even if you like Richt, we haven’t looked or felt like Georgia since he got here…and I never did get used to it. The in-game mistakes early on in his career (I’m sure you remember Auburn) sold me right away…how do you do something so wrong at the collegiate level. Against Ark, we go for it on our side of field on 4th & 1, down by a touchdown, 4 min or so before the half. Then in second half, down by ten i think, on their 30-something, on 3rd & 6, we throw a d*** screen pass that all it take is one or two guys on the defense to read and you are screwed…and there is only one option on the play. We continuously tie our hands on offense; have for years. Fix it already. It’s part of the job. Is Bobo selfish? I don’t know but we don’t always have to try to pick-up big first downs on “cute” plays. Let the QB throw the d*** ball or find somebody you trust. It’s not the freshman, we had 25 screen plays when Stafford was here…
Sorry.
Richt needs to go or we are wasting more time…
Preston
September 26th, 2010
10:52 pm
Wally B, you act like Ealey and Green are thugs or something. he hit a parked car in a parking lot for God’s sakes. And green just sold a crappy Bowl jersey for some cash. Big friggin’ deal. What the hell did you want Richt to do? Kick em’ both off the team for what they did? Get real dude! At least our guys are getting mostly little misdemeanor trouble unlike the felony theft of a dead girl’s credit card or rape that goes on at other schools. Makes you wonder what else is going on at some of these other schools when it takes something like that to even show up on the radar. I guess they’re all just angels until they’re committing felonies. LMAO!!! Players don’t receive preferential treatment at UGA. It’s quite obvious that they do around most other campuses.
Preston
September 26th, 2010
10:53 pm
jim harbaugh….hmmmm……
Preston
September 26th, 2010
10:58 pm
if mcgarrity’s even close to being the genius he’s supposed to be, he’s already making a list because UGA’s losing to Auburn, Kentucky, and Florida. Maybe even sorry ass tech again. let that happen and we’ll see how many Richt loyalists are on these blogs. We’re probably not even going to the turnip bowl this year and maybe that’s for the best. Tired of weak starts and strong finishes. We need a coach that’s prepared to play a 12+ game season and for 60 minutes a game….EVERY GAME!
crabapplejoe
September 26th, 2010
11:00 pm
@Preston who wrote: “Wally B, you act like Ealey and Green are thugs or something. he hit a parked car in a parking lot for God’s sakes. And green just sold a crappy Bowl jersey for some cash. Big friggin’ deal. What the hell did you want Richt to do? Kick em’ both off the team for what they did? Get real dude!”
Ealey should be demoted because of the fumble….Green should be kicked off the “team” because he doesn’t believe in “team”…only in himself. Green cost us the LSU game last year and this year he knowingly, and selfishly commits a serious NCAA violation which cost UGA a scholorship spot for four games.
secbama
September 26th, 2010
11:08 pm
Isaiah Crowell…Bama is calling. Nick Saban wants you in the backfield with Trent Richardson next season. Richt is a good man, and a good coach. But Saban is the best! Do you want a .500 season next year or compete for National Championships?
Vick=Dog killing Thug
September 26th, 2010
11:16 pm
Dawgs are down but not out. Bobo is beyond terrible. Give Grantham time to work his system. Dawgs will be playing good ball by the end of the year and stomp the snot out of the bugs.
cowbell
September 26th, 2010
11:18 pm
you can bet your sweet ass richt would not have kicked aj off the team if it was him that had the dui.
Preston
September 26th, 2010
11:21 pm
crabapple, I thought Willie was referring to the parked car incident rather than the fumble. And Green and every other player in the country that’s making his university millions of dollars should be allowed to sell their jersey for whatever they want (as long as it’s legal). That’s all I meant. Better use Green from here on out because he’ll be a multi-millionaire next year.
jaxdawgfan
September 26th, 2010
11:22 pm
I agree with the all-to-few others who caution that, if we decide to replace Richt, do NOT hire somebody else’s assistant. Get a head coach who’s a proven winner. For proof in the pudding, see Florida and Alabama. See also our current situation having hired someone else’s assistant.
aladawg
September 26th, 2010
11:46 pm
Ealy is one of the dumbest player on the team
Beachdawg
September 26th, 2010
11:55 pm
Richt stays…Bobo…..goes back to QB coach…Richt back to OC. Let the season play through and make changes at the end if necesary. Do not give up Dawgs…8-3…lets think that we got our crap done early. Now get on with it…stop whining Dawgs….we are what we are…a VERY young team that should be better but not yet…we will as the team plays more. No more excuses…just get better or make changes atthe end of the year. Mark Richts record is awesome…..we have had a few great years …make this the year that we beat Florida and Tennessee and then a lot of you will STFU. Beat Auburn and Tech and now what do you have to say about our season? So it sucks now…who on that team doesn’t feel that way…only THEY can change it…not you who TALK the TALK but don’t suit up! NOW…if we go 4-7…..do you not think some things will change in the coaching……of COURSE. So hold off…let them do whatthey have to and support the team that has had a tough year so far. Trust me their wasn’t a fun word that came out of my mouth on Sat night…but also look at our schedule…..I think the best is yet to come! Go Dawgs!
Beachdawg
September 26th, 2010
11:58 pm
Oh…and give Ealy the ball to carry around ALL week around campus and make it that if ANYONE who sees EALY not holding on to that ball and catches it in pics and turns it into Coach recieves an autographed AJ jersey. He must hold that ball like it is part of his body for a WEEK!
crabapplejoe
September 27th, 2010
12:10 am
@Preston who wrote: ” That’s all I meant. Better use Green from here on out because he’ll be a multi-millionaire next year.”
Green is the most over-hyped WR in the history of college football….unfortunately he plays for UGA
Ansilex52
September 27th, 2010
12:12 am
Richt should pull the “G” off the helmets, put the game jerseys up, put the silver birtches up, and have them play in a solid red helmet, the red practice jerseys, and the white practice pants.
Maybe when these bunch of goof offs realize the priveledge they have to wear that uniform and decide to put their heart in it, they can then earn the right to put it back on.
Oh yeah, shear the bunch of hoodlems also. They look like a bunch of Jamacian Drug Dealers.
Sean
September 27th, 2010
12:12 am
I truly don’t believe this is a terrible team, but a team that desperately needs to work on key mistakes. If it were a terrible team, they would be getting blown out by everyone they have played. Realistically, the most points the team has lost by has been 12 pts. If they were being beaten by 3+ TD’s then they could be deemed as terrible. The team is beating itself rather than being beaten by its opponent. Fumbles, penalties and dropped passes in key situations are what is beating this team. Work on those mistakes and things will turn around. The O line has got to protect Murray, plain and simple. A win in Colorado should get a little motivation going to then take into the TN game. Richt is a good man and I think he will right the wrongs on this team. Go Dawgs!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 27th, 2010
12:17 am
Preston Ealey didn’t just hit a parked car. He knew hw didn’t have a license and still drove and then hit a parked car. SEE big diff. Ealey knew before he hit the car he was praking thr law but didn’t care because he didn’t think he would get caught. Same for Gren he knew he was breaking the rules but he didn’t care. UGA players don’t fear the rules because Richt has not made them fear the rules. Well, Athens PD sure as hell make sure the Players and students get in trouble if they get caught breaking the rules.