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
FLA DAWG
September 26th, 2010
8:00 am
William Hedge,
Great article.
The writer’s comments were proven last night to be correct.
scoobydoodawg
September 26th, 2010
8:01 am
Let’s don’t crucify Richt…but if we don’t improve drastically, it probably is time for him to go. He’s still a good guy but not getting it done on the field. It’s a simple non emotional decision that needs to be made. We need some fire on the field which we definetly don’t have and haven’t had for a while.
FLA DAWG
September 26th, 2010
8:01 am
Bobo goes this season and Richt is given one more year if he wants it.
(Please don’t want it, Richt)
gomdawg
September 26th, 2010
8:07 am
tell me again , ARE YOU STUPID , KIDS a lot of them have kids but they are men , just dont play like men .I agree that we have BIG TIME COACHING PROBLEMS , BUT THESE ARE MEN AND NOT KIDS THAT THE TROUBLE WE BABY THEM . COACH SABAN SAYS DO YOU JOB AND THE PLAY WILL HAPPEN. THE ONLY GOOD THING IS MURRAY AND DURHAM
JimDawg
September 26th, 2010
8:09 am
Being on tv is killing our recruiting. We need to insist on a blackout.
BLACK BEE
September 26th, 2010
8:11 am
The Dawgs will be alright. But what is needed? For one, the return of A.J. Green will do wonders for this team. That is worth 2 touchdowns and when you couple that with the way Durham is playing, some teams are going to have a hard time defending this team. I think Grantham like most Pro guy’s just didn’t quite understand the differences in the pro game and the college game but his defense will get better. (On that note we see UGA should have hired Manny Dial the Miss. State D Coor. he is a young budding STAR. CMR almost did but went for a bigger name) UGA has good backs but all stock must be put into signing a GREAT running back. Recruiting has been great so you can’t point your finger there but the whole program, Coach, Staff, players just are going to have to get tougher now and FIGHT LIKE A JUNK YARD DOG.!!!!! CMR you’ll be alright, hold on to your faith!
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
8:11 am
Coach Richt,
Look within this :
# 21 in wins after 2005 would be # 22 but Alabama vacated 21 wins
DILLIGAF
September 26th, 2010
8:12 am
The highly vaunted offensive line is pathetic. They are physically dominated week in and week out.
Richt needs to take over the playcalling immediately. Lakotas’ secondary doesn’t have a clue as to where they need to be on any given play.
UGA is now the sole SEC celler dwellar…
Kenny Powers
September 26th, 2010
8:12 am
Hey ToccoaDawg …really Mason! He only knows a portion of the playbook! He would probably have to run pass action and hand off the ball, step up,stay in the pocket, trust the o-line, throw passes only outside of the hash marks, don’t take chances by throwing into the middle of the field, manage the game, trust the running game, errrr, on yea, I see, he’s the perfect blue print for a CMR/CMB QB…well, for this year at least, then Mason may be at Murray’s level in experience and want to do more…it’s not Murray and Mason should transfer if he’s all that you think he is…Ark could use him
Bama Fan
September 26th, 2010
8:13 am
Now UGA has lost to a MIss. school, great!! Keep Coach Richt since he is obviously doing a fine job and believe me the rest of the SEC wants you to keep him as well. Have they posted the press conference from after the game yet?
Billy
September 26th, 2010
8:14 am
For those of you that think Green is going to save the Bulldogs, Are you crazy? One man is not going to make that much of a difference. Mark Richt is not the problem either. He has been a very good coach at Georgia. You better consider all the off field problems that the coach has had with players since coming there. Has that got anything to do with morale? Richt has cleaned house with some of the decisions he has made and it has probably upset some of the other less than desirable players(not students) that he still has left. You’ve got way to many players on that team that are there only to play football just like you have at other colleges.
dawgerbrown
September 26th, 2010
8:15 am
QUESTION: “Coach Bobo, you continue to run the ball time after time on second and ten, or, second and long. Can you explain why?”
ANSWER: “Well, I like to put our team in third and eight or nine situations. I feel like our personnel and play-calling is suited for third and long.”
QUESTION: “Coach Grantham, you stated going into the season that your defensive philosophy was to constantly pressure the opposing QB. To stay in his face, and cause chaos and confusion. Do you think you’ve accomplished this?”
ANSWER: “Yes, can’t your see the amount of chaos and confusion our defense is playing with?
tide roll
September 26th, 2010
8:15 am
Enough of speaking in generalities. This is the only program in the history of college football that has had three instate quarterbaks leave the state and lead their respective teams to NCAA titles! Look at the history and attitude of your program and there is where your problem lies. Homer Jordan, from Athens of all places, leads Clemson to a National Title ( and I’m not so sure that the current QB at Clarke Central, also committed to Clemson, Martez Mattox, is not a similar or better talent. Sean Jones, from Thomasville, leads Georgia Tech to a National Title. Charlie Ward, from Thomasville, wins the Heisman and leads FSU to a National title. And now, Cam Newton, from Atlanta for gosh sakes, has Auburn at 4-0, and is the same type of talent as Jordan, Jones, and Ward. It’s an incredible and shameful history. Every day is the same at UGA. It’s “GROUNDOG DAY”
tc
September 26th, 2010
8:16 am
CMR will probably fire bobo to save his job. We should not put up with that. We need to take action now. Some ask, what coach to hire? It does not matter at the moment. Look at Alabama they had to go through a few before Saban. The quicker we go ahead and FIRE CMR, the better off we will be. The reverse is also true. The longer we wait, the less desirable the job will be making the hire even tougher. Clearly CMR does not havea clue what to do. “I don’t know right now, I need to think about it and reflect” What a leader!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawgdreamer
September 26th, 2010
8:17 am
All the whining needs to stop. CMR has a handle on things and nobody feels worse about what is going on than him. Look for Bobo to be demoted and for Richt to resume full play-calling of the offense. We are asking the players and coaches to “man up”. Well as fans we need to do the same thing. It is what it is; the team is not very good right now. Support your team!
BD
September 26th, 2010
8:21 am
We are now the Vandy of the SEC. Look at our SEC record over the last 10 SEC games…..VANDY. Bobo needs to be put back to asst. coach or let go. But, CMR will NOT fire him. Bobo has 5 kids. Never said this job was going to easy, but it is a $100M business. Sometimes you have to do things that hurt for success.
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
8:21 am
BLACK BEE
F Coach Richt’s FAITH
01HAWK
September 26th, 2010
8:21 am
9 players from Georgia on BAMA roster. 64 players on BAMA roster from the state of ALABAMA. long way from the majority as one poster stated. Majority are from the state of ALABAMA. SABAN is just hands down a better coach and that is the difference.
With this kind of talent from Alabama………………………………..Why doesn’t CMR recruit harder in Alabama ?
Observe & Report
September 26th, 2010
8:21 am
It’s only September and UGA’s season is over, that is sad. Probably not gonna win 6 games this year. This team is totally unprepared, undisciplined and uninspired. Looked like they were just going thru the motions last night. No fire or passion from anyone, especially CMR.
BDAWG
September 26th, 2010
8:22 am
Richt should have looked within before the season started. This team looks like a joke. Time for a coaching change. Again, he has waited too long to make the proper coaching decision to fire Bobo and Searles and so the decision should be made to get rid of him. UGA is the laughing stock of the SEC and it will get worse. The teams looks out of place and not well coached and that is a reflection of the coaching staff. It is past time to fire this coaching staff. There is no way UGA should be this bad. We should consistently be a top five team competing for a NC every year and with this staff it will be excuses instead of wins. It’s beginning to look like Grantham is a bust at DC and Georgia State looks better than UGA. Better coaching makes the difference. We can continue to be blind to the lack of coaching but, the proof is on and off the field. The change on the offensive side of the ball needs to happen today and not tomorrow and at the end of the season, Richt and his staff needs to go. They cannot properly recruit the state and do not attempt to sign top players from around the country. This program should be at a national level such as Florida and Alabama, but now we have sank to the bottom of the SEC. Excuses won’t bring us any wins. This is not a rebuilding project we look worse than a start up program.
tide roll
September 26th, 2010
8:24 am
I don’t think it would be wise to bring Muschamp or Smart in here. They’re more small town Georgia “good ole boys” who bring the same slanted bias of a RAY GOFF, MACK MCWHORTER, NEIL CALLOWAY, MIKE BOBO, and STACY SEARLES. Enough already. Richt’s either too out of it to see the damage these guys do, or he’s one in the same. Either way, no more former Uga football players on the staff. They bring an attitude,and pre-conceived opinions that have no place in college football today.
2_dawgs
September 26th, 2010
8:24 am
It’s the (lack of) discipline, stupid.
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
8:25 am
tide roll
Georgia is # 21 in wins after 2005.
We would be # 22 but
ALABAMA VACATED 21 WINS
john robinson
September 26th, 2010
8:27 am
mark richt should have been fired on the field following the arkansa game. infact he should have been fired last year when ut beat georgia by 30 points. and mike bobo could not call plays for a high school team. this is really sad a once proud football program is pure garbage. they are the worst team in the sec. in yet they have the same number players n the nfl today as the gators. nick saban urban myers those are coaches. mark richt should become a preacher god knows he is no coach.
BD
September 26th, 2010
8:28 am
We have talent onthe field. tons of it. They are not being coached. Murray has been in athens for for 2 Spring Practices and set out one season(red shirt) . Why did we not know about his ability? Why was the play book not opened all the way? The kid has shown he can handle it. Heck, he has been running the ball to save his life. Our O-Line Sucks!!! Bobo and Serals need to be let go !!! CMR , it is time to fire some coaches again. It will be them or you .
smiba
September 26th, 2010
8:28 am
Bobo has to go, however folks that wont happen.. Remember he is Running Mark Richts offense that he brought from Fla St. A new O coord might want to change everything and that would b a slap in Richts face.. Bobo is there until Richt is gone.. mark my words..
tom
September 26th, 2010
8:29 am
Jon Gruden
Can't Richt This Ship
September 26th, 2010
8:29 am
I’ve been a Richt guy from the beginning, however, 2-7 in the last 9 SEC games is an abysmal statistic. It’s time for a change – I see no emotion in a very proud program.
tony
September 26th, 2010
8:30 am
The real problems with dawg nation:
1) Racist fans have gotten worse
2) HC trying to fool God
Those are the things that need to be change.
BD
September 26th, 2010
8:30 am
But be careful what we are asking for. If CMR is gone, who do we get?
R2chs
September 26th, 2010
8:31 am
You can’t solve problems with the same thinking that created them. Albert Einstein.
BDAWG
September 26th, 2010
8:31 am
Dawgdreamer, support does not mean to succumb to failure. Support is realizing that your teams coaching staff is not getting it done and the excuses keep mounting. A big supporter is someone that isn’t so stupid to keep making excuses week in and week out that they will get better when they have been getting worse the last 3 years. So if you are the kind of the fanbase that wants to keep supporting a coaching staff that has coached a team to the bottom of the SEC, then Kudos to you, but personally i’m a fan hungry for a NC, something that we have not experienced sinc 1980.
Ward
September 26th, 2010
8:32 am
First of all, I am a true Dawg fan and have been for over 30 years now. I admit that Coach Richt is a good Christian man that I respect a lot and would want my family to be around. I would trust my son to him to be raised as a good Godly man… That said, I think it is time for a change at football coach at the University of Georgia. I think his messaging, coaching style, and discipline style seem to be lost on the players on the field. They are not playing hard or smart anymore… There are not physical; they are not disciplined… Frankly, almost every player on that field should be ashamed at how they are representing the University right now… Last night, I saw players quit again just like last week and the week prior when things got tough…. Our play calling is predictable, our defense not physical, our special teams coverage and returns weak… I just really hate this team right now and get very little joy out of watching them… I’m not going to stop watching, or rooting for them, or hoping that we can run the table for the rest of the year… But at the end of the year, we have to make a change. Coach Richt has taken us as far as he can. I think him for taking us to a level we had not been at since the early 80’s, but someone else will have to take us the rest of the way; an anchor man if you will… I am not ready to say that man is Chris Peterson, Kirby Smart, or Will Muschamp. I think that there are arguments to be made against each one: Kirby is not in control of anything at Bama. Will’s in total control of the defense at Texas, but it looks bad a lot too. Chris has taken Boise to great heights, but he runs a gimmick offense and really only has to get them up to play 2-3 real games a year… If we are gong to do this, then we cannot fail! In my mind, there are only a few coaches that guarantee success: Urban, Saban, Stoops, Brown… I think we can only pick one of those away from there schools: Stoops! I think that our coaching list has to start with Bob Stoops #1, Jim Harbaugh #2, after that we may have to settle for Chris Peterson, Gary Patterson, Will Muschamp, or Kirby Smart… I guess of the 4 I would take Smart being that he is a Georgia man, fairly intelligent, and has the most upside of any of those guys… I may even look to the pro ranks to see if one Bill Cowher would come here (probably not- but worth a shot)…Fact is, we need to start preparing immediately.
Dazed and Confused
September 26th, 2010
8:32 am
When Richt was winning games, nobody seemed to mind that 10% of his scholarship players were locked up each year. The turning point of Richt’s coaching career came when he sent the team on the field to dance like dope fiends at a Grateful Dead Concert. There have been no consequences for bad behavior or sloppy play. Spurrier sat Garcia on the bench for fumbling. Richt pats Ealey on the back for fumbling and missing blocks. Richt must go, but the evil puppet master, Adams, must go too.
WonderDawg
September 26th, 2010
8:32 am
I wrote last week that UGA had lost 7 of 16 games, and I was worried that losing didn’t upset the team the way it did in Richt’s first 5 years.
Now, it’s 8 of 17, and it looks to get far worse. What’s so bad, Richt cannot find a replacement for Bobo (surely he is getting demoted) until after the NFL season. Til then, Richt should just pull someone out of the stands on Saturdays to call the plays.
Hell, anybody can do better than: 1st and 10 – run up the middle, 2nd and 12 – run up the middle, 3rd and 14 – pass play (when everybody in the stadium knows it’s got to be a pass).
Reality Stinks
September 26th, 2010
8:34 am
In my opinion
AJ Green, Washun Ealey you can sit the rest of the season
Scout team offensive line, suite up your playing the rest of the season
If anyone is arrested your off the team period
Bobo go back to being a QB’s coach or dust your resume off
Searls just dust your resume off
Gratham put someone in who doesnt get blowed off the line and can tackle or dust your resume off
Van Halenger dust your resume off
Richt you need find some players who are motivated to play at UGA and not motivated to design Team uniforms
Don Gill
September 26th, 2010
8:35 am
Did anyone notice the last drive? I know it was the last drive in a losing game. But I think it was indicative of how we can move the ball wi the right plays called.
RaceCityDawg
September 26th, 2010
8:35 am
I hope when CMR looks within he will see a coach who has not produced a team for several years that is diciplined, motivated, only aggressive occasionally. I hope he looks deep enough to see that his coaching style is just not getting it done. Something has got to change drastically in a hurry. This program has turned into a total trainwreck. I have always been a CMR supporter but there is something terribly wrong with our program.
1 Angry Dawg Fan
September 26th, 2010
8:36 am
Richt and his staff should be FIRED at the end of the season. The Dawgs should be 4-0, not 1-3. This team WILL lose at least 5 SEC games this year. Richt has totally lost control of the football team. He and Damon Evans totally botched replacing Martinez (heck last night I can’t believe that I was wanting Martinez back). Grantham does not have a clue about defense in college football. His defense has been chewed up totally this year.
The season is totally lost. The only bowl that the Dawgs are going to is the Toliet Bowl.
fshrmnglf
September 26th, 2010
8:36 am
uga-TNDAWG has it right. The problem may very well be the position coaches. We get 2 highly recruited RB’s and they are mediocre at UGA. How many times have we had the RB’s fumble in critical situations. We have all of these top recruits and with AJ out the only play-maker we have on offense is Murray. We don’t have a play-maker on defense. I think the defense will improve, but we have to recruit players for the new scheme. I think Grantham will be great, but we definitely have problems at our position coaches. These are the changes that CMR needs to address.
Kenny Powers
September 26th, 2010
8:36 am
Gordon wrote: September 26th, 2010 7:59 am
“I think with the “blindly called running plays” statement along with everything else he said, Richt was hinting that he is going to replace Bobo.”
Are you sure he isn’t just taking another back handed slap at Murray for not audibling??? Last week it was something else…CMR to CMB, “Go get another bus ready!”
Bama Boy
September 26th, 2010
8:40 am
Georgia Bulldogs are lame, your coach needs to resign and become a great preacher. U let the Miss St Bulldogs dominate you. What a bunch of loser you guys are. Get use to it because you got a loss coming from 3 or 4 more teams at least. You will NEVER win another SEC Championship under Richt or a National Championship anytime soon. You get all these so called top recruits and your coaches cant coach them up to there potential. Since Mark Richt can dive so well maybe you can just send him to coach the swim team. Were’s all that Ga paraphernalia at today. Stuck in the closet because all your pride has been destroyed because your team SUCKS. Bow Down to the Saban Nation. We would dominate you kennal club mutts in Athens or in T-town. LOSERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Richt ties Goff with 0-3 SEC start
September 26th, 2010
8:40 am
Richt and Georgia are like a rudderless ship in rough sea——–just flondering!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and lighten up:
BoWeevil
September 26th, 2010
8:21 am
F Coach Richt’s FAITH
It’s Sunday jerk!
Thomp
September 26th, 2010
8:41 am
Mediocre is as mediocre does! Boy i miss being mediocre!
If you don’t think Richt should be fired you have your head up your a$$. We will always be mediocre unless we take the necessary risks to be great. Bottomline keeping Richt should not even be an option with his results. Also it is really not even up to us, it is up to AD Greg McGarity. I sure do pray he does his job! I love UGA a lot more than i do Richt. He is where he is because of the decisions he has made…. He is accountable for his results. Fire him and let’s win championships! Go Dawgs!
Dean
September 26th, 2010
8:41 am
You guys are a class act! So Bobo was okay when he was calling plays for the last several years but now he sucks? He is an alumni of your school and you trash him so easily? Last year it was, “fire Martinez and everything will be okay”. You can’t run a program firing a top level coach every year. You guys trash your team and coach because they hit a rough patch. You guys have no pride or integrity. I’m ashamed to be a Dawg today not because of anything going on on the field but becasue of the tantruming, irrational fans who are only with the team in good times.
Support your Dawgs
September 26th, 2010
8:41 am
Its recruiting season boys and negativity will not help the cause. Coach Richt did not forget how to coach. Look at Coach Dooley’s record during his tenure. We have plenty of playing time to offer all new recruits.
BillyDog
September 26th, 2010
8:41 am
Gus Malzahn for Coach 2011
FRED
September 26th, 2010
8:43 am
CMR, NO NEED TO LOOK ANY FARTHER THAN YOU. FOR 3 YEARS I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU THAT YOU ARE THE PROBLEM..
Koolaid drinker
September 26th, 2010
8:43 am
Lets all go to the pool and go for a swim. BoBo is going to be on the field so he can look His players in the eye. Lets run up the middle cuz our O line is the best in the nation. Lets take 30 seconds of time before we hand off up the middle so our defense can rest from not pushing anyone back all year. Rambo-who has has his position locked down has made some BIG mistakes inc. letting a punt hit him after about our first three and out all year. No real pressure from an attacking Def. Richt stopped Grantham from raising cane after he found out what kind of language Grantham used in our first big blown play in game one. UGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH. Ugllier than waking up with a 300 pound dog after getting talked into doing shots of jaegermeister….
Big Dawg
September 26th, 2010
8:44 am
Dan Mullen and Chris Petersen. What do they have in common? They’re doing much more with much less than Mark Richt and company ever thought of. CMR is a fine Christian man, but as even he well knows, the Bible says there is a time for all seasons, and now his time is over. Keep an eye open for the Dan Mullen – Greg McGarity connection. They both worked together at Florida and were part of the National Championships down there. That’s only if you’re interested in winning and that sort of thing.