Richt: ‘I’m coaching my tail off’
With Georgia on its first four-game losing streak in 20 years, Mark Richt was asked by a reporter Wednesday night if he feels like he is coaching for his job.
“You always are,” Richt replied. “I think you always are. I can tell you I’m coaching my tail off, though.”
Richt also was asked if the speculation about his job security is fair, given his 10-year record.
“I’m not going to get into all that,” he said, adding that he will focus on things he can control.
A few other notes:
- As of Thursday morning, Georgia had 142 tickets still for sale from the 400 that Tennessee returned from its allotment for Saturday’s game. If the remaining tickets are sold, the game will be the Bulldogs’ 60th consecutive sellout at Sanford Stadium -– every game since Richt became coach.
- Also as of Thursday morning, Georgia had 467 tickets available for the Oct. 16 game against Vanderbilt and 755 for the Nov. 6 game against Idaho State. Those are from the 1,200 tickets returned by Vanderbilt and the 2,000 returned by Idaho State.
- If you missed it, Richt said Marlon Brown is definitely out for Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury and Kris Durham’s chances of playing are 50-50 because of the pinched nerve in his neck that kept him out of last week’s game.
(Andy Johnston contributed to this blog.)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
248 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2010
6:39 pm
@Really, Delbert – “Listing the Stanford academic achievements of the football team and attributing it to Harbaugh is like Obama claiming victory for the Surge working. He had zero to do with it.”
How about those recruits for the typical SEC/ACC team? Somebody recruits them, too, just like Harbaugh does for Stanford. How many points does Stanford have toward the Fulmer Cup? You *can* win with a better quality student-athlete.
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2010
6:47 pm
@Really, Delbert – And while we are at it, why do you hide behind a phony name? Man up, it isn’t hard.
crap sandwich
October 7th, 2010
6:49 pm
It is always fun to read what is written, and one can tell that our fans are divided between keeping Richt or firing him. Well as the great inventor of the internet and global warming Tennessean said, “the debate is over”.
Yes it’s over. Richt will be with us another year? Maybe. That would be in no small part due to the economy. The cost to hire a new Coach of the caliber that Georgia deserves and to fire Richt will be very expensive, at a time that taxpayers are getting fed up with coaches salaries. Lastly, we have a new AD in McGarity. McGarity is still feeling his way around, and may not have the stomach to spend the kind of money necessary to change the program. At least not yet. Any change would have to come from Adams and the Athletic Board, forcing McGarity to act.
I do think Richt will be fired, and admire the loyalty our fans have shown Richt. But those of you thinking that Richt will go to McGarity with his plans to rebuild the program when the season is over. It won’t happen. Why?
For 9 seasons McGarity has watched Richt while Asst. AD at UF. Do you NOT think he knows what he has as a coach in Richt? Of course he does. Richt has only won 2 games against UF in McGarity’s tenure at Florida. He knows what the UF thought of the program at UGA. With this season, I am sure he has confirmation of what he believes.
I have always felt that Adams brought McGarity in for a reason, and that reason will result in Richt being let go likely after this season. McGarity did not change our Football schedule for Richt’s benefit.
He has plans and I am sure those plans involve Adams and the Athletic Board. Richt was rather quiet about the changes in upcoming football scheduling. Why? Damon Evans could tell you. In fact, the first major act McGarity did was soften the UGA schedule with more home games. Now he can hire a new coach, softer schedule, more home games. This helps make the money to afford a new coach. Foley did the same thing for Meyer at UF.
Long post, but I believe it is not a matter of Richt staying, but when he will be fired.
Volhala
October 7th, 2010
6:52 pm
UGA is having a bad year and maybe we can get a win. While you Dawgies are fretting over it all, I’m a thinking with some of the talent you got, especially at the QB position, you’ll be back in the thick of it PDQ. That is if you don’t pull a Fulmer on Richt.
wildbill
October 7th, 2010
7:10 pm
It is what it is. The chips have fallen. Play out the year. That’s IT!
Donkey Kong
October 7th, 2010
7:12 pm
I would not defend Coach Richt for the way he has handled player development, player discipline, or coaching his own coaches. However as most of the people who post on here do not have a clue to what a college athlete in a major sport is REQUIRED to do while on campus and the amount of time involved especially in football.
A typical college athlete is required to take classes that are early morning or late evening or opposite of the scheduled football practice times. A player is required to get up pre-6 a.m. and get treatment if he is injured or has been injured, they must go to breakfast(sign in sheet) , attend classes, go to lunch(sign in sheet), arrive at the football facility to watch film and receive treatment, get taped up to 2 hours before practice is scheduled, or lift weight. A practice, then go to dinner, have meetings with their individual coaches, independent film study, study hall( required for all freshmen and any other player who does not have a 3.0 average(B) or higher.) A dedicated player or a Quarterback will spend an additional 10 hours of individual film study.
Keeping in mind that the NCAA mandates the limitation of hours a player is REQUIRED to be involved with athletes, many players take materials back to dorms, apartments, and housing.
Now with Mark Richt’s statement that he is coaching his tail off, who is anyone to doubt that, but take a look at The ESPN FSU version of All Access and the Alabama All Access and anyone can see the difference in coaching and teaching under Jimbo and under Saban. Now Jimbo spent many years under Saban and uses his expertise on offense, but still the attention to detail at FSU as shown on ESPN is not in the same league as Alabama. That brings me to my point, how is TEACHING done at UGA under CMR? Coaching your tail off is in direct relation to your staff, your ability to communicate to players, the placement of players in correct positions, and coaching of coaches to adjust to your opponents.
I guess we all understand that hard work by one person is not alway viewed as hard work by someone else.
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2010
8:01 pm
Some good posts, but who is hiding behind strange names and why?
The McGarity angle is interesting, but Georgia fans were really behind him as the choice. Unintended or intended consequences?
Attention to detail has many merits. A lot of little things, carried out by 120 men accomplish the mission and keeps submariners alive.
Obama
October 7th, 2010
8:27 pm
We will kick your a$$ anytime. The BullDawg Confederacy has no chance against Cali and the Yanks. We put you down in the Civil War and we’ll do it again. Bring it. That goes for you to Texas Toast. You guys got your balls handed to you at the Alamo.
Buford Dawg
October 7th, 2010
9:50 pm
If the Offensive Line was playing like a veteran line we’d be having different discussions. A strong ground pounding running game and Murray is on cruise control (he’s playing way above my expectations anyway) and the defense is off the field where they can’t give up huge chunks of yards.
I still have issues with Richt and staff. This slide is not just this year, Richt apologists and defenders…some of us have seen the lug nuts coming off the wheels and the wheels coming off the car a long time ago.
Skyler
October 7th, 2010
9:59 pm
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Richt is a fine coach. He took Georgia to height’s it had not seen in 20 years and 20 years is a real number. Richt should be given time. In the SEC, upsets by Miss State can and will happen. Arkansas is no light weight either. Carolina is
due. Add in an overhyped freshman quaterback and some poor line play and this is where it is. Who hasn’t been @ss jacked by Florida the last six years. Timing is everything right now.
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
10:03 pm
If Buford Dawg, we didn’t have attrition and poor evalutation of our recruits we’d be national champions instead of Alabama wouldn’t we.
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
10:05 pm
Skyler, I’ll have another shot of that kool aid about now….How about focusing on reality for a change….Now that would be change we could really believe in ! ! !
Buford Dawg
October 7th, 2010
10:10 pm
Skyler, you really think Murray is overhyped? He obviously is having trouble with his deep ball, but I think he has been the bright spot of an offense returning 10 starters so far. There were times that his scrambling was all the team had going for them.
SEC Fact Finder(the real one)
October 7th, 2010
10:14 pm
“Lack of Planning on your part, does not require and Emergency on my part!”
Lack of playing a quarterback last year does play a role in this year, Murray has played like a freshman, some good some bad, some indifferent. Coach Richt made the conscious decision not to play him last year, so any results he gets is directly related to that decision.
The lack of planning and coaching of his offensive line is a direct connection to the many issues affecting this team this year. Injuries are part of the game and “saving players eligiblity” should have little role in putting together backups and qualified players who are ready for SEC style football.
Coaching your tail off is what you do when are in a dire situation. Coaching and teaching everyday is what you do when you are planning for the best case scenario and worst case scenario. Putting your players in winning situations is what you do in off season workouts and spring practice, while using the best players available for success.
Mobile Dawg
October 7th, 2010
10:21 pm
The 6:49 post by cs was a pretty good synopsis of what could/should happen.
ralph kuykendall
October 7th, 2010
11:28 pm
they have a bad year and you all wanna throw coach richt under the bus come on we have a young qb give him a chance things will turn around just wait things will get better the dawgs will be back on top just wait
Johnnybeedawg
October 8th, 2010
1:00 am
I am a real idiot from Sou Jawga who use to go to church with Marc Rick.
He is a wunderfull man and a great church man and a souporter of Sunny Perdue!. Gawd is just testin Marc buy nowt givin him a win. This is a 12-0 tem jus bein tested.
He will start winnin reel soon.
chickenman
October 8th, 2010
1:45 am
coaching for his job.. lol ya like they will fire him after 3 bad seasons…i hope he can right the ship..hes a great man and leader but the problems are getting worse week by week
TheTaxJacket
October 8th, 2010
2:29 am
**** “Well, they’re losing a lot of games and have a lot of people getting arrested,” Crowell said of Georgia. “There’s just a lot of things going wrong. I do want to play right away but I also want to be where it’s disciplined and they win championships.” ****
(((( 45 – 42 ))))
Grant
October 8th, 2010
4:56 am
Jborodawg , has made a correct statement , Fulmer was a great coach, and a good man . Some very low class/characters pulled him down , seems the same character flows across state lines ! I’m ashamed of all you sick people of little knowledge , not a one of you has an answer , and you really think the powers that be would listen to your thoughts ? Come again , what I’m talking of is all of you cannot make a thing better , actually might be able to pull a low class end run on Richt , as was done to Fulmer , and Bowden , you’re just low people !Look what happened in TN. , you could very well get another Kitten ! Character is so lacking in this world , Richt would get my son if a scholly was offered ! You all talk of Mayer, Saban , these people have low character , you talk of Muschamp/Smart , although they are UGA grads they have never been a head coach 1 day , way too volatile in SEC today to start out with a rookie , just will not work. The man has one of highest winning % amongst active coaches , shame on you all ! As far as Texas program goes , what gives Mack Brown is close to being showed the door out there , come on , that’s just crazy !We just seem to live in a world of instantanious wants , demands , and if they have a couple off years , you want him to just go , shamming him all the way out the door , low lifes ! Could we maybe shame you all into due dilligance , leave the Coach alone , unless you can stand in his shoes my friends !
GO DAWGS !!!
59bulldawg
October 8th, 2010
5:16 am
Thank you Grant. Of course only you can see the truth here because you are far and away smarter than the rest of us. I feel honored to even address your post. If your son played for Richt he would be either underutilized, underdeveloped as a player, or probably in trouble with the law. You can eat a sh*t sandwich if you want and say it tastes like chicken salad but it’s still a sh*t sandwich. I guess it all depends on what you’re willing to accept.
BoWeevil
October 8th, 2010
6:31 am
39-18 for 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 so 21 other coaches are coaching their tails off FAR BETTER than you, Coach Richt.
BoWeevil
October 8th, 2010
6:37 am
CMR does not know how to hire his coaching staff, has no clue how to motivate their players but to leave the players on their own pre-game as long as their music isn’t too loud, is # 22 in wins over these now second 5 years of his career here, and is # 2 in Arrests / Suspensions over these now second 5 years of his career here as well. CMR has a LOSING RECORD vs SEC East teams over these now second 5 years of his career here and vs the vols who have not had a single good team any of these games the second half of his career here has 1 win.
Overall for all 10 years now this season, he is 17-21 vs Top 25 Final AP teams, 3-8 vs Top 10 Final AP teams and has 10 additional losses to teams NOT in the Top 25 Final AP Poll. CMR has neither beat the good teams, the great teams, nor even had his teams prepared to play the lousy teams.
Other than that, he is freaking GREAT.
FATLEGS
October 8th, 2010
8:51 am
If my performance was as poor as his has been of late, and my quasi-caring attitude was the same… I would expect to be fired. Or at least get reprimanded.. Which, it seems, is what we “the bloggers” are trying to do.
Double Zero Eight
October 8th, 2010
9:08 am
Saban or Spurrier would have won at least one national championship during this decade with the talent that Georgia has had!
We need to look past this season ........toast it is
October 8th, 2010
9:24 am
This year is in the can. Whether UGA wins 5 or 7, it matters not. We might win 3.
2011 scares me. In 2011 UGA will not have any ……….any SEC caliber running backs returning. We will have itty, bitty Carlton Thomas ( 4th string on any upper tier SEC squad ) and maybe that Boo Kenny Malcom kid who really might be a fullback. Waushan hopefully will leave school or mayb e school will leave him. Who the heck cares?
So, in 2011 …………what will UGA do without any QUALITY backs?? See? For UGA in 2011, it could be very, very ugly, if 2010 is not already ugly enough. Damn.
Now think on this for awhile fans. Ugh !!
Go Dogs.
In August I said "no" now??? AHAHAHAHA
October 8th, 2010
9:29 am
Let us all get behind the “AJ GREEN to return kicks and punts” idea. I think that is a spendid idea.
In August ( pre clothing sale ) I was fearful of that. Now? I think that is swell, let him play fullback QB or return punts, kicks or even kick FGs. I could care less about him.
Let us use AJ to our advantage like he used UGA. Tee it up and get him back there. He has been a cancer on this current UGA squad.
Go Dogs.
Richt has emasculated TG
October 8th, 2010
9:33 am
New UGA D co ordinator Todd Granthom has been neutered by Richt. He no longer screams and curses like he did during the G Day game or the LA-LA game. He is lost wihout his fiery demeanor and the D kids know it and they play like that too.
Richt has to go. 10 years and nothing over the last 4 or 6.
UGA class of 71 & 73
Mobile Dawg
October 8th, 2010
9:34 am
When people start going for a name, especially one without any HC experience I think we’re taking a big risk.
To me, it doesn’t matter who the name is. Examine the candidates track record to see what you’re going to get. First find someone who’s been in the business for at least 10 years, first and foremost, examine their character. Then look at the body of work they have created. During the interview process they will be able to explain their philosophy for building a program, and point to their past products as evidence.
I keep bringing up the name of Joey Jones, HC at South Alabama. He’s started two programs from scratch. USA is on track to move to D1 within a couple of more years. He played @ Alabama for Bryant, High Character, and he’s building a formidable program at South. He may not be the guy for us, but my point is all the great coaches started out in not so great places. So I hope McGarity looks at the pedigree, the character, the previous results, not necessarily a recognizable name, when it comes time.
Mobile Dawg
October 8th, 2010
9:37 am
I would have no problem with CMR censuring CTG’s profanity. The fire and enthusiasm shouldn’t be throttled. You can be high energy without profanity. Thing is we don’t really know what transpired, all some people heard were parts of an interview. He has however calmed his demeanor down since the first game.
With Richts calm demeanor, he needs people around him with more intensity. Someone like David Pollack, whose motor never quits would be a great addition to this program.
Nolefan
October 8th, 2010
12:01 pm
To all you ignorant UGA fans(I use the term fan lightly) I hope you do run off Richt because if you do we might have a chance to get him back at FSU. Why don’t you blame the poor play on the jerks that put the helmets on and play??? Not the ones actually on the field but the ones that are soooo stupid they can’t stay out of trouble and have to sit out or be kicked off the team??? They are the ones hurting the program. But as usual UGA fans are to RED to understand that sort of reasoning. If you are winning everyting is fine, but go though his first real slump and everyone in the stands is an expert on the subject. I hope you lose the rest of your games dork fans!!!!
59bulldawg
October 8th, 2010
12:14 pm
Nolefan . . . please take him whenever you’re ready.
ugadad
October 8th, 2010
12:23 pm
that’s sad Richt said he is coaching his tail off …well sir you suck..
bamamom
October 8th, 2010
12:31 pm
Nolefan I hope UGA run Richt off ….and I am glad that he’ll have a job…better yet why don’t you call up his secretary and leave him a message that you all will give him a job…maybe he’ll resign today…you think FSU suck now they’ll really suck with Richt
bamamom
October 8th, 2010
12:39 pm
Nolefan would you all take Bobo the clown too
Coastal D
October 8th, 2010
2:30 pm
I am sure CMR is “coaching tail off”, but somehow I would rather he just show it and not talk about it.
Can’t comment on the articles about player probations. I think after the fact is a poor time to place them on “sanctions.” I would prefer he start now and make it clear than try to make the staff look better and getting tough on things in the past.
As far as Jordan Love getting arrested, being placed on probation, and having to serve 20 hours of community service for setting off fireworks on July 4th, give me a break! That’s the problem; nobody shows any common sense and realistic discipline. Why not just shoot them all!
LMAO
October 8th, 2010
3:20 pm
As Ray Goff would say “We’re just not a very good football team right now…… I understand when people boo their booing me but I am a tough man got a tough hide” Hey Coach Richt run now so you can at least get a good job.
LMAO
October 8th, 2010
3:21 pm
NOLEFAN – FSU HAS A GREAT COACH- RICHT WILL NEVER BE ASKED BACK TO FSU
Fred in Columbus
October 8th, 2010
3:31 pm
This is some damn funny stuff…
Ann Brownlee
October 8th, 2010
4:49 pm
I think Coach Richt is a great man, with high morals. The only fault I find with his coaching is that he goes for too many field goals, instead of going for a TD. Agreed he has lost four games in a row, but he can still win games. I support coach Mark Richt completely.
Delbert D.
October 8th, 2010
5:39 pm
None of those University of Georgia sanctions are new mistakes. The University made formal the probation or other direction for those involved.
And no, they shouldn’t count double for the “Fulmer Cup.”
Fair and Balanced
October 8th, 2010
8:19 pm
GA will sell out for TN game. Lose Saturday – and the streak ends. It won’t begin again until there is a reasonable expectation of a winning streak. Right now – no expectations of such.
LLUGA
October 8th, 2010
8:35 pm
UGA blows out UT this week. We jump out early and continue to pound UT. UGA scores at least 42.
FLA DAWG
October 8th, 2010
9:23 pm
BAMA DAWG,
I did play ball and I know what I’m talking about.
If I were paid 2 Mil per year to field an SEC Team and had 10 years at UGA with all of the great talent that has passed through our great university and was 1 – 4 against La La, SC, Ark and Colorado then I’d do the right thing and resign.
Dawgs will lose by 21 or more tomorrow.
Get Smart Fire Richt
war *am eagle
October 8th, 2010
9:57 pm
why was cmr so good his first 5 years and average to bad his second 5 years. staff changes schdueling talent recuriting?
coonskin vol
October 8th, 2010
10:07 pm
Tenn. will win if we stay with a power running game. Ga. is not a physical team. If we play a finnesse game we will lose to Ga.’s better athlets.
Sightsy
October 8th, 2010
11:13 pm
Both George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr sucked. Reagan DEFINITELY sucked! All Republicans suck! The Bulldogs Suck! What do they all have in common other than sucking? They’re ignorant, hillbilly redneck suckers!!!
mvm
October 9th, 2010
4:25 pm
Let’s give praise where praise is due…to Aaron Murray…a fantastic quarterback AND to Mark Richt…a great football coach whom I respect! With that said, I would like for Bobo to back off our quarterback and lay off of him…i was at today’s game right behind the Georgia bench and he was growling and giving heat to our quarterback…he needs to lay off…murray knows what he is doing way more than Bobo…Bobo better worry about himself…Most importantly, I want the whole Bulldog nation to know that Georgia has got the best coach they could ever ask for in Mark Richt…plus a record to go with it…Good Job Mark and way to GOOOOO DAWGS!!! (And someone needs to tell BOBO, he will never be the head coach at Georgia!)