Richt tells callers he’s staying and wants ‘Dream Team’ recruits to join him
Mark Richt was outspoken on two topics on his radio call-in show Monday night –- his intention to remain at Georgia and his aspirations for this recruiting season.
- On the recruiting front, Richt reiterated his vision of signing an in-state “Dream Team” that, he said, could make an impact as soon as Georgia’s Sept. 3 season opener against Boise State in Atlanta’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.
“We’re trying to recruit guys right now that can make an impact so when we play in that Georgia Dome next year and open against Boise State, we can introduce those kids to the college football world and make a difference at the University of Georgia,” Richt said.
“When you talk about in-state kids, that’s why I’ve been talking about this Georgia ‘Dream Team’, this team of guys that I think are the best players in the state of Georgia. And I believe if they will stay in the state and come together, we can prove to the United States of America that we have the best football in the country [in] the state of Georgia. We need those Georgia kids to stay at home and do that thing for the Bulldogs, and I think everybody is going to get excited about that.”
- In light of recent reports that Colorado and Miami might pursue Richt for their open coaching jobs, one caller implored Richt to “hang in with us, don’t leave us now.”
Richt replied: “I’m definitely going to do more than hang with Georgia. Georgia is going to thrive, and Georgia is going to have a tremendous future ahead of us. And I’m excited to be here.”
Another caller had two questions: Will junior linebacker Justin Houston enter the 2011 NFL draft? And will Richt stay or “jump ship” to his alma mater, Miami?
Richt said he doesn’t know what Houston will do but suggested he could be a top-five or top-10 NFL pick in 2012 if he plays another season of college ball. Houston faces a tough decision, Richt acknowledged.
As for the caller’s second question: “For me, I don’t have a tough decision,” Richt said. “Georgia is the greatest place in the United States of America for me and my family.”
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
443 comments Add your comment
Top Row Dawg
November 30th, 2010
8:04 am
It doesn’t take long to post all the great things about Georgia, it flows from the heart. Hell I left out so many great things and the cities of Dalton, Calhoun, Cartersville, Gainesville, Sparta, Bainbridge, Clayton, Carrollton, and on and on. The live oaks of St. Simon, the beaches of Tybee, the 300 waterfalls, the 1000 caves, the floats of the Amicalola, the Cartegay, the Broad, the Talking Rock Creek. The rocky peaks of Blood and Tray Mountain. The boulder fields of Rocktown and the Zahnd tract. It’s all about Georgia, the place you grew up. State borders mean something.
All the players in the Pros, the continued emphasis on academics compared to the other schools. We don’t over sign and chase them off like Bama, we don’t cheat and pay the dad’s like Auburn. Faith in God, honor to family, these are the benchmarks of the Georgia man. A winning record after 10 years against all opponents except Florida. The tide will turn back there in Jacksonville now that the one man team graduated. Spurrier can win the SEC east as long as Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee all lose four games. Saban and Petrino are just rent a coach until something better comes along or they get bored. Auburn is a one trick pony (Of course with a Georgia boy)
Richt has the pedigree, Georgia has the facilities. No reason to think we can’t do this. Oh and let me mention again the GIRLS. nuff said.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 30th, 2010
8:05 am
Gee, I (and most of the college football world) thought Richt had a “dream team” in ‘08, what with 8 NFL picks, including #1 and #10 (Stafford, Knowshon) as well as a future top 5 pick (AJ).
We didn’t even win the East with that collection. How can we top that assembledge of talent?
Yes, I’m ticked off with Richt – I’m a supporter, but when I read his, “no changes in staff” statement yesterday, I just got ill.
Maybe McGarity will force his hand, and make him demote Bobo and get a real OC for next season.
Bulldawg Richie
November 30th, 2010
8:06 am
Coach Richt is saying all the right things and indicates that he knows he has to move it up another notch. The offense is clicking good now. The 3 – 4 defense will improve next year and the d backs will be more experienced. Our best bet is to support the current coaching staff. Negative talk will have a effect on recruiting and make things harder. I would like to see the Bulldawg nation get behind CMR and support the program. Don’t leave any doubt in mind of the recruit’s.
fatboyslim
November 30th, 2010
8:07 am
Van Halanger has to go!
JB
November 30th, 2010
8:07 am
17 year old’s do not surf this site. Girls, music, sports, hanging out…….They ain’t here.
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
8:07 am
B.Positive,
You make a good point,BUT-I dont share blame with this coaching staff.This coaching staff needs to get their a** in gear.I give enough of my money to this program.Time for results!
Larry
November 30th, 2010
8:08 am
JB: “…the key to Georgia getting back to winning is on defense.”
100% in concurrence! With Murray at QB, give Georgia a top 20 defense and we have a top 10 team.
I never thought this possible, but an argument could be made that Georgia’s defense this season under Grantham was worse than any prior defense under Martinez. They NEVER had one single statement game and looked completely confused and utterly unprepared for GT. This is coaching; or, more accurately, lack thereof.
Sure, Grantham deserves the opportunity to recruit the players for his system but one would hope he could have “coached up” the existing players to some degree. The jury is out and not close to a decision on our defensive coaching.
hipdawg
November 30th, 2010
8:10 am
I guess I think CMR is a average to good coach.So I can only expect to be let down until UGA get a great coach.
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2010
8:11 am
JB, if UGA doesnt fumble 3 times we win by 2 touchdown. Doesn’t it work both ways.
Larry
November 30th, 2010
8:13 am
Here’s a thought…what would you have said to someone in August if they said that both Marck Richt and Derek Dooley will win and lose the same number of games this season?
And what do you say now?
Jeff
November 30th, 2010
8:13 am
I want to get excited….but this is what I have heard the past few years and we get to the fall and its a dud. I prefer to sit back and take the “show me” attitude. We are tired of all the hype and how this is the year. Time for the coaches and players to “prove it”. I would rather we just dont say anything- do the talking on the field. You dont hear the other top programs doing a whole lot of talking in the preseason…they go out and prove it
Spike
November 30th, 2010
8:14 am
Nine out of ten and counting… But please, please beat the Gators!!
Uncle Ricky
November 30th, 2010
8:14 am
I think Mark dodged the question about being at Georgia. He is interested, his agent is talking.
How dumb does he think we UGA fans are? If he would have said that you could bank his salvation that he would be the coach at UGA in 2011, I would believe him. These answers, I think he is lying and is interested in Miami. If so, just go Mark, we don’t want you if you don’t want us.
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
8:16 am
AltamahaDawg,
There were to many IF’S to this season-Wouldnt you say?
Colorado-If we dont fumble
Arkansas-If we dont give up on the last play
Florida-If we run the ball in O.T
2010-Will be remembered as WHAT IF?
JB
November 30th, 2010
8:16 am
B.Positive. The University of Georgia Athletic Assoc. has more money than any school in the SEC except maybe Florida. The STATE of Georgia produces the second most blue chip Div 1 prospects in the Southeast outside of Florida. We pay our Head Coach close to 3 million a year, and our Defensive Cord. $750,000 per on a THREE YEAR CONTRACT. Now, with those resources, are you happy ? Not with 6-6, but the last THREE YEARS ? Mark Richt is the CEO of Georgia football. His job is to set the tone for the entire program. Hire the right people. Recruit the best players. How’s he doing the last THREE YEARS ? Can’t wait to hear someone tell me about 2002. 2005 and 2007…… wonder how Florida feels about 3 or 4 years ago.
john
November 30th, 2010
8:18 am
Praise the Lord! Richt is our man! He is THE best man of THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA!!! If Santa could bring the Bulldog Nation one thing for Christmas, though, it would be: RICHT PLEAST TAKE THE PLAY CALLING BACK … PLEASE! You don’t have to make it public. Tell Bobo that he can stick with the QBs … then put him back in the box, let him tell you what it looks like, and you call the plays. Bobo can still be the OC … just make it a title … OK, I’m done … Gooooooo Dawgs!!!!
BCSstinks
November 30th, 2010
8:20 am
AltamahaDawg what you fail to realise is GT did not score on any of UGA fumbles. I think that is the point he is making. You take away GT going for it at the beginning instead of kicking the 3 and the two fumbles inside the 15 and JB is right GT wins by at least two TD’s.
layinlow
November 30th, 2010
8:21 am
Do you fans who continue to brag about how the offense is clicking not realize the impact that the greatest wide receiver ever to play at Georgia has on said offense? Pull your head out of the sand and look at our offense next season without the impact of Green and Durham. We are in big trouble IMHO at the WR spot next year. No big time wideouts to stretch the field and another mediocre running game is what I see and that spells trouble. Murray won’t be able to do it all by himself. The only bright spots I see are Murray and Charles. Can someone out there give me a reason why our offense will flourish next season? I’m open to a good counter argument.
SeasonTicketHolder
November 30th, 2010
8:22 am
Talk is cheap. What I want is a football team that can beat UF and Alabama. Since it looks like UGA is stuck with Richt for another year, McGarity needs to tell that clown that 2011 will be his last year if he doesn’t win the SEC east. No eastern division crown? Bye-Bye. The University owes Richt nothing.
crassdawg
November 30th, 2010
8:25 am
USA, USA, USA….whoopeee were #1
ckgator
November 30th, 2010
8:27 am
Thanks Murphy – you are right. Notice what happens with Florida teams after a “bad” year. They tend to bounce back and win championships.
UGA will improve too – and assume their rightful place as #2 in the SEC East.
Vick=Dog killing thug
November 30th, 2010
8:27 am
CMR is a smart man to have such a good public relations person.
If you cant rest on your laurels then the obvious choice is to tout what your going to do next year. Personally I would love to see him succeed and bring the glory back to UGA football. I admire the person that he is and also his loyalty to his staff.
Obviously there is a problem in Athens with the X’s and O’s. Lets hope they finally figure it out?
Dave
November 30th, 2010
8:30 am
Don’t doubt Richt when he says he’ll get it done. He’s the #5 in winning % and has a knack for getting Georgia into the top 10, 6 out of last 9 seasons. No one does it every year, look at Saban, Brown and Meyer this year.
Back in 06, Richt had his doubters. Then in 2007, he put together a great team, and finished in the top 3.
JB
November 30th, 2010
8:30 am
Thank you layinlow…….I been saying it the last few weeks. Mediocre running game at best. Unable to push back Tech’s DL on fourth and one is a real eyeopener, and who’s going to be the #1 receiver next year. I know we have bodies, do we have “the man”. Richt stated that they did little substituting on Defense last Saturday ( in the Athens paper this AM)….. What does that tell you. No depth. Don’t expect but 6 -7 wins next year, and a new man on the sidelines in 2012…. and yes, I like Mark, But I’m a realist.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 30th, 2010
8:31 am
“Van Halanger needs to go!” “Rodney Gardner needs to go!” “Mike Bobo needs to go!” “We need a new S&C coach!”
************************************
Boys, Richt apparently sees nothing wrong with any of his assistants, cause he said, “no changes to his staff.”
Richt’s staff is so talented, I don’t see how he’s been able to keep them at UGA . . . . . . . . oh yeah, they never get job offers. Richt is the only HC that wants them.
Dave Steel
November 30th, 2010
8:31 am
LOL. This was the dumbest stuff I’ve ever heard a head football coach say. “Let’s keep the dream team here at home and show everybody in the United States what Georgia football is all about”. LOL.
Richt is beyond reality at this point. He’ll be out of a job next year…after the 0-2 start with Boise and USCe the media will tear him a new one. LOL
CPO Dawg
November 30th, 2010
8:38 am
Buckeye,
Quick fact for you.
Do you know what the “O” in Ohio State stand for?
A: 0-9, your team’s bowl record against SEC teams.
JB
November 30th, 2010
8:39 am
Mark is very very lucky Tech did not come back and win that game after LETTING us score late with about 1:30 to go rather than taking a knee three more times and running that clock out. That would have BEEN HUGE. The headline would have read ” MARK REALLY IS ASLEEP DURING THESE GAMES”
dgog
November 30th, 2010
8:39 am
Ok, if I am a recruit and I read and/or listen to crap coming from the so called Ga. fans, I would go elsewhere. Everyone wants a great recruiting class, but all they do is cut down the coaching and the team. People do not realize the impact their pessimistic attitudes have on recruits. Yes, they and their parents read all of this negative crap people are saying and it does make a difference. For the time being, at least until signing day, if you can’t say anything positive shut up!!! We have a great coach and a great staff. They are at the peak of their recruiting, trying to convince prospects to come to UGA. How do you think all of these negative comments influence these kids and/or their parents. I love UGA, but if I were a parent of a highly recruited prospect, I would have second thought because of all the negative comments that come from our so called loyal Ga fan.
wheresmycrackpipe?
November 30th, 2010
8:41 am
still got to coach em and make em stronger which we cant do
meh
November 30th, 2010
8:41 am
Go Dawgs!! gonna get things turned around next season. sure would like to see Justin Houston return next year.
Mike
November 30th, 2010
8:43 am
All I know is if indeed the strength coach is his best friend, he needs to alter his program. It ain’t hard to train someone how to lift weights … they just need to adjust their program. Matt drills are all fine and dandy for agility and quickness … but he needs to implement more explosion into the offseason strengthening program. Then they’ll be fine.
What REALLY needs to change is our secondary’s approach. Nick Saban said it best in that he likes to recruit DB’s who play baseball because they are good a tracking the ball in the air … NONE of our DB’s know how to track the ball in the air. Maybe Coach Perno needs to sit in on some of the DB practices.
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2010
8:44 am
okeefenokee, How would you compare Saban’s 2010 with Richt’s 2008 dream team? Just curious.
BTW on the staff changes….if Richt was smart, if Richt was really concerned about keeping his job next…….why he would make a change in his staff? You know full well that it’s NOT going to be ok to have growing pains from a completely new offensive coaching staff next year. So why would he do that? Isn’t it a far wiser move on his part, to simply correct the 2 or 3 things it would take to have a better record next year?
Personally, I do not think he is very concerned about what fans would say, anymore than he is phased by the complete impatience shown for Grantham and his entirely new staff in thier first year working together, piecing togother (misfits in some cases) the less than All-SEC talent that they inherited.
I think he isn’t going to make radical changes just based on a timing issue, and what a program, (and a coaches career) can handle. The fact that it’s foolish to subject the program to that type of upheaval at the same time the last part is still trying levels out. Maybe next year, or the next, he can decide if 30-40 PPG is really good enough moving forward. I refer you to UF for example of too many changes in a short period of time.
I do think you will see some tweeks, in who does what. Clearly CSS being the Running Game Co-ordinator hasn’t been a good situation. (although he probably looks a lot better if he had a top notch back)
Coach Sleepy
November 30th, 2010
8:44 am
PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Come to Georgia. You can start your first game!
Conspiracy Theory SS
November 30th, 2010
8:44 am
Come on Isiah Crowell, be a Bulldog and lead us to a National Championship. We need you and I know you have Georgia pride. Let Alabama sign players from Alabama.
Coach Meyer
November 30th, 2010
8:47 am
Hey, lay off Mark, I have 22 five star players starting down here, and we lost FIVE games ourselves. Anyone can lose. I’m playing 12 QB’s……. I would give up one of my personalities to have young Aaron Murray in a Gator uniform.
CDAWG
November 30th, 2010
8:48 am
Some of you need to read some books on how to be POSITIVE. Has Richt been successful in the past, yes? Has Richt made mistakes, yes? Some of you keep beating him up for the past but what I see is a coach who fired his friend and brought in a new defensive coordinator, a coach that has finally realized that he needs to recruit harder in state which he is doing. Why can’t we realize that he is making positive changes and support him? Now I will admit that Mark Bradley was correct when he pointed out that we REALLY need to take a close look at our strength and conditioning program. I think if we fix that it will pay HUGE dividends. I know that we all want Crowell to come to UGA but if he doesn’t don’t forget that we have a redshirt freshman waiting in the wings who is big and fast.
Big Bob
November 30th, 2010
8:48 am
What is a Buckeye doing on this site? The Buckeyes play in a sissy sister league and can not compete with the SEC!
Tin Shack
November 30th, 2010
8:49 am
Isiah Crowell will be like every other 5 star running back if he goes to Georgia….a borderline starting running back in the SEC.
Go to another SEC school young man where the coaches actually coach you up.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 30th, 2010
8:51 am
Houston ain’t coming back, unless there is a lockout in the NFL. His value won’t get any higher than it is right now.
And, dgog, sorry, I can’t go “rah rah!” after a 6-6 year, preceeded by a 8-5. Losing is what hurts recruiting, not some silly blog. Losing yet again to UF, when it’s plain to everybody that UGA has more talent, is what hurts recruiting. Going 6-6, and believing that your staff is doing a great job is what hurts recruiting.
I’m just waiting on the report (like after ‘08) that Richt’s staff is all getting a raise . . .
75-76-DAWG
November 30th, 2010
8:51 am
The hard part of UGA’s schedule comes back around in 2013 ,just in time for the” Dream Teams” junior year with Clemson, South Carolina, Alabama, L.S.U , Auburn, Tenn., Florida and because it is a rivalry, Georgia Tech. will defiantly be ranked in the top 2 or 3 schedules in the nation.
The “Dream Team” will have the chance to go down as the best UGA team ever, so I put it on them to put up or shut up. Are you scared? Beat that schedule plus the SEC championship game and you will play for the national title.
Dawgtards ruin this state
November 30th, 2010
8:54 am
Please, why would dream teamers want to lose to LSU, FL, Auburn, Bama, SC, Tenn and Kentucky? thUGA where 5 star recruits go to become trash collectors.
JB
November 30th, 2010
8:55 am
@8:42…………”Personally, I don’t think he cares to much what the fans say”……………………………………….Just like Home Depot doesn’t care what the customers say. UGA get’s no stimulus money. He better care. Tickets sales, Hartman fund is a pretty big chunk of budget. Being lousy and playing at noon all year already has hurt recruiting. The kids can’t make it to Athens by 10:00 after playing on Friday nights, just for those who are wondering why that hurts us.
just facts
November 30th, 2010
8:56 am
dawg days…. this is my home page. I just stopped drinking ALL of the kool-aid a couple of years ago. there is a big difference in a hater and someone who tries to look at a situation with objectivity. unfortunately objectivity is not a word that is in the vocabulary of many of our fans….and come on B Positive… tell me that you don’t really believe that any recruit pays any attention to all of this junk that we all post. when is the last time that you heard a kid say on signing day that he is going to a particular school because that school’s bloggers are very positive and nice?
instate
November 30th, 2010
8:57 am
that is a bunch of bull….Richt just trying to convince these guys to come so they want go to UA or AU…He/nor his coaches know how to sub good talent…Look at Figgins…instate player….isiah crowell go to AU it’t 45mins away from your house UGA is 3hrs away….and AU will know what to do with you…..When you see Richt at Carver talking about God and he will treat you like a son away from home take it for what it is worth NOTHING
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
8:58 am
ckgator,
I dont see your Gators making anymore progress than my Dawg’s will in 2011. We are both getting passed by UT and Carolina.I never thought I would see the day that the Gator program is in the same or worse shape than our program.
Cobb Dawg
November 30th, 2010
9:01 am
Murphy, keep saying that and maybe you’ll start believing it. You Vowels kill me. One Saturday you want to fire your HC and the next Saturday he’s Moses, leading you to the promise land. On what do you base the ” Tenn and Carolina being the teams in the SEC East to beat for the next 2-3 years”?
Charles
November 30th, 2010
9:04 am
Great I hope CMR is successful in recruiting. The bigger question is the coaching you can recruit the best players in the country however, if you can not instill discipline, conditioning and the desire to play a full game what have you accomplished. Time and again Georgia recruits top athletes only to see them end up never playing up to their potential.
AltamahaDawg
November 30th, 2010
9:05 am
Lay low, I wasnt saying that tech scored on our fumbles. I was saying that we didn’t. tech only stoped UGA a couple of times all game. Do you think UGA giving the ball away 3 times might have affected the game score? Or does predicting certain outcomes based on fictitous events, only work one way?
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
9:05 am
Cobb Dawg.
Im no Vol my friend-Ima Dawg. I base this on: The roster at UT is full of young talent that played this year and got SEC Game experience.Carolina-returns most of their offense and defense,including the q.b and running back.UGA-we lose alot of fire power and I dont see us having the recruits to fill that void.Florida is young and in serious trouble at qb.