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.”
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443 comments Add your comment
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
11:51 am
We will probably end up in the Gator Bowl against Michigan.That is the talk in Jacksonville right now.Gator Bowl wants to pass on Florida and get UGA.
LOL
November 30th, 2010
11:54 am
Ha, love seeing buckeye fans talking trash. Like your team is relevant at all anymore. Go undefeated in the regular season again so you can get waxed in the NC game again. I remember Miami putting a beatdown on you guys one year, and I didn’t even watch the game cause you guys had not shot. But thanks for the laughs.
SECWasteManagement
November 30th, 2010
11:55 am
Murphy,
Please tell me where you heard this Gator Bowl talk. That would be awesome since I live 20 minutes from EverBank.
Go Dawgs!
November 30th, 2010
11:56 am
Buckeye….you’re a nut!
azdawg
November 30th, 2010
11:57 am
layinlow echos what many GA fans think and have expressed on blogs and that goes for me too. GA DC Grantham is not a good DC. If you want proof just look at our record. The six losses were due largely to GA’s inability to stop their opponents running games and on 3rd downs. In the GT game the def scheme was working in the 1st qtr. Then PJ adjusted his offense and Grantham did not counter and GT ran at will thru GA’s def for the remainder of the game. When GT had to go to the pass only then did GA’s defense stop tech mainly due to GT’s qb isn’t a passing qb. Granthams record at Cleveland as DC was awful. He’s not a DC and maybe not even a good DL coach unless his players make him look good.
Richt knows he needs an immediate infusion of real good players that can start immediately otherwise he doesn’t have anyone to replace his seniors and early entree’s into the NFL. His returning crop of players other than Murray cannot alone right the ship next season. He needs a RB in the caliber of SC’s #21. Ealey and King are not going to cut it. Also a heap of big strong DL and someone in the weight room to get them into great condition. Coach VH has failed to do his job.
If CMR retains Grantham he most likely won’t get his dream team players to come to GA. Houston will leave and so will Green. Green’s body language said it all while on the bench watching GT run thru GA’s D like you know what thru a goose. Arguably Green and Houston will leave and Without new players to step in immediately and a new DC it’ll be the same ole same ole for the dawgs in 2011. Get ready to be embarrassed in the dome come next sept when Boise St comes to town.
Seriously
November 30th, 2010
12:00 pm
I strongly believe that things are really going to start to turn around for us. Kids will realize what an advantage UGA has both academically and on the field.
A bitter pill...
November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm
How long is it going to take for UGA fans to realize that UGA is simply no longer relevant in the SEC? In the national picture, UGA isn’t even a blip on the radar, and hasn’t been since the preseason #1 ranking two years ago.
Sit back and be grateful for the seven or eight wins you’ll get every year. Coaching genius Mark Richt may take you to 8-4 or even 9-3 occasionally, but Florida will still win the SEC, meaning no BCS bowls and no top 10 final ranking. Most years, UGA will be very lucky to finish in the top 25, and only after a big bowl win over a nobody opponent.
It’s a different world now, and Dawg fans need to adjust their expectations downward to reflect reality.
Unfortunately nothing is going to change until UGA changes its mediocre coaching. That’s where the difference is, and that’s why everyone outside Dawgtard Nation just laughs at Dawg fans getting so excited year after year about what a great recruiting class UGA gets. It doesn’t matter how many blue chip high school players go to UGA, they simply don’t get the coaching they would get at Florida or Alabama, to name two schools whose programs are far ahead of UGA. And that’s not going to change as long as Mark Richt is in Athens.
Get your heads out of the sand and face reality. And mediocrity and irrelevance.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm
“this was very poor coaching and they played right into PJ’s hand.”
*************************************
Wow, you mean, PJ didn’t want to win . . . . oh that’s right, he had “bigger fish to fry.”
Chris
November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm
He better recruit a dream team and start every damn one of them. The current team is no dream by any stretch of the imagination. Aaron Murray and Orson Charles are about the only two players returning that are worth anything. I can’t think of anyone returning on defense that’s any good. That ofcourse is based on A.J. and Houston leaving.
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
12:02 pm
SECWASTEMANA,
I heard it from a Gator Bowl Committe Member yesterday in Jacksonville.They want to pass on Florida because of the close proximity to Gainesvill.They know the UGA fans will travel and fill up the city.Speaking to a UF Football team member yesterday-they feel the same way-UF would like to travel.
Go Dawgs!
November 30th, 2010
12:03 pm
SECWasteManagement
November 30th, 2010
11:55 am
Murphy,
Please tell me where you heard this Gator Bowl talk. That would be awesome since I live 20 minutes from EverBank.
I live in Jax and have heard similar rumblings. UGA is more attractive because the economic impact. UF won’t put “heads in beds” while UGA would. UF in the Gator bowl means a lot less revenue because most of the fans will just drive over the day of the game and only provide a one day boost.
SanDiegoJacket
November 30th, 2010
12:04 pm
“what an advantage UGA has both academically….”
You can’t be serious!!
This spud's for you
November 30th, 2010
12:04 pm
Boise State 55, Georgia 10.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 30th, 2010
12:04 pm
“And mediocrity and irrelevance”
***********************
Yep, we are pathetic, but where does leave our annual punching bad, Georgia Tech?
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
12:05 pm
Go Dawgs!
We all are in Jax-would be great for all of us.
Saben
November 30th, 2010
12:06 pm
Dream Team?
Clark County Correctional will have to build a new wing for the dawgs.
Perhaps they should drug test Richt.
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm
Saben,
Affectionally called the Dream Team Wing? lol
No surprise to anyone
November 30th, 2010
12:07 pm
REPEATED FROM AN EARLIER BLOG:
Reading all these simple minded and illiterate comments from the THUGA rednecks remind me that I was right to routinely reject any applicant for a job when I was the Personnel Director for a Fortune 500 Company, Naturally being a Tech Grad (IM 1976)I already knew of the educational gaps for THUGA grads and the redneck work ethics they brought to the job. Occasionally I would, against my better judgement, feed one of the poor things into some half-ass entry level job just to seee if my opinion of their qualifications, or more than likely unqualifications, and without fail they had either already been fired or quit. The ones that managed to stay provided me daily glimpses of my mistakes.
It was sort of pitiful to seee the poor things come in with their degrees and actually think they were qualified. Frankly a degree from THUGA held about the same weight as Fort Valley State, ABAC, or Clark of Atlanta. Actually I preferred a degree holder from these Institutions of “higher learning” to THUGA as they knew which side of the 8 ball they were on and had better attitudes.
Think about the football team THUGA puts on the field. 96% of the players are academically provisionally accepted, with Adams and his cronies knowing full well that they will use up all their coaching and tutors and elligibility and then have their asses kicked out on the street and soon be pushing grocery carts around Atlanta looking for a warm place to sleep. What a pitiful way to run the State’s flagship university.
Mark (another one)
November 30th, 2010
12:08 pm
All this BCS stuff is crap. I am so tired of hearing people like Buckeye spout off.
I say we send Alabama and Auburn to play in the ACC, Florida and Georgia to the Big Ten, Ark and UT to the Pac-10, and LSU and USC to play in the Big 12. That leaves Kentucky, Vandy, and the Mississippis to pick up the rest. How soon would it take for these SEC teams to dominate their new conferences and be the national champs?
Of yeah, the last four were from the SEC anyway, as were six of the 12. Hell, they had to block an undefeated Auburn from the title game our it would have been seven of 12.
Buckeye gets to spout off because his team plays a weak schedule, but no big ten team has ever beat an SEC team. Maybe the Buckeyes would win against our number 7 or 8 team some year, but not against one of the top tier teams.
Hirings and Firings
November 30th, 2010
12:10 pm
Will Athens be able to hire enough new policemen and probation officers to keep up with Richt’s dream team?
What a nasty freaking joke Richt is.
I-DOG
November 30th, 2010
12:10 pm
BBBIEUGA8,
I agree with you that academics should be a big part of why a recruit SHOULD pick a school, but have to disagree that their chances of making the NFL are “slim to none.” That is true of ALL high school football players, but not the ones that play at big time SEC schools. Take UGA for example:
Typically UGA signs about 22 or 23 guys like everybody else. About 20 of those make it into school (some quit football, some choose to play baseball, some fail to qualify academically). Usually, about 5-6 make an NFL roster each year. Of the 20 that actually end up playing for the Dawgs a couple will have reoccuring injury problems like Banks and Owens. If you scoop out the top 12 of the remaining 18 (the guys that eventually start or play key roles) they have close to a 50-50 shot at making the pros. Maybe 45 percent. If you sign with UGA, you have about a 20% chance of making the league and that isn’t exactly slim to none. If you do the right things (work hard, don’t get kicked off the team etc…)and don’t get very unlucky with injuries, you have about a 33% chance. Not bad, considering the payoff.
Of course, they should all try their best in school as more will NOT play pro ball as play pro ball,but those odds aren’t slim to none.
Saint Jan
November 30th, 2010
12:14 pm
Attention, everyone, especially dawgtards. We will now observe a moment of silence in memory of Saint Jan Kemp, who exposed the shameful practices at UGA that were initiated and carried out by slimeball Vince Dooley. Dooley’s image as a coach and a nice guy were forever shattered during the trial, not to mention the one million dollars that dawgtards had to pay Saint Jan. These practices of recruiting morons and coddling them for four years, them tossing them out like garbage, are still going on, but at least the world knows what’s happening in Athens now.
And now, the moment of silence…
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thank you, you may resume your normal activities now. For most of you dawgtards, that means picking up your unemployment check or picking through another dumpster.
dawgfacedboy
November 30th, 2010
12:15 pm
Actually over the past 5 years they have averaged a recruiting class of 8. UGA has the fewest numbe of top 10 finishes in the past 5 years with a top 10 class avg, with 1.
B.Positive- hopefully the recruits know that anybody in the country can type the Name “#1 Dawg Fan” and then right anything they want. They can’t pick a school based on what anonymous blogs say. At least, I should hope that’s not how they pick their schools. If it is they aren’t very bright.
dawgfacedboy
November 30th, 2010
12:16 pm
That should read “UGA has the fewest number of top 10 finishes in the past 5 years for schools with an avg of top 10 class over that span.
really
November 30th, 2010
12:17 pm
I never thought getting the talent to go to UGA was an issue…seems like UGA always ranks highly in the final recruiting rankings (for what they’re worth). Still gotta coach them up.
Derrick
November 30th, 2010
12:18 pm
Mark Richt’s best years came after some of his worst years. You have the 2001/2002, and the 2006/2007.
Remarkably, Richt’s only had 1 time, in 24 years, where he didn’t finish in the top 10 over a 2 year span. That was the 2009/2010 span. Since 1985, his teams have been in the top 10 18 times, rarely down for long.
Mr. Red
November 30th, 2010
12:18 pm
Man, someone is stuck on Jan Kemp – whats your sick fascination with Kemp? That happened 25 years ago. Get over it you blithering idiot!
Your Breath Smells Like Fried Fish Tacos
November 30th, 2010
12:19 pm
Saint Jan – please go out North Ave and get shot
tide roll
November 30th, 2010
12:20 pm
Richt. Please, I’m begging you. Go find two Juco offensive lineman that equate to JAMES CARPENTER at BAMA, and ROKEVIOUS WATKINS at CAROLINA.(who pushed your defense all over Williams-Brice). Please stop the insanity of passing on these instate athletic offensive lineman thus allowing them to sign with your competition and turn around and kick Uga’s butt. Carpenter, Chance Warmack, A J Hawkins, Watkins, Jujuan James, Byron Isom, Maurice Hurt, Ray Dominguez, and the list goes on and on. Stop the insanity! This is 2010 for God’s sake. Then, after signing a Juco NG, for God’s sake move Bean Anderson back to offensive guard before you and Searels ruinn his career like you did Kiante Tripp’s
Katherine
November 30th, 2010
12:21 pm
I’ve never understood how anyone – even an alumnus – could support and take pride in UGA’s football team. When you look at their history for the past forty years, how can anyone ignore Jan Kemp and the “remedial studies” scam, the Jim Harrick fiasco, the DUIs in the athletic office, the DUIs and other arrests of players, the #1 party school tag (i.e., the most drunk students), the suspensions and outright dismissals, the Fulmer Cup, and on and on?
As disgraceful and humiliating as it is, I don’t see many alums and fans demanding an end to this sordid activity. It sets UGA apart as the kind of school most people abhor, and it’s become an embarrassment to the whole state of Georgia.
Will it never end? Apparently not while Mark Richt is at UGA. Richt is perhaps the biggest hypocrite in the United States. But even with all the cheating and lawlessness that he ignores, he still can’t win the SEC.
So you’re paying him to be BCS champions, but he can’t even win his SEC division. So why do you pay him millions of dollars a year?
Just asking.
CAM NEWTON
November 30th, 2010
12:22 pm
I’m still available for the discount price of $150K
Your Breath Smells Like Fried Fish Tacos
November 30th, 2010
12:24 pm
No Surprise to Anyone: you are the one getting bent out of shape. You probably make some money but you look like a dork.
Deams... or nightmares?
November 30th, 2010
12:25 pm
I strongly believe that things are really going to start to turn around for us. Kids will realize what an advantage UGA has both academically and on the field.
Dream on, dawgtard.
CAM NEWTON
November 30th, 2010
12:25 pm
@Katherine…Wow so obsessed with UGA. You know more UGA history than their alums. Must be a NERd from Tech. Damn sure hate it for you
Your Breath Smells Like Fried Fish Tacos
November 30th, 2010
12:27 pm
Katherine you slut. Last time I checked Gtu wast the one who had to vacate wins. Remember the cheating scandal? Little Joe was ineligible amongst numerous others.
Milledgeville Dawg
November 30th, 2010
12:27 pm
AMEN Brother Richt. You have the support of the BULLDOG faithfull!!!
Changes?
November 30th, 2010
12:29 pm
Man, someone is stuck on Jan Kemp – whats your sick fascination with Kemp? That happened 25 years ago.
Nothing has changed at UGA since then except that the arrest rate has continued to escalate. UGA and Muck Richt are as dirty as ever.
ahs
November 30th, 2010
12:32 pm
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Einsteindawg
November 30th, 2010
12:35 pm
I want to believe our coach, but he says the same thing every year. He’s correct when talking about the level of talent and the impact they can make; however, you’ll hear the same old excuses in September: “They haven’t learned our system”, “having a hard time picking up blocking assignments”, “needs to add a few pounds, strength, etc”, “a nagging high school injury”, and “played at a small school so they’re not ready yet”. Give me a break! How come our offense/defense/special teams is so complicated that it takes years to learn, but it never seems to work. Time to clean house in my opinion.
Alabama Dog
November 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
GenNeyland: in relation to your comment about “can’t you find a quarterback from your own state”: have you looked at Tennesse’s roster over the years? Condrege Holloway (Huntsville, AL), Peyton Manning (New Orleans, LA), the Clausen boys (Northridge, CA), Matt Simms (New Jersey). I could name more, I’m sure, but those are the most prominent that come to mind. Tennesse’s roster is primarily made up of kids from other states. When, if EVER, is Tennessee going to have a QB from THEIR home state?
ARdawg
November 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
MURPH
If that Gator Bowl rumor is true, we get a much better bowl than we deserve. I’m close to Memphis and the Liberty is looking for UGA. But, unless I am mistaken the Gator has call on the SEC before Liberty does. I am waiting to buy tickets to some place
ARdawg
November 30th, 2010
12:39 pm
Einstein
That “Dream team” chant is getting pretty tired. I’m afraid it’s the same slogans and gimmicks Richt has become to rely on. I’m thing he didn’t change any recruits mind with that plea
ARdawg
November 30th, 2010
12:40 pm
thinking too
gdawginkalamazoo
November 30th, 2010
12:40 pm
We were not that far off this year. We were in every game with the exception of the second half of the Auburn game. Big turnovers at crucial times aboslutely killed us. Grantham will be just fine as DC once he can get a couple of his players in place and get that secondary fixed. I don’t care that GT ran for 500 yards. Who won the game? Richt is fully done with the redshirting. He has had his mistakes there and won’t allow it to happen again.
No More Mediocre Dawgs!!!
November 30th, 2010
12:41 pm
I wnat to hear what Richt is going to do about the discipline problem. And no lofty statements about how “we’ve got to get better” and “be more disciplined”. I want to hear details about how he’s going to keep the kids in line, get them focused and playing at the level of which they’re capable. First offense off the team? I don’t think that’s unreasonable, considering the problems of the past few years. Time to earn your scholarship money, kids.
Einsteindawg
November 30th, 2010
12:44 pm
If our program under Richt is so good, how many position coaches (other than BVG) have been by lured away by better programs…not run off or asked to leave, but actively recruited?
Dawg70
November 30th, 2010
12:44 pm
First comment in 3 years. Our D staff needs to find some help that understands how to attack an option offense. Someone called it the wishbone but it’s more of the old belly option. We were taught in the 50’s and 60’s to attack not wait to be blocked. DE should hit QB on ever play, LB should cross over to offensive backfield before blocking gets to him, DB should be all over HB while he is reaching for the pitch. Let the other LB’s cover cut backs and TE’s. Safeties should do their jobs per definition of of position, Don’t let anything get behind you. Johnson won’t feel so smart if this tactic hits him.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 30th, 2010
12:47 pm
I was kind of hoping for the International Bowl in Toronto or the Motor City Bowl in Detroit.
MURPHY
November 30th, 2010
12:47 pm
ARDawg,
Alot of things have to fall in place for the Dawgs to play in the Gator Bowl.Jacksonville is sure trying to make it happen.We will see though.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 30th, 2010
12:50 pm
Hye how long has it been since our last arrest? That in itself is an accomplishment. Maybe the discipline has change since McGarity has taken over.