What Mark Richt had to say at Liberty Bowl news conference …
ATHENS –Mark Richt flew back into town from a recruiting trip, just in time for his pre-Liberty Bowl news conference today.
Here are a few of the topics he touched upon:
On former Georgia player Will Muschamp’s hiring as head coach at Florida: “I think Will is a very fine coach. I don’t know if he’ll admit [it] to everybody, but he’s still a Georgia man in a lot of ways. I think he’ll do well. He’s a very good coach and a very good person.”
On the changes in Georgia’s strength program (earlier this month Richt reassigned Dave Van Halanger and named Joe Tereshinski director of strength and conditioning): “First of all, I think Dave Van Halanger is an outstanding strength coach. He’s as good as any out there. . . . But I think there are different ways to do things, and I want to go a little bit more old school, I guess, and get after it a little bit differently. By no means am I saying it’s just the strength area we need to improve on when it comes to winning the fourth quarter and finishing, because it has to do with coaching, it has to do with a lot of things. But I’m sure that will be a big emphasis of our program — to make sure we truly finish the drill. We say ‘finish the drill,’ but are we really doing it? Did we do it this year? We did not.”
On starting offensive linemen Cordy Glenn and Trinton Sturdivant, among other underclassmen on the team, asking the NFL for a projection of their draft status: “I think every junior in America is kind of curious where they sit as far as the NFL is concerned. So there’s a lot of guys who want to turn in their papers and see where the NFL sees them. I think that’s not all that surprising.” He said the key is for players to get an accurate gauge of their NFL stock in order to make the best decisions for them. Losing players early is “just part of college football today,” said Richt, who noted it could be worse: “Basketball, they can be [in college] for one year and they’re off and running.” Still, “we certainly don’t want any of those guys to go, but we’ll just wait and see what happens here down the road.”
And from the recruiting trail, where he and his assistants have logged countless miles this month, Richt reiterated his belief that this is a special year for in-state talent: “I do think this recruiting year in the state of Georgia — even as we were mapping it out a year ago because you are looking that far down the road, this class in particular we thought was going to be extremely strong. And we still believe that. Not only strong in athleticism and ability, but very strong in character from what I’m seeing. I really like the young men we’ve been dealing with as people too. It’s been a very encouraging year in that way, too, which is kind of nice.”
– Tim Tucker
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341 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
December 16th, 2010
3:49 pm
You will aslo have a second year starter at QB, who is NOT going to be easy to fool this next go-around, and can distrubute the ball to more targets. He was not able to pick up a lot of opportunities early on. You could see it. And it’s no coincidence that way too many play ended up going just right up the middle. Same as Staffords first year.
I suppose that could have been just dumb ol Coach Bobo as we hear in here. Although something tells me that every time Murray came off the field and Coach was animated and air-drawing that play out, he was not saying, “good job, what I wanted was to run the ball right into the stacked line, keep doing that”.
kevin
December 16th, 2010
3:52 pm
I totally agree with Cam Newton!!! I’m just glad and relieved there are actually other true UGA fans that post here.
collegeballfan
December 16th, 2010
4:03 pm
Tucker – I just read your column on Fred Gibson from earlier this PM. Nice piece of writing and a wonderful story.
If there was some way Gibson could get into the heads of the high school kids who just know they are “NFL lifers”, “can’t miss”, he could do a lot of good for a lot of young people.
Gibson avoided being another tragedy. And for that we all give him a hearty well done and wish him our best.
Recruiting analyst
December 16th, 2010
4:08 pm
Why in the hell would a college ball go to UGA when he can go to Alabama or AU- go to a state that produces national championship football teams- not Georgia where both UGA and Tech are hoplessly mired in mediocrity. The only way a native Georgian kid will beat Florida is if he plays on a college football team based in Alabama.
Dirty Dawg
December 16th, 2010
4:08 pm
Appears that ‘patrick’ has done his homework…and rufus, I’m not sure I would refer to ‘fumbling in the red zone on the way to winning points in at least two of the games’ as a ‘lousy call’. Then again, there may have been some others in there that cost us as well…and I still say that the Auburn kicker hit the ball twice with his foot on that on-side kick and Scam fumbled that last touchdown before he got into the endzone…regardless we were a hellofalot closer to undefeated than anybody seems to want to acknowledge…and if they did they’d probably blame Richt for it.
As for the change in strength coach, Mr. Van Halanger’s health has something to do with this…it’s my understanding that that’s what would keep him from being as ‘hands on’ as a strength coach would need, and want, to be. Regardless, we could stand a little more speed on defense – along with more beef on that D-line. Recruiting and strength conditioning will help address that.
Recruiting analyst
December 16th, 2010
4:09 pm
hopelessly not hoplessly- but you get the picture anyway about how hopeless college football is in the state of jawja.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 16th, 2010
4:28 pm
Patrick
2-8 vs FL
Has not gone to an SEC championship game without the help of FL losing out
Finished #2 because several teams lost in front of us that last week
who cares about top 10 finishes its about championships and beating your main rival FL not Div II GT
FL
Muck Richt
December 16th, 2010
4:36 pm
Richt: “Not only strong in athleticism and ability, but very strong in character from what I’m seeing. I really like the young men we’ve been dealing with as people too.”
Is Richt saying that he will be recruitIng fewer morons and thug wannabes now?
Right, if you believe that load of BS…
GDBurdell
December 16th, 2010
4:38 pm
There’s nothing dumber than a Georgia Bulldog fan.
UGA2010
December 16th, 2010
4:47 pm
It’s the American Dream, that a thug wannabes can be a millionare if he gets to the NFL. I don’t care if UGA has a bunch of thug wannabes as long they don’t get into troubles and are great football players.
GDBurdell
December 16th, 2010
4:53 pm
Flat Tire – since GT is Division II then you folks are not eligible to go to a bowl. That or you are just an ignorant Dawg fan. I’ll let you decide which.
patrick
December 16th, 2010
6:31 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 16th, 2010
4:28 pm
Patrick
2-8 vs FL
Has not gone to an SEC championship game without the help of FL losing out
Finished #2 because several teams lost in front of us that last week
who cares about top 10 finishes its about championships and beating your main rival FL not Div II GT
FL
====================================
I wrote a book on why Richt should stay…..and this is all you have to counter me? Sad.
TallaDawg
December 16th, 2010
6:35 pm
JB @ 3:58 12/15 – Fla has no state INCOME tax, there are other taxes (although Florida state government is second lowest cost per capita in the nation). Even GA state income tax is not 30+%. You obviously are one of the gullible people who votes without knowing how things really work.
patrick
December 16th, 2010
6:36 pm
“who cares about top 10 finishes its about championships and beating your main rival FL not Div II GT”
……………………….
as explained more precisely by THE PRESIDENT of the NCAA………THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A CHAMPIONSHIP. Now if you are talking about SEC titles…..Only LSU (by 1) has more than Richt during his years at UGA.
.
So since there is no NC (according to the NCAA) you have only bowl wins, top ten finishes and SEC titles to judge a coach by.. Richt leads in all three categories (except LSU and the one extra SEC title). Not by his record against one of his 4 main rivals. (see previous post for his record against ALA, Aub and GT)
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 16th, 2010
6:38 pm
Patrick
What is sad is your book is meaningless
Several top 10 wins who cares
People talk about championship contenders, we are not
UGA ranks #4 in putting players in the NFL since 1999 and yet we have not even appeared in a NC game
We have to have FL lose out to appear in an SEC championship game with the talent we have
We have 4 NFL top draft picks and 4 others on defense on the 2008 team and get blown away by Bama FL and lose to Tech
You were on here last year saying the same crap, whats it going to be next year kool-aid drinker, oh we beat Tech again come on
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 16th, 2010
6:41 pm
Patrick
Get a clue
Cant beat FL, Cant beat FL, so you make a coach the 6th highest paid coach to hope FL loses out to go to an SEC championship
pat
December 16th, 2010
8:01 pm
Dude. You keep bringing up national championship. Just yesterday the president of the ncaa said there has never been a national championship. So you are judging richt on a mythical accomplishment
.
Judging him on something that the ncaa does not even recognize is meaningless top 10 finishes mean something bowl wins mean something. SEC titles mean something. Coach richt leads in most of those categories.
pat
December 16th, 2010
8:02 pm
Also coach richt has a winning record against every single team has played while at georgia except 1. Name another college or school that has accomplished the same thing.
pat
December 16th, 2010
8:03 pm
Enter your comments here
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 16th, 2010
8:07 pm
Ohio State Jim Tressel
And, Mythical Championship well if thats how you think
Then AL, FL, LSU, never won a championship, UGA did because they were in the top 10
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 16th, 2010
8:09 pm
Pat
Next year please come on here and explain why UGA didnt win the east please when they should have with FL having a new coach, Tenn still rebuilding, KY and Vand who cares, and SC a one shot wonder on our schedule
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 16th, 2010
8:18 pm
2-3 Saban
1-5 Meyer
0-1 Mullen
1-1 Petrino
1-1 Chizik
13-11 in the SEC the last 3 years write us your book kool-aid man
pat
December 16th, 2010
8:28 pm
I was not the 1 that said there was never a national championship although I agree. It was the president of the ncaa. You know. The ones that controll college sports.
.
So when you remove the mythical and you look at only what is truly accomplished on the field mark richt stands head and shoulders above all others.
pat
December 16th, 2010
8:31 pm
3 years? 2008…..top ten with ten wins and a bowl victory. ….2009/2010 rebuilding. Can’t have every year great….but most have been. Period. Nice cherry picking by the way
pat
December 16th, 2010
8:35 pm
Again let me remind you of what the president of the ncaa said yesterday.
.
He said “there has never been in american history a national championship”. What part of that quote is giving you difficulty?
AltamahaDawg
December 16th, 2010
10:55 pm
Flat tire, at the end of the day, when it comes to actually doing something about it. I mean an actual action. Talking to the AD, confronting Richt at his many appearances, emails, call, letters, anything. Yamering in a blog doesnt count. When it really come down to actual doing something about what you profess to be so passionate about…..getting rid of Coach Richt, you’re drinking same Kool-aid as Patrick.
AltamahaDawg
December 16th, 2010
11:14 pm
pat, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s very hip, to now include 2008 as a decline year. Somebody said 3 years a while back, and you know who the parrots are.
It seems to me that if 2008 was a decline, then the preceeding year much have been some hell of a team, but that seems to conveniently not be part of the conversation.
Oh, and using that 08′ standard of a bad year, Alabama is now officially in decline.
white trash
December 17th, 2010
5:30 am
it is what it is—aint no changin it. Talk is cheap.
tell me again
December 17th, 2010
7:27 am
I love people who keep saying “He just says what everybody wants to hear” – can you grow a small amount of cerebral material and ask yourself – WHAT ELSE IS HE SUPPOSED TO BE SAYING? What? We suck and will as long as I’m coach? We can’t compete anymore and need to try lacrosse instead of football? Our coaching staff has forgotten everything they ever knew and have the football equivalent of alzheimers and will never figure out how to make a first down again? WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM TO SAY, EXACTLY? Thrill me with your acumen!
takedowndawg
December 17th, 2010
7:56 am
Anyone who believes that our recruiting is not being affected by our season record over the past 2-3 years is in denial.
Rogerdawgfan
December 17th, 2010
9:04 am
” I guess” what does this coaching staff really know!!!!!!!!!~ I wonder?????
The way that it is right now in Athens
December 17th, 2010
9:51 am
UGA’s new AD is Greg McGarity. He has already made his mark with the Richt era. McGarity, not Richt wanted Van Halnager in another position. To allow the guy to be in a newly created exhaulted counselor’s role with his office near Richt is fine. McGarity could cares less ………… the football adm $$ budget allowed that change BUT McGarity instructed Richt to make the change in order to better the S&C coaching. Joe T is that man.
This would not have happened with out the input of McGarity. He is the puppetier right now in Athens ……………. he has to be. HIS JOB is now on the line going forward. He needs to fire Andy Landers or Landers needs to quit at seaons’ end. Perno will also be given one very hard look along with mark Richt. UGA has gotten swollen with old boy coaches that Adams was content to rock along with. Now Dr. Adams has Greg McGarity to do the deeds, if need be.
All of the “scientific stuff” today in S&C is still going to take a back seat to hard, sweaty, weight lifting. You have to have upper body stength to compete at the desired level or you lose and UGA is losing due to this deficiency. Joe T’s old school drive, passion and attention to detail will immediately elevate this problem at UGA.
A top notch and impassioned football coach would not have let it slide like it has, either.
AltamahaDawg
December 17th, 2010
10:34 am
Personally, I wonder why he ever says a damn word. Fan base is a bunch of amateur forensic phychologists.
ugab
December 17th, 2010
12:03 pm
So who took the Strength and Conditioning job? Joe T? OOOOKKKK! OMG
ugab
December 17th, 2010
12:05 pm
The dawgs need a strength and condition coach with experience. Just like they need a RBs coach with experience. OMG
Gatormeat
December 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
I can’t wait for next season to see the dogs go 6-6 again, maybe even 5-7. Boise, Tenn, Florida, and Auburn are blowout losses, S Carolina is a sure loss and you already have 5. There can be no doubt that between Miss, Kentucky and G Tech there will be at least one loss, perhaps two and you see your 6-6 season staring you in the face. At least you have a chance to lead the SEC in arrests again, it is the only thing the dogs can lead at
takedowndawg
December 17th, 2010
1:50 pm
gatormeat, not to rain on your rain and rant toward us DAWGS but you, florida, have enough problems of your own next year. I would not be presenting tooo mannny dispersions toward UGA. You many be the 6-6 or 5-6 next year. Our schedule is more palatable for a winning season than your own. “get the stick out of your own eye, if you will” gatormeat.
Muck Richt
December 17th, 2010
4:32 pm
So Fred Gibson is finally getting his degree in Housing and Consumer Economics.
Housing and Consumer Economics. I’m so impressed.
It takes four years of college to learn how to write a rent check? I guess it does at UGA.
Boseefus
December 18th, 2010
10:13 am
Rufus – You must be thinking about another team – if you think Georgia has the potential to win the East and/or the NC you must disengage your head from your a.. and wake up. Ealy could not start at Ala, Au, Tech and others. What you don’t understand is that the main problem is CMR and his inability to prepare young players year after year. The program is in shambles and maybe you and other CMR supporters will realize his failure after we stumble to another poor year. I’am at a loss as to why you and others can’t see what’s happening to the entire program. Stay tuned to support your guy when all the 4 & 5 star recruits go elsewhere. His needs to take all of his little puppet coaches and his Richard Petty sunglasses to some other program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DAWGMAN
December 20th, 2010
1:35 pm
It’s the time of This season to get busy announcing the hiring of a new head coach at UGA. There is no good reason to prolong this foolishness.
van gorder
December 22nd, 2010
2:34 am
look, here’s georgia’s problem
van gorder was one of the top 5 defensive minds in college football in 02-05. he is now with the Atlanta Falcons. our defense was amazing in those days and guess what? we won the SEC East thrree times. the offense has not changed since the david greene days fellas, it actually has gotten better. its the defense!! only reason we were decent in 06 and 07 is cuz all of van gorder’s players were still there. willie martinez effed everything up.
HOPEFULLY, grantham is a great one like van gorder but we’ll just have to wait and see til he gets his players in there