What Mark Richt had to say at end-of-season news conference …
ATHENS — Mark Richt officially turned the page to 2011 at his end-of-season news conference Wednesday morning.
“Just want to start out by saying I’m glad 2011 is here,” Richt said. “I’m excited about that. Last season certainly was not anywhere close to what we expected or what we expect here, and it was certainly well below the standard of what Georgia football is all about. I understand that as much as anybody. I’m not happy with the way things went, but I do think in the process of going through what we went through, we’ll be better for it in 2011.”
Despite the team’s 6-7 record this past season, Richt said he has “a greater sense of excitement than I’ve had in a long time,” partly because of changes implemented in conjunction with new athletic director Greg McGarity that Richt said will free him from some administrative duties to spend more time focusing on football in 2011.
“In some ways, I feel like a first-year head coach,” Richt said. “Usually when you come in as the first-year head coach, the administration is coming to you and saying, ‘Coach, what do you need? What do you need to win?’ You wouldn’t think going into your 11th year you’d have that kind of feeling, but that’s what’s going on.
“Instead of me being the new guy, Mr. McGarity is the new guy. And as he has come in, we have had many conversations about what we need to get done to make this program the very best in the United States of America. That revives me; that rejuvenates me; that excites me in a big way.
“We’ve got some things that have been put in place and are being put in place that are going to make us better. And quite frankly things are being put in place that are going to help free me up to [spend] more time doing the things I love the most, which is study the game of football and … be on the cutting edge.”
Richt said director of player development John Eason, a former wide receivers coach, and administrative assistant Dave Van Halanger, a former director of strength and conditioning, will handle certain duties that previously fell on the head coach. Eason serves as the football program’s academic liaison, and Van Halanger heads a new mentoring program for the players.
Also, Richt said, “there are a lot of little things that crop up along the way that sometimes don’t get solved [or] sometimes take too long to solve in my opinion, but now the relationship that I have with Mr. McGarity is helping us expedite some of those things. . . . I am just spending less time messing around with things that Greg will be able to take off my plate from an administrative point of view.”
Richt, though, did not express any intention to take over as the Bulldogs’ play-caller.
“I’m not saying I’m taking over as the [offensive] coordinator or anything like that,” Richt said. “Mike Bobo is the coordinator; Mike Bobo is the quarterback coach, and Coach [Stacy] Searels is the running game coordinator. And they have done a great job . . . so I have confidence in those guys.
“The point I’m making is, I’m going to have the ability to have the time it takes to truly study the game of football, the trends and what’s going on, so a higher percentage of my time is going to be able to be used for that, which is exciting to me.”
Overall, Richt spoke with a confident tone as McGarity and several of Georgia’s associate athletic directors watched and listened.
“We’re not looking to blow anything up,” Richt said. “In my opinion, we are very close. I mean, how many teams have what would be considered a down season one year and the next year they are right there?”
He also stressed the importance of the recruiting class Georgia will sign on Feb. 2.
“You’ve got to get a boost from your recruiting class, your freshman class,” Richt said. “I’ve never been on a championship team that didn’t have guys step up and make a difference.”
– Tim Tucker
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727 comments Add your comment
Rod
January 5th, 2011
3:25 pm
F–k it! I’m done. Can’t wait to see Boise St blow the doors off the dome.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 5th, 2011
3:26 pm
The program is broke from the foundation up, and no one in Athens understands that Dooley sank your program. There is such a lovefest of CMR and Dooley that everyone in Athens took their eyes off the ball, but what else is new.
The bar has always been too low, a few SEC titles here and there and CMR gets an extension. You were the idiots who gave CMR a contract extension, because for fear. You were afraid you were going to lose him, and now you can’t get rid of him. CMR is laughing has ass off all the way to the bank….he is set for life…
truedawg
January 5th, 2011
3:28 pm
Great another year with Bobo calling plays im suprised he wasnt fired.H is so predictable with hi garbage play calling.I will be suprised if we win 5 games
mike bobo garbage play calling
January 5th, 2011
3:30 pm
Carlton Thomas up the middle for a yard
Mark on Fire
January 5th, 2011
3:31 pm
Mark’s furious about the 7 losses and will not stand for it anymore! UGA will beat Boise St. like a drum next year and win 8-9 games—mark it down!
mike bobo garbage play calling
January 5th, 2011
3:32 pm
3rd and 15 Carlton Thomas up the middle
mike bobo garbage play calling
January 5th, 2011
3:33 pm
Lets see if Murray can beat my record of ints
sandman053
January 5th, 2011
3:34 pm
@ Mark on Fire: one of those 8 or 9 games better be Florida
JB
January 5th, 2011
3:34 pm
Rodrigeuz gone. Took three years. Three…..Do I want Georgia to fire a coach every three. No.
But, No progress made……We prepare a month for central Florida and don’t score a TD and Bobo and Searles are doing a good job?
mike bobo garbage play calling
January 5th, 2011
3:34 pm
FIRE BOBO
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
January 5th, 2011
3:34 pm
With next years schedule we shouldnt lose a game period
Who really do we play
Aub loses too many
Boise loses too many
No excuse in losing to Miss St, Ole Miss, Van, KY, SC and GT
FL new coach, and no great running game, recievers, and QB
But we will still lose 4 games and people will come on here and say oh he has turned it around whatever I will say, do again in 2012
JB
January 5th, 2011
3:36 pm
You will see empty seats in Sanford next year…Not the first game or so, But by mid season, 20,000 empty seats. Grant Field East.
mike bobo garbage play calling
January 5th, 2011
3:36 pm
Another year of the same old thing
Brandon
January 5th, 2011
3:37 pm
So he has confidence in the offensive coaches and think they have done a great job? We didn’t even score a touchdown against a Conference USA bowl opponent!!! And HE made the insane decision to kick a field goal on 4th and an inch after we drove about 90 yards on the first drive of the game… That’s how much confidence he has…
sandman053
January 5th, 2011
3:37 pm
Flat Tire you are right in the schedule…we should be headed to Atlanta in December against Bama or MSU but you never know how this funny game works out.
JB
January 5th, 2011
3:37 pm
Flat Tire……….you did see the Bowl game didn’t you? Next year less 3-4 to the NFL.
potatodawg
January 5th, 2011
3:38 pm
Up by 10 late in the third quarter, slow the game down and get ready to go into victory formation. How about run the score up and let the 2nd and third teamers get some experience for the future.
Andy in Blairsville
January 5th, 2011
3:40 pm
Professor Van Nostrin
January 5th, 2011
3:14 pm
To FSU Fan: Are you seriously on a UGA blog? My god man, you play in the ACC. You’re hanging your hat on a Chick-fil-A bowl win and now you think the Noles are back? Laughable at best. You guys are just now playing better after Richt left a decade ago. What championship has FSU won lately? Last I heard, GA whipped FSU the last time the two teams played. 2003 Sugar Bowl to be exact.
————————
You left out the part about FSU whipping UF’s @ss back in November which is only a wet dream to UGA fans in the Richt era. Pretty sad you have to live in the past in able to gloat with the 03 Sugar Bowl, then again UGA Football is about living in the past….30 years in the past to be exact.
The SEC left your team behind and there’s not a single SEC school that would hire your head coach. FSU wouldn’t even hire him back as an OC. I’d get your house in order first before belittling any fan of any school including the GT fans.
How did that Central Florida Culinary and Auto Body Tech bowl game work out for ya?
sandman053
January 5th, 2011
3:41 pm
Central Florida Culinary and Auto Body Tech bowl game ….thats funny right there.
ARdawg
January 5th, 2011
3:41 pm
Flat Tire
I’m predicting we lose 6 next year. I hate it but I see absolutely nothing that indicates anything different from this year
ckgator
January 5th, 2011
3:42 pm
Great press conference. Keep Richt forever and GO GATORS!
swgadawgfan
January 5th, 2011
3:42 pm
Enough of this bull fertilizer from Richt. Another losing season for 2011 can be expected, then Richt MUST be fired by McGarity, or the dawgnation must rise up and force his hand.
sandman053
January 5th, 2011
3:43 pm
Let’s accept it for what it is. We have CMR et al for another year. Now let’s get behind this team and support them like always and Go Dawgs!
Andy in Blairsville
January 5th, 2011
3:45 pm
I’m gay!
WDE
January 5th, 2011
3:46 pm
I wish I could go back to my summer self and tell me how sweet this would actually turn out.
Of course, I was one of maybe 3 Auburn fans on here at the time… And you all called me crazy when I said Auburn was passing y’all and that your program was dying.
Of course, I’m sure none of you specifically remember me, there are about a million “WDE’s” on here now.
Tired of being schlebrocked !
January 5th, 2011
3:47 pm
whats up flat tire, well it looks just like we called it
CMR came out and said what all of the “I LOVE CMR” people
wanted to hear blah blah blah alot of nothing, no plan to
straighten out the worst college football team in the SEC
East,(vandy will be better than us) porblem: he said he
will have time now to study football WTF has he been
studying if not football oh his F-150 lines for his new
commerical wait ford did not resign him LOL because of
the beatdown that UCF put on his A$$, 2011 will not be
a good year either same ole same ole. Blow everything up
and start anew, the new AD is a UF spy and will keep CMR
@ UGA so UF can continue to beat us down….
empty sanford stadium with russ and ugaVll the only
ones in the stands PRICELESS…. calm winds blowing in
from across the seas…get my piont
sandman053
January 5th, 2011
3:48 pm
WDE I remember you. Good luck on Monday night. You’re proof that one player can make a ton of difference.
UGA
January 5th, 2011
3:50 pm
Mr. underachiever and Ga Dawgs are an embarrassment to the state. If Ga wont fire Richt Can we fire the Dawgs?
WDE
January 5th, 2011
3:50 pm
I was an even bigger d&%k back in August than I am now… In fact, I hardly post anymore. Exception being following the Georgia game when all the baby-wah-wah’s complained about Nick Fairley.
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
January 5th, 2011
3:51 pm
AR DAWG
I agree 7 losses wont surprise me
I can tell you this
If we lose any game in Sept,
Im going on record and saying I hope we lose all our games so the house in Athens can be cleaned out before the Tech game
Sorry but no excuses next year especially against FL
playing time
January 5th, 2011
3:52 pm
Georgia does not have a sign of a running back for next year and will lose one or both of its most productive wide recievers. The culture of Georgia football needs to change. That is very hard to do in one season and without a coaching change.
Mark's Rectum
January 5th, 2011
3:53 pm
Yes, all new recruits will be issued handcuff keys and told never to carry id on their person. If arrested, remain silent, do not give your name. Rather use the key to escape!! Run, run like wind!!
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
January 5th, 2011
3:55 pm
Tired of being schlebrocked !
and everyone else on here
Richt should take his new found extra time and start out by reviewing film of the UGA Softball Team
1. They dont fear FL
2. They go places and win
3. They play as a Team
4. They dont need uniform changes to be motivated to play for UGA
UGA Insider
January 5th, 2011
3:57 pm
If I were CMR I would have come out this morning and apologized for the poor recruiting over the past few seasons. I would have blamed myself and a lazy staff. Folks, we are so thin at every position it’s sick. I’m sure CMR is not going to allow us to scrimmage again this summer of fear of injury which will mean losses to Boise and USCe. Unless we get everybody we want in Feb and they come in ready to play in August I don’t see us winning 5 games next year. We just don’t have the numbers.
Dawg Tired
January 5th, 2011
3:59 pm
Bobo and Searles “have both done a great job.” Beam me up Scottie.
DIT
January 5th, 2011
4:00 pm
I don’t see us winning but 5 games as well next year, but for S & giggles let’s go way out on a limb and say CMR beats Boise St. SC, UF etc.. Ends up with 2 loses and does NOT make the SEC CG. Should he still be fired?
I know, far fetched, but what the heck.
icedawg
January 5th, 2011
4:04 pm
Well the powers that be have determined the immediate course which indicates only superficial change. For everyone’s sake let’s hope that a miracle happens, no one else gets arrested and they win a least 7 games next year.
VA.dawg
January 5th, 2011
4:05 pm
in all my years of following college football i have NEVER heard of an excuse of admin. overload???????? first ever??????………….. the rain water running down my back is very warm?!
Halechie
January 5th, 2011
4:06 pm
QB Murray is not a smart player…….I mean a stupid decision maker under pressure…….should be changed this year !!!
Mark's Rectum
January 5th, 2011
4:08 pm
UGA Insider – What a line of bull, uga has claimed to 20 recruiting classes for the past five years, they got over 70 players coming back, plus the non scholarship walk ons. Me thinks this is a thinly veiled attempt to sway the alleged “Dream Team” into signing so they can play as Freshmen, and thus make it to the nfl that much faster. Fat chance, Athens is where five star recruits go to die!
Tired of being schlebrocked !
January 5th, 2011
4:08 pm
flat how is anything gonna change when everything is the
same as last year sowhat we move someone else in the S&C
of the program….Schelbrocked again wowsy wowsy woo woo
DawgFaceBlues
January 5th, 2011
4:09 pm
Let the Big Dawg Eat…..a pile of crap…there are inside political dilemmas going on and till thats resolved, Same o olay bull……Soooo sad with championship talent getting flushed down the crapper.
Professor Van Nostrin
January 5th, 2011
4:10 pm
Andy in Blairsville: UGA lives in the past? FSU is the king of living in the past. What championship has FSU won recently? As far as beating Florida, Richt has beat them in 04 and 07. Besides this past year, how often has FSU beaten Florida in the past decade? Don’t throw stones in the your glass trailer.
Mark's Rectum
January 5th, 2011
4:11 pm
Mark had to sign each and every one of those bail checks, plus checks to defense attorneys, insurance companies, hookers, bookies, druggies….the administrative burden has bruised his check signing hand! I told him to use his Rectum to sign with, but he thought the stink that would cause was just too much!
Andrew
January 5th, 2011
4:12 pm
Richt can stay as long as he wants as far as I’m concerned. Football is cyclical. Georgia will be good again, whether next year or in a few years. Georgia finished 2nd in the Nation 3 years ago, while Alabama lost to Louisiana Monroe. Auburn has had several years of being mediocre and 4 straight losses to Georgia until this year. They will be down again- probably next year when Newton is gone. UGA, Florida, USC, Texas, Tennessee and many others were all pretty lousy this year. Some people need to get a life and a clue. We’ll be back, hopefully sooner than later, but the level of hostility and anger with all this is amazing, absurd and sad. It’s a freakin football game. Geez.
yogi2
January 5th, 2011
4:13 pm
Coach Richt, You do not have the balls to fire BoBo. you have little green peas! You sir are an idoit
yogi2
January 5th, 2011
4:16 pm
I thought Mike Bobo was an imposter. Now I’m sure Coach Richt and Bobo are both imposters.
DawgFaceBlues
January 5th, 2011
4:16 pm
What really sucks is that there is AONTHER favorable schedule coming up in 2011 and it will be peed away. First 3 and last 4 games in Athens with bye week against UF. And Boise in the dome first game. Boise name still powerful and could make a good statement starting off. Dream season….. yeah right keep on dreaming.
yogi2
January 5th, 2011
4:18 pm
Coach O’Leary should br hired immediately!
Codydawg
January 5th, 2011
4:18 pm
Bottom Line!!! 6-6