McGarity: ‘We are working as hard as we can to turn this ship around’
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity wants to see “improvement in all areas” from the football program this year. And he’d like the public to see more displays of coach Mark Richt’s passion for his job.
Those were among McGarity’s comments in a conference call that was held Thursday to answer reporters’ questions about the state of the Georgia football program, which last week lost to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl to finish with its first losing record (6-7) in 14 years.
McGarity previously had answered the biggest question, saying Richt would return as coach. Here are highlights of what McGarity had to say Thursday:
Q: What did you think of Richt’s end-of-season news conference on Wednesday?
A: I think he started to show the passion he has for the job. Mark is not the type who is going to get out of his skin, so to speak, as far as the way he handles himself. But I know in conversations we have had all through the season and especially in the last two or three days, his passion has really come through. . . . I think that’s something Mark needs to do more of –- show his passion and express it in ways that perhaps he hasn’t done before. I encourage him to do that. And I thought he addressed a number of issues and basically stated what he wanted to do moving forward.
Q: What are your expectations for the football team next fall?
A: Improvement. Improvement in all areas. We want to see improvement in discipline; we want to see improvement in leadership; we want a passionate team. We want every member of our staff, regardless of what sport it is, to be passionate about being here. We want individuals that are invested in our program, that want to do everything it takes to get us to the next level.. . . We are stressing two focal points as an association in 2011. One of those is to have a sense of urgency in everything we do. And [the other is to] have a very high level of accountability [with] every employee we have. . . .
Q: Would you ever establish an ultimatum – a certain number of wins – that Richt or any coach would need to reach [to keep his or her job]?
A: No, across the board. In our first meeting we had with all of our coaches [after McGarity's hire as AD] back in September, that was one point that was made very clear. All our coaches know what is expected of them; they are expected to compete for championships, to be in the hunt. So I’m not here to put a figure on number of wins and everything. We just want to see improvement. We want to see a program that is headed in the right direction, all our programs. That’s the goal. That’s what we’re doing. And if we see shortcomings in certain areas that are outside the lines, then that’s our responsibility to do everything we can to take care of those and address them so that our coaches can focus on coaching, recruiting and watching the student-athletes graduate.
Q: Richt mentioned you had helped relieve him of some administrative duties. . . .
A: Every person has strengths and weaknesses, and I thought one of Mark’s weaknesses was that he was trying to do so much himself. He was the point person on so many issues, whether they be academics, discipline, things of that nature, to where it was so time-consuming . . . [and] almost impossible to focus really on the X’s and O’s of the game in every phase of the game. So as you analyze things, you look, you listen, sometimes you wonder, ‘Why is our head coach the point person there?’ …
Q: Was there a tipping point during the season when you decided in your mind you were not going to make a coaching change?
A: Yeah, I think the Monday after the Colorado game was probably the most telling day. I think that’s when things really started to jell, so to speak, as far as [Richt and McGarity] getting to know each other better to where we did not feel maybe afraid to just be brutally honest with each other. . . . Basically from that point forward, everybody was really upset and we wanted to change things and Mark was very proactive there. And as we continued to improve, I think the stats will show that leading up to the UCF game we were scoring close to 40 points a game for seven games in a row. Things were on the upswing. I mean, we had a tough, tough loss to Florida, and we had a difficult loss to Auburn. There is no question the effort was there. I know people don’t like to hear about ‘we were close,’ but we were not out of those games until the end of the game. And we just basically couldn’t close those close games. . . . And then we go against a UCF team that I think unfortunately people don’t give enough credit. Coach [George] O’Leary has done a phenomenal job down there. . . They played a great game, maybe their best game of the year, and we did not. And at the end of the day you’re going to lose games like that. But I think the tipping point was maybe how we responded after being 1-4.
Q: What is your reading on the pulse of Bulldog Nation? And what has been your response to people you’ve heard from this week, particularly those calling for change right now?
A: It’s interesting. I don’t want to say it’s been 50-50, but it’s probably been pretty close to that as far as people supportive. You’ve got a certain faction of fans out there that aren’t just disappointed; if they don’t have change, they’re going to drop out of the program. I understand the frustration. I think everyone here is frustrated. But everybody in this building and anybody who is on our staff, they’re working hard to turn this thing around. And I know we can do it. . . . I wish I could turn a light switch on and change it overnight, but people are going to have to make decisions on, ‘Do they want to hang in there with us, or do they choose to do otherwise?’ The way I look at it is that people who support our program, it’s really supporting our [whole] program. I know they’re frustrated with football right now, but what is so important is that their contributions go into funding every sport that we sponsor. So in essence if we have some that are pulling out of the program … they’re basically pulling out of making a contribution that helps us in every facet of our operation. But I do understand the frustration, and the only thing we can do is to say we are working as hard as we can to turn this ship around. And after we get it going, then I think you’ll see a lot different reaction.
Q: How would you characterize your discussions with Richt in the past few days? Have you learned anything about him you didn’t know beforehand?
A: Even though you know the right things are happening, even though you know he is working extremely hard to turn this thing around, I think everybody wants to hear, ‘Hey, I am passionate about this work; I am doing everything I can to turn this thing around.’ Bottom line is, I think the conversations we have had have been very reassuring that he has the ability [to] maybe go back to the way he might have been doing some things earlier in his career. He admitted he is really looking forward to studying the game. When you’re so concerned and so ingrained in all these other things that are outside the system, something has to lag behind; something basically has to be moved to the corner of the desk. I think what we’re seeing now is that we’re kind of clearing the deck so Mark can get back to doing the thing he really enjoys doing, and that’s doing what he talked about [Wednesday] as far as studying the game and getting back into all phases of the game. I think that’s the healthy part about it. I know he’s passionate about it. We’ve just got to get to where we are expressing that more frequently.
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388 comments Add your comment
SuperB
January 6th, 2011
5:25 pm
Greg: People will NOT tell you to your face what they think– we all want Georgia to be a first-class program. But Bobo and Searels are not getting it done– nor is our new secondary coach. I appreciate Richt’s loyalty, but we have ahd two very sub-par years while Florida, Alabama, and now Auburn are winning championships. Look at our recruiting to see how far we have fallen in 2 years? Why should we waste two more years on mediocrity?
Greg Talley (Ho)
January 6th, 2011
5:27 pm
Only 50%? What were the other 50% calling about?
Jeff
January 6th, 2011
5:34 pm
Support for CMR is 50-50. I’m not buying what the A.D. is selling. If CMR is such a great coach why are there not more of his coaches in demand in the college ranks or the NFL. Winning drives recruiting and that is why you’ll see athletes continue to leave the state in large numbers for our rivals.
No Richt Milady
January 6th, 2011
5:34 pm
Mark Richt should be fired today, and McGarity knows this.
wdm
January 6th, 2011
5:36 pm
I just wish there was a way to differentiate between real UGA fans and non-UGA fans on blogs. We all know the two AJC writers (the never was, never has, and never will be Mark Bradley and Schultz (the most unathletic person to ever live)) are not. Knowing these guys are Tech fans and why their bosses let them even write articles and blogs about GA football is amazing. These two idiots are stinkstirrers and that is it; don’t forget that. These two douchebags running down Mark Richt this season show what uncompassionate, imbeciles they really are. Just look at how they treat Paul Johnson after a season equal to UGA’s. They make excuses for him. UGA for the past 2 seasons has started first time starting qb’s. They started a brand new defensive scheme under a new dc. They didn’t have their #1 offensive weapon the first 5 games of the season and didn’t have star running backs for just as many games through the season. Anyone who expects with all of that happening to win a championship needs to lay off the peyote.
bayoudawg
January 6th, 2011
5:36 pm
After the Sugar Bowl win in 2008, there seems to be no fire, disire or passion required to win in this league! I remember several years ago when we lost to Miami of Ohio in the Tangerine Bowl that the team lacked talent. This team has talent but not the desire. That usually means a coaching problem.
BornADawg
January 6th, 2011
5:36 pm
Benny, now you’re talking the Martine Corps way and I’ll guarantee that concept works..Good post.
jdawgs34
January 6th, 2011
5:38 pm
GMc will contact you back. I have sent two things over this season, and definitely got a reply. One did not involve the team, it was the typical gameday situation. And, while I am on that subject, UGA must address how they treat the true supporters of the program. Not towing a UGA vehicle behind a wrecker, just to prove that this is our parking space. I think it shocked him…
kent
January 6th, 2011
5:38 pm
To say that CMR needs to show more passion is insulting for Ga fans to hear. This guy is in over his head and needs to be shown the door quickly.
FaithfulDawg86
January 6th, 2011
5:43 pm
Rocketfuel and Joseph, you are clearly the kind of “fans” McGarity is referring to when he says some won’t be supportive. Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out – go jump on another bandwagon. I believe in this program and in CMR. McGarrity sounds like he is a guy who knows what we need and is willing to make it happen. Richt has been trying to do too much. The head coach is like the president of a corporation, and if he gets bogged down in too much administrative crap, he can’t focus on the important aspects. Let CMR coach and leave the petty details to the administrators, and we’ll be much better off. Go Dawgs!!
Beast from the East
January 6th, 2011
5:44 pm
I think McGarity is taking the right approach. He’s trying to create an environment for Richt (and all the coaches) to be successful. If they can’t get the job done in that environment then they’ll be shown the door promptly. I wish Richt the best because he has proven before that he can do it and he truly is a class representative of not only the University of Georgia, but the entire SEC.
That said, I still don’t think he’ll survive long term, but best of luck to him……except in Jacksonville!
roughrider
January 6th, 2011
5:44 pm
McGarity sounds like a level headed man who wants improvement. I think he will get improvement or hire a new coach after next season.
Texas Dawg
January 6th, 2011
5:53 pm
How often can Georgia pull the top recruits from Alabama and Florida……never! Well almost never!
Why is it that we can’t keep our top recruits in State? Not saying that all 5 Star recruits make college All-American but the stats don’t lie! More 5 star recruits wind up stars than 2 star recruits.
Nathan Deal
January 6th, 2011
5:53 pm
Gatormeat And your wonderful Gatas are no more than an average team right now. Worry about your own problems because you still have lots of them chief.
Texas Dawg
January 6th, 2011
5:54 pm
If we don’t win 10, the east and beat Fla next year then Richt needs to go!
True Dawg Fan.
January 6th, 2011
5:55 pm
Go Dawgs !
Folks lets quit griping and give Coach Richt a chance. As alumni and season ticket holders that is exactly what we are doing. We are willing to give our TEAM a chance to get it right.
Go Dawgs !
Tell the truth
January 6th, 2011
5:56 pm
He’s coming back next year folks. Hush up and deal with it.!!!!
gadawgs
January 6th, 2011
5:57 pm
McGarity has yet to respond to my email but I guess that is because I am in the 50% that is upset side and not the golly gee it’s gonna be ok side.
Mark's Rectum
January 6th, 2011
5:57 pm
UGA, where five star recruits go to watch their football careers die!
Lakedawg
January 6th, 2011
6:03 pm
Great comments by McGarity regarding moving forward. Could not agree with him more that if can’t back the Dawgs now than take your comments and money and drive to north avenue or over to the state of west ga or anywhere else. Good riddance, real Dawg fans will pull this program theu this tough stretch.
Ga Dawg 97
January 6th, 2011
6:04 pm
It is just prolonging the inevitable. It’s just a matter of time and everyone (including recruits) know it. McGarity needs the guts to make the call NOW and go find a head ball coach!
Just Asking
January 6th, 2011
6:07 pm
Greg,
I guess then if he is not going to rid the program of Richt he will take his anger out on the poor Women’s Gymnastics coach if they do not win a national championship or the golf coaches for not making enough birdies and eagles.
Another losing year and then we will redraw the drawing board.
And just keep in mind 50% of you are wrong according to McGarity.
Ga Dawg 97
January 6th, 2011
6:07 pm
Hey Lakedawg, you’re living in a dream world. Wake up! We had a losing record! We lost to Colorado and UCF! “Real Dawg Fans” know it’s time for a change! There’s a difference between being a real fan and being BLIND! Wake up man!
still@the bar
January 6th, 2011
6:08 pm
delbert d
Make it 75%. Some angry fans will keep the checks and balances.
MontyP
January 6th, 2011
6:09 pm
This comment by McGarity in his last answer is very telling: “Bottom line is, I think the conversations we have had have been very reassuring that he has the ability [to] MAYBE go back to the way he might have been doing some things earlier in his career.” Emphasis on MAYBE! McGarity certainly is not convinced that Richt will get the job done and that answer says it all. He also expects all of the teams to compete for Championships. 11+ wins is necessary to compete for Championships. McGarity certainly sounds like passionate AD in this interview but Mark Richt wasn’t as convincing in his press conference. If the right coach is available after next season expect MR to be fired.
Just Asking
January 6th, 2011
6:12 pm
Please Please …would you Folks rank the UGA football program in how it falls in the pecking order throughout the conference?
1 thru 12 with 12 being Vanderbilt. Just want your opinions.
SuperB
January 6th, 2011
6:15 pm
I can’t understand why it (apparently) takes CMR forever to recognize what Greg McGarity and everyone else knows? I can’t decide if he is arrogant, lazy, or just not that smart. Our recruiting is taking a a header too. WE are losing a great crop of Georgia blue chippers to Alabama and Auburn– and have you been to Alabama? (Yuck)
We’ve had two down years and it looks like we are in store for two more. Bobo, Searels, Garner, Richt– what do these guys do everyday?
extrapoint
January 6th, 2011
6:16 pm
Could you imagine Evans standing before this crowd and giving that speech. There was bad blood between Evans and Richt and how much it effected the team may never be known. CR has received his gift from our new AD: Go forth, coach and study football. Just change from finish the mat drill to Never Quit, Finish Strong.
Tell the truth
January 6th, 2011
6:16 pm
Let’s make it interesting- he must win the SEC CG, AND win the NC, AND lead the nation in offense AND in defense. AND he must do all of this for $50,000 a year and refuse the rest of his existing salary/enhancements etc. His pay will be docked by $1,000 for ANY arrest of ANY UGA student during the next twelve months. Finally, he must meet with and apologize to all of the nitwits on the ajc blogs whose life is so shallow that their happiness depends on the success of Richt and the UGA football team with their 18-21 year olds. We must ensure that Mark Richt never forgets just how important it is to our well being that he win the next ten SEC CG’s.
Just Answering
January 6th, 2011
6:17 pm
Over the last few years and moving into the future…
1 & 1A. Florida/Alabama
3. LSU
4. Auburn
5. S. Carolina
6. Arkansas
7. Tennessee
8. Georgia
9. Miss St.
10. Ole Miss
11. Kentucky
12. Vandy
Dirty Dawg
January 6th, 2011
6:20 pm
Hey gatormeat…you’re sh88in me right? Character? Honor? Nobody in this conference has had more players in ‘real’ trouble than you guys – anybody dead yet?…just checking. And just to go on record, you people will be ‘way’ over Will Muschamp’s rah-rah, in your face, style by mid-season and the ‘Fire Will’s’ will ramp up soon after the Georgia game. And furthermore, those of us that know, know that Mr. McGarity was as important to the UF Athletic Dept as the guy whose name is on the door – Foley, I think – so we’ll see just how great things are down that way in a year or so.
You’re right about Evans, seems that he had become so full of himself that he basically didn’t have much time for the football stuff at all – concentrated on kissin’ Michael Adam’s butt or pickin’ up ‘girls’ in Atlanta, I guess.
My take on those ‘big-monied’ boosters that have indicated they’re ‘frustrated’ to the point that they’re gonna withhold their contributions, I say to hell with ‘em. There’s plenty of truly loyal Bulldogs out there with enough money to see to it that we don’t have to rely on the leavings of those that only make their money selling beer and whiskey. You know ‘em, they’re the ones that want to ‘big-dog’ everybody with their big bankrolls…authoritarian, lizard-brained, bullies that think their crap doesn’t stink because, basically, they have a license to print money in this state.
I do think that Mark Richt’s calling for this ‘Dream Team’ thing was way too risky…I mean look what happens when some of these kids decide that they don’t really care that much about the pride of their state, or that realize they can be a success some place else besides Georgia…you open yourself up for your recruiting to be labeled a failure even though you’ve gotten plenty of good ones. And for those that want to point to any slip in the perception of recruiting success as in indication of Mark Richt’s failing, just remember, top-quality players have been going someplace besides Georgia forever – Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State – hell, they’ve been getting good players from here for as long as any of you, or I, have been alive – you can’t overcome some things and calling for ‘loyalty’ to a state or it’s lead institution among many of these kids is a joke – their Mommas and Daddies went someplace else…their highschool coach went someplace else…we got ‘out-bid’…lots of reasons. And if you actually have to ‘flip a coin’ to make up your mind for one of the most important decisions you’ll ever face, then something’s wrong.
When McGarity and Richt turn this thing around you nay-sayers will be begging to sneak back on the bandwagon…I mean, where else you gonna go? Auburn?
gadawgs
January 6th, 2011
6:23 pm
Lakedawg…..I will ALWAYS “support” my beloved University but supporting does not mean blindly sticking your head in the sand and saying nothing when SOMETHING needs to be said. I love my Dawgs. I am passionate about my Dawgs or I would NOT say anything at all as I would not care. If CMR would show the same kind of passion that TRUE Dawg fans do I think we would applaud it and support him more but all I am hearing right now from our AD and head coach is lip service. CMR has been here ten years. After ten years under his watch we should not be having the issues we are having. If it was one year ok, two years maybe but it has been a three year slide and that is not ok with me. Searles needs to be relieved of his duties and Bobo demoted back to qb coach only. CMR needs to hire an innovative OC or at the very least take on the play calling again. Don’t sit here and tell me that Searles and Bobo have not only done a good job they have done a great job. Really?…..
still@the bar
January 6th, 2011
6:25 pm
Don’t worry MURRAY will be the next great NFL QB to come out of UGA since… well, since Fran I guess. Looking a lot like Stafford should have gone the LUCK route to the NFL. Bradford and Stafford would have been the top 2 QBs. Stafford wouldn’t have gone as high ($$$) but he would be with a better team and maybe still healthy and playing.
Ga Dawg 97
January 6th, 2011
6:26 pm
Dirty Dawg, Wake up man and stop drinking the Kool Aid! We had a LOSING RECORD. We lost to Colorado and UCF! McGarity is no Foley, Foley has the guts to go out and make moves. The Gators went out and got one of ours and now they have one of the best offensive coordinators in all of football coming in. We have Bobo. Richt should be fired now and the full court press should be put on Gary Patterson. Until then keep living in your red and black dream land…
Paddy
January 6th, 2011
6:28 pm
Patrick….that is a great stat. But to have lost as many games as we have in the last few years speaks louder. The number of points you lose by is a fools excuse. Don’t get caught in that trap. The main problem is we don’t coach up the players that deciede to become Dawgs. That MUST change!
Dan Mullen
January 6th, 2011
6:34 pm
Wanna know why St. Mark and Booboo won’t be in Athens next year and I will be? Three reasons…
1. Mcgarity has spent the last 15 years of his life at UF winning champtionships and he is not going to tolerate losing.
2. I am Dan Mullen. Look what I did at Miss State. Image what I can do at UGA! Macgarity and I tight!
3. This comic book joke a putting together a Dream Team.
See you guys in 2012!!
CDM
Miss St
January 6th, 2011
6:36 pm
Why would Dan Mullin want to leave Miss St for Georgia? That would be a step down. Plus he just signed a big contract extension…
Time for a change!
January 6th, 2011
6:37 pm
Guess Macgarity read my email this morning. I love the power of the internet!! Go DAWGS!!
Bigdsel
January 6th, 2011
6:37 pm
Gatormeat,
character, honor, Is that what Carlos Dunlap did, when he got hammered and Passed out at a red light.
Bama Stan
January 6th, 2011
6:38 pm
Bigdsel, Pot don’t call the kettle black! Just saying.
pdawg
January 6th, 2011
6:39 pm
Hey folks….we have to be careful what we say on here about our coaches and football program. We say all these negative things to the effect that UGA is a sinking ship and we expect these recruits to jump on it????????????????? Who wants to jump on a sinking ship? Who wants to play for a coach who will be fired the next season?
Let us show some support…it is our team no matter what. We are all frustrated but some of the things we say on here are just not acceptable and a big deterrent to having some of these 5 star recruits we talk about.
“Hey Isaiah Crowell and co. our football team stinks, we will fire our coach next season, our offensive coordinator stinks and we cant coach players up….please commit to come to UGA, we love you, be part of the dream team”
that is the message we are sending to these recruits and it will be very difficult to get them these way. Please let us wake up and support our team. Thank you
DodgerDawg
January 6th, 2011
6:40 pm
BornADawg…But what UGA is missing is the core behind the Marine Corps Training Process. You need a Senior Drill Instructor, that functions as your father until the enitre unit passes over a point where he disciplines as a unit. In this case the head coach…kind to a POINT. You need the Heavy, the Drill Instructor where only 2 things matter: Discipline and Perfection. In this case the O and D Coordinators. And finally you need the third hat, where his only focus is running you into the ground until you are physically fit enough to be part of the unit…sounds like a Strength and Conditioning Coach. What I see lately is that CMR does’t reach the POINT where he will discipline the enitire team, I don’t see CMB and CTG insisting on PERFECTION and DISCIPLINE and well looking at the 4th quarters this year we know where the Third Hat’s focus was not. I do like the fact that McGarity has picked up on the passionless character of the team AND the Coaches. I hope he spelled it out very slowly on how he expects the passion to be brought back in
Humper
January 6th, 2011
6:42 pm
What a load. AD McGarity must think we’re all as stupid as some of us sound. You can’t keep the same underachieving coaches/players and somehow get a better result. I get so tired of the “spin” and BS these bureaucrats spew out these days. Recruiting is going to heck. Current Head Coach acts like he’s clueless. McGarity wants Richt to show some passion?..start by calling out each coach and player and setting standards and making shure we the fans and the personnel understand what happens if these standars aren’t met. Get rid of the bums like Caleb King while you still have a job. Set some examples already…jees!
Coffee Trojan '73
January 6th, 2011
6:42 pm
We are NOT going to get any “DREAM TEAM” recruits with the way the program is now. Who in their right mind would want to come to GEORGIA? With Richt on the proverbial hot seat, all we are going to get is the marginal recruit at best. We all know the problems those types of recruits cause. That is the problem we are in now. Look at those arrest and foolish personal foul penalties.
Ga Dawg 97
January 6th, 2011
6:43 pm
pdawg, it is what it is.
GATA
January 6th, 2011
6:45 pm
Mark Richt needs to not only study X’s and O’s, but he should study Patterson at TCU and learn how he has built a team of players that look like they would run through a wall for each other. I was envious as hell after they laid down that ass whooping on Wisconsin the other night, and watching their behavior afterwards.
dawgbark
January 6th, 2011
6:49 pm
WAIT till 2012……….seems so longgggggggggggggggggg. Can’t wait!
tc
January 6th, 2011
6:53 pm
To all of you CMR supporters. Will one of you explain why CMR thinks running on 2 and 25 makes sense or explain how you and CMR think Bobo is good at his job. Or explain why it is not CMR’s fault that the team appears unready to play in many of their games. As long as CMR continues to do the things he does, ie not going for it on 4th and inches, It does not matter what atheletes we get, we will still not be in the hunt for a national championship. Please explain why those things I have mentioned are not important and CMR should not be judged on them. I would appreciate it. CMR is fundamentally flawed!!!
dawg2
January 6th, 2011
6:53 pm
Coffee Trojan 73..when are they going to fire Coach Eldrigh @ Coffee HS. They will never win with him..just as bad as Richt.
CBB1
January 6th, 2011
6:54 pm
Hey Gator Meat,
I know you are joking? 27 arrests under Meyer in 6 seasons. With him letting the RB return to the team after texting to his ex-girlfriend, “Time to die b$%ch!!!!!”. Our arrests were parking violations, not death threats. Idiot!!!!