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
Top Dawg
January 6th, 2011
8:25 pm
4-8 in 2011! Count on it! Who on our schedule can we surely beat other than the 2 patsies we play? Vandy? UK? Ole Miss? We won’t beat Boise, SC, TN, fl, au, msu, or tech. 5-7 at the most. Then it’s so long Richt. Don’t let the door hit your butt when you leave!
UGASlobberknocker
January 6th, 2011
8:31 pm
Even if Grantham thought working for CMR sucked..he wouldnt admit it.
PHIL
January 6th, 2011
8:32 pm
With this article and the ability to respond to it, the AJC has given a great opportunity for the minions who already knew how to coach major college football to take that next step up and tell someone how to be an athletic director. The AJC……………..making dreams come true.
UGASlobberknocker
January 6th, 2011
8:35 pm
I nominate PHIL for best comment on this thread so far.
Dawgs Run This State!
January 6th, 2011
8:36 pm
Top Dawg,
Support another team. Cut, paste, and save this comment on your computer. If the Dawgs don’t win at least 9 next year (I expect more) I will apologize to you.
Gatormeat
January 6th, 2011
8:36 pm
October can not come soon enough, Muschamp -Weis vs richt-bobo. What a mismatch it will be, it will be the final nail in the coffin for richt. Between your sorry football team, double digit arrests every year, panties, and complete lack of direction, we almost feel sorry for you. However since it is the dogs, we mock you
Glenn
January 6th, 2011
8:37 pm
I must agree with others who have stated here that you must give Richt a contract extension if you want to send a clear message to recruits. To me, that is the key to getting this program turned around. We must get some new blood in certain areas to compete in the SEC. Discipline and Strength and Conditioning are right there too.
jarvis
January 6th, 2011
8:37 pm
Glad to know that my donations aren’t just for football. Apparently I’ve been buying room and board for the equestrian team too.
Can’t pull out now. Those horses need books.
jarvis
January 6th, 2011
8:39 pm
Bubber: “Gatormeat, get offline man. The trailer’s burning.”
Gatormeat
January 6th, 2011
8:39 pm
It is nice to have someone look after my fashion needs for me. Too bad you can not help richt, bobo and company develop a football team. They have become a disgrace to the SEC.
Gatormeat
January 6th, 2011
8:44 pm
What is burning is that dream of a dream team, and I mean down in flames hard dude. They are bailing from georgia like lemmings aboard a sinking ship. Who can blame them? georgia is a disgusting example of what college athletics should be, the young men are much better off with Florida, Auburn, Alabama and the like. Not only are the dogs and their fans disgraceful, if you ever have had the displeasure of being around them you know they have hygiene issues also. A smelly program in more ways than one. God knows they stink up Jacksonville every year
Dawgs Run This State!
January 6th, 2011
8:49 pm
Gatormeat,
I did not realize you are only 10 until I read your astro-turf “joke”.
Gatormeat
January 6th, 2011
8:51 pm
dogs are not hopeful, they are downright delusional. You have never been an elite team, the only NC you have won in the last 30 years was false, you were scared to play a top five team in the bowl, instead you played a team that did not even finish in the top ten. You were what is known as a closet champion, scared of real competition. But that was dooley, a coward to the end. Jan Kemp proved what a corrupt and disgraceful program he was running and it continues to this day. You should be ashamed of yourselves, though I doubt you have it in you considering the low lifes you truly are
mountainman
January 6th, 2011
8:53 pm
McGarity, you and Richt do not feel MY PAIN while you rake in such handsome salaries and produce lemons and excuses and more BS…So, I will not feel any of YOUR PAIN pain at the end of this year when one or both of you get your asses fired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gatormeat
January 6th, 2011
8:56 pm
Don’t worry dog fans, I’m sure bobo will turn it around. Even if he does not, 6-6 is not that bad for you, if you win 7 you will feel like you won the super bowl. I guess there are advantages to having low expectations, when you suck as bad as you it is all you can have
Mr. Tony Geinzer
January 6th, 2011
8:57 pm
AD McGarity, I wish that Coach Richt was fired because Georgia is not getting better anytime fast.
t. slay
January 6th, 2011
8:58 pm
For the first time in a long week, I’m feeling somewhat better. I agree with you John Galt. I believe that McGarity is going to do everything he can to help Richt but in the final analysis it will be up to Richt. Richt will not have any excuses to fall back on if things don’t go well next season. Remember, McGarity is a UGA grad and he worked in the athletic department for several years under Dooley. With that experience along with his experience at Florida, he knows how championship programs should be run. It made me feel good that McGarity said he wanted Georgia to win championships, as we all do. If you read between the lines, McGarity was putting Richt on notice that if things did not go well next season, there would be no excuses and that there would be accountability. I believe that McGarity will keep a close eye on things and will do what is necessary if things don’t go well.
Ron
January 6th, 2011
8:58 pm
If McGarity does not fire CMR and his staff (as it appears he WON’T), that’s it for me. Down comes the flag, off come the decals on my car… and the dog statue family I have in the front yard gets covered with trash bags (or maybe just dissolved in a solution of ’sensious of urgentsious’ it’s on the Periodic Table under ‘Thug-ass-ium’). See you in three years, maybe.
secfan
January 6th, 2011
8:59 pm
OK….To state that Mcgarity wants to “see more displays of Coach Mark Richt’s passion for his job”…isn’t that similar to faking an orgasm? Either the passion is there or it is not. The fact of the matter is that a few years ago “it” was up to his ankles. In 2009 Richt had “it” up to his waist. In 2010 Richt has “it” up to his neck. Face it…this is a sink or swim year for CMR.
Gatormeat's Dog Rover
January 6th, 2011
9:02 pm
That Florida orange and blue dog is licking himself..just life Gatormeat wishes he could do.
Chris
January 6th, 2011
9:07 pm
Dawgs Run This State! – I played hoops for the Dawgs with a full ride. I woke up @ 5am countless times to run, lift weights, do aerobics and practice all 10 out of 12 months. I went to class, competed on the court and tried to be a “normal student-athlete”. I lived in McWhorter and was friends with many great f-ball players and all other respective athletes as well. Fortunately, I too support the University today. All I am asking for, as a former athlete that sweat everything he had, is the same thing from the head football coach of our fine school and leader of our football program to do. It has not done been done the last two years and if it can’t be changed; then it it is time for new leadership. Please be real with folks online here (alum or not) and just ask the simple question…are you happy with the state of the football program?
Ron
January 6th, 2011
9:08 pm
One more thing, wish I had a buy-out like CMR when my company down-sized me after 25 years. A good reason to keep him??? Obviously!
aarh
January 6th, 2011
9:09 pm
I think that’s a good point about recruits not knowing if Richt’s going to be around. I would think they would know that, but even if they know he’s going ot be there next yr…they could be wondering about the yr. after that. I was thinking that Richt should get at least one more yr., but I’m starting to wonder if there’s too much doubt about the program, & the future of the program…when you consider it’s been forever since we’ve had a cmmittment…until tonight that is. You would think w/ UGA havein the tradition that it has, & going through a down period like all teams do…that surely they could get some good players…when you consider the chances they should have for early playing time. Especially when you consider how much talent there is in the state of GA. The above theory has me thinking that maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea for GM to come out w/ the 2 more yr. theory, bc of the message of stability that it would give everyone out there.
trey
January 6th, 2011
9:19 pm
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.
There you go. Richt’s either referring to early in his career at FSU or early in his career at UGA. Either way it’s outdated philosophy.
Richt fans need to enjoy Richt in 2011 because he will be fired end of 2011.
NORRIS
January 6th, 2011
9:19 pm
twitter report says tomorrow AJ Green, Houston and Boykin will announce their plans to enter the NFL draft.
I really dont know why Boykin is going. He is a good return man but that is it. He is a really bad Defensive back.
leslie22h
January 6th, 2011
9:21 pm
Altamaha, I have been wondering the same thing about Evans all season long. I haven’t heard another word about that girl – maybe someone hired her to bring him down. A little conspiratorial, you think?
only 1 more year
January 6th, 2011
9:23 pm
Well I guess we just have to wait one more year for “real” change
jarvis
January 6th, 2011
9:27 pm
I voted for change once, but I still have to pay my own mortgage and food ain’t free.
What gives?
Nero
January 6th, 2011
9:28 pm
In other news, Rome is burning.
GaDawg
January 6th, 2011
9:29 pm
Bye Ron don’t step in the dog sh^^ as you leave! We don’t need moron fans like you!
Top Recruit
January 6th, 2011
9:30 pm
The best thing that has happened to UGA athletics is the hiring of McGarity. He not only saw great sports programs at UF he worked in a AD department that was as good or better than their football teams. As Asst AD how many National Champions did he see. There is part of your answer, your understanding of the past, present & future changes, and some degree of assurance things are moving in the right direction.
I think if CMR is more hands on with the team [defense, offense, and special teams], I think alot of these other issues lessen and go away. But no doubt Coach Richt needs to show a lot more fire in the gut. Even if he used a few foul words would not bother me, because I never doubt the man’s conviction in his faith and servitude. But, sometimes I think fans get caught up in that. I’ve seen him get on players several times in the game. But I have not been on the practice field with him, but I would not put it past him if you fouled-up he’d give you a kick in the butt.
I want him to succeed along with those players. I do not care about the bragging and that stuff. I want that staff and team to do it for themself. I think he can develop and implement an offensive system and sets that will move the ball with speed, numbers, and scores. A system that young men want to play in because of what they experience when younger…the thrill of scoring, executing, and making the plays. I’d like to see him close his circle, talk less to the public, and focus on their play. But I do not think you can rely on a pro set to do it today. My issue lies with the work product and abilities of his OC.
GaDawg
January 6th, 2011
9:32 pm
Hey all you so called arm chair AD’s who you going to hire? Muschamp is gone. Not a true Dawg! Obviously Smart likes to live in Saban’s shadow because he’s not confident to be a HC. Harbaugh is NFL bound. Patterson won’t leave. Let’s hear names bright people.
SoCal Dawg
January 6th, 2011
9:33 pm
Ron don’t come back!
GaDawg
January 6th, 2011
9:34 pm
Exactly Jarvis. We voted (not I) voted for change two years ago and now we are worse off. Becareful of change it not always good!
Bobby
January 6th, 2011
9:34 pm
If Alabama had fired the Bear after he won just 28 games in four years, they would not have enjoyed the 44 wins they got in the next four. Geez, people, Bear Bryant, Vince Dooley, etc. have all had bad stretches. The difference is now there are anonymous internet and talk radio “experts” who pile on the bullmanure and get into a frenzy. Relax and let the man fix it. Bear and Dooley got their chance to fix it. And, no, Richt is not Bear (yet), but he’s already proven better than Hall of Famer Dooley. One player got Dooley his national title and we all know it.
GaDawg
January 6th, 2011
9:35 pm
Ron, your attitude here shows why you may have been downsized. Just saying. Change the tude dude!
BirdDog
January 6th, 2011
9:36 pm
I like the AD’s comments. Very encouraging
GaDawg
January 6th, 2011
9:37 pm
@Norris they have to declare soon classes start next week.
harold
January 6th, 2011
9:40 pm
HE HAS PROVEN TO BE WEAK AS AN AD. ALL TALK NO WALK!IT IS CLEARLY TIME FOR RICHT TO GO. HE HASN’T BEEN TO THE SEC TITLE GAME IN 5 YEARS. HE IS 13-11 THE LAST 2 YEARS. COME ON.
GaDawg
January 6th, 2011
9:42 pm
I’m still waiting for replacement coaches! Come on all you posters wanting change, hire a coach to turn the program around. Let’s see who ya got.
jack
January 6th, 2011
9:46 pm
Here’s what all you well intentioned Dawg fans don’t see. Look at the white haired guy in the photo. His goals for his teams are not to win championships, nor for the students-athletes to be the best they can be. His goals are to emphasize diversity and equality, and impress his liberal academic colleguegs.
BirdDog
January 6th, 2011
9:56 pm
McGarity is going to be a fantastic AD for UGA. He’s a Georgia boy, very smart, and passionate about this program. I have faith that he is going to help CMR get UGA back to being competitive in the SEC.
GATA
January 6th, 2011
10:00 pm
UGA should hire this guy based on the strength of this pregame alone! I’d love to see this kind if passion out of our head coach.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l1HG3KrNBk
mexdawg
January 6th, 2011
10:03 pm
You contract extension people are killing me.You aren’t just given a contract extension you have to EARN IT.I hope CMR can turn things around next year but he has done nothing to earn an extension this year.If he doesn’t get it turned around next year I say go out and get DERECK DOOLEY.Now there is a guy who has a lot of passion and has no problem showing it.
BirdDog
January 6th, 2011
10:06 pm
@GaDawg – you aren’t getting answers b/c most of these so-called fans are “posers”.
Athdawg
January 6th, 2011
10:07 pm
Hopefully, since Richt has more time on his hands to evaluate the plays he will find out the last time Georgia:
1. Ran a fake punt?
2. Ran a fake FG?
3. Ran the No Huddle?
4. Blocked a punt?
5. Used clock management to try to score with under a minute to play before halftime?
6. Coach showed energy and motivation on the sidelines and locker room?
7. Made big adjustments at half time?
Gatormeat
January 6th, 2011
10:08 pm
Listen dogs I am wishing UF was going to be be good next year but our new coach ain’t even coached game #1 in his life. Our new OC is Mr. Fat A55 and Kirby got a raise for talking to us about the DC Job.
UF is now UGA’s Whipping Boy!
Geodawg55
January 6th, 2011
10:08 pm
Gator Meat—Chek the record… Florida has more arrests than Georgia in the past three or four years.
Top Dawg
January 6th, 2011
10:08 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Coffee Trojan '73
January 6th, 2011
10:10 pm
dawg2. They are peas in the pod. No difference in the two. Yes, both need to go!