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
girldawg
January 7th, 2011
10:35 am
Go ICEDAWGS!. I have been to their games!! It is fun to watch and great atmosphere everyone should check them out!!
No more to say about the state of the football team we all know what it is and it is not good and it does start with CMR!!!
irondawg
January 7th, 2011
10:38 am
Richt and his staff our good coaches. Never stated, that there should not be a coaching change. Just saying they are not losing because of average or bad coaching. I personally believe he should have left after the Hawaii game. Biggest problem I believe is Strength and conditioning. Most of their problems are a result of the lack of a top S and C program. Hopefully, the changes will see results on the field.
One reason alone
January 7th, 2011
10:38 am
The sole reason that Richt & Co. are still here is money. UGA would have to write checks or at least committ HUGE $$$ in a severance deal with him and the football coaching staff and it would be around $12,000,000.00 +. That would put the OUCH on the Athletic Board or UGA or both. Yes, the money is there but who would want to jettsion someone and absorb these huge outlays?
Recruiting and UGA’s needs being fufilled,the spring game, and any emerging G Day Dog stars, the summer upcoming and of course the game in the Dome with Boise State will determine how it goes from here on out.
Adams and McGarity really have no choice beyond writing huge checks. UGA is stuck for now.
UGA faithful, this time next year UGA will be celebrating a new staff and the future. We just have to endure this.
Techster95
January 7th, 2011
10:40 am
Buzz….buzz – it’s fun flying around and seeing the mutts whimpering and snorting
edumacated
January 7th, 2011
10:40 am
Hey IronDawg,
The blocking was pretty bad. Those guys haven’t been coached on the proper way to drive someone down field. How many pancake blocks did you see those guys record this year? I sure didn’t see any. Something like that is all about proper technique, like maybe using short choppy steps in your footwork rather than striding or something similar. Frankly, in the Liberty Bowl, there were breakdowns in blocking that looked as though there was confusion about who had which defender. That can’t and shouldn’t happen after 12 games. If it does, it is because the O-line was not prepared properly to recognize who to block in the different formations they would face in the game. This isn’t rocket science by the way, there are only so many scenario’s.
Lady Bulldog cagers
January 7th, 2011
10:42 am
Yes, Landers should have been canned in the mid 80s; as by then, UGA lady Dogs basketball was not winning like his recruiting indicated that it should. This failure has been going on for decades.
Andy Landers is the one McGarity needs to fire at season’s end ………….. then deal with baseball and of course, we wait until next December to take care of that business.
Go Dogs.
monty
January 7th, 2011
10:48 am
Read between the lines folks. McGarity demands improvement,that means another year like this one and CMR is a goner. If the program is vastly improved next year then that’s a good thing. Surely no one is expecting to win the East next year, are you? Many don’t think CMR can turn things around this year. I understand that, I have my doubts too, so either way, the team improves or CMR is gone. JUSt have to wait and see. Worst case scenario is we finish with 7-8 wins and lose a bowl game, you could argue for improvement or against it.
Pope UGA XXIII
January 7th, 2011
10:49 am
Very accurate post from Lady Bulldog cagers
CenterofMass
January 7th, 2011
10:50 am
Admittedly, I’m not the football expert-neither do I have to be. Football is a large business and it appears that many business principles are being ignored. Just an observation, but in my humble opinion our personnel-maybe not all-have reach their level of incompetence.
badada
January 7th, 2011
10:52 am
Alright I’m pretty annoyed about how the program is too but can’t you guys let up? Richt is here another season. That’s how it is. So can’t we just support him until he gets fired next season? Maybe if he got a little support he might get a breather and be good! let up
irondawg
January 7th, 2011
10:52 am
maybe they have not been coached? I understand when a player doesnt produce it is because of lack of coaching. Ol was praised when he was at LSU. Saban liked him a bunch. Heck, Auburn wanted him too. He forgot how to coach this season. Lack of strength at the point of attack was the main problem for the OL. Bottom line no coach is perfect, and in that business, you must take the blame, and I understand that, but hopefully one day GA will find great coaching and win a NC
monty
January 7th, 2011
10:52 am
CMR said Searls did a “great job.” That seems to be a slap in the face to our offensive line. Basically laying our inablity to run on our guys not the coaching staff.
ALUM65
January 7th, 2011
10:55 am
McGarity sounds dissappointingly like Richt. That means nothing will chagne.
Ted M
January 7th, 2011
10:58 am
The essence of this “evaluation” of CMR make it sound as if Richt thought paperwork was more important to the program then coaching.
CenterofMass
January 7th, 2011
10:59 am
Irondawg, I agree. I just wish MR would quit abdicating and start delegating responsibility. This may not be the case, but it does appear this way. I do believe we have a recruiting problem which can’t be blamed soley on RG. The adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” can be applied here. A more intense assessment of these recruits is needed; otherwise, too many resources will be spent in a reactive mode.
Wendell
January 7th, 2011
11:00 am
Hey Patrick! Wow..did you really just call someone or everyone a dummy!!? How smart are you Einstein? Our opinions are not based on one season. This program has been in a decline for years. It has been on a rapid decline since we were ranked #1 during the 2008/09 season. All we have to show for that season is our great win aginst Hawaii. In my opinion this team has performed inspite of Marc Richt, not because of him. I was soooooooo excited when he was hired, but if we are being honest we all know that he has come up short season after season! How can you recruit top teir players year after year and not get within sniffing distance of a National Championship. Dude..are you blind? Other SEC teams are leaving us in their dust! We are now the bottom dwellers!
DollarDawg43
January 7th, 2011
11:00 am
I’m glad McGarity is displaying more common sense and calm than most posting here. I have a hard time believing many of you really are UGA graduates and/or gernuine fans/supporters of our program.
Georgia | MrSEC.com
January 7th, 2011
11:01 am
[...] McGarity is paying close attention to what the SEC’s top scribe opines.* McGarity said that he expects to see “improvement in all areas” of the football program next year. “We want to see improvement in discipline; we want to [...]
Wil
January 7th, 2011
11:02 am
Really!!! You call your self georgia fans and you ant even support your Head Coach and AD. With that mentality you can become a gator fan for all I care because the Bulldawg Nation doesnt need you
Dawgs73
January 7th, 2011
11:11 am
I’m really sick of folks that post “you guys don’t know anything about coaching/football” and then try to deem themselves worthy of criticizing those of us who are fed up. I may not be a coach or anywhere close to having all the answers, but it’s pretty simple to judge folks in any type of profession (especially coaching) on one thing…WINS & LOSSES.
The fact remains is that the WINS have decreased every year for the past fours seasons (11,10,8,6) and yet the geniuses that are always supporting Richt, state that “we” don’t know anything about coaching. Not coincidentally, the competition in the SEC has increased with better coaches at every school. On WINS & LOSSES alone, Mark would probably be fired at any other SEC school that has the resources (See Mark’s salary $2.9mill, UGA’s overall profits, and the in state advantage of recruiting in GA).
bart
January 7th, 2011
11:15 am
We need to beat the teams we’re supposed to beat, and then beat a couple of teams with winning records. I think at least 9 wins must be a requirement with a win over Florida mandatory. We’ve got the easiest schedule next year that we are likely to ever have. I question this staff being able to make the necesary changes. If so, why haven’t they done it? Signing day will be significant. Will our poor coaching and record scare off top recruits?
DawgNSC
January 7th, 2011
11:20 am
I think everyone is missing the main problem of the UGA football program. Fire Bobo and get somone who knows how to coach and call plays. Don’t get me wrong though. He’s not the only problem but is the biggest problem UGA has right now. That would be a HUGE help.
Most veryone I know in Dawg Nation knows this. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why the AD and CMR doesn’t see this.
oldtimes not forgotten
January 7th, 2011
11:31 am
at least we can hold on to the memories of 80-83,
oldtimes not forgotten
January 7th, 2011
11:33 am
beating bell from fl was great too
Whatever
January 7th, 2011
11:39 am
It’s pretty hard to turn a ship around when it has a hole in it
Jason
January 7th, 2011
11:45 am
McGarity is not a real action oriented fella, but boy, can’t he talk.
talk, talk, talk some more.
What the Bulldog nation wants to see is not more TALK, but ACTION.
What is McGarity acutally DONE or DOING to change turn the ship?
How about doing the #1 thing he can DO to help recruiting, get the current teammates excited, and get the coaching staff optimistic?
Extend Richt 1 year, how hard is that? Then you can tell a recruit Richt will be your coahc for all 4 years.
nerds! nerds! nerds!
January 7th, 2011
11:46 am
Support your team, otherwise get off the ship. I’m so sick of all of you FAIRWEATHER FANS. Richt bashing is a product of HIS OWN SUCCESS. Nobody remembers the Goff or Donnan years. The AD knows what he is doing. I for one am ashamed at the players. The have to step up and become leaders. I think Ogletree will do it.
#1Dawg
January 7th, 2011
11:50 am
Bobo has to give running game a chance. He gets away from it too soon. Just give Ealey the ball. You have to let your running back get his rhythm and he gets stronger as game goes on. This keeps the chains moving. Not a run here an there. Richt gets a win when his back goes 100 or more.
nerds! nerds! nerds!
January 7th, 2011
11:50 am
We won 10 games two years ago. We have had two disappointing years. The entire decade in the 90s was disappointing. Give it time people.
oliver
January 7th, 2011
11:51 am
Hey scott! Go Dawgs!
nerds! nerds! nerds!
January 7th, 2011
11:52 am
I agree. I miss the days of smashmouth football. I would love to see our RB run someone over.
oliver
January 7th, 2011
11:57 am
bring back jasper
techy
January 7th, 2011
11:59 am
i wish we had ga problems
#1Dawg
January 7th, 2011
12:05 pm
UGA hired Richt for his play-calling abilities. I’m happy to hear he will be focused on x and o’s in future.
cool?
January 7th, 2011
12:05 pm
and if you haven’t noticed we have not only been caught and passed by…..we have been left in the dust and are struggling to stay ahead of the South Carolina’s of the world.
reebok
January 7th, 2011
12:10 pm
Mr. McGarity says: We are working as hard as we can to turn this thing around.
Yes sir, we know. That’s what has everyone so worried.
Star
January 7th, 2011
12:11 pm
I’d give Georgia the edge over Florida this season, Muschamp’s 1st year, 1st year coaches don’t do well in the SEC. So Georgia will need to beat SC to win the SEC East. Need a good D-Line and good LB’s to stop Lattimore. And need to run the ball 40x-50x getting 4-5 ypc. Those are not the only changes need to make.
1- Recruit excellent DL
2- Hand it to Washaun Ealey 40x a game, even if he fumbles every once in a while, Bobo didn’t throw Murray to the bench when he threw multiple int’s against Florida or UCF, so no double standard with the RB.
3- Move B. Smith to offense, let him get 10 touches a game. Use him like Florida used Percy.
4- Let Murray gets 75 yards rushing a game.
5- Get the TE the ball 10x a game. Use the tigh end the way Atlanta used Gonzales and the way Florida used their TE 2 years ago.
Billy
January 7th, 2011
12:13 pm
What will McGARITY do to show recruits he is serious about how good Georgia’s future is?
Jeremy
January 7th, 2011
12:18 pm
Go Dawgs!
techy
January 7th, 2011
12:21 pm
There’s nothing dumber than a Georgia Bulldog fan.
true
January 7th, 2011
12:21 pm
LMBO!
#1Dawg
January 7th, 2011
12:25 pm
star; very good points. maybe you can get this to UGA.
i would run W. Ealey alot. He gets stronger the more touches he gets. And he should be better as a junior next season!
Jason
January 7th, 2011
12:31 pm
Rumors are that Richt will take a position with another team in Mid Feb 2011. He’s gone.
Evansdawg
January 7th, 2011
12:33 pm
McGarity is the calming salve on this whole thing. He has seen the inter-workings of U of F, he is a Dawg by breed, and he expects a well-oiled machine in his department. I’m wondering if Damon Evans had Richt going outside to do too much to sustain his effect on leading the team. Perhaps McGarity is the answer to getting this think back on track. I like how he is handling it. Go Dawgs….FOREVER!
Dangerous
January 7th, 2011
12:41 pm
This better translate into a more advanced and creative playbook. If Richt is betting his career on keeping Bobo, for what ever reasons, he better take control of a dismal offense that can’t score against any formidable defense. Yeah you score against chumps, but 6 to 9 points (3 fieldgoals) aginst others just is not cutting it! I mean you guys are vanilla with vanilla icing. All that talent and you got no clue what to do with it…………………..I’m so sick and tired of the we are just missing assignments excuse……hey, everybody is big and strong, you can’t just dominate on strength alone. You have to play power….finesse football. If the other team is on their heals, then strenght carries over. but when folks know your every move…..well you just get dominated. Formidable defenses ran downhill on your this year and in the past…..HINT…more slant packages, more Orson Charles down the hash(and any where else), more shot gun (play action all the time got our QB beat up bad), more draw plays and wheel routs for the backs. Come on do your f’n job better…….you should go after Ralph Friedgen and buy yourself more than the 1 year you are going to get with Bobo!!!!
Your Breath Smells Like Fried Fish Tacos
January 7th, 2011
12:54 pm
Try Harder
The CFO
January 7th, 2011
12:56 pm
Coach Richt says we are close. Judging by this past SEC season, I’d say $180,000 ought to close the gap. Can I get an amen? Reverend? Reverend?
LOL
January 7th, 2011
1:05 pm
Gatormeat
January 6th, 2011
5:23 pm
Give me a break, all your “dream team” recruits are bailing. I hear even Crowell is coming here to Gainsville, apparently his parents are concerned about the rampant arrests and panty incidents and all the other goofy things going on up there. At Florida he will learn character, honor, and also be a part of a championship caliber program, something georgia never will be. To us, you are Vanderbilt. You are Kentucky. Accept it
Oh yeah? Will he also learn to attemt to kill his girlfriend, and then be playing again two weeks later? You mean that kind of character? Please, the gators are almost as big of a joke in football as UGA is now. So get off your high horse, moron.
LOL
January 7th, 2011
1:06 pm
And amen CFO!
derek
January 7th, 2011
1:34 pm
Some of you on here say Richt is a great coach. How can you say that when the man plays Tereshinski over stafford? The only reason stafford even got to play is because T got hurt. Nevermind richt is the answer to everything. UGA football has turned into Miami during the coach coker year’s. Its bad when all we recruit is thugs. Next year with richt we are going to be like Tenn. No bowl game and starting the year off with boise st. GREAT Mark Richt wants administrative duties go to the pros. maybe you can do what saban and spurrier cant do, and “fans being the problem” thats crap we just cant stand to watch our program be one of the doormats. If we were florida richt would have been gone last year.