Friedgen as UGA’s OL coach? Hmmmmm…
First thing first: I don’t know if Ralph Friedgen would take the job, if offered it. Seems improbable, at first blush.
But it certainly has become a hot conversation piece in cyber-corners of Bulldog Nation.
Friedgen, the former Georgia Tech and San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator, the recently ousted Maryland head coach, as Georgia’s offensive line coach and running game coordinator?
Friedgen’s name was floated almost as soon as Stacy Searels left for Texas, although not as frequently as the names of Mac McWhorter and Hugh Nall. The buzz intensified Thursday, when Friedgen was reached by UGASports.com’s Anthony Dasher and declined to comment on the matter, and when the website footballrumormill.com, which specializes in rumors about the coaching carousel, said Friedgen “is in good position to land the OL job at UGA. He’s one of 3 candidates.”
Mark Richt hasn’t commented on the coaching search at all, not even on Searels’ departure. Richt is pretty busy, as you might have heard, on the recruiting trail. UPDATE: And Friedgen’s agent, Jack Reale, seemed to douse the rumor in a conversation with the Athens Banner-Herald’s Marc Weiszer, telling him: “I don’t think there’s any truth to that.”
Friedgen, 63, does sound like a man who wants to keep coaching somewhere, based on this excerpt from a blog posted Monday by the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Barker:
Friedgen hasn’t taken another job yet. “I’m interested in hearing that people are interested in me. If something really excites me, I’ll get back in,” he said.
I asked him about some of the college jobs he has been linked to, and where he might end up. He stopped me to make a clarification.
“That’s in the NFL or in college,” he said, not wanting to limit his possibilities.
So what do you think about Athens as a possibility, however remote it might be, for Friedgen?
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306 comments Add your comment
Dazed and confused
January 28th, 2011
8:29 am
If things go musch further south, he could replace Richt.
Mr. Insider
January 28th, 2011
8:30 am
Take it FWIW…(another from a friend of a friend of a big money boostercool) I’m hearing…..
Searles moving to Texas… Forced out, not his choice…
Garner gone right after signing day. Word is he lands at UT or Barn…Word is CTG was promised he could bring in his own DL coach if he couldn’t work w/CRG..
Bobo is apparently going to be reassigned to QB Coach and recruiting coordinator.
I have to admit that this seems to be a solid move in the right direction. CTG gets to bring in his guy to coach the DL. Bobo gets the stay and focus on what he does best. Coach QBs and Recruit.
We get a new OC and OL coach.
robodawg
January 28th, 2011
8:36 am
Great OC. I can’t imagine he’d take a job that doesn’t allow him to call the plays.
DawgByte
January 28th, 2011
8:36 am
Buckeye -
Please do us all a favor and give back your latest bowl trophy, because if the NCAA had any credibility 5 of your players would not have been elegible to play in that game. The Buckeyes will be lucky to go 7-5 this year!
AltamahaDawg
January 28th, 2011
8:37 am
I don’t understand this misconception that when our o-line is under performing and we simply do not have an effective running game, it even matters who is calling the plays. As if anyone is going to “call” their way out of that situation. RF or somebody else would be twice as beneficial to UGA IF he stabilized that running game co-ordinator position as he would as OC.
david
January 28th, 2011
8:37 am
SOunds like a nice offseason shaping up. The question is whether or not people will be rational enough to realize that these changes are not going to help make us great until 2012. Hope we let Richt do his thing for a few years, he’s getting us back on track. reminds me of 01-02.. Cant wait
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
January 28th, 2011
8:38 am
Hmmmmmmmmm
How about calling all offensive plays
Yes that would be a good idea coach Richt if you want this dream team to be something
AltamahaDawg
January 28th, 2011
8:39 am
The plays get called in January, and March, and August.
ceph
January 28th, 2011
8:40 am
If they hired him it should be on the condition he wear a face mask , I can only take so much of that nasty-ass mouth and teeth! He is ALWAYS chewing something . Kinda reminds me of a mule!
Dawg
January 28th, 2011
8:41 am
This rumor came to life when he was supposedly spotted in Athens on Wednesday, and then he was contacted by UGA Sports and declined no comment. Before whoever called Friedgen’s agent should have researched this a little bit more. They should have asked him if he is not interested why the heck was he spotted in Athens, GA? Tim I know you write for the underground GA Tech Newspaper but I guarantee you the athletic department would pay him $800k which salary was never mentioned in your crappy article. Also he coached for GA Tech, San Diego Chargers, & Maryland. There is not 3 crappier sports teams in Amercia. Plus if you have not noticed thru the recruiting trail, it looks like Richt finally was told he would be fired if he did not turn it around. In the matter of 2 weeks he has a possible top 5 recruiting class with a team that went 6-7 last season. Why? Because Mark is a lot smarter and a lot tougher than the idiots they have writing the UGA Sports columns for the AJC.
Joey
January 28th, 2011
8:41 am
“He could even replace Bobo if things went south at some point.”
********************************
Finchdawg,
If Bobo’s offense putting up 6 points on UCF isn’t already heading “south,” I don’t know what is.
Overit
January 28th, 2011
8:45 am
This is the best news I’ve heard since the firing of Donnan!
Ben
January 28th, 2011
8:49 am
I’d KILL to have him as our O-coordinator. He has a place on Lake Oconee just 30 miles from Athens. Put Bobo in charge of QB’s (where he has shown to be pretty good) and hand the play calling over to the Fridge.
If he’d do it, it would be an absolute coup.
My two cents: Ain’t happening and he’s too good to just be our OL coach
RxDawg
January 28th, 2011
8:51 am
Really!? Wow! I never thought he’d take the job. Head Coach to O-line is a bit of a step down. But I’m glad to have him aboard. Go Dawgs!
Howl&Woof
January 28th, 2011
8:52 am
Who knows if RF would be interested, but I can imagine a situation where he served as OL coach and offensive consultant. It could be a great situation giving Richt and Bobo a chance to practice what they preach…competition makes you better. RF may not want the responsibility of coordinating the offense at his advanced age.
If I were Greg McGarity, I would strongly encourage Richt to hire RF and spend this summer exploring ways to add some innovation to the offense. Maybe for one year Richt should put his missionary work on hold and concentrate on football. My guess is that Saban would do so without being asked!
Jackson
January 28th, 2011
8:52 am
Its a thought to bring in Friedgen… on that on the surface makes a lot of sense. But Tony, here is the problem… everyone talks about his success at other programs and the success he had at Maryland. I will point out though, that the ACC has been down in recent years. Having said that, bringing in a guy to be the Oline coach and running game coach you would like to see a little more success on the resume than Fredgen demonstrated at Maryland. Listed are the rushing statistical rankings of Maryland from 2004-2010. In parenthesis are UGA’s ranking for that year.
2004 – 94 (48)
2005 – 76 (37)
2006 – 61 (67)
2007 -69 (38)
2008 – 57 (54)
2009 – 107 (46)
2010 -78 (69)
If as the head coach, you are unable to improve your run game in the ACC, I am unsure of how much you can contribute to the ability to run the ball in the SEC.
Winston Wolfe
January 28th, 2011
8:53 am
It doesn’t matter what “title” you give RF….just get the man in here. This entire offense needs a jump start. This would be a genius move by the AD.
Alt…..and you’re right about the playcalling. If the execution is not there…..he could call a triple backside reverse punt fake trips right X post and it would mean absolutely dik.
Unknown
January 28th, 2011
8:56 am
I had the priviledge of being recruited by Coach Fridge and Maryland. Although I didn’t pick them, I got a good feel from him. He’s a great man, has a passion for football and knows his offense. He’d be a great fit for any team, as OL or OC.
Mark Richt
January 28th, 2011
8:57 am
Shhhhhhhhhhh.
I’m studying cutting-edge football.
Marv
January 28th, 2011
8:57 am
Make Fridge OC, bust Bobo back to Qbacks coach where he belongs.
Draggin' Fly
January 28th, 2011
9:05 am
“I had the priviledge of being recruited by Coach Fridge and Maryland. Although I didn’t pick them, I got a good feel from him.”
Now that’s a visual I didn’t need this morning.
DawgGoneFishing
January 28th, 2011
9:08 am
I like it !!!! We need a person with a lot of experience and the “Fridge” will fit nicely in the “Dawg” house kitchen.
Unknown
January 28th, 2011
9:10 am
Fly- your’re sick. Get your mind out of the gutter
Gold Dawg
January 28th, 2011
9:12 am
FWIW…Garner going to coach OL. CTG gets to bring in his own DL coach. Belin becomes entire LB coach. Bobo gets QB’s & RC…Fridge takes over as OC.
Just an observation
January 28th, 2011
9:13 am
Doesn’t this sound an awful lot like the Al Groh hire by Tech last year?
UGASlobberknocker
January 28th, 2011
9:13 am
I wish . But why would he? Although he has a place at Lake Oconee so he could conceivably commute.
saban
January 28th, 2011
9:14 am
Great News.
Choakdawg can bite the head of the snake off on the sidelines and Fridge can eat the body.
That will get the dawgs not in Clarke County Correctional fired up.
scdawg
January 28th, 2011
9:15 am
I got to believe he would be brought in as a OL coach and co-offensive coordinator with Bobo. In name only. RF runs the O and OL and Bobo concentrates on Qbs and recruiting. If Georgia pulls this off, combined with the recruiting class, it would be an unbelievable turn of events.
Coaching titles mean nothing. Responsibilities and money do.
boss dawg
January 28th, 2011
9:16 am
Dawg.I like your style.Its easy to automatically assume the person in-charge is an idiot ,when the truth is, its the people pointing the fingers or commenting in this case, who is the idiot..
UGASlobberknocker
January 28th, 2011
9:16 am
If Big Ralph came..if he doesnt have the title of OC..at least he can help and mentor Bobo..He killed UGA at Tech as OC. I believe Bobo is a very good coach trapped in a bad system that has no real signature identity. That isnt Bobo’s fault.
So yes, Ralph..come on big boy!!
saban
January 28th, 2011
9:17 am
Richt` not an idiot just a bartender in a third class bar.
Keep Richt another national championship coming up.
Billy Jack
January 28th, 2011
9:18 am
I agree 100% with what scdawg posted…especially the last 2 sentences
schmeckdawg
January 28th, 2011
9:20 am
I’m all in with this hire! As a matter of fact can he be the OC as well as the OL coach? Let Bobo be the QB’s coach and recruiting coordinator.
Ralph Friedgen
January 28th, 2011
9:22 am
Hello UGA fans. I am currently considering taking the OL job after a generous offer from Mark of $200K…..and getting to learn under one of the best….Mike Bobo. This makes way to much sense. Forget that I was confusing opposing defenses long before Bobo was first trying to grow that walmart goatee. It doesn’t matter that I have more qualifications in my toes to be an OC than Mike Bobo has in his dreams. There is no indignity to be suffered by taking an OL position under a great like Bobo. I promise…I will not slap his goatee off after he runs the 3rd and long inside counter out of the shotgun for the 3rd time in one half of play. As the OL coach…I will see to it that his genius is illuminated by making that 3rd and long inside counter work. I will also be oh so happy to support the over abundance of play action….even if we don’t have an established running game. I can’t wait for this opportunity to be the UGA OL coach….under the supervision of Bobob.
Apples II Oranges
January 28th, 2011
9:22 am
Long term commitment? 1-2 Season band-aid?
Look UGA and college football in general is not about the next 5 years. We as fans cannot have it both ways. CMR understands the importance of winning in the “now”.
Hiring the”Fridge” is an excellent move for the program for the longterm. How valuable will it be for Bobo to have a new voice in comprising the gameplan? That is the longterm gain for this coaching staff. Great move for CMR and CMB.
layinlow
January 28th, 2011
9:23 am
Mr. Insider, was that real info or are you just somene on here blowing smoke? I did suspect that Searles leaving was more about UGA pushing him out than him leaving of his own volition. Those moves you mentioned would be awesome and the kind of strategic moves fans have been longing to happen. If bobo was moved to RC and QB coach and Friegden brought in to be the OC would be a brilliant move. Otherwise I don’t see the Fridge coming to Athens to be an OL coach, no way. Also, giving Garner the boot would be a good move because he has turned into dead weight. He has lost his toach as a recruiting star.
layinlow
January 28th, 2011
9:24 am
touch
Macon
January 28th, 2011
9:27 am
Friedgen to UGAG ??
Hell would likely freeze over first.
Anyone that has known Freidgen for a while knows he DESPISES UGA.
He still has strong ties to GT.
He has publicly commented in the past about all the cheating and corruption involved in the program in Athens…including recruiting.
His distaste for UGA is well-known.
Work for Bobo. Not likely.
Art Vandelay
January 28th, 2011
9:27 am
If the Fridge is as half a good of a coach as I am an architect, then we’re in business. I’ll be waiting by the payphone.
Atl.Dawg1
January 28th, 2011
9:28 am
Charlie Wiess vs. Ralph Friedgen……………Sumo Style anyone betting?
Mobile Dawg
January 28th, 2011
9:28 am
Hiring Friedgen would be the second sign lately that someone in Athens still has a pulse. Don’t know whether this is a Richt idea, or a McGarity inspired idea (probably), but it’s a DGDOne. Oh, the first sign is the great recruiting class we’ve got going. Come on McGarity and Co, close the deal. If this come to pass I will have hope, for the first time in several years that things are going to improve. Have a great day everyone….
sandman053
January 28th, 2011
9:30 am
This won’t happen before NSD. I think if it does it would be to run the O and let Bobo be Recruiting Coordinator and QB coach…and to be tutored in being a real OC one day when he grows up.
2degreedawg
January 28th, 2011
9:31 am
I wonder how many times a day he would look at Bobo and think to himself “idiot”.
DrDawg
January 28th, 2011
9:31 am
As many have said, he needs to be the OC. He has too much to offer to keep him restricted to the O-line. Can’t imagine him reporting to Bobo. If Richt has been so distracted by other “duties”, make the Fridge “Associate Head Coach” and let Richt recruit while Fridge makes the calls.
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
9:32 am
You folks better remember that Bobo was responsible for a lot of the recruits in the 2011 class.
Dogfish
January 28th, 2011
9:33 am
Friedgen needs to be OC, Bobo recruiting coordinator and Garner Off line coach. It would be a joke to have Friedgen on staff and continue to let Bobo lead the offense.
But alas thats the kind of leadership we continue to get from you know who.
sandman053
January 28th, 2011
9:33 am
What about Bobo after two or three years of tuteledge from RF? He might could tell which endzone was ours.
sandman053
January 28th, 2011
9:35 am
@DawginLex: I have no doubt CMB is an awesome recruiter. I think we as the Dawg Nation owe him a debt of gratitude for this class when all the dust is settled, but as OC he is in over his head.
YARDDAWG
January 28th, 2011
9:38 am
would be AWESOME if it really happened. Way to think outside the box UGA/Richt.
Winston Wolfe
January 28th, 2011
9:40 am
Macon…..don’t let your own hate for Georgia to allow you to be disillusioned. You just PRAY the Fridge doesn’t come to UGA. But then again……it’s a shame you have all this truthful inside information and ESPN just hasn’t called yet. Hang in there kitten…….you’ll get your 15 minutes.