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
NC Dawg
January 28th, 2011
9:42 am
Hire him so he doesn’t have to wear that awful Maryland crap anymore!
RAMBLINWRECK
January 28th, 2011
9:42 am
Guys, some of you are idiots saying you wouldn’t want the fridge. This guy was SICK at GT. He mixes his attack up and keeps the defense on it’s toes at all times. He can beat you running or throwing and understands the game as well as anyone. We could score on anyone at anytime with the fridge as our OC but the issue was our defense as it is once again now. We can score but can’t stop anyone along with special teams as a nightmare.
If you guys land big ralph, you will rise to the top in the SEC as soon as your defense is fixed because your offense will be as good as any in the nation with the talent you guys get and with him calling the plays. I hate uga because we always lose of course but i respect the uga program as it is a great program. I hope you don’t get him because that means we have to face him and that will not be good for us! The guy is a fantastic hire if you give him control of the offense. You will not be disappointed!
WDE
January 28th, 2011
9:43 am
What are the rules with non-coaches (Pollock) being in contact with HS recruits? Pretty sure that was what made Mississippi State a little nervous when the Cam Newton allegations began flying around.
WDE
January 28th, 2011
9:43 am
Woops, wrong blog
sandman053
January 28th, 2011
9:45 am
WDE I think Pollock would get an exception to whatever they are as he is a radio personality. Like the unbiased Herbstreit on ESPN (dripping sarcasm)
WDE
January 28th, 2011
9:46 am
I hate OSU, but love Herbstreit. What are you referring to? If anyone needs the can, it’s Brent Musburger.
And I’m not sure your exception for Pollock would apply anyways, I doubt he’s there as just a news reporter. Talk about a conflict of interest.
Not indicting the guy, just asking if anyone’s familiar with the verbage in the rule book.
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
9:46 am
sandman053,
Bobo needs an OL that can block. Richt does too. so does Friedgen.
It doesn’t matter who is calling the plays if we are getting whipped up front.
Evansdawg
January 28th, 2011
9:50 am
He could teach Bobo a thing or two.
Just an observation
January 28th, 2011
9:50 am
Well I guess it’s just me. This does not appear to be similar to the Al Groh hire by Tech last year.
Hunker Down
January 28th, 2011
9:52 am
I have been a CRF fan ever since he came to Tech and masterminded their offense. Seems like he is extremely well thought of but one concern of mine is does the man have any real experience coaching line?
Henry "The Manuver" Heimlich
January 28th, 2011
9:53 am
UGA would be better off making him OC and ditching Booboo.
Naive
January 28th, 2011
9:53 am
Let’s not be silly. This man just won coach of the year in the ACC year and was an offense COORDINATOR (not line coach) for a super bowl team. There’s no way this guy goes to Georgia for anything less than a coordinator, and last time I checked, Georgia already has one of those on the offensive side of the ball. This rumor is about as likely as Kirby Smart leaving Alabama to come be your defensive coordinator last year. You Georgia fans are too gullible.
Mobile Dawg
January 28th, 2011
9:53 am
Bottom line DawginLex, and look deeply into this statement. “You have to believe in your Leaders if your going into battle and give your all.” This is psychology 101. We have questioned our Leaders, don’t you think the kids, in their hearts have questioned their Leaders? The moves being debated hopefully will come to fruition, if they do, my belief is these kids will give their all and we will see an immediate difference in their attitude, intensity, and performance.
St. Richt
January 28th, 2011
9:55 am
Hate to say it, but I agree with Ramblinwreck. You guys might be unstoppable on O with Friedgen at the helm.
NFL Bound
January 28th, 2011
9:57 am
From Hero worshipped at Georgia Tech to the pits of hell if he coaches the rival school.
kerryb
January 28th, 2011
9:58 am
I think it would be great. Would give Bobo another great offensive mind to learn from.
Paul N Destin
January 28th, 2011
10:00 am
make Ralph the runnung game CO and Bobo the passing game CO ..just add title to Bobo to keep him in the game. 500k is a good number and you fix the problem for a year and that is about all you want at this time. If UGA has a decent year then address a longer term solution then. Just saying.
Mobile Dawg
January 28th, 2011
10:02 am
If the thoughts and vision of what could happen from bring in RF inspires a bunch of folks like us, imagine what it would do for the players. Spurrier is probably about ready to throw his visor about now….
Paddy
January 28th, 2011
10:02 am
ugab……You think “Fridge” is too experienced (too old). But you want a young coach with alot of experience? Tough to follow that line of thought. IMHO I think he would be great for UGA. It seems that with age comes experience. But you could be referring to a coach that is say, 55 yrs old? .
Andy in Blairsville
January 28th, 2011
10:08 am
You know the UGA football program has reached rock bottom when puppy fans get excited about potentially hiring a washed up ACC coach.
woebegong
January 28th, 2011
10:09 am
Coach Freiden could surely help UGA, but I do not think he could unless he is an offensive coordinator. He is much too great a talent to keep as just the O line coach. He is a man of integrity also, and his prescense alone, would garner respect from the players and alumni. I just don’t see it happening though because Bobo is the OC and I do not think that CMR would downgrade Bobo’s position. One possible scenario could be assistenat OC and line coach. As long as Bobo was willing to learn from a master, that would be a great mix. When you consider, how he was even able to turn Maryland into a winner, and recruit pretty decently, considering the crowded recruiting base in the NE, you can realize just how much he could mean to UGA.
Winston Wolfe
January 28th, 2011
10:11 am
Mobile….Semper Fi and your statement is very true about leaders. The right leader can have you doing things you thought were impossible. On the other hand……..the wrong one can make you train the crosshairs center mass………lol
RAID
January 28th, 2011
10:11 am
well heck!……Friedgen not going to UGA……..Has to to with contractual issues with Maryland…..Will be at least a year before he looks elsewhere…
Papadawg
January 28th, 2011
10:13 am
GO GET HIM
woebegong
January 28th, 2011
10:15 am
Andy,
Obviuosly, you know nothing about coaching and are on here simply to make stupid rude comments about UGA. I was born and raised in Maryland and understand how politics runs everything in that state. A washed up coach, as you call it, does not make conference coach of the year. Thier athletic director has visions of Maryland being a top 5 team in the country. He thinks that the coach they hired will do that. He is wrong I believe but, he has to keep the money givers and politicians happy up there.
Burdell90
January 28th, 2011
10:16 am
It’s amazing how you dumba$$ rednecks were so against him when he was at Tech, now that he might come to your high school, he is the greatest. Too bad we knew that a long time ago and let him go, our mistake!!
Funny how y’all change your tune when it will be to your advantage!
Art Vandelay
January 28th, 2011
10:21 am
@Andy in Blairsville, WOW, just WOW. You truly are a freakin sports guru. You make blairsville proud. Please never leave.
Paul in RDU
January 28th, 2011
10:22 am
I love the way rumors like this run rampant.
What’s the next one? Bill Cowher as DL coach? He is out of coaching at the moment.
Art Vandelay
January 28th, 2011
10:25 am
Burdell, you and Andy in Blairsville need your own sports show. Two geniuses like yourselves would make a killin!
Burdell90
January 28th, 2011
10:28 am
Art Vandelay…Wrong, don’t need a “sports show”, I should have been an umpire…call it like I see it!!
Reality Check
January 28th, 2011
10:31 am
The Fridge would be a great choice if he was the OC. Most UGA fans realize he was a big reason why GT was so good in the late 90’s. Do not know what kind of OL coach or his history in that. Maybe he could coach OL and call Plays?
still@the bar
January 28th, 2011
10:36 am
Fridge taking advice on how to make an O Game plan from BOBO would be like Donald Trump having to listen to your local real estate agent tell him how to close a property deal.
Fridge would take the job just so he could be the head coach next year when Richt is fired.
UGA why pay what they will have to for FRIDGE and Bobo and Richt when UGA could pay JUST FRIDGE and get better coaching at a better price?
Vance Duly
January 28th, 2011
10:37 am
This could be an ideal hire IF Bobo is humble enough to learn more about game strategy, play-calling and in-game adjustments. Bobo seems to be an excellent QB coach and recruiter. Maybe someday he will be an excellent Offensive Coordinator. He is NOT one yet (due to predictablility, getting away from what is working during a game instead of doing MORE of it – see GA Tech 2010 as just ONE example). It is rare that a man is humble enough to take instruction once he is “in charge” of something, in this case, the offense.
For the Boboites out there, it’s not about how many points we scored in 7 games this year. It’s about points being left on the field, which has cost us games or made blowout victories into nailbiters. IF we had a terrific defense, we could afford to leave those points on the field. But, right now, we can’t afford wasted drives due to play-calling or in-game philosophy. Our offense STUNK against Central Florida, and was weak during the 4th quarter this year. This is not a “fire Bobo” post. It is pointing out the potential wisdom of hiring someone who can coach Bobo up as OC, so that our team can be coached up…… Go Dawgs!! We got Ray Drew!
MBC#1 fan
January 28th, 2011
10:37 am
Great fit.
still@the bar
January 28th, 2011
10:40 am
UGA is a NIKE team and Fridge is a contract Under Armour Guy. Who will that work? O team in all Under Armour and Dteam in Nike?
82Dawg
January 28th, 2011
10:42 am
@still@the bar …don’t forget to tip the waitress
DawginLex
January 28th, 2011
10:44 am
Bobo is a loyal DGD. He deserves our respect and to not be thrown under the bus. If Richt can work this out to add Friedgen to the staff and retain Bobo in some capacity, it would be great.
Richt knows the heat is on but Bobo deserves some credit for this class.
Brucerugby79
January 28th, 2011
10:46 am
There is no Doubt that he would be an incredible hire-I believe everyone knows that. Any negative posts on here are from the panic in enemy camps and if we get this seasoned genius the momentum will continue to build
still@the bar
January 28th, 2011
10:47 am
The TRUTH probably is Richt is doing what he said he would do and talked to Fridge as part of his STUDYING football to get better. Ralph has always been a Great Offensive Mind and maybe just maybe Richt is not trying to hire, but LEARN some new tricks.
Mobile Dawg
January 28th, 2011
10:49 am
” It is rare that a man is humble enough to take instruction once he is “in charge” of something, in this case, the offense. ”
Vance and others, I believe McGarity has forced the current staff to “check their egos at the door” and do what’s best for the program. We will see, there have been small changes so far, if RF does come, and RG does leave, Bobo moves to RC and QBC, as has been hinted at by insider, McGarity’s stamp is all over this program as far as who’s in “control”.
Even if this doesn’t happen, change is still necessary, otherwise, it will be business as usual. With this “phenomenal” recruiting class and the current staff, we will improve, but will never reach our potential.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 28th, 2011
10:49 am
Ralph is a greate guy and a great coach, thus he will not accept the Athens program. Word on the street is that the Athens football program is so tainted that nobody wants to be associated with this sinking ship.
Uga'91
January 28th, 2011
10:51 am
If not him then Sylvester Croom. A man of integrity and I hear he was a great line coach.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 28th, 2011
10:51 am
You guys are always looking for that next ray of hope, that new assistant coach or player that will provide and edge….but it is the same old sh#$ year after year. CMR has been there 10 years and you are still rebuilding, heck you have been rebuilding since 1982.
BILLY JACK
January 28th, 2011
10:52 am
NO WAY-HIS TECH TIES ELIMUNATE HIM-SORRY THATS THE TRUTH.
BILLY JACK
January 28th, 2011
10:53 am
I MEAN ELIMINATE SORRY
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 28th, 2011
10:53 am
pay no attention to me i am a douche
Uga'91
January 28th, 2011
10:54 am
Still @ the bar…you’re STILL at the bar?
Time for a Change!
January 28th, 2011
10:54 am
IMHO that would be a huge pickup to go along with this recruiting class! He did a fantastic job in MD with the limited talent pool that he had to work with up there. Who knows it might be bye-bye Booboo!! Go DAWGS!! 2012 is looking better and better!!
BILLY JACK
January 28th, 2011
10:54 am
UGA 91 I LIKE THE CROOM IDEA -WE NEED BETTER COACHING AT WR-TONY BALL IS NOT COACHING THESE RECIEVERS UP.
still@the bar
January 28th, 2011
10:56 am
The FAKE mike bobo17 int is calling somebody a Douche? HAHAHA. A name stealing wuss calles somebody a DOUCHE. HAHAAHAH That is a smart Dawg. I bet you sniff only your own butt and Peanuts.