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Friedgen as UGA’s OL coach? Hmmmmm…

5:00 am January 28, 2011, by Tim Tucker

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

UGA4LIFE

January 28th, 2011
3:49 pm

Excessive celebration—-yea that “round ball” game was a tough one! I am even feeling a little mental drain after that one! I think its gonna turn around!

Stinger2

January 28th, 2011
3:50 pm

To all of the above comments that GT fans would be upset if RF came to UGA, I ask: Why? He has been gone from GT
for ten years I believe. He was a great asset to GT when he was here but that time has long passed.

Smiling Jack

January 28th, 2011
3:50 pm

Naw, Buckeye isn’t any better than that! Who’s the Coach at Ohio State? Who is his staff? Who in Georgia cares? So why does Buckeye, any gator fan, auburn fan, yeck fan or any other fan care about Goergia, it’s Head Coach, Assistant Coaches or any of its players? Go Dawgs! Great year coming up…great recruiting class….Go Dawgs!

Dawg Squeeze

January 28th, 2011
4:02 pm

It would be interesting to see what an actual coach who can improve players would do at UGA, something that has not been seen in 20+ years.

excessive celebration

January 28th, 2011
4:03 pm

uga4life…..im sorry i just cant put up with it. i will believe it when i see it. not until. i am seriously looking for another sec team to be my top favorite. its a toss up between uf and alabama. they win big games, have big time national clout and are proven winners over the last 20 years. i also like lsu alot. been a uga fan 4 35 years or so.

NOTSO FAST

January 28th, 2011
4:04 pm

He would be good. GT had a great running attack when he was Coaching. I think he would help the running.

excessive celebration

January 28th, 2011
4:07 pm

confounded uf jedi mind tricks!!!

RF's Agent

January 28th, 2011
4:12 pm

Ralph knows, first hand, what a bunch of snaggle tooth, low class, trailer trash morons comprise the dawg nation. Trust me; he’s not coming.

RF's Agent

January 28th, 2011
4:13 pm

you’ve got a better chance getting him to model underwear than coming to the cesspool.

fishook dawg

January 28th, 2011
4:17 pm

Well he does own a lake home on Lake Oconee which would be pretty close to Athens and so does Todd Grantham. They could ride to work together!

Do you guys even know your own schedule?

January 28th, 2011
4:29 pm

UGA4LIFE

January 28th, 2011
3:47 pm
…We also play in a Conf that produces National champions every year—The big O would have a hard time surviving the cut if they had a schedule that played UF, Alabama, Auburn, and LSU—then you would get a break and only have to play Arkansas, SC, and Miss ST….
___________________________________________________________

UGA has only played UF, ALA , AU and LSU in the same season 4x in their history (90, 91, 03, 08).
The only team in the SEC that could ever play the schedule listed above (5 teams in the West + a couple from the East) is the 6th team from the West – Ole Miss.

It’s true – there is nothing dumber than a Georgia Bulldawg

Paul in RDU

January 28th, 2011
4:32 pm

Stinger2
I agree with you about Ralph. I can’t see many GT fans being upset if he went to UGA – surprised, yes – upset, no,
Heck, one of the other people mentioned as a potential OL coach for UGA was HC for GT in a bowl game.

AceDawg

January 28th, 2011
4:35 pm

What, did someone say fire Bobo and hire Friedgen as OC? Oh wait, was that me? Hmm.

BIG JOE

January 28th, 2011
4:39 pm

I think he would be a good addition to the offense as a whole, however I doubt he would take an OL coaching job. He’s 63 yrs old and not in the best shape.

Gatormeat

January 28th, 2011
4:40 pm

I remember Friedgen bringing his team down to the Orange bowl to play the Mighty Gators, he was supposed to be the hot coach at the time. Florida pummeled Maryland 56-23. Bring him on dogs, he will just be the next in line from georgia to get kicked all over the field by the Gaors in Jacksonville. Again

Mobile Dawg

January 28th, 2011
4:45 pm

Gatormeat is the new “hot commodity” when tailgating. It’s great fried. Was a great run for the Dawgs pre Spurrier, since Spurrier, the shoes been on the other foot. I think the foundation is just about to be leveled for a while, meaning a competetive rivalry will follow the next few years. We just have to win one first. Be careful Gatormeat, you guys now have to worry about the Chickens too.

wildbill

January 28th, 2011
5:05 pm

Its deja vu all over again. The TALK about a great recruiting class, just like prior years. TALK, TALK, TALK about a great recruiting class. Same ole story. But, when that GREAT RECRUITING CLASS gets to Athens, then what? Thats the 64 dollar question. When the heat is on in the kitchen, change the subject. Great Recruiting class, yeah right. We will see!

dawgfan

January 28th, 2011
5:29 pm

He sure is an ugly SOB

biggdawgk

January 28th, 2011
6:29 pm

I have never posted to a message board for a team I didn’t like and frankly I wonder what type of sociopathe does.

The sad little losers who are posting here daily that are techies, barners, bamers, gaytors etc… obviously lead lifes of not so quiet desperation. I can’t begin to imagine how lonely and pathetic these wretched creatures really are.

Maybe slamming their betters in a dank basement is the only thing that keeps these pitiful individuals from putting a gun barrel in their mouths each day. I truly hope y’all are able to get help and someday find a shred of happiness.

Hollywood

January 28th, 2011
6:48 pm

Pie in the sky….. but it would be freakin’ AWESOME to have him!

playing time

January 28th, 2011
7:25 pm

It would be interesting to see what he could do the the talent at Georgia, but I’m not getting my hopes up.

Paddy

January 28th, 2011
9:21 pm

I am going to move to Lake Oconee. Mickey Mantle’s old house is up for sale again. Jack Nicholas just sold his place this past summer. The Va Tech coach also has a place close to Fridge’s . Nice neighborhood.

Dawg89

January 28th, 2011
9:32 pm

Fire or demote Bozo and make the Fridge OC.

gt4ever

January 28th, 2011
9:35 pm

Funny, OL coach…… How in the world could you expect Ralph to work for BoBo….? I mean, I have nothing against BoBo…. BoBo is just in way over his head, maybe several years too early for him to handle UGA OC job….. If Ralph is hired as OC, then it saves Richt’s job period! You just have to worry about the idiot you have coaching the Defense……

RH in Dunwoody

January 28th, 2011
10:14 pm

Fire Bobo, plug in the fat man Friedgen! I promise he would be better from day one (not saying much)..

I like Bobo, but you can’t tell me he’s the finest offensive football mind we can afford at UGA – I simply don’t believe that’s the case.

eastcobbdawg

January 28th, 2011
10:51 pm

what a great hire this would be…someone with intensity and football knowledge. this would really help opening up the playbook!!!

still@the bar

January 28th, 2011
11:45 pm

As from before
Ralph will not take a job because he will lose a lot of his buyout money. He sure as hell will not be an O-line coach unless UGA pays him OC type money. Fridge ain’t been an O-line coach since like 22-25 years ago. The only thing bobo could tell or tech Ralph is how to get to the beat resturants in Athens.

Sean

January 29th, 2011
1:16 am

He got a 2mil buyout from Maryland, so he doesn’t exactly need the money… I would be really shocked to see him take anything less then a coordinator job. He is not much of a recruiter too, so I think he would be better off in the NFL.

GeezTechFans

January 29th, 2011
1:21 am

Really? You really have an argument there. What is really up and coming at the Institute? Ugly cheerleaders, 40K at a home football game with metal bleachers? Oh, I forgot, the skyline. Easier to see the “Ghetto Birds” fly as the next undergrad GT point guard goes pro.

JTK

January 29th, 2011
2:31 am

Oh no. Say it isn’t so. I love Ralph. He will always be part of Tech history as a member of that incredible coaching staff with Bobby Ross. I would hate to see UGA get hold of those talents. Oh well, whatever is best for him.

ckgator

January 29th, 2011
6:17 am

Things are really turning the corner, now that Richt finally has time to “think about football.”

Maaaah Haaaaaaaaaaa.

reality

January 29th, 2011
7:29 am

He will not go to UGA…..just like Kirby Smart, Muschamp, Foster…..

Larry

January 29th, 2011
7:53 am

Could a demotion or relocation of Bobo be in the works? Seriously, how could a supremely qualified former OC and Head Coach report to one who has never accompished anything of note?

woebegong

January 29th, 2011
7:55 am

I do not see him coming to UGA as the O.C., but it sure would be nice if they could somehow hire him as say, “Offensive Consultant” or something like that. His purpose would be, to help Bobo learn how to put together maybe, a better game plan, and how to adjust the offense during the game to take advantage of the situations that arise. I believe Bobo could turn into a good OC with a little more training and supervision. Coach Freiden would be a great teacher and mentor. I know that CMR, will probably have more input into the offense this year, but it sure wouldn’t hurt to have the experience that Coach Freiden could bring to the table.

Dangerous

January 29th, 2011
9:38 am

Bobo turn into a good OC with a little training and supervision…….??????? What kind of statement is that? Either your a student of the game or not. Either you work with your strengths or you try to fit a round peg into a a square hole. Bobo has not a clue to study other successful coaching and incorporate it into his own game plan. Bobo’s play book last year was either to studder step the fullback up into the hole that the running back was going (dead give away to the play) or play action pass from under center and wait for a long route to develope. Defenses were running down hill as they say on GA last year. Murray was getting killed. I remember the call in show for Ark a caller asked when did Murray’s chin get busted…..Richt laughed and said he got hit so many times he couldn’t remember….WHAT?????…….you idot’s….then a caller asked why do you run only play action from under center and not mix it up with shot gun formation…….Richt said that play action worked the best for them….WHAT??????……I screamed the whole game run more quik slant, drag a receiver across the middle about 5 yards ( just like Ark did all day and it killed us), and for god sakes run a freakin 3 or 4 receiver set and run a draw play ( they did start this against Col with success) or pitch the ball in a miss direction of the play. Bobo and Richt should have worn out the hash with Orson Charles…hardly saw that…..all those good receivers and backs aren’t bad, but when your play book consists of virtually the same stinkin Sh@t…come on. Kiffen turned Crompton into a decent quarterback with a 5, 10, 15, 20 yard slant package….and you know what..they moved the ball….against stiff defenses. YOU GOT TO UNLOAD IT WHEN THE D IS ON TOP OF YOU. Create some breathing room and keep those blitzes from coming on every single play (D runing down hill on us) Dink and dunk to open up down field! That’s how the pros do it. GRANTHEM WILL BE FINE NEXT YEAR, THE QUESTION IS WILL OUR OFFENSE CONTINUE TO BE A LIMP D%^K!

woebegong

January 29th, 2011
9:58 am

I am just wondering how you get to be a good OC, without training and supervision is all. We can rehash all we want about last year, but it seems to me that Bobo still needs some training but I also believe that experience is a great teacher as well, so hopefully he will be better this year. If the offense doesn’t show good improvement this year, then I say, we get a new OC. Lack of supervision and training falls on the HC so, I believe we will see that improvement as I believe that CMR, can get the job done. I hope the changes the AD and HC have made to that side of the house will show improvement and get the ship going in the right direction. I hope that whomever gets the OL position can do a good job also. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSS

harold

January 29th, 2011
10:24 am

THE REST OF THE SEC IS LAUGHING IT’S ASS OFF AT THIS HIRE. GEORGIA DOESN’T HAVE THE COACHING TO EVEN COMPETE WITH THE AUBURN’S, LSU’S AND ALABAMA’S. KIRBY SMART ( GEORGIA’S OWN) REJECTED GEORGIA LAST YEAR.

LOTS OF DREAMING AND NOTHING EVER BECOMES OF IT!

Dangerous

January 29th, 2011
10:30 am

The buck stops with the OC. Stacey Searles is one of the best in the business, but when your play calling is so predictable, that negates a lot of positives. One will not win on brute strength alone. Everybody is strong. You have to play with creativity and keep a D on there heels. Bobo’s play calling hasn’t changed in……how many years? Bottom line is that he is really not that good…..GA paying him a lot of money to be mediocre……most learn from mistakes..he just hasn’t. Poor play calling and turn overs has sunk GA’s O and that is a glaring reality. Putting points up against inferior foes and padding a pts average is not very impressive.

davidinloganville

January 29th, 2011
10:38 am

my choice for a fat former head coach as OL coack would be the great pumpkin Phil Fulmer. Evan as HC he still worked with the OL.

Dangerous

January 29th, 2011
10:50 am

Phil Fullmer was only formidable when he had David Cutcliff running the O! He was the straw that stirred the drink at UT. When he left they were a dumpster fire. When he returned they were winners again.

Brainiac(Dawg for life)

January 29th, 2011
11:21 am

Man how things have turned around on this blog. Apparently CMR pays no attention to the negatives on this or any other blog.

hal

January 29th, 2011
11:36 am

He should be the next Head Coach of the Tennessee Titans or at least their OC.

shankit

January 29th, 2011
12:43 pm

Ya’ll stupid idiots on here, get off BoBo’s arse.
He is bringing the best recruiting class in history
to Georgia and you are too stupid to realize it.
Why do you think the South Georgia group,
Valdosta, Colquitt and Thomasville decided to
come to Georgia, Richt and BoBo have a plan.

Triangle

January 29th, 2011
1:20 pm

Leach is the name for offense not friedgen…. Better get him while you can

Dangerous

January 29th, 2011
5:09 pm

Shankit….Bobo has had talent and has yet to figure out what to do with it. Richt is obviously sticking with Bobo, so they are going to revamp the playbook or both be gone next year.

Jonkdawg

January 30th, 2011
11:58 am

But he is gonna turn uga into GT playing scheme!!!!

Camden Mark

January 30th, 2011
6:57 pm

Demote Boo Boo and make the Fridge our OC.The man would do great,helluva a coach with proven track record.

Autoslug

January 30th, 2011
7:25 pm

Richt need to take the Harbaugh approach from Stanford. Hire the best qualified,smartest coaches available at all assistant coach positions so he can overcome his main weakness-HE CANNOT COACH

bigcalidawg

January 31st, 2011
6:05 pm

C’mon big baby. We got a whole lotta big brotha’s that can dwarf you, but sit right next to ya.

You would help our offense, in one, or two ways, depending on how long you stay.

calmdawg

February 1st, 2011
10:23 am

This would inspire o-line players. Big fat man. Ha!

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