Mark Richt to Macon Bulldog Club: ‘I know what the hell I’m doing, OK?’
I was in Augusta Wednesday night for the Georgia Bulldog Club tour stop there and found coach Mark Richt to be calm and typically laid back. Other than his pointed comments on Washaun Ealey, the meeting was generally warm and fuzzy and it came and went without much controversy.
That wasn’t the case in Macon last night. According to my old friend Michael Lough, who covered the meeting for the Macon Telegraph, Richt got a little feisty with one particularly whiny fan. In the question-and-answer session, one man apparently droned on and on about Georgia’s poor running game last season and his apparent dissatisfaction with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and running backs coach Bryan McClendon.
That apparently lit a fire under Richt.
“I see your frustration, I understand your frustration,” Lough quoted Richt as saying.“I wasn’t born yesterday, I’ve coached football for 25 years, so I know what the hell I’m doing, OK? . . . I appreciate your passion, I appreciate your support for this football team. Everybody can just calm down and know that we’re in good hands. . . . And Bryan McClendon is a hell of a coach, he’s a hell of a recruiter. And I’m glad we got Bryan McClendon.”
Richt’s remarks, Lough reported, elicited a strong ovation from the crowd gathered at the Walnut Creek Shooting Preserve.
Not surprisingly, the normally-chaste Richt apologized a short time later for using the word “hell.” But he also reiterated his disappointment in the tailback situation and the fact that none of the lettermen have stepped up and seized the position in anticipation of Isaiah Crowell’s arrival later this summer.
So what do you think? Glad to hear such passion come out Georgia’s sometimes staid head coach? Disappointed with his word choice?
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595 comments Add your comment
Pot & the Kettle
April 29th, 2011
11:13 pm
Funny to see so many UGA fans backing CMR for “going off” … but when GT’s CPJ shows his “fire & passion” you all condemn the guy.
If that isn’t the “Pot calling the Kettle…” then you sons-a-biotches need a serious reality check.
whoknows
April 29th, 2011
11:15 pm
I’m sorry but I agree with the fan. Im’ glad Mark got passionate but he seemed to have a sensitive spot there. Why the hell do we have an old receiver coaching running backs and an old running back coaching receivers, or at least we used to. I have heard many other fans wonder the same question and I think it was a good question. I don’t know how well they coach behind the scenes, but besides AJ who was a natural superstar, our receivers and runningbacks aren’t a bright spot. Neither is the underachieving line who was supposed to be a top 3 offensive line in nation last year. Richt shouldn’t get aggrevated, just answer the man’s question.
tc
April 29th, 2011
11:20 pm
Here is the deal CMR. You have a losing season you are on the hot seat. You don’t like it? Win the SEC! No one will question your ability to coach.
MikeDawg13
April 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
It is about time someone asked The Head Coach some pointed questions as to why we have no National Championships that Alabama, LSU, and Florida does after all the time our Coach has had. Yes it was questions asked that Coach Richt said he knew what the Hell he was doing, yet I am still wondering if he does?
whoknows
April 29th, 2011
11:29 pm
I think the coaching staff really knew what they were doing when all the receivers ran a deep route on that important third and short play against Arkansas on the final drive at the 50. All prasises to special teams though, we can kick a field goal on fourth and one against UCF. I haven’t been coaching 25 years but i can tell you also on third and 8 or more we’re running the draw play up the middle 75% of the time.
UGADawg83
April 29th, 2011
11:29 pm
Wish Richt would e-mail those comments to Bill King the chief whiner of the Bulldog Nation.
GT51
April 29th, 2011
11:35 pm
when a coach starts to feel the pressure and knows that their job is in trouble, they get defensive, argue with fans and the media, and start throwing out past statistics, accomplishments, and years of experience. Its only a matter of time for cmr.
Nick Byers
April 29th, 2011
11:41 pm
I am glad the Bulldawg Nation is alive and well…if you see Richt run a practice, I guarantee you will know he is passionate..and that he rules with an iron fist…Just because he says “hell” doesn’t mean he is a better coach but maybe it shows the some of these idiots who really don’t know football need to think about what they are asking… there is a fine line in winning a national championship and not. If you saw MR yanking players off the field a couple years ago and the fear in the players’ eyes, you would know not to doubt this man’s passion and respect from our boys. Not only does it take a little luck…money, chemistry and yes, sometimes someone being fiery. Maybe when your conference wins 5 national championships with different universities winning it, that this would tell you something else very obvious..you’re going to have a couple breaks along the way to win out in this conference. Also remember it takes a couple special players on both sides of the ball to survive until bowl time…sometimes people have pushed the rules too.. I suspect that all of our programs cannot control 75 young men who come from some tough environments nor the Alumni who may have bent the rules…look at USC and what happened there..they won and bought their trophies…Lane K. at UT, Camgate, OSU etc.
Our program went down for a few years because of CMR’s loyalty to Martinez, which led to a decline in recruiting etc. He has corrected that situation and he made a choice with Grantham.
Yes, winning is important and guys like Saban would have probably pulled the trigger quicker given the same situation. I respect UA’s program and tradition but I am not sure if it was wise to put a statue up of Saban before he retires…
You have to be ruthless in many ways and that is the difference but I will take CMR’s character all day long. Other ruthless guys like Petrino..left their soldiers behind to die in the past and quit before the end of a season…Is that what you want leading your kids???
Now with the DC in Grantham, we just need to get the hogs up front and a running game going to help keep the D off the field to win. This will also keep unnecessary pressure off the Sophomore and we’ll be fine.
I’m backing CMR and I stand behind his Christianity…just because you profess your faith, doesn’t mean you are perfect or that you don’t know what it’s like to whip a little tale, slam a few cold ones. Mark has done all that, he just made a choice to change those things and that leads to an eternal life hereafter. I know behind the scenes and despite the boneheaded actions of a few that CMR is making a difference in many lives. Everybody loves to attack or jump on someone who is trying to live their life the right way. Gooo DAWGS!
leesburgbill
April 29th, 2011
11:43 pm
wish he had showed that fire in last years bowl game.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 29th, 2011
11:49 pm
GT51,
When a coach gets insulted by being asked the same dumb a** questions all the time, and being questioned about the same things all the time, he also gets defensive. Something called human nature. I know GT fans are so much above showing emotions and such, but look it up.
Pot and The kettle,
No one questions CPJ’s emotions as far as I can remember. UGA fans question why Tech. fans take such a superior stand about their football team and degrade UGA’s team, when you can’t beat them more than 1 out of 10 years. You and other tech. fans make disparging remarks about UGA simply because you are jealous and tired of getting your butts handed to you, every Novemeber.
falconfiend
April 29th, 2011
11:49 pm
Coach i got you back. Hey stop messing with my coach or i will stomp a atl mude hole in you. WATCH FOR THIS BULLDOG TEAM. AKEEM DENT TO MY BELOVED ATLANTA FALCONS—WOOOF
jim wootang
April 30th, 2011
12:06 am
As long as he doesn’t get caught with red panties, Georgia is stuck with Richt.
PT
April 30th, 2011
12:12 am
I would say he is feeling it and it’s starting to show! To bad he let things get to this point but no one to blame but him self. He does have a weak staff compaired to other programs.
FLA DAWG
April 30th, 2011
12:16 am
When a UGA Head Coach has his button pushed by a Macon Dawg Fan then Dawg Nation knows it is the last season for Richt.
Tip of the hat to the guy that had the guts to ask the tough questions that many of us wished we had the opportunity to ask.
Such as………………………by the way Coach Richt, just how many millions of dollars have you earned as HC at UGA? Do you honestly believe your performance over the last three years justifies that salary?
What would you say to UGA Alumns from Grad Classes of ‘74, ‘79, ‘80, etc about your performance as HC?
On paper UGA beats Boise State every Saturday and I think that will happen in the seaon opener. I also think it will be followed by deafeats to SC, UT and UF in The East…………….and I don’t even want to think about playing LSU or Bama.
When does this nightmare end!?
ckgator
April 30th, 2011
12:19 am
Richt used “hell” publicly. Time to order those pre-season national championship rings, GA fans!
Nick Byers
April 30th, 2011
12:27 am
Tech Football is painful to watch…the game will change so I am not sure how long this run will last…PJ is a good coach for Yech with a scheme that allows you to win with undersized talent by chewing up the clock. I’m glad to be stuck with CMR and not PJ. If you want to talk about boneheaded Athletic director moves…remember who you’re still paying to not coach your basketball team.
Laguria
April 30th, 2011
12:34 am
This is not about personality but about winning football games. CMR needs to go! Too many 4/5 star recruits with no where to go. Lag
Dennis Oxford
April 30th, 2011
12:48 am
What the “hell” is the issue…you go to church every Sunday & the man you listen to says HELL & there’s NO problem …your Saturday afternoon “Saint” says hell & ya have to discuss it?? Go Coach, give’m HELL!!
MaxxDawg
April 30th, 2011
12:53 am
HELL YEA!
J
April 30th, 2011
1:21 am
I am sick of everyone apoligizing for Richt, no wonder we don’t have a National Championship and the others do and those that don’t will be contenders before we are……just sucks!
Thomas Brown
April 30th, 2011
1:26 am
# 56 Total Offense 2010
# 55 Offense 3rd Down Conversions 2010
# 62 Offense being sacked 2010
# 72 Offense even getting a 1st Down 2010
6-7 with only “wins” over teams who all 6 ended with Losing Records
No Fullback on the roster, none recruited
OL Coach resigns, leaves, amid praise OL was #1 OL 2010 in nation
That is what everyone said prior to 2010, OL best OL in the nation
5 TE on roster but no FB
RB coach who was a WR for UGA
WR coach who was a RB and a good RB in college
Thomas Brown
April 30th, 2011
1:27 am
Mike Bobo who was 1-year QB coach at Jacksonville State
This is who we stole Mike Bobo from to be our embattled O.C.
21 Losses last 5 years – average more than 4 Losses a year
For 5 Damn Years
6 this season without so much as even playing in SEC CG
Our QB praised yet out-played by 7 QB head-to-head all Losses
Fulmer Cup National Championship 2010 (# 2 All-Time)
We cannot ask this question ?
Thomas Brown
April 30th, 2011
1:41 am
How much of a drain on the running game is having a QB who averages 8 carries a game, only to average in fact less than 2 yards per carry all season long 2010 ?
Who teaches our running backs how to carry a football so they don’t fumble, who calls and designs the plays telling the running backs where to run the football and how to make cuts to get in the open field, who teaches our running backs to have character off the field a guy who was arrested for drugs when he played here, who has been deciding on who is red-shirted (so we see them 2 years All-America then gone to NFL with # 8 overall pick) or rips red-shirt off them in the 3rd Quarter of the 5th game the season already long since shot to Hell.
Who is responsible for all this ?
The head coach paid three million a year to ostensibly hire a coaching staff to make these decisions.
So once again we have Mark Richt saying that he is standing pat on his lousy sorry coaching staff he himself assembled and he himself hangs on to way too long in every single solitary case.
Let’s Defend Bryan McClendon and Mike Bobo. By all means Mark Richt. It is what you do, sir. Yet, here we are in a state which finds only 3 others (FL TX and CA) who have more high school recruits who go on to the NFL – handing Mark Richt the # 7 average recruiting class every year and we are this anemic pathetic irrelevant at the end of the season on the national stage us 14-0 playing a 13-1 team who ends up in the Top 10 after we beat them in the bowl game.
Irrelevant.
Georgia Fans Eats Idiots Sandwiches
April 30th, 2011
2:35 am
HAHA richt starting to feel the pressure! six wins for the mutts in 2011.
Thomas Brown
April 30th, 2011
2:49 am
No.
He is just defending his lousy “coaching staff.”
Again.
We still beat you. In fact, he beat you 9 out of 10 times.
Thomas Brown
April 30th, 2011
2:53 am
When Mark Richt goes to his next job, he will have someone there who tells him he is not allowed to ever hire any of his assistants. They will tell him that is what got him fired from this cushy job where about a third of our fans are quite satisfied with losing more than 4 games a year on the average over the last entire 5 seasons.
MM from Lilburn
April 30th, 2011
3:36 am
Gee whiz – I didn’t think Mark had it in him – I’m semi-shocked and glad to see he has a pulse. Go get ‘em, Coach ! I’m still mad at UGA for getting rid of Hugh Durham. Speaking of no pulse, Georgia basketball was a basket case before Hugh Durham brought it back to life. Still he is the best coach they’ve had and they didn’t appreciate him. Of course, everything is football at UGA – I keep forgetting.
CynthiaM
April 30th, 2011
3:42 am
So completely NOT a UGA fan, but thrilled to see the coach get with one of those “couch potato” know it alls that could not coach if their life depended on it! Football fans, particularly Dawg fans, tend to think they could do it all, when they have probably never even played. Hope the coach’s response dished up a healthy portion of humble pie for that fan!
Next year blows
April 30th, 2011
6:45 am
Mark Richt has already lost it. His passion doesn’t change the fact that he has no discipline, no running back and Bobo calling the plays. All this excitement over his passion will fade early in the season.
dd
April 30th, 2011
7:13 am
Good for the fan in Macon.
I’m tired of watching this crap we’ve been seeing recently too.
These guys are paid well. They should be able to take the heat and put a better product on the field.
This is the SEC Jack.
tell me again
April 30th, 2011
7:17 am
Any one of you bloggers that is so critical of CMR know this: If you had to work under the pressure and expectations that man does – you would have hung yourself from a balcony years ago. He’s not a God or a saint – just a DAMN GOOD DAWG!
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 30th, 2011
7:25 am
Wow, some of these last bloggers must work at the all night taco bells. Either that or the early morning shift at Mickie D’d. Such knowledgable folks as seen on here, must surely all be head coaches in waiting for the college football coaches job. No wonder CMR lost his cool. If you folks are indicitive of the average fan that attends these meetings, is it any wonder?
RS
April 30th, 2011
7:35 am
Great that the MR finally loss his temper.That guy should support anybody but uga.
SugarHillDawg
April 30th, 2011
7:40 am
And he says the pressure ain’t getting to him……….
bulldawg05-19-1979
April 30th, 2011
8:09 am
Although i applaud Mark Richt for his feisty attitude toward another, ever so growing, whiner. Last year was one of the worst years that i have seen since the Ray Goff error. But we still suffered through the heart ache and the pain then and we will now too. But low and behold Mark Richt is no Ray Goff, Jim Dannon or Mighty, Mighty Vince Dooly for that notion. Mark Richt will soon go down to be the greatest head coach at UGA history. After we prove to Boise State this year that they are not a true National Championship team and not to mention chase QB Moore all through the hedges and probably in the stands, He’ll wish he had went pro and was getting paid for those same bruises after that Saturday in the Georgia Dome. After South Carolina gets repaid for there lucky gift last year(basically a poor performance by none other than Washuan Ealey who apparently hasn’t lived up to the hype or he just needs to go back to Emanual County Institute where all the whining obviously mattered HA HA) Time to step up or shutup Ealey and Hold on to the football for Christs sake. Thanks for that fumble in the end zone last year against SC. Isiah Crowell will be happy to take your spot if you don’t want it. Needless to say Florida is going to struggle a little bit as they try to catch on to there new scemes, Tennessee will be better, And Mississippi State( i kinda feel for them a little bit after Geargia crushes them this year between the hedges. Bye Bye AJ we will miss you but someone will step up. More like a bunch of someones, just look at or receiving core, truthfully. Georgia Fans let last year go but never forget. This may very well just be the year that that the SEC east Gets swept. Our defense is back and a terrible thing for any Head coach any where. So sit back, Relax and stop whining guys the years of the DAWGS are upon us again. GGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEEK’EM
DawgMachine
April 30th, 2011
8:28 am
Bobo’s terrible, the UGA running game is not any good and the RB coach is not that good—but Richt “knows what he is doing?”
Funny stuff.
Alex
April 30th, 2011
8:31 am
Crowell will be suspended before the year is over.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 30th, 2011
8:41 am
Alex,
I assume you have some insider information or is this a mini rave just because you do not like UGA. He knows what is expected of him and I think the kid will rise to the occasion. You sound an awful lot like a High School kid who is just jealous because you lack the talent in athletics that this kid has.
brax
April 30th, 2011
8:48 am
even a Christian has to raise a little HELL from time to time….Right on Richt
Hank
April 30th, 2011
9:16 am
When in doubt remember what The Donald would say [WWDS] – ‘kiss my bleep you nose pickin bleep bleep!
complacency
April 30th, 2011
9:20 am
UGA fans must be big Obama supporters. Just roll over like neutered dogs and admonish anyone who speaks up. It’s okay to question authority, folks. Just because the guy says “we’ve got it under control” doesn’t mean it’s a sin to ask HOW. Look at Florida, their fans got riled up after a questionable hiring of Ron Zook. He was gone after 3 years and they’ve had 2 championships since. Zook is a better coach than Richt, it is starting to look like.
The Truth Hurts
April 30th, 2011
9:23 am
Before anyone expresses anger at the running game….keep this in mind. Georgia has King and Ealey in the backfield and another recruit coming in. IF the passing game and line don’t step up, then there will not be any lanes open for these guys to run. The problem is not the running back. The Problem is the coaching and lack of a true playmaking QB. UGA has the running backs….they just don’t have any offensive minded coaches who can make a difference.
Please don’t attempt to highlight the indescretions of the RB’s. UGA doesn’t know how to handle their All-Stars. Everytime someone messess up, here comes Richt with a public tounge lashing for the player and a suspension…..Way to develop them Richt. This really teaches what in the long run??? This tells me that you don’t care about developing young men and getting the best from them. Call up your old mentor, Coach Bobby Bowden….he was so good for so long because he knew how to handle people and situations….oh and lest we forget….He knew how to COACH.
Chuck Allison
April 30th, 2011
9:28 am
I am extremely disappointed in Mark using that kind of language. He may have apologized but he also needs to repent. That kind of language is not going to come out unless you have it inside you.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 30th, 2011
10:01 am
If “hell”, is the strongest word CMR ever uses in public, I think he can be forgiven this little transgression. Bet you that any other coach in the SEC has used a lot stronger words. You don’t have to be a mind reader to read the lips of some of the coaches during a game when you see it on TV. Maybe if some folks would get behind the coach instead of always being negative, as you see a lot on these blogs, he would not feel so defensive and lose his temper. He is a better man than me for sure. If I were in his position and getting this kind of crap thrown at me, in a club meeting, no one would accuse me of being too nice a guy for saying what I would say, LOL. I was a career military man and I can guarentee you that I was capable of getting my point across either nicely or not so nicely. The situation warrants the response in most cases and I think CMR is just tired of the same old questions and comments. I hope he can turn in around this year and I am a lot more optimistic than I may have been at the end of last season.
Paydirt
April 30th, 2011
10:07 am
So what, the man said “hell”. So much for his cookies & milk image. I’m wary of people who don a halo, and I’m a Christian. As far as the man’s coaching is concerned, it’s obvious he did know what he was doing early in his career with Georgia. I can’t say that now. I think his retort in Macon was just out of pure frustration.
Richt & Co. probably won’t be around after next season if we don’t get back to our winning ways. I don’t say this because I wish this. It’s because of the growl from bulldog nation.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
April 30th, 2011
10:23 am
They offer a course to women only that is named FOOTBALL 101…..This should be open to all Georgia fans so they could learn a little bit about football before they go to whining like the MACON MORON….Some of these fans can’t spell football, but sit up there on Saturday afternoon giving the coaches a hard time….My favorite is when we run the ball and it is not greatly successful, these fans holler, Come on Richt, pass the ball…..Then when they pass and it is incomplete, they hollar why the hell ain’t we running the ball…..Many Georgia fans know the game of football and appreciate the efforts of the kids and coaches, but it seems everytime I go to a Georgia football game, I have one of these MACON MORONS sitting behind me….Better to stay at home with the AC and HI-DEF, but it is nothing like being there to here the collisions…..Just hope Georgia fans this year and in all the coming years have the class that this institution has always had….Bear Bryant at Alabama, to my thinking the best coach thats ever been, once went 6-5 for two consecutive years…..These other schools give full scholarships too, and why do Georgia fans think because some 4 STAR or 5 STAR rating is put on a kid that we have an edge on all the other teams….In most cases, this 5 STAR and 4 STAR stuff don’t mean a thing, and they are getting some 4STAR and 5 STAR kids also…Its what the kids does when he gets to college that matters…..With the 25 scholarship/85 limit, all of the schools except just a few are getting good enough athletes to win any given Saturday…It is a real crapshoot every Saturday…..AND GOOD FOR COACH RICHT, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, GO AHEAD AND BE YOURSELF AND CONTINUE TO LAY THE LUMBER WHEN THE NEED ARISES….THE GOOD LORD WILL FORGIVE…..HE UNDERSTANDS THE PROFESSION YOU ARE IN, AND THANKS FOR STANDING UP FOR YOUR COACHES….THEY STAND UP FOR YOU ALSO….
go dawgs
April 30th, 2011
10:46 am
Richt should use that language a little more often …. shows he cares and how passionate he is. Remember when he had the team run out after we scored the first TD against UF a few years ago?? stuff like that gets everybody in the bulldawg nation fired up.
tv
April 30th, 2011
10:53 am
hahaha a BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES ON THIS BLOG STILLL DREAMING OF THE GLORY DAYS..funny how after your 7th loss in the bowl game to UCF your comments were the same as the Macon fan.
WWJD hahahahahaha
mike
April 30th, 2011
11:55 am
after a 6-7 year i would disagree on what you know coach ..cannot finish the drill or you would of been 11-2
Hypocrite Richt
April 30th, 2011
12:08 pm
CMR is a hypocrite and no Christian, as he claims. He has dodged responsibility for the moral decline of his team and the obvious fall-off in on-field play that results. If he’s not 2-0 after the first two games or if a single other player gets even accused of a crime before then, he should be summarily dismissed from the program.