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
Hypocrite Richt
April 30th, 2011
12:12 pm
I wasn’t at the Macon meeting, and I now some fans can be annoying, but legitimate criticism of Richt’s teams’ continual decline should not be met with rebuke. It is very easy to be a mellow, self-righteous Christian when your team is winning and all is well, but the true measure of a man is when things are tough, and CMR has been showing his true colors in the last few seasons under adversity.
Hypocrite Richt
April 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
Ever since the End Zone Debacle in Jacksonville several years back, CMR has shown he can’t coach his way out of trouble or adversity. He can act up or act out all he wants, but until he can coach all his players better (incl. running backs) he will continue to be a poor loser, despite getting more and more practice at it (7 times last year!).
Sir Francis Macon
April 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
Yeah, ol’ Mark lost his temper big time down here Thursday night. I thought he was gonna roll his eyes, or maybe even shake his fist or somethin’ he was so hot. Man, I wouldn’t want to be a drunk player or convicted felon having to face this raving lunatic of a disciplinarian. I bet he sure is tough on his players. Whew, hope he settles down before the season starts. I’d hate to see any emotion or inspiration spill over onto the field or the team’s play.
Sir Francis Macon
April 30th, 2011
12:21 pm
P.S. I wrote all the plays.
Mike "the Bard" Bobo
April 30th, 2011
12:22 pm
Trust me, you can have credit (blame) for ALL the plays from the last two years.
Jesus Hates the Bulldogs
April 30th, 2011
12:25 pm
Coach Richt, just for that you have to coach at UGA for another decade.
Maconbulldog
April 30th, 2011
2:19 pm
Maybe if the fan should been a little bit more respectful than it might now have went like that. Btw to the comment about Macon having nothing but private schools we did put out a player that went to Alabama ( cause he was suckerd by nick Saban) and now playing in the NFL. Kareme Jackson we was a public school player . Go Dawgs
Cliff
April 30th, 2011
3:01 pm
Good for Richt. He should still be fired, but good for him.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
For all of you critics on here that think CMR can not coach and you know all about coaching, I have a couple of books that might interest you. After reading them, you all should be fully qualified to coach at UGA or any other big school for that fact.
1. “How to Play Football”, by Otis St. Clair, A primer to help you remember what you need to know to become a big time coach.
2. “Play Football the NFL Way” Position by Position”. by Tom Bass. After completing this read, you should be able to draw about 3 million yourself and coach your team to multiple NC’s. You will not need 25 years of experience with your stunning knowledge of the game already.
It is easy to critisize, but damn difficult to lead. Give it some thought, all of you negative people.
GO DAWGS
What The H-E-Double Hockey Sticks? « Year of the Dawg
April 30th, 2011
4:24 pm
[...] for the euphemism. I’m not as brash of tongue as some around here. That out of the way, I’d like to talk a bit about the ongoing NFL draft. [...]
Perry
April 30th, 2011
5:00 pm
Richt’s success in 2002 & 2007 shows Richt can have a big year. What makes it so perplexing, is why things have been on such a dive the last two seasons like the running yards. I think that was all the fan was trying to say, sort of “Hey Coach, you had some great runs in 2002 & 2007, we know you can coach, so what’s been going on the last couple of seasons, Moreno & Musa were great those two seasons, you know?”.
Hairy Dawg
April 30th, 2011
5:45 pm
This just shows why we not needing to hot sit Coach Richt. He got the talent and be exposing dominants on SEC with Dream Team. Then we make traitor Gaytor Muschump pay by running East like we runs state. That why Dawgs goning return to rightfull place at top of SEC cause Coach Richt knows how to get talents, coach and then Christians. Coach Richt getting fiesty is exactly what we needs for players to have nasty meaness like Ben Jones to take out dirty players like Fairly and cheating Tigers. We got the Dream Team and chance for national champs in 2011.
Hairy Dawg
April 30th, 2011
6:39 pm
WWJD?
He would root for the Red & Black because we puts a G on the helments to honor God and be more Christian. That why Dawgs do the right thing and winning to expose dominants. Just cause we had 7 loss pestalence last year we know we got to stay true to Coach Richt to leading us promised land of Sugar and Crystal footballs. Coach Richt know how recruiting SEC talents and speed then Christainize to build bests team.
David
April 30th, 2011
6:51 pm
I’m ready to see some fired up attitudes in the dawgs program. I love Richt as a coach but would really love to see him light a fire under every player, so the team will play with some fired up passion, not just to win, but to run all over every team they play. It’s about time to regain that Georgia pride DAWGS!!!
Gratefuldawghead
April 30th, 2011
7:22 pm
Does running the ball up the middle on 3rd and twenty (with AJ Green in the game) show Richt knows what he is doing? Nice guys finish Third in the SEC East! Time for Richt to get the JOB DONE or LEAVE!!!
GO DAWGS!
Bleu_Bayou42
April 30th, 2011
7:24 pm
When we lose big to Boise State, more than half of you who are cheering CMR on will be calling for his job. The fan was correct, unlike you CMR but kissers, he just had the balls to ask. UGA will be 7-5 next year.
Yellow Fuzz
April 30th, 2011
8:12 pm
hahahahaha
Hairy Dawg
April 30th, 2011
9:38 pm
I tolds you to stop hot sitting Coach Richt. He best coach for getting players that play and expose talents. He just needs to cast out the wicked players that not using talents. Adams is the one deserving blaming cause he not letting coach Richt cast out the players that not goning expose talents for NFL. Then we reload with more talents and SEC speed like Dream Team. Richt and McG got to getting fiesty with Adams to quit tieing hands and let’s us recruiting and cutting loose like Bammers.
Ben
April 30th, 2011
10:31 pm
Herschel Walker knows more about how to win a National Championship at Georgia than Mark Richt.
Here’s what Herschel Walker said a while back:
“You can’t do the Run and Shoot or California offense in the SEC,” he said.
“The SEC is about blocking and tackling and running the football. Line it up and go get it.”
That’s also why he believes new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley — who was a young teenager when Walker was playing for Derek’s dad Vince — will succeed with the Vols.
“Derek believes in running the football,” he said. “In the SEC that’s what you’ve got to do.”
kevin
April 30th, 2011
11:22 pm
‘woof’ ‘woof’ ‘woof’ woof’ ‘woof’!!!!!!!! Amen Coach Richt. Don’t let this small group of the Bulldog Nation this idiot represents make you run for the hills please. Anyone with a brain, that understands the entire body of work on and off the field you and your staff bring to the University, want you guys to stay longer than Joe Pa. has lead Penn State or Bobby ran things at Florida State. I can’t wait to see the team this fall. I am excited to see how much everyone has progressed and gotten better!! Go Dawgs!!!
Hairy Dawg
April 30th, 2011
11:50 pm
Some of you Dawgs need get inline cause and stop being traitors. Coach Richt is bests coach and knows how SEC winning. He gets the NFL talents and then reloads if not for Adams. Adams stacks of dung heaps for not letting Coach Richt do Christain thing to cast out stinky players that not using talents in SEC. Then we get more Dream Team by cutting loose stinkys that not playing SEC level.
Nub
May 1st, 2011
7:00 am
Glad to see all of the mention of Jesus…… What’s most important in your life…..????
FanSince59
May 1st, 2011
10:08 am
Sounds like old Richt is getting a little testy. Could it be that he knows his overpaid ass is in a “tight” this season, and, if another four or five losses comes his way, even his buddy McGarity might not be able to cover it for him? I guess we will find out the answer to that question by the end of the Carolina game, maybe even by the end of the Boise State game.
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
10:46 am
Running game went down cause we got stuck with stinkys players that Adams not letting cut loose. Coach Richt know how coach and is Georgia Bulldogs and Christian. That why he not goning be hot sitting. Now we gets Cromwell and Dream Team and we back on top in right place for Dawgs. We will exposing dominants to beat down teams on schedule and win East. Then two more wins to national champs and West lost talent to NFL.
Finally, THE year to evaluate
May 1st, 2011
12:10 pm
Coaches have to be CONSISTENTLY who and what they are. To change personality or demeanor under the gun, will be picked up by the team and who knows how they respond?
This is THE YEAR for the divided Dog Nation talk, speculation, negatives to merge into one unified direction. We win vs Boise AND SC and then run off some nice SEC caliber wins and yes, defeat Florida ……………….. or we change the regime. Period.
Love my UGA DOGS!!
UGA man, class of 71 & 73
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
12:18 pm
Always remember that WE and Coach Richt are the Georgia Bulldawgs and Coach Richt leading us. That time to walk with the SWAGGER.
Yellow Fuzz
May 1st, 2011
12:50 pm
It Ain’t Rocket Science:
Stop using the SEC as an excuse for your lack of results. We can compete there as well as you (and Vandy) have the past 3 years. By the way, how did those last 3 close games with us feel? Get used to Paul Johnson and Staff! georgia is less than a touch down better than us (on paper) and our coaches can out coach yours so you better watch what you say little man. Enjoy your pathetic life-LOOOOOOZER! Hahahahahahaha.
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
1:07 pm
You pointy heads pestky bugs better quit smack talking. You’re fatso blowhard coach is losing record and we running state. Blech football has no relevants since 1950s and you already used to it. We displaying dominants from winning 9 of last decade. That makes you running high school gimmikey offense nothing but for loosers. Then you gets no NFL talent while we reload with Dream Team.
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
1:17 pm
Enter your comments here
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
1:22 pm
And another thing! Why you stinky Yech fans want to come over here and defacate turds into our punch bowl.
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
4:56 pm
The press aint what matters. Only coaching and fans that support. True Dawgs supporting Coach Richt as he breaking in new defense.
Ben
May 1st, 2011
6:41 pm
Searles & Belin don’t think Richt knows what he’s doing, they both quit and left for greener pastures.
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
6:55 pm
Why you want to do the behind smooching of the press? That list of SEC coaches is laughable. Some aint even won an SEC divsion and Gaytor traitor Muschump aint even won a game.
Ben
May 1st, 2011
8:51 pm
I thought UGA Alum Fran Tarkenton hit it right on the nail regarding how Richt does not know what’s going on, back in Jan in Bradley’s AJC article, Tarkenton said:
“Right now our program has had three years of regression, and I don’t see any way this thing is going to get out of the ditch. When I read comments like [Richt's] … we’re putting spin on everything. In the meantime Alabama and Auburn and Tennessee are working and kicking our butts and recruiting people and getting coaches that have spread offenses. I mean, can you imagine? We scored two field goals against Central Florida.
“I think Greg McGarity has got to look at this awfully hard, I think the signs are that we have a program that is in big trouble.”
Dawgs Tell
May 1st, 2011
9:10 pm
The first two games will tell if Richt has fire in his belly!Lose both and the season goes down hill,with Richt losing his job at the end of the season.Split the two games and see what he does with the Gators and Auburn.This will save his job.As they always say “That’s why they play the game”We will see if the season of 2011 is his year,good or bad.
Hairy Dawg
May 1st, 2011
10:15 pm
Bad fans keep trying to hot sit Coach Richt and kiss hiney of media. If I once told you. Once hundred times Coach Richt not goning do hot sitting. He Christian and just needs to cast out stinky players that aint playing with SEC speed to earn scholly. But Adams not letting him run program like Bammers. That why Adams is problem and causing lossses.
Enter your comments here
L.A. BULLDAWG
May 2nd, 2011
12:39 am
I’M GLAD TO SEE A LITTLE FEISTYNESS OUT OF COACH RICHT! SOMETIMES, WE NEED THAT INTENSITY TO SOME OF OUR MOST BOISTEROUS FAN BASE! TRANSLATE THAT ANGER ON THE FIELD AND LIGHT A FIRE INTO THAT TEAM! WE ARE STILL BEHIND YOU! AS FAR AS OUR RUNNING GAME, IT’ MIKE BOBO’S WAY OUT OF LEFT FIELD PLAYCALLING THAT KILL DRIVES, AND AFFECTS THE TEAM!
Tate
May 2nd, 2011
8:20 am
richt didn’t show the fruit of the spirit in his angry comeback to one of his fans. the fruit of the spirit is patience, kindness, gentleness, self control. didn’t see any of those fruit.
Mac
May 2nd, 2011
9:42 am
Richt needs 9 wins to finish in the top 25 & remain a major college football head coach. He’s going to get 4 easy wins at Ole Miss, Coastal Carolina, New Mexico State, and Vanderbilt. Richt must beat Tennessee, Kentucky & Georgia Tech to get to 7 wins. Then Richt needs to beat South Carolina and Florida, putting him at 9-3, winning the SEC East, and into the top 25.
RiffRaff
May 2nd, 2011
10:49 am
CMR didn’t take up for Bobo. Did defend Bryan McClendon. Maybe he should just take the blame himself.
Yaz
May 2nd, 2011
11:49 am
The sad truth is, Richt only beat 6 teams last season, all had losing records. Teams like Tenessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Ga Tech, Idaho State and Loisiana Lafayette. Any fan could have have coached us to a win by relying on asst coaches. None of those teams were good. What you pay Richt for, is to beat the good teams, Florida, South Carolina, then Auburn, Arkansas, Missisippi State, UCF, and how we lost to Colorado??? Richt’s paid $3 million a year to beat the good teams. Not go 0-6 against winning teams.
Ron Smith
May 2nd, 2011
12:26 pm
Passion is a wonderful thing. Hell, Hitler was very passionate. CMR should take his passion to the players, not the fans. I hope UGA wins but passion alone won’t do the job. I believe they will have a losing record this fall. Alabama and LSU rule the SEC, not UGA, Florida or Tennessee. Up-and-coming teams: Mississippi State, Auburn, South Carolina,, Arkansas. Teams going nowhere: Kentucky, Vanderbilt, UGA, Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee
BIG JOE
May 2nd, 2011
2:49 pm
I did notice he wasn’t quoted at saying BOBO was a ‘hell of a coach though’. Hhmmmm…….
Sharkman
May 3rd, 2011
8:52 am
Y’all are a bunch of butt kissers!!! The fan made a great point. He wanted to know why the running game sucked, and why McClendon wasn’t doing anything about it. Focus people. Focus!!!
Jborodawg
May 4th, 2011
1:01 pm
Amen, JD!
“….whether you’re talking about Richt or Johnson…they’ve probably thought of just about every possibility before you came up with the “brilliant idea”…”
Applies to people like “dawgforlife”, in particular.