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
truedawg
April 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
I wonder what will be the opinion of CMR if he has another year with 12 wins but looses to UF? or maybe 11 with a loss to GT and UF? does he stay? or will alot of you be saying he needs to go?
Have we lost enough to UF that its a measuring stick? or would a SEC title be enough reguardless of the record?
Chip your thoughts?
Beast from the East
April 29th, 2011
2:54 pm
DawginLex,
It’s on!
Preacherskid69
April 29th, 2011
2:56 pm
Way to go coach. Don’t apologize for saying Hell. That’s not a curse word it’s a place in the bible. Stand up for yourself and don’t let these moronic monday morning QB’s get you down.
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
2:56 pm
I guess it could have been worse…….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umYJjZuUY9Q&feature=related
Mobile Dawg
April 29th, 2011
2:57 pm
Twelve wins gets him another year, the loss to UF prevents the contract extension however.
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
2:58 pm
Beast,
If i actually have to type that name, I may throw up a little
fla dawg
April 29th, 2011
2:59 pm
david… exactly which rings are you talking about when you say, ” just show’em the rings”?
would that be the one national championship ring that richt would have borrowed from dooley?
Mobile Dawg
April 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
Beastgoteatenbyadawg, interesting blog handle. Good to see the spirited nature of fans having fun with each other. You all have a great weekend, I’m going to watch the “Ladies” tee it up at Magnolia Grove. Sic’em Dawgs…..
Mobile Dawg
April 29th, 2011
3:00 pm
fla dawg, didn’t he get one with Bowden at FSU?
truedawg
April 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
I believe if you are the O cordinator for a NC team you get a ring don’t you?
truedawg
April 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
I think you get one for an SEC title as well?
truedawg
April 29th, 2011
3:04 pm
hard to believe that over 10 wins doesn’t get him an extension. even if he does lose to UF
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
#8 is for the Bama folks. Nah, he will never leave!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABCJs3E_f-s&feature=related
freda
April 29th, 2011
3:05 pm
As an agnostic woman, I don’t give a damn what kind of language Coach uses. Just beat the hell out of Florida.
GIVE ME A BREAK
April 29th, 2011
3:06 pm
Before the meeting someone sent Richt a text saying Damon’s car was in his driveway.
Snoop Dawg
April 29th, 2011
3:06 pm
I was wondering how a dodo like Obama with absolutely no experience in leading or managing anything other than homeless vagabonds could ever be elected by a majority of the people. From reading theese comments, now I understand. These zombies are so psychologically dependent on Richt that they can’t even think straight anymore. So now that he has referred to Satan’s house, he’s got fire in his belly, huh? Er, uh, I believe that this just shows that he’s feeling the heat, but not from where he said. He’s feeling it from McCavity who would like to hang around Athens for awhile. If Richt doesn’t take UGA to the SEC championship this year, he is toast. He’s also got to beat Florida. So I can see how Buddha is getting a little uncomposed as he has now pretty much run out of excuses. Richt is more of the logo, the CEO rather than the head ball coach. That doesn’t work in college football.
Richt, prove me wrong. I dare you…
AltamahaDawg
April 29th, 2011
3:07 pm
Couldn’t even win his division with all those first round draft pick. Isn’t that what they used to say?
birddog
April 29th, 2011
3:08 pm
Go job Mark!! Ga. football needs a little
fire and brimstone added to their program!!
keep it going come fall!
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
3:11 pm
There is a 100% possibility that Brandon will change his blog handle 20 times every day between now and September 1st and post the same inane drivel on each of those days.
Brandon
April 29th, 2011
3:14 pm
Richt played 6 teams with losing records last year to get to his 6 wins.
He won’t face more than 5 bad teams in 2011 (Tenn & Tech will be better, Kentucky plays Richt tough).
And he gets smashed against good teams like a sledgehammer on steroids (0-6 against winning teams in 2010) so automatic 5 losses to top 25 teams Aub, Fla, S. Caro, Mississippi St & Boise.
Great Exampl
April 29th, 2011
3:16 pm
As a born again christian, thanks for showing the world how to deal with a situation…NOT
Roger
April 29th, 2011
3:22 pm
if Ealey transfer, consider another loss, so 4-8 without Ealey. Ealey went for 5 td’s last year against Kentucky.
Ogeechee Dawg
April 29th, 2011
3:26 pm
Good to see some emotion – every team will go through a rebuild period.
The trick is to stagger the talent to where you are reloading.
However, with injuries, juniors leaving early, behavioral attrition, etc – sometimes the numbers skew – and you have to rebuild.
Three biggest contributing factors to last years dismal season:
1. New Defense – switching to a 3-4 cost us some games – Alabama lost to La Monroe Sabans first year as Bama switched to a 3-4. Next season – and with a Nose Tackle – Bama was much improved – let’s hope the same for UGA
2. O-Line Play – probably a combination of coaching, mental attitude and physical preparation – we just did not dominated in the 4Q. Never could get the running game to WOW anyone.
3. Discipline. Coach Fox ran the hell our of his Basketball team – with the message – off field issues will correlate to issues on the floor. Well, UGA won the Fulmer Cup – our RB’s spent time suspeneded, our stud WR missed 4 games (overkill), etc.
You add up the three reasons above – you wind ug 6-7.
I hope Richt is very successful – I really like this guy. But if he has been doing this for 25 years – why did we have the discipline issues, the conditioning issues and the O-Line coaching issues we had.
I understand the defensive issues – new DC – new Scheme – got to get that nose bloodied.
Go Dawgs!
2.
AltamahaDawg
April 29th, 2011
3:27 pm
There is also a 100% chance that Brandon would put a dollar of his money down on anything he just said.
I would however be willing to bet a dollar that he coudn’t name 3 players on those team he professes to know so much about.
PR
April 29th, 2011
3:27 pm
Good for Coach Richt. The whiney UGA fans ned to get a life. There are other things in life other than UGA football. Go help the people who lot everything in Ringgold. OH wait, that’s right, you’re too self absorbed to help anyone. Its only college football for pete sake.
7576DAWG
April 29th, 2011
3:30 pm
I wish I could have been at the BULLDAWG CLUB meeting in Macon to see how the questions got Richt that riled up. I am not defending the fan but if he is a season ticket holder and has been one for years he deserves to be heard. Just a few years ago to keep your season ticket cost over $10,000. That’s a lot of money just to keep the right for a season ticket.
I like the side of Richt that seems there is an urgency to get the job done this year, or as he likes to say FINISH THE DRILL. I think McGarity has Richts attention.
Paul N Destin
April 29th, 2011
3:31 pm
Oh Mark said “Hell”…give me a break. 1st thing you know he will start greyshirtting and oversigning. Perhaps he should take Grantham along with him to be his cursing boy.
Brandon
April 29th, 2011
3:33 pm
He should have come out and said that a long time ago. As a fan and an alum, I’m frustrated too… But I’m sure RICHT is frustrated!!! Probably more than any of the rest of us. Glad he addressed the unproductive complaining of the fringe of “Bulldog Nation.” Many of these nuts have never even played Pee Wee football, but they sit around the TV and their computer all day, eating hot wings, and wallowing in Bulldog misery. Get a life… at least until August. Then you can go back to worshiping Georgia Football…
bulldawgbill
April 29th, 2011
3:34 pm
Glad to see Coach Richt’s enthusiastic response to a question many people have had on their minds in one form or another. I’m glad he is not happy with our running backs and their lack of production. It is becoming apparent that some of our highly rated recruits from the past few years aren’t as good as everyone thought they would be. There is a limit to what coaching can accomplish,
Beast from the East
April 29th, 2011
3:34 pm
“If i actually have to type that name, I may throw up a little”
DawginLex,
It won’t hurt. It’s GREAT to be a FLORIDA GATOR!
DawginTX
April 29th, 2011
3:35 pm
How dare a fan express concern over the lack of production from the running game! And Yay for the HC showing fire (just once), against a fan. Of course, this translates into consistently showing fire in his demand for discipline and work ethic from his team and assistant coaches.
beachdawg
April 29th, 2011
3:35 pm
Light the fire Coach. Its about time we get some emotion I hope it carries over to the season. Go Dawgs lets get after Bosie State and set the tone for 2011
Mr. Ford
April 29th, 2011
3:36 pm
Awwwww, did the poor lil Coach get his feelings hurt? Isn’t he supposed to be the steady, calming force that sets good example of how his student-atheletes are to learn from in order to conduct their lives in proper manner????????????
Brandon
April 29th, 2011
3:36 pm
I’m sorry for posting the same useless stuff over and over.You see, I’m a weak little man who has no college education, barely got out of high school and work as a grease monkey with my name on the front of my shirt at jiffy lube.We got the computer downstairs in bay 1 and i get to use it in between oil changes.i try to not get stuff on the keys.its hard though
Not even close
April 29th, 2011
3:37 pm
Where was that attitude during the games like Colorado & UCF, this guy is loyal to a fault. Talking at a Touchdown club & showing some fight during games are 2 different things!
Beast from the East
April 29th, 2011
3:37 pm
Brandon=Roger=same old crap. Look, I’m no UGA fan but give it a rest, dude.
DawginTX
April 29th, 2011
3:40 pm
I wonder if Coach Richt’s fire has been a deterrent for players who might otherwise get in trouble with the law and display a lax work ethic. Whose ire would deter you more–Mark Richt or Nick Saban?
James
April 29th, 2011
3:41 pm
About damn time he shows some attitude. I still think Mike Bobo is an idiot and should be fired.
Roger
April 29th, 2011
3:41 pm
Beast from the East…you are a wuss. Put down the yoohoo and twinkie and get off your Mom’s computer you putz. Don’t make me cut your paycheck again.
James
April 29th, 2011
3:43 pm
by the way McClendon is a idiot too as is Richt and the rest of those rednecks at UGA.
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
3:43 pm
Beast,
Don’t argue with pigs. They drag you down into the mud, which is their territory, and get you dirty. You don’t like it. They are used to it.
sandiegodawg
April 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
is Hell a curse word? Really. Whose it cursing? It’s a bad adjective to use since it contradicts what he is implying. I look forward to seeing Richt right the ship and shut you fareweather fans up.
Dawgin TX
April 29th, 2011
3:44 pm
who likes Ireland anyway?
Herschel Talker
April 29th, 2011
3:46 pm
Enter your comments here
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
3:46 pm
Not that I don’t like pigs…I just don’t argue with them. I might marry one (which I did) but I’d never argue with one. Don’t like grass and dirt stains either.
Tech82
April 29th, 2011
3:47 pm
I applaud Mark Richt for voicing his support for his coaches and for defending his own coaching ability. I must say that I find it funny that the 400+ UGA fans applauding Richt’s comments on this board would jump at the chance to accuse Paul Johnson of being arrogant for saying the same things. Just sayin…
sldkfjslk
April 29th, 2011
3:47 pm
If Richt knows what he is doing why did his staff ask Ealey to block a defensive end and think there would be a positive outcome at the end of the Arkansas game? More people should be asking Richt the same questions this fan did. Instead of lauding Richt’s false bravado they should be questioning his track record. He has done less with more talent than anyone in America who is currently paid millions to coach football at the collegiate level. His style worked in Athens for a few years but other programs have ramped it up and left Richt in the dust.
sandiegodawg
April 29th, 2011
3:48 pm
me likes to spel and grammirize too
Tech82
April 29th, 2011
3:50 pm
and Paul Johnson is not gay either; he just looks like a drag queen
DawginLex
April 29th, 2011
3:55 pm
Nice try 3:46 impostor.
I’m leaving.
Have a nice day acting like a 2 year old.