UGA: Brent Benedict free to transfer anywhere he wants
Brent Benedict has been granted an unconditional release by the University of Georgia, Athletic Director Greg McGarity confirmed Tuesday.
McGarity
The redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Jacksonville is free to transfer to any school of his choosing, and that includes Florida or Georgia Tech or any of the Bulldogs’ bitter rivals.
Such is the athletic department’s policy under McGarity. If a student-athlete is unhappy at UGA, then he’s free to seek happiness elsewhere, he said.
“I bring the same philosophy as we had at Florida,” said McGarity, who was an associate AD for the Gators for 18 years before returning to his alma mater last year. “If a kid’s not happy, we just want him to be happy. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I don’t care where he goes. These four or five years are the supposed to be the best and most important of these kids’ lives and they need to be happy.”
As for Benedict’s depature, McGarity said, “Things just didn’t work out. I’m sympathetic to that. They just need to be in a happy place.”
There’s at least some chance Benedict, a former five-star recruit, could end up back in the SEC East. Florida and South Carolina were among his finalists — along with Notre Dame, Ohio State and Southern Cal — when he chose the Bulldogs in the fall of 2009. Benedict’s father, Ed Benedict, told the Athens Banner-Herald, “I would imagine some of them would take a look at him again.”
McGarity said UGA would not block Benedict’s transfer anywhere.
“It’s the theory of plenty,” he said. “There’s plenty of good ones everywhere. I don’t worry if they go to Florida or Tech and may come back to beat us. You can’t think that way. Life’s too short. [Student-athletes] are our most valuable resource. If they’re not happy here, I want to see them happy somewhere.”
McGarity said the only situation in which he might block a potential would be if he knew there was some kind of tampering by another school beforehand.
Benedict was a five-star prospect before suffering a devastating knee injury that included nerve damage and a required complete reconstruction his senior season in high school. Benedict claimed in March to be “100 percent” recovered from that injury and was medically cleared to play. But he continued to show effects of that injury even in summer workouts.
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254 comments Add your comment
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
6:56 pm
Again….how many scholarships?
And when Nicky decides to hang it up and leave that tornado magnet of a town, you won’t feel so proud and arrogant about your precious “Taaade”. And you want come on to a Georgia blog to get your jollies either. Everthing goes in cycles….it was only a few years ago when your dominant Taaaaade’ lost to ULM at homecoming….bet you were not on this blog running your mouth that evening, were you?
Can I ask you a question? Why are you even bothering to argue with me on a Georgia blog? I’d rather stick a dull fork through my eye than go on a Taaaaade’ blog and read about their offense from blog posts. Can’t be envy…that’s for Tech fans? So why are you here? Did you come to remind us how great the Taaaade’ was? Mission accomplished.
The New Regime
June 28th, 2011
7:01 pm
Ron Paul 2012
FBR
June 28th, 2011
7:02 pm
Classy Move by UGA—-The young man is the important factor.
WAKE UP!!!
June 28th, 2011
7:03 pm
infowars.com
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
7:04 pm
Ca Dawg,
In summary, I think other programs(especially their coaches) put more of a premium on winning than our’s does. Hell, Michael Adams want UGA to be the next Harvard. It is like he cares about the football wins as a secondary matter when he replied to a question saying “I expect Georgia to have a winning season every year”. That’s it Mickey? 7-6 is good enough for you?
We are not going to agree on the Benedict Saban debate so let’s move on. Are you at least in agreement that winning is emphasized more at rival SEC schools than our’s? Why is that? And is our current, nice guy coach helping or making the problem worse.
You know where I stand…I want him out of there b/c I believe in my heart that he will never bring home the hardware…he simply doesn’t have what the other coaches have.
ninja
June 28th, 2011
7:12 pm
Good riddance! If he isn’t good enough to play here, he may be able to start a GT. They will take sloppy seconds and they usually get 2nd tier players anyway!
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 28th, 2011
7:22 pm
I bet when these men leave he office at night, they feel a lot better about themselves than they would if all they were concerned about is winning. If winning is all that matters to you, than I can’t see how you can take the time to comment on this blog. Shouldn’t you be out there working 24/7 to enrich yourself more? If winning is all you care about, why worry about a football game. It can not possibly enrich your life in any way. I am just wondering if you ever serve in the military. I made it a career, and one of the most important values we had was integrity. Pride in holding up our standards and pride in being there for our country. My life has been more enriched by the integrity and pride I had in the service than any amount of money I could have ever made. Winning is far from everything because you have to live with yourself in the end.
JB
June 28th, 2011
7:23 pm
Ive just scrolled thru this blog and this charlotte has been posting this idiotic crap for 4 hours. Go play outside or something. What a loser!
ViningsMike
June 28th, 2011
7:24 pm
If someone does not want to be somewhere, move on.
tenn.DAWG
June 28th, 2011
7:26 pm
I applaud UGA for this and they have been doing it before mcgarity got there.I don’t want anybody in my program who does not want to be there. They become a cancer, and this kid would too.
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
7:31 pm
No I can’t agree with that– if Richt has another bad year, he will be fired. I’m asking you not to forget that the guy has won a lot of games at Georgia, and If the things you are saying about him were true, he never would have had the kind of success he has had.
And re: the Benedict situation, both chip and I have tried to correct you. You’re just wrong. Facts, so says John Adams, are stubborn things (putting your head in a philosophy book here and there can actually help).
It’s been fun, Charlotte, but I gotta bounce. The bar is calling me. Cheers buddy, and go dawgs!
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
7:36 pm
But I get how you feel about Richt. I’ve had my doubts, too. Things have got to change, and I actually think they are– on and off the field. We’ll see whether it’s enough on 9.3 in Atlanta.
Larry Wayne Jones Jr.
June 28th, 2011
7:37 pm
Rats jumping off a sinking ship.
Larry Wayne Jones Jr.
June 28th, 2011
7:39 pm
I just want to know what MGE Dawg’s opinion is?
The Alpha Male
June 28th, 2011
7:46 pm
Charlotte Dawg, you’re a douchebag. Losers like you should stop running your mouths around the water cooler on Monday morning, maybe then you could detach your sense of self-worth from a team you have no influence on. Get a life.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
June 28th, 2011
7:58 pm
Thanks Alpha Dude …..means a lot.
YOu too JB….always good to know I have fans.
Maybe next time I won’t incur your wrath by just going with the crowd and being complacent. Much easier that way.
mercerdawg
June 28th, 2011
8:04 pm
@charlotte, these nice guys that finish last you speak of, who are they? Bobby Bowdon? Joe Paterno?coach K? Dooley? Drew Bree’s? And the list goes on…. I am glad there is someone who will not trade character for wins. No one on the planet wants UGA to win it all more than I do, it means even more when its done the right way. Charlotte dawn, more like mutt.
Tide Roll
June 28th, 2011
8:13 pm
Hey Dawg Fans, See if you can name the source of this quote? “ONE RED FLAG? THEY SIGNED ONLY THREE OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, AND ONE OF THOSE, AUSTIN LONG, HAD BACK SURGERY DURING THE OFFSEASON AND WON’T BE ON THE FIELD THIS YEAR.THAT”S A BIT SCARY GIVEN THE TEAM’S CURRENT LACK OF DEPTH.” Can’t guess? It’s Athlon Sports from 2009!! 2009!! Athlon saw it coming back then! Hell, all Richt had to do was read the friggin mag.! RED FLAG!! Are he and Bobo really on the payroll!? They treat it like a hobby. Don’t give us facts, Addressing this obvious problem in a timely manner is just too much damn work for us. Just give us our paychecks.
ugab
June 28th, 2011
8:15 pm
Oh well! Nothing suprises me these days with MR’s program. We have not had a good OL since Max Gene Giles. Or Stinchcombs.
Bill
June 28th, 2011
8:15 pm
GREAT JOB, Coach Joe T. (and CMR)!!!! If sorry T’s do not want to work they MUST go!!!!! It HAS to be this way!!!!! The inmates cannot run the asylum. UGA football is FINALLY on the right track. This is a VERY important WIN!!!!!!
MarineDog
June 28th, 2011
8:29 pm
@CHARLOTTE DAWG
Win at all cost? What a novel concept. That’s the problem with society. Bad behavior gets rewarded. People that continually break the law become reality show celebrities. I can assure you that no UGA fan or alumni is happy with the way things have gone in the last few years. But, in the grand scheme of things, it’s merely entertainment. As a fan, what do we stand to gain whether they win them all or lose them all? We still have to get up each day and do those things that support our livelihood.
Things that look bleak are not as bleak as they may appear. Things that look bright aren’t quite as bright as they appear. Surely,the bragging from opposing fans at the water-cooler will not make you compromise your integrity for a football game? Things will get better; with or without the current coaching staff.
Lighten up man, it’s not the end of the world. I understand your frustration.
JB
June 28th, 2011
8:43 pm
being complacent has nothing to with. It’s about your philosophy which is wrong on so many levels. No big deal…you’re probably some snot nosed kid having fun stirring the pot on your daddy’s computer.
UGASlobberknocker
June 28th, 2011
8:48 pm
If a head coach wants to make a change..he gets an “unconditional release”. While there may be a buyout, there are no restrictions on where a head coach may move to..He can go to any school with no waiting period.If he is good enough the new school will pay the buyout..
Whats fair for the coach is fair for the student.
So I agree with the decision but still hope he goes to ND or USC.
Actually
June 28th, 2011
9:06 pm
I had a situaton like this with a woman once. She decided she wanted to leave my program for another, and while I confess the thought of it did not thrill me at the time, I, like McGarity, did not try to stop her. It turned out to be the best thing for both us. She went to another program, who later pulled her scholly for a younger, better recruit. And, although I didn’t know it at the time, I too ended up with a 5 star winner myself, who was not only younger and better, but also a heck of alot easier to coach.
mercerdawg
June 28th, 2011
9:16 pm
@Actually, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Actually
June 28th, 2011
9:25 pm
I need to point out that my assistant coach, Coach Johnson, was not the problem!
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
9:36 pm
Anyone else notice, or find it a little strange that we haven’t heard a peep from CMR since his return. All comments have been made by McGarity pertaining to football. Mark Fox had a statement on the Bball side.
bitter CMR
June 28th, 2011
9:42 pm
back to your warehouse position at wal-mart——charlotte hound—aka tideroll
Ca dawg
June 28th, 2011
9:46 pm
@ actually: hahaha, hilarious. Best post of the day.
@ mobiledawg: you’re right but hadn’t noticed. Just assuming Richt is in his office getting back up to speed. Do you have a different read?
Bitter 4/5 star spoiled recruit
June 28th, 2011
9:47 pm
see we always make the team better———aka—-da’trick rogers—ben-i-dick aronald–
——————-washed up ealy—-
—————————-1/3 of every years recruiting class ends up being a joke—just saying trolls
superDawg
June 28th, 2011
9:48 pm
I believe that UGA is on the right tract and if the players are not all in then they should move on.#1 education,#2 unity,#3 HUNKERDOWN!
Bitter 4/5 star spoiled recruit
June 28th, 2011
9:53 pm
we hate coach joe t——————–im leaving the program too—boo woo—–kiss me
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
9:55 pm
Just seems strange, losing a player in such a precarious area, in such a controversial manner, and the Head Coach has no comment. Just seems to me he should step up to his responsibilty, but then when has he demonstrated he’s accountable for the results of his program.
Vince D.
June 28th, 2011
9:58 pm
Classy move.
chuck
June 28th, 2011
10:00 pm
I respectfully suggest that all the Alabama, Tech and whatever other college fans go to their own blog and leave the UGA fans to argue among ourselves. There, I asked nicely.
Actually
June 28th, 2011
10:03 pm
@mobiledawg: The reason you haven’t heard anything from CMR could be that McGarity has suspended his cell phone privileges til he can learn to text properly.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
10:16 pm
Chuckle, small belly laugh.
real life
June 28th, 2011
10:18 pm
charlotte dawg have you ever won anything in your life? It sounds as though you are losing the game of life. Your win at any cost , mind it be vicariously threw other men who play d 1 football, appears to be a defeflection in order to tell your self that you are the type of person that could succeed in life if maybe the cards were differant. We can all see that is far from the truth. You are a sad sad litle man and should apologize to B.B. and U.G.A. you sir are no dawg and sound much more like a p—y. and i dont mean puppy
Chip Towers
June 28th, 2011
10:23 pm
RabidDawgFan: No more personal insults. Warned.
Tide Roll
June 28th, 2011
10:35 pm
Chip, Honestly, can they even scrimmage in the pre-season? I’m glad this McGarity guy wants everybody to be happy, but does he even realize how thin Georgia is on their offensive line? It’s unheard of at this level of college football. Is it a ploy by Richt to buy more time on the gravy train while he “rebuilds” the offensive line? Chip, In the years you’ve covered college football have you ever seen such a thing? They can’t scrimmage in the pre-season and risk an injury to one of the starting
OL(s). How do you prepare for the physical nature of the SEC under these conditions? If you think Richt and Uga were soft in the past, just wait. Unbelievable.
'CaneDawg: The Oversigning that didn't work out.
June 28th, 2011
10:37 pm
Truth is it was a poor decision to spend money on risking further injury to this young man. Truth is UGa in a way oversigned this kid betting their investment in his rehab would benefit UGa on the football field if the comeback was successful. It didn’t work out & what a waste. The Dawgs knew it wasn’t working out and he knew it wasn’t working out as well and he has been rightfully releashed from the program. Problem is he won’t find another good Samaritan program in D-1 to call home. It is a raw deal that should have been avoided in the first place. UGa made a poor decision initially in this case but kind of over-corrected slightly by letting him go. These are no-brainer situations most programs in D-1 know how to skirt around. This young man has a lot of work to do but if he is successful in his rehab, I’m sure UGa will help him to find a school where he has a realistic chance to play. I got one question, did a unhappy WE3 have the option of going to another SEC school before he was ushered off to J’villeSt.U. ? Don’t drink the kool-aid.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
10:52 pm
I’m not Chip but yes Tide Roll, McGarity does recognize our Oline is a huge weakness. He’s been on the job less than a year. He’s intervened in a number of areas and started charting a course for the future, be it through CMR, or in another direction.
Things won’t be turned around in one year here, but they will turn. My hope is that with his direction (McGarity’s) CMR will be able to see the light and move forward. My fear is that he won’t and we will start over next year which I can accept. My belief is we beat Boise but lose to USC, after that who knows what may happen, we could lose to MSU, UT, UA, UF. We could also win some of those. I think the key to this team, this yea,r will be the defense. It has the potential to be good, but they are unproven. One things for sure, things will be interesting in Athens this year.
Good luck to the Tide, I like the way Saban builds, disciplines, and coaches a football team.
Tide Roll
June 28th, 2011
11:11 pm
Only at Uga. You bring Joe T. in to apparently instill more toughness, and you don’t have enough offensive lineman to risk implementing it on the field!
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
11:17 pm
Hindsight is always 20/20. Richt obviously hasn’t done a stellar job but who could predict we lose 3 so far and the year hasn’t even started.
Mobile Dawg
June 28th, 2011
11:20 pm
If I recall Saban ran quite a few players off his first year. In reality this is like Richt’s first year in that the players that were comfortable running the show with the old Richt and crew and have had to reopen their eyes and some obviously don’t like it.
This program will turn the corner and continue to rebuild under McGarity.
bob
June 28th, 2011
11:46 pm
Someone leaving a school after coming to that school indicates to me he is just lazy and expects to be treated like a superstar without having to work for it.
bye bye fat boy
Uugghh
June 29th, 2011
12:00 am
If this kid does not want t play for UGA so be it. Good luck to you!
I read a bunch of posts about Richt and “niceness getting you nowhere.” OK. Richt did right by this kid. Well played coach! Niceness–IE integrity does get you somewhere…over the long run. Chizik is in it for short term gains. Saban is in it for short term gains. Richt takes a longer view. Do I wish that Richt would show a bit more killer instinct during games–and show some fire post game rather than “awe shucks it could be worse?” Absolutely! But–if you do right by every kid–even the ones that do UGA wrong, we will come out on top. JoPa hasn’t changed anything in 50+ years…and it works for him. Hats off to Richt for sticking to his guns. If McGarrity takes the long view too–my money says we’ll be building a Richt statue to match the Dooley’s in 10 years…only the new one will be closer to the stadium.
RED DOG 77
June 29th, 2011
12:33 am
I usually support coach Richt and Mcgarity………….But happy? wants him happy? gotta be happy?………..Yea, Yea ,Yea I want to be as fair as the next guy, but what about our tax dollars that go to the University system? what about the “investment” we fans and alums have made in the form of contributions and gameday tickets?……..we have paid for two years for this kid to re-hab at the expense of Georgia people…………And we want him to be happy? even if it means he goes to Florida?……………OK, OK, OK Let the boy go, and let him go where he wants………But if he goes to an SEC rival……….have them pay us back for the free education, room and board, and his time taken up by our coaching staff………not to mention the medical attention he recieved!……..Happy? Happy?………what about me Greg McGarity?……….I’m not HAPPY !!……………..RED
The Truth Hurts
June 29th, 2011
12:59 am
When a coach dismisses a player we have folks screaming at the top of their lungs about mistreating kids and the kid not being given a fair shot, however when a kid decides he does not want to be at a school or has other issues and wants to leave it is just an “unfortunate situation”.
The scholarships are for one year and are renewable if the STUDENT ATHLETE does what he is supposed to do: go to class, maintain passing grades, attends meetings, practices hard, goes to treatment for his injuries, does not embarrass the school or his team and teammates, and does what is necessary to get on the field.
The next time one of you uninformed posters writes about other coaches dismissing players, think about it, and look at the entire situation before spouting off. The kid and the coaches agreed it was a bad fit and he is moving on to a program that makes him more comfortable.
Brown Dog
June 29th, 2011
7:00 am
On Saban:
1. First coach at the hospital to tell Robert Quinn’s family his scholarship was good, regardless of how his brain surgery turned out.
1A. And this from the AJC about Jeoffrey Pagan, who picked Alabama over Georgia
in February.
Pagan suffered a season-ending knee injury during his senior year of high school football, and is still recovering from surgery.
– By Michael Carvell, AJC College Recruiting
2. Nick Saban also grants releases to unhappy kids — see Grant’s move to Auburn.
So, Charlotte Dawg … your two major points seem to be invalid. Maybe that explains all the shouting. Seems like you’re trying to drown out inconvenient truths.
Sincerely,
a Charlotte alum of UA