UGA’s Richt volleys ‘must-win’ questions, players defend their coach
Georgia coach Mark Richt found himself on the defensive for a brief time in Tuesday's press conference. (Photo provided by DawgTime.com)
ATHENS – Just three days after Georgia’s season-opening loss to Boise State, Georgia’s Mark Richt is already getting the type of questions reserved for November of a horrific season.
Twice Richt was asked during his weekly press conference Tuesday if he felt Saturday’s game was critically important to him as the Bulldogs’ head coach.
Phrased a different way by two different reporters three minutes apart, Richt gave the same terse answer.
In the first case, Richt was asked if he viewed the South Carolina game as “pivotal for you and your program.”
“I view it as a very important game,” he said, without further elaboration.
A short time later, a reporter from a South Carolina newspaper asked if Richt felt like it was “a must-win game.”
“Didn’t I just say it was a really important game?” Richt snapped back.
“But is it a must win?,” the reporter repeated.
“I think it’s a really important game,” Richt said, now glaring. “You want to ask me again? Because you can, and I’ll answer it the same way.”
And so the tone was set for this week’s SEC opener against No. 12 South Carolina (1-0) at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
It could be argued that the game was already markedly more important than the opener against Boise State. But after the Bulldogs (0-1) fell 35-21 to the No. 4-ranked Broncos, the perception is that Richt’s job is on the line against the Gamecocks.
That’s certainly the message that Georgia’s players are getting. And they left little doubt Tuesday as to where they stand on the issue.
“We always try to play for Coach Richt, seeing how much he’s done for us,” said junior defensive end Abry Jones.
Said senior tight end Aron White: “I feel like we’re defending Coach Richt just like he defends us. We’re playing for him just like he’s coaching for us. We’re behind him 100 percent. I have complete confidence that all the players on this team are playing for Coach Richt, regardless of what we might agree with or not agree with. He’s still our coach, we’re still his players and we’re in this together. We have full support for him, We’re pulling for him, we’re playing for him, we’re doing everything we can.”
The fan reaction to the Bulldogs’ loss on social media platforms and blogs has been prolific and vitriolic. Likewise, it has been nearly impossible for players and coaches to avoid the negative feedback.
“I didn’t even check my Twitter account,” tight end Orson Charles said. “We know everybody we have in that team meeting room is all we have. If things are going right everybody’s going to jump on board. If they’re going wrong then that’s when things start breaking down. I just pray that the fans stay behind us. Yeah, we let them down in that first game. But I don’t see us letting them down the rest of the season. We just have to come out there and bounce back from this loss.”
Said White: “We catch a good bit of it, now more than ever. I remember coming in in ‘07 and they were coming off disappointing season and there were a lot of people saying a lot of crazy stuff back then. It just comes along with the territory. You have a bad season, you lose games and people are going to talk. You’ve just got to rise above it. You’ve got to tune it out and realize you’re playing for the guys in that locker room.”
Regardless, the players insist fan sentiment and negativity won’t have an effect on how they play against the Gamecocks. As always, it will come down to blocking, tackling and execution.
“We’re not trying to worry about that,” quarterback Aaron Murray said of the hot-seat talk. “We’re just taking it one game at a time. We just know it’s a big game just for ourselves, to get back rolling in the right direction, to get a win under our belts and to get a big win against a great opponent in an SEC game. It’s a huge game. We definitely don’t want to start 0-2 an you don’t want to start 0-1 in SEC play, especially against a team like South Carolina that’s predicted to win the East. We just want to get the ball rolling and get a big win this weekend.”
– Chip Towers
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813 comments Add your comment
Blackberry Cobbler
September 6th, 2011
4:54 pm
If the boo-birds are in force and vocal for good reasons, if Sanford Stadium starts to empty in the 3rd quarter, and if UGA loses this game, I don’t think the rest of the season can save CMR. He’d have to run the table and I don’t this coach and this team would be capable of that.
No Names
September 6th, 2011
4:54 pm
No players names on the uniforms until we have a winning season!
Charlie Hayes.....
September 6th, 2011
4:54 pm
Everyone donates a lot of money. Your money doesn’t entitle you to victories, it entitles you to have a guaranteed seat and the privilege of spending time inside that beautiful stadium. We need less fans like you.
Charlie Hayes
September 6th, 2011
4:54 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg:
I agree with you completely. I attended my Bulldog Club this year and listend to Richt tell all of us how this team was going to be so much more mentally and phsyically prepared this year over the past. Sorry, didnt see it in the BSU game at all.
No doubt, coming off a losing season it is hard to handle two (2) teams like BSU and USC. However, everything we have been told was incorrect. Expectations were set and the product was under delivered. Richt is by far the best coach we have had since Dooley and he brings a level of class that we need at UGA. But where do you draw the line in the sand with him? He waited too long to fire WM and this has cost us all dearly at UGA. He isnt stepping on Bobo’s toes and calling the needed plays to get the offense moving. He is too worried about offending a coach instead of making the decisions himself that will bring us the wins. If Richt can stop the bleeding then I hope he stays at UGA for the next twenty years. However, when will the bleeding stop?
Don in DC
September 6th, 2011
4:57 pm
Let’s cut to the chase and cut the cr*p. Georgia is our team. Let’s support them during the season and leave everything else for later. Go Dogs!
Mark Schlabach
September 6th, 2011
4:58 pm
It’s hard to say how much credit the Broncos will really get for beating Georgia, even if it was essentially a true road game. The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-7 finish in 2010, which ended with an ugly 10-6 loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl.
Frankly, the Bulldogs didn’t look much different, aside from their Power Ranger-like jerseys and helmets. They committed untimely penalties and couldn’t run the ball effectively.
Charlie Hayes
September 6th, 2011
4:59 pm
Back @ Charlie Hayes…..
You might just get what you are asking for so be careful. I have had season tickets for twenty-three (23) years. After last season I seriously considered giving them up until I heard Richt speak at the Bulldog Club. I refuse to sit around and watch other programs win National Championships while we continue to struggle and dont hold our coaches responsible. I know a lof of Alums that have sold their tickets this season that are not happy with Richt or his staff. Maybe you will get your wish and UGA can join the Sunbelt Conference to complete and win there…….
ga gator
September 6th, 2011
5:00 pm
Charlie it does entitle you to gripe for money donated that apparently has not been well used.
hahaha
September 6th, 2011
5:02 pm
I think that is absolutely hilarious that Mr. Hayes is threatening to not buy season tickets. Who cares? We have a waiting list of people still wanting them….I am sure that the Athletic Association will survive without you. I will start praying for them immediately.
Prozac Dawg
September 6th, 2011
5:03 pm
@14 Games,
Son there is no way in he!! that any sane dawg fan would want Steve Spurrier to come to Athens as head coach. He hates UGA anyway because we messed up his plans years ago. BTW Spurrier could win every game from now until whenever and he would still suck (regardless of his coaching skill)
Mark Schlabach
September 6th, 2011
5:03 pm
Chances are the Broncos were hurt by playing a weak opponent such as Georgia. The bottom line: Boise shouldn’t have played UGA, but a more seasoned and quality SEC team such as Alabama, LSU or Florida. Those teams would elevate the Broncos into the BCS not Georgia.
Lindsey
September 6th, 2011
5:03 pm
I totally agree with the players. CMR is very smart and knows this is an important game, I think he always has that attitude as well as the players. CMR is our coach and the Bulldog Nation needs to support our players and coach now more then ever. All the negative comments from people does not help, this Bulldog will be cheering the boys on Saturday, I can’t wait to beat the Evil Genius!! GO DAWGS!!!
jimmy campagna
September 6th, 2011
5:03 pm
A “top tier” SEC school has as its running backs a fumble-prone running back/linebacker/retread running back and a true freshman who has great potential. A “top tier SEC school has fat, slow, apparently slow-footed, and apparently not-too-bright offense linemen (maybe only 5 or 6 at that)who are dominated by smaller, not “athletic”, 2 and 3 star defensive linemen? How did we get to this condition? What happened to super-recruiter Garner? What happened to building a wall around this state? What have the athletic association, the contributors and the season ticket holders been getting for their $3 million per year for the last four years? We can go 6-7 a lot cheaper than that.
Mr. Hayes
September 6th, 2011
5:04 pm
If you have had tickets for 23 years then the only championships you have witnessed at UGA were under Richt. Stop your whining.
Ace
September 6th, 2011
5:05 pm
They don’t want a coach that will work their butts off and make them winners, losing is accepted at UGA.
Beast from the East
September 6th, 2011
5:06 pm
Charlie Haeys,
I agree. Without the fans and alumni, there would be no football program. For $3,000,000 a year Richt (and all other HC’s) better be able to take the criticism along with the accolades. If not, then they can go coach Pop Warner for the sheer fun of it!
Blazerdawg
September 6th, 2011
5:06 pm
Trust McGarity…he is a DGD and will make the right decision at the right time.
Applaud Richt….no, not for the past few years, but for his past success and, for the most part, representing the program and the University with class and honor. This may well be his last season in Athens and I for one am going to express my gratitude door his efforts to UGA in the event he does not return next year. His era will be looked upon fondly regardless of the future.
Support the Student Athletes….despite the vitriolic expressions of our rivals and a limited few of our own fans, these young people are carrying a heavy load of academic study and physical rigors, not to mention the game time pressure.
Bulldog Nation – GATA! We may be slow on the line, and short at QB, and predictable in the plays we run; but we discovered in the Boise State game that we do have serious playmakers and an improving defense if we can get them some prolonged time off the field. Despite the turmoil, this Saturday the Dawgs will have something that S Carolina did not have in it’s first game just 70 miles from Columbia – a jammed packed, supportive and loud stadium. Show some heart Dawgs and GATA!
Ace
September 6th, 2011
5:07 pm
UGA fans will continue to fill the pocket of Richt and the athletic dept. — they keep buying tickets rain or shine, win or lose.
Knoxville Dawg
September 6th, 2011
5:08 pm
I hope that the majority of these negative comments are not coming from real Dawg fans. Living in Knoxville ,I’ve seen this present situation before. Most knowledgable Vol fans are now having buyers remorse, and would love to have Coach Fulmer back. If we fans do not stand behind Coach Richt ,we will experience the same fate as the Vol Nation. Trust me , it is not pretty. Because of parity, no SEC team will ever dominate football for a sustained period. Look what UT did in the 90’s,and UGA somewhat in the early 2000’s. Because of our great high school football programs in Ga., we will be a force in SEC football again.Coach Richt is the man to take us there.I would like to hear from the silent majority of real Dawg fans.For all you disgruntled so called fans, last time I checked, the interstate system will take you any other SEC stadium this Saturday. Have at it.
Wow.
September 6th, 2011
5:11 pm
If I am a UGA player or a high school recruit considering UGA my first question is: “Who wouldn’t want to play for fans like these?”
Delbert D.
September 6th, 2011
5:11 pm
A couple of recommendations for the team captains to enforce: 1) Run 3 miles a day one your own time 2) High-and-tight military haircuts until we have a winning record in the SEC during the season
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:12 pm
What are players SUPPOSED to say in public? “Our coaches are clueless with our head coach being the chief of cluelessness?” Such comments would not be condusive to playing time! Think about it. I will officially declare this season a total bust, again, if the Dawgs lose at Sanford Stadium. Blowouts of junior colleges and academies for the blind in upcoming games will be viewed for what they are. The Bulldogs have three or maybe four true opponents on the schedule. One test has already been failed miserably. Two TD loss seemed more like five TD debacle! By the way. Did Mark Wretch make ANOTHER mascot sick? Poor puppy. How many mascots is Richt going to send to doggy Heaven? Just asking.
fsunole
September 6th, 2011
5:12 pm
It’s easy to see this uga team starting 0-4…..lets face it, this team is just not that good….uga is now on the same level as kentucky and miss state…1980 was a long time ago
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:14 pm
I agree Delbert! As I spelled out in a post somewhere. Best.
Charlie Hayes
September 6th, 2011
5:14 pm
Back @ Mr. Hayes….
So lets take my job as an example. I am an IP litigation attorney. Let’s say in year one and year three I perform really well and make my firm a lot of money. Then in year six and year seven lets assume my clients terminate services and I am in the red. Do you think my firm would keep me on staff? You really think that once someone wins two SEC championships they are entitled to a long tenure? Look at UT, Fulmer won and then was ousted. Look at all the other dozens of examples. You call yourselves UGA fans, but don’t want to face reality that the program is broken. I was acceptable to supporting Richt after the Bulldog Club meeting. However, he set the expectations, not tha fans, and isn’t delivering what he pitched. Richt should have been honest and informed us it would take several years to rebuild, then all of the faithful wouldn’t be so upset right now.
RedandBlackDAWG
September 6th, 2011
5:14 pm
After last Saturdays game, I have just decided to watch college football and enjoy the game. I am not going to have any expectations and therefore I will not be disapointed. The game is fun, but the team I placed my hope in is not. It is what it is and I hope for the best for UGA, but changes have to be made. Where’s the beef?
KBP
September 6th, 2011
5:14 pm
I think we underestimated Boise. If they play well, they can beat anybody including Bama and the Sooners. I have no problem with how Richt handled the media today. I don’t know if he could have handled it better. We need better play calling. We need to give Crowell 20 carries per game. We need to play man coverage with our corners so we can rush the passer. Moore had too much time and he is far too good to have 5 -7 seconds to locate a receiver.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:14 pm
1980 WAS a long time ago. Sigh.
Always a Jacket
September 6th, 2011
5:15 pm
UGA looked bad after so much hype. USC will kill UGA this weekend if nothing improves. I think a lot of coach Richt, but his time is over in Athens. Fans should support the players and privately let the AD know their opinion. Then, a change will happen at the right time. How can so much talent look so bad on national TV. UGA will get the talent no matter the coach just because we have some of the best HS talent in the country. Imagine if Boise had UGA’s athletes.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:16 pm
How about 8 to 10 seconds KBP? Had time for a snack and nap!
Ace
September 6th, 2011
5:16 pm
Same as last year, tough.
Ace
September 6th, 2011
5:17 pm
Players go to UGA to ride the gravey train, no work — no wins, nobody cares.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:17 pm
I dread to consider Boise State with the talent on recent UGA squads! Can anyone say dynasty?
Blazerdawg
September 6th, 2011
5:17 pm
Well stated KDawg.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:18 pm
Ace called the shot! Bulldog Nation cares. Those with power to make positive changes do not! So it goes.
Dr. Phil
September 6th, 2011
5:18 pm
I am glad to hear that UGA players aren’t reading their tweets. Does that mean that they have stopped sending them to opposing coaches?
WONDERING
September 6th, 2011
5:19 pm
If the complainers are more than just UGA foot ball fans, and contribute “big bucks” to the AA they have reason to complain. I doubt they are, however, ’cause the “big buck’ guys don’t spew on blogs. They have private meetings with other ‘big bucks’ and get something done. I wonder if the above woud be willing to pitch in ‘big bucks’ to buy out CMR. I doubt it cause I don’t see evidence of ‘big bucks’ Just WONDERING.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:21 pm
You must be a plant Knoxville Dog! No true Dawg fan would be so delusional. Sorry. Call em as I see em.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:25 pm
Were the Power Rangers uniforms stored or burned? Just asking.
leftcoast
September 6th, 2011
5:28 pm
Right on DawginLex – ECU ain’t no Boise State. As for the poster who suspects the chickens are more physical than Boise…you weren’t paying attention. WE are physical, and yet Boise beat us on both sides of the ball, so I expect they are way physical too, with a better scheme. The glass is half full, we have a serious motivational challenge ahead and I for one expect this game to be a big win. It all counts now.
Buck up boys and girls.
Bulldog Bob
September 6th, 2011
5:29 pm
Come on UGA fans! We have more games to play in 2011. Let’s support our student athletes and our coaches and be respectful in all regards. I have bought four season tickets every year since 1993. I will support my team and University whole heartedly. I trust that this team is going to play much better this weekend versus USC. Go Dogs!!!! We are behind you 100% here in McDonough!
KBP
September 6th, 2011
5:29 pm
Stendek, If Boise had recent UGA talent they still would not be a dynasty. Bama, Gators, LSU, Auburn, all have talent too but no dynasty. By the fact we have no back to back Nat’l Champ from an SEC school shows how green apple hard the conference is. Petersen is a great coach for big games, I don’t know good he is if he has to prepare for top level competition every week. What say you?
Savannah Dawg
September 6th, 2011
5:32 pm
It just comes down to how you are coached. You are only as good as you are coached. I was at the game and I would have to day that it was some of the most pathetic play calling that i have ever seen. Poor O-Line blocking to running the same Defense every down they were on the field. I mean if you are going to rush 4 and drop seven and still get passed on, why don’t you rush 6 and drop 5. Take some damn risks. The coaches seem to coach not to lose rather than coaching to win. The team was very undisciplined and seemed to be very confused. It just seems like the same crap, just a different year.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:33 pm
BULLDOG PLAYER RULES UNDER NEW HEAD COACH IN 2012:
Hair will not be excessive in length!
Tweets to opponents will result in immediate suspension!
Frequent loss of helmet will result in reduced playing time!
Sideline frolics will result in reduced playing time!
Jewelry will not be tolerated during football season!
Felony charges will result in permanent banishment from team!
Team curfews will be upheld for all players without exception!
These rules will be adhered to by all UGA football players without exception!
Enjoy the season.
stendek
September 6th, 2011
5:37 pm
I say I would take the Boise State record over the past four seasons any day over that of one Mark Wretch. Good coaches instill confidence. Bad coaches create doubt. Care to guess which category Wretch fits into?
disappointed
September 6th, 2011
5:39 pm
What was frustrating to the true fan was the fact that the players looked out of shape, dragging and unprepared. When they came out at half time our players were walking onto the field when the Boise players were jumping up and down and at that time I said the game is over. I like Coach Richt and want it to work because I believe he is great for the university but the players have to respond better and if they are truly doing it for him then put a little bit of effort into it. I am sick of the DB’s jogging to cover the wide outs and the ball being snapped. SHOW SOME EFFORT.
Burma Shave
September 6th, 2011
5:40 pm
The dawgs are more dead
Than alive
We’re all getting tired
Of Richt’s same old jive
BURMA SHAVE
Dawg Fan
September 6th, 2011
5:40 pm
Good article. Unfortunately, the players just don’t seem to understand: Most fans are upset with the coaches (and to a smaller degree the players). Let’s face it, it took Richt too long to get rid of Martinez and even longer on taking care of business on Offense.
One of the best parts of bringing in Richt was that he was an Offensive GURU. Where’d that go? Oh right, he turned the offense over to Bobo and nothing has about gone right since. To add insult to injury, Richt doesn’t seem interested in taking back the offense.
So all you players, understand that you deserve the crap if you can’t block 4 rushing lineman, or if you totally miss blocking a defensive rusher, you drop “catchable” passes, run the wrong route… you deserve the crap you get. Most everything else is directed at the coach who has lost his way somewhere on a mission trip…
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
5:42 pm
What Richt doesnt get is that getting today’s great recruit to perform and play with heart and discipline is different than it was even 10 years ago. When ESPN is watching your every move to see where you’ll sign,and airing your high school games, you lose team first perspective and you end up with a team of “superstars” that want to make the highlight reel.This is evidenced by the celebrations after routine tackles when your team is down 21. Richts offensive philosophy isn’t the main problem, though it is problematic. his main problem is that the culture and mindset of his players has changed, and he is still approaching them the same way as he did in his FSU years, and as he did when he first came to UGA.
KBP
September 6th, 2011
5:43 pm
I hear you, Stendek. We’ll see how this season unfolds.