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
John
September 6th, 2011
5:47 pm
Richt didn’t ‘volley’ the questions-he ducked them. There’s a big difference, both in sports and in speech.
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
5:47 pm
Don’t know if we want Richt with full control of the offense though, I was one of those who thought he should give it to Bobo when he did. Course that has turned out to be worse. I think this will be remedied at the end of the season when UGA goes coach hunting.
Danah
September 6th, 2011
5:48 pm
What a joke it was to see the helmets flying off the heads of UGA’s dreadlock-coiffed dummies. It made them look like the stupid imbeciles they are. When these jerks start worrying less about their hair, their bling, and their stupid tweets, and more about football, maybe they’ll win a few games.
You didn’t see any of this stuff from Boise State, by the way. Coaching, the difference is coaching.
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
5:49 pm
Richt and staff are now in circle the wagons mode, using “us against the world” and “nobody believes in us” to motivate the team. This is a sure sign of desperation.
Tim Dawg
September 6th, 2011
5:50 pm
Hire Jim Tressel we’ll be national champions in 2 years with the talent we have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
5:52 pm
Hire Tressel and we end up vacating whatever we do win.
TOO TOUGH44
September 6th, 2011
5:55 pm
I as a DAWG fan embarassed, frustrated and ill. I knew immediately when those uniforms were shown that was a bad omen. Sadly, I felt it in my gut, but, still , I thought the Dawgs wouldve made a better effort. Coach MR. please get the Dawgs going.! Go Dawgs! Dawgs are Dawgs not fashion models, get to hard nosed georgia red clay tough and win the sec….Mabye we needed to loose to Boise st? hmmmmm?
MrGreggo
September 6th, 2011
5:57 pm
Lack of Defense + Gators World Class Speed = Very long day and last game for Richt…..
TOO TOUGH44
September 6th, 2011
5:58 pm
Agridog…I certainly would rather them cirlce the wagons than try another uniform change to motivate the players…Players should be motivated to be a DAWG!
dawg from a distance
September 6th, 2011
6:01 pm
Can Jenkins and Geathers play at the same time? We need to clog up the middle and hide our weakness at LB now with tree out.
This game is much more important and we all said or at least most did. A split in the first 2 was most likely.
Stay on board DAWG fans. Go DAWGS!
FloridaDawg
September 6th, 2011
6:01 pm
I agree with the dreds or whatever you call all that hair on some of our players.
How embarrassing is was to see their helmets come off knowing this was broadcast on National TV.
A parent watching would say “no discipline” on this team.
Boise State was all business.
I remember a time when the players shaved their heads…did we win back in those days?
Don Dawg
September 6th, 2011
6:02 pm
Loyal football fans are an important part of UGA’s success in the SEC. Our young athletes began reading the many negative comments after the Boise game. For many, it was their first game at UGA and they fell short of their dreams. They felt lower than dirt after the loss, even before the negative comments began pouring in like a tsunami. They are a bunch of talented young kids who will be great players and who will mould into a great team. They certainly need your support and encouragement after facing an experienced and poised Boise team…….Will you contribute to their future success because you are focused…..will you suck it up and play your fan position as best you can? Contribute positive energy when a great season is still very achievable for our beloved Bulldogs..
Phil
September 6th, 2011
6:02 pm
Conflicting rumors coming from the Butt-Smear building this afternoon.
Dawgscrews
September 6th, 2011
6:04 pm
How bout Chase Vasser… Could he play inside ? I heard this kid has alot of heart and is like a ragin lion on the field !!!
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
6:04 pm
TOO TOUGH, youre right, they SHOULD be motivated just to be a dawg, but sadly,most of those guys are the 2 and 3 stars that Boise and others get. Those that appeciate being on the team and not trying to make Sportscenter.
Bitter Pill
September 6th, 2011
6:05 pm
“They felt lower than dirt after the loss…”
Good, they should. So should the coaches.
UGA True
September 6th, 2011
6:05 pm
I am frustrated just like everyone else. Do I like the play-calling? Hell no! However, I am a fan thru and thru. Don’t give up on our guys and come Saturday if things go south please everyone do not boo!!! Show our potential recruits Georgia has true fans no matter what. Like General Schwartzkoff (spelling?) said in 1991 at the onset of the first Gulf War…THERE WILL BE MORALE!!!! So fans, if Saturday is dissapointing suck it up and keep pulling for YOUR team. Don’t ever quit!!!
uga1984
September 6th, 2011
6:05 pm
I’ve said this before… if you track Richt’s past successes – it was when HE called the plays & was primary offensive coordinator. Also, Van Gorder was the defensive coach (genius). Now, you’ve got Bobo & Grantham – both of whom probably could NOT get a coordinator job with another D1 school in the event Richt left. UGA NEEDS good coordinators!!!! Coordinators that would be highly coveted elsewhere, or would be considered for head coaching jobs elsewhere. Take USC & UF for example… does anyone think for one second that Bobo can match offensive wits with Spurrier or Weis!!!! Sub-par coordinators will be be the undoing of Richt – should it ever come to that.
BamaBulldog
September 6th, 2011
6:07 pm
It sounds to me like Richt had more emotion at the press conference that he did on the sidelines during the game…
Cali Dawg
September 6th, 2011
6:07 pm
Bobo is not a D1 OC. PERIOD! Take the playcalling back CMR, we haven’t seen anything innovative since…what 07? If CMR is worried about Bobo’s feelings or job (like pathetic DC, Martinez), he won’t have one either…SAVE YOURSELF CMR! I don’t want to have to deal with another “potential great coach that is an up and comer” – the UGA way – cheap and hope it woks out.
Dreadbull
September 6th, 2011
6:08 pm
I wouldn’t want to lose CMR, I think he needs to call the plays personally. If you look at the game or even watched the game you would understand that the Defense was on the field for what seemed like an entire quarter in the first half alone. People have commented that they looked winded and what not, of course when the Offense keeps going three and out while Boise drives up the field so who wouldn’t be tired? The only people putting CMR on the “hot seat” is the media. We missed a field goal and should’ve kicked another but then again maybe our players should’ve blocked better. The spread with the HB draw is pretty far from what we’ve been doing as a Pro Offensive scheme so it’s easy to understand how players let alone freshmen missed blocking assignments. If our Offense gets it together than I feel very good about our team since our Defense actually played darn well. I just hope CMR does something with Bobo…
Dawg1
September 6th, 2011
6:09 pm
I’m not going to read all of the garbage above. Real simple. You stick by this coach until the leadership makes a change.
You do NOT attack the players. At the end of the day; they are 21 years old and YOUNGER.
Show some class… If your attacking from another school. TRUST ME ON THIS… EVERY Dawg has his day… Be careful…
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
6:09 pm
Don dawg, I agree totally, but we are doing these young men a disservice by pretending that this current coaching staff is going to make them better football players and teammates with the way they are currently coached and handled. The tweets, the celebrations, the accepting of mediocrity, this IS NOT preparing them for life after football. Losing is acceptable only if you learn and grow from it, and do whats necessary to prevent it from becoming the norm in your life.
TheGrizz
September 6th, 2011
6:12 pm
Lifelong Dawg and that will never change, but its been apparent for more than 4 years that Mark and his staff are just not capable of coaching up the players. Say what you want, but his lack of emotion is the drain on the team. Go back and look at UT in 2006 when UGA had no clue what to do. Thats when the wheels started coming off. Talent has kept us near the top.
chris w
September 6th, 2011
6:12 pm
if mark get can then bobo should pay him cause it will be all on him he cant call plays at all. mark start back calling plays get your players in the right play at the right time help your self.
messin with sasquatch
September 6th, 2011
6:15 pm
look, beamer was feeling the same way as richt last year. and he still had the loss to james madison coming around.
darren
September 6th, 2011
6:16 pm
I was a big supporter of MR, but he is done.He could have found a NFL line coach but he hires a UAB SOFTY. The offensive play calling and lack of aggressive defense is sickening. BS had average mostly white receivers and we played soft zone and had safety’s 20 yards off the ball and sent base 3 or 4 man rushes against a slow QB that is accurate if standing flat footed in pocket. It’s time to start over. Call BS coach and give him our talent and money to work with. .
bigdawgmatt
September 6th, 2011
6:16 pm
II love mark but come on man get in to calling the plays please I like bono but tell him what to call let’s go dawgs
Ray Drew
September 6th, 2011
6:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Dooley for Prez
September 6th, 2011
6:18 pm
dawgfacedboy…Amen. I have stated the same thing for two years now. The 2008 season should have forewarned all of us in Dawg nation what was to come. Awesome talent and yet looked outcoached in many games even though we did manage to win a few of the games. The last two seasons have been horrific. How in the world did we lose to Kentucky or Colorado??? UCF…you have to be kidding me. Can anyone see Saban, Chizik, Mullen, etc. losing those games if they were the coach in Athens. NO WAY! Richt is a great guy but he certainly is outmanned in the current SEC. We need someone new to revitalize our fan base to give us confidence the future is bright instead of more mediocrity. A win against South Carolina will not change that even if it delays the inevitable. Please, Please, Please do not let the AD keep him around unless we basically win out. Easy SEC schedule compared to all other SEC teams and a three loss season would be mediocre accordingly. Not long until Bama and LSU reappear on the schedule instead of the Ole Miss’s of the world.
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
6:18 pm
Coach Richt is a fine human being, with a heart and love for God and humanity. He is truly admirable in that regard and is a shining example of service to mankind. He is not however a great coach or manager of other coaches. I agree that no one should attack the young men personally either, but acceptance is complicity, and when you accept the actions and subpar performance, then you are not doing your duty as a leader to make the most out of these young men.
Ray Drew
September 6th, 2011
6:20 pm
We have no chance of winning with this staff and these sorry players. All they care about is bling, weed, women, and money. We will look like disgraces of the earth on Saturday. Another embarrasing ass raping on national tv. I have sold my tickets to USCe fans. F this world!
HockeyDawg
September 6th, 2011
6:21 pm
Boy, that’s unusual for Coach Richt to be so short with reporters. No doubt an indication that he really senses how high the heat is turned up on him. There are many ways he could’ve truthfully answered the question without being so snippy, but it sounds like he’s really feeling the pressure. Any Bulldog fan with a brain realizes this week’s game is the single most important game in Mark Richt’s coaching career. If we win, it doesn’t guarantee anything, but given our weak schedule the rest of the way, it would be a huge step in the direction of saving his job. If we lose but play well and are competitive (unlike last week), I think he still stands a chance of saving his job if he wins 9 of the next 10. But if we get blown out, I think he’s in real trouble, as things could get really ugly! Even though it’s a pretty easy schedule, MSU, UT, FLA, AUB, & GT could all beat us if things start spiralling out of control, as happened last year.
I love Coach Richt and I love the Dogs, and desperately want to see him and them succeed. A win on Sat. over a good team like SC would go a long way in quieting the naysayers. But given our terrible record against good teams in the last 3 years, the continued lack of execution on the line of scrimmage, and the pathetic play-calling of Mike Bobo, it’s awfully hard to predict a win for us. Sure hope I’m wrong… GO DOGS!!!
Dooley for Prez
September 6th, 2011
6:21 pm
Oh yeah…as for the article…Why should we listen to the players about the head coach position? If they were allowed to choose the coach it likely would be some hot chick or someone that offered Miami type of perks.
CMR the Great
September 6th, 2011
6:23 pm
One game, one loss. The loss to Boisie State does not have to define our season, much less Richt’s ability to lead the team. I agree that it is a disturbing continuation of a downward trend in CMR’s record against ranked opponents. After the USC game on Saturday we will know if this team is really different and improved or not. No reasonable person thought we’d be undefeated this year, and losing in week one to the #5 team in the country should not have been a surprise to anyone. Let’s see how the team reacts and how well they play Carolina in Athens. CMR should (and clearly does) feel some pressure to win, but it takes a while to turn around a program on the slide. If UGA plays well Saturday and even if they lose, they could still end up 10-2, or at worst 9-3. If they DON’T play well and lose, then it could be a long season.
shankit
September 6th, 2011
6:25 pm
Sign of the Times.
It really doesn’t seem to matter who the coach or players are
at Athens, it will be hard to put together a winner with the fan
base they are trying to please. Go Valdosta State.
CMR the Great
September 6th, 2011
6:25 pm
Then again, CMR could be the anti-Christ.
bulldogsteve
September 6th, 2011
6:26 pm
I was embarrassed to be a UGA fan Saturday night. Yeah they lost to a top 5 team. Yeah it really bummed me out because I was so looking for the team to rebound from last year. But the worst part was how the UGA fans left early in the 4th quarter. I had seats in the Boise section and I don’t think if the score had been reversed, their fans would have bailed out like our fans did. If you do not want to cheer for your team during the bad times ad well as the good times, then don’t bother coming to the games. Find another team to support. Stay home and watch it on TV so you can change the channel. We have had season tickets since 1977 and I have never left a game early. And there were some bad teams over the years, but I just love watching UGA football. I hope the fair weather fans jump off the bandwagon so we can get some fresh fans in Sanford Stadium to support the team.
Reggie
September 6th, 2011
6:27 pm
This is not a must win game.
We play 8 unranked teams, should go 8-0 there. 8-4, win the Bowl, that’s 9-4, 50% improvement in wins over 6-7 in 2010.
shankit
September 6th, 2011
6:28 pm
If Mark Richt loses to SC, he will probably resurface at a Pac 10 or ACC team,
and I would suppose all his recruits; dream team, 2012, 2013 would go with him.
Agridawg
September 6th, 2011
6:29 pm
CMR youre dead on, its A TREND, this is the 4th year of it. I’d love for us to smack Carolina in the mouth and get the big win, but if you watched Carolina under adversity against East Carolina, and watched us under adversity for the last couple of years, the optmism slides. A win over Carolina would definitely be bucking the trend.
Blazerdawg
September 6th, 2011
6:30 pm
Shankit – Go Blazers!
same ole same ole
September 6th, 2011
6:30 pm
strength and conditions, dream team, john jenkins, a year experience with the 3-4 defense. hahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahahahahahhaha. but the same ole coaching staff. uga started where they left off last year. lol lol
Kelso
September 6th, 2011
6:31 pm
FIRE RICHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
icedawg
September 6th, 2011
6:31 pm
Of course they will defend him. He’s their coach. But what do they know? If their play is any indication then pity them and us.
Orange11
September 6th, 2011
6:33 pm
“As always, it will come down to blocking, tackling and execution.”
Which is something it appears this team forgot along time ago.
Dawgs1
September 6th, 2011
6:34 pm
‘As always, it will come down to blocking, tackling and execution’
OMG, that’s what I was afraid was going to happen this weekend!
War Dang Dawg
September 6th, 2011
6:39 pm
Uhh, coach, newsflash…you’ve pretty much stunk as a coach since the ‘06 Sugar Bowl against West Virginia, the last half of ‘07 excepted. You’re still living off of ‘02-’05, but that’s wearing thin.
Maybe you shouldn’t be snapping at reporters. Sure, they are annoying creatures, but those are fair questions. Why don’t you man up and acknowledge that SC is a must-win game, state your intent to kick their butts, then back it up on the field for the first time in a long, long time. Don’t shoot the messengers.
Reggie
September 6th, 2011
6:40 pm
The defense has to help the offense out more with red zone play holding teams to field goals, TCU beat Boise by holding them to 1 td and then a bunch of field goals. Good plan for SC.
Also, defense needs to force turnovers if they see the offense struggling.
Special teams has to score if they see offense struggling.
Rush game has to pick it up if pass game struggles, vice versa.
same ole same ole
September 6th, 2011
6:41 pm
its not the lost its how they lost that has many fans upset. the team was not prepared to play a national televised game against the 5th ranked team in the nation and they (coaches) had months to get ready.