UPDATED: What happened to change direction of Georgia football?
The most significant change in the last four years has been Mark Richt's decision to relinquish offensive game-planning and play-calling duties. (AP photo)
I’m not sure how many people were watching College GameDay this past Saturday morning and saw the piece they aired on the Georgia football program. It was titled, “Discontent in Georgia” and I was among the individuals interviewed for it. Here’s A LINK to the video clip if you haven’t seen it.
But the real fireworks, I thought, came in the ensuing debate among the College GameDay panel, including regulars Lee Corso, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit and a new castmember named David Pollack, who some of you may have heard of.
In any case, it didn’t paint a very pretty picture of the direction of the Bulldogs’ football program, and that was before they went out and lost to South Carolina 45-42 on national TV. I thought it could have been a little more balanced — surely they could have found some folks that would have defended head coach Mark Richt — but the general theme was that Georgia fans are unhappy with the way things are going and want a coaching change. That’s what set off the debate among the GameDay guys.
The problem when you do television interviews for something like this is, typically, they ask you questions for 15-20 minutes and they may use 30 seconds of what you say. That was the case here and that’s fine. I knew that going in.
But one of the things they asked me about that didn’t make the airwaves was what I thought had taken place that precipitated Georgia’s downturn. It was a tough question and, honestly, one that I kind of struggled with. But after rattling it around in my brain for awhile, I came up with the best answer I could at the moment.
The only thing I could think of that changed from 2007, when the Bulldogs won 11 games, to 2008-10, when they won 10 then 8 then 6, was Richt relinquishing control of offensive game-planning and play-calling responsibilities.
If you recall, it was after the Georgia Tech game at the end of the 2006 regular season that we found out that Richt discreetly turned over those duties to quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo for that contest. Bobo also handled the responsibility in the bowl game and, after being bestowed the title of offensive coordinator in 2007, has been in charge of the offense ever since.
Now this is not to say I think Bobo’s offensive strategies have been the reason for Georgia’s demise. That was not and is not my point. In fact, Bobo’s offenses on average have actually out-gained (387.21-377.76 ypg) and out-scored (31.28-28.13 ppg) Richt’s. It has more to do with the resulting fundamental change in the way Richt directed the program as head coach.
Think about that for a minute. For 11 years before Richt came to Georgia, he was quarterbacks coach and/or offensive coordinator at Florida State, which happened to finish in the Top 5 nationally every one of those years. For the majority of that time, he was game-planning and play-calling for the Seminoles. Then he comes to Georgia in December of 2000 and, after doing calling the national championship game with FSU, he hits the recruiting trail for the Bulldogs and assumes the same offensive responsibilities at UGA in addition to being head coach.
That goes on through the 2006 season, when he finally entrusts the Xs and Os to somebody else. It was an exhausting run, I’m sure.
But again, more than not calling all the offensive shots, this represented a profound change in how Richt went about his business, both on a weekly and daily basis all the way down to game management. That must have had some sort of effect on the way things have gone.
Anyway, I’m not sharing all this to say I’ve figured anything out. This is much more of an observation than it is a hypothesis. But it’s something I’ll continue to look into going forward. And, of course, there are so many other aspects that go into running a college football program. Evaluation, recruiting, coaching, training, injuries, academics, luck, they all have something to do with it.
But that’s what I’m asking you guys today. Here is the cold reality: Georgia is off to an 0-2 start this season. It is 14-14 overall (12-14 vs. FBS) and 7-10 in the SEC since the 2009. So, what do you think happened?
UPDATE: I asked Coach Richt at his presser Tuesday what he would point to as the main reason for the recent downturn. Here’s what he said:
“Last year we went through all that, and we talked about things that are a year old. Those are old. This season is the only thing I’m really concerned about, and obviously, we turned the ball over. Not only were they turnovers, they were turnovers for points. I guess there was five yards they had to track one time. Our defense basically gave up 17 points to a pretty darn good football team. They had no responsibility for the fake punt, the pick six or the fumble for a touchdown. They could have stopped them on the five yard line going in. Sudden change – that’s their job to turn it into a field goal. We just gave that one away.”
– Chip Towers
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734 comments Add your comment
Ted Grob
September 13th, 2011
12:28 pm
The good years under Richt happened because of great defenses which both made up for offensive mistakes, were able to get the ball back very frequently and hid many offensive flaws. The biggest loss in the Richt years was BVG
SteveW
September 13th, 2011
12:28 pm
Unless Richt pulls off a 9 or 10 win season, I think he’s probably gone. At least Bobo will probably get the boot.
And Richt getting canned is actually sad. I think if he fires Bobo, hires a real OC, and doesn’t have the mass exodus we had this past off season, next season he is set up. It will be Grantham’s 3rd year, and we will finally have some real 3-4 talent on D. And on O, Murray and LeMay will be great, as will Crowell, Charles, King, Wooten, Brown, Lynch, Rome, Mitchell (for sure!!), and maybe Bennet and some others. We will be set.
But Richt probably won’t be here to see it.
And if we overlook Coastal Carolina this weekend, we may get beat. They’ve beat Furman in near dominating fashion, and beat Charleston Southern 70-3 last game of last season. If we take them for granted, or rest too many guys, they can make us sweat!
King Gator
September 13th, 2011
12:28 pm
I may be a moron, but a winning and happy moron… where does that leave you? thin skinned dawg fan…geez, lighten up Francis – Go Gators!
Easily Amused
September 13th, 2011
12:29 pm
“Go ask Tennessee what happens when you fire a proven, faithful coach who has and knows how to win, but just ran into a down period, and then hires a young name coach who gives you the stiff arm walking out the door.”
A 2-0 start vs. an 0-2 start?
cking
September 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
Ga must learn how to win in the red zone. Lets swap 6 points for 14.HOW? Turn up the heat, play over your head, bleed a little if necessary Gamble a little.
lagadawg
September 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
People keep dwelling on losing Van Gorder,but good teams have their coaches leave for other schools all the time.They are good enough coaches to replace them with competant coaches and by the way when is the last time another school wanted one of Ga.’s assistance coaches.
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
Yes, Tevin put up monster numbers on weak competition. But he played 5 out of 8 quarters. Just sayin.
SteveW
September 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
To Summarize:
We lost BVG and made the wrong move. Richt hired his best friend instead of a quality DC.
Callaway left us bare up front on offense after he left
Richt wouldn’t re-assign his friend as the strength and conditioning Coach, until ‘Bama and LSU had far surpassed us.
Richt promoted Mike Bobo instead of hiring a real OC from without.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:33 pm
ReggiesBalls
September 13th, 2011
12:03 pm
“Tennessees down and Miss. St. is over rated, FLA is weak this year. Auburn is the only team you have left.”
And all 4 would beat tech.
BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
cking
September 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
Georgia should have won by 35 points
SteveW
September 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
Lagadog – This offseason Texas got our offensive line coach. The NFL got our LB’s Coach.
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
Richt needs to grow some manboobs and take over play calling. He was a former OC for christ sake.
CPJ would rather chop off his own nuts than relinquish play calling duties.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
SteveW
September 13th, 2011
12:32 pm
Kind of sounds like what Vince Dooley did. He never wanted to fire anyone and he kept hiring ex-players as coaches.
ole dawg
September 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
we have a failure to produce a product trend (wins) which in most organizations would result in a change of key management positions (coaches)which in turn includes better selection of needed athletes (not necessary 4/5 star) for the program and NOT a spring board to NFL.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:36 pm
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:34 pm
Perhaps CPJ can share his secrets to CMR about growing man boobs.
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Easily Amused
September 13th, 2011
12:37 pm
@The Grinch
Maybe so, but Vince Dooley was a really nice guy and he had a few good years. That’s gotta be worth something, doesn’t it?
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:38 pm
Ted Grob
September 13th, 2011
12:28 pm
And I hate to say it, but a lot of those great players were recruited and coached by Donnan and staff.
rebeldawg
September 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
uga hires ast.coachs go back to vince a ast at auburn’yes donan was a head coach in div 2.spend the money hire a HEAD COACH
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
Easily Amused
September 13th, 2011
12:37 pm
Absolutely. I wasn’t trying to knock Vince, but he had a “kitchen cabinet” of coaches and almost refused to make any personnel changes.
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
If UGA fans are happy with a vegetarian with perfect mani/pedicures and a tanning salon membership, then by all means keep Richt!
cdog
September 13th, 2011
12:40 pm
coach ritch put all of his marbles on the offensive side of the ball.defense wins championships.anytime you score 42 points and still lose, you’re not stopping anyone..thats what is going to doom the bulldogs season, lack of defense
DawginLex
September 13th, 2011
12:41 pm
Hunkers Gone South
September 13th, 2011
10:52 am
DawginLex is just beyond retardation
*************************************
DawgInLex Eats Idiots Sandwiches
September 13th, 2011
11:04 am
He really does. Several sandwiches or more everyday
****************************************************
CHIP, WHY DO YOU LET THIS SHEET GO ON??
icedawg
September 13th, 2011
12:42 pm
I agree with those who think that the biggest problem has been on the defensive side of the ball. The defense noticeably declined after BVG left and has never been the same. That in and of itself has cost us a ton of games. The offense has been able to score points and except for the UCF game enough points to win games. This edition of of the Bulldogs has another weak defense and weak offensive line. I do not know if the 3-4 defensive formation is the be all to end all or the best utilization of the talent that we have. So I think that Richt’s problem has been more with finding the right coordinators and staff. Though we have recruited well in some positions the defensive and offensive lines are thin and easily decimated by injuries and seem to be inexperienced.
Robert F. Kennedy Quote
September 13th, 2011
12:43 pm
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” – Robert F. Kennedy
One word – stay thirsty my friends. The wins are coming.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:45 pm
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
And you’re pleased with the Cardiac version of the Pillsbury Dough Boy, by all means keep him. We’re 2-1 with more to come against Pasty Johnson.
CATERDAWG
September 13th, 2011
12:47 pm
I had a long talk today with a friend of mine that played for UGA in 1971 and here’s what he had to say! The offensive line coach that went to Texas recently had moved back to Trion, GA to be close to his family. Because of the fact that he wanted to take over the strength conditioning of the offensive lineman and was told by CMR NO is the reason he left. He aslo said that every coach was looking to leave or had better leave because UGA was in serious trouble. Also Mr Magarity made the changes to our strength and conditioning program! Bottom line folks UGA is in serious trouble and as much as I like CMR he has to go. There is no reason for UGA football to be compared to the likes of Vandy, Kentucky and Tennessee! We’ll be back when OUR NEW COACH gets here from Starkville!!!
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:47 pm
Grinch, if UGA beats Tech this year, it will be an upset. And upsets happen in rivalry games.
Easily Amused
September 13th, 2011
12:48 pm
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
Easily Amused
September 13th, 2011
12:37 pm
Absolutely. I wasn’t trying to knock Vince, but he had a “kitchen cabinet” of coaches and almost refused to make any personnel changes.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:48 pm
And yes, I love pillsbury dough boy CPJ. Richt has less testosterone than a 12 year old girl.
DawginLex
September 13th, 2011
12:48 pm
DawginLex
September 13th, 2011
10:57 am
I am predicting a 10 game winning streak.
But to say the decision has already been made flys in the face of everything Richt has been saying.
He says it is weak to weak.
I say if the results are good, the plan will get announced, Richt becomes lame dick and the coach search starts publicly.
If the results are miracleville, the plan gets scrapped and richt will not be back.
That’s not my prediction
*************************************************
NOT TO MENTION MY CYBER STALKER POSTING THIS………..
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:48 pm
cdog
September 13th, 2011
12:40 pm
I understand your concern, but let’s not forget:
* Aaron Murray pick 6 (not the fault of the defense)
* Fake punt (special teams failure, not the defense)
* Aaron fumble returned 5 yards for TD (not the fault of the defense)
* Crowell fumble returned to 5 yard line. TD against the defense, but a whopping 5 yard drive.
Plenty of blame to go around, but the defense can’t be held responsible for 45 points.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:50 pm
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:47 pm
Riiiiiiight. I guess 9 of the last 10 years have been “upsets”.
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
SSIgator
September 13th, 2011
12:50 pm
DawginLex -
“Even an impartial observor would have to say, we were exponentially better from week 1 to week 2″
If you are going to lift quotes from Richt, at least let him tell you how to spell observer.
Easily Amused
September 13th, 2011
12:51 pm
“There is no reason for UGA football to be compared to the likes of Vandy, Kentucky and Tennessee!”
Correct. Georgia is better than Vandy, equal to Kentucky and not even in the same conversation as Tennessee.
DawginLex
September 13th, 2011
12:52 pm
SO NOW YOU ARE MY SPELL CHECKER?
Just shutup.
I don’t need an obnoxious drunk punka$$ Gator to say anything to me regarding anything.
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:52 pm
What does 9 out of 10 have to do with this year’s game? We’ll be favored this year, just like 2 years ago.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:53 pm
SSIgator
September 13th, 2011
12:50 pm
Wow. So here I was on a sports blog and all of a sudden a Spelling Bee broke out.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
12:55 pm
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
12:52 pm
“We’ll be favored this year, just like 2 years ago.”
And how did 2 years ago work out for you? Here, I’ll help you – you lost. Great point, though.
BWAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Bid dawg fan
September 13th, 2011
12:58 pm
Freedawg. No way can I agree with you on the Van Gorder comment. He was @ GA only a couple of years and came with a lot of talent. Could’nt help but look good. I have watched Him with the Falcons the last few years and His defense stinks. Mr. Smith should have let him go 2 years ago.
Watching him coach reminds me of the ga coaches.
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
1:00 pm
Grinch, I didnt say we’ll win. I said we’ll be favored, ie, we’re supposed to win. Just like in 2009. Just like in 2008 when you were favored (and we know that famous score).
TampaDawg
September 13th, 2011
1:00 pm
Thomas Brown, you’re funny dude. But apparently it just eats at you so much that you have to spend all freaking night coming up with a slew of responses (mini books) and post them in the morning on a new blog and just start calling out someone to get a response. I read some of them. I never MADE you go look all that up. Yet you do it and then want to ask if I stay on here all day and if I have a job. You posted it, obviously after I wasn’t on here any longer, call me lazy for NOT SEEING IT, then want to ask if I spend all day on here and if I have a job.
GET OVER YOURSELF! Your rants are inaccurate, insignificant and grabbing at straws .. at best! You spent hours dissecting 11 years worth of scores and results? For what? I never told you to do it. I never even implied that anyone should dissect Goff or Donnan’s years either.
Now, the only comments I will even entertain are this. Revenue sharing in the conference; yes I understand it. But if you go to no bowl, it is a huge cut in the pot of money that is spread out throughout the conference. But if you don’t go to one, then that’s less money going into the pot. It affects every team in the conference. BSU for instance, if they keep going to BCS bowls, the MWC continues being a big fan. If they don’t, it’s a bad year financially for every team in that conference.
Anyway, you’re not a UGA fan at all. You’re just a critic and no one ever builds a statue for a critic. You look to find fault in everything this team does so I doubt you EVER put $10,000 into this team because if you have that much criticism to levy against them and still paid money all these years …. then you have a very very big mental/financial issue.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
1:00 pm
ReggiesBalls
September 13th, 2011
12:58 pm
Nice, but lame, try to cover you ignorance.
DawginLex
September 13th, 2011
1:00 pm
Tennessee 56
Florida 3
http://www.firemuschamp.com gets cranked up
Weis eats Gainesville
SSIGator changes his tampon 12 times in the 1st half alone.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
1:01 pm
ReggiesBalls
September 13th, 2011
12:58 pm
“Small minds.”
Along with your small balls, Reg.
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
DawginLex
September 13th, 2011
1:01 pm
“take one of your wifes Midol tablets”
That should be wife’s Midol tablets Mr Spell check A$$Wipe
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
1:03 pm
GT Joe
September 13th, 2011
1:00 pm
“(and we know that famous score)”
Actually that score gets kind of lost behind the 9 other games you lost during the past 10 years.
DawginLex
September 13th, 2011
1:03 pm
Think I figured out who SSI is.
He is one of the morons responsible for Sea Island going bankrupt.
Thinks he is in hiding over on St Simon’s Island.
They will still find you.
The Grinch
September 13th, 2011
1:05 pm
ReggiesBalls
September 13th, 2011
1:02 pm
“what does “you ignorance” mean?”
That’s where I was enraging you GT morons with my intentionally stupid comments that are uttered to “get off track from the true blog because you engage me”.
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
BVG
September 13th, 2011
1:05 pm
Couple that with the fact that he lost the reason we won most of those games during the first half of his tenure. That reason is Brian Van Gorder.
15 Games, 6 W',
September 13th, 2011
1:08 pm
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