Q&A: Vince Dooley says Mark Richt will be at Georgia ‘for a long time’
Vince Dooley
Q&A WITH VINCE DOOLEY
With an 0-2 start on the heels of 6-7 season, UGA President Michael Adams and Athletic Director Greg McGarity have found themselves having to answer questions lately about Mark Richt’s long-term security as the Bulldogs’ football coach. Of course, they’re both very non-committal on the issue, considering there are 10 games remaining in the regular season. President Adams was asked about it again on Thursday at UGA’s cabinet meeting. “I think this is the time for all of us to come together and get behind this group of guys who played a heck of a game last Saturday and deserve our support,” he said. “I’ve never folded on anything 15 or 20 percent into it. That’s what we would be doing. . . . It’s time for us as a community to get behind this team.” Earlier this week, McGarity told me, “I’m not going to do a weekly scorecard on our football coach. We’ve got 10 more games to play.”
Vince Dooley is uniquely qualified to talk about the situation since he’s a former AD and head football coach at Georgia and actually was the man responsible for hiring Richt. Dooley was at both of the Bulldogs’ games this season and will be there Saturday as his 1971 team is honored on the 40th anniversary of its 11-1 season. So here’s what he had to say when I asked him Thursday to share his thoughts on Richt’s situation:
Q: Coach Richt has endured a lot of criticism lately in the wake of the Bulldogs’ 0-2 start and declining win totals the last three seasons. What are your thoughts on the job he’s doing?
A: “If you stay in this business long enough, you’re going to go through some down times. Joe Paterno had about four losing seasons in five years before he went on his run. Bear Bryant, in 1969 and ‘70, had some struggling times. He got beat by Vanderbilt up in Nashville. I remember his athletic director saying he was going to look for a new coach. At the end of the season he said, ‘I looked all over the country and can’t find one better than the one I got right now.’ I’ve been through it myself. In fact, we’re celebrating the ‘71 team reunion this week. That was an 11-1 team that finished sixth or seventh in the county. But the two years before that were down years. We won the SEC championship in ‘66 and ‘68 prior to that. So you have to be able to weather those down years and go forward. Every coach has to go through it. And usually you come out a better coach by having gone through it. So I’m confident Coach Richt is going to address it.”
Q: What were your impressions of the first two games this season and what do you think about the 2011 team?
A: “That first team we played this year, Boise State, is really good. They’re great, in fact. They’re great because of that defensive line and that quarterback. They can play with anybody. We played good enough to win that ballgame against South Carolina. They out-played them. But you have these turnovers – and they’re all bad – but these were disastrous because they resulted in touchdowns. They were touchdown turnovers. They weren’t turnovers that just gave them an opportunity to score touchdowns; they were touchdowns. So this team probably should have won that game and is very capable of ending up with a very strong year. You can look to the example of Virginia Tech last year. That was a lot worse than this. After they got beat by Boise they lost to James Madison. I think South Carolina is a little better than James Madison. So, anyway, it’s just what you have to go through.
“Coach Richt is a proven coach. He’s the type of guy you want at Georgia, the way he conducts himself, his character and the way he represents the university. I think he has the support of the greatest majority of people because they believe in him. I believe in him, too. So I think he’ll come out of it as other coaches have gone through it and have come out of it. He’ll be fine. He’ll be here a long time.”
Q: So what happened? How do you explain the downturn of late?
A: “I don’t think we’ve gotten quite the production from our players. Maybe we haven’t recruited quite as well. We haven’t been fortunate with some of these athletes. You can go back to that as well. And other teams have come on strong. It’s hard to think that other teams may have caused this but other teams are good. They’re trying to win, too. You’ve got new blood coming in every year and competitors each and every year that are all striving to make it. So everybody can’t be on top all the time.”
Q: Do you think giving up total control of the offense was a mistake for Richt?
A: “I don’t think so. The offensive production has actually been better. And I did the same thing after five years. As you take on more and more responsibilities as the head coach, the quarterbacks and offensive still demand more and more time and you’re not able to give it to them. I did the same thing and I think he made the right decision. He’s certainly still involved. You have to remain involved, but you can’t be totally involved. Even Steve Spurrier, as much as he’s involved, he’s got a guy who is coordinating and working with the quarterbacks. He still runs it from the sideline. So, no, I don’t think that’s the reason things haven’t gone as well. But people feel like they have to point to something when we’re not doing as well and that’s just one variant they point to based on the fact that it’s a change from what we’d been doing.”
Q: Let me ask you to put on your AD’s hat for a minute. Coach Richt will have only two years remaining on his contract heading into next season. So the decision is not just whether to keep him, but whether to extend his contract as well. So what has to happen for Richt for that to happen?
A: “My thoughts are we just started the season. People are talking about things we ought to be thinking about after the season. You just started. Yeah, there are some concerns. Coach Richt is concerned; we’re all concerned. But he’s got to be able to address the issues and he’s just getting started. At the end of the season, we’ll see where we are. The assumption is it’s going to be bad. Let’s wait and see. I think we’ve got a chance to have a good football season. I really do.”
– Chip Towers
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455 comments Add your comment
Easily Amused
September 15th, 2011
4:37 pm
@GTBob
Heck, UCF almost beat us last year.
Oh, wait… Never mind.
Restore UGA
September 15th, 2011
4:37 pm
MILF = Moro Islamic Liberation Front
TampaDawg
September 15th, 2011
4:37 pm
GT Joe has a buddy in GT Bob .. even gt4ever called him out on stupid comments
GT Joe
September 15th, 2011
4:38 pm
um which comment was stupid?
GT Joe
September 15th, 2011
4:39 pm
I guess facts hurt.
Larry Munson's subdural hematoma
September 15th, 2011
4:39 pm
For real, UGA has been in decline for several years. I mean, the mere thought of Nick Saban did this to Larry!
Tville Dawg
September 15th, 2011
4:40 pm
Someone asked on page 1 what Dooley’s relationship with Adams currently was. I haven’t read all the posts, but I can report that when I had Dooley sign a book last year, there was no warmth expressed toward Michael Adams. I still think he is very bitter.
Wish Dooley would understand that he is a legend, and I sincerely doubt that there will be very few structures named for Michael Adams after his departure. Vince has been a part of the fabric of many of us since the 60’s. Nobody is ever going to take that away from him (OR US)
SUPPORT THE DAWGS-THEY NEED US.
Easily Amused
September 15th, 2011
4:40 pm
Barbara Dooley
September 15th, 2011
4:35 pm
I have been called a GILF. . .
Barb, I’ll call you a GILF all day long, if it makes you happy.
I know you don’t let Vince do your thinking for you. How long do you think CMR will be on the Georgia payroll?
Odell Thurman's Liquor Store
September 15th, 2011
4:42 pm
Send Mark Richt packing.
I’ll drink to that!
Toccoa Dawg
September 15th, 2011
4:50 pm
Looking at the south carolina game again. Bobo and Coach Richt did a great job. Its not their fault about the turnovers. Its the “players” fault. Some of you will say, well that’s coaching. BS, the coaching was there for all to see. CMR out coached CSP. The problem we had was a true freshman RB and a qb that’s looking more and more like he is in over his head until he settles down.
GT Joe
September 15th, 2011
4:51 pm
Funny thing is, CPJ is more likely to wear a hobnail boot than Richt.
UGA VII
September 15th, 2011
4:52 pm
Is it coincidence or is it just me that all my family started keeling over since 2008? Richt has already whacked 3 of us, including yours truly.
Russ, look out! You’re next!
bigdog
September 15th, 2011
4:54 pm
Hey Saban and you other idiots blogging on this site should get a life and go back to redneckville Alabama.
Sanford's Fleeing Masses
September 15th, 2011
4:54 pm
Can you blame us for hauling butt against USCe? Would you have stayed for that junk?
Let’s get a decent coach and maybe we will stay. Ok, probably not but it can’t hurt to try!
GTBob
September 15th, 2011
4:55 pm
According to rivals, in the past 10 years here are the top 5 recruiting teams:
1. USC – 2 MNC’s.
2. UGA – 2 SEC championships, no MNC game appearances.
3. Florida – 2 MNC’s
4. LSU – 2 MNC’s
5. Texas – 1 MNC, played in another MNC
Which team is the odd one out? Just how much talent does Richt need to be able to compete for a MNC?
Nick Saban
September 15th, 2011
4:57 pm
bigpup, son, you don’t want to anger me when you have to play starting Bama next year. I’ve cleaned out most of the SEC West and some in the East. Heck, I almost killed Urbz in the 2009 SECCG. If you make me mad who knows what I’ll do. I may actuall just destroy Sanford Stadium.
If you ever leave the trailer park and make your way to T-town come see my statue and BCS trophy. You won’t be seeing one in Athens any time soon. LOL!
Later,
Nick
Joey
September 15th, 2011
5:00 pm
GTBob – smart techie
GT Joe – not so much
MAD DAWG. Thanks CVD, but not thanks, I don't need any kool-aid from you.
September 15th, 2011
5:00 pm
No disrespect to Coach Dooley but a only a delusional person or someone suffering from acute dementia could agree with his comment stating Richt will be at UGa indefinately despite his losing trend. Blood is thicker than water and Dooley’s allegiance and passion for UGA fooball isn’t nearly what it was from 1964 to 1988 when his job was on the line each year as head coach. Dooley was ousted by UGA CEO Adams and the current mediocrity of the football program under Adams is accepted, understood and accepted even by Dooley himself. UGA will never will a national title while Adams run Georgia, thus Dooley’ s legacy will remain intact at least while he remains alive. The worse Georgia gets the better it makes Dooley era look. Of course he’ll never say it but several times in this article Dooley drew attention to when his teams even outside the Herschel era fought to win SEC titles. Back then what Dooley did and said was for the glory of ole Georgia, but now what Dooley says is for the glory of old Vince Dooley. Besides another factor is Derek Dooley, his son, is head coach at Tennessee, and the recent national title celebrated by his alma mater, Auburn, along with his resentment of Michael Adams has totally dilluted all of Dooley’s passion for the woes of UGA football under beleaguered Mark Richt. Vince is truly indifferent to the mediocrity, but knows his must say what the delusional big money boosters want to hear him say. Thus the mediocrity in the atmosphere at UGA will just continue to float down to the field surface. Little wonder over the course of the last 28 to 29 games of SEC teams no team other than hapless Vandy has won less and lost more other than mediocre Georgia.
David Pollack's Neck Pain
September 15th, 2011
5:03 pm
Time to quit being a ‘pain in the neck’ Coach Richt and hit the road! Please just resign at the end of the year!
Dawg Whisperer
September 15th, 2011
5:05 pm
How is it that some (not all) GT fans find hating and deriding UGA on a consistent basis their focus instead of their own school? BTW, that is a rhetorical question since we already know the answer. GT lost all appeal in the 60s except for that one abberant year in ‘90. If losing is a continuum, then we know how to change course… just schedule another game with GT.
War Dang Dawg
September 15th, 2011
5:06 pm
The secret to Dooley’s success was that he was always able to bounce back from a down year or two with a great season, often an SEC Championship season. Winning the SEC in ‘66 and ‘68 bought him goodwill in ‘69 and ‘70, then going 11-1 in ‘71 sealed the deal. A down ‘74 was followed by a good ‘75 and a great ‘76. Bad seasons in ‘77 and ‘79 were followed by a good season in ‘78 and a historic run from ‘80-’83.
Richt has been pretty mediocre since winning the SEC in ‘05, except for the last 6 games of ‘07. Even the 10-3 ‘08 season has to considered in light of the talent we had (a ton) and the relative ease of the schedule. Fact is, we got the crap beat out of us by the only two teams that were supposed to be an even match for us, then choked away the Tech game.
This was supposed to be the “bounce-back” season (actually more like the second one), but it looks like more of the same. Unless this team goes on an amazing run, Richt is toast. And Dooley darn well knows it.
Doggy Style
September 15th, 2011
5:06 pm
We’re behind you Coach Richt! For real!
BirdDog
September 15th, 2011
5:07 pm
CMR didn’t throw that crucial pick or fumble the ball away to SC. This team will get better throughout the season.
Easily Amused
September 15th, 2011
5:10 pm
@Doggy Style
Does that promise include a reach around?
Doggy Style
September 15th, 2011
5:13 pm
Why not since he’s the head coach!(pun intended)
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:14 pm
Isn’t it funny when Chip Towers or Bill King does a story for a UGA blog and all the Tech fans that are obsessed with UGA come out of the closets.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:18 pm
I can read the post on the seven pages and tell the difference between the REAL Dawg fans and the trollers and haters. I don’t know what it is but the hate and the jealousy is evident. I guess the Richt haters from other schools are hoping that Richt gets fired because they seem to be real scared that he’s about to turn things around. What I saw on Saturday showed that he’s getting real close.
War Dang Dawg
September 15th, 2011
5:18 pm
One other thing, people like to compare Dooley and Richt’s winning percentages. In 25 years Dooley might have had a handful of joke games – I remember VMI one year, and we played Temple a few times as a homecoming opponent. Richt has played more automatic W games in 3 years than Dooley had in his entire career. If you are going to compare winning percentages, take out the two freebies Richt gets every year and substitute teams like Clemson, Michigan, BYU, TCU, Texas A&M, UCLA, Pitt, Houston, and other nonconference games that Dooley had to coach against over the years. Still think Richt would be on top?
And Dooley rarely embarrassed us, win or lose. There was an ugly game against Nebraska in ‘69, a blowout loss to Virginia sometime in the 70s, and a shutout loss to UF in ‘84 that was actually competitive for most of the game. Richt has had quite a few ugly beatdowns in recent years, starting with the Tennessee game in ‘07. I bet he’s had more from ‘07-’09 than Dooley had in his entire career. That’s the real reason Richt’s on the hot seat, it looks like the wheels have come off.
Stinger2
September 15th, 2011
5:21 pm
Can someone explain why there are so many comments about Adams not liking Dooley and vice versa?
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:21 pm
War Dang Dawg, that’s just the sign of the times. Tell me a team in the last 10 years that doesn’t ever start the season with a cupcake or two. Teams don’t usually do what UGA just did anymore to start the season. Matter of fact Florida NEVER EVER plays a top out of conference team PERIOD.
Easily Amused
September 15th, 2011
5:31 pm
@Stinger2
September 15th, 2011
5:21 pm
Can someone explain why there are so many comments about Adams not liking Dooley and vice versa?
Most folks have a problem being friendly with the guy who fired them.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:35 pm
War Dang Dawg, here’s the blowout losses by Dooley. 1964 Bama 31-3, 1965 Kentucky 28-10,
1970 Nebraska 45-6, 1972 Bama 25-7, Auburn 27-10, 1974 Miss St 38-14, 1975 Arkansas 31-10, 1977 Kentucky 33-0, 1978 S.C. 27-10, 1979 Virginia 33-10. Don’t think Richt has had more than that in three years.
Wait til next year
September 15th, 2011
5:37 pm
Just give Coach Richt one more chance! He’ll have them winning next year!
Easily Amused
September 15th, 2011
5:38 pm
@kerryb
Don’t worry. He’ll catch up Vince said he’s gonna be here a looooong time.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:39 pm
Blowout losses by UGA from 2007-2009. 2007 TN 35-14, 2008 UF 49-10, 2009 TN 45-19, UF 41-17. Doesn’t equal Dooley’s.
Joey
September 15th, 2011
5:39 pm
War Dang Dawg, the worst to me still, is letting Lane Kiffin proclaim to the world that UT would never lose to UGA, then talk smack the week of the game, and lastly kick his butt.
It’s a shame that Richt put UGA back on the map, then lazily (a head coach making $3M and not studying football is yes, lazy) let us disappear again.
I hope he has it in him to put us back on that map – it is sad to be ignored by the sports media, and embarrassing to have losing streaks like we have with UF, as well as real 3 and 4 game losing streaks like the past two seasons.
Go Coach, and Go Dawgs!
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:41 pm
I hope he is here for a long time. He will win at least a couple of NC befor he’s gone. It took Bowden 18 years and Paterno 14 years to do it. The ONLY people that come on blogs calling for Richt to be fired are not even UGA fans.
Joey
September 15th, 2011
5:46 pm
Tell you what.
When Richt wins 6 SEC titles and an unbeaten, untied, and undisputed National Championship, we can start, START comparing Richt to Dooley.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:47 pm
Joey, I don’t think it had anything to do with not studying football and being lazy. Head coaches are CEO’s of teams. They have the whole team to worry about not just spending time researching the new trend in football. They leave studying football to their coordinators. I think the OC has had trouble studying it but he called a lot better game Saturday.
Troof
September 15th, 2011
5:50 pm
UGA win a couple of NCs? LOL!
31 YEARS AND COUNTING DAWG FANS! HERSCHEL WALKER ISN’T COMING THROUGH THAT DOOR! Ok, so he could probably still play and contribute for UGA but technically he’s not eligible. LOL!
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:54 pm
Joey, Just like Richt, Dooley won 2 SEC titles in his first 5 years. He didn’t win another one for 8 years. Were the fans ready to show him the door during that stretch? Dooley had 23 years to win those titles. Like Paterno and Bowden he didn’t win a NC until his 16th year but everyone is ready to show Richt the door now.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
5:57 pm
I should say that all of the trollers think that UGA should show him the door now.
This year blows (again)
September 15th, 2011
6:02 pm
People that say its not coaching are drinking too much kool-aid. The lack of discipline, being surprised by trick plays(again), the lack of time management, the neaderthal play calling are all coaching. What did you expect Dooley to say “Yes I think he should be fired”. Dooley was very guarded in his statements and was trying to defer to later in the season. He knows that Georgia is not teaching fundamentals. If we were just talking about this year it would be disappointing but different. If you don’t extend the contract it hurts recruiting. So what do you do , extend the contract with a pay cut? I hope plans are being made to stop the slow painful slide and bring a modern coaching staff to what should be the premier team of the SEC.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
6:04 pm
Posters blow
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
6:05 pm
Was there anything that he said in his comments to leave anyone to believe that he thinks they are not teaching fundamentals. What a dumb post.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
6:06 pm
I was hoping that we would win those first two games so I wouldn’t have to read all the idiotic posting that was going to happen if we didn’t.
This year blows (again)
September 15th, 2011
6:08 pm
People like kerryb will accept mediocrity and the funny thing is – that is what they get in life. Waiting for next year and wishing and thinking good thoughts will not get you there.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
6:15 pm
I always hear that stupid mediocrity crap all the time too.
Joey
September 15th, 2011
6:17 pm
Bobo called the best game of his career vs SC, no doubt, kerryb and I have sung his praises all week. But Richt, himself, bizzarely said in Jan he was going to start studying football, cutting-edge football.
Dooley had more years, but having more years doesn’t necessarily mean more titles, right? Look, I hope Richt somehow gets back on track, but hoping it hasn’t made it happen, yet.
Facts are facts. He has lost 3 games in a row. He hasn’t lead UGA to a meaningful (against a ranked team) win but once since 2008. (I bet Dooley didn’t have a streak like that.)
He’ll break one streak Saturday (3 in a row). I just hope he can break the other streak a couple of weeks later.
Go Dawgs.
kerryb
September 15th, 2011
6:18 pm
What he did was that he spoiled some fair weathered fans for the first 8 years. Now, he has a bump in the road and the fair weathered ones want to jump ship. I agree with the Coastal Carolina coach. He pretty much said that UGA would be stupid for firing Richt if they did it. He’s right. There is no one out there that would be any better.