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
joe
September 16th, 2011
7:17 am
watching LSU last night and they are 2 deep with players at every position that would start for UGA. I tired of hearing about needing to start a walk-on because we are thin at a position due to injury.
Better recruiting, better coaching, better motivation…..
Half Century Dawg Fan
September 16th, 2011
8:13 am
Been a Dawg fan for over 50 years and never been as embarrassed as I am now, not because of Coach Richt or the Team, but because of all the classless fans we have showing their A$$ with a lack of support 2 games into the season. What a bunch of BOZO’s.
DawgJohn
September 16th, 2011
8:38 am
I hear you Kirby……….Just like we heard Ray……Give me a fricken break….What a bunch of fair weather fans……….Richt is so many notches above the vast majority of coaches out there today that it is actually becoming comical what a minority of people are looking for in their coach……..Winning……yeah man, I love it…….Being a total A** hole like the Bear………..Nah, keep your crap in Alabama. Hey fair weather folks……Delta is ready when you are!!! Quit……..get the hell off the bus……..run on down the street and grab you some tigers and tide. Franky, I don’t give a damn what you do (or say). We will be back on the winning track but at the same time we will have a Coach that sets an example through character that is unrivaled on this planet. The majority of you writing would not know how to support a system if it was strapped around your waist in attempts to support your little gonads. Get in the fricken game and support this team and coach. If not, get out of our space. YOU do not belong and YOU are not wanted. Look at yourself…….Do you see a winner……Ha Ha Ha ….just a wannabee b**ch!!
Embarrassed UGA Fan
September 16th, 2011
8:41 am
I am very curious as to how many anti-Richt bloggers have ever bought a season ticket for any sport at UGA and how many of you were sober at the Boise State game? The embarrassment caused me by the thousands of drunken UGA fans far exceeded that of anything the football team could have done. I’m just saying that I believe the actual “supporters” of UGA athletics are behind this AD and his coaching staffs. The rest of you need to sober up, pay attention to what’s happening on the field and have the added bonus of being in position to finding your way out of the stadium without assistance.
gomdawg
September 16th, 2011
8:44 am
OK EVERYONE THAT WANTED DAN MULLEN HE IS 0-2 IN SEC UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, I WILL TAKE CMR ANYDAY
DawgJohn
September 16th, 2011
8:44 am
That’s what I’m talking about Embarrassed!! C’mon great fans….get on the bus and let it be known how you feel. These critical loser fans can head over to another campus. C’mon fans…..let the Coach and Team know how much we care for them
DawgJohn
September 16th, 2011
8:45 am
Keep it rollin in……….Go GREAT fans!!!
RxDawg
September 16th, 2011
8:55 am
A freakin men Dooley
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
September 16th, 2011
8:57 am
Look at Dan Mullen. He’s not coming through like the media and fans think he should. Watch him start catching hell. Dooley hits the nail on the head. Not everybody can be on top. If Mullen has two dismal years, he’s gone and no longer the media darling as up-and-coming coaches go. Let Rich have this season and then evaluate him.
BMOC
September 16th, 2011
9:04 am
Dooley was also planning to keep Donnan after a 7-5 season… We know how that worked out.
FloridaDawg
September 16th, 2011
9:05 am
I understand Dooley’s thoughts but doesn’t make me feel any better when you see Alabama, LSU, Auburn and SC flourish.
Miss State has lost 2 games but does anyone here really think MS is not progressing?
Mullen has them going in the right direction and their playing hard for him.
Our players are playing hard for Richt (except 1st game) but we are really talking about the past 2-3 years…years..not just two games.
Saban’s performance is no accident.
BMOC
September 16th, 2011
9:07 am
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
MissSt doesn’t have the talent base, doesn’t have the talent on that MissSt team that FLA & UGA do… In other words, he’s not ‘expected’ to win more than 7 games anually, so when he wins 8 or 9 games & beats much more talented teams such as FLA & GA, he gets his credit.
BMOC
September 16th, 2011
9:11 am
FloridaDawg
I agree. I know now’s not the time to fire a coach, so I say let the season play out & see where we are at in November. If we don’t have AT LEAST 8 wins, I would be surprised if Richt stays — and those loses cannot include FLA & TECH.
WDE
September 16th, 2011
9:27 am
@joe well thanks for bringing that up…if the UGA fans had that same bunch all we would have heard for the last month was that CMR has “lost control” of the program because of a bar fight.well the trolls would have said that and they make up the bulk of most of the blogs. And if you were paying attention LSU gave a roadmap on the way to beat them..you have to plan to score from 30+ yards out…you can move the ball on them between the 20’s but like Bama’s D they will not give it up inside the 20..
Watsonone
September 16th, 2011
9:34 am
Mark Richt is a quality person and a good coach. Things do not look rosy right now but I believe that things will turn. The worst thing you could do for the team and for the University of Georgia is fire Richt now. I think the worst problem we have is a bunch of fans with nothing between their ears except maybe some beer soaked sawdust. True fans support their team and their school. Some of you who maybe played high school football 30 to 50 years ago and don’t have a life, need to get one. You ARE NOT football experts. Say something constructive or shut up!
doctor
September 16th, 2011
9:43 am
UGA has turned into a bunch of wimps—-and everybody knows it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every year and every week there are excuses. This week its: Well, we out played em but we didn’t win the game. Now, just think about that long enough to realize that you are dealing with people that are insane. My God, what are those coaches on over there in Athens? And hey just for fun, let another quarterback play please——- just to hand the ball off on a series of about 90 running plays ok—thanks yall.
doctor
September 16th, 2011
9:44 am
Its hell being a Georgia fan these years—————————–
FL dawg
September 16th, 2011
9:50 am
Watson, I presume, said it all.
Buck Blew
September 16th, 2011
9:55 am
rotflmao. coach mark richt is toast unless he runs the table this season which ain’t going to happen
DumbDawg
September 16th, 2011
10:32 am
I say leave the boy alone and let him right his own ship. After all, he’s a really nice fellow plus he’s religious. Let Saban, Miles, Petrino and Evil Genius win all the ball games; who cares, but they will all probably go to hell. Mark Richt will not go to hell because as I mentioned before, he’s religious.
What with all this conference expansion, maybe somebody will form the “South Religious Conference” (SRC) and UGA can join it. Maybe get together with Notre Dame and Holy Cross and Belmont Abbey. We’d be big in that conference.
Y’all quit whinin’ and look at the bright side. We’re 1-0 against Notre Dame, but I’m not sure we ever played Holy Cross…
Bulldog for life
September 16th, 2011
10:39 am
Boy, there are a lot of cry babies on here. I guess in their life if they have a few hard times they will commit suicide. They don’t realize that things do go in cycles. I’ll bet they believe in global warming made by burning fossil fuels. The Bulldogs have a bunch of sophomores and freshmen in skilled positions that are only going to get better. Pull up you pants and keep plugging along or move on to
another team.
Bulldog for life
September 16th, 2011
10:45 am
All you fair weather fans forget that in 2007 they lost to South Carolina and Tennessee. In week 6 they were ranked 24 and falling. They ran the table and finished 2nd in the nation.
Bulldog for life
September 16th, 2011
10:46 am
In 2008, they were 10-3. I’ll take 10-3 most any year.
Bulldog for life
September 16th, 2011
10:50 am
They’ve really only had two one mediocre year and one bad year. All you instant gratification cry babies need to move on. We don’t need bulldog fans like you.
What??
September 16th, 2011
2:02 pm
I too believe that Richt deserves more time (another season) to turn his team around. The man has done a lot to get to where he needs to be, BUT still has a way to go. If he hasn’t already, Mark may benefit by hiring an outside group to critique game film, practice film, and coaching. He needs an outside view with a critical eye to help turn the ship.
jerry
September 16th, 2011
3:36 pm
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.” (and whose fault is that?)
” Maybe we haven’t recruited quite as well.” (and whose fault is that?)
Bulldog for life
September 16th, 2011
3:58 pm
I just think he has a couple of bad years, but it will get better. We need some patience!
UGA joins the Big XII
September 16th, 2011
4:18 pm
I’d like that! Let’s swap with Tex A/M.
House Divided
September 16th, 2011
4:22 pm
I say let’s arrange a MMA fight between those who pull for UGA and those who don’t on Saturday. It will ensure a full house and the concession stands will sell more cokes and hot dogs. Just make sure it’s a cage match. As a true Dawg fan, I can’t wait to get rid of the low hanging fruit on the fan tree. It’s sickening and you homers ought to be embarrassed at yourselves.
Troof
September 16th, 2011
4:35 pm
So it took Dooley 23 years to win a NC? Well then keep Richt Dawg fans! Only another decade plus to go!
31 YEARS AND COUNTING DAWGS FANS! HOW CAN YOU WALLOW IN MEDIOCRITY LIKE THIS? AS A BAMA FAN I DON’T GET IT BUT WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU GUYS! LOL!
Rabid Dawg
September 16th, 2011
9:28 pm
Richt is staying! Wonderful…I was so worried for him. I just love horror movies and knowing Richt will stay at Georgia keeps the horror showing rolling!
meandog
September 16th, 2011
9:54 pm
Sorry Vince…CMR has had his chance. I was in his corner all of last year. I’ve lost confidence in his ability…it is almost like when you were at the helm and there were “Knock Out VD” signs all over Athens
BrokendownDawg
September 16th, 2011
10:41 pm
Richt should reunite Dawg nation by stepping down. GRUDEN or COWER please
Cupcake City
September 16th, 2011
10:48 pm
o.k. — give em’ a big raise and wait til next year again.
Thomas Brown
September 16th, 2011
10:50 pm
There is no way these headlines, fit the words in the story thereafter. All we do around here is to beat cupcakes (and not all of them) and run up stats vs just the cupcakes.
If they know what needs to be addressed why don’t they do it instead of losing every game vs good teams and sprinkling in losses to sorry teams too ?
No, I think the fans who try to make out that after the 2005 season, for these last six (6) seasons then, that they arrests and transfers out off the field and on the field # 30 in won / lost record are somehow the greatest we have ever experienced, are the problems with this program altogether by themselves.
What coach wouldn’t want to come here, where fans try to say we’re great just staring at all this off the field bad press yet again this 2011 season with the great exodus of our talent just leaving the program all of 2011 and on the field having once again not beat the good teams.
Now, we can go run up our stats vs cupcakes and tell everyone that we’re simply the best and better than we ever have been. What are we to measure ourselves by that which has been done after 1983 through today, or want to do more – and feel disappointed in the product actually provided ?
Thomas Brown
September 16th, 2011
11:41 pm
“Spoke with #Chiefs LB Justin Houston the other day about U of Georgia. Asked him about Richt. He said it’s time for a change.”
“Houston said Richt is a good coach but that the Bulldogs haven’t won big under Richt. Said he’d like to see someone new in there next year.”
UGA grad 90
September 16th, 2011
11:45 pm
Vince Dooley and Mark Richt are just the same. Did some thing for the program for a couple of years, then ran the program into the dirt. When Dooley left, it was YEARS TOO LATE. Dooley, Richt and Adams can all go for all I care. And no matter what they say, Richt is going. Dawg fans don’t pay all this damn money to watch Geogia get the crap beat of of ‘em and not show up to games, year-after-year.
UGA grad 90
September 16th, 2011
11:48 pm
And BTW, all Dooley did was make excuses. Blah, blah, blah… We are now the new official SEC cellar dwellers. This so-called leadership is worse than Obama and his cronies.
UGA grad 90
September 16th, 2011
11:58 pm
Those of you still hanging on to hope Richt will be around, you must at least come to realization that the tide has completely turned. The unrest has finally gone throughout Bulldawg Nation. It’s irreversible. The people with the money make the final call. If you really support Georgia you will join the protest to remove Richt as wuickly as possible so that we may move on. If not, you’re actually hurting our university.
Thomas Brown
September 17th, 2011
12:20 am
I-A Wins 2006-2011 ( 6 Seasons )
1. Boise State 63 wins
2. Florida 58 wins
3. Texas Christian 56 wins
4. Oklahoma 56 wins
5. Virginia Tech 54 wins
6. LSU 53 wins
7. Southern California 53 wins
8. BYU 52 wins
9. Texas 52 wins
10. Utah 52 wins
11. West Virginia 51 wins
12. Wisconsin 51 wins
13. Missouri 50 wins
14. Oregon 49 wins
15. Auburn 49 wins
16. Alabama 49 wins on the field Ben Dukes (vacated 11 wins 2006 2007)
17. Penn State 48 wins
18. Hawaii 48 wins
19. Boston College 47 wins
20. Cincinnati 47 wins
21. Texas Tech 47 wins
22. Navy 46 wins
23. Ohio State 46 wins I thought they are supposed to be great ?
24. Tulsa 45 wins
25. Oklahoma State 45 wins
26. Nebraska 45 wins
27. South Florida 44 wins
28. Nevada-Reno 44 wins
29. Georgia tek 44 wins – outside Top 25 over these last 6 seasons now
30. Georgia Bulldogs 44 wins 2006-2011 – six (6) seasons
I-A Wins 2006-2011 ( 6 Seasons ) (on the field)
emorydawg
September 17th, 2011
12:52 am
UGA grad 90;on you truly need to shut your piehole about things with which you do not know. I and many others have been around much longer than you and have seen things that your young sensibilties can not comprehend. Coach Dooley is one of the most iconic people in college football history. He did not get that honor by being stupid. It never ceases to amaze me the way that you younger dawgs think you have the experience or knowledge to make a judgement on anything related to the state of the program. You are a UGA grad so that makes you damn good but calm yourself a little bit. Once you have seen 50 to 60 years of Georgia football your perspective might just change. Both Dooely and Richt have the same thing, class. Son you might understand what it means to have your school represented by class once you had enough time under your belt to see what it is like when you do not. I think that the downward trend is a blip on the overall radar. But, at least let the man finish this season and make a call then. Until that time comes get behind your team and support your coach no matter what. That is what it means to be a damn good dawg.
Thomas Brown
September 17th, 2011
4:56 am
“make a call at the end of the season,” emorydawg ?
That is NOT being supportive of Mark Richt.
doctor
September 17th, 2011
7:20 am
never mind!
VSharma
September 17th, 2011
9:26 am
This is in response to layinlo. This is not about a moral victory. It is about supporting the team you love and support. Why don,t you go and do what you do best i.e laylo.
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA LOSERS
September 17th, 2011
10:50 am
AFTER THE MISS ST BEATDOWN LET’S SEE HOW MANY RICHT SUPPORTERS THAT WILL WANT TO KEEP HIM?
bart
September 17th, 2011
10:59 am
What’s going to happen if we go 7-5 and lose to Florida?
jc_dawgs
September 17th, 2011
11:13 am
The bulk of thee kids are fresh out of high school when they come to UGA. All freshmen are generally poor at the college football level becuase of lack of experience. Well…that is why coaching is so important. Funny how 1 of our very best players right now is that LB kid that transferred from Southern Cal. I guess the coaching is better there……you think?
28 of Scar’s 45 pts were basically cheapie style points. Thats coaching folks. What kind of formation was Ga in when Scar took the fake punt for a TD? Thats coaching.
Murray’s inability to have the awareness to prevent that sack…fumble and TD….thats coaching.
The fumble by Crowell and then our offense cannot tackle and they take it to our 5 yd line? Thats coaching.
The pick 6 was Murray’s fault but….maybe if the coaches recruited better O lineman…Murray would feel more comfortable with his protection. Again…coaching.
5 losses….count them….five. IMO….as soon as Richt picks up his 5th loss…..and believe me…he will. The very next Monday….he should be fired.
9-4 Richt…that is what its going to take sir.
big boy
September 17th, 2011
1:35 pm
i love ga all you that hate ga can kiss my ???
big boy
September 17th, 2011
2:12 pm
go clemson go
big boy
September 17th, 2011
10:45 pm
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