Notebook: Richt laughs at label of ‘Hot Seat Bowl’ vs. Ole Miss
ATHENS – Georgia coach Mark Richt laughed Tuesday when he heard some media members were referring to Saturday’s game against Ole Miss as the “Hot Seat Bowl.”
“I knew that would happen,” Richt said, chuckling as he shook his head. “That was pretty easy to predict. You’d think they could have thought of something better than that. I think a couple of kindergartners could have figured out that one.”
But Richt wasn’t laughing when the subject turned to his colleague, Houston Nutt. What Richt has endured is nothing compared to the slings and arrows being aimed at the Rebels’ head coach this week.
In the wake of last Saturday’s 30-7 loss to Vanderbilt, Nutt was subjected to a Sunday morning meeting with Athletic Director Pete Boone. Boone followed that up by appearing before Nutt at his weekly press conference to discuss the state of the football program. Advertisements calling for his ouster were placed in five Mississippi newspapers as well as the Memphis Commercial Appeal. And nearly every question Nutt has fielded since Saturday has to do with his job security.
“I hate that for anybody,” Richt said. “. . . I don’t think anybody enjoys another guy going through something like that. We all know that we are pretty darn good coaches, and there’s 12 of us in the league and somebody is going to have a good year and somebody is going to have a bad year.”
Nutt, 53, left Arkansas to take over at Ole Miss four years ago. He won nine games each of his first two seasons but is 5-10 since. But it was the meek manner in which the Rebels went down at Vanderbilt that so incensed the Ole Miss masses.
“Anyone who was disappointed on Saturday, you can multiply it 99 times for me,” Nutt said. “It all starts with me. I appreciate Pete Boone meeting with the staff and myself and I appreciate what he did the last 24 hours. But now the bottom line is it’s up to us as coaches and players to do our job.”
Aron White gets national award
Tight end Aron White knew he was coming to Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall to have lunch with a bunch of children who were being rewarded for doing the right things. But he didn’t know the kids were there to honor him for his good deeds.
“I was really shocked,” said White, who was named one of 11 FBS players nationwide named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team on Tuesday. “They tricked me into coming over here to eat lunch with some kids who were doing really well and being kind. They had made a banner for me and knew the whole time. Then Coach Richt came in and announced it. Nobody told me. I was definitely caught off-guard.”
The fifth-year senior from Columbia, Mo., already received on undergraduate degree and has a lengthy resume of community service contributions, including volunteering at Camp Sunshine, Kudzu, the Boys and Girls Club and Habit for Humanity; visiting patients at Egleston Children’s and St. Mary’s hospitals and classes at local elementary schools; and leading an MLK Day Service.
“It’s something I’m very, very proud of,” he said of the Good Works award. “It’s probably the most prestigious award I’ve ever received.”
More opps for Mason?
Richt stopped short of saying it had reached a point of critical mass where the Bulldogs had to find a way to play both Hutson Mason and Aaron Murray a la David Greene-D.J. Shockley. But the coaches clearly like what the sophomore quarterback is doing and have no reservations about putting him in games.
“Right this second that’s not something I would want to comment on,” Richt said. “We haven’t really gone further with that discussion, . . . talking about Mike Bobo and myself. But Hutson is practicing well and he’s playing well and he really runs the system well and he’s earned playing time in my mind. How we’ll manage that, I’m not ready to make any promises I can’t keep.”
Mason, a sophomore from Marietta, had created a buzz well before making his first appearance of the season against Coastal Carolina last week. Coaches and players raved about his play in preseason camp. Mason was 6-of-9 for 68 yards and a touchdown in less than a quarter of play.
But Aaron Murray is the unquestioned leader of the team. He has completed 63 percent of his passes for 672 yards and 9 TDs and 2 interceptions in three games.
Tyson back from ‘non-injury’
Why DeAngelo Tyson missed last Saturday’s game is unclear but, whatever it was, it wasn’t for an injury. At least that’s what Tyson said on Tuesday.
“I didn’t have an injury,” said Tyson, who Richt said missed the game with a back injury. “I was just told I wasn’t able to play because of what was going. Buit I’m doing whatever I need to get back on the field.”
Asked if it was a disciplinary situation, Tyson said: “Unh-uh, ” as in the negative.
Asked if he’d be good to go this week, he said: “Um-hmm,” as in the affirmative.
In any case, Tyson said he will play Saturday versus Ole Miss. The senior from Statesboro started the first two games of the season at the defensive end opposite Abry Jones and is second among defensive linemen with 7 tackles.
Injury report: Rambo hurt
Starting free safety Bacarri Rambo had to leave practice with an injury Tuesday and came back wearing a green, non-contact jersey. Rambo, who knocked himself unconscious with a game-saving hit against Auburn in 2009, was having his head area examined by a trainer. Defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos didn’t know what the nature or extent of the injury was but expects Rambo to play Saturday. Also, three-way threat Brandon Boykin left the practice briefly to have his right ankle wrapped but returned.
Meanwhile, junior split end Marlon Brown is “questionable to doubtful” to play Saturday due to a sprained right ankle that sidelined his last weekend. As a result, true freshman Malcolm Mitchell is slated to get his third start of the season. Richt was hopeful that offensive lineman Kenarious Gates (ankle) will be back to face the Rebels. He was able to practice with the second-string line on Tuesday.
They said it
“They’re going to be wounded and mad. But we’re wounded and mad, too.”
– Richt
Etc. . . .
Center David Andrews played the best of the three true freshmen offensive linemen on Saturday, Richt said. Tackle Watts Dantzler and guard Hunter Long were the others. . . . Coaching great Jack Harbaugh attended Georgia’s practices and spoke to the Touchdown Club of Athens on Tuesday night.
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345 comments Add your comment
headley lamar
September 21st, 2011
10:49 am
One thing this whole discussion has proven though is that the old saying is correct.
The most popular man on campus is the backup quarterback.
If the roles were reversed everyone would be calling for Murray to start blah blah blah.
Meaningless.
doctor
September 21st, 2011
10:51 am
The numbers started turning on Richt I think when Van G left UGA. I dont think UGA has won the SEC in 5 years right? So Headley L is right in one respect—-but its the whole nice guy thing you know———humm —coaching is about winning—-if you are losing, you are not going to be around long———-sorry that is the nature of the beast—-and Richt just keeps losing because of stupid things like—we out played em but we lost. Humm—–5 guys got hurt(happens every year), we fumbled, it rained, and on and on………………..How about, I dont care enough about winning to invest my time ———I am more interested in keeping my image as a religious zealot.——–Duhhh. Sorry, if you keep losing no one will care who your higher power is———————————————————-get it?
headley lamar
September 21st, 2011
10:52 am
Was that an intentional or unintentional funny? Yeah, when he pulled those red undies off, he did pull off his firing. I unfortunately agree, Evans was part of the protected class. Like Barack Obama.
I am thinking a lot of black unemployment is now because people are afraid to hire blacks because once you do, you can’t fire them if they don’t work out. It is a sad situation and one that needs to be remedied, if we are to have racial harmony.
That has to be about the dumbest comment ive ever heard.
If anybody was a protected class it was W Bush who was born with a silver spoon in his backside.
Obama was a mixed race child born poor and worked hard to achieve what he has. He wasnt ” protected ” in any way. W was.
Obama got into Harvard on his own.
Bush got into Yale because of who his daddy was.
Big difference.
the indiana of the sec
September 21st, 2011
10:55 am
meaningless…like your stupid posts…get out of the past; your spouting off about uga’s past glories are boring. maybe sewanee and cumberland college alumni will comment on some of their fondest memories of games past. you didn’t win anything in 2002 and 2007 because you weren’t the best team in the country…period.
headley lamar
September 21st, 2011
10:55 am
So Headley L is right in one respect—-but its the whole nice guy thing you know
You because as we all know everyone reacts well to having someone yell in their face.
All you have to do to be a good coach is just scream and yell allot.
Alot and I mean alot of excellent coaches werent the screaming and yelling type so please give me a break.
Restore UGA
September 21st, 2011
10:56 am
@headley lamar, I like Murray, but he hasn’t shown enough patience in Dink and Dunking (maybe, because Bobo loves the long ball?), and Murray often doesn’t show the killer instinct. He needs to play like every possession is the last. Have 10 or more play drives and get the Touchdown.
Keep the UGA Defense rested and wanting to get in the game.
headley lamar
September 21st, 2011
10:57 am
you didn’t win anything in 2002 and 2007 because you weren’t the best team in the country…period.
We were. Just didn’t get to play for it.
With a playoff we win them both. Easily.
Bottom line UGA is still an elite program. The amount of trolls on these blogs proves that.
We will always be one of a handful of elite NCAA programs.
TallaDawg
September 21st, 2011
10:58 am
IMO, best comment yet from Richt: “They’re going to be wounded and mad. But we’re wounded and mad, too.”
JB
September 21st, 2011
10:59 am
I do wish all football players, black and white would realize the greatest gift being afforded them is a FREE college education and take it serious as to prepare for life without football. Getting out dumb and unprepared is such a waste.
the indiana of the sec
September 21st, 2011
11:02 am
elite programs don’t lose to ucf in a lower tier bowl game, barack…
1eyedJack
September 21st, 2011
11:04 am
“Obama got into Harvard on his own.”
That is just wrong in so many ways. And anyway, we should never, ever, ever elect an Ivy leaguer again. Republican or Democrat. Give me somebody with “horse sense” unspoiled by elite nabobs.
Restore UGA
September 21st, 2011
11:10 am
@1eyedJack, I stick my nose up in the air and look down it at you!
lol, yeah, I agree. Enough with the Ivy League think they know it alls. We need people who have owned and/or operated businesses. Flush the Yale/Harvard floaters!
Seriously, we should never, ever, elect a lawyer for any public office. If Herschel hadn’t put out that damn stupid book about having split personalities, I would say elect him for prez. I really like our man Walker.
dawg fan
September 21st, 2011
11:18 am
Jake – didn’t murray break most of the UGA passing records as a freshman last year? didnt’t we average over 32 (32.08) points per game last year with murray at the helm?
compare that to stafford’s last year at UGA (31.46 ppg), or 2007 when we finished 2nd in the country (32.62 ppg).
I think we are okay with murray but thanks for the insight on mason’s domination over Coastal Carolina.
PLEASE KEEP RICHT UGA LOSERS
September 21st, 2011
11:23 am
NICK SABAN LEFT LSU AFTER WINNING A NATIONAL TITLE,THEN CAME BACK TO WIN 1 WITH ALABAMA!
SO WHY HAS PREACHERMAN NOT WON 1 NATIONAL TITLE YET? SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFT
too big to fail
September 21st, 2011
11:29 am
The Wounded & Mad Bowl
…………… for job security.
Joey
September 21st, 2011
11:31 am
headley, I am a murray fan, but to keep referring to his pre-season designations is about like reminding everybody that we were pre-season #1 back in ‘08.
Pre-season honors mean nothing.
Hopefully, Murray will pick up some post-season awards, along with the rest of the team.
gomdawg
September 21st, 2011
11:31 am
Georgia is very lucky to have at QB’s
gomdawg
September 21st, 2011
11:32 am
Georgia is lucky to have 3 great Qb ’s
gomdawg
September 21st, 2011
11:35 am
Ole Miss is going to play us a good game, I hope our team goes in there ready ,its not going to be a push over . They play hard at home.
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2011
11:36 am
Anybody wonder if Richt feels guilty taking millions of dollars from UGA and giving such bad performance?
Atlanta87
September 21st, 2011
11:39 am
Richt sure does “laugh” a lot at UGA’s problems. Everyone is laughing AT you Coach, not with you.
Atlanta87
September 21st, 2011
11:41 am
Keep telling yourself that @ headley lamar
Joey
September 21st, 2011
11:44 am
FLA DAWG, Richt didn’t always “give such bad performance” as I’m sure you know, being a tech fan and all.
Everybody still remembers the good seasons, ‘02, ‘03, ‘05, and ‘07. The glow of some of those memories are starting to dim, butthe facts are, Richt did have some really good years.
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
11:45 am
doctor
Not defending current situation at all but,
Richt’s 2nd year
13-1 SEC Champions
In the current climate, we would have played for the title.
Revisionist thinking says we SHOULD have played for the title instead of the 2 cheating programs.
That is on a par with Saban’s 2nd year at Bama.
Joey
September 21st, 2011
11:49 am
Right, 1eyedjack, like he didn’t have help from one prominant Saudi prince, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal who raised money to pay for his ENTIRE STAY at Harvard.
Not to mention the minority-aid policies of Harvard that got him (and the first lady) accepted in the first place.
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2011
11:50 am
Joey (are you 3?),
I was in Jax for The Miracle On Duval Street and in New Orleans for our 17 – 10 National Championship win over ND (probably the finest college defensive championship game ever played). I recall the “Dump Dooley” days.
The difference is Dooley got better and Richt has gotten worse.
By the way, I’m no GT fan but I have respect for how the bees never give up in a game – no matter how badly they’re getting kicked.
FLA DAWG
Class of ‘79
Fred
September 21st, 2011
11:52 am
lets see Saban won a NC at Bama in his 3rd year at Bama and finished 4th in the West the next year…my lord how the “fans” would howl if CMR had that kind of drop off in a year…it took CMR 10 years to finish 4th in the East. It is a what have you done for me lately kind of world.
Atlanta87
September 21st, 2011
11:52 am
Seems to happen FLA DAWG. When ever any one says anything bad about UGA, they are automatically a Tech Fan in disguise.
Joey
September 21st, 2011
11:56 am
DawginLex, it seems that every time Richt had a team fit to play in the Big Game, he let an inferior team keep him out of it – UF in ‘02, UF in ‘05, and SC in ‘07.
A bit of bad luck and the “can’t beat UF” syndrome.
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2011
12:01 pm
Atl87,
Yep, they show their ignorance.
I gotta tell ya I’m amazed that in The SEC a coach with an 8 win season, a 6 win season and 1 – 2 in the current season (with the one win being a team that our scout team could have easily beaten) is laughing, overweight, name-calling and generally unable to “Get It”.
If this season continues the way it’s begun McGarity / Adams will have to unload him and his clowns or there will be many more empty seats to come.
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
12:03 pm
Joey
in 2002’s climate, we could have beaten florida and we would have been like Auburn in 2004
Unless the 2 media darlings OSU and Miami lost, we had no chance of getting into the game.
Richt was watching(as we all were) the Miami/VT score. VT scored a bunch of points on them but still lost. Losing that game was the only way we would have gotten to play for the title.
Joey
September 21st, 2011
12:03 pm
Apologies FLA DAWG. I’m no Richt-fan-atic by any means, but had to defend him a little from that statement.
He sure hasn’t done the job the last 2+ years that we were accustomed to, I’ll agree.
Easily Amused
September 21st, 2011
12:05 pm
@Fred
You’re right. A 10-3 season is not acceptable to Alabama fans — even if all three losses were very close games against Top-10 competition… Even if they’re coming off of a National Championship season and two consecutive undefeated regular seasons.
Losing will not be tolerated by an elite football program. Saban better get his act together this year.
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
12:05 pm
I can tell you what we need this weekend(we may not get it)
No turnovers
At least 31 points
a shutout on defense
100 yards for young Mr Crowell
A drive with the first team offense for young Mr Mason that leads to a TD
31-0 UGA
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2011
12:06 pm
Joey,
You’re a standup guy.
Michael
September 21st, 2011
12:08 pm
Coaching and Preaching dont mix.
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
12:08 pm
FLA Dawg
You pulling for us to lose or are you still with us until the end of the year when the AD is going to decide.
(that is unless we lose Saturday. Despite what Bill King says, if we lose Saturday, I think Richt is lame duck Sunday)
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
12:08 pm
should be a ? at the end of my sentence
not so funny
September 21st, 2011
12:09 pm
If richt loses to ole miss saturday it really wont be funny for him. This clown should have been let go after last year embarrassing loss to ucf.
Embarrassing
September 21st, 2011
12:12 pm
Losing to a team that barely beat Navy……….
?
September 21st, 2011
12:28 pm
THE GEORGIA ALUMNI IS GOING TO HAVE TO STIFFEN UP.AND TALK TO THE OTHER JERKS THAT SUPPORT THE PREACHER.YES HE IS LAUGHING HIS ASS OFF AND LOOKING DOWN ON THE FANS. RICHT HAS BECOME A JERK.
DawginLex
September 21st, 2011
12:31 pm
Only way to shutup the talk is to win
Fred
September 21st, 2011
12:32 pm
@Easily Amused yeah I think Saban is getting the message so far this year…really looking forward to the LSU/Bama game this year..should be one for the ages.
?
September 21st, 2011
12:36 pm
Obama got into school because he got money as a foreign exchange student.
of course no one can really prove it one way or the other because we cannot get access to his
college transcripts. But yet we have the technology to track down a knat on a tigers back in Egypt.
and funny enough the candidates that are out now seem to have their transcripts available as well…
enough said…UGA RULES.
Go dawgs saturday.
I say UGA runs the table and wins the SEC! Why not? Our schedule is soft from here out.
1eyedJack
September 21st, 2011
12:37 pm
?, what’s your excuse?
doctor
September 21st, 2011
12:42 pm
There was also another comment I heard —UGA may be like Miami in the sense that ———————————–its unrepairable. Unless heads start rolling we are going to get the same results—-what is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Hello? Hello–oh—any body home in there?
?
September 21st, 2011
12:43 pm
UGA will win out. Richt will get another year.
Keith Marshall will help save his job because we dont want to jeaprodise the kids signing.
For those that dont know.
Keith Marshall is the number one running back recruit in America. Can you imagine Marshall and Crowell in the same back field? oh my…….
the indiana of the sec
September 21st, 2011
12:44 pm
said the same thing about ealey and king…blah, blah, blah…can recruit em, can’t caoch em…
?
September 21st, 2011
12:47 pm
I dont think a midget retard could have a coaching issue wtih Marshall. this kid is unreal.
student body left and student body right.
Mark Richt
September 21st, 2011
12:50 pm
I want you to know that I fully support Barak Obama. He was born poor and earned his way to Harvard. I voted for him. He is really improving the economy, just like I am improving the UGA football program every game and every year. If it weren’t for Bush and Donnan, we’d all be champions!