ATHENS — Georgia coach Mark Richt is looking forward to a rare opportunity to spend some time with his oldest sons this week.

Jon Richt
As the Bulldogs enjoy their first off weekend since preseason camp opened on August 2, Richt plans on attending his son Jon’s game for Mars Hill College on Saturday afternoon. Jon Richt, 21, is a junior quarterback for the Lions (6-1, 4-0 South Atlantic), who are playing Lenoir-Rhyne (3-3, 2-1) in an important conference game. Mars Hill is ranked No. 24 in Division II.
“It’s a big deal,” Richt said. “Right now Mars Hill is undefeated in league play, which is big. And Jon is doing well.”
Jon, who began his career at Clemson, has passed for 1,514 yards with 16 touchdowns as the Lions’ starting quarterback.
Richt’s second-oldest son, David, also will be performing this weekend. David sings and plays keyboards and piano in several Christian rock bands. On Sunday evening at 6 p.m., he will be one of the musicians performing in the “Jan Smith Student Showcase” at the famous music venue Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. General admission is $13 or $25 with a meal combo and proceeds will benefit the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund.

David Richt on the cover of his CD debut.
“He’s in a couple of praise bands,” Richt said of David, 16, a junior at Prince Avenue Christian School. “In this one in particular, he’ll be playing the piano and keyboards and be singing. He does some of that. So I’m looking forward to that.”
Mark and Katharyn Richt have two other younger children, Zach, who is 15, and Anya, 14.
Meanwhile, most of the Bulldogs’ players are getting out of town and heading to their respective homes for the weekend.
Richt said he felt like Georgia’s open date was coming at just the right time. The Bulldogs (5-2, 4-1 SEC) play Florida on Oct. 29 in Jacksonville.
“We all needed it,” Richt said. “You’ve got camp, then you have seven straight games. I think everybody was tired. I think everybody was maybe a little cranky. I don’t know, it may have added to what happened at the end of the [Vanderbilt] game, quite frankly. If you’re a little sleep deprived or worn out and beat up and tired and all that kind of stuff, sometimes that can affect you. So I do think it was a very good time for a break, physically and mentally.”
– Chip Towers
148 comments Add your comment
Fair and Balanced
October 22nd, 2011
1:55 am
Interesting conglomeration of comments. I guess like all coaches Richt is loved and hated. I would have a hard time disliking this man if I met him personally because I know of his commitment to God and family. I struggle with his leadership sometimes though as a HC. The truth is that he raised the bar ay GA from mediocre to champion. Bad bumps in the road have taken us back down a notch. This season still provides a chance to rachet back up. Let’s get behind Richt and the team and win out! Go Dawgs!
William
October 22nd, 2011
2:01 am
Coach Richt called the timeout at the exact moment the clock ran down. A delay of game penalty wouldn’t have meant an extra second ticked off. That would have given Vandy the ball 5 yards closer to the goal line. Regardless of what you think of the man, I think he deserves next year. That is the year we are looking at. Without all the bad breaks, this would have been a good year. Who could have foreseen all the injuries, transfers, ineligibles? Give him next year. If no improvement, I’ll change sides and vote to have him gone myself. As for now, he deserves next year.
RED DOG 77
October 22nd, 2011
2:03 am
@ Thamas Brown………..Formerly ” BuLLdawg”………..Same old tired stuff. Why must you continue to change your name every season? do you think we don’t recognize your babbling drivell?………..Get a life, whatever you are calling yourself today…….or a new hobby……..like mabe “Dodge cars on 285″…………..Best Wishes, RED
RED DOG 77
October 22nd, 2011
2:09 am
@ William………at least you have a brain………that’s alot more than most who post here. Good for you William, perhaps you understand “cycles” in college football………….Look at all of the top teams over the last ten[10] years…………and you’ll see what I mean………….Regards William, RED
Thomas Brown
October 22nd, 2011
3:04 am
Jborodawg October 21st, 2011 7:34 pm
“How do you want Richt to handle it? Cuss Franklin, cuss the officials, cuss the SEC office for the suspension, make fun of Vandy as an ACC school that lost it’s way, punch a reporter in the face. Tell me, what the heck can Richt do now?”
________________________________________________________
He can call his own Scholarship Recruit, his Starter, a DUMB***. How about that for how Mark Richt can handle it, sir ?
guy
October 22nd, 2011
4:40 am
All I will say is that UGA better not lose to UF this year.That DAWG won’t hunt!!! THE END!
DAWGMAN
October 22nd, 2011
5:51 am
Sure would be nice to win the Flawduh game.
Let’s try not to send everybody on the team to the end zone if we score a TD from the red zone.
Let’s try not to do any trash talking.
Let’s not wear any stupid looking uniforms.
Let’s use our time outs wisely.
Let’s run our heavyweight backs up the middle, given the choice.
Let’s run our lightweight backs to the corners, given the choice.
Let’s not play anybody who is too damn special to block for a teammate trying to run or throw the ball.
Let’s win without any drama.
Let’s win with rock solid discipline.
And then, let’s just get the hell out of Dodge. Because so far, you haven’t played a complete game. Because so far, you haven’t coached a complete game. There are five games left. Y’all ain’t got no reason to swagger…None of you.
P.S. Stay the hell out of trouble, and be respectful to your friends and family. Try studying.
Go Dawgs!
Destin Dawg
October 22nd, 2011
6:21 am
It’s nice to have the weekend off … just like Fla’ has ever since Spurrier… now we’ll win… play the game home/home or Atl. / Jax… we’ll win most if not ALL… Go Dawgs beat Florida…. Muschamp is crazy… I’ll take Grantham’s Fire anytime.., Junk Yard Dawgs win out !!
Big D
October 22nd, 2011
6:57 am
Thomas Brown…you need to get a life. Do you really think that people read all of your babbling bs? I know I never finish one of your long boring rants and skip your comments most of the time. Your time on this blog is done. Get a grip and get a life.
Destin Dawg
October 22nd, 2011
7:05 am
Thomas Brown… up all night typing B.S… he has no life or wife ?
@just a fan
October 22nd, 2011
7:17 am
Hey sport, at one time Richt was one of the top coaches in America. But his unwillingness to change with the times is costing him and the team. And I dont have to read articles to know that over the past 3-4 years our program has taken a nose dive. With Granthams help on defense, our team is showing signs of improvement. Maybe we will get back to where we were in the early 2000’s. You mentioned things going on behind the scenes. Everything that is happening ‘behind the scenes’ has been done on Richts watch. It isnt like we can blame a former coach for it. Richt recruited all of these players. He hired and wont fire any of this staff. Do you really think this guy is going to get us competing with the Bama’s and Lsu’s of the world???? A great coach (Saban and Miles) would have us reloading every year rather than constantly having to rebuild. And there’s the difference between the dawgs and the other powerhouses. But yes, i’m glad Richt is being able to spend time with his family. I really am.
Buckhead Bulldog
October 22nd, 2011
7:23 am
@just a fan
October 22nd, 2011
7:17 am
I know…all I have heard the past past 3-4 years is that “we are young”, “we need to gel”, “give them some time” etc.. Don’t these guys ever mature and gel, and haven’t we been patient in giving them some time?
Also, I agree with most of what Thomas Brown writes. Good job TB!
RLS
‘87 BA Econ
Hartman/GA. Bulldog club memeber since ‘88
Fan since ‘75
Big D
October 22nd, 2011
7:31 am
Destin, I don’t think people like him can find a wife.
@ Buckhead
October 22nd, 2011
7:31 am
We are in agreement, sir. One problem that Richt inherited and wont seem to correct is the O line nad D lines. Donnan had our O line in a cycle where they were all pretty much in the same class or one year a part. He never recruited many linemen until the year before our seniors were graduating. So we always seem to have a bunch of young or old linemen. And Richt has kept it going. The years that we are decent, our line is mature. But when they leave, it takes us another few years before a new class matures. Bama and Lsu have dominating lines every year. They dont have the Matt Staffords of the world, they have kick as.s lines. And Richt doesnt seem to get that.
NorthStarsDave
October 22nd, 2011
7:43 am
Go BEARS!
Dawg93 Panther98
October 22nd, 2011
7:55 am
Even though their not doing well it would be great if some of y’all could come out and support the panthers at the dome today at 3pm. Dawg season ticket holder here but since we’re off thought it might be fun to go check the Panthers out today
GO DAWGS!!
sheepdawg
October 22nd, 2011
8:07 am
hopefully he can see them every weekend next fall
Terry
October 22nd, 2011
9:11 am
Nick Saban was not a great coach when he started out, has anyone looked at his first years of coaching.
9-2
6-5-1
6-6
7-5
6-6
9-2
8-4
10-3
8-5
13-1
9-3
Dr. Phil
October 22nd, 2011
9:12 am
Richt certainly needs some quiet time. I hope that he doesn’t bring Grantham along.
Mobile Dawg
October 22nd, 2011
9:13 am
Excellent point @ 7:31. Would you rather have a great Oline or a great QB year in and year out?
Mobile Dawg
October 22nd, 2011
9:20 am
Dawg93Panter98, be sure and check out South’s HC, Joey Jones, I think he would be a great candidate to replace CMR should the need arise. This guy has built two programs from scratch, has the pedigree, knowledge, temperament, personality, i.e. is qualified to coach a big time program. Gotta support South Alabama in this one, but good luck, my wife got her MS there too.
LHarding Dawg
October 22nd, 2011
9:22 am
TB the idiot is on here. He does’nt realize because he does’nt attend games or support the team financally, no one cares what he has to say.
Have a great weekend Coach Richt and good luck to your family.
Dawg93 Panther98
October 22nd, 2011
9:25 am
@ Mobile Dawg… Agreed CJJ is doing a great job. Went to the Game last year in Mobile and had a great time. LOVED the $3 beer!! Y’all should be VERY proud of your program, I still hope you lose today though…lol
Dawg93 Panther98
October 22nd, 2011
9:28 am
@ LHarding Dawg… Hey man how’s fishin down there? Haven’t been in a while but love the “backwater”..Weird how nobody in Atlanta has ever heard of it right?
Homepage | MrSEC.com
October 22nd, 2011
9:40 am
[...] 2. Week off gives Mark Richt a chance to see his son play. [...]
LHarding Dawg
October 22nd, 2011
9:45 am
Dawg 93 Panther98 – Fishing is great, mist is coming off the water, a beautiful morning. Plus, it’s fine nobody in Atlanta has heard of it.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 22nd, 2011
10:07 am
Top 5…you must be fecking kidding sport……
dawg85
October 22nd, 2011
10:53 am
Thomas brown has serious issues. It’s kind of pathetic. Get off the internet and go do something real.
Roland_THTG
October 22nd, 2011
10:53 am
@Terry
Nick Saban’s recruits sing Happy Birthday to him.
Roland_THTG
October 22nd, 2011
10:59 am
Whaddya got for us Loran?
http://dogbytesonline.com/smith-munson-longs-for-days-of-old-50819/
JAWJeRDAWG
October 22nd, 2011
11:07 am
Enjoy your family-time this weekend, Coach Richt, and all Georgia staff and players.
Recharge your personal life’s battery, come back Sunday safe and sound, and have a legally uneventful weekend!
Then, put the events surrounding the Vandy game behind you, and begin focusing on the upcoming GA / FL game.
Hope both UGA and UF can heal up and stay injury-free in practice; our best against their best is what I want to see, and a UGA win!
Good luck, UGA, this weekend against UF. Beat the Gators! ..
Go Dawgs!
Roland_THTG
October 22nd, 2011
11:39 am
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~Robert Frost
trey
October 22nd, 2011
11:51 am
WHO CARES
dawgs66
October 22nd, 2011
11:54 am
Could not care less what Richt and his 3 mil are doing – what are the penniless players doing?
B Evans
October 22nd, 2011
12:00 pm
AJC would be quick to cover a negative story but when the guys are out making positive contributions in the community the AJC is no where around………at least the Athens Banner Herald and G-TV was around to capture the story!
http://dogbytesonline.com/white-bulldogs-take-break-spread-cheer-at-st-marys-50790/
http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102111aaa.html
Still@theKool-aidBAR
October 22nd, 2011
12:06 pm
I figured a Real Head Coach would be Recruiting not with his family. Doesn’t Richt have his priorities wrong?
JAWJeRDAWG
October 22nd, 2011
12:14 pm
B Evans
Thanks for the links.
Reading these certainly puts a positive perspective on the football team and away from all the related negativity we have read particularly this past week on our player’s ‘poor sportsmanship’ demeanor.
Thanks, again, for sharing these positive, and heart-warning reports of all that is good in life that our players do for others. .. Go Dawgs!
JAWJeRDAWG
October 22nd, 2011
12:19 pm
@ Still@theKool-aidBAR
You must not have children, or you would understand.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
October 22nd, 2011
12:30 pm
JAWJeRDAWG……………………You MUST not be a REAL UGA Fan. Coaches can’t have ANY LIFE outside of FOOTBALL. Richt is Not a COACH good enough for UGA if he is not ONLY working on getting the Dawgs to the MNC.
In case you don’t know i am a TECH fan and I am Voicing the Moron UGA fans view that the Coach needs to be FIRED cause he has Other More Important Things in his Life.
Roland_THTG
October 22nd, 2011
12:38 pm
@Still@theKool-aidBAR
I’m sure the fans appreciate you voicing their views for them. It saves them all the trouble, eh?
Hope Tech cuts some cane today.
D. Nigh All
October 22nd, 2011
12:43 pm
What is Coach Grantham doing this weekend? Richt is a preacher. CTG walks on water. If Shawn acts like a DA then CTG acts like a bigger DA to get his back. We were angels compared to Vandy. Everybody knows that Vandy has always played dirty.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
October 22nd, 2011
1:39 pm
Roland_THTG………….I Like Richt as a Man. I think his keeping Bobo has really hurt him. People ie. Some UGA fans have to realize life is MORE than Football even for a coach. If Richt is fired that is the CHOICE of the MONEY people, but he will be fine either way.
dawgfan4life
October 22nd, 2011
1:40 pm
stay out of trouble guys and stay safe because we need you all back healthy and ready to take on the gators and start the turn-around on the series.
weezie
October 22nd, 2011
1:47 pm
Thomas Brown U are one bored f@#$!
Hit A Single
October 22nd, 2011
1:48 pm
Go Mars Hill! Alot of the people that blast Coach Richt all the time would have made their son the starting QB at UGA if they were the coach. They would care less if he wasn’t the best. They would play daddyball and let him QB the Dawgs. Coach Richt enjoy your weekend because nobody knows what it is like to get ready for a game that carries the weight that this year’s Florida game carries.
JAWJeRDAWG
October 22nd, 2011
1:49 pm
IF you’re THE Still@theBAR, I do understand your reference.
Not Kool-Aid for me; just hopeful optimism!
Stay thirsty, my Tech friend, and, good luck to GT today.
2BT
October 22nd, 2011
1:51 pm
Just damn! I was told CMR would be giving free high dive lessons at the pool today. Guess I missed out.
mcdaviddawg
October 22nd, 2011
2:01 pm
Richt always has the week offl
Proud-Dawg
October 22nd, 2011
2:01 pm
@2BT…using the same material for years. Probably time to come with something, I don’t know, original?
Still@theKool-aidBAR
October 22nd, 2011
2:18 pm
JAWje…………..Yes that is ME. Flat Tire and Delbert suggested that I Modify my name so I did. LOL