Mark Richt blasts accusation that UGA selectively suspended running backs
ATHENS – A couple more things on these running back suspensions and then we’ll move on to the next thing for Georgia football.
Georgia coach Mark Richt addressed the situation for the first time during the SEC Coaches Weekly Teleconference on Wednesday. Here’s what he had to say:
- Richt took umbrage with the accusation that Georgia knew about the positive drug tests for Isaiah Crowell, Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas before the Florida game and put off their suspensions until this week’s game against New Mexico State:
“My response is that we’ve always had the utmost integrity in everything we do. We have policies in place in our athletic association that we follow to the T. That’s the case here and it’s been the case since I’ve been at Georgia. We all know that we do our business the way it should be done and we do it with integrity. So people who make comments who don’t know probably shouldn’t, quite frankly, because they don’t know and I’d be able to prove 100 percent they’re wrong. But I’m not going to spend the time doing that. The bottom line is we have rules and we follow them to the T and we have the utmost integrity in how we go about our business. That’s how we’ve built this program since the day I got here and we’re not going to change for any reason.”
- Richt was asked about his philosophy regarding discipline and punishment and whether Georgia’s policies and procedures are adequate:
“I’ve always felt like was you have to have an element of punishment, something that will sting, something that will make somebody think twice about doing something or other guys who are watching, make them think twice. But you have to educate them, then you have to love them still. They’re still part of this family and we want them to understand we’re supporting them through it. But, you know, if the attitude is right and they’re ready to learn from it and become better for it, discipline can be a very positive thing in that way. Everything I’ve seen to this point has been pointing to that very thing. So I’m pleased with how they’re handling it. And then the other thing is, you’ve got to challenge the rest of your team to pick up the slack, whether it’s the young guys that are going to get this experience playing running back for the University of Georgia, when they thought that probably wasn’t very likely, all of the sudden they’re getting an opportunity to do something they probably dreamed of, which is a great thing. But the rest of the team, the special teams, the defense, the offensive line, the receiving corps, the quarterbacks, everybody’s got to play a little better to make sure that this situation is not going to cost us.”
- Was he shocked or surprised that three players at one position would run afoul at once:
“Yeah, but I’m not surprised that young men make mistakes. We all know no one is perfect. We know that young guys tend to use bad judgment sometimes. When they do, that’s when we come in and help them out.”
- On concerns about character issues for Crowell, who has already been suspended for one quarter this season:
“I think Isaiah is going to do great, I really do. Because I saw how he has handled this mistake to this point and I really feel confident he’s going to be stronger for it. I really do.”
- Richt indicated sophomore Brandon Harton is the “leading candidate” to start at tailback on Saturday, followed by freshman walkon Kyle Karempelis and they’ll mix in other players:
“I’m not sure I can spell his name right now, but it starts with a K,” Richt said of Karempelis. “I like him. He’s a tough kid. He’s got some good run skills. In camp he did a nice job. Harton did a nice job last spring. . . . We’ll have to use [Brandon] Boykin and little more and [Branden] Smith a little more and maybe go some no-back sets. We’ve got enough tight ends. We have some ways we can still move the football.”
ALSO . . .
>>>Here’s A LINK TO UGA’S DRUG-TESTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. Everything you need to know is pretty much spelled out there. But since the accused parties are three players at the same position, it would seem reasonable to assume this week’s actions were the result of the “reasonable suspicion” clause. In other words, a coach or administrator suspected something and ordered a test for these guys, which they subsequently failed.
>>>Sooner or later, you have to question Georgia’s recruitment and coaching of the tailback position. Going back to Dontavius Jackson and continuing through Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, this makes six tailbacks in the last 15 months that have been subjected to some sort of suspension, dismissal or general disciplinary action. Bryan McClendon gets paid $200,000 a year to be the Bulldogs’ running backs coach. Ultimately, it is his responsibility to see that his charges are doing things “the Georgia way.”
>>>Finally, here are the options as we know them for playing tailback on Saturday against the New Mexico State Aggies (3-5), who, by the way, rank 111th in the nation in rushing defense (214.38 ypg):
- TB Brandon Harton (5-6, 174, So.)
- TB Kyle Karempelis (5-9, 180, Fr.)
- TB Wes Van Dyk (6-0, 203, Sr.)
- FB Zander Ogletree (5-10, 224, So.)
- CB Brandon Boykin (5-10, 183, Sr.)
- CB Branden Smith (5-11, 176, Jr.)
- FS Nick Marshall (6-1, 195, Fr.)
- CB Damian Swann (5-11, 177, Fr.)
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1,013 comments Add your comment
LIES LIES LIES
November 2nd, 2011
5:22 pm
That’s Mark Richt and the georgia way!
dawgs01
November 2nd, 2011
5:22 pm
Everyone saying our program is a joke remember this what comes around goes around and worry about your own program that is perfect bc just when you think everything is perfect the bottom will fall out see USC and Ohio State. Some of you must do no wrong well good for you but remember most young men think they are bullet proof especially athletes and i know tech fans might not understand what i mean by feeling bullet proof. Guys 18-24 do not think they will get caught and most think nothing can stop them in fact most young guys are like this unti about 30. Thats the way guys are. I hope they learn from this and i hope Kyle takes someone’s playing time he has the heart and the talent he lacks size but i bet he does not worry to much about that. I saw Kyle in the Ga dome against Ealey’s team in the high school playoffs Kyle was younger and Ealey was committed to us and Kyle straight up out played Ealey in every facet of the game. He hustles and has the heart of godzilla. Check out his highlight tape. If all of UGA players played had the heart of a walk on we would never lose bc walk ons are a different breed they love their school and the sport they play so much that they get up and lift at 5:00 am go to class go to meetings go to practice for four yrs and some never even get a sniff of game time but they f-ing love the game they play. This kid will give everything he has and more so will the other guy that use to be a walk on. These guys will run through walls for the coach. I would love for one of these guys to take Ken Malcom’s place on the depth chart bc he certainly does not deserve it. Leaves and then comes back has a great opportunity for playing time this weekend but blew it what a f-ing moron. He does not deserve a scholarship make him a walk on and i promise you he would leave.
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
5:25 pm
So don’t vote for Obama. Isn’t that sort of my point?
d-dog
November 2nd, 2011
5:25 pm
It will be a great day on Sat. 11-5-11 when everone knows the Dawgs can go without players who want to talk like men but ack like children. so sad we can’t cowboy up when it counts most. I hope some of the older player has a closed meeting, no coachs, and tries to get some players head out of their a–…………………………..go dogs……………..happy trails
Go Dawgs
November 2nd, 2011
5:25 pm
Aww… sounds like the Gaytors and Techies are crying. would you like a L Pop?
randy
November 2nd, 2011
5:26 pm
Here is something for Senior Pastor: Bill Ricketts at Prince Ave. Baptist Church to preach on Sunday.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.
Since Saint Mark Richt goes to church there maybe he could listen for a while and quit lying.
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
5:27 pm
that is awful strong randy.powerful strong.
Those who say that they are a christian
November 2nd, 2011
5:28 pm
they usually are not one. your actions will speak if your are a christian.
Bob
November 2nd, 2011
5:29 pm
A more fitting punishment would be to suspend them from the bowl game. BTW, Malcombe should have his scholarship dropped because he’ll never play.
Urban Meyar
November 2nd, 2011
5:31 pm
I’m no Richt fan, but those of you who think the pothead miscreants should have been suspended for a key game…you’re serious about that? Ha ha ha ha.
Can’t speak for Richt, but that’s not exactly what I would call “Urban’s Way” if you catch my drift.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
November 2nd, 2011
5:31 pm
UGA…a big joke
Go Dawgs
November 2nd, 2011
5:33 pm
Now, now, Urban. You’re a big boy now. No need to cry in here.
Go Dawgs
November 2nd, 2011
5:35 pm
Urban is crying again?? I really wonder why he quit all of sudden from the Gaytors?!?!
Go Dawgs
November 2nd, 2011
5:36 pm
Wet Willie loves the Gaytors and Urban anus
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
5:37 pm
Altamaha Dope
No thats not your point
like kool-aid bar said
people who invest in something; which is something foreign to you expect some results and when someone like me see issues with things like like Willie Martinez people like you want to whine because I bring it up. Your the typical fan who thinks their team can do no wrong on anything because that is YOUR TEAM
Not realizing that your allowing your team to be stuck in mediocrity
Mark Richt mouth moving
November 2nd, 2011
5:40 pm
he is telling more lies.
Sven Ottke
November 2nd, 2011
5:41 pm
Then why did most everyone else know about including 680 The Fan, the voice of the Georgia Bulldogs on Friday?
dawgs01
November 2nd, 2011
5:42 pm
Some of you say they should be kick off the team or suspended for the yr or miss the bowl game when your school probably does not even make them miss a game and never mentions this stuff to the news. I played for coach Johnson at GSU and i know his testing policy and trust me he does not give a crap about this and you do not miss a game it has to be a problem for him to care about like continuously failing drug test or it being obvious that you are on something. Some say why is it random if it was not random and the whole team had to be tested and every program had to be tested there would be no college football 20-60% of players would fail the drug test and oh by the way most football players are addicted to prescription pain pills too. They are easy to get in college when you play they practically give them out. Dont believe me ask someone who played in the NFL. Most NFL players i know cant get out of bed without an opiate pain killer. Look up the story on the Tennessee QB from a few yrs back i cant remember which one it might have been Ainge or that Compton guy or Crompton something like that anyway whichever one it was says it does not even remember the games he played at Tenn. He could get painkillers from the team doctor once he quit giving them to him cause he was getting obvious he got them from alumni the cops caught him one night instead of arresting him and making a big deal about it they put him in rehab google it you will find out. These kids on your team are no different. What comes around goes around. I never point the finger found that out along time ago. It is just bad Karma.
Beating #62 Coming Soon
November 2nd, 2011
5:42 pm
It must be a slow day for Wet Willie at his daily profession, on his knees behind the dumpster at the 7-11 on North Avenue.
Know Nothing
November 2nd, 2011
5:43 pm
The Georgia football program makes more sense to me, now that I’ve been exposed to the fan-base.
Delusional is as delusional does.
FLA DAWG
November 2nd, 2011
5:46 pm
Hold On There Just A Minute Mr. Richt,
We have the absolute right to ask details about three players suspended.
I noticed in the response above there were NO DETAILS given about what date the test was given and when the results were given to UGA.
What’s the problem?
Beating #62 Coming Soon
November 2nd, 2011
5:47 pm
After being exposed to Know Nothing’s post, I now understand where she got her name.
Go back to your World of Warcraft game, douchebag.
dawgs01
November 2nd, 2011
5:49 pm
test were last thursday and they got the results on tuesday it says that
Beating #62 Coming Soon
November 2nd, 2011
5:50 pm
FLA DAWG – The problem is that you need to mind your own da*n business and focus on menaces to society like Orenthal “Time to Die” Rainey and 1/2 game suspensions for eye gouging.
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
5:51 pm
you shore talk rough to folks #62
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2011
5:52 pm
Best blog ever!!!! The topic is embarrasing but the arguments are awesome! If you can mix Obama, Scientology and Dope in a blog ya got a winner!
sheepdawg
November 2nd, 2011
5:52 pm
CMR liar, liar, pants on fire………
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 2nd, 2011
5:54 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg….good call
dawgster
November 2nd, 2011
5:55 pm
You know what disturbs me the most about some of the absurd comments…Its not whether you llike the dawgs or Coach Richt or whether you believe him or our administration….doesn’t really matter..but what puzzles me is hao many of you say somenthing sarcastic about his Christian beliefs just as you do about Tebow’s yet I don’t recall either one of them trying to force their beliefs down you….Again its your life, but at least have enough respect to let people choose what their beliefs are about life eternal….Many of you are so classless that will never get this, and that is your right…As far as what went down with these players, I don’t know, but seeing as it was basically one position, I suspect a position coach got wind of something and ordered the test, don’t really know but I do know some probably knew they failed, thus the word leaked out, but as the UGA policy allows they had a right to an appeal, to make sure that the tests were positive…Sorry guys but that process doesn’t happen overnight, not when you need to confirm exactly what caused the positive test…but hey beleive what you want…I truly don’t believe that Coach Richt or Greg sat on this, yes maybe they suspected, but until confirmed they didn’t act…I would hope each one of you would want due process if you were in a similar situation…With all that being said, I hope IC gets his act together, I fear that he is wasting an opportunity if he continues to make bad judgements….I doubt either of these young men will get too many more chances…go dawgs
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
5:56 pm
Lowcountry
Dope has ten times more effect of causing lung cancer than regular smoking
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
5:57 pm
boy i hope that ain’t true
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
5:58 pm
dawgster
I agree with your post
Richts beliefs has nothing to do with whether he wins loses or whatever.
it aint rocket science
November 2nd, 2011
5:59 pm
guys take a drug test last week…and KNOW they aint passing..word spreads…results come out this week…next case….come on people yall never failed a test in highschool on Friday and still got to out Saturday night…then mama finds out about the “F” the next week..???
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2011
6:02 pm
Flat Tire-
If that is your argument ya better start a Anti-Alcohol campaign because the effects of this legal drug are also devastating on your body. Again you fail to see the big picture.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2011
6:04 pm
Flat-
Smoke on this big guy and relax….
http://naihc.org/hemp_information/hemp_facts.html
coma toast
November 2nd, 2011
6:04 pm
if CMR stays, surely they will make him make changes to that putrid staff. bring in an OC, move Bobo to recruiting coordinator, send Garner and McLendon down the road. And of course, hire a special teams coach. Make those changes and I might get back on board.
dawgster
November 2nd, 2011
6:04 pm
@TampGator…I can never tell with you when you are just trying to get a rise out of dawg fans, but some of your comments confuse me…I remember more than a few times you say how the dawgs are your second favorite team you like to follow, I understand your bitterness in the loss, but you take extra pride in piling it on…Maybe I can understand because many dawg fans let out a lot of frustrations in beating the gators, hasn’t happened much over the past 20+ years, so you can understand some of the excitement…Now that has been tarnished in some ways with what has happened, although if you look at the game, neither Crowell or Thomas were much of a factor in the game, IC did get a few yards , but RS wast the man and of course our D….I’ll take the win, doesn’t matter what others thing about the strength of your team or ours…Its still a SEC win and as unbelievable as it may be we are very much in it for the SEC East….And No I don’t think we stand a chance against Bama or LSU from what I have seen to this point, but not many other teams around the nation would either…Ok, welll keep it cool and give Coach Richt the benefit of the doubt…I do believe you said they were your 2nd favorite team, but maybe I was wrong…go dawgs
Paul in NH
November 2nd, 2011
6:05 pm
I am a GT grad who thinks that CMR is getting a bad rap about the suspensions
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
6:07 pm
Lowcountry Bulldawg
I understand the big picture
80% of people who use dope move on to harder drugs
Dawg48
November 2nd, 2011
6:09 pm
Flat tire I agree with dawgster as well, we have something to agree on now. Our opinions may differ on the team but that we agree on. I have had season tickets since 97 but I do know that what I have as an opinion will never be listened to by any one at the athletic dept positive or negative just like any business all they see is green and all they hear is money jingle!
Ray Finkle
November 2nd, 2011
6:12 pm
To The Monger – first of all smoking pot in my mind isn’t immoral outside of the illegal drug ring it builds, weed could be considered less dangerous than alcohol in my view. Regardless of all of that, RIGHT NOW IT IS ILLEGAL. Much less for college athletes to be doing it! Do many do it, probably, I don’t know the stats, but they are all IDIOTS if they do it knowing they will be tested. Really the suspensions should be for stupidity. You know you’re being tested and you STILL do it! I mean, during the season control your roll and it’s that simple. Only those who think they are above the rules continue during their own season and when they KNOW they will be tested. Okay, or stupid….
Paul in NH
November 2nd, 2011
6:13 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
6:07 pm
80% of people who use dope move on to harder drugs
—–
Just a little rudimentary mathematics would show that this statement is completely false
According to the CDC the users of hard drugs is not 80% of the current users of marihuana – let alone the total number of people who have used it.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2010/061.pdf
dog fan sitting on rockytop
November 2nd, 2011
6:15 pm
I’m stoned right now!! GO DAWGS!!!!!
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
6:16 pm
No flat tire, I am a typical proud supporter of the University of Georgia, trying to see the bigger picture than a score from a ball game 2 or 3 weeks ago, with a vested interest well beyond what you pay your uncle for a couple of his tickets every year. You are nothing more than a typical consumer.
But by all means, keep wearing that consumer sticker like it’s some sort of Badge of Honor.
And anytime you feel like swapping personal stories about Sonny Seiler, OR Loran Smith, just let me know.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2011
6:17 pm
Look apparently you are a old fart who grew up during the propoganda times of Reefer Madness. Its fine, call it a gateway drug if you like. I call it a possibly way to stimulate the economy, lessen the burden of our criminal justice system- thus freeing tax dollars. You have your view I have mine, but with a Trillion Dollar deficit perhaps our government needs to think outside the box and look at alternate methods of creating Dollars. So you continue living in your sheltered universe of Nancy Reagans “Just Say No”.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 2nd, 2011
6:18 pm
I don’t know anybody (when I was younger) that didn’t try harder drugs after starting with Dope. I didn’t try dope until I was 21 and I stopped(26) when I got a Job that drug tested.
TK Harty
November 2nd, 2011
6:21 pm
Damn Lowcountry. Stop making sense (as the “heads” would say)! Get it? Boo…..
AltamahaDawg
November 2nd, 2011
6:22 pm
Or could it be that folks who are inclined to do drugs. Of various, just dod drugs. I cannot remember anyone growing up that was not inclined to try harder drugs TILL dope lead them that way. Either they did do hard drugs or they didn’t.
Steve
November 2nd, 2011
6:24 pm
CMR is a d-bag. His job is on the line and he knows that if he had suspended those players before the UF game there was a bigger chance that he would lose. Not going to matter Mark. You will lost to Auburn, GT, Bama or LSU and then your bowl game. You’re still looking at an 8-5 to 8-6 season. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Nature Boy @ Lowcountry
November 2nd, 2011
6:24 pm
great post…I’m thinking you’re like me…mid 40’s….and know that pot is an un-tapped cash cow for the government…not the “the devil”…