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
JB
November 2nd, 2011
3:54 pm
I would not hire a Tech grad. I need to move product, entertain clients and have a normal working atmosphere. Hard to that with a techie. Humorless, boring, stiff, usually single and a loner. Even avoid them for IT position.
Savannah Pup
November 2nd, 2011
3:55 pm
Read CMR’s response above. This is all that needs to be said. The man has never, and will never, lie to cover anything up.
dean
November 2nd, 2011
3:55 pm
When I was young I went to a lot of Tech games. Then I finally got to go to my first GT-GA game. I’ll never forget telling my dad, “THAT’S FOOTBALL!”, when GA got done having their way. I have been a Dawg ever since. I don’t hate Tech. I just don’t care about them.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2011
3:55 pm
…….and here comes insider. Right on que!
dawgfan4life
November 2nd, 2011
3:56 pm
perfect time to break out the wild dawg formation. just a lil something to get other teams guessing when both Boykins and Smith is in the game together on offence.
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
3:57 pm
LOL, JB chimin’ in with the funny stuff. How many Tech grads have you turned away for “positions” at “your” company?
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
3:57 pm
Hey Dawg48, the only GT grad working at Waffle House is the PRESIDENT. Bert Thornton.
Chump.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2011
3:58 pm
AltamahaDawg
So you are able to google where Loren Smith has the radio show, and what Sonny Seiler drives
So what makes us think you attend games moron. Because you tell us you do.
You dont because no one on here who has pays the amount they do for UGA season tickets defends everything these coaches have done
And you do
Dawg48
November 2nd, 2011
3:58 pm
Just when I need a laugh!
dawgfan4life
November 2nd, 2011
3:58 pm
forgot about Marshall we should be fine at the RB positon. just as long as Bobo use them right.
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
3:58 pm
i wish i cood go to a game in athens one day. me an lamar went to see the georgie girls soffball team play up in ashville crolina one time. lamar said we shood apprecate our almose fat wifes after seein them chubbys. i was shorenuff dissapointed.
top dog
November 2nd, 2011
3:59 pm
i hope you keep him for another 10 years.
He is only doing it because he loves them
Dawg48
November 2nd, 2011
4:00 pm
Gt Joe
Is that how you got your job?
chump
JB
November 2nd, 2011
4:01 pm
I agree. Peterson ain’t coming South. He’s into Scientogly..(sp) first cousin to the moonies.
2002Dawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:01 pm
The only people that accuse others of lying and cheating are those that lie and cheat as a matter of course themselves!
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
4:02 pm
“I’d be able to prove 100 percent they’re wrong. But I’m not going to spend the time doing that.”
Bill Clinton, or Mark Richt?
JB
November 2nd, 2011
4:02 pm
Gt Joe….Ask your buddy supersize on here. He knows me…and my company….
Dr. Welby
November 2nd, 2011
4:04 pm
@ typical dawg fan
there was a story @ Grantland on the ESPN website regarding Ric Flair and the trainwreck his finances (and life in general)are in. A sad tale indeed. After reading your posts, I feel like you are well read and would enjoy the article.
ActuaryDawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:04 pm
I don’t want to disparage the man if it’s not true, but does anybody else remember Bryan McClendon serving a suspension during his playing days for the very same thing. I’m pretty sure he did. Maybe not the best role model for these kids.
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
4:05 pm
JB! Don’t get all inferiority complex-y! I know you have a company (with like 5 other people).
By the way, should you really be calling it “your” company, or “our” company? “Your” just sounds like you own it by yourself, knowwhatimean?
Know Nothing
November 2nd, 2011
4:05 pm
JB
November 2nd, 2011
4:01 pm
I agree. Peterson ain’t coming South. He’s into Scientogly..(sp) first cousin to the moonies.
Wow! Really?
Oh well, it’s not like he believes that a 2000 year old zombie is gonna take him away to live in some fairy-tale paradise or something.
ActuaryDawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:06 pm
I was remembering correctly. You see they’ve got this thing called Google now. Here’s a link to the old story, http://georgia.scout.com/2/106575.html .
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
4:06 pm
Hey everyone, let’s all post our nicest car, and the square footage of our homes!
I love to hear UGA success stories…
JB
November 2nd, 2011
4:07 pm
GT JOE…..and 2 of them are Techies…LOL
Thedawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:07 pm
OK gtjoe I’m tired of being inside and think I’ll take a walk on my made up beach where my made up condo is located. Now you can laugh loser.
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
4:07 pm
hey 2002dawg you are rite as rain on that cheatin thing you said. you shore are.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:08 pm
Will someone let me know when the 2000 year old zombie comes and takes them away? This I gotta see….Imagine a world without Travolta,Cruise and Will Smith? The movie industry will be much better off.
Ray Finkle
November 2nd, 2011
4:08 pm
It’s beyond hilarious to watch GA internet fans defend their coach’s morality. If this were ANY other program that had done this the week they were playing GA the entire internet would be lit up with their protests and condemnations of the offending coach and team. There is no fanbase on the earth that is quicker to pull the blame trigger than UGA. AND I’m a GA fan, just not a fan of GA fans b/c they consistently embarrass us defending UGA while tearing other programs apart.
There is no doubt in my mind that UGA played fast and loose with these results, but my ethical outrage is tempered by the fact that UGA is one of only 2 SEC teams that even have a punishment for a first drug offense. My opinion though is that UGA should have the toughest penalty after the off field embarrasments from the last several years. Either way, Richt carrying around his torch of “love them and they will get better” is seriously scary. It’s like a cult leader. I’m not on the fire Richt bandwagon (yet) but hopefully someone is making sure they aren’t all buying white Nikes and building bunk beds in Butts Meier.
Dawg48
November 2nd, 2011
4:08 pm
@JB
Sounds like GT JOE has little man syndrome.
JB
November 2nd, 2011
4:09 pm
GT JOE……….you never answered what year you graduated from Tech and your Major……
not much to reveal hiding in that basement of yours waiting on your mother to get home.
Roget Dinosaurus
November 2nd, 2011
4:10 pm
You know that those three were sharing a joint. The character of UGA players is sad.
Zeb
November 2nd, 2011
4:11 pm
JB….go easy on GTJoe. Since he and his other Occutard Atlanta buddies got ousted, he’s just looking for the next protest…..and I bet they all have degrees.
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
4:11 pm
Dawg48: if i had little man syndrome, i’d be talkin about my beach condo…
typical dawg fan
November 2nd, 2011
4:11 pm
i got a 2002 jeep gran cherokee, i don’t have the title its a a title pawn place. we needed the money so my wife cood get a tatoo of uga an dale jr on her upper arms. my doblewide is a 28 x 56 how many feet that is i don’t no.it is a repo fleetwood with most of the skirtin in place.
Kerryb
November 2nd, 2011
4:12 pm
I’ve been reading really stupid comments all through this blog since it started. Yes, I’m not happy these guys made the decision to smoke dope. No, I don’t believe CMR knew about this before the UF game. CMR is not a liar. And No, the UGA program has not become a joke. If this makes you a joke then I guess LSU is a laughing stock.
ARdawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:14 pm
fV<k a filter. This is getting old
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
4:14 pm
See Kerryb, I’d expect this out of Les Miles. But not Reverend Richt!
Side note: A reverend with a spray tan HAS to be slimy.
Dawg48
November 2nd, 2011
4:14 pm
@gt Joe
Just because some rich guy pays you to clean his house and wash his cars does not mean you own them! And is your beach front condo in Arizona? The brad paisley song on line sums up your life buddy!
JB
November 2nd, 2011
4:14 pm
Post @4:11 is from Paul Johnson’s family back in the mountains…..He represents Tech well by the way. Have you gotten him in a tweed sport coat and gotten him a pipe yet.
TampaGator
November 2nd, 2011
4:15 pm
I don’t think Mark Richt is a liar. I believe he has integrity. Makes me want to say……praise Jesus!…..and past the potatoes!…and fill up th offering plate with money! There is just something about the good ole time religion stuff……that just makes me want to smile and believe anything anyone tells me. Yeah, boy!
ARdawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:16 pm
Kerryb
It’s nothing more than a few nerds making it appear it’s full of stupid comments well, because thats what they write, stupid comments
Know Nothing
November 2nd, 2011
4:17 pm
@Lowcountry Bulldawg
He was supposed to come last May 21st. Then he was re-scheduled for October 21st.
Guess he got caught up in traffic?
ActuaryDawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:18 pm
TampaGator, I promise not to mock you for spending eternity in Hell, if you promise not to mock me for being a Christian.
GT Joe
November 2nd, 2011
4:19 pm
You won’t hear me (or probably any GT grad) talking about what he/she has or owns. It’s tacky. People who HAVE stuff don’t talk about it.
Which explains why mutt boards always end with “I own a company” or “i have a beach condo” or “i hire/fire GT grads”. LOL. Illusions of grandeur.
You guys seriously crack me up.
duece coupe
November 2nd, 2011
4:19 pm
… punishment that will “sting”.
ARdawg
November 2nd, 2011
4:20 pm
TampaGator has backslid a long way since the soon to be annual beat down in J’ville heh heh.
Roget Dinosaurus
November 2nd, 2011
4:20 pm
Richt’s this Mr.Perfect coach and preaches doing right while week after week his players get into trouble casting a bad light on the University. How can McGarity sit by while this continues to happen ?
Tech grad
November 2nd, 2011
4:20 pm
I have two degrees from gt, actually I would have three but I gave my buddy one when I found em out in the trash can behind wal mart
Dawglasville
November 2nd, 2011
4:20 pm
GT Joe – For the record Cleave Pounds was an owner operator of the Waffle House on Chapel Hill Rd. in Douglasville years ago. I had a nice chat with him. We know some of the same people. I believe owner operators can do very well but he was slaving over the griddle. I’ve had friends who graduated from both Tech and UGA, some of which who are making more than I am and some of which are making less. It is really silly for all of you guys to argue this stuff and I know that you are not the only one. I’m not sure why anyone would knock Waffle House as good as it has been to most of us.
Know Nothing
November 2nd, 2011
4:21 pm
You guys are gonna make the Flying Spaghetti Monster cry talking like that. Have you no respect for my fantasies?