Georgia’s Mark Richt breaks down his special teams philosophies
ATHENS – Obviously the most critical area for Georgia to shore up for this final stretch of the regular season is its special teams. I outlined the Bulldogs’ poor statistical standing in most facets of special teams earlier in the week.
Yesterday, coach Mark Richt provided some details as far as how much they work on special teams on a daily basis and how the responsibilities are divided among the assistants.
Here’s a quick look at what assistants are handing what units and some tidbits about practice and meeting time spent on it. Then you can hear from Richt as far as his philosophies on special teams.
- PAT/FG — OL coach Will Friend
- PAT/FG Block — DL coach Rodney Garner
- Punt team — TEs coach John Lilly
- Punt return — RB coach Bryan McClendon
- Kickoff team — LBs coach Kirk Olivadotti
- Kickoff return — WRs coach Tony Ball
Only defensive backs coach Scott Lakatos doesn’t have an assignment.
According to Richt, Georgia meets and practices specials team every day. Of course the specialists themselves — punters, kicker, snappers, holders — are practicing all day every day in practice. But as units, this is who much time is devoted to them:
Day——-Meetings———Practice
Mon.—–40 mins———-25 mins
Tues.——- 20————-35
Wed.——–20————-25
Thur.——-15————–30
Fri.———60————-n/a
Richt’s comments:
- On time devoted: “I guess it’s roughly 30 percent of our time, not quite a third of a our time.”
- Has he considered a full-time special teams coach? “I looked at it. But what happens is, if you have a guy that does only special teams, all of the sudden you’re robbing a position from the offense or defense. . . . You’d be shorthanded on one or the other. So I decided to continue on with what we’ve done since I’ve been here, splitting up the roles.”
- Should the NCAA allow staff expansion to allow for a full-time special teams coach: “I’d be all for it, but I doubt that will happen anytime soon.”
- Why he settled on this model: “It’s kind of what I was used to [from Florida State and Bobby Bowden].”
- Is this the preferred method in college football: “I think more people probably do it the way we do, but I’m not sure of that. The NFL doesn’t have a limit so they don’t have to do that.”
Note: According to the 2011 SEC Football media guide, 10 of the 11 league schools have a “special teams coordinator.” Only Mississippi State does not and, i that case, head coach Dan Mullen handles specials team, a la Urban Meyer.
In practice this week, it looks like Georgia has been working in on special teams a lot more of the front-line offensive and defensive. Can’t be sure who will be doing what until Saturday’s game against New Mexico State and maybe not then. Meanwhile, this is what Richt said regarding special teams play at his weekly news conference on Tuesday:
“Early in the year we were doing some things fundamentally extremely well. Then it got especially sloppy in this last ballgame. Guys were just not avoiding blocks in the right direction. If everybody avoids blocks properly, then you’ve got all your gaps taken care of. You have guys just kind of ad-libbing, then you get these creases. So that’s part of it, but also personnel. We are challenging a lot of the guys who play more scrimmage downs to get involved in more than just the opening kickoff. I think everybody can understand how crucial that that play is, so there will be other guys involved personnel-wise. We have to kick the ball in such a way that there is enough hang time to get everybody down there, too.
“We have some true freshmen on there. It’s the same bunch of guys that really did a fantastic job earlier in the year. A lot of it became fundamental. Are you running as hard as you should be? The main thing was are you avoiding blocks properly. The number one fundamental of that team is the number one thing we work on. For whatever reason, a few guys decided they would avoid any way they felt like. We’ll get that straight.”
Thoughts?
– Chip Towers
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307 comments Add your comment
Niceville Dawg
November 3rd, 2011
7:45 pm
Bama,don’t ya’ll have a game this week?You may need to tend after you’re own business.And don’t think we don’t know it’s really you,Ms.Brown.
kral
November 3rd, 2011
7:45 pm
your last post charmin…need I say more
Bob
November 3rd, 2011
7:51 pm
At $3M a year, I don’t won’t our special teams to be like FSU of the 90s…their special teams were terrible, but FSU smoothed it over with a high scoring offense. I want our special teams to be effective like Alabama’s and LSU’s of this decade. Maybe Richt could pass on a mission trip and learn something new for his job. That is if he’s still around next season.
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
7:52 pm
charming
LOL
yea glad to know if kids on here read grown up UGA fans hoping to legalize dope
thats real charming and shows how debased your fanbase is.
Joe Namath is slimmy @ Bama
November 3rd, 2011
7:52 pm
ur not a looser man..don’t be so hard on yourself….
baddawg
November 3rd, 2011
7:55 pm
Why can’t we ever try and block a punt? Our coaches mentality is to play it safe on everything. Almost had a heart attack when we went for it on 4th down in the UF game – twice!!
LSU Tiger
November 3rd, 2011
7:57 pm
@ Bama Rolling to Another Title – Get ready to loose you stupid backwoods inbred redneck!
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
8:00 pm
Joe Namath is slimmy @ Bama
stop smoking your bong and learn to read a post moron the loser refers to you
Joe Namath is slimmy
November 3rd, 2011
8:00 pm
Bama wins and covers……can I kiss you..????
Joe Namath is slimmy @ Bama
November 3rd, 2011
8:05 pm
u need to fire up your bong..OR…get help….suck it up and see a shrink…your insurance pays 4 it…do it…..
kral
November 3rd, 2011
8:07 pm
After reading your blogs…I am surprised you would question anyone’s character charming charmin..you’re a class act…you the man….you’re right on it..your’er a pillar of any community…your’re like a beacon in the night…you’re like the truth will set you free…
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
November 3rd, 2011
8:08 pm
Why doesn’t ‘Bama, Tech, AU or FL suspend a player after 1 drug test fails?
Yelling my humble opinion
November 3rd, 2011
8:12 pm
Dawg Fan
November 3rd, 2011
3:37 pm
If Richt isn’t the OC or QB coach and is the DC or anything on defense then what is HE doing?
Well it seems as though he spends all day answer questions from idiot wanna be coach’s like you.
Bali
November 3rd, 2011
8:16 pm
Bama rolling……..you sound fairly educated, but you totally missed the entire point about legalizing pot. I won’t rehash (pun) that with you ’cause I doubt you’d get it anyway. My son goes to bammer, so I’m a fan by proxy, but I hope he doesn’t listen to simpletons like you.
TheUknownFan
November 3rd, 2011
8:16 pm
I agree with Inquiring Minds. Suspend and make them take counseling. Thats what happens in the real world. Well i’m sorry, I mean where I work. First time you fail a drug test your sent home and get counseling. Second time ur out of here.
I like her Tight End
November 3rd, 2011
8:18 pm
“The tight ends arn’t used much at all anyways”
I know a tight end in this household who get used alot….RUF RUF!
GaDawg
November 3rd, 2011
8:20 pm
@ Fire Mark Richt – You are a MORON. This is how the incident came down from a source with connections to the program. 1). The test were given on Thursday afternoon. 2) The team travelled on Friday. 3) Te results were not back until Monday afternoon from the independent lab (no they do not use the vet college for lab work). 4) Richt had the results at his Tuesday news conference but could not discuss. When something like this happens a meeting is schedule with the player(s), parents, AD, Coach and Michael Adams. At the time of the news conference the meetings had not taken place. Once the meetings had taken place, then the suspensions could be released.
So before you go letting the rest of the world know what we on this blog already know, I would suggest getting some facts. By the way, Tech loses at VT next week! Ha Ha Ha Ha.
TheUknownFan
November 3rd, 2011
8:21 pm
Your right GaDawg criminals have rights too. I love UGA’s fans morals !!!
kral
November 3rd, 2011
8:24 pm
Did you mean morals or morale
TheUknownFan
November 3rd, 2011
8:26 pm
Yea you are right too kral win at all cost !
TheUknownFan
November 3rd, 2011
8:28 pm
Don’t be an example to our youth. Just satisfy your own needs and everything else will just take care of itself.
kral
November 3rd, 2011
8:28 pm
no no no ….just checking for the sarcasm..unbeknowest
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
8:28 pm
Bali
What point did I miss
Creating a society of dope heads with the idea boosting the economy
Thats just shows the ignorance of leaders in our colleges who spend more time conjuring up debased ideas with the thinking that it will work
What country has it worked in that has over taken the American Economy because they chose to make drugs legal please tell me
Just look at the Central American countries thats what they do create drugs and they are still a 3rd world society
kral
November 3rd, 2011
8:31 pm
slight play on words there unknownest sorry
Old Dawg Fan
November 3rd, 2011
8:32 pm
Do we even has a “special teams” at all. Looks like it is an after thought the way they play.Kinda like-oh we need a punt/kick return out there-who do we have we can grab right quick!!!
kral
November 3rd, 2011
8:32 pm
Enter your comments here
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
8:33 pm
By the way
UGA fans have shown they are a 3rd World Fanbase
TheUknownFan
November 3rd, 2011
8:33 pm
All I got to say is Roll Tide. I’m not a Bama fan but my wife is and I hope they show who the best team in the country is this weekend. Yall take care. We need to get back to a morale society, and to where your word and hand shake is as good as a contract.
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
8:39 pm
TheUknownFan
Exactly a moral society instead of a bunch of debased vagrants running around smoking bongs
When that happens you will see an economy turn around
But reading this Cesspool of the South UGA blog it seems like this country will one day be 3rd world level if people dont get their act together
Gary in South Georgia
November 3rd, 2011
8:39 pm
Medocrity is the business model the Dawgs are working under. Every year it is something different. We plug one hole and a different hole springs a leak. One year the defense sucks, then the offense sucks, then too many penalties, then too many arrests, then poor special teams, every year poor quarterback play, then poor offensive line play, then the strengh coach is not good enough and next year Mark Richt will be GONE! Let’s all hope! Always excuses, but never results. He is the vampire energy drainer! What a concept!
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
8:45 pm
Gary in South Georgia
Now thats what I call an observant fan
Well Gary thats the truth but reading this blog I suspect any minute now you will be called a troll and asked to leave
By the way where is the Flat Tire guy he could use someone with your brains to fix his problem in Jacksonville
kral
November 3rd, 2011
8:46 pm
the savior..the prez…the icon the rater of third worlds…the dipster..the dungster..do not talk about morale judging…after your sanctimonious comments…toilet paper roll..goodnight
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
8:55 pm
kral….. back into momma’s bed bong boy
Sic' 'em Dogs
November 3rd, 2011
8:56 pm
Bama Rolling to Another Title
Alcohol is a drug that IS legal and does WAY more damage to a person’s body/mind and to society as a whole than marijuana.
Please do not come back with the “well alcohol is legal” argument because that really does not hold water. Alcohol creates way, way, waaaay more health issues, auto accidents, deaths, broken homes, job loss, fights etc. than pot ever has.
Maybe we should legalize pot and make alcohol illegal, eh?
kral
November 3rd, 2011
8:56 pm
sactimony sactimony..and totally mature
kral
November 3rd, 2011
9:00 pm
your fun toilet paper..every comment is pretty much a juvenile response…some of mine were too..so I guess we are even.
kybodawg
November 3rd, 2011
9:03 pm
put a nude cheerleader out there and all the other team will block her.
.
Bali
November 3rd, 2011
9:06 pm
Bama rolling…..the tide has a heckofa program, you’ll get no denying that from most people on here. I could give a rat’s arse if they legalize pot or not. People who want to smoke pot are gonna do it whether it’s illegal or not. Underage drinking and DUI is illegal……..and that’s working out well isn’t it? If you want to talk society issues, that’s a different blog. I’m just wondering why you need to ram your opinions down people’s throats and get so godam angry about it? Maybe a little bit of alabama swamp juice might calm you down a bit.
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
9:07 pm
Sic’ ‘em Dogs
Typical trash Dawg fan using Alcohol as an example to LOL
And you dont think pot will create way, way, waaaay more health issues, auto accidents, deaths, broken homes, job loss, fights etc. if you make it legal moron
Well lets use food too
Over eating and eating junk food should be outlawed as well since it leads to health issues and death as well
UGA fans are about as debased as they come. You fans wear the Cesspool trademark well
TnDawg
November 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Has anyone been paying attention. Special teams has been a problem for years. Remember the West Va game. The Dawgs came back from a large deficit to nearly win the game. The D stop Pat White and the Dawgs were getting the ball for a final drive to a field goal. Guess what? Special teams gave up a on side kick and W Va offense ran out the clock. We have numerous situations like this every year.
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Bali
Yea people are going to do a lot of things that are illegal but without laws to punish people society will get out of control
People murder too even though its illegal; so you think taking that law off the books is going to lead to less murders
Yes underage drinking and drinking and driving is illegal but make it legal and you will see just how well that will work too
Look at our society now since we dont punish crime hardly anymore the last 50 years
Energy Vampire in Need of a Life
November 3rd, 2011
9:35 pm
Fire ‘em all, they all have been terrible all season
Idiot Dawg
November 3rd, 2011
9:46 pm
I know about being special. I think our special teams will knock the snot out of the NM players. We will win big and then it will be quiet again on here. Thank you!
Sic' 'em Dogs
November 3rd, 2011
9:57 pm
Bama Rolling to Another Title
November 3rd, 2011
9:07 pm
Ahhh ha ha the sure sign of a person losing an argument/debate = anger and the use of childish name calling.
Also, I find it very odd that a Bama fan would be on an AJC-UGA blog worried about the morality in Athens with such a big game looming.
Hey! Does Sean Hannity think you are a “Great American”? Blah ha ha ha. Whatcha say there GT boy?
dogbone
November 3rd, 2011
10:02 pm
Something is missing as most of us already knew………….. CMR needs to review his coaching………. Even to the point of de-moting Bobo…… And hiring a spec. teams coach….. Uga’s problem is coaching….. Since coaches Saban and Miles came into the SEC the coaching bar has been raised several times…… CMR and Bobo will not beat these coaches on a regular basis…………………………… They will never win the sec again much less a national champ.
aarh
November 3rd, 2011
10:10 pm
Fire Mark Richt- How can you say UGA’s in decline every single yr. UGA is on pace to have a much better season this yr. than last, & I know every game hasn’t been pretty, but winning close games is improvement, & is definitely improvement over last yr. The games this yr. may be close as far as score goes, but UGA has dominated most of those. I don’t think too many people UGA to even be doing as good as thy are right now after the 0-2 start, & also after the way the last couple of seasons have gone. So, I think improvement is good, & is all I expected. I just wast them to keep winning, & maybe it can help there recruiting for the future, bc at least they don’t look as far off as I was afraid they might have been at one point anyway.
Jordan
November 3rd, 2011
10:13 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/11/03/uga-vs-nm-state-preview/
Idiot Dawg
November 3rd, 2011
10:13 pm
If Jon Gruden ain’t comin I will keep Corch Richt.
Niceville Dawg
November 3rd, 2011
10:27 pm
“Bama” is Ms.Thomas Brown….why can’t ya’ll see that???
Rabun Dawg
November 3rd, 2011
10:30 pm
Put your best 11 on special teams, not walk-ons and scout team players.Maybe if Walsh could ever kick it out of the end zone that would alleviate most of the return problems. And if I am not mistaken, Kevin Butler is a Hall of Fame kicker. Could he maybe give some help to Walsh and Junior as well? Please tell me why McLendon is the running backs coach when he played as a wide receiver. It seems as though his Dad would be more qualified to coach that position than he is.