UGA president predicts extended tenure for football coach Mark Richt
ATHENS – University of Georgia President Michael Adams isn’t generally known for his sense of humor. But he can provide an unexpected “zinger” on a moments notice.
Asked at his monthly cabinet meeting on Thursday about the contract status of head football Mark Richt, Adams said, “If we win Saturday he’ll be back and if we lose we’re going to fire him.”
He was joking, of course.
Richt has 2 ½ years remaining on a contract that pays him close to $3 million annually. There were questions about his long-term future as the Bulldogs’ coach when the team followed last year’s 6-7 record with an 0-2 start this season.
But Georgia has since won 10 games a row and clinched the SEC Eastern Division Championship. The 14th-ranked Bulldogs (10-2, 7-1 SEC) play No. 1-ranked LSU (12-0, 8-0) in the SEC Championship on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Now that he has led the Bulldogs to their fourth SEC Championship game and seventh season of 10 or more wins in 11 seasons as Georgia’s coach, a contract extension for Richt seems imminent and in the very near future. The contact period for recruiting began on this week and UGA administrators aren’t likely to send Richt out on the road with a contract of fewer than four or five years.
Adams said he’s now hearing from fans who want UGA to hurry up and extend Richt as soon as possible.
“I get amused at this sometimes, frankly,” Adams said. “I actually have had suggestions from some of the same people over the last four months that, after the 0-2 start, were asking the AD and me to terminate him, who are now upset that we haven’t renewed the contract.
“So you don’t respond to these things emotionally through the season. You try and get a couple or three weeks away from a season. Give us a little time to review the whole process, but I would be surprised if Mark Richt weren’t the coach here next year. We’ll just wait and see what the AD decides to do.”
Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity, who will ultimately make the call on the matter, maintained his stance Thursday that he would not address Richt’s contract status until after Saturday’s SEC Championship.
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381 comments Add your comment
dawgster
December 1st, 2011
10:49 pm
@Mobile Dawg again..Coach Richt has been held accountable…and the defensive concerns were addressed along with the S&C program….Again good leaders make adjustments along the way…Now should some of this been addressed sooner, perhaps, but its not like we were terrible..but we didn’t perform up to georgia standards…and yeah 6-7 is probably terrible, so I’ll give you that…Unfortunately many think that the dawgs have never had rough stretches…well I can vouch that we have…all teams go thru this at some point, and yes Bama and LSU will at some point too…When I don’t know but there will be a time, for whatever reason, maybe key injuries, attrition, leaving early for the pros or changing coaches or coaches retiring or moving on….But please don’t say that Coach Richt needs to be held accountable…He knows that just as the players, administration and everyone involved with the program knows…One thing I do know is this man works extremely hard for this program and always had…Did we get complacent with our program, I don’t know, perhaps, but thats history, lets move forward and see how things go…I’m very satisfied with the results this year and believe we are close to achieving the ultimate goal that seems to be the only thing that will satisfy some…go dawgs…I’m done for the night, don’t mean anything disrespectful to anyone, but I know what kind of effort goes in preparing for the football season not only as players but with the coaching staff also….
wins-by-a-link
December 1st, 2011
10:50 pm
Coach Richt has not won a national championship in his tenure as coach of the Dogs, I think he finished second in what 2007?, What are the odds of his achieving this in the next five years? Not so good I would say, Are we to be content with a top ten finish each season?, Or for that matter a winning season Lets face facts, While playing in the SEC is exciting its also tough to win, Teams like Auburn, Fla, Ala, LSU, Tenn and now South Carolina are difficult to beat on a consistant basis, Recruiting in our on state has become a challenge with every team in the SEC competing for the top players, With all this pressure does Coach Richt really want five more years?.
Mutt Patrol
December 1st, 2011
10:50 pm
dawgster is a bandwagon rider. The other day he was on a Tech blog
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:54 pm
Nope, no you didnt. I’ve heard you trying to hide behind that a few times, ( I notice you changed that to “should” and dropped the “predicted”) but no matter. That was not your take. 11 wins is a pretty damn fine year. That ain’t what you said. Nobody in here believes that. You threatened to pitch a hissy fit if they didnt win 11, but you said all summer they would not.
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
10:55 pm
Thanks for the civility dawgster. It’s only because I’m a Dawg fan that I would care enough to express my opinions.
midtown
December 1st, 2011
10:56 pm
IC will not play
dawgster
December 1st, 2011
10:59 pm
@Mobile Dawg…Ok understand where you are coming from, I respect your comments, and I’m apologize for getting a little agitated…It was a combination of alot of comments and I shouldn’t have singled you out but you seemed to be a real dawg fan and I just felt you were being a little too negative, but as I said I understand where you are coming from…We are ok…
As far as the Crowell rumor…I don’t know, I’ve been told by a few contacts that it isn’t good…Not sure what to make of it…but to be honest unless some major attititude changes came out of a closed door meeting so to speak, I’m not sure how much more we will see of Crowell…I hate it and again don’t know any specifics, its been pretty closed knit, but I honestly think that so much was expected by everyone for IC that he just hasn’t adjusted to the environment. He is extremely talented, but at some point this coaching staff and Coach Richt will need to do what is best for UGA. This has not been the time for this to be taken our focus away from LSU…I wish all parties involved the best in whatever happens…I just hope everyone doesn’t try to pin this on our Coaching Staff, if this doesn’t turn out well…The players know the story on this one, I can assure you of that…go dawgs
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
10:59 pm
I have no problem with dawgster’s opinion. I do, however, consider it to be biased.
Many of us are required to perform at a high level on a consistent basis and we aren’t pampered in the manner that CMR has been, nor are we compensated at such a high level. Will Coach Richt leave if he isn’t offered a raise this year? If that’s how he feels, do you really want to keep him?
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
10:59 pm
So, Flat , you looked at the schedule this summer that had: Boise, SC, Miss State, Fl, Au, Tech, and you told us how our team was going to be playing a LOT better than last year and should only lose to one of those teams, and not stumble anywhere else either. THATS what you told us all?
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:01 pm
anybody buying that?
dawgster
December 1st, 2011
11:01 pm
@Mobile Dawg..back at you on the civility..You know where I stand with regards to this program, so I’m going to defend it, but I know the last couple of years hasn’t been what any of us expected…I’m hoping this years trend will continue…
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
11:04 pm
Getting short on time myself. My concern is “if” the rumors are true and he plays, the players obviously have some problems with him, and he decides to play because of the stage, that just doesn’t seem like it would set well with the players, and could be a divisive issue concerning the staff vs the players who like you said give their “blood, sweat, and bodies”. And for sure take some focus off of the opponent.
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
11:04 pm
@AltamahaDawg
Boise? See 2005.
People who follow football knew that Florida and Auburn would be down this year. MSU was a surprise. they should have been mediocre, but they absolutely sucked. I can’t believe that you would even mention Tech as a potential favorite over Georgia. Are you really a Georgia fan?
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
11:05 pm
Some of the comments are bizarre. “please extend CMR so Keith Marshall will commit..”
dawgster
December 1st, 2011
11:07 pm
@Not Impressed…you are probably right and for just reasons, I am biased…I always will be but I will express my concerns when I feel they are warranted….As far as Coach Richt not getting a raise, I believe he would still be here…I don’t think its about the money for him..Its about being happy and loving where he is and he does love georgia, so does his wife..Her Mother and Father live up in the same area of North Georgia that I do…
DawgNation17
December 1st, 2011
11:08 pm
Frome a credible source – Crowell will not play Saturday and may be done at UGA?
Has anyone else heard this?
Mobile Dawg
December 1st, 2011
11:08 pm
I’m buying a six pack and some ribs for the game Alt. My thoughts on the Dawgs this year were all over the board. Looking at the schedule I could have seen us losing as many as 7 games with last years attitude. Now I didn’t predict that. This year was a wild card, no one really knew what to expect. It’s been a success, to build upon.
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
11:08 pm
UGA’s one loss should have been to South Carolina. Losing to Boise State was shameful. UGA was their only real opponent this year. Who finally beat them? I can’t even remember their name.
Mutt Patrol
December 1st, 2011
11:09 pm
I like to make fun of people’s intelligence, despite not being able to spell simple words like “trailer”. Man, I’m a pathetic loser.
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
11:10 pm
@dawgster
I don’t blame you. I’m biased toward my friends and family as well. It’s only human nature.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 1st, 2011
11:11 pm
AltamahaDawg
Below is one of the many times I talked about 11-1 this year. Once again Facts and once again your made up garbage with no facts.
Flat Tire on I-95 In Jacksonville
May 18th, 2011
7:43 pm
ryan
What I mentioned above and you call me a negative thinker, give me a break those are facts that in the real world of business would get you fired years ago
“And I want UGA to fail”,
you must be 3rd grade reading level if thats how you comprehend what I wrote, because Im tired of watching mediocrity on the field and yet UGA ranks 4th since 1999 in putting players in the NFL and we get the results that we have gotten
Obviously you want UGA to fail with your attitude or
You must drink a gallon of Kathryn’s kyptonite kool-aid
I dont know I guess we should ask
USC when they hired Pete Carrol
FL when they Spurrier or Meyer take your pick
AL and LSU when they hired Saban
Ohio State when they hired Tressel
AUB when they hired no-name Chizik
TCU when they hired Gary Patterson
Texas when they hired Mack Brown
Those are just a few programs that made coaching changes and you see the results
I didnt say fire Richt now but if the above of what I wrote continues he’s got to go and continuing to lose to FL especially this year with another new coach give me a break.
With this years schedule anything less than 11-1 is unacceptable
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
11:12 pm
Where, exactly has this credible source dispensed his information?
Not Impressed
December 1st, 2011
11:14 pm
@Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
Let me guess. You figured they might split the first two games? Am I right?
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
11:15 pm
A new HC job open: Texas A&M.
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
11:16 pm
Bob Davie is *really* kicking himself now.
Myanmar Shave
December 1st, 2011
11:18 pm
The Corn Dawg Bowl
Will Go Down In History
Cause How The Dawgs Got There
Is Such a Great Mystery
With All Of Their Rivals
Down In The Dumps
The Bulldogs Avoided
Taking Their Lumps
They Won All Their Games
Well, Except For Those Two
And Found Themselves Playing
Number One LSU
So It Was A Nice Ride
But All Things Must Pass
They’ll Start A New Win Streak
After Les Kicks Their Ass
Myanmar Shave©
athdog
December 1st, 2011
11:20 pm
Well,I have stated on this blog more times than I can remember, and I stand by it…we (the Dawgs) have the most idiotic fan base in the United States if these posts are any indication.
Going to the SEC title game, the premier college football conference title game in the land, and people are posting that we should can the coach. Sad
Mutt Patrol
December 1st, 2011
11:20 pm
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
11:15 pm
A new HC job open: Texas A&M.
I think everybody can read ESPN except you.
Mutt Patrol
December 1st, 2011
11:21 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville where are your sources? I need more proof
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 1st, 2011
11:24 pm
Mutt Patrol
Click on this link. It should pull up what I copied and pasted
http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/2011/05/18/ten10-richt-says-isaiah-crowell-must-master-pass-protection-to-be-full-time-back/?cp=7#comment-150774
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:24 pm
yea, I am fully aware of your insistance that it was unacceptable for to win less than 11. I just said that. Didn’t I just say that? pretty safe to say a guy that says not winning NC is unacceptable, would say not winning 11 is too. I see no facts that you thought they would. In “fact’ you said they would not. That was my statement.
But just to be clear….you know , the facts…..YOU thoght the team was going to play well enough to win 11 games this year, which I beleive we can all agree would be a pretty good year, and a MAJOR turnaround from last year?
THATS what you said all summer. I just want to be sure. YOU felt that Georgia was good enough to win 11 games this year? or in fact, were you really stating they would NOT. (and be unacceptable)
Delbert D.
December 1st, 2011
11:27 pm
Thanks for letting me know that. I was checking ESPN for unusual rumors that aren’t true.
STEPHEN A. SMITH DAWG: Hunkerdown !!
December 1st, 2011
11:29 pm
UG led by Richt, has got to move the program to the next level. I remember the halcyon fall days of 1980, 1981, and 1982 when there was a reign of Red and Black Terror in College football.The Dawgs ruled and dominated the South and SEC with an Iron fist. Back then it was never a question of whether the Dawgs would win the meager SEC title. The question was who would face and try to stop Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in the national title game. Everytime during the 80-82 championship run, Larry Munson would declare,” It’s raining Sugar” ! , after the Dawgs wrapped up another SEC title. It’s been almost thirty years since UG played on a dominant, superior level. It was great to watch the Dawgs led by Herschel pound the SEC into submission, while Munson called the play by play. We will never see that kind of domination again at UG, but the current Dawgs can improve and move the program past just being happy with ten mediocre wins or just happy to make the SECCG as the underdog. UG are the underdogs this time around, but if Richt can shed the underachieving, and poor coaching labels the Dawgs can return to glory and compete for at least one National Championship before he leaves. Everyone always wants to talk about the four SECCG appearances by the Dawgs under Richt. I call these UG fans the Neo-Dawgs or fans who weren’t born yet during the Herschel Walker-UG Championship era. I think the delusional base consists of them and they have suffered through the UF domination, low expectations and sub-par coaching . The Retro-Dawgs know the true Dooley-led UG domination of UF and are not just satisfied with just making it to the Ga.Dome for the SECCG.They are starving for a national title and haven’t been fed in over 30 years. So I can see the divisions in the UG fanbase. I am pulling for Georgia on Saturday as I have for over 35 years and though I do not always agree with Richt’s methods, I wish him the best and hope he succeeds. I have been sharply critical because I am a Georgia Bulldog fan, not a delusional personal fan of any individual. Richt did what he was supposed to do and deserves the credit. Ten layups where tossed to him and not only did he make them all, he slammed a few. I can’t find any fault on his behalf for that, but I would like to see him cleanup certain problems with the offense and make the steps necessary to take UG to the next level with LSU and Alabama. Is that asking too much or am I delusional ? Go Dawgs !!
Myanmar Shave
December 1st, 2011
11:30 pm
Kirby Smart’s name is coming up in regard to some of these openings. I don’t think Malzahn is going anywhere though. Should have taken the Vandy job. Missed his chance.
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:31 pm
facts or garbage?
“Things return to normal in 2011
Yes things will be back to normal,
Another loss to FL,
A loss to a team we should never lose to aka. Miss St, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, or KY
And a loss to a down team either Tenn, or Aub”
Did you say that? One of the many times you said we should win 11 games?
T'Town
December 1st, 2011
11:31 pm
CMR gave you the best run in 30 yrs.
I hope he listens to Penn State, PSU will recover quickly just like Ohio State has.
You UGA fans don’t know how good you have it.
Who would you replace him with?
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:33 pm
“Since its looking like Caleb King is ineligible, Richt just got another excuse he needs for another season pass even with lousy results this season”
Darn lousy 11 win seasons!
Rich Rod
December 1st, 2011
11:33 pm
Too late to get me.
sec champs 12/3
December 1st, 2011
11:34 pm
heard crowell is kicked off team from creditable source as well. sources say richt was fed up with
crowell breaking rules and told him hes done at uga. kieth marshall…uga is calling your name!
DawgNation17
December 1st, 2011
11:34 pm
If my source is wrong then why when CMR has been asked to speak about the RB situation this week, he gets very irritated and says he will not talk about it?
Athens dawg
December 1st, 2011
11:34 pm
Some of you guys are such idiots, yes Georgia did not live up to expectations the past few years. Think about it we had a AD that was more interested in making his own score than making Ga a better team. With McGarity working with Richt, not against him Georgia will continue to improve. We may not beat LSU this year but we are the team of the future.
Corn Dawg
December 1st, 2011
11:35 pm
Since it’s looking like Isaiah Crowell is ineligible, Richt just got another excuse for losing the Corn Dawg Bowl©.
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:35 pm
“Its another rebuilding year like last yr, and the yr before, and the yr before, and the yr before, and the yr before.”
So last year we were 6-7, and since this year is the same, we should win 11 games? Makes perfect sense to me.
Corn Dawg
December 1st, 2011
11:37 pm
Hey! The man’s only been here 11 years. Give him a chance to get his guys in place.
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:38 pm
Shall I continue?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 1st, 2011
11:41 pm
AltamahaDawg
Please stop bud. You really make yourself look stupid
You said I threatened to pitch a hissy fit. The only hissy fit I ever threatened to pitch was losing again to FL. As you can read that on that copied post
Also it clarifies my point once again about this contract extension talk. Like I said anything less than 11-1 with this seasons schedule is unexceptable before the season was played out. Now people come on here and act like Oh the ship has been turned around really. LOL
Come on
Again if we keep it within 10 points against LSU and win our bowl I’ll be glad to say things are looking better but like I said earlier this year this was an easy schedule
After next season plays out then you talk contract extension
You just cant handle I have some intellect
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:41 pm
“Boy our fanbase and writers are really scraping the bottom of the barrell when comes to trying to create optimism for this season”
Not you of cource, you already had that should win 11 games optimism rolling by this one.
Not so fast
December 1st, 2011
11:41 pm
The SEC Championship will be a great indication just how good UGA is this year. If they at least play a competitive game with a chance to win in the 4th quarter then I think a long term contract is warranted. However, if they get blown out, 2 years max on an extension and personally I would wait until the end of next year to make the decision.
I still don’t like Richt as the head coach at UGA. I just don’t think he is capable of winning a National Championship.
Bad Dawg
December 1st, 2011
11:43 pm
What makes you think UGA is the team of the future? Do you have any evidence to back your statements Athens dawg?
AltamahaDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:43 pm
yea, I am the embarrased one, trying to walk back everything I have said all year about how bad this year would be.