UPDATED: Hines Ward says he wants to help Bulldogs win a national championship
Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Hines Ward (R) talks to Georgia coach Mark Richt during Tuesday's spring practice in Athens. A recent NFL retiree, Ward is trying to decide if college coaching is a career he wants to pursue. (UGA photo by Steven Colquitt)
FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK
ATHENS – Hines Ward was a visitor at Georgia’s spring football practice on Tuesday, but you had to look hard to find him.
Dressed head-to-toe in Bulldogs’ coaching garb, unless you looked very closely it was impossible to distinguish him from any number of assistant coaches, grad assistants, managers or trainers. But Ward wasn’t trying to be incognito. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ star and recent NFL retiree came to his alma mater to try to get an idea whether college coaching would be a vocation he cared to pursuit.
“He just wanted to come over and spend the day with me and kind of see what coaching was like,” said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, who played all four years at Georgia with Ward (1994-97). “He’s trying to see if that’s something he wants to go into.”
Asked what his advice was to Ward, Bobo laughed. “My wife told to me to tell him no.”
Nevertheless, Ward is expected to shadow Bobo for at least a couple more days. The Bulldogs are actually conducting a coaches’ clinic this week, which begins on Thursday.
“I hate that he couldn’t come out there and help us coach,” Bobo said. “All he could do was stand over there and watch.”
NCAA rules prevent Ward or any outside experts from actually coaching on the field. However, he did address the team in the locker room before practice.
“Bobo wanted to bring me out here to see the guys and stuff like that,” Ward told georgiadogs.com. “It’s encouraging. I’m excited about the upcoming year. And who knows? I always said if I ever wanted to coach this would probably be the first place I’d like to do that. I’m still lobbying Coach Richt to give me a job.”
Ward muffled a “no” as he laughed after that last statement. To bring him onto the staff at this juncture, Richt would have to reassign one of this current assistants or let them go altogether.
Ward, who was featured on the television show “Dancing with the Stars and actually won the competition, has also expressed an interest in television and acting. He indicated coaching wasn’t something he was likely to do right away. But in any case he is looking for some way to assist UGA.
“No time soon but one day,” Ward said of coaching. “Coaching is easy for me. I think I have a lot to give back to my alma mater and I want to see the Georgia Bulldogs win a national championship. So any experience or knowledge I can give to the football team to help them to get to that goal, so be it.”
You can see the full video of Ward’s interview on the school’s website by CLICKING HERE.
Ward, a wide receiver who won a Super Bowl MVP with Pittsburgh in 2006, was released by the Steelers on February 29. He retired from football just last week, saying he wanted to be “a Steeler for life.”
Missing Mitchell
Bobo was measured in his comments, but you can tell he’s not thrilled about losing Malcolm Mitchell to the defensive side of the ball for spring practice.
“No comment,” he said tersely. “I don’t even want to talk about it.”
After letting loose a laugh, Bobo said he hates to lose Mitchell but understands why he had to move. He also said he hasn’t given up on having the explosive receiver back on his side of the ball next fall.
It is what it is right now,” Bobo said. “He has to do what’s best for the team and help the defense. But it’s kind of back to recruiting in my mind. I’m recruiting the crap out of him daily.”
Meanwhile, secondary coach Scott Lakatos said he likes what he has seen of Mitchell at cornerback.
“He’s doing great. He’s such a good athlete he could be anything he wants to be,” Lakatos said.
Etc. . . .
It’s official: Tailback Richard Samuel is being cross-trained at fullback. . . . Noseguard John Jenkins missed practice Tuesday to attend to some academic responsibilities, according to defensive line coach Rodney Garner. . . . Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham does not expect outside linebacker Sterling Bailey (foot) to play this spring. . . . Wide receiver Rantavious Wooten remained sidelined with a pulled leg muscle. . . . Junior Dallas Lee appears to be getting increasingly more work at center. Lee started seven games at guard before suffering a broken leg this past season.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
162 comments Add your comment
Time
March 27th, 2012
8:14 pm
First…hire Ward now
PALM CITY DAWG
March 27th, 2012
8:16 pm
HINES WOULD BE A GREAT DAWG COACH!!!
trueUGAfan
March 27th, 2012
8:16 pm
Hines, you’ll do well as a coach, no matter what level, you have to much knowledge to share not too…
PALM CITY DAWG
March 27th, 2012
8:17 pm
HOW ABOUT OUR NEW OC. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Big Dawg
March 27th, 2012
8:17 pm
2nd! Yeah C’mon!
Ol' Bag O' Doooooooosh
March 27th, 2012
8:27 pm
Hire him, yesterday!!!!!
DawgNation
March 27th, 2012
8:30 pm
First thing Hines must learn is to stay away from the AJC blogs. I wish him luck and success in any coaching endeavor he decides on. He was and still is one DGD.
Robert
March 27th, 2012
8:31 pm
Can you find more successful and passionate guy than Hines Ward? Hire him already! Please!
ole big dawg
March 27th, 2012
8:35 pm
Awesome recruiter….great teacher of fundamentals
Spike 80DF
March 27th, 2012
8:37 pm
Yea Hines was a great player but coach? How about starting as an assistant with Ga State to see how it goes first. Also, I remember a Monday night game where all the starters were saying their college teams and Hines said whatever his high school team was from Forest Park, what’s up with that Hines???
Oconee Dawg
March 27th, 2012
8:44 pm
Hire that boy he is a true “dawg”. He can dance too! Great to have Hines as a dawg coach. Gooooooo dawgs…………….
Tarryuga
March 27th, 2012
8:47 pm
Uh-oh, hope this doesn’t start a “secondary violation”.
Love Hines Ward, coaching at UGA was what I was hoping for, but, uh-oh.
Dawgs1965
March 27th, 2012
9:05 pm
If we can get Ward on the recruiting trail, it will be a game changer.
bilbo799
March 27th, 2012
9:15 pm
Hines’s coaching resume (no official coaching but mentoring as a great NFL football player) sounds at least as good as BOBO’s did when he became OC (QB coach at UGA then a stint at Jacksonville State). How could he be worse? Would he call 5 draws up the middle in a row with our smallest back into the strength of the opposing defense instead of just 4 in a row?
BG
March 27th, 2012
9:15 pm
Ward is a DGD!
dawgcrzy
March 27th, 2012
9:16 pm
an hour after the blog started and you think you are first? dick?
Mobile Dawg
March 27th, 2012
9:22 pm
I’m not opposed to Hines joining the staff but who would Richt cut loose to make room? From where I’m sitting Richt’s loyalty to his assistants handcuffs him, preventing him from making changes.
Arizona Dawg
March 27th, 2012
9:22 pm
I agree with Palm City Dawg, Hines for our new OC
Dawglasville
March 27th, 2012
9:26 pm
I think it would be hard to argue about the many benefits Hines could bring to our team. He would be a beast on the recruiting trail.
FP!!
March 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
How many Superbowl MVPs and DWTS champs went to your school?
Mobile Dawg
March 27th, 2012
9:35 pm
You don’t step into coaching as an OC, at a major university, in the SEC, I don’t care who you are.
Dawgystyle
March 27th, 2012
9:37 pm
even with Hines’ no experience, i would give him the offensive coordinator’s job right now and can Bobo’s arse in a flash and take my chances.
I’d bet my house he would do a better job in year one, game one.
UGA1
March 27th, 2012
9:40 pm
Hines Ward is a class individual and would make an excellent coach. He knows both sides of the ball. Try your best to hire him!
Hines Ward visits UGA football practice, considering coaching career | football-feed.com
March 27th, 2012
9:49 pm
[...] to Original Content From Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog): read more Related Articles Share About Author [...]
01HAWK
March 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
From DUI to teaching young men on the football field. You have got to be kidding. He has no experience as a coach. He needs to start at a lower level school and not the SEC. BE REAL.
Bayou Philosopher
March 27th, 2012
10:00 pm
OMG, stop the presses! — or whatever takes the place of presses these days. Hines Ward is in the house. What is Mark Richt having for supper? Who is sleeping with the water boy? thank God the AJC is on the story…
PS: You gotta love the loyalty of DawgNation for one of their own, Mike Bobo. What a class bunch.
Herschel Talker
March 27th, 2012
10:10 pm
Hire Hines today and fire Richt
sam jeanes
March 27th, 2012
10:11 pm
another drunk to the list. bring back red panties also
rhyno
March 27th, 2012
10:16 pm
with c.washington and r.drew moving to defensive end now who do you guys think the frontrunner is for the olb position opposite j.jones?also i heard chuck oliver on the radio mention the possibility of todd gurley moving to safety.did anybody else hear this nonsense?
flo-ri-duh
March 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
WR coach and recruiter – resume – Hall of Fame NFL. Hines Ward knows more than most coaches right now. He doesn’t need a resume…. if he wants a job – hire him before he goes to Aubarn. Move the current WR coach who didn’t even play WR to another position.
VA DAWG
March 27th, 2012
10:26 pm
Here is a wild thought…how about hiring Hines to coach WIDE RECEIVERS instead of the former running back we have coaching them now!!!
Mountain Dawg
March 27th, 2012
10:51 pm
If he wants to learn about coaching, Bobo is the last person he needs to talk to.
Jim
March 27th, 2012
10:55 pm
Hines could have been a good hire on the SC staff.
Thomas Brown
March 27th, 2012
11:05 pm
Offensive Coordinator, a guy who played Quarterback. A guy who can actually teach wide receivers, not just recruit 1. A guy who understands how to block. A guy who knows how to hold on to and value the football. A guy who has the credentials as a winner at the very highest level.
JRW7
March 27th, 2012
11:06 pm
HW would be a GREAT RECRUITER, and UGA has a recruiting job open!
GaterHater
March 27th, 2012
11:21 pm
Hines would be a great coach and recruiter. He has 20+ years of quality playing experience….I mean really, coaching isn’t rocket science (fundamentals, fundamentals, and more fundamentals, motivate, teach plays, and a little hollering and yelling here and there), and we have a twenty something year old former WR coaching RBs…..
Thomas Brown
March 27th, 2012
11:23 pm
Super Bowl, not Monday night game; and, he stated it was not a slight on UGA but a promotion of Forest Park, and then the next Super Bowl announced The University of Georgia loudly for all to hear. Get facts straight, as usual I have to be the one who knows.
Thomas Brown
March 27th, 2012
11:25 pm
Someone will hire in the next couple of days.
Why not us ?
Thomas Brown
March 27th, 2012
11:27 pm
We will not hire Hines Ward, too much ego, and for what ? 2 SEC Championships, the last one of which was 2005. 2005 season was 8 years ago now this up-coming 2012 season. After 2005, Mark Richt is the # 6 in The SEC in won/lost record this coming 2012 season; and # 21 nationally after 2005 in wins. That does not make me a techie to not settle for that; it does however, make you a RICHT-O-PHILE to settle for that. There is a huge difference in being a Mark Richt fan, and being an UGA Bulldogs’ Football Program fan. If all you want is mediocrity, choose 1 of the 119 other colleges, and be a fan there for Mark Richt. There are 65 Georgia Bulldogs’ Football Program fans to this 1 blog who have told you this. Ignorance is not bliss; it is a lack of education. If you are satisfied with # 6 in just SEC teams and # 21 nationally in won/lost record after 2005, then take a hike – the other 65 of us are not. And, we don’t need your kind around any longer.
Gulf Shores Dawg
March 27th, 2012
11:38 pm
Hines, love ya man….please get on the UGA staff….please
Granthams The Man
March 27th, 2012
11:51 pm
Great to see Ward back at UGA. Who knows maby he will get hired by Ga. I bet he would be a great recruiter and motivator.
GeorgiaDawg93
March 27th, 2012
11:59 pm
I would hire (future NFL Hall of Famer) Hines Ward IMMEDIATELY! Put him at Special Teams or, heck, Offensive Coordinator! Can you imagine the job he’d do as Recruiter! CMR, PLEASE hire Ward! We need help, bad! We’re never gonna catch Bama, LSU, Florida, etc…without immediate help! Just staing the facts! We haven’t beaten a top 25 team (by my count) in 5 years….and we are something like 3-19 in our last 2 games against ranked teams! SAD! And in my humble opinion, UNACCEPTABLE! But what do I know…they renewed CMR’s contract! I wouldn’t have!
Bean Counter
March 28th, 2012
12:00 am
Realistically he is not ready for Bobo’s job. However, his experience, his attitude and blocking ability are attributes that could benefit our receivers. Hire him now and watch the receivers develop.
bravefan
March 28th, 2012
12:07 am
What do you mean? Bobo isn’t ready for his own job. Terrible OC… Showed in spades against Michigan state. Had the game in hand but ran three straight runs up the middle when the run game wasn’t going anywhere but backwards.
Profiler
March 28th, 2012
12:31 am
HW, either one, would be great at the University. Herschel or Hines, keep them involved with the program.
Go Dawgs!
bigdave
March 28th, 2012
12:43 am
“Also, I remember a Monday night game where all the starters were saying their college teams and Hines said whatever his high school team was from Forest Park, what’s up with that Hines???”
some players give there high school, middle school, rec, hometown, etc. as many times as the Steelers were on MNF im sure you’ve heard him give Georgia its due.
Randall "Pink" Floyd
March 28th, 2012
2:17 am
Good for Richard Samuel. If he puts his heart into this position it could be his ticket to the next level.
ugalee
March 28th, 2012
4:13 am
ward for special teams coach
Thomas Brown
March 28th, 2012
4:24 am
0-4 for 2011
0-5 for 2010
1-3 for 2009
1-3 for 2008
3-1 for 2007
2-2 for 2006
1-3 for 2005
3-2 for 2004
3-3 for 2003
3-1 for 2002
2-3 for 2001
19 won 30 lost 11 years vs made top 25
http://www.cfbtrivia.com/cfbt_detail.php?teamname=Georgia&fry=2009&thy=2009&spl=on&cres=3&jpl=on&sortby=Year
59bulldawg
March 28th, 2012
4:40 am
Hines would be a great receivers coach and dynamite on the recruiting trail. We need him bad!
SEC Football Daily: March 28th | Saturday Down South
March 28th, 2012
5:15 am
[...] Hines Ward visits UGA practice to test the coaching waters. The former Bulldog and recently retired Pittsburgh Steeler visited practice on Tuesday to spend the day with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to get a feel for collegiate coaching and to see if its something he may want to pursue. I think he would be a great asset to any team, given his years of experience in the NFL – what player wouldn’t want to play for someone with that experience and insight? [AJC] [...]
trueUGAfan
March 28th, 2012
5:42 am
I hate beggars, uninformed, and unrealistic people…
Thomas Brown
March 28th, 2012
5:47 am
Could you elaborate ?
tenn.DAWG
March 28th, 2012
6:01 am
Even without coaching experience,he would make that whole coaching staff better.Lets hope CMR and Bobo are smart enough to take advantage.
Ramad Ashad
March 28th, 2012
6:03 am
DAWGS BABY!!!!!
Year of the DAWG
March 28th, 2012
6:10 am
I’ve got a friend who is close to the program.Who said last year Hines was texting Bobo in the middle of the game asking him what was going on . Hire Hines now!!!
atltiger15
March 28th, 2012
6:17 am
The Dawgs are always in the top 10 in recruiting or at least the last 10 or 11 years, a feat no other team in America can claim. Unfortunately, the ultimate prize doesnt comes with that, its done on the field….Hines would definitely help in recruiting, but I dont think crutin’ has been the problem boyz…
sammiamm
March 28th, 2012
6:17 am
I hear Tech is looking for a tennis coach…
Nah, take the job in Athens Hines.
Welcome back to Tradition.
gomdawg
March 28th, 2012
6:34 am
I like the move Samuels to fullback and Hines Ward Speical Teams Coach
Thomas Brown
March 28th, 2012
6:55 am
Jerk around Richard Samuel again. Tailback to Linebacker, to Tailback, to Fullback.
FLA DAWG
March 28th, 2012
7:34 am
Great Dawg Hines Ward!
I hope he seals a deal. This guy has the hard hitting, winning attitude this team needs.
Bring him onboard!
ole yeller
March 28th, 2012
7:48 am
Coach “R” isn’t stupit nor is the “:AD”. If Ward is avilable He will be hired into the coaching staff, count on it. He would bring so much to the “O” which need all the help they can get. UGA would get every top “WR” in south with Ward pulling the strings. TOO much to pass up…
Taylor Wooten
March 28th, 2012
8:07 am
Bobo is the one they should have “moved”….not Mitchell.
Surely special teams could use Bobo. LOL
Dr. Adams
March 28th, 2012
8:14 am
HInes, I hope you brought enough beer for everybody?
Dap01
March 28th, 2012
8:19 am
Hines Ward was a great Georgia Dawg. He will do well with anything. Hopefully with UGA.
Joey
March 28th, 2012
8:38 am
Richt ever sign that new contract? If not, see if Hines will sign it . . .
Lowcountry Bulldawg
March 28th, 2012
8:40 am
Hines Ward better have a job in Athens and no other college. Richt needs to find a way to make it happen and now.
DawgNole
March 28th, 2012
9:06 am
Thomas Brown: “Get facts straight, as usual I have to be the one who knows.”
___________________________
The definition of arrogance.
AltamahaDawg
March 28th, 2012
9:10 am
Yes let’s hire a guy with ZERO experience coaching anything, anywhere, and name him offensive co-ordinator of a SEC football team right after we conclude spring practice. Brilliant, BuLLdawg.
Bazooka Joe
March 28th, 2012
9:13 am
I agree that Hines could be an asset to our program – in recruiting (and yes I agree, recruiting hasnt really been our problem) and working with the WR. Obviously not ready for OC (you’d be setting him up to fail – really kind of like we did with Bobo – he is a very good QB coach but in my opinion wasnt ready to be an OC). Plus, and to me this is the biggest thing – he is an extremely hard worker, does the fundamentals well, and I think could improve our team dramtaically in that department
btull
March 28th, 2012
9:20 am
Forget OC, just bring him in to coach the WRs. He is one of the toughest to play the position and what other SEC team has a future hall-of-fame WR coaching their wide receivers? What WR, who had UGA in their list of schools, wouldn’t want to come here? Our offense needs that boot to the throat mentality he could bring.
beanster
March 28th, 2012
9:21 am
There are 65 Georgia Bulldogs’ Football Program fans to this 1 blog who have told you this.”
65 anonymous posters to a blog. Oh really? That is a quite a campaign you’ve got going.
RxDawg
March 28th, 2012
9:34 am
Love it that Hines is hanging around the program. For those that think we should hire him on the spot, don’t be so hasty. Hines was a great player, there is no doubt about it. But great players do not equate to great coaches. In fact, it’s a rarity to see someone accomplished at both. I would support giving Hines a chance with the S&C staff or something along those lines. Or maybe even a “grad posistion” just to have around on the sidelines. Of course any help with the WR coaching would probably be nice too.
G-Dawg
March 28th, 2012
9:37 am
Hines as a receivers coach is a no brainer…even for you terds on here that use the excuse of no prior coaching experience. But since we’re already filled with coaching positions, it wont happen. Someone will scoop him up and utilize him though. Again, another Dawg loss.
G-Dawg
March 28th, 2012
9:40 am
Hines’ enthusiasm is exactly what this coaching staff needs more of!!
AltamahaDawg
March 28th, 2012
9:44 am
Excactly right RX. If Ward is sincere, then sure, lets find a grad assistant post for him.But In his own words, he was simply trying to see what coaches even do.
The complete inconsistancies of some of you folks is comical. You howl when we don’t go out and hire the top names out there all the time, (including some of you that still can’t see why we don’t go hire Nick Saban), But let a popular player stop by, and you are ready to make him one of our very few allowed position coach on the spot. And fire the guy who is highly qualified, and has done a great job for us, I suppose.
Troup Co. Dawg
March 28th, 2012
10:03 am
A no-brainer! Make him the receivers coach, for the past few years the great Dawg receivers have been terrible blockers which limit us to a short yardage running game! Who knew?
Dawg Haus
March 28th, 2012
10:20 am
Come on over to Athens, Hines!
dERWOOD
March 28th, 2012
10:36 am
THERE WASN’T ANYONE ELSE HE COULD HAVE SHADOWED? I MEAN LISTENING TO BOBO IS LIKE TAKING THE EXECUTINER OUT FOR SUPPER, YOU MAY ENJOY NOW BUT IT WILL COST YOU LATER. IF HE DOES LISTEN TO BOBO, I SUGGEST HE DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT MIKE SAYS DO.
AltamahaDawg
March 28th, 2012
10:40 am
Yea, why would a former player wanting to explore the posibility of getting into coaching want to ask Mike Bobo about that?
GDAWG65
March 28th, 2012
11:04 am
Fire Bobo and hire Ward now
Dawg Haus
March 28th, 2012
11:20 am
I think you make a good point, Troup Co. Dawg. There’s so much talent in the receiving corps, but all too often, Murray ends up throwing long bombs, of which only about 34-40% result in completions. A guy like Hines Ward, who has “been there before,” might just know how to teach proper blocking techniques and encourage a shorter, and more effective, passing game. The idea of him as receivers coach is certainly an intriguing one.
Douglas
March 28th, 2012
11:33 am
Surely they don’t plan on not playing Mitchell on the offensive side?
Mamadawg
March 28th, 2012
11:50 am
Hines needs to come on back home to UGA..where he definitely belongs!!
Bobo can go back to wherever he came from!! We need HINES WARD !!!
UGA Insider
March 28th, 2012
11:54 am
Hines is teaching Bobo the Pittsburgh offense my friends. Don’t be fooled by this article. UGA is going to run and play defense this year. You heard it here first. IC is going to have a monster year…. I predict 1600 yards.
AltamahaDawg
March 28th, 2012
11:57 am
The theory being that because he was a good blocker, he would certainly know how to put together a high level college training program to teach that?
ugastuffings99
March 28th, 2012
11:59 am
Recruiting!!!!! A super bowl ring and mvp says it all in the young man’s living room
News | MrSEC
March 28th, 2012
12:03 pm
[...] eye on coaching.Ward’s former teammate and current UGA offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said “he’s trying to see if that’s something he wants to go into.” Ward is expected to spend “a couple of days” checking out practice, recruiting, and all [...]
Win With Richt
March 28th, 2012
12:24 pm
Thomas Brown
Hines ward was also switched among positions. WR, TB, & QB. He went on to a HOF NFL career.
Win With Richt
March 28th, 2012
12:27 pm
UGA Insider
I agree with you. Crowell gained 850 yds as a true freshman and missed 4 or 5 games. This year he will be bigger and stronger and pushed by Marshall and Gurley to produce.
Gary
March 28th, 2012
12:55 pm
Gifted athletes do not always make the best coaches. (see Michael Jordan and Isaiah Thomas) Often its the guy who had to bust his rear and practice all the time just to make the team that makes the best coach (ala Larry Bird, an overachieving player who was a fantastic head coach)
ItchyZ
March 28th, 2012
1:03 pm
Sorry, I don’t think there’s spot for Dirty Football Assistant Coach at UGA.
JRHD
March 28th, 2012
1:10 pm
Why would you hate on HW for saying anything about Forest Park? You hear guys all the time mention their high schools in those intros. He is a GA boy through and through. We should all be proud of him and what he has accomplished on the football field. He has been, up until his recent brush w/ the law for DUI, a role model off the field as well. I am not ready to throw stones at the man for one lapse in judgement. Hines is proud to be a Panther and a Bulldog. As an alumnus of UGA I would be proud to have him associated w/ the program in any capacity.
True Winner
March 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
Hines is a winner at any level of the competition. That is something you cannot teach because it comes from within. What a boost to the program if Hines is hired, all the future GA recruits would respect him, easily sell for UGA.
Go DAWGS
March 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
HIRE WARD THEN FIRE BOBO, OR FIRE BOBO THEN HIRE SOMEONE ELSE,EITHER WAY FIRE BOBO
jeffrey d
March 28th, 2012
1:48 pm
thank God the AJC is on the story…
Apparently every single article has to be comparable to the Pope being arrested murder or else it’s not worthy of anybody’s time.
te29wr
March 28th, 2012
1:50 pm
HIRE HIM NOW
slydog
March 28th, 2012
2:01 pm
Richt should fire Tony Ball right now. RIGHT NOW. Georgia Alumni, if you give money, please get Tony Ball out of here NOW and hire Hines Ward. Richt needs as many coaches with fire in the belly to counter act or balance out his “oh, whatever” passe attitude. Ward has 100X the credibility of Coach Ball, who I don’t intend to offend, but he knows how this game is played. Now watch and see what happens. Ward, if he decides to coach, will be on somebody else’s staff. Watch.
slydog
March 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
Furthermore, he would be an instant upgrade over Rodney Garner as far as recruiting goes. Just show him the ropes for two years and put him in charge of the whole thing. The kids will relate to this guy more than anybody else on Georgia’s staff. Book it.
Abe Lincoln
March 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
Ball to RB’s Ward to Rec’s and McClendon to recruiting. We would be better instantly !
Win With Richt
March 28th, 2012
2:16 pm
With Hines teaching our WRs to block, I bet a lot of SEC DBs would be looking out their earholes after some crushing blocks on a lot of plays.
RHall55
March 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
Let Hines show his real loyalty!! He doesn’t need the money!! Become a Grad Asst like Chris Samuels did @ AL recently!! Hines for GA and learn the college grind even more!! Win / win for both!!
ugalee
March 28th, 2012
2:38 pm
Normally I would think this is great. However, considering the timing of the recent dui, you’d think CMR would have the common sense to pull HW aside and say “we would love to have you here but lets wait a while for the dui thing to blow over and we’ll have you back sometime in the fall.” the reason that didnt happen is the same reason Bobo is still there and Martinez wasnt fired sooner- cmr doesnt have the stomach to make difficult or awkward decisions that sometimes need to be made for the good of the program.
bobbytide
March 28th, 2012
2:45 pm
In other news, OJ simpson visits USC on work release to inquire about rb coach opening!
Jimmy Crack
March 28th, 2012
2:46 pm
Let me see…what offensive skill position would Hines have experience with…hmmm…
That’s right, he played them ALL at Georgia!
HIRE HIM. Make both Hines and Herschel “PRO”s, as in Permanent Recruiting Officials.
Rooooooooooll Tide Roll
March 28th, 2012
2:49 pm
He’d fit in perfect. The NFL’s “Dirtiest Player” coaching the “Most Likely to be Arrested” team!
corkylovesbeer
March 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
ugalee..hw was charged with dui but he convicted for reckless driving…get your facts correct
DawginLex
March 28th, 2012
3:02 pm
Breaking News:
Joe Namath and Ken Stabler hired as consultants at Alabama to teach football players how to hide being drunk on national television
Jimmy Crack
March 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
TROLL HIDE!
Football Guy
March 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahah………………………………………
………………………………………………
……………………….
some sense
March 28th, 2012
3:51 pm
The absolutely worst thing you can say about any athlete is that (s)he’s “soft”.. Thi highest compliment you can ever pay any athlete is (s)he’s a M/F. Hines is a M/F’er’s M/F. There has got to be something he can do in/for the UGA football program – create a position – to imbue his characteristices among the current crop of Dogs.
DDPO
March 28th, 2012
4:00 pm
Douchebag
Dimwit
Pu$$y
OnlyLikeBoys
DawginLex
March 28th, 2012
4:02 pm
“Former” AD being the most important part of the phrase
He had a panties in his lap from a girl that was not his wife problem while driving drunk problem 6 minutes away from receiving a $200,000 raise.
You can’t fix stupid.
Ga/Fl.Stillman dog
March 28th, 2012
4:08 pm
Hire him. Whats the worst that can happen that Bobo and CMR have already messed up. the best thing going for us is defense.
Gator
March 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
I would be all for him replacing McClendon..
Kaye Tolbert
March 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
If we are smart, we will find a place for Hines before someone else does.
VADAWG
March 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
i have NEVER heard coach Richt say the word “national championship”. What I hear is ” well i don’t know” or “we r working on it”! Good Lord is this leaderaship or what?? PLEASE GO DAWGS
urban redneck
March 28th, 2012
4:53 pm
baseball>football
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
March 28th, 2012
4:56 pm
HA! He better give birth to another Herschel Walker. The most corrupt state in the Union doesn’t have the necessary self-discipline to win a title.
ole yeller
March 28th, 2012
5:04 pm
What all this Bull $hit about the almighty Bama tide. I would be suprised if they could make a wave on the SEC waters this year with all they lost to the NFL. They want be anything close to last year. Count on it. Even Saban can’t raise the dead.
DawgByte
March 28th, 2012
5:14 pm
Who would be more qualified to coach Georgia WR’s than Ward? I hope Richt can work something out. Can you imagine HW on the recruiting trail marketing the Bulldogs program!
Without Hershel Walker, UGA would be Vandy without the quality education
March 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Just like he did when he played there.
BIGDAWG38
March 28th, 2012
5:51 pm
Hines Ward comes home to coach receivers and recruiting!!! That would be huge! GO DAWGS!!!
Paddy
March 28th, 2012
5:57 pm
JRW7………..that recruiting job you say is open would be the last job he would accept. That is a glorified gofer job. Not a job for a Pro-Bowl WR. But it pays 25,000, so he may jump at it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg Bite
March 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
Probably too obvious a hire. Therefore,it will not happen. CMR does not want to upset the “mediocre Apple Cart ” that is now in place!
01HAWK
March 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
CMR is wasting his time recruiting Foster after this news today;
The nation’s top-ranked linebacker, Alabama commitment Reuben Foster, is considering leaving his current high school in Georgia and transferring to a school in Alabama, according to a report from ESPN.
Foster, a five-star recruit rated the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect by 247Sports, told ESPN he wants to leave Troup County High School in Lagrange, Georgia and enroll at a school in Alabama that will allow him to complete his course work early and graduate in December, allowing him to enroll at Alabama in January of 2013.
Fats OKelly
March 28th, 2012
6:29 pm
Good recruiting and recievers coach for sure………………With the price of the concessions cotton candy,etc UGA could afford him.
bitter coach grantham
March 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
Foster is just one player, gratham has the nations best defence and we are gunn-in for bamma in the sec championship game
——————————–if bamma can beat miss st this year——–trailer boy’s—hahahah
Roadrunner
March 28th, 2012
6:47 pm
I don’t wish any ill will towards our current coaching staff, but Richt MUST find a spot for Hines on his staff!! What a plus it would be recruiting wise to have Hines Ward visit a potential wide receiver! Can you say “Slam Dunk”?
The Masked Superstar
March 28th, 2012
7:01 pm
Hines has all but asked for a job. Why not hire him a Receivers and Special Teams Coach. I have nothing against Coach Ball but Hines has played 16 years in the NFL and is considered one of the best WR’s ever and possibly the best to ever play in Pittsburgh. To be considered one of the best if not the best to play in Pittsburgh is an honor, I mean they had Stallworth and Swann and they weren’t chopped Liver…
Dawg89
March 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
Put all the offensive coaches name in a hat. Pull one out, either fire or reassign whoever it is. Then hire Ward. Or, reassign Tony Ball or Bryan McClendon. McClendon is probably the lesser of the two. Replace him with Ward and let Ball coach RB and Ward coach receivers.
BigGAdawg
March 28th, 2012
7:24 pm
How about Hines Ward as a special teams coach. That way no one has to be moved around and frankly we need a special teams coach.
Paddy
March 28th, 2012
7:39 pm
BigGAdawg…….IDawgs have their full staff of coaches allowed by the NCAA. Someone would have to be fired. You just can’t add a coach because he is available. A coaching change is not about to happen until 2013, if then.
mgdawg
March 28th, 2012
7:56 pm
Hines ward as an assistant would be great. Grantham has began to get the defense playing that hardnosed style defense, sorry but there are still too many missed tackles for me to say we are all the way there but they are close. Hines ward could bring that to the offensive side of the ball. The only question is, is there any room available to hire a new coach?
WestOfAthens
March 28th, 2012
8:16 pm
Hines Ward….Graduate assistant, albeit it 15 years later, possible right?
ck
March 28th, 2012
8:29 pm
CPJ hire Joe Hamilton, DUI’s obviously do not matter anymore
Old Dawg Fan
March 28th, 2012
9:24 pm
Probably the most positive idea I have heard come out of Athens in years!!!! Hire Ward in some shape, form or fashion!!!!
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
March 28th, 2012
9:29 pm
ARE THE RUMORS TRUE???? i just read on msn homepage that rambo & ogletree are facing suspensions for 2 maybe 4 games for 2012 season. undisclosed reasons.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
March 28th, 2012
9:33 pm
here is the link: http://georgia.scout.com/2/1172305.html
Dogs Smell
March 28th, 2012
9:49 pm
In order to do that he would have to play and thats not going to happen just like Uga isnt going to win a NC anytime soon.
HW is a DGD
March 28th, 2012
9:59 pm
This hire is a no-brainer! He loves UGA and is an over-achiever and a winner!
fla dawg
March 28th, 2012
10:03 pm
we have some of the stupidest fans in college football!
NGD
March 28th, 2012
10:05 pm
Rambo and A.Ogletree suspended
Pat
March 28th, 2012
10:07 pm
Morons
fla dawg
March 28th, 2012
10:17 pm
Rambo, Ogletree, Commings, Smith…. maybe by the time the season starts we can have 11 starters suspended. Rambo needs to change his name back to Fudge and stop trying to be such a bad a–.
StackedDeck
March 28th, 2012
11:03 pm
Welcome back to Athens Town Hines…wish you the very best here on campus., I agree with “ole big dawg”,,,,,GO DAWGS!! hooorah!!
UGA / ‘74
FloridaDawg
March 28th, 2012
11:19 pm
Hines Ward has the ability to meet with any recruit at any time. He can coach wide receiver, blocking and anything else on offense.
We need him now recruiting before someone else goes after him
9 Losses in a Row to teams finishing AP Poll Top 25 - not since beating Georgia tek # 13 in 2009. 7 Losses in a Row to teams finishing AP Poll Top 10 - not since beating Auburn # 9 in 2006.
March 29th, 2012
12:59 am
Mark Richt Signed Scholarships for 2012 to :
1.Brent Benedict # 10 OT 4-Star, transfer
2.AJ Harmon # 10 OT nation 5-Star, transfer
3.Dontavius Jackson # 23 TB 4-Star, transfer
4. Carlton Thomas TB suspended, transfer
5.Nick Williams Safety, transfer
6.Marcus Dowtin # 7 LB nation 4-Star, transfer
7.Bryce Ros # 22 TE would’ve been junior 2012
8.Johnathan Owens # 39 OT, would’ve been senior
9.DE Jeremy Longo would’ve been senior 2012
10.Xavier Tyrone Avery RB, minor league baseball
11.Toby Jackson # 9 DE 4-Star failed qualify transfer
12.Makiri Pugh, Safety Cornerback, transfer
13.Montez Robinson # 10 DE 4-* kicked off transfer
14.Washaun Ealey # 15 RB nation 4-Star, transfer
15.Lonnie Outlaw WR failed qualify, transfer
16.Jakar Hamilton Safety 4-Star, transfer
17.Derek Owens Cornerback, transfer
18.Demetre Baker # 23 LB 4-Star, kicked off transfer
19.Jalen Fields DE 4-Star, failed qualify, transfer
20.Kent Turene LB Dream Team failed qualify
21.Chris Mayes DT Dream Team failed qualify
22.Chris Little # 12 OT 4-Star transfer
23.Zach Mettenberger # 14 QB 4-* kicked off LSU
24.Jordan Lawrence Love 12/31/90 # 21 CB 4-* transfer
25.Sanford Seay SE Dream Team kicked off transfer
26.Chris Sanders, db, Dream Team kicked off, transfer
27.Nick Marshall CB Dream Team kicked off transfer
28. Sanders Commings CB Suspended Buffalo Missouri
29. Branden Smith CB Suspended Buffalo only McGarity?
30.Alec Ogletree LB Should be Safety Suspended
31.Bacarri Rambo Safety frequent boos Suspended
ck
March 29th, 2012
1:13 am
HInes and your defensive players and all go party and have a big time
32 years and counting..oh but this year will really be the year and we swear this time
Richard
March 29th, 2012
6:02 am
Rantavious?
BobbyDawg
March 29th, 2012
6:51 am
If Hines pursues a career in coaching he will be one of the great ones.
fla dawg
March 29th, 2012
7:40 am
wake up people… he has ZERO coaching experience. some of the greatest athletes make the worst coaches and some of the best coaches were not even good enough to play in college. let’s put the brakes on a little!
9 Losses in a Row to teams finishing AP Poll Top 25 - not since beating Georgia tek # 13 in 2009. 7 Losses in a Row to teams finishing AP Poll Top 10 - not since beating Auburn # 9 in 2006.
March 29th, 2012
8:37 am
What a joke fla dawg
Hines Ward has not lost to 9 teams in a row who made the top 25, nor lost to 7 teams in row all the way back to 2006 who made the top 10, either.
He is more accomplished at this point in his career than Mark Richt was.
crunch
March 29th, 2012
8:39 am
Why not hire Hines Ward, Bobo defintely could use the help! Look what experience he could bring to this team. How bad do you really want to win a championship?
9 Losses in a Row to teams made AP Poll Top 25 - not since beating Georgia tek # 13 in 2009. 7 Losses in a Row to teams who made AP Poll Top 10 - not since beating Auburn # 9 in 2006.
March 29th, 2012
9:08 am
That’s just it : the RICHT-0-PHILES do not care if we win a national championship. They are quite satisfied and tell you so, daily, with being # 6 in just 2012 SEC teams in wins after 2005 and # 21 nationally.
That’s fine with them, not that 1 of them has seen the ESPN ticker since last evening about yet 2 more Secondary players gone for their 2nd Suspension each. Both Starters and both Stars on this football team.
No discipline on the field; no discipline off the field, and we’re just fine at # 6 in The SEC after 2005 in wins. I mean he is the best ever. If they both get booted, or at least 1 declares for the NFL Supplemental Draft now after last night, the RICHT-O-PHILES will run in here then and finally have something to say on the matter :
GOOD RIDDANCE like the 31 missing Mizzou now
Felecia Myers
March 29th, 2012
11:08 am
Hines will be a great coach for UGA. He will do great in whatever career he decides on. Good luck Hines; keep looking up.
Thursday’s Link Attack: Heejun Han, Sung Kang, Hines Ward « iamkoream
March 29th, 2012
3:36 pm
[...] Ward says he wants to help Bulldogs win a national championship Atlanta Journal-Constitution Hines Ward was a visitor at Georgia’s spring football practice on Tuesday, but you had to look [...]
ugab
March 29th, 2012
8:25 pm
It would be awesome to have Hines Ward on the coaching staff.
doggie
March 29th, 2012
9:36 pm
Well, maybe he can throw on a uniform then…
gtkenz
March 30th, 2012
12:59 am
Let’s see………Hines Ward + DUI = Criminal U. I don’t know about a NC, but Hines still fits right in at Georgia.
Lynda Skarda
March 30th, 2012
11:22 am
Hire Hines Ward NOW an let BOBO hit the road. Ga. needs a new Offensive coach really bad!!!
Blackberry Cobbler
March 30th, 2012
12:16 pm
Hire him NOW!!!!!!!!!
Make room for him somehow. What a great asset he would be to UGA football.
Hire him and get rid of some of the bozos currently on the coaching staff.