Georgia coach Mark Richt sidesteps questions on player suspensions
ATHENS — Georgia coach Mark Richt didn’t shed much light on the Bulldogs’ suspension situation when he addressed an unusually large media contingent at the end of Thursday’s practice. In fact, he didn’t as much as flick on a flashlight.
Richt would not even confirm that there are new suspensions despite numerous report Thursday that at least two of Georgia’s defensive stars have run afoul of the athletic association’s drug policy.
“I can’t confirm anything,” Richt told more than a dozen reporters and two Atlanta television news crews. “I’m just going to be waiting for us to go through our process. When there’s something to report, I’ll report it to everybody.”
Earlier Thursday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was able to confirm that All-America safety Bacarri Rambo is facing a four-game suspension for failing a UGA-administered drug test this week. Rambo’s high school coach, Alan Ingram of Seminole County, said it was Rambo’s second violation of Georgia’s drug policy regarding marijuana, which according to the student-athlete handbook calls for a 30 percent suspension from the total number of competition dates. Rambo plans to appeal the suspension through UGA’s appeals process.
Ingram said he understands from his conversations with Rambo that junior linebacker Alec Ogletree also failed a similar drug test and is facing a similar length of suspension. In fact, Ingram said he believes as many as five UGA players failed drug screenings that were administered shortly after spring break.
But Richt refused to confirm or deny any of it. Before he entered the interview room on the second floor of Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall, UGA sports communication personnel passed out a brief written statement from him.
It read: “There is a process we follow regarding team guidelines and policies. I cannot make many comment until that process has run its course.”
Afterward, when Richt was asked questions regarding suspensions or player behavior in general, he referred to the statement.
“Don’t know if you’ve seen our handout but you might want to read it because you’ll hear it repeated again,” he said, smiling.
Asked exactly what process to which he was referring, Richt said: “Just, we’ve got our guidelines, we’ve got our policies. There are certain things we’ve got to do when we’re taking care of business and that’s what we’re talking about.”
Asked how he felt about handling player behavior issues, he said, “I don’t like distractions, that’s for sure.”
More details to come. . . .
Chip Towers, The UGA Blog
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417 comments Add your comment
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 29th, 2012
11:34 pm
@ Mobile Dawg:
You seem to be one of the geniuses with the single digit IQ but even with that handicap you should know that it is exremely unlikely that ANY coach in the nation has “Babysitting teenagers, etc.” in his/her contract. His job is to teach young people the game of football and when you alert them shortly before they go on Spring Break that TESTING WILL BE DONE IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU RETURN how much more can you ask of the HC???
How would YOU deal with that as the HC???
You and your ilk have no idea what a HC job is on any level and I really don’t like to use the term “FOOL” but it seems to be most fitting in the case of you and your ilk..
Don’t feel so all alone because those yelling about the stupidity of testing right after spring break and apparently are opposed to any disciplinary measures are only a half step behind you.
On top of all that it is just a frigging game and you people would have the National Guard out to MAKE those in the Decision Making Roles change everything to suit your point of view no matter how stupid it may be.
Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gene
March 29th, 2012
11:36 pm
It looks like Richt has lost control of drug testing.
Genius
March 29th, 2012
11:48 pm
Looks like Rambo and Tree lost control of drug testing
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 29th, 2012
11:50 pm
@ Flat Tire:
Apparently you don’t get it!!!!
As evidenced by this blog you have about 45% wanting to fire CMR and 45% screaming that “UGA should NOT have tested right after Spring Break” and the remaining 10% , which includes a pretty good number of NON-UGA fans, trying to calm the waters by saying it is not CMR’s job and the players should be held accountable.
CMR’s “bosses” make the rules. CMR executes the rules when he suspends or kicks players off the team.
CMR is the HC but he is the Middle Man when it comes to discipline. He has no other choice because enforcing UGA policies and rules is a part of CMR’s job. Not role call and bed check or following 75 to 100 young men all over the world to see if they are abiding by the UGA rules and policies!!!
It ain’t that damn complicated……………………for those of average IQ!!!!
Utedawg
March 29th, 2012
11:57 pm
This is not your fathers bulldogs. Reality is other programs have the same type of kids. They just know when to test them. Georgia will have to deices that they are going to compete with the big boys or we are gonna have a a warm and fuzzy environment. This is what many of these kids come from. You have to have some one who knows how to handle them I quit sending my money to Athens several years ago. My family had been athletic donors since the 60s. No more.Georgia is a good old boy program. Coach Richt is a great guy but his ability to maintain control of a ship in storm has to be questioned. The whole program has to be questioned. Getting the top recruits each year means nothing, when you do nothing with them, same goes for Andy Landers who’s time has passed him by. I had plans to go to Mizzou to see the dogs no players means no defense. I wonder what the buyout out will be in two years for the new contract.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 29th, 2012
11:59 pm
@ Bart:
If you are so big on Saban and Foley maybe you should consider changing to one of their schools. If not just STFU. Delta is ready when you are!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 30th, 2012
12:02 am
@ Utedawg:
Delta is ready when you are!!!!!!!!!!!
daddo
March 30th, 2012
12:03 am
Georgia: the best defense in street clothes in the NATION. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…..
Dawson Dave
March 30th, 2012
12:06 am
Who do you think recruited these model citizens, Brainiac?
Scrappy
March 30th, 2012
12:15 am
Let’s not dwell on rumors until the facts are know. I don’t buy the brownie story, though. Jut how many did he eat, and at what temperature were they baked? Any toxicologist will tell you it makes a big difference.
That said, I totally agree with the test after Spring Break. Hell, test ‘em after every big SEC win, too, after the celebrations. Ring the Chapel Bell, pee in the cup. Test them every 2 weeks if that’s what it takes to stop this stupidity.
Really now...
March 30th, 2012
12:29 am
^ Totally agreed about the testing.
All of these people blaming the school for planning the drug tests after spring break….REALLY? The quote from Rambo’s HS coach is just plain sad. This seriously brings into question the honesty and integrity of people and how they were raised.
Betty Crocker
March 30th, 2012
12:53 am
My brownies—some of the best, especially with my special recipe, loaded with top quality weed!
Monkey
March 30th, 2012
1:00 am
No Drug Problem at UGA? No Problem with Drugs at UGA?
Yeah, thats the ticket.
UGA signs dummies who stay dummies.
TampaGator
March 30th, 2012
1:14 am
DodgerDawg….
Yes…I will talk discipline with you…..
FACT: Janoris Jenkins and Chris Martin smoked weed and did not follow guidlines set forth by Muschamp after he arrived. Jenkins failed a school administered test and was then dismissed by Muschamp…..he had already been arrested twice under Meyer’s leadership. Martin was arressted once for weed and was asked to leave the program (Mushcamp let him leave for “family” reasons). by Muschamp because of his bad influence on the team. Jenkins was also a bad influence. Both were outstanding football players and vitial to Muschamp’s first year at Florida….but he said goodbye to both of them because neither met Muschamp’s new expectations for Florida football players. Georgia’s current issues are directly related to Richt’s previously relaxed discipline with his players….and seemingly those expectations have not been increased based on his handling of players recently….and their continued lack of respect for Richt and the Georgia football program. But you can deny all you want. Georgia has a big problem in their football program….and if not fixed fast…Richt and Grantham will not be around much longer. Muschamp is going to be around Florida for a long time based on his approach to discipline and player expectations.
7576DAWG
March 30th, 2012
1:25 am
I interviewed with a large company a few years out of college. A very good friend got an interview also. We had 3 interviews and then went through a physical. Nearly 100% assured of a job offer As we where leaving my friend said he had been to Panama City the week before and smoked pot. Needless to say he was not hired and I was.I nearly made $50,000 the last six months, I was hire at the end of June. My friend passed up a great job for exactly what Ogletree and Rambo did. You know a drug test is coming but so many people are followers and not leader. These weak individuals can be lead by the nose by their peers and it’s not the coaches fault or their parents , they just have that beta personality and can’t help that the are just weak people.
Things like that will cost Rambo and Ogletree millions and the knowledge they let down their team mates. I can promise they don’t give a da@@ about what an alumni or coach thinks but it does matter what their teammates think.
Monkey
March 30th, 2012
1:37 am
Anyone who really knows Rambo and Ogletree will tell you that under normal student entrance requirements these two knuckleheads would be sitting outside North Ave in Atlanta waiting to attack unarmed Tech students and faculty.
Kingdaddy
March 30th, 2012
1:52 am
I used to make Specialty Brownies when I was younger and believe me, YOU KNOW when something besides chocolate and sugar are in a Brownie. No matter how you cook it, it taste like grit or fine sandy hay. That’s like ordering a steak dinner, eating all your steak, and then complaining the steak was TUFF-LOVE and wanting your money back. It just don’t wash. These kids think everyone older than them is stupid. It’s just the opposite …
Yellow Maggot Killer
March 30th, 2012
2:55 am
CMR handles this like everthing– POORLY ! Sick of our fans making EXCUSES ! ! Crowell didnt play — WHY ? ” I did it because I love him “. WHAAAAT !!! Cant even enjoy the Florida win ( a rare occurence ) — ONLY 3 DAYS later 3 RBs suspended . Ealey & King BOTH did not show for court .Beyond stupidity THAT’S ARROGANCE ! ! !
ARRONGANCE IS FOR DELUSIONAL Techmites . CPJ : ” If you dont like what a Georgia fan says just punch him in the face. ” “I’ll talk real slow so you can understand ” . Et cetera . . .
WORSE, MUCH WORSE — we hear @ the ” Georgia Way ” . Sounds like that
CHARLATAN , BILL CURRY & ‘ THE TOTAL PERSON ‘ program.
Name 5 big wins by CMR ! !!!!!! — DO NOT COUNT SUGAR BOWL / HAWAII or SEC TITLE GAME vs. a HORRIBLE ARK. TEAM !
Quit bowllig on Thurs. night , trick diving, and instill some RESPECT IN THESE
GUYS. . .
As far as St. MARK in Athens — — The monkey is off your back , but the CIRCUS is still in town. . . .
bkbroila
March 30th, 2012
3:28 am
still don’t see how either player serves more than a 1 game suspension since neither of them has tested positive for drug tests before…Rambo was suspended one game bc a passenger in his car had a joint and he was not even charged or tested positive for anything…Ogletree was suspended for stealing a bike helmet…not for drugs…One game apiece, folks…..Mark it an 8, dude!!!
dawgs1966
March 30th, 2012
4:38 am
What do ya’ll expect – really! This is not the 50’s and 60’s when the last place in town to close was the movie theater now it’s the clubs that close at 3 a.m. Every time a player signs, it’ “i love coach so & so” – not UGA. Hell the players and coaches don’t even want the traditional uniform – it’s all about them – not UGA. Of course, having a liquor mogul running the board of reagents is not the ultimate in character leadership – so what do ya’ll expect!
Sting Time
March 30th, 2012
5:40 am
UGA is such an embarrassment to the state of Ga. Keep giving St. Richt those contract extensions.
Mobile Dawg
March 30th, 2012
6:03 am
Brainac, bravo, the best spin I have heard yet on CMR’s inability to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the “position” of Head Coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. I, unlike you, choose to use this forum for what it’s intended, the posting of information, opinion, and discussion of topics, whether I agree or disagree. You on the other hand choose to “try” and insult people’s intelligence, childishly call names? Then tell us to get a life, because we disagree with you. You’re not a fool, just a condescending “jerk”.
I have neither the time, nor the desire to chronicle all of Mark Richts failures as a Leader and Coach of this football team over the years. The record speaks for itself, on and off the field. You, and the other blind supporters of this program are the very reason we’re mired in mediocrity. It is just a game, however at the root of it all it just mirrors what’s going on in the bigger picture of the state of our union now. Do you choose to sit back and ignore that too? To many soft, caring people in the world that think it’s their job to take care of everyone who chooses to make bad decisions and not take care of themselves.
Get a life pal? I doubt you could come close to keeping up with the life we lead. Brainiac, get out and make a difference in someone’s life rather than insulting them. I’m just stating my opinion based on pretty strong evidence.
Can't Believe What I'm Hearing...
March 30th, 2012
6:21 am
Really?? It’s just pot. If I find out my child was hittin’ the smoke instead of drinking…wow! Here’s some food for thought. If they were not in college there’s a good chance they would be in jail. What would happen if they were on the streets and got busted twice for pot? Come on people. Second time offender that has the privilege of full ride. Do you know how non dope smokers would love to have that opportunity. However, its Just Win Baby!. Also, its not just the pot smoking, its the stealing, the beating up your girlfriend while your drunk. Time to wake before this turns into a circus big time.
gomdawg
March 30th, 2012
6:27 am
COME OWN PEOPLE DAMN YA’LL ARE THROWING YOU’RE LIVES AWAY, JUST STUPID
gomdawg
March 30th, 2012
6:32 am
THIS IS NOT CMR FAULT, THESE ARE YOUNG MEN IF THEY ARE GOING TO THROW THEIR LIVES AWAY A COACH CAN NOT CAN NOT BE WITH EACH PLAYER 24-7. BLAME YOU PLAYERS , THERE ARE PLAYER WANTING THE OPPURTITY TO PLAY NOW THIS GIVES THE GOOD PLAYERS A CHANCE TO STEP UP AND PLAY AND I HOPE THEY BEAT THEM OUT AND THE ONES THAT DO STUPID THINGS DON’T GET TO PLAY
John Roman
March 30th, 2012
6:35 am
Anyone surprised??? Typical’s being typical. It’s always gonna be like this when you recruit kids from the hood. But what else you gonna do. Recruit white kids from Marist or Alpharetta. Then we’d be Duke football
E
March 30th, 2012
6:36 am
Situations like this are what patsy schedules are for. No harm done… Move on people, there’s nothing to see here.
John Roman
March 30th, 2012
6:38 am
Enter your comments here
John Roman
March 30th, 2012
6:42 am
And BTW why is article titled Mark Richt sidesteps questions. He would violate the kids right if he doesn’t wait and run the process. Chip you know that. Why title the article like Mark Richt is doing something wrong. Poor job again
BobDawg
March 30th, 2012
6:59 am
We now have the 25/33 rule for the Dawgs… We keep recruiting 5 stars and 4 star players and just realize with our stringent policies that “25% of the starting 22 will be out for 33% of the games” each year…. Just a fact now that we have to get used to.
tenndawg
March 30th, 2012
7:01 am
Last year Richt said he suspended Crowell “because we love him”… Richt is a pansy, his teams have been marred by years of this kind of things. They are undisciplined both on and off the field.
You Richt supporters need to have your heads examined, why doesn’t Alabama have these same problems?
BobDawg
March 30th, 2012
7:06 am
TENNDAWG, you do realize Bama doesn’t do squat until the 3RD DRUG VIOLATION… Come on… you knew that??? right….
Larry
March 30th, 2012
7:11 am
Amazing…
Through three pages of comments not one of you shilly-shallying, blockheads pinned the responsibility squarely upon whom is most resonsible, their parents…or, more accurately, the lack thereof.
Why, AJC, do we always get quotes from current and past high school coaches and never a comment from the student athlete’s parent?
BobDawg
March 30th, 2012
7:16 am
…because the parents are too embarrassed to talk…. Can’t believe the HS coach opening his trap like this.
I think CMR is doing great actually. UGA is setting traps left and right to make sure these kids are acting right and doing the right thing. They were warned going into spring break and had a drug test when they got back. If they fail, they sit and will be kicked off if behavior keeps on going…
Herschel Talker
March 30th, 2012
7:19 am
I see all the morons are back out making excuses for Mark! Richt. How many times does this have to happen before all you clowns finally get a clue? I’m embarrassed by the stupidity of our fan base.
FIRE MARK RICHT!!!
Life Time Dawg
March 30th, 2012
7:32 am
As a season ticket holder for 40+ years, with a sorry home schedule and these bonehead players who put themselves first, it is really becoming hard to justify sending a hunk of money in today for my tickets on top of the donation that has already been made. Sooner or later we need some bang for our buck(s)!
Larry
March 30th, 2012
7:37 am
BobDawg,
A good point…at least they ARE getting caught, unlike other institutions that don’t want them to get caught.
Brad Rogers
March 30th, 2012
7:37 am
Something is not adding up in Athens, home of the wonderful University of Georgia.
Mark Richt is a preacher, yet his Church members are out of control and smoking weed…..
But it really shouldnt matter…. It is the University of Georgia, and it is such a great University that no one should really care about the football team. After all, Georgia boasts their academics… correct ??? …. Laugh my butt off. MNC, are you kiddn me !
GT
March 30th, 2012
7:40 am
I think the players the Richt is recruiting are uncoachable. You take a player who is in to the self first team second and they start second guessing the coaches because it is too much trouble to do it right on and off the field. This is the problem with Crowell who is obviously out of shape, never got better, was the direct reason for three losses last year. The guy refused to get back in a game, you don’t even see that in high school. The players at Georgia do not respect the coaches period.
Brad Rogers
March 30th, 2012
7:47 am
The weed in the brownies story is about as funny as I have heard.
Next we will hear “and then they gave us lollipops at the bank drive through window”. I didnt know they had cocaine in them !
1980 schedule was a joke
March 30th, 2012
7:48 am
Uga finally gets a joke schedule similar to 1980 and they still look to be championshipless. 32 years without undefeated glory…sad
tardawg
March 30th, 2012
7:48 am
ugab are you rambo’s high school coach he’s raving about the same thing that test after spring break is wrong. I see a Senior who knows this happens and got caught then tested positive again later he should be kicked off the team and far as the pros they take all this in consideration too, know from experience so some one needs to tell these KIDS what the pros expect from them also. The article about Rambo’s high school coach telling the media what happens it was convicting rambo before the suspension happen, Rambo trusted his high school coach to tell him things i think his high school coach is looking for the lime light himself.
jerry
March 30th, 2012
7:48 am
Wonder why the baseball, tennis, golf, swimming, cross country, and gym teams don’t have these problems? A great mystery, huh?
GT
March 30th, 2012
7:52 am
Grantham should have been on his players in that Vandy game instead of defending them after the game and making an ass of himself. He is not a player he is a coach. These kids see him acting like a two year old they act like one. Coach got my back to them means smoking weed, not playing football. There is a reason why guys like Grantham never end up being head coaches and Richt can’t control the guy, he was his fourth pick for a reason too. Richt came out of two programs that were historic for not being able to control players, FSU and Miami, that is all he ever has known. There is a picture forming here. In the day you could have unlimited scholarships and the players had to compete for a job. Now they show up because you have promised them a start and have no one behind them pushing for a position. The coaches are begging not coaching.
maharajiean shorts
March 30th, 2012
7:52 am
Why in the world do you have a random drug screening right after spring break? ADMINSTRATION FAILURE!!!
Here is a better time….right in the middle of Christmas break when these kids are probably at home with mom and pop.
2012….more of the same, the D was the only shining star we had. DERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
GT
March 30th, 2012
8:05 am
This is a crime. Why doesn’t the Athens police go over and arrest these guys. Take the disciple question out of Richt hands and make it a serious matter like it should be treated. Sequester the tests. Hell if I were a coach with evidence of a crime committed not only would I kick the punk off the team I would go personally over to the Athen’s police and turn the player in with my proof. If it is not serious legalize it, stop this endorsement.
garydawg
March 30th, 2012
8:06 am
Way to go UGA. What are you trying to run up there in Athens, a monastery? These are college kids on spring break. If there was blatant drug use, which there isn’t, it would show a total lack of respect for the coaching staff. If there are five players facing suspension out of one hundred, I say that’s a pretty clean program. So what if these kids want to smoke a little weed on spring break? How else are they gonna get the girls up their rooms?
Newman
March 30th, 2012
8:14 am
Just keep lovin’ em.
GT Fan
March 30th, 2012
8:19 am
1. pot should be legal, tax the crap out of it and put the $$ to good use.
2. the issue isn’t the severity of the “crime”, it was clearly stated in the rules. Nevermind the police, coach says dont do X, you don’t do X if you want to play on the team.
3. the HS coach calling stupid timing? well if the point is to cheat the system and get away with not following the rules, then yes it was stupid. if the point was to catch players from breaking the rules, then the tests are doing their JOB!
Paul in NH
March 30th, 2012
8:19 am
The HS coach’s comments about testing the kids coming off Spring Break are amusing. If the police followed his thinking they would set up sobriety check points on weekday mornings instead of on Friday and Saturday nights.