Vince Dooley says losing Isaiah Crowell ‘best thing to happen’ for Bulldogs
ATHENS – Isaiah Crowell getting arrested and kicked off the team may have been a blessing in disguise for the Georgia Bulldogs.
So thinks former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley. I was interviewing Coach Dooley on Monday for another project I’m doing for the AJC when the subject of Crowell came up. Crowell, a rising sophomore and former 5-star recruit who was the Bulldogs’ leading rusher last season, was dismissed by head coach Mark Richt following Crowell’s arrest on felony weapons charges. Crowell has since transferred to Alabama State, an FCS program in Montgomery, Ala., and started classes on Monday.
That chain of events may help the Bulldogs in the long run, Dooley contends.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on them, but losing that guy may have been the best thing to happen to them,” said Dooley, who coached the Bulldogs to six SEC championships and one national title in 25 seasons. “It was a bad-apple type thing, if you ask me.”
“Bad apple” was the second term Dooley used to describe Crowell’s effect on the team. The first was more effective but he asked me not to use it.
Dooley said Crowell undoubtedly is a talented football player and probably was the Bulldogs’ best option at tailback. But the negative effects as far as being a troublemaker and a distraction far out-weighed any skills he brought to the field, Dooley said.
Now that Crowell is gone, “That kind of thing will unite a team many times,” Dooley said. “Historically when things like this have happened in the past, they tend to have a unifying effect on teams. They go on to have an even better season than they were predicted to have.”
Georgia, of course, is generally considered the favorite to repeat as the SEC Eastern Division champions and play in the SEC Championship. That is, if the Bulldogs are still able to field a team. With Crowell out and linebacker Brandon Burrows’ recent decision to transfer in search of more playing time, Georgia has dipped below 70 scholarship players heading into next season. The NCAA allows 85.
At least one person agrees with Dooley. Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said the last three SEC teams that sent high-profile transfers to play for him — Florida, Auburn and Alabama — went on to win national championships the following season.
Dooley recalled that Georgia had a great player that left after the 1958 season and turned pro as a junior — very unusual in those days — and that rallied the rest of the team, which went on to win the 1959 SEC championship. Dooley could not immediately recall that player’s name, though I deduced it must have been center/linebacker Dave Lloyd, who was drafted in the fourth round that year by the Cleveland Browns. I couldn’t find anyone who knew for sure, but you get the point.
“This guy was a heck of a player, but he was a real problem on the football team,” Dooley said. “When he decided to leave, Coach [Wally] Butts went into a depression; he knew he had lost his best athlete. But as it turned out it unified the team. That often happens.”
Dooley also offered what I thought was one of the more insightful observations I’ve heard about Crowell as a running back last season. As we all know, Crowell’s toughness was questioned as he often pulled himself out of games or found himself sidelined with minor injuries. Dooley thought there might have been a good solution for that.
“Looking back at it, he would have been a great second-half running back,” Dooley said. “I never wanted that guy around in the fourth quarter if he started the game, because it seemed like he’d had enough by then. But I would’ve loved to have him around in the third or fourth quarter if he hadn’t played any to that point. Imagine once the defense gets tired and he comes in. He could’ve been a superstar second-half player. Herschel [Walker] got stronger in the fourth; this guy got weaker. So I would’ve waited until the second half to play him. He was pretty doggone good when he was fresh. That might’ve been a good idea looking back at it.”
Dooley has always had a great football mind.
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395 comments Add your comment
Tap Out
July 10th, 2012
10:49 am
Typical Dooley…..he shows up with his water hose after the fire is out.
Castle Pines Canine
July 10th, 2012
10:54 am
All I can tell you is that like most of the Players kicked off of the UGA team, they get an offer from LSU. Crowell had that offer and was going to be labled “GUNNY BADGER”
DirtyDawg
July 10th, 2012
11:15 am
They go to LSU unless they get outbid by Auburn. And when will be SEC establish a rule that requires all member institutions ‘honor’ another schools’ discipline dismissals with an, at least, two year ban on a dismissed player from enrolling at another SEC school? As it is, it’s just as if the player decided to transfer and only ’sit out’ one season.
mgdawg
July 10th, 2012
11:20 am
For those of you questioning richts recruiting habits, Crowell was the number 1 recruit in the nation. He could’ve gone anywhere he wanted and if richt wouldn’t have recruited him then everyone would have been screaming at richt.
Having said that the kid admittedly was at a bar where people were smoking marijuana, and less then a year ago this same kid failed a drug test. He had a concealed weapon in his car without a license to do so, and the weapon had been altered in a way not to be traceable. These are facts, Crowell may get out of it, but it will be because of technicalities, not because of innosence.
Von Trapp
July 10th, 2012
11:23 am
Richt gave IC more chances than 3 players to get his act together. Maybe NOW IC will realize the sun doesn’t rise up just for HIS arrogant axx. IC can LEARN from this or go sulk. It’s his call now.
Bill
July 10th, 2012
11:29 am
LaGrange, if you can’t stand the heat, get out. This football player made his own luck. Sorry if you think he should skate. I believe I know exactly why you defend him, but won’t bring it up. Again, if you don’t like what you read on here, go some where else where it’s safe…
Tallydawg
July 10th, 2012
11:29 am
Vince Dooley’s record at UGA wouldn’t merit mentioning without the Walker years. Mark Richt’s record, even over the past few years, puts Dooley’s record to shame. And Richt’s seat is still rather warm.
aw
July 10th, 2012
11:30 am
“They go on to having a better season than they were predicted to have.” Dooley
Maybe they will beat Florida or South Carolina this year. (4-18 against UF no back to back wins in 22 years) Spurrier owns UGA Period!
Maybe they will lose a few games and play for the SEC championship and their fans will talk about how they deserve a place in the National Title game. AWESOME!
Chip Towers
July 10th, 2012
11:43 am
RxDawg: Cancer
Chip Towers
July 10th, 2012
11:48 am
GTBob: Quintavious Harrow allegedly lost his academic eligibility the week BEFORE Crowell was arrested. UGA still has not confirmed his departure.
npgator
July 10th, 2012
11:49 am
Georgia is going to break that National Championship streak for the SEC team that sent a guy to Alabama State.
Brainiac(CMR/UGA fan for life)
July 10th, 2012
11:53 am
@ Corkylovesbeer:
IF, IF, IF !!!!!!!!!
If a frog had wings………………………well you know the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get a life dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wally was here
July 10th, 2012
11:55 am
I seem to remember kicking a couple of boys off my team for drinking beer–times do change.
I remember when Dodd kicked a player of his team who was within a yard of two of breaking the career rushing record. I seem to recall reading years later that fellow’s saying that was a wake up call for him and was the best thing to happen to help shape the rest of his life. We just never know how things will turn out.
schmeckdawg
July 10th, 2012
11:58 am
It’s real simple folks. Crowell had no heart!!!!!!!
Dooley: Ex-Georgia RB Crowell was ‘bad apple’ - Daily Sports Digest | Daily Sports Digest
July 10th, 2012
12:01 pm
[...] pressure on them, but losing that guy may have been the best thing to happen to them,” Dooley told the newspaper. “It was a bad-apple type thing, if you ask [...]
Brainiac(CMR/UGA fan for life)
July 10th, 2012
12:04 pm
Sic’em King Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They know who they are and one would think with all the trolls, etc., the attrition on UGA blogs would include a fairly large number of suicides seeing as playing on here/there/everywhere badmouthing all things UGA is the only thing most seem to have in their pitiful lives!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac(CMR/UGA fan for life)
July 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
@ Wally was here(11:55am post)
Sadly Isaiah Crowell does not appear to have that type of character even deep down inside. He is a tremendous talent and I certainly would like to see him play on Sunday but without some serious soul searching and willpower it ain’t gonna happen
uga76
July 10th, 2012
12:19 pm
for those who wonder why Richt moved on Crowell before a judge and jury ruled on his charges – I have a hunch that due to his previous issues with drugs he was on a probationary plan that included follow up drug testing for any subsequent missteps. the Athletic Department would have certainly had cause to test after learning of his arrest, and if he tested positive that was the last straw – regardless of whether there is some problem with the police charges.
If the others in the car were also tested, and tested positive, we will not know about it because University policy is that this type of information will not be released. If you recall, the only way we knew about Rambo was that the confided in his high school coach who blabbed in to the media!
the kids have to decide – get on the bus or get off and go somewhere else. I believe we will ultimately conclude that Crowell leaving is a positive.
Milton County will happen
July 10th, 2012
12:23 pm
I see the kingdaddy/Brainiac combo/same person poster is at it again. Sad indeed. I’m embarrassed for you.
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
12:27 pm
Brain
I’m bouncing back and forth to recruiting site and the BB story. Did you read all the carping from the SC TROLL with 20 names who keeps saying I’m you? I told him it was a compliment for me but it might make you mad, lol…
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
12:33 pm
Milton
Is this another one of your names We run the least, lol. Check Brain’s post times and then go to the recruit. site, you will see me. I don’t have to pretend to be multiple posters like you numb-nutz…
Milton County will happen
July 10th, 2012
12:35 pm
Whatever.
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
12:46 pm
Milton Whatever,
I posted on the recruitiñg site (ajc)@12:00; 12:01; 12:09 and 12:15—
Maybe you should apologize to Brain. I don’t care what trolls think but always wondered why y’all needed so many blog names Sybill…
Former Georgia Coach: Isaiah Crowell Getting Kicked Off Was the Best Thing for the Bulldogs | FootBasket
July 10th, 2012
12:48 pm
[...] and then kicked off of the Georgia Bulldogs football team, former head coach Vince Dooley told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that doing that may have turned out to be a “blessing in disguise” for [...]
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
12:55 pm
What’s up Milton County?
When you get busted out in a lie or are just plain wrong, all we get is a “whatever”??? Have you no honor or integrity? No credibility or humility??? No sense of what’s wrong or right??? No moral obligation to be a fair poster??? What kind of man are you Whatever???
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
Milton County
I’m just funning whit ya bro, no big deal…
cdog
July 10th, 2012
1:04 pm
say what you want to but as long as georgia has Aaron “rubber legs” MURRAY AT QUARTERBACK THEY WON”T WIN ANYTHING
Tweety Bird
July 10th, 2012
1:12 pm
In case you’re still undecided about Crowell’s character, just read a few of his tweets:
https://mobile.twitter.com/iSAIAH_RIP_STEV/tweets
The words that come to mind are mindless, stupid, illiterate, selfish, money-hungry, egotistical, jerkoff, and others too numerous go mention.
eaglenationrising
July 10th, 2012
1:13 pm
At what point do logical minds in our state begin to force some accountibility upon Mark Richt. This is a recurring eye soar yo our program. Our Dawgs are movng dangerously close to the Florida State days of Bobby Bowden. With all due respect, all of Georgia’s problems are thrown towards someone else. A few years ago, everything was Willie Martinez’s fault. Last year, as Boise violated us in the Georgia Dome, it was Mike Bobo’s fault. Now, a problematic 19 year old (who had these kind of issues before we signed him) is getting bashed by the top football authority in the State. When does someone hold Richt to the fire? This piling on is GUTLESS!!!
eaglenationrising
July 10th, 2012
1:21 pm
Chip: Would you kindly write an article about how the academic and arrest issues at Georgia mirror that of Florida State? The only difference is the Seminoles won more than our Dawgs under Richt. I know that it is probably not the best thing for your career to simply tell the truth. However, Mark Richt clearly has an issue with recruiting players with poor character, not to mention an inability to secure the best players within our own state. Coach Richt seems like a good man and his winning percentage is challenging to refute. However, the character issues on his team are alarming. If Ohio State can move past John Cooper (who won much more than Mark Richt), we should at least hold Richt to some level of accountibility. Instead, we bash assistants and teenage players. Interesting.
shape shifter
July 10th, 2012
1:24 pm
Just another sec player in trouble what’s new for all we know the sec goes to the state pen’s to get their players.
GT fan
July 10th, 2012
1:31 pm
“It was a bad-apple type thing, if you ask me.”
———————————————-
Unfortunately Mr. Dooley, IC was/isn’t the only ‘bad apple’ on the UGA roster. I think it’s GREAT that IC got booted. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll open the eyes of the ‘bad apples’ still on the roster. I don’t feel bad at all for IC … he had everything in his favor, and he blew it.
How many of us former prep/high school athletes would have like to of had IC’s football talent/skills!?
GT fan
July 10th, 2012
1:36 pm
Right on eaglenationrising!
I’ve been saying the same stuff for the past 3-4 years …. doesn’t UGA have overwhelming similar “problems” under MR that FSU had when MR was on their staff????
——————————————-
Didn’t Jim & Tammy Faye Baker hide under the religious cloth too?
Things that make you same hmmmm …….
cdog
July 10th, 2012
1:36 pm
RITCH CAN’T BE WITH HIS PLAYERS 24/7.IT’S OUR SOCIETY AS THE BIBLE PREDICTED.THE LAW WON’T LET PARENTS RAISE CHILDREN RIGHT WITH AN IRON ROD(BEATING ON BEHINDS) PLUS, MOST PARENTS ARE NOT DISCPLINE SO HOW CAN THEY DISCIPLINE THEIR CHILDREN.THEY ARE PARTYING AND DOING DRUGS MORER THAN THE CHILDREN SO THE COACH CAN’T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.ITS THIS WORLD SYSTEM THAT CATERS TO CHILDREN TO DO WRONG.
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
1:36 pm
Eagle
OK let’s say you’re right, al
L the bad is CMRs fault. Doesn’t that mean that all the good is his doing also? 10 straight wins and an SECe championship?
BTW, seeing as we have about 70 scholorship players now, who should CMR get rid of next to stop the cancer? You going to do a pre-emptive strike before they get suspended or arrested? Well, who’s next? Who does Richt get rid of now. I wonder if CMR gave IC that gun to protect himself with? Maybe Coach Richt rolled him and those recruits a big fatty right befoore they went on the tttown? Who’s next Eagle
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
1:42 pm
Eaglenation
The fact that GTFan agrees with you should tell you something. He rarely says anything nice or constructive about UGA…
TrickDawg
July 10th, 2012
1:49 pm
To me, a MUCH more dangerous “bad apple” to the team, isn’t a guy who doesn’t show up for a punishment run, it’s a guy who feels ENTITLED, that he will continue to START and PLAY EVERY GAME, regardless of how he performs. When that CULTURE PERMEATES YOUR TEAM FROM THE LEADER DOWN, you’re sunk. A guy who has never beat out his teammates for his starting position. A guy who got his starting position by DEFAULT after Richt made his challengers so miserable, they transferred (Gray & Mett were both Elite 11 Qb’s).
Aaron Murray will never be benched, regardless of anything, on, or off, the field that he does. It’s just the way it is. The Jets do the same with Mark Sanchez. That ENTITLEMENT culture that Richt has BRED, like continuing to start Crowell after his 2 run ins, like giving Samuel more carries than Thomas even though Thomas had almost a 2x better run per carry, like leaving Murray in after 3 turnovers, is TEARING THIS TEAM APART. At UGA, you don’t EARN more playing time. It’s not a MERITOCRACY, it’s an ENTITLEMENT CULTURE RAN AMUK.
IS UGA A MERITOCRACY OR A CULTURE OF ENTITLEMENT?
Ask Mettenberger
ask Gray
ask Ealey
ask Thomas
ask Mason
ask Lemay
they’ll all say the same thing.
Tenaciousdx
July 10th, 2012
1:50 pm
It might be his first offense but I doubt it will be his last
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
1:51 pm
Cdog
you can discipline children without an “iron rod”. All children and families are different. I hope I never see anyone pull out an iron rod to use on a child. You are right about a lack of discipline and moral character in our kids. More times than not, its a result of low family supervision…
cdog
July 10th, 2012
2:01 pm
kingsdaddy, thats just an expression.iron rod means stern discipline.being firm but fair. the parent has to be in control not the child discipline.never said to use an actual iron rod.read your bible and use common sense.even though some might need an iron rod for real-smile. too many parents give children control. they are just children and have to grow. parents should be grown enough to direct a child in the way they should go but as i said, plenty are worst than the child and need discipline themselves
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
2:04 pm
TrickDawg
How many QBs are being touted for the Heisman this year by the sports media besides Murray?
How many QBs threw for over 3149 yards and 35 TDs?
UGA lost to 4 really good teams last year and could have won two of those.
LeMay will get his shot. Samuel deserves your respect and the bones UGA throws him.
UGA will recover and us fans have to hold it togeather for the team, bro.
Go Dawgs…
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
2:07 pm
Cdog
I’m a Preacher’s Kid, so I understand brother…
TrickDawg
July 10th, 2012
2:17 pm
Why did Richt start Terishinski over Stafford or Samuel over Thomas? Loyatly, team sacrifices? I don’t know, it wasn’t though because they earned it.
TrickDawg
July 10th, 2012
2:20 pm
Murray does have some impressive stats compiled in large part against unranked teams, but Murray has never beat out his other QB’s over the Sprimg scrimmages. Murray has never beat a team with more than 8 wins. This is a TEAM sport, I don’t care how many yards and td’s Murray throws against the New Mexico States, how many wins does murray have against the LSU, Mich St, SC, Boise, and so on.
Murray has never won a game against a team with more than 8 wins. In 2 seasons.
kingdaddy
July 10th, 2012
2:28 pm
Trick
you have the right to your opine, but can you imagine trying to make 80+ kids happy, lol. How about you? Have you ever made a mistake? What if your life was on a TV CHANNEL and a COUPLE-HUNDRED THOUSAND Fans were second guessing every decision you’ve made in the last decade? Think you could make the cut? I know I couldn’t, that’s why I am trying to be patient and understanding. I want to win too, that’s why I’m talking to you and not arguing with you…
LaGrange1975
July 10th, 2012
2:33 pm
@Bill, Read my comments and come again. You know why I posted what I posted? Really? Also, I can take as much heat as the next guy, but I am also educated enough to debate without throwing insults to make my point as some has chosen to do so. Sad part is, some on here blast these kids for their behavior on twitter and other social media. One thing I can say about them (even though I think they shouldn’t) at least they are bold enough to post with their real names and not hide behind their screen names as some own this forum do. As my daughter says “IJS.”
TrickDawg
July 10th, 2012
2:43 pm
If I were in charge, I would notice how the TEAM does when the QB is playing that game. If you have a guy like Murray, who fell apart in the 3rd quarter in the LSU game, you have to be able to look at Murray’s effect on the TEAM, on the defense, special teams, and offense, and say, you know what, right now, Murray needs to sit, defense is getting a short field or docked 6 points for pick 6’s–they are losing heart, o-line is putting hands on hips at all the sacks, backs arn’t running well because we’re not hitting on the deep pass, kicker is missing field goals because we can’t get close enough, punt returners are getting good looks because we have too many 3 and outs, bottom ine, point spread is trending extreme negative right now the more Murray touches the ball, time for Mason (or Lemay).
You’re looking for team chemistry, during the game, what combination of players increase the point spread, and which ones tend to skrink it in big games?
bitter spoiled recruit
July 10th, 2012
2:50 pm
Coach dooly won 6 SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS AND 3 NATIONAL TITLE’S in 21 years as HEAD COACH at UGA. All the while competeing against the greatest Coach, Coach paul from BAMMA
6 OUT OF 21 AGAINST PAUL –AKA–BEAR BRYANT, was the best of any other team in the SEC.
Coach Dooly is loved by all true DAWG FANS—-kingdaddy is spot on when he is confussed
about all the haters who cant wait every mourning to vent there vial spew about a program trying
to operate with integrety–honesty—honor
TDawg
July 10th, 2012
2:51 pm
Good luck IC but it was time to go. Dooley is a class guy and CMR is an even more class guy. Wish all of our guys acted right but most of these guys got put on a pedestal before they got to Athens. GT has less problems cause their players aren’t very good, simple as that.
bitter spoiled recruit
July 10th, 2012
2:53 pm
the reason I stated 3 national title’s,,in referance too bamma counting 14 N.C.