Football notebook: Back to school for Dogs — graduate school in QB Murray’s case
(Updated 9 p.m.)
ATHENS — As fall semester classes began Monday at Georgia, Aaron Murray opened a new chapter in his academic playbook: graduate school.
Georgia’s starting quarterback, who has two seasons of football eligibility remaining, earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in May and was accepted into UGA’s graduate program in industrial-organizational psychology.
“It’s actually a doctorate program,” Murray said. “You get your master’s along the way.”
According to the UGA Department of Psychology website, the graduate program in industrial-organizational psychology “exists to develop, research and apply psychological principles to raise the quality of life for working individuals.”
Said Murray: “It’s a pretty big field nowadays. A lot of companies are hiring I-O psychologists.”
Whether Murray completes a master’s or Ph.D. degree in the foreseeable future might depend on how his other career aspiration unfolds.
He is eligible to enter next year’s NFL draft and has not ruled out that option.
“I’m not going to worry about that [now],” Murray said. “I’m just going to focus on the season, take one game at a time and at the end of the season, I’ll make a decision. Academically, we’ve set a plan for the next two years, what I’m going to do academically and we’ll see what happens.”
If he stays in school, Murray said he “hopefully” can get his master’s in two years and his Ph.D. in an additional two, although, realistically, the NFL figures in there somewhere.
“If I’m blessed to make it to the next level, [great],” Murray said. “If not, I could finish up my doctorate in four years and that would be pretty cool.”
An I-O psychologist, Murray said, “works on things like leadership in organizations, development, relationships between the bosses and the employees … figuring out ways to improve the company in general.”
Murray acknowledged it can be difficult to match the practice schedule of a football player with the academic schedule of a graduate student but said it worked out this semester so that his classes are in the morning three days a week.
Murray, who enrolled at UGA in January 2009, completed his bachelor’s degree in 3 1/2 years. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining because he redshirted in 2009.
‘An honor’ for 7 walk-ons
Georgia coach Mark Richt awarded scholarships for the 2012-13 school year to seven walk-on players over the weekend: fullback Merritt Hall (currently No. 1 on the depth chart at his position), wide receiver Rhett McGowan, tailback Brandon Harton, linebacker Kosta Vavlas and defensive backs Connor Norman, Luis Capella and Blake Sailors.
Harton and Sailors also received scholarships last year. The other five were awarded scholarships for the first time.
Richt announced the scholarships at a team meeting.
“Believe it or not, it’s a bittersweet moment for me,” Richt said Monday, “because as many guys as are getting scholarships, there are a lot that aren’t. And there are a lot of guys deserving. It’s very difficult to narrow it down to the group we narrowed it down to because there are some other young men who are probably just as deserving.
“I even debated if I should do it in a team meeting, because I know as exciting as it is for the guys who get it, it’s kind of heartbreaking for other guys. But when it happens, it is a very positive reaction — the first time I did it in front of the team a few years back, I was just impressed with the team in general and especially the scholarship guys and how excited they were for their teammates to get that honor. And it is an honor to say that you walked on and earned a scholarship somewhere along the way in your career.”
The scholarships were available because of attrition — dismissals and transfers — from the team. Counting former walk-ons, the Bulldogs now have 79 players on scholarship, below the NCAA limit of 85.
No movement on tailback front
Richt said “there’s not a lot of separation” among the top four tailbacks: veterans Ken Malcome and Richard Samuel and freshmen Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley.
“I think they’re all going to get their opportunity to play throughout the year,” Richt said. “Who’s going to be the starter, I don’t know. We’ll be anxious to see all of them, really. I will be.”
Etc.
Richt described Monday’s practice as “not bad, not great, not good enough probably to become a champion today. I think they’re still trying to get it done, but I thought I saw just a little bit of guys not giving it every little ounce they had today. I wouldn’t say it was the entire team, but there was enough of it going on that it wasn’t really that exciting to me.” … Defensive end Ray Drew was back at practice, albeit in a green (no-contact) jersey, after missing a week because of a concussion. … Freshman tight end Ty Flournoy-Smith was limited by a strained hamstring… . Three cornerbacks were in green jerseys: Malcome Mitchell and Branden Smith because of shoulder contusions and Damien Swann because of a neck sprain. … No surprise, but Richt said he expects offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to work from the booth on game days again this season. … Sounds as if freshman John Theus is going to be the starting right tackle. The No. 1 offensive line “for the great majority of all our practices” has included Theus at right tackle, Richt said, “and I think it’s been good.” … If No. 1 left tackle Kenarious Gates were injured, either Watts Dantzler or Theus likely would move there from the right side, Richt said.
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133 comments Add your comment
Mobile Dawg
August 13th, 2012
10:18 pm
Not quite sure why Richt would report that not everyone was giving 100% today, and that he wasn’t really excited about it. That’s a bit of information probably better kept to himself.
otn dawg
August 13th, 2012
10:28 pm
JB youjust hit the nail on the head. David Greene was good but didn’t fair verywell at the pro level. I still love my dawgs though and hope that this team can get it done. Go Dawgs
NJ Dawg
August 13th, 2012
10:39 pm
I doubt Murray’s tall enough for an NFL team to give him a real shot. If he had Mike Vick’s foot speed, it’d be a different matter, but while Murray is mobile for a passing QB and pretty accurate, he doesn’t have the kind of speed or arm strength that would cause teams to overlook his height.
It’s a shame, but there are tons of players whose skill sets were great for college stardom, but left them ill-equipped in the less imaginative NFL.
So GREAT for Murray that he’s making the most of his education!! I hope he proves me wrong and plays well on Sundays for the next decade or more, but it’s awesome that he’s got a backup plan. I’m sure that no matter what his football career holds, he’s going to be a success.
Brewmaster
August 13th, 2012
10:41 pm
Hey NJ Dawg. how tall is Drew Brees ?
Delusional Georgia hater
August 13th, 2012
11:08 pm
It’s not fair that Georgia gets such an easy schedule. They haven’t played a decent team from the West in FOREVER!!
Brian
August 13th, 2012
11:10 pm
I agree, NJ Dawg.
Delusional Georgia hater
August 13th, 2012
11:15 pm
Georgia always gets all the calls go their way! It’s not fair to everyone else. Murray ALWAYS plays bad against good teams. Georgia is the most overrated team in college football and Richt is the worst coach ever, even worse than Houston Nutt.
Delusional Georgia hater
August 13th, 2012
11:17 pm
Grantham only looked good because Martinez was so bad before. He’s so overrated! Georgia has more thugs than anyone and they are the ONLY team that wanted Crowell and Mettenberger!
Delusional Georgia hater
August 13th, 2012
11:19 pm
Gosh, I hate the mutts so much. I hope a bunch of their starters get hurt, but they will lose 6 games regardless.
Delusional Georgia hater
August 13th, 2012
11:23 pm
Where are my fellow haters today? My boy GTBob and a person smart enough to know and of course blackout anyone. I miss you SSI, you are so brilliant and know so much about the evil program in Athens.
ATL Sports Fan
August 13th, 2012
11:43 pm
NJDawg, not sure what NFL organization you worked in that qualifies you to determine whether or not Aaron Murray has the skill set. He was given a mid to 2nd/3rd round draft grade last year by the NFL. I’m pretty sure they know a little more than you do.
smellyfinger
August 14th, 2012
12:43 am
Hey Coach…if they’re not giving 100% in practice..then run gassers till they puke!!! Do you not understand that admitting that they didn’t practice hard…and that there were no repercussions (stated)…just looks soft?
.
CaliDawg
August 14th, 2012
2:08 am
I’m not sure that Murray has an NFL future. But, if someone is going to draft him and give him guaranteed money – he has to take that shot at the next level. This is a big year for Murray to PROTECT the ball and deliver some big wins.
scholarpon
August 14th, 2012
2:26 am
Check out this amazing school fundraiser http://www.scholarpon.com you cant buy daily deals and give back to schools.
Po'ed Up like Isiahhh
August 14th, 2012
2:29 am
52 in 4 years… that really is sad. Rev. Richt, that Christian saint he is, is the beacon of discipline in football. LMAO
WDE
August 14th, 2012
6:41 am
Congrats to A Murray glad to see you get the degree and then keep planning for the future. DGD !
Woofy One
August 14th, 2012
6:46 am
Murray is exceptionally committed. He spends 35 to 40 hours a week outside of class on football. I believe he will have an even better year this year.
Jimmy Crack
August 14th, 2012
6:51 am
“What I want to see LESS of of Murray this year. After releasing a pass, both his hands on his helmet with that ” I can’t believe I did that look” on his face.”
Exactly. Seen that too many times.
PHD or no PHD, he still throws too many ill-timed interceptions. He must work on that.
AAAAA Athens Bail Bonds R Us
August 14th, 2012
7:58 am
Any more dawgs arrested today?
Old Dawg
August 14th, 2012
8:02 am
52 arrests in four years: You must live in a really deep hole with a rock over it. Yes, UGA has had numerous players arrested and many have been kicked off the team.
This is a story about a student-athlete accomplishing his academic goals while also being an SEC athlete. The schedule is difficult and the scrutiny from fans and the media intense. Yet, Murray graduated and is working on his Master’s, which isn’t easy to do.
I’m sure. So sure. That you have equal success in your life. That’s why you ridicule someone who’s working very hard to make a positive impact with his life.
Folks like you are beyond pathetic!
Southern Belle
August 14th, 2012
8:11 am
At least this young man is taking his education seriously. A lot more than some. If your education is handed to you free at least make an effort. And he has. I am proud to be a bulldog fan today.
Lindsey
August 14th, 2012
8:17 am
Nice to read about a Dawg taking advantage of the great opportunity given to him with school and football. I hope Aaron has his best season yet, GO DAWGS!!
Joey
August 14th, 2012
8:31 am
“Aaron Murray does not have a signature win at UGA. Sorry, he doesn’t. I ‘m pulling for him, But he won’t even get drafted unless he has a big turn around ( personally at the position) this year”
********************************************
JB, our boy Greene had bunches of big wins, and I can’t think of another college player who played any better under extreme pressure (maybe Tebow?) than him. And basically no NFL career. So, I don’t think that winning or even big yards and TD passes have anything to do with getting drafted. Performing well at the NFL Combine is the ticket. Footspeed, athletic ability, and arm strength/accuracy will be what decides Murray’s NFL fate.
Murray was MVP at the Elite-11 three years ago, which included USC’s Barkley and UT’s Gilbert. This summer Murray impressed the Manning brothers at their camp.
Murray obviously has the physical skills. Hopefully Bobo helps him round out the rest – his reads, audibles, and protecting the ball. It would help also to have better protection from the O-line.
kingdaddy
August 14th, 2012
8:32 am
Aaron is a DGD with a very good head on his shoulders. He will be very successful in life and will represent UGA well after his college career is over…
gt4ever
August 14th, 2012
8:44 am
The kid is a winner! Period…
Gator Mike
August 14th, 2012
8:47 am
Murray’s personal goals are very impressive, and I salute him. He is using moore common sense in looking at his future than most athletes.
He is obviously a class act which should make all DAWG Fans proud. I wish we had someone like him at UF.
Vince Drooley
August 14th, 2012
8:50 am
Will someone get the word to SimpleDawg that Tommy Lyons did not become a dentist while in pro football. He became an MD and eventually an Ob-Gyn specialising in sophisticated state of the art reproduction corrective surgery-not bad for a plodding offensive lineman, I should think!
dawgfan
August 14th, 2012
8:51 am
I bet Murray gets in to coaching. Maybe he’ll even be our coach one day. Who knows.
Grits
August 14th, 2012
8:56 am
A Phd in industrial-organizational psychology! Wow that’s almost as good as a Phd in underwater basket weaving at Univ of Mami!
LHarding Dawg
August 14th, 2012
9:03 am
Grits – What would your PHD be in?
Shug
August 14th, 2012
9:20 am
Hhhmmmm, graduated in 3.5 years with a psychology degree. Reminds me of all those Duke basketball players who graduate in 3 years with a sociology major. Or, for comparison purposes only, those Florida State scholar-athletes who always seem to major in criminology.
Can we all agree that there are certain courses of study at certain schools that are not academically rigorous.
1eyedJack
August 14th, 2012
9:31 am
Shug, I think we can all agree that you are a complete knucklehead.
BC
August 14th, 2012
9:41 am
Murray compares favorably to Brees so far.
Both made it to the Elite 11 in High School.
Brees’ numbers in his first 2 seasons at Purdue:
62% accurate, 64 td’s, 32 interceptions
Murray’s numbers in his first 2 seasons at UGA:
60% accurate, 59 td’s, 22 interceptions
Kind of surprised Murray didn’t get invited to the Heisman Ceremony last season, considering his numbers.
If Murray puts up Drew Brees kind of numbers for the 3rd straight year, and isn’t in Heisman top 5 finalist, something’s amuck.
You get the feeling the ESPN guys don’t like UGA, for whatever reason.
Mobile Dawg
August 14th, 2012
9:44 am
Is it possible for Murray to have a huge year which would obviously benefit his draft potential, and see the Dawgs develop the dominating running game most of us would like to see? My concern is Richt and Bobo will see the need to pat Murrays stats. Personally, I’m glad to see Murray getting his education, but could care less if he is NFL caliber or not. I would just like to see him manage the games, and win, rather than be a spectacular QB. You can’t spell the word team with the letter “I”.
d-man
August 14th, 2012
9:50 am
Can someone tell me what GATA means? Thanks!
Shug
August 14th, 2012
10:04 am
d-man, among other things (probably), GATA means Georgia Athletics Trainers Association.
1eyedJack, you are too kind.
BC
August 14th, 2012
10:04 am
One way for Murray to lock Heisman top 5 finalists, is best Drew Brees Sr yr Purdue #’s:
3400 yards, 24 td’s, 12 interceptions, 60% accurate.
If Murray goes dramatically better than Brees Sr season at Purdue, he’s a top 5 Heisman lock:
3425 yards, 30 td’s, 10 interceptions, 65% accurate
Murray goes up against SEC defenses, so that kind of season would be remarkable.
Mobile Dawg
August 14th, 2012
10:12 am
So again the question, why do we keep signing the nations top prospects at tailback, if we’re concerned about our QB putting up Heisman numbers? And no dominant OL in recent memory.
BC
August 14th, 2012
10:15 am
Murray’s numbers are all the more remarkable when you consider he went against 10 top 30 pass defenses in 2011.
Murray will face 8 top 30 pass defenses in 2012. Imagine if he puts up Drew Brees type of numbers, going against 8 top 30 pass defenses.
These teams, on the UGA 2012, all finished in the top 30 in pass defense in 2012:
South Carolina, Florida, Tenn, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Miss St and Ga Tech
Mobile Dawg
August 14th, 2012
10:21 am
The only numbers I’m concerned about Murray putting up are W’s, and the final ranking he leads the Dawgs to. In doing that, I hope he’s extremely successful, but not at the expense of the rest of the team, aka, Stafford.
BC
August 14th, 2012
10:34 am
It would be smarter to recruit fullbacks, running backs, offensive lineman, and tight ends, that played on teams with great passing offenses, as they would excel at passblocking.
UGA will always be under Mark Richt a pass first team, it’s Richt’s strength, so why not design recruiting personel around it?
Getting guys like Crowell, Thomas, King, Marshall, who are small and fast, doesn’t help the passing game from a blocking standpoint.
Looks like Richt is kind of starting to do that by moving Samuel to fullback, and Malcome and Gurley back there with their big bodies, they should be excellent passblockers.
Tana
August 14th, 2012
10:43 am
Pretty easy to get in UGA grad school when you are on the football team….UGA shoud have left some spots open for real psychologists.
BC
August 14th, 2012
10:43 am
Murray increased his win totals from 6 wins in 2010, to 10 wins in 2011, so he seems to be on the right track. Also beat 2 top 25 ranked teams in Auburn & GT and beat some teams with winning records like Florida and Miss St, Murray had done neither in 2010, so he is winning more games, and beating better teams.
Pitbull
August 14th, 2012
10:46 am
Did you guys hear about the 7 inmates that escaped from prison in Spartanburg?
Two were captured in North Carolina.
Two were captured in Tennesse.
Three were signed by Steve Spurrier and are living in a really nice hotel in Columbia.
Mobile Dawg
August 14th, 2012
10:47 am
Agree with your 10:43. I just want to see him be more efficient at managing the game. We all like to see the quick strike occasionally, I just don’t think it’s the best formula for consistency. That pass first philosophy of Richt you speak of is one of the major reasons I’m not really a fan or Richt the Coach.
WDE
August 14th, 2012
10:48 am
@Tana you know I think you won Troll of the Day with that spewage!
AltamahaDawg
August 14th, 2012
10:51 am
“blocking” as it relates to the passing game is not blocking in traditional sense, so the only function that size plays in it is that he can’t get run over. What is requiredfrom a RB, is to pick up a blitz, (a quick move) not push somebody forward. So the guys you mention seem more suited FOR that job, than some bigger slower RB, it would seem to me.
BC
August 14th, 2012
11:01 am
Richt is moving to more traditional tight end bodies, bigger, better passblockers than receivers. Richt is re-engineering the offense for a passing onslaught in 2012. You can tell, something big is brewing and it’s about to be unleashed.
shankit
August 14th, 2012
11:09 am
How did Drew Brees do in his last bowl game with Purdue?
AltamahaDawg
August 14th, 2012
11:11 am
I think the re-engineer was actually last year. This year is just going to be refining that. Still a 60/40 run to pass ratio, but a lot more plays, faster tempo. We just didn’t talk much about it last year for a couple of reasons.
1. It wasn’t all that effective till a few games in.
2. It would have required the fans to have actually said something good about Coach Bobo’s efforts.