The Bulldogs dismal 7-9 showing in the SEC the past two years has many Dawg faithful worried. They had a terrible start in 2010, losing to the likes of Colorado and Mississippi State (At the time, Mississippi State had yet to begin their banner year). When A.J. Green came back from suspension, Georgia turned things around and finished 5-3 - but it was too little too late. If the season wasn't bad enough, the UGA faithful had to be shocked again when their Dawgs had a lackluster performance in a 10-6 loss to Central Florida in the prestigious Liberty Bowl (I didn't even hear about this bowl last year). So, what should Georgia do with Richt if the team struggles this season?
If Georgia loses to Boise and South Carolina, they have to give Richt walking papers! I mean seriously, how can Georgia keep around a man with his record of service over the last ten years if he has 2 mediocre years, and loses to two highly ranked teams to start the season? In this world of "what have you done for me lately?" he cannot stick around, and he has no excuses - considering he has hauled in top ten recruiting classes every year of his tenure (except 2010). Plus, his 3.5 million dollar salary is way too much for a coach who hasn't won a National Title, right? It's time for the Dawgs to move on and get someone that can put those recruiting classes to better use... Right?
If you really believe all that, you are certifiably insane, or on some serious drugs.
Richt should not be feeling any heat about losing his job at this point, even if UGA drops their first two games. In fact, unless this season is a total disaster, Richt shouldn't feel any warmth in his chair at all. What Richt has done at Georgia is nothing short of phenomenal, and should at least buy him a couple more years.
Seriously, who do you Dawg fans think you are? You act like UGA is historically a national power, among the likes of Oklahoma, Texas, Notre Dame, and USC. It's time to trim the hedges, and look out into the world to see where Georgia realistically fits into the college football landscape. They win one National Title 30 years ago, and the city of Athens thinks they're an elite program. News flash - BYU did the same thing too about thirty years ago. (Though they do have a network now!). No disrespect to the Georgia faithful, but, come on! No, really, come on! Instead of calling for Richt's head, you should be strongly supporting a man who in the last ten years has made Georgia relevant again.
Let's look at Richt's body of work and let the facts speak for themselves. Richt's overall record the last ten years is 96-34, and he is one of only 7 coaches to have 90 wins in their first nine seasons. If the .738 win percentage, placing him 4th among active coaches, isn't good enough, how about 6 seasons of double digit wins? Do I need to remind you he's done this year in and year out in the strongest conference, the SEC? Prior to Richt's arrival, Georgia hadn't won an SEC crown in 20 years. All Richt's done is take them to three SEC title games and won two of them. He's also taken the Dawgs to ten bowl games, including two Sugar Bowl wins. (Albeit against Notre Dame and Hawaii). Even if you aren't impressed with his numbers, what about the 201 players he's graduated? (Sadly this rarely factors in with fans). Rather than making plans on when to get rid of this guy, maybe the school and the alumni need to hire a sculptor so they can build a proper likeness of the man and place it near the stadium.
Don't get me wrong Georgia fans, UGA runs a good program. The fans have every right to be upset about the last two seasons, but talk of firing Richt is absolutely ludicrous. Despite last year's disappointment, Dawg fans have a lot to look forward to this season. Georgia signed one of the best recruiting classes in years (top 5), which includes one of the best freshman backs in Isaiah Crowell. Crowell will help improve a running game that was nearly absent last season (10th in the SEC). Quarterback Aaron Murray returns from an impressive freshman year, more seasoned and confident, albeit without wide-out A.J. Green. Don't forget, Richt has an amazing record with Georgia quarterbacks. Green, Shockley, and Stafford ring a bell?
All in all, the offense will still struggle with only 5 returning starters, but the defense will be strong with their nucleus returning. The good news is Georgia is in the weaker SEC East. This is a program that is a year away from a stellar season. Don't get me wrong, the Dawgs will have their hands full this weekend and the next, but let's not be too quick to write Richt off, even if they do lose those two games. Before Richt arrived, the only thing Georgia was known for was their cute mascot Uga and their hedges.
Richt has also managed to avoid the scandals that have plagued the rest of College Football. (As far as we know.)
ReplyDeleteThis guy [the author] should be on ESPN! He knows his stuff and tells it like it is! Great blog, man!
ReplyDeleteI know I am a week behind with this response; however, it is never too late to agree.
ReplyDelete1. Yes, PhunAttic "This guy should be on ESPN!" We (football fans) have been jonesing for the Korean-Missourian perspective for years. The only problem with placing this man on ESPN is that then the rest of the nation would whine and complain about his "Mid-East Bias."
2. The term "Hot Seat" is one of the most overused and trite expressions used in sports today. Every time I hear it tossed around (by a fan, especially), I am reminded by the first advice my father gave me about becoming a coach: "There are only two types of coaches...A coach that has been fired, and a coach that will be fired." Trust me, no one knows more than Richt that his job is tied to wins and losses. Using the term “Hot Seat” is just a method used by fans to mask their internal sadness that accompanies the fact that their team is not the biggest, baddest, horse in the corral…as if all of a sudden their inability to belly up to a foe at the local sports bar and shout “my daddy can beat up your daddy” means that a man must lose his job. Unfortunately for men like Richt (and Pinkel too), they have given new life to many boisterous fans (myself included). Now those men MUST PAY for taking those men’s masculinity away (myself not included).
3. Now to the Dawgs and UGA Nation…Joshua J. is correct in his analysis of the past 20 years, and I would like to add these thoughts…
Can anyone tell me who won the 1990 National Championship? WRONG BEEFALO FANS!! It was the Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech. The fact that the AP writers believed a loss to Illinois, a tie with Tennessee, and a jacked up “make-a-wish foundation” style 5th down win against MIZZOU a decent enough resume to even consider Colorado good enough to be in the same conversation as Bobby Ross’ ACC Champions is laughable, ridiculous, and insulting.
Living with my biological father in the Atlanta area in the 90’s was a difficult time for me. We were often at odds with each other. This father/son rivalry found it’s way into all aspects of life…especially football. He was a colonel in the Army…so I rooted for Navy…he naturally gravitated to the intellects of Georgia Tech…so I became a Dawg. The problem being that Georgia wasn’t even the best team in their own state. My father would often remind me of the facts:
Georgia Tech is one of the winningest programs of all time (in the top 20 I believe). They have won 4 National Championships…16 Conference Championships (5 of which were SEC Championships that Bulldog fans don’t even want to talk about)…and have a 22-15 bowl record. So if the Yellow Jackets are the premier program in the beautiful Peach State, then why so much growling over the Dawgs? Here’s why:
Sanford Stadium Rules (that’s right, still grass, yo), Athens (home of R.E.M.) Rules, UGA the Mascot Rules, Herschel Rules, Buying Bulldog Gear Rules (one of the most profitable/marketable teams in the nation), Having 3 Super Bowl MVP’s Rules (Ward, Davis, Scott), All the Rivalries Rule (every game is a rivalry with UGA…can you get pumped up for the GT/Maryland game??? What?), and Mark Richt Rules. He has given us something to crow about. He is a class act that has made UGA relevant on a national scale.
Those of us that know Joshua J. will recognize the adage “what have you done for me lately.” College Football is a “what have you done for me lately” type of business, and Mark Richt lately done much for UGA. So, let this be a reminder to UGA and MIZZOU fans alike (yes, I have heard Pinkel’s name too…how soon people for get, pre-Larry Smith), the mere fact that I have dedicated almost 1,000 words today to the Tigers and Dawgs, proves that those coaches have earned at least one more year : )