Finebaum gives mutts a shot

[GiveEmHellJackets]

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Richt teetering on hot seat[/FONT]


[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Tuesday, July 21, 2009 [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]A year ago, Mark Richt was the star attraction at SEC Media Days. His Georgia Bulldogs were the preseason No. 1 pick in the land. His backfield rivaled any in the nation. Life was good for the (then) 48-year-old coach with two SEC titles and five top-10 finishes in seven seasons. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]However, his eighth year at Georgia was a house of horrors. It started with "The Blackout" against Alabama, which saw the Tide jump out to a 31-0 halftime lead. Five weeks later, Florida eviscerated the Bulldogs 49-10. They ended the regular season with a pungent loss to Georgia Tech. Even though Georgia won the Capital One Bowl to finish with a solid 10-3 record, it was too little, too late. The damage was done and fans have been grumbling ever since. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The sound has not been thundering or unremitting, but it has been enough to make some key followers of the program wonder if a small problem couldn't lead to a bigger one down the road for Richt, whose name has never been synonymous with hotseat. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So what's the problem? How can a man who has done so much find himself entering the SEC's dark side of the moon? [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]For starters, if you don't think it can happen, just ask Phillip Fulmer and Tommy Tuberville. Over the last few years, both have arrived in late July for SEC Media Days with many veteran observers scoffing at talk of trouble. Both were taken out last year in spite of a national title for Fulmer and a perfect season for Tuberville, to say nothing of long-term contracts for both. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]So why are fans beginning to grow restless about Richt, a man with a record of 82-22 (.788) and who by all accounts is an exemplary human being? You hear some complain about him not being tough enough as Georgia has had widespread discipline issues. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Others point to the two best coaches in the league — Urban Meyer and Nick Saban — as the way to go in terms of steely determination, a ruthless no bend or break approach. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]However, the one thing you hear more than any concern is the national championship. There is a feeling among some in the Georgia fan base that Richt simply can't get it done. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]When you factor in that Georgia just lost the No. 1 pick in the draft (Matthew Stafford at quarterback) and the No. 12 player (Knowshon Moreno at running back), it's difficult to imagine the Bulldogs will get a better shot than 2008. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Then, there is Florida. Big bad Florida. In recent years, Florida has owned the Bulldogs. Since 1990 (the year Steve Spurrier arrived), Florida has won 16 out of 19. Richt is a paltry 2-6 against the Gators. What's even worse is Urban Meyer has won two national titles, further rubbing salt in Georgia's open, gaping wound. [/FONT]


Another potential landmine could be Georgia Tech — the most unlikely of all suspects.
Beating Florida is tough. Beating Tech is a must. Which is why the loss to Tech last season — the first since 2000 — was so agonizing, especially, when you consider the Bulldogs coughed up a 16-point lead. Also, for the first time in years, there is a heightened buzz about the Tech program under Paul Johnson, who is widely respected among knowledgeable football observers.
There are threats from other places as well. Certainly, Tennessee is already more formidable on the recruiting trail under Lane Kiffin. And it's possible that Auburn — under Gene Chizik — could be a tougher recruiting foe as well. With two straight season openers at the Georgia Dome, Saban is stealing Georgia players for Alabama as well.


Under most circumstances, some could say Richt should be able to straighten things out. However, the prospects of things getting worse before they get better are fairly real.
Take Georgia's schedule — please.
Nobody has a tougher start than the Bulldogs, beginning at Oklahoma State, a preseason top-10 team, followed by South Carolina, at Arkansas, home games against Arizona State and LSU before road games at Tennessee and an expected loss to Florida in Jacksonville. The rest of the schedule has home games against Tennessee Tech, Auburn, Kentucky and the finale at Georgia Tech.
Should Georgia stumble out of the gate, expect the pressure to intensify on Richt. Fair or unfair, it's the reality of college football.
And if you don't think Georgia fans can fall completely out of love with Richt, Tommy Tuberville and Phillip Fulmer have plenty of time on their hands right now to tell you how it's done.

Contact Paul Finebaum at:
at finebaumnet@yahoo.com
His column appears on Tuesdays in the Press-Register.

 

[Xihix]

Awesome, awesome.

 

[Rodzilla]

Personally, I don't want to see him go. I want him to leave with a few more losses to GT on his record.

 

[TechinItEasy]

I hear Patrick Nix is available.

 

[Allen Koholic]

And so it begins.

I have no problem with Richt leaving sooner rather than later. Who are they going to get to replace him?

They could realistically win 8 games this season, and Richt may get fired.

 

[PerfectOption]

And so it begins.

I have no problem with Richt leaving sooner rather than later. Who are they going to get to replace him?

They could realistically win 8 games this season, and Richt may get fired.

Re-hire the "Hall of Famer" Donnan...

 

[turbanicusgt]

Honestly, what are the odds he gets fired after this season? Really? Come on now. It would take a bit more than a loss to Tech and then a mediocre season to get rid of a "saint"...he'd have to do something with the choir boys first...

 

[Allen Koholic]

Honestly, what are the odds he gets fired after this season? Really? Come on now. It would take a bit more than a loss to Tech and then a mediocre season to get rid of a "saint"...he'd have to do something with the choir boys first...

In a normal, rational fanbase, I'd agree. But mutt-nation seems to be losing it. I think if UGA loses to us and UF again, then Richt will either have to lose his henchmen, or he's gone.

And I will love it.

 

[GTLiebs]

In a normal, rational fanbase, I'd agree. But mutt-nation seems to be losing it. I think if UGA loses to us and UF again, then Richt will either have to lose his henchmen, or he's gone.

And I will love it.

That might depend on how much we hang on em.

 

[BioJacket06]

If he has a bad season this year Martinez goes. If he strings together 3 mediocre seasons then he will go.

With the recruits he is bringing in there is no excuse for 3 bad seasons in a row. I just dont see it happening.

 

[MeatWrench]

the dawgs stand to lose at least 4 games this year and martinez career as a dawg is officially in zombie status(dead but doesnt know it yet). I talked to some ugaggers at the bar last night and they were visibly worried behind their 'we dont rebuild, we just reload' facade. Its amazing how demoralized a program can be after a 10 win season.. after how many 10 win seasons in a row?..5? whats gonna happen when they only win 8? What a fickle sport it is when a 78% winning percentage over 8 years with two SEC titles is 'not getting it done'

 

[Allen Koholic]

the dawgs stand to lose at least 4 games this year and martinez career as a dawg is officially in zombie status(dead but doesnt know it yet). I talked to some ugaggers at the bar last night and they were visibly worried behind their 'we dont rebuild, we just reload' facade. Its amazing how demoralized a program can be after a 10 win season.. after how many 10 win seasons in a row?..5? whats gonna happen when they only win 8? What a fickle sport it is when a 78% winning percentage over 8 years with two SEC titles is 'not getting it done'

Yea, it's amazing what happens when a preseason #1 gets hammered at home during Black Out night, takes it in the backdoor from their "real rival" and gives up 26 in a quarter in a rivalry that "doesn't even matter anymore". UGA fans want to believe that their school is important in the college football landscape, and after having two top 15 players leave with absolutely nothing to show for it, they're upset. They think with their talent and *trying to say this straight faced* "rich football tradition" they should have won something by now. So, they'll blame Martinez first, then Richt. Funny thing is, with the exception of the season that they had 14 guys playing in the backfield all named Hershell, they haven't had anything worth anything, and without Richt, they won't again.

 

[GT to AZ]

Funny thing is, with the exception of the season that they had 14 guys playing in the backfield all named Hershell, they haven't had anything worth anything, and without Richt, they won't again.

Can the NCAA forfeit that season since we now know they cheated and had too many players on the field every time he was in the game?

 

[GTLiebs]

What a fickle sport it is when a 78% winning percentage over 8 years with two SEC titles is 'not getting it done'

There is also the fact that you have to be worried about stagnation. It's true that Richt has done well there but after last season they have to wonder if there is ever going to be any real improvement. A fairly similar (remember similar, not exact) thing happened to Chan Gailey. After a solid (but still mediocre) 4 years he gets a 9 win season and a trip to the ACC championship game. What follows that? More mediocrity. Stagnant.
That is what might happen to Richt. Sure you might keep getting 9/10 win seasons but if you can't get more than what's the point? Like players on our team have said, they're here to win championships, not percentages and AP News rankings.

 

[GTLiebs]

Can the NCAA forfeit that season since we now know they cheated and had too many players on the field every time he was in the game?

But it was all an accident and misunderstanding. Herschel didn't know that Herschel was the one who was suppose to be on the field and in the confusion Herschel also slipped into the backfield unnoticed.

 

[MeatWrench]

There is also the fact that you have to be worried about stagnation. It's true that Richt has done well there but after last season they have to wonder if there is ever going to be any real improvement. A fairly similar (remember similar, not exact) thing happened to Chan Gailey. After a solid (but still mediocre) 4 years he gets a 9 win season and a trip to the ACC championship game. What follows that? More mediocrity. Stagnant.
That is what might happen to Richt. Sure you might keep getting 9/10 win seasons but if you can't get more than what's the point? Like players on our team have said, they're here to win championships, not percentages and AP News rankings.

Please god dont drag gailey into this

Finishing in the top ten five years in a row (until last year) is a pretty good place to be stagnant. The only other team with that kind of stat is USCw. Pretty good company. Also, owning your in-state rival and really only struggling against the juggernaut that is UF is a pretty good place to be stagnant. You cant expect to just go undefeated every year. If you maintain the 10 win mark year in and year out, then you are already on a great platform to make a run for number one, they just missed their shot last year. If they pull the plug on Richt, who knows who could show up.. hopefully a black and red version of B*** L****.. but either way i wouldnt expect to see steady ten win seasons again for two years or more (hopefully never) depending on a myriad of circumstances concerning cleaning house on your coaching staff.

(didnt fact check five years, but im certain five is in the ballpark, it was an Aflac trivia question during the '08 GTvUGAg game)

 

[GTLiebs]

Please god dont drag gailey into this

Finishing in the top ten five years in a row (until last year) is a pretty good place to be stagnant. The only other team with that kind of stat is USCw. Pretty good company. Also, owning your in-state rival and really only struggling against the juggernaut that is UF is a pretty good place to be stagnant. You cant expect to just go undefeated every year. If you maintain the 10 win mark year in and year out, then you are already on a great platform to make a run for number one, they just missed their shot last year. If they pull the plug on Richt, who knows who could show up.. hopefully a black and red version of B*** L****.. but either way i wouldnt expect to see steady ten win seasons again for two years or more (hopefully never) depending on a myriad of circumstances concerning cleaning house on your coaching staff.

(didnt fact check five years, but im certain five is in the ballpark, it was an Aflac trivia question during the '08 GTvUGAg game)

I agree it is a very nice place to be stuck at but there are two things to be mentioned:
1. Of course we would view their 10 win season as a great place to be stuck at. We haven't had that kind of success in a long time. But from their perspective things might be quite different and that's why I brought up Gailey (only bringing him up to prove a point). Where he had us was much better than where we were not too long ago with B*** L**** but he stayed there for so long the success of it stopped impressing and we went with someone who could take us further.
2. Even if their program is in a comparatively great place, you think fans, alumni and such want things to just be constant every year? Unless what you are constant at is a championship level then you will not last long running a program that has been revealed as stagnant (revealed being the key word, something that might of been shown a little bit from Georgia last year).

 

[samsgt02]

Three losses in a row to us and UF may do it for Richt. However, I think UGA will be better this year than most people think. I hate to say it, but they're always loaded. Probably 9-3 (OSU, UF, & GT) will be as low as they get. They will beat LSU. They do have superior talent than most schools, plus it's not like they play Urban Meyer or PJ every game.

 

[GTLiebs]

Three losses in a row to us and UF may do it for Richt. However, I think UGA will be better this year than most people think. I hate to say it, but they're always loaded. Probably 9-3 (OSU, UF, & GT) will be as low as they get. They will beat LSU. They do have superior talent than most schools, plus it's not like they play Urban Meyer or PJ every game.

I wouldn't be so sure about them beating LSU, depends on whether they decide to have a Blackout or not (if yes, it'll be like Bama all over again).

 

[Jerry the Jacket]

Paul Johnson will send . . .

. . . the Reverend Richt to the unemployment line. They power in the State of Georgia has already shifted. It is now only a matter of time.

Go Jackets!

PS - If Miami comes calling on Richt he better jump on that train or he will get left at the station much like HOF'er Donnan.