Contract Talk for Mark Richt

dawg_fans_dad, as wild as Bob Knight was, sometimes carried it too far, grabbing players and throwing chairs, back in the day he was not the only one.

Same can be said for the way football is played now versus many years ago. Feel sure that many have watched the movie featuring the lifestyle of Bear Bryant when he was the coach at TAM. Below is a portion of an interview with Gene Stallings.

My problem with the way our team has been coached is in my opinion the lack of tenacity and togetherness that I witnessed under Erk. While I do know that Mark Richt is a good man, that does not always win the championships that we "feel" have evaded us because of what I call . . . . "follow the leader mentality". Unless I am totally wrong and others seem to see the same characteristics, it appears to me that our "under belly" is a bit soft.

Going back a few steps, the Bob Knights, the Bear Bryants, the Nick Sabans cared deeply for their players, difference being, when you walked on the court or the football field there was never any doubt as to whether or not you had been coached to the "limit". Hope that makes sense. Going to add this, appears to me after watching Butch Jones, head coach at Tennessee, he has those qualities, and I do think the right word is qualities.

When I look at successful teams, it is easy enough to see the inspired leadership that makes them successful. I believe that successful football or basketball teams are sometimes taught the military way . . . . break them down, then build them up. Has worked for our military, and some sports teams.

I also understand that this day and time, certain things are no longer permitted, and the young men of today live different life styles than us older folks.

What I fail to see in Mark Richt is that "leadership" that I sometimes mention on this board. Your quote citing Bum Phillips describes the Bryants, Knights and Sabans perfectly. Guess I won't be satisfied with the coaching in Athens until I see very talented young players stepping up and joining the ranks mentioned above. That does take leadership.

I also believe we serve our purpose better when we look at how things are not what we hope for year after year.

Tomorrow for example. I hope Hutson Mason comes out and lights it up. Shows that there is enough arm strength to "deep ball". It is only fair to be judged on our previous efforts. Will stop, could go on forever.

Gene Stallings, a Junction Boy who later went on to coach at Texas A&M, in the NFL with with the St. Louis (now Arizona) Cardinals and then at Alabama, disputed the way both "The Junction Boys" book and movie portrayed Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. In a September 2006 interview with Tuscaloosa Magazine, Stallings had this to say: "Junction, Texas, was tough, but I didn't like the way the book...and movie portrayed Coach Bryant. He wasn't brutal; he was tough. That's a big difference. He wanted to bring us together, away from distractions, unite the team."

When I think of toughness, have to look no further than Todd Gurley. No soft under belly there.

Buc wrote: Something else that gets my attention. Mike Bobo is our offensive coordinator, and our quarterback coach. Since Bobo was given the title of offensive coordinator, has anyone looked at the problems we have had at the quarterback position?

We run the pro style offense and just exactly where are we at when looking at the quarterback position in 2014? What could be a problem at the position . . . . just pop up this season? Check what has happened since Bobo was given the title of offensive coordinator. Is that harsh? It is if you can live with the fact that even though we had AM for a long time, one would think that our quarterback coach would be further along.

If Mike Bobo felt he had the quarterback position covered, so we could win what Mark Richt refers to every year as winning the East, it has to be explained to me in great detail what Bobo has to say about our place in the SEC now. What are the questions coming from the press and other media sources? Probably most of the conversations after the greatness of Todd Gurley, focus concern on the player that is considered by most to be the leader. Play does not start until the quarterback "barks".

As an offensive coordinator, I truly believe that Mike Bobo is chasing his tail. One thing for sure, a lot of Georgia supporters have their eyes fixed on the rest of this season. One positive, we don't have to face Steve Spurrier again.

Tried my best to get on board with Mike Bobo, but I am beginning to believe that sadlerdawg and ogredawg are spot on. I say that for this reason . . . . with the talent that is on campus, and the way we recruit, we should put points on the board. For damn sure we should have a passing game.

Have to say this . . . . Saban hired Kiffin, many wanted to say that Saban had lost his marbles. Alabama with Kiffin is going to do some things that have not been done in Tuscaloosa, ever. Nick Saban really understands what it takes. Also a shout out to wlayton, he understood that Derrick Henry was "all that" some years back. Henry in my opinion will cause "huge problems" for Ole Miss on Saturday. This is the kind of game that a "real offensive coordinator" like Kiffin proves the point that Nick Saban made when he hired the brash young man. By the way, appears that the "quarterback position" has been resolved in Tuscaloosa.

Here is where I am at. Nick Saban has the defensive coordinator that he wants, now he has the offensive coordinator that he wanted and got.

Takes me to this . . . . Saban is head and shoulders above Mark Richt. That also is not ugly. If anyone has a problem with that, proves to me that 8 win seasons are acceptable to those that hate to admit something is not quite right in Athens.

Correct me if I am wrong. The talking heads said that Georgia would be one of the final four.

The people behind the money are happy with adequate and a stable program which is exactly what we have with Richt/Bobo. Why else would CMR want Bobo to take his place when he decides it is time to retire? Bobo is being "groomed" as the hier apparent just like Goff was...

Sadler was way way ahead of me on Bobo. We lost our "coach" on the field so Bobo's weakness is really showing in such a short time span this year. I have said all along our problems went a lot deeper that grantham...

Personally feel that whoever replaces Mark Richt will have to have some of the showman characteristics. Have to have an "out front man" to get the outsiders into the tent. Mike Bobo is not covered up with personality.

Don't see Mark Richt leaving after the present contract is finished. Would not be surprised to see Jeremy Pruitt leave. Strong recruiting year going into 2015, talent already in Athens. Pruitt will be the one to leave, will have another strong defensive unit when his contract expires, strike while the fire is hot.

Buc,

My answer to your original question is NO as well; I'm ready for a change at Head Coach but it will have to wait until 2017 barring a major change of plans from either CMR or the ADMIN. In lieu of knowing this, I plan to support the Dawgs to my fullest ability & enjoy each second of Georgia football because I have literally a 0% stake in deciding CMR's retirement &/or replacement date.

That said, I really don't get the Bobo bashing by some in here based on the 2014 season (NOT the past) except for the last drive of the USC game on 1st & goal from the 4 yd. line which has already been discussed here ad nauseum.

I'm far from Bobo's #1 fan & if you sit in or near Sec. 326 at Sanford you've probably heard me yell "COME ON BOBO" at least once per game for nearly the past 10 years now.

In my opinion, Bobo has done a great job of recognizing the strength of our team thus far is definitely the power running game & not the passing game much to my pleasant surprise; hence Bobo has called 171 rushes vs. only 98 passes (64%/26%). He's ALWAYS been too pass happy in his tenure for my liking.

Also, in the 1 game we LOST, I would assign blame to the 3 phases in the following order from most culpable to least culpable as follows:

1) Defense - Gave up 38 points & 4 TD drives of 75 yds. / In the 1st half alone, gave up 24 pts. & allowed USC to control the clock to the tune of approx. 18 min. vs. only 12 min. for UGA's O.
2) Special Teams - Missed 2 FGs (1 - 44 yds. / 1 - 28 yds. aka a chip shot)
3) Offense - Yep, should have scored a TD after the D created a TO & gave us a 4 yd. field but the O scored 35 (ST should have made it 38 if not 41) & only PUNTED 2 times out of 10 offensive possessions. I'd take that punt ratio ALL YEAR LONG if offered & would be seeing all of you in the Playoffs!

For the 2014 season our O has the following stats:

45.3 pts. per game - 2nd most game in the SEC behind only TxA&M
300.3 rushing yds. per game - 2nd most in the SEC behind only Arkansas
463 total yds. per game - 8th most in the SEC due to low Passing yds. per game (can't wait to see MM & JSW on Sat.)

Not seeing MUCH to yell at Bobo about in the above figures. Sure, if the passing game doesn't improve w/our WRs FINALLY healthy (fingers crossed) then maybe I start to raise my concerns about our OC; then again if HM starts misfiring passes to wide-open WRs I'd venture to say we have a QB problem more than an OC problem...just MY 2 cents

GO DAWGS!!!

GooseDawg78 good post peel the onion and you see there are many moving parts to make it all work

A bunch more football to be played this year

There will be time to ponder all this come the off season

Mean while..... Go Dawgs Understand there is zero pink paint left at any of the Athens 2 Walmart's

Pink Out at Sanford.... as my wife is a two time breast cancer survivor could not be prouder

Good to hear from you Goose don't stay gone so long.....please

Goose, first things first. Excellent post, backed up with some statistics. Sometimes numbers are good, other times it leads to the same ending.

From all that I can gather posting and reading every post on this board for a long period, you and TN Dawg appear to me as the two that spend those Saturdays in Sanford Stadium and more than likely in the Classic City. Much to be said for attendance, that is the one thing that is needed by the Group.

Just a short thingy on the Group. When controversy seems to start, the Group is quick to remind us how successful Georgia is monetarily. That is all well and good, but I for one don't agree with how the coin is handled by the Group. I have done a lot of research in that particular area and it always comes back the same way, the Group wins, the backbone of the entire operation (fans) are always second. There will be more on this later on. Promise, because there is a lot more.

Goose, in a large portion of my posts I use the word leadership. While we all do things in our youth, that is called "growing up". When I entered the service, found out real quick what "growing up" meant. Being responsible, that comes from good leadership. Lessons learned in the service served me well, both as a person and as a successful businessman. I use the term successful because it is the truth, I earned the respect that came with it.

Over a lengthy period of time I have differed with some on this board about Mike Bobo. At the beginning of this season looked as if Mike Bobo was going to be on top of things, and as you mention, then came South Carolina and 4 yards. Took me back to Atlanta and 5 yards.

My biggest concern and I have said this more than once. Mark Richt is the leader. Seems we never have both sides of the ball on the same page. Our recruiting is strong in some areas, but over the years the offensive and defensive lines are in my opinion been ignored, more than once. Goose, I pull this up from your post, think it goes hand and hand with what I just said. In my opinion, it is Mark Richt's responsibility to lead, sorry but I just don't see leadership qualities on par with many other universities, even some high schools, which I follow closely. We often hear how he is a leader with young men, one of his things in the living rooms of the recruits is speaking to the Moms about leading their sons in the right direction. I am an old peddler, I understand in certain situations what it takes to gain ground.

1) Defense - Gave up 38 points & 4 TD drives of 75 yds. / In the 1st half alone, gave up 24 pts. & allowed USC to control the clock to the tune of approx. 18 min. vs. only 12 min. for UGA's O.
2) Special Teams - Missed 2 FGs (1 - 44 yds. / 1 - 28 yds. aka a chip shot)
3) Offense - Yep, should have scored a TD after the D created a TO & gave us a 4 yd. field but the O scored 35 (ST should have made it 38 if not 41) & only PUNTED 2 times out of 10 offensive possessions. I'd take that punt ratio ALL YEAR LONG if offered & would be seeing all of you in the Playoffs!

Mark Richt is in charge of the Georgia Football Team, both sides of the ball. Takes leadership to accomplish and reach certain heights. In my opinion, we have not done that, and I am going to bring up again, Mark Richt is in his 14 year at Georgia.

Jeremy Pruitt's defense has floundered in certain situations. I would remind one and all that this is year (1) for Pruitt and from all I hear and see, he has worked wonders on the recruiting trail. If we look closely at those that he wants on the defensive side of the ball to run his style, don't look like grantham's at all. Maybe after Pruitt's third year and things have not improved, he will get the same treatment as other coaches get and in my opinion deserve.

In truth, not really yelling at Mike Bobo, trying to get someones attention when it comes to Mark Richt. Leadership is paramount from the top. In my particular branch of service we had Admirals and Seamen. Leadership was expected from the Admirals, change that, demanded from the Admirals. Nick Saban is in my opinion an Admiral.

Stop with this. There is a group that has run Georgia football for more years than most can imagine. The Group concerns itself with one thing, putting coin in the till. If that is their only job, we can drop the thoughts of ever playing in a National Championship. The Group wants fans to come to Athens on Saturdays and support the Red and Black, and don't forget this . . . . spend money.

Thanks again for your post. This is an open board for all to embrace the way they feel about Georgia and how we see the operation overall.