This is the question that I've been asking myself since getting our collective asses handed to us by our western conference canine counterparts. There is a high probability that this has been discussed elsewhere on page whatever of another thread and if so, forgive me. However, I've far too little time to search through cyber reams of one or two line responses to determine whether it’s appropriate to begin anew. That, and the fact that I've been around these parts for quite awhile, save the fact that somehow my thread count apparently got reset, and I'm not really concerned over agitating someone with a new thread, sue me!
But I digress,...Who are we....and who do we want to be?...UGA has been playing football for damn near 120 years. Wayyyyyyyyyyy back then there were only a handful of schools. Some of whom still sit atop of the leader board and will likely not be surpassed in my or your lifetime even if they never win another MNC title again, EVER!!!...and I suspect they won't! That being said, we (UGA) are not now, nor have we ever been like the Michigan's, Notre Dame's, USC's (west coast) or Bama's of the NCAA. We are, in fact, middle of the pack, contenders, along with the UF, NATS and LSU.
If I may be so bold as to speculate,...Our problem is that we are a very old school, a school with a long and distinguished college football program, spread out over 118 years. We are way ahead of a great many other Division I schools, but unfortunately trailing other schools that have succeeded more so over the last two/three decades...Making the pain of this particular season and the desire for MORE...less palatable.
So,...back to the original question...Who do we want to be?...This is extremely germane as that each persons individual opinion will likely reflect their current sentiments toward Coach Richt and Company. CMR needs to go if you want more than a once-every 20-30 year MNC. Mark Richt is the type of coach that will keep a program relatively current, usually somewhere in the 70-90% winning average, with splashes of conference/national contention added here and there. If this is the type of program you find acceptable, then Mark Richt is your coach. If, however, this is not acceptable, where, when and for whom do we search?
Regardless of whether you support or would like to see CMR go, fact is, he won't be going anywhere this year, or next. I say this without any inside source, no one close to the program, who wises to remain anonymous. Nope, I have my gut and history to back it up. This painful and embarrassing season will likely be the worst in CMR's 11 year tenure. Nonetheless, even if CMR falls below the .500 benchmark, he will be in the same company with Goff, Donnan and Dooley. None of the aforementioned Coaches were fired immediately following a losing season. I suspect the same will hold true for not only Coach Richt, but Coach Bobo too. We've all witnessed how CMR deals with performance measures and the noise and heat surrounding CMB isn't nearly as loud as the crescendo that rose and swallowed Willie.
Sooooo, where does this leave “US”, the fans? Well, that also depends on the initial question. If you support, or are willing to continue to support CMR, then you will likely see improvement next year. Given the potential for a losing season looming, I believe we have CMR’s attention. While the ruckus generated by the fans is loud, it’s only now beginning in areas where the “movers and shakers” exist. When former alumni, who happen to be Governor, begin to publically weigh in, I wouldn’t say the seat is hot, but I will say that a match has been lit. If, however, you would like to see CMR replaced, the same scenario as described above will likely occur and nothing short of another miracle season will change your decision.
This season is a wash; all we have left to look forward to is perhaps an opportunity to play spoiler, maybe; and this is a long shot, a pathetic post season, December bowl game and begin anew with recruiting. Next season has potential as that it is set up rather nicely for UGA. With the proper motivation, coaching (???), discipline (!!!!), players, schedule and a huge bolus of luck, all this could become a fond memory, until it reoccurs…and it will!
Mark Richt is a man of tremendous character and ethic. Keep him and you will have a clean program that develops young men of similar standing. There will always be issues with individual players as the sport itself attracts many of questionable motives, differing lifestyles and ability to assimilate. There will also be opportunities to challenge within and outside of the SEC, but they will not be as often or as regular as we, the fans would like them to be.
Toss CMR aside and you open a Pandora’s Box of unknowns. First we’ll need to define the type of program we want. We’ll have already eliminated the type CMR brought, so….???
In case you’ve made it this far and not yet figured out that I’m playing both sides of this…WAKE UP!?!?...Like you I’m pissed!..I hate losing…and I tired of losing to the Urban Cryer and that pathetic bunch of mentally challenged, arrogant and asinine fans. Like many, I recently vented rather loudly about CMR and the program...That was when I was engaging the gears of my mouth before I realized I needed to deploy the clutch to my brain....Given where we’ve been, what we’ve achieved, what we have left to achieve and the dark, lonely unknowns of handing out pink slips, I believe I’ll stomach this season, perhaps toss back more NC Foothills LemonDrop while watching these dawgs and give CMR a pass…..Just sayin……….
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." - Bluto