GREAT article in this morning's paper. Thought ya'll might like to read it. Buc......ESPECIALLY the last paragraph.....immediately thought of you!!!!
(sorry.....a little long but good)
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Georgia's Mark Richt says 2010 season was 'my fault' in visit to Jacksonville
Coach says Bulldogs won't have repeat of 'embarrassing' finish
By Hays Carlyon
Georgia head football coach Mark Richt couldn't have been clearer.
Last season was not acceptable for the Bulldogs.
Richt spoke to roughly 200 Georgia fans at the Jacksonville Marriott on Thursday night.
Richt and his Bulldogs come limping into the 2011 campaign after a 6-7 mark last season. Georgia suffered a losing record for the first time in 14 years, wrapping up the season with a 10-6 loss to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl.
Richt admitted to the crowd that he felt the Bulldogs lost some close games last year because the other team played harder.
"That's embarrassing," Richt told the audience. "It's our shame and it's my fault. We're not going to let that happen again."
Last season's disappointing result has some in the national media wondering if Richt is in danger of losing his job should Georgia stumble again. Georgia is 20-15 in its last 35 games, a span which includes a 12-11 mark in the Southeastern Conference.
Richt met with the media prior to the start of the program.
"I don't worry about that [speculation]," said Richt, 51, who is entering his 11th season at Georgia.
"I just coach. I try to make decisions that are in the best interest of Georgia. There's always going to be pressure in this type of job. There's pressure every year."
The criticism could be viewed as unfair. Richt is 62 games over .500 at Georgia with a 96-34 record and has led the Bulldogs to two SEC titles. That's impressive production, but his lack of success in this city is cause for concern among the Georgia faithful. Richt is 2-8 against rival Florida and has lost the last three meetings with the Gators.
Now, with UF undergoing a coaching transition from Urban Meyer to Will Muschamp, the meeting on Oct. 29 might be Richt's last hope to flip the rivalry's momentum back to the Bulldogs.
"Any year would be a great year for us to do that," Richt joked. "It's always a huge game and a game that's talked about a lot, especially in this town. You hope to perform well as you get to that game, so that it's extremely meaningful."
Richt could quell any speculation regarding his job status if Georgia can survive two difficult challenges to open the season. The Bulldogs take on Boise State, a 12-game winner from a season ago, on Sept. 3 in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. The following week, South Carolina, the reigning SEC Eastern Division champions, travel to Athens in the conference opener.
"Boise State is a not a conference game, but it's a big game for the University of Georgia," Richt said. "To have a season like we just did that was so far below what we are used to and what's expected, we needed this game. Boise State is the winningest team over the past 10 years. If we can battle with them, we can make Georgia very relevant again nationally."
Richt's greatest asset this season might be his quarterback. Redshirt sophomore Aaron Murray is coming off a tremendous freshman season in which he threw for 3,049 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Murray also ran for four scores. He's likely to garner some preseason accolades in the SEC.
"I wouldn't trade him for anybody," Richt said. "He knows the system now, but it is his growth as a person and a leader. He loves Georgia. He loves the team and he loves to prepare. He's what you look for, and he's got an outstanding talent base."