Looking at the Future and Past

Given a lot of thought to what I am about to say. Remember, this is me, expressing my views on our football program.

There comes a time when words both cross and otherwise need to find a place that all can live with, or have to live with. I have personally come to that place about the goings on in Athens.

First, the people that are at the highest levels of control are there and I can not do anything but “chirp” about things I don’t like. Not that the “chirping” won’t continue, but it is not going to control my life. There is a time and place, it however cannot remain constant.

Many times here I have reflected on what I witnessed when FSU had Bobby Bowden as the head coach. Many of the things that I said did not show a lot of favor to Bobby, but it was not meant to hurt him. Personally, I like Bobby Bowden a lot. Bobby had a way with families in their living rooms also, he was very good, and quite frankly very smart in the areas that he recruited. That did not happen because he did not understand both the players being recruited and the talent levels of these young men. Great recruiter, sent many young players on to the NFL and some that are in the Hall of Fame. Guess that is an eye for talent.

Watched the FSU program begin to have problems and at that time Steve Spurrier had moved in and he caused many of the problems that Bobby Bowden began to face. Spurrier brought a new brand of football to Florida and the SEC. All of us or many of us know how that played out. That was actually the beginning of the end for Bobby Bowden. In his haste to “catch up” he made some serious errors in hiring practices. Won’t go into long detail about hiring of the family.

The FSU football program began to straighten up when Jimbo Fisher was hired. Bobby knew that he was on his last few years as head coach. When Fisher came on board, his influence immediately took over the way FSU would play on Saturdays. Caused a split in the FSU faithful, but now, everyone loves Jimbo and Jimbo and Bobby are at peace with each other. Funny how championship rings make for friendships. It is a good thing.

All of that leads up to our head coach, Mark Richt.

Having paid close attention to Richt, I have often said that I see some or many of the same similarities mentioned above in Mark Richt.

Whether or not our newest coaching arrival will take over as a head coach at Georgia, any ones guess. I see some of the same changes being made by Pruitt that I saw when Fisher “took over” in Tallahassee.

Allow me to get down to the nitty gritty.

I have said often that I would like for Mark Richt to stay focused on one thing. That is what those above him want the most from Richt. They want a solid face for the program, not the Petrino type. Not hard for me to accept on a level of being called a “Front Man”. Many folks over the years have bought automobiles because they are shiny, pleasing to the eye. Never really opening the hood and checking what makes the shiny automobile a lasting memory of a good buy.

Saying as I have said a lot recently, “stay out of the way”, I still live with that. Mark Richt is a good recruiter and that sometimes can be the difference in winning and losing. At some point those in charge have to trust the decisions they have made. There have been some glowing errors in judgment coming from the head coach. Don’t need to list them again. As long as Richt is the head coach, and I think his time has been shortened, just be the face of what your superiors want.

Coaching in Athens, think I have seen this story play out before. I do believe that Athens now has more “qualified” coaches on both sides of the ball than ever before. All one has to do is open their Internet History Book. There for all to see, and judge.

Read a couple of posts that said Richt has pretty much always let his coaches coach. That can be a very good thing or it can open a can of worms.

Never doubt for a minute the power that Jeremy Pruitt will have in Athens. Strong personality, team player, but appears to have leadership qualities. Has not stumbled to this point in his young coaching career. If he continues on that path, it will produce either the same effect as happened in Tallahassee, or Richt will be looking to replace someone that he has had a hard time recruiting to Athens. This is going to be a fast paced process. Three years is a very short time my friends.

Just thinking out loud again.

Thanks Buc for sharing. Understand how you arrived at your thoughts

The wheels are turning in Athens no going back to the days of Towel Toddy

Good or bad chsnge is taking place like zI said earlier question is not if we can win with CMR

It is can we win in spite of CMR. IMO. That is possiblr

Who is the new SC coach Right hired is he any good it's own georgiadogs.

yankeedawg1, you make a very good point about with or without, read that in another of your posts.

With me it has never been a "hate Richt" thing. It just reminds me so much of some folks that I have seen in higher positions that did not fully understand the total value of the mission.

Who knows, maybe the same "game plan" will continue, but I sincerely hope not. To me it has looked like the "good cop, bad cop" game that is used in many areas. Too many coaches and players not on the same page. My hope is that Pruitt does not play that game. At some point coaches and players have to take a look at the total picture, that includes us, the fans.

From what I can gather, feel sure I am going to have some disappointments in the 2014 Season. Being a booster of some that I feel have a place on the field that stand little or no chance of seeing in 2014. That is another area that I can't do anything about, other than "chirp".

Dawg With Style wrote: Who is the new SC coach Right hired is he any good it's own georgiadogs.

Read that yesterday DWS. Appears to be another good move. Big guy, into physical fitness, earned his degree. Also played the game, that helps when on the recruiting trail.

DWS, appears to me that there is a solid foundation being laid. Solid recruiters on this staff. Pruitt, McClendon, Bobo and others could become a powerhouse. Lot of young players in Florida are on board, Pruitt might be the one to do as grantham threatened to do, keep some of the Georgia players in state.

I have done a bit of looking into CJP past kind find nothing that shows he is anything but what he shows

This is who I am and damn sure not sugar coating anything

Don't think we have been fooled again