Turmoil At Georgia

So Mark Richt is in his 15th year at Georgia. He has a winning record, a couple of SEC Championships and I think 6 appearances in the SEC Championship game.

But he has a 5 - 10 record against Florida and losing records against some of the other winning schools in the SEC.

Seems that there are factions wanting him gone and some turmoil within the system.

What would you do, fire him? Keep him but with an understanding that things change, or is it time for a change at Georgia.

To be fair about one thing while he is 5 - 10 against the Gators, the Dawgs are 6 - 20 in the last 26 games, meaning the 11 prior seasons they were 1 - 10 against the Gators so there has been improvement there.

Tormoil at Georgia

 

I think Richt is a really good coach, who for some reason hasn't been able to win the "really" big one. They came close in 2012 when they had a great game vs Alabama in the SECCG but lost, but still it was a loss.

Also he's recruited really so well, I mean just look at the RB's he's had and some of the WR's and QB's. He really has had a lot of talent to work with at UGA. I think that's what is driving the disappointment with his good but not great record at UGA.

For them to part company with him is risky, Georgia is one of the best jobs in college football. Georgia has a lot of instate talent, only behind Fla,Tex and Calif, and Georgia can go into the other SEC states and get players as well. Still it's dang hard to hire a great coach. Gators seem to have a great one in McElwain but I'm pretty sure that after Muschamps 12-1 season you guys were thinking he was going to win a Natl'l Title eventually and surely be there for a long time. So it's always risky.

 

All good points Terry.

Richt has the reputation of not winning the big ones and that loss to Alabama could have changed the whole equation.

I think he survives but there are a lot of Dawg fans down on him.

And you are right about out feelings after the 11-2 season under Muschamp.

it was 11-1 regular season but we lost to Louisville in the Bowl game.

 

Nebraska.

No, I don't get rid of him. I don't even think about it. The man stacks up favorably to Dooley in a more competitive era.

There's a lot of downside to changing regimes for them, and very little upside. Some might say no risk, no reward, but I again say, Nebraska.

 

The emotional reply of the average fan is to toss Richt.

Having been through the 9 hells of Fran... I'd keep the guy who's been giving you a chance.
Maybe he'll never get the brass ring, but he keeps getting shots at it.

 

Changing coaches is very risky, just ask a Cane fan who has been waiting 5 years for the upside of the new coach. Richt has performed exceptionally well but missed the big wins, compare that to the Paterno, Switzer and Osborne who went through the exact same thing and eventually got their wins. This era of college football fans expect to compete for a national championship on a yearly basis and have zero patience for anything else....This will eventually erode the joy of the game for us old timers who know better.

 

Richt, has had the misfortune of having to compete against possibly the greatest era of football at Florida, and LSU and the resurgence of Alabama. What coach out there that is available would be an upgrade. Be careful what you wish for....you may get it! :wink:

 

And to add to kp's post Richt simply loves the program and is established with his family in the area with 15 years, an eternity in this era of coaching. I for one think it would be a big mistake to change coaches.

 

I agree with all your points.

Richt is pretty much a class act but I do think he is on thin ice.

 

If they let him go, the next guy will put them on probation and do no better on field. Richt is keeping the lid on a state that is a 3 ring circus and doing it cleanly. When one looks at his task annually, it's not an easy one at all.