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DEL.ICIO.USFelton losing standing in conference, at home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Athens — For most of Saturday afternoon, the tomb that often has been Stegeman Coliseum during basketball season was loud, crazy and barking. Just the way Georgia coach Dennis Felton wants it. Even so, relentless Tennessee used its Final Four potential down the stretch to muzzle the Bulldogs and their supporters.
Not good for Georgia, which also was relentless. Still, there are no moral victories when you’re the Bulldogs and you’re trying to complete an improbable run within a year from 8-20, courtesy of that mess by the Harricks, to beyond the bubble of the NCAA tournament. This 83-78 loss nearly sticks a pin in Georgia’s already-slim hopes, especially with the Bulldogs dropping to 14-9 overall and 4-6 in the SEC. But at least Felton made his point about his home crowds, and he got a response.
Whatever that means. The game ended with the loudest noise coming from the thousands of folks jumping and screaming in orange while carrying “Rocky Top” on their lips. They got louder when Tennessee players plunged a knife into the Bulldogs and twisted by rushing into the stands to celebrate with their fans. That said, consider this: If you’re a coach, and if you wish to stick around a while without having to drive home a different way every night, there are a couple of “don’ts” in your life. You don’t say anything to tick off your fans, and you don’t do the same regarding those who sign your checks.
That means Felton is 0-for-2. For instance: Just before the opening tipoff, his boss was smiling to keep from clenching his teeth. Something about Felton grumbling earlier this week about everything from the size and the sound of the average crowd at Georgia home games to the backing that Felton suggested that his program does or doesn’t get from his bosses.
To which Georgia athletics director Damon Evans eased into that smile after I mentioned the bizarre timing for Felton’s remarks. They came during the same week in which the university broke ground on a $30 million practice facility for basketball and gymnastics. Evans also has spent Felton’s three seasons with the Bulldogs upgrading the coach’s office and the locker room. Stegemen even has a sparkling new scoreboard, along with cushioned seats in the lower half of the coliseum to replace the hard-backed ones that were around since the 18th century. That’s when the university was founded by the Georgia state legislature or Vince Dooley.
So, Damon, your basketball coach sounds as if he isn’t pleased with what you’ve done thus far for his program.
Evans smiled. Then he paused, and then he said after trying to show as many teeth as possible, “I don’t want to talk about that in the paper, and that’s just something that I need to discuss with him.” Does that mean you were upset when you saw Felton’s comments in the AJC? (Editor’s note: In response to a question about whether he was getting the support that he needs from his bosses, Felton paused for 17 seconds before telling our Chip Towers, “We’re working on it. It’s just one more area that we’re working on.”)
With another smile that flashed a lot of teeth, Evans said, “I’m going to talk to him about it.” Then Evans said emphatically, “I definitely will talk to him about it.”
Good. That’s because it’s always been like this in the history of sports: You win, and they’ll come. Such even has been the case on occasion during basketball season at Georgia, where the ball of choice among those in the Bulldog Nation is oblong instead of round.
When Tubby Smith first arrived to coach basketball at Georgia for the 1995-96 season, he did his share of complaining about tiny crowds. He also placed action with his words. Before every home game, he spent time walking through the stands shaking hands and conversing with the spectators. Plus, he did something more dramatic: He took his first Georgia team to the Sweet 16, and they were calling the place “The Tub.”
Maybe they’ll call it “The Den” someday, but the Bulldogs have to keep winning, and winning, and Felton has to stop whining and whining. He said after the game that he was misunderstood. Well, if so, then all he has to do is, you know, win.
Permalink | Comments (40) | Categories: Terence Moore, UGA / SEC
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By jesse
February 11, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this
terrance, usually i like and agree with your articles, but this is ridiculus. Felton had all the right to criticize the fans. this uga team is going to be good and the fans need to start supporting them. you see what happens when the stadium is sold out; uga took the best team in the sec down to the wire.
By Bulldawg Jay
February 11, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this
Terrance, a great proverb for you to remember, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” Felton’s comments were spot on, he needs the fans to support him, there are a few games this year that support might have gotten them over the hump.
By Bryan G.
February 11, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this
I am taking the opposite view of Jesse. I usually don’t like T-Mo’s work, but I have to say that I agree with this. I was somewhat surprised by Felton’s comments this week re: the AA. I’d like to be a fly on the wall when Felton and Damon meet to discuss.
You’re right about Tubby. Frankly, even Harrick was fan-friendly. I was at UGA during the Harrick years and I remember seeing him on campus, shaking his hand, and him asking me to come to their game on Saturday and to bring friends. Maybe Felton should do more of that and less of the name-calling.
By Hugh G. Rection
February 11, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this
Good column T-Mo. Thanks for keeping racial factors out of a column for once. By staying on point, you’ve made a reasonable collection of insights here.
By Hairy Dawg
February 11, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this
I listened to the game on the radio today and it was absolutely disgraceful to hear all those ridgerunners in the stands. I live nowhere near Athens, but I’d go to games if I could. The mere fact that you’d have loud fans cheering for an opponent on your home floor should be enough to inspire Dawg fans to fill that place up. That is a direct challenge to the fans and, as Felton warned, the Vols fans answered Bruce Pearl’s challenge and bought a bunch of unsold tickets to take away the homecourt advantage from the Dawgs. Felton has every right to be angry about that. He has a young team that is getting better, but those kids need all the help they can get from the home crowd. Maybe the timing of Felton’s comments was odd, but what he said about the lack of fan support is true. Damon Evans and Felton can deal with the other stuff.
By Neildawg
February 11, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
Coach Felton is right to ask for fan support for a very pivotal basketball game, but he is wrong to criticize the fans for their lack of support. If he wants the fans support, he must earn it. Furthermore, if anyone should be mad about fan support, it should be Andy Landers. Year after year, the Lady Bulldog basketball is consistently ranked in the Top 15, but they barely average more than 2,500 fans per game. When you watch TV and see teams that aren’t as prominent as the program Andy Landers has built garner more attendance, it stings. Wake up GA fans and support the Lady Dawgs!!
By Dawggone
February 11, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
“Ridgerunners”? Hairy dog it is justlike a Dawg fan to resort to name calling of their neighbors to the North. It appears that your self esteem is tied to UGA sports. Your life would be much less stressful if you learned to release that animosity in more healthy, respectful ways.
By Scott Hudson
February 11, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this
I like Felton’s comments. I think UGA fans responded. Great atmosphere today at Stegemen. Dawgs played with a lot of heart, didn’t give up. I’m proud of them.
By musashi
February 12, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this
There is a lot more to this issue than just UGA fans, Damon Evans, and Dennis Felton.
Georgia is a football state, period!!Everything else is just a side show. This is a state wide problem, from rec league to the NBA level. In Georgia, there’s football and then there’s all those other whimpy sports. Don’t get me wrong, football is 1st in my book, but other sports should be supported and appreciated.
Everyone in this state is to blame, even the AJC. Case in point… The High School Region Champ. Tournaments have been going on all weekend. I’m searching everywhere on this website for results of finals for each region, but there no where to be found. This is the same newspaper that puts Parkview and Brookwood football on the FRONT page of their paper, and devotes 3-4 entire pages to H.S. football playoffs. Good luck finding one page of H.S. B’Ball playoffs….
Everyone is a fault here..not just a few people or some fans in Athens.
By Nicholas Irwin
February 12, 2006 01:46 AM | Link to this
Tennessee is a football state too, but Bruce Pearl has managed to dig up a great deal of fans no one even knew the UT men’s basketball program had. Georgia being a football state isn’t a valid excuse. Georgia had plenty of support when Harrick and Smith were coaching. Felton just has to make the fans believe that the team has the capability to make a run in the NCAAs and the fans will come back. If he gives them a reason to, fans will manage to peel themselves away from their recruiting newsletters for an afternoon. But they’re paying 40 bucks a month for that crap, so you have to make it worth their while.
In fact, if the team keeps on the track they’re on now, they could conceivably even get this point next year. It doesn’t take long once it happens. Tennessee went from having no fans to having a legion of them in the time span of less than a month.
By musashi
February 12, 2006 02:03 AM | Link to this
I agree with you Nicholas, Georgia being a football state is not a valid excuse..but it is an unfortunate reality.
You’re right, you can stir up enough people to fill up a gym on a given night pretty darn quick…or even for a season. But tradition is what makes fans fanatics over a sport for 365 days a year (eg: UGA and Tenn. Football). Georgia AND Tennessee are light years away from states like Kentucky, Indiana, and North Carolina —where basketball is their blood, and kids dream of playing in Rupp or Assembly Hall or the Dean Dome.
By Hoopsdawg
February 12, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this
First, I’m a big UGA hoops fan. However, it’s unfair to jump on the writer for this one. Im UGA/Felton supporter, but these remarks were not appropriate by Coach. I’m sure coach feels the comments got twisted a little, but the general flavor of complaining about fans is not Felton’s place and he does not deny he did complain about them. Felton must win to get fans to the games. This is not the first time Dennis Felton has been somewhat taken to woodshed by Damon Evans. He made some remarks last year that resulted in the same outcome.
Terence, Felton could take a few pointers from Tubby on winning fans over —-win and talk to them.
By Mitch
February 12, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this
This is very fair commentary by Terence. I think Dennis Felton has yet to learn that when you are at a big University you’ve got to measure your words much better than he does at time. He’ll learn, but he has a propensity to pop off at times.
By Mike
February 12, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
Do sportwriters who do all they can to cause problems for the sports organizations they cover have to make sure they don’t drive home the same way every night? You are pathetic.
By chisolm
February 12, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
Felton needs to stop crying and start recruiting and winning basketball games. When he first came to Ga. all he cared about was upgrading his office which does not win basketball games!
By Tom
February 12, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
Chisolm, you obviously have no idea what’s going on with the UGA basketball program.
“When he first came to Ga. all he cared about was upgrading his office which does not win basketball games!”
What? Felton came to a program that was akin to taking over a program coming off the death penalty because what Harrick left was basically that. Limited ships, players that were very undisciplined, terrible facilities, etc. He came with a plan and upgrading facilities was PART of the plan. Obviously, recruiting the right kind of player was first and foremost.
Instilling the right kind of attitude was also a major part of his plan which resulted in him running a few starters out of town. Now, how many coaches starting a new job would run starters out of the program because of their negative work ethic/attitudes? It takes a great coach with great morals to do something like that. It is finally starting to pay off but it takes time to be able to resurrect this atrocity of a mess he was left with.
Finally, you said he needs to be recruiting? Again, it’s obvious you have no clue. Look at the talent he’s brought in!!!!! This latest class was awesome. His 2007 class is shaping up to be a great one. How many coaches can bring the talent in like he’s doing after having so many problems in the program?
If you’re having a problem with the job Felton is doing, compare it to the one Hewitt is doing.
By Teddy
February 12, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
I have to be honest, Hewitt is further ahead with things than Felton, even though current results don’ show it. Hewitt’s got double the talent in the pipeline than UGA. UGA’s reruiting must pick up. Bottom line is Felton needs to stop making headlines in the media with some of his comments.
I love UGA basketball, but he talks too much at times. Damon Evans will clearly be taking him to woodshed.
By Tom
February 12, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
Teddy:
I’m talking about the job Felton is doing vs. the one Hewitt is doing this year.
Hewitt SHOULD be further along.
How in the world can a team like Tech with all of that blue-chip talent be losing….how many in a row?????
By Jeff
February 12, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
These comments by Georgia fans sound exactly like the ones heard from Tennessee fans for about the last fifteen years. Winning will cure most of these ills. However Coach Felton is doing a good job in my opinion. He has assembled a good team with exceptional talent that will in time be a stellar program. I think the one problem Coach Felton is not addressing is fans in the seats. It is one thing to complain about fan apathy, it is another to do something about it. Tennessee and Georgia athletics are alike in many ways. Coach Felton should take a page out of Coach Pearls’ book. Pearl speaks to school groups, charitable groups and booster organizations on a daily basis. The day after his win in Lexington he was in Jackson, TN which is a five hour dive from Knoxville. Coach Felton will have learn that at a school dominated by football, he will have to help create ethusiasm for his program.
By Jeff
February 12, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this
These comments by Georgia fans sound exactly like the ones heard from Tennessee fans for about the last fifteen years. Winning will cure most of these ills. However Coach Felton is doing a good job in my opinion. He has assembled a good team with exceptional talent that will in time be a stellar program. I think the one problem Coach Felton is not addressing is fans in the seats. It is one thing to complain about fan apathy, it is another to do something about it. Tennessee and Georgia athletics are alike in many ways. Coach Felton should take a page out of Coach Pearls’ book. Pearl speaks to school groups, charitable groups and booster organizations on a daily basis. The day after his win in Lexington he was in Jackson, TN which is a five hour dive from Knoxville. Coach Felton will have to learn that at a school dominated by football, he will have to help create ethusiasm for his program.
By MC Dawg
February 12, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
Terrance, get your head out of your #$%!. I think you should cover why tech has lost so many in a row “with all that talent.” I think this is the first column that you’ve ever written without crying racism at some point. Atta boy
By mick
February 12, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
One of the biggest problems in attendance is the lower level season ticket holders who buy their tickets, just to support UGA, but don’t attend and don’t make an effort to pass their tix on to someone who would show up. The AA needs to change their policy to allow the lower section seats to be filled after the 10 minute mark. This would create a much better hometeam support atmosphere and look much better on TV. The way the cameras are stationed on the student side looking across the court to the benches, makes it look like the Steg is half full even when there are 8k in attendance.
By Ricky
February 12, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
Terrance, a couple of weeks ago you wrote an article about black coaches not getting hired in the NFL, you specifically mentioned Art Shell. You implied that he wasn’t getting a second chance because he was black. Once again you played the race card. So now that he has been hired, are you going to praise the Raiders for making this hire or are you going to ignore and wait for you next race baiting opportunity to arrive? I would like to see you stand up like a man on this one, but alas I don’t think you have it in you
By paul
February 12, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this
I thought UGA played it’s heart out Saturday. It’s obvious that the players believe in Coach Felton or they would have laid down and quit when they fell behind. Coach Pearl got his fan support by making the players and himself available to the fans as you saw when he took them into the crowd after the game. Before the Florida game, he brought the team down through the crowd and it made the fans feel that they were a part of it. Coach Pearl even went where the students were eating one day, stood up on a chair and requested their support. He got it. Coach Felton may want to be less critical of the fans and more involved. Coach Pearl is one of a kind and he could learn from him. Go Vols!!
By gavolfan
February 12, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
I’m a Vol fan living in Atlanta and attended the game yesterday. I haven’t been to Stegman in many years, but the crowd yesterday was LOUD and really, really into the game. They provided an incredible lift when UGA made their run. Compared to many SEC schools, UGA has a truly beautiful facility, not a bad seat in the house. On the negative side, I had my young son with me, but won’t make the mistake of taking him to Athens again. Because we were clad in orange, we heard more expletive laced “redneck, trailer trash, married to your sisterâ€? comments than I’d expect given the similarities between Knoxville and Athens.
By ron
February 12, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
dawg fans read an interesting article on line in the macon telegraph on former dawg DECORY BRYANT defensive back who suffered a career ending injury at sanford stadium a couple seasons ago against alabama-birmingham.it’s very well written by ap writer GREG BLUESTEIN who details the injury and the court ligitation.please read,it’s a must. the article is on line in the macon telegraph 02/12/06.
By jims
February 12, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this
Gavolfan..thanks for your comments. Good to hear your comments. Many GA. fans have a lot of respect for Coach Pearl. He’s done an awesome job and we’re going to have our hands full passing him in the SEC East. We like Felton, but he could take some lessons from Pearl on how to deal with fans. Pearl is a master at it and great coach as well.
By Ron Roberts
February 12, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
I think, almost from the get-go, Dennis Felton’s been angling for a new arena for the program, and I have to believe he’s maybe a little disappointed in the $30 million practice facility for gymnastics and basketball.
Like GaVolFan, I, too, think Stegman has it’s char;, with recent upgrades in the past 10-15 years, I think Stegman’s really become a source of pride for the program where before it was a hinderance in recruiting. It’s not the facility so much that needs upgrading, it’s the gameday experience.
I’ve said all along that the student section & pep band were either in the wrong place or needed to be split up. I’d split ‘em up or ask the band to provide a larger presence with the pep squad.
I also agree with those who say there needs to be more outreach into the various communities and organizations in the University and around Athens/Clarke County. A sure-fire way to develop loyal fan support is to get young kids at YMCA and recreation department basketball leagues into games with their parents in those pre-conference games. And where’s the fraternity and sorority representation at these games?
I also agree that the season ticket holders who don’t show up don’t do the team a service on gameday by not showing up. Either the athletic deparment needs to make it easier for season ticket holders to pass their seats on thru will call or a ticket-printing page ont heir website or a kiosk (much like you see at the airports these days)… but empty seats don’t help the team.
My only complaints with Stegman (and I’ve been in every square inch of the place in my life) is that it’s a rather dark place, especially in the upper ‘deck’ section. That area needs more lighting, and the concourse needs upgrading, as well.
I won’t begin to wonder what rift there is or may be (now) between Felton and Evans, but I love the direction Felton’s got this program going. I’m not saying we give the guy everything he wants a la carte blanche, but I do think he knows what it takes to build a basketball program to unseen heights. He did it at Western Kentucky, and their facility now ranks among the best in the country… that small program competes with Kentucky and Louisville for in-state and regional talent, and they’re consistently competing for and/or winning their conference.
As a Dawg fan, I’d be happy with that.
By Kent
February 12, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
I feel Felton’s pain. It must be frustrating to travel to places like Rupp, Memorial Gym, and Florida, where fans DO avidly support their programs when you have to come home to UGA, which is a laughingstock as far as fan support. I’ve attended almost every gym in the SEC and ACC, and UGA ranks as the worst, (UT would be a close second, but now with Pearl…).
By DecaturTechfan
February 12, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
I love reading these redneck comments about the “sad state of affairs”down on the farm. Well boys, isnt there some work to be done? You know like sloppin hogs or bringing the cows in from the pasture? To Hell with Georgia……..yawl.
By Ron Roberts
February 12, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
Hey DecaturTechFan,
How’s the BuzzyBees’ season going, so far?
By DecaturTechfan
February 12, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
Well Ron, we just beat NC State today. Plus we have a banner top five recruiting class coming in. Seems like you hicks cant win unless u r cheatin……Hire Jim Harrick back. He was a good fit for yawl.
By Ron Roberts
February 12, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this
Hmm, need you be reminded of this season’s outcome in the annual in-state clash?
By Ron Roberts
February 12, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
And Tech should hire back George O’Leary… or does he even list your pathetic football program on his resume’?
He was a good fit for YA’LL!
By Tom
February 12, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this
We had the pleasure of listening to Coach Felton address a boosters group at the coliseum before the game. I think the media has exaggerated his comments on Ga. fan support, and his relationship with the athletic department. Coach Felton appreciates the base of fans who come out regularly, and rightfully would like to see more. He stated as they continue to build their program with recruiting & winning that he knows the excitement and fan support/attendance will grow. He also indicated that the athletic department, as it should be, is behind his program 100%. The game & game experience inside Stegeman Coliseum was exciting. If you take away a few Georgia mistakes, and we make a couple of missed tip-ins the outcome could easily have been different. Give Tennessee credit as they came in and won; it’s not easy to win on the road in the SEC. Leave the word controversy to all the other schools & and you’ll see Georgia athletics & academics continue to grow & lead the way. Go’Dogs
By The Wreck
February 12, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Dawgs. Felton’s honeymoon is over. It’s time to stop talking about potential and start producing results.
Hewitt and the Jackets are having a bad year, it’s true. But the program is “reloading” as you like to say when football begins.
Three five-star recruits on the way, plus one already on the court. Our house will be in order soon. What about yours?
By Tom
February 12, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this
Hey Wreck, Don’t think any honeymoon is over after what Coach Felton had to inherit. We beat you this year, made definite improvements on last year, have a chance on some post season play, and not coming off a eight game losing streak. You have THE long way to go; in more way than one. Go ‘Dogs
By Jason
February 12, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this
You are right NeilDawg!!! The only one that would be justified in calling out the fans would be Coach Landers. I mean look at the success he has had. In terms of wins and rankings the Lady Dogs are a TOP 10 team in the history of women’s basketball and Coach Landers is about to become the winningest basketball coach in the state of Georgia. Go Lady Dawgs!!!!! year in and year out the only team that anyone in the state can count on watching play in March!
By The Wreck
February 12, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this
All I’ve heard about for years is how Felton is cleaning up after Harrick. At some point, this has to become Felton’s program, right?
It would be hard NOT to improve on last year’s team, Tom. Also, I love how this became a referendum on AJC’s treatment of Paul Hewitt’s current squad. But remember this: Hewitt has won games. I seem to remember a final four run a couple years back that allows most people to give Hewitt the benefit of the doubt. It’s evident that the Harrick debacle at UGA bought Felton some time, too, but the luster is starting to wear off. Only winning games will suffice now.
I’m not worried about GT winning games over the next few years. How many ranked teams has UGA beat this year? And what would the Dawgs record in conference be if they were playing in the ACC? Just wondering…
By Ron Roberts
February 12, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
Well, I know we’d have ONE ACC win by now, right, Wreck?