AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > March > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHonorable Felton, UGA due some breaks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Four years ago the SEC convened to play basketball and Georgia stayed home in shame. The self-removal from the 2003 postseason remains the lowest point in the school’s athletics history, but the arrival of another SEC tournament illustrates how far from rock bottom this program has climbed.
Georgia hasn’t gotten lucky in the post-Jim Harrick years, not even once, and still it begins play tonight with, as Dennis Felton notes, the fifth-best record (17-12, 8-8 SEC) “in the toughest division of any conference.” This proud and driven coach has surely been tempted a thousand times to cut the same corners as his sullied predecessor, and not once has he yielded. Felton has done exactly as he said he’d do: He has built a program that warrants not just support but admiration.
In April 2004 Felton traveled to Indianapolis for the NCAA hearings on the mess he’d inherited. The contentious day got off to a festive start when Harrick likened president Michael Adams, his erstwhile friend and advocate, to a bag of fertilizer. Finally, when all the questioning and bickering was done and an adjournment at hand, Felton asked to address the panel. “I can’t remember exactly what I said,” he says now, but the message was pointed: This will never happen again so long as I’m coaching here.
Felton: “I wanted to make it very clear that [the NCAA] could count on the fact that we had pure intentions, that we were intent on doing the right thing, that they could count on us being an exemplary program.”
So he said then, and so has he done. Consensus holds that the Bulldogs need to win twice in this tournament to have a chance at an NCAA berth. Being human, Felton reflects on the Western Kentucky game, a three-point loss achieved without leading scorer Takais Brown, who was eligible by NCAA and Georgia standards but not by Felton’s more exacting criteria, and on the 12-point defeat suffered last week in Rupp Arena without Levi Stukes, who averages 12.1 points but who was suspended for sassing the strength coach. Might those have been the needed victories right there?
“Of course I [think about it],” Felton says. “You’re always doing the math and evaluating things.”
Not subject to re-evaluation is this man’s personal code. Maybe he’s a 20th-Century guy trapped in the 21st Century’s absence of accountability, but Felton, without apology, holds himself and his men to a higher measure. “I really don’t think I’m that different from other coaches,” he says, but Felton bears the same resemblance to the brazen Harrick as chalk does to cheese.
With so much at stake and his fourth Georgia team so near the Big Dance, a lesser man might have looked the other way when Stukes mouthed off. Felton never looks the other way. “It’s real important to the growth of the program,” he says, “even if it means sacrificing games.” Who thinks like that anymore?
This honorable man does, and if ever someone was overdue for a dollop of fortune, it’s Felton. His best recruit, Louis Williams of South Gwinnett, never enrolled. His most talented player, guard Mike Mercer, wrecked his knee on Feb. 10. His most valuable player, point guard Sundiata Gaines, sprained his ankle as Georgia was about to embark on a show-the-world fortnight with games against Georgia Tech, Clemson, Wisconsin and Florida at the end of December and beginning of January. (The Bulldogs wound up 0-for-4.)
“I don’t sit around and fret, ‘Can’t we get a break?’ ” Felton says. “I face up to the reality that we haven’t gotten a break.”
And still Georgia is nuzzling close to the NCAA tournament, close without once taking the inviting path of least resistance, close without compromising any of its coach’s deeply felt principles. This still isn’t the greatest team in the world, but it absolutely stands for something. As the saying goes, if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. Georgia once fell for Jim Harrick’s line, but the falling is over. This is a program with a purpose.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, UGA / SEC
Comments
By Stephen
March 7, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Great column Mark! I am very excited about the direction Felton has the program. It is obvious he is a man of integrity. It is great having Felton and Richt at the same school! Go Dawgs!
By Gary
March 7, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs never should of let Herrick go. At least when he was our coach we was beating the teams we was suposed to beat. felton is just a tubby smith wantabe.
By brad in KY
March 7, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Gary said:
we was beating the teams we was supposed to beat
Enough said.
By scott
March 7, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
one correction. michael adams sought out jim harrick, his old buddy, to be the coach at uga. he insisted on it. why doesn’t adams get more crap for that? felton is often seen as a guy who’s just too tough, too mean and too overbearing. i may not like his offensive strategy, mostly because I don’t see any. but i like the way he goes about things as far as running his program and his expectations.
By Carl
March 7, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
Coach Felton is an outstanding basketball coach..his Western Kentucky record speaks ” very loud ” and he will do the same for UGA..When he obtains more talent( which he will )UGA will be an excellent team every year…Also, like Paul Hewitt of Georgia Tech, he is much more than “Xs and Os ” as he is an outstanding leader for young men.
By Jim
March 7, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
No on-court loss in basketball has ever embarassed me the way seeing Harrick Jr.’s basketball final exam in “Freakonomics” does.
Right on, Coach Felton.
By Ol' Dawg
March 7, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
Great article, Mark. Stephen, you are right. If we can’t win and have integrity as well, we haven’t got much. So many without it end up in places they cannot get out of! It’s certainly nice to be able to hold your head up!
By Matthew at the SLC
March 7, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Great article, Mark. It is refreshing to have a coach who means what he says and says what he means. Now, this is no knock against Coach Richt, but Coach Felton’s tough love approach is exactly what is needed in college athletics. Coach Richt uses a more soft love approach, favored by his mentor, Slick Bobby. Remember what happened to Peter Warwick and Laverneus Coles before the ‘99 Sugar Bowl? Coles remembers that Slick Bobby suspended him and let Warwick play, although it was Warwick who was truly guilty for shoplifting. Coles got caught up in the wake of what happened. By doing this, Slick Bobby got his second Mythical National Championship, and Coles had his draft status ruined. At least Coles won out in the end. His NFL career has been 100 times better than Warwick’s. Hey, as much huff as Georgia football gets here, at least we hear about what goes on, and Coach Richt is fairly open and honest. It least it’s not Ohio State or Florida, two programs that could use the light of the 4th Estate shed on their shady programs. It helps that the cops in Columbus and Gainesville let OSU and UF students get away with murder and help Tressel and Myer cover it up. I hope Coach Felton is here for many, many years, but as long as Michael Adams is running Georgia Athletics through Damon Evans, then no one is ever safe.
By FloDaddy
March 7, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Coach Felton is doing a great job. We were the joke of the nation a few years ago so any upward movement is to be congratulated. What bothers me is this. As a state we are not respected enough for our basketball. We have high school players going directly to the NBA, not just as second rounders, but as number one draft and lottery picks. That’s amazing. I wish the high school players here would commit to a university in state. It would make Coach Felton and other in state coaches jobs a lot easier. It will also make for some exciting dominating basketball. Come on guys! Show the state some love and build a powerhouse right here!
By BurtDawg
March 7, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
I will agree we have the best man for the job, IF the admin folks will give him the time it will take to step up with better players. I hold my breath that he gets another 2-3 years. Sick’em coach!!
By blackertai
March 7, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
In my 4 years at Georgia, I’ve seen us through the lowest lows, and it’s gratifying for Felton to get some coverage for the excellent job he’s been doing. I never imagined 2 years ago we’d even get close to 8-8 in the SEC, and the fact that we had some amazing wins over teams we had no technical business beating is enough to show me the man knows what he’s doing.
I’d also like to point out that blaming Damon Evans is a mistake. Michael Adams may be a horrible administrator, but don’t come down on Evans yet. He’s done a pretty fair job so far, and putting the responsibility for Adams decisions on him is unfair.
By FELT FAN
March 7, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
I AM A HUGE FELTON FAN & HE IS A SUPERSTAR IN OLD SCHOOL PRINCIPLES THAT ARE SO SADLY LACKING IN TODAY’S ROUND BALL WORLD.DAWG NATION IS BLESSED WITH TWO TOWERS LIKE RICHT & FELTON [AND COACH PERNO IN BASEBALL AS WELL].YOU CAN BET ADAMSORRYDAWG WANT MESS WITH FELTON SINCE ADAMS BROUGHT HIS MENTOR,COACH HARRICK,TO ATHENS & NOW GETS TO HIDE IN FELTON’S GIANT SHADOW WHICH IS CAST BY THE UGA BASKETBALL COACH’S SUPERIOR STANDARDS.DAWG NATION’S WORST BASKETBALL NIGHTMARE IS COACH FELTON GETTING HIRED OUT FROM UNDER US.HE IS A REAL MAN’S MAN & A FABULOUS COACH AND REPRESENTATIVE OF UGA.
By Matthew at the SLC
March 7, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Felt Fan, we are definately in agreement, but you might want to lower the volume. Haha!
By oleblue
March 7, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
The death of Kevin Brophy was the worst break. Don’t write a article without mentioning him.
By IlliniDawg
March 8, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
Great column! Felton is class, just like Richt. Both follow examples of class in Tubby and Vince. It’s these kind of guys that make you proud to be a Dawg.
But my main motive in writing is that I couldn’t let pass an opportunity to weigh in on the arrogant megolomaniac in the office of the president. Ever since he came and pushed out Dooley (class) and brought in Harrick (#ss), I’ve lost a lot of respect for UGA’s administrative leadership. I for one am counting the days until Adams goes back to California!
By steve
March 8, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this
“we was beating the teams we was suposed to beat. felton is just a tubby smith wantabe.”
Geez Gary, this is awful. I’ll bet you never graced the inside of a college classroom.
By matt
March 8, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
Love Felton, but his half court O is pathetic …
By Barry
March 8, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
The Dawgs may not go to the “big dance” this year but alumni are no longer ashamed of our basketball program. The “Fundamentals of Basketball” class and the Tony Cole scandal seriously damaged the reputation of our university.
But look where we are now. At least two of our basketball players will graduate this year; the others are on-track. Our program is obtaining a reputation of honor. And when UGA eventually goes to the NCAA tournament, it will be a huge story; schools can do the right thing and still prosper.
I hope that the administration dooes the right thing and extends Dennis Felton’s contract.
By big will
March 8, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Felton’s got these boys headed straight to a probable first round exit in the NIT. My only problem with Felton is he hasn’t seemed to adapt his scheme to fit his admittedly lackluster talent.
By mike
March 8, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Finally, a fine piece of journalism from the AJC. Thank you Mark and you are right in every way.
Gary, Are you related to Herrick, just stupid, or crazy? I don’t think there is a fourth option. Herrick was a disgrace and if you hold with him, why don’t you follow him out of the state? I do hope you are not a Bulldog fan - we don’t need your kind of thinking.
By GT_JJ
March 8, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Oh, boo-freaking-hoo! Come on, Bradley, what a ridiculous piece of tripe this article is.
OK, so you can see my affiliation from my screen name, but just to show I’m no hater, I’ll start out with some praise. I have a TREMENDOUS amount of respect for coach Felton. He seems like a great coach and an even better person. I think he gets the most out of his players. When UGA beat GT in the ‘03-‘04 season (the one Tech went on to finish national runner up), I saw one of the most impressive displays of heart by that (way outmanned) UGA team. They just wanted it more than GT.
But, come on, this whole “why can’t we get a break” tone of this column is garbage! Every team deals with adversity. GT has done what it’s done this year without it’s best shooter/scorer. Look, by any reasonable measure, this program (not this year’s team, but the program under Felton) has OVER-achieved. Be proud of how far it has come, and look forward to next year, because the team has a lot of good athletes and, likely, a bright future.
Spare me the sob story. Go out and win a couple of games in the SEC tourney and play your way in to the Big Dance.
By Danny
March 8, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Great article Mark. Men of integrity are hard to find and we have several now at UGA. It’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
By Terance
March 8, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
Felton is not any better than Ron Jirsa, really. Another bad hire for UGA basketball.
By Bill
March 8, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Felton has shown the class that we need to make UGA atrue power in the SEC basketball world. I met Jim Harrick and one-onone he is great. However, his program did cut corners and we did have problems. Dennis Felton is a great coach who has had to deal with recruits fleeing, unqualified players, death, and injury. We have not had a complete roster under his leadership. We will in the future. The dawgs will groa and continue to compete and begin to win the close games they have lost in the past. Go Dawgs!!!Sec Em!! I hope Dennis Felton stays around 20 years.
By kdbanks
March 8, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Based on Gary’s grammar, I’m guessing he didn’t get to experience actually attending UGA, so I have to question his use of “we” when referring to the team.
What’s up with that Gary?
By Paul
March 8, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
i like it better wen we was beeting other good. basketball teems…we was better with coach herIck…he good coach and i was good I mean he good at beeting teems lik cantukee and tenness…tenneeess,,,..teneseee… and I dont know what wantabe is but I like ken wantabe he good actor…?,,..
By honest_abe
March 8, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
great article mr. bradley. coach felton came into a horrificaly bad situation and has turned the program around the hard and difficult way.
this year he has a bunch of players that most other big time programs didn’t even have on their radar. in fact i don’t know if some of these guys could even walk on at some of these schools. you have to remember coach felton has lost a lot of talented kids because they weren’t willing to commit to his demands which include going to class and doing things the “right” way. he doesn’t sit around saying that’s why they lost, instead he makes the best of what he’s got. as a uga alum i’m proud to have coach felton as the basketball coach at uga. and that moron adams better not think about letting him get away!
By ConyersDawg
March 8, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
In the words of the hard working Steve Newman, Felton will bring a championship to Georgia!