AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > July > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDogs flying under the radar
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Hoover, Ala. — Mark Richt had no problem making it to SEC media days Friday, except for the fact it was sort of like trailing the parade with a broom. You follow Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer, Nick Saban — accompanied by clowns, elephants and a blur of Stepford boosters — it’s easy to blend into the scenery.
Sort of like the Georgia program right now.
“We’re definitely under the radar,” Richt said. “Whether we rise or not is the big question.”
He spoke with no hint of stress. He smiled and gave long answers, not preconditioned, processed, get-me-outta-here responses. After six seasons in the SEC, a coach either learns to deal with it or folds.
And there were times last season, you wondered with Richt. After five mostly blessed seasons, the Bulldogs smacked into the Netherworld. They lost four of five after a 5-0 start. They lost to Kentucky. And Vanderbilt. And allowed 51 points at home against Tennessee. Richt never put his fist through a wall, at least not that we know of. But the stress was visible.
“There’s a difference between pressure and stress,” he said. “There’s pressure in this job. There’s pressure when you lose four out of five. Stress is when you begin to react to it physiologically. I mean, I was getting close to — I don’t know if it was the breaking point, but I was feeling it.”
In the end, Georgia finished strong, with wins over Auburn, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. “It might’ve been the most gratifying year for me,” Richt said.
But he knew something had to change. He handed play-calling duties over to Mike Bobo, but it might’ve had less to do with questionable play-calling than what work was doing to Richt. Hours melted into days, days melted into weeks — and weeks were melting down the head coach. Pressure had turned to stress. Personal time with kids Richt had recruited was non-existent. It wasn’t as much fun.
These are things a head coach with perspective thinks about. These are things that are hammered home the day after a basketball coach, seemingly in great health, drops dead of an apparent heart attack in North Carolina, moments after taking a jog.
“Some of us [coaches] are like a lot of people in life. It’s like, ‘Whatever happened to him is not going to happen to me,’ ” Richt said, alluding to the sudden death of Wake Forest basketball coach Skip Prosser. “But the job will take a toll on you. You have to learn to manage it. Some guys can do it all. And I’ve been doing it all, not that I’ve been doing it great. But I’ve been trying to do everything.”
Relinquishing play-calling duties, he said, “is going to be very beneficial to me, my health and the health of this program.
“If you’re game-planning and calling the game, you’re busy. Very busy. Then if you add all of the head coaching responsibilities to it, you get into such a grind physically and mentally that it can wear you slap out. It was wearing on me.”
And now?
“I feel more revived and more fresh right now than I have ever felt going into a season since I’ve been at Georgia,” he said. “If you’re a coordinator only, there is a true offseason for you. As a head coach there’s not much of an off-season. Not only are you grinding it in season, you’re grinding it out of season. There was no time to revive in between. This will help me. I imagine I’ll have a little more time to exercise and for myself mentally.”
It’s amazing the residue that one “off” season can leave. Richt won 13, 11, 10 and 10 games in four straight seasons, then dropped to 9-4 last year. Welcome to under the radar. Media polls here have the Dogs finishing third in the SEC East.
They received two of 80 first-place votes. The only schools that had fewer drew none — Kentucky, Vanderbilt and the dented bookends in Mississippi.
Eleven schools have players on the preseason all-SEC first team. One doesn’t: Georgia.
“Preseason all-SEC doesn’t mean much,” Richt said. “Postseason SEC means something.”
He didn’t seem to care that the parade seemed to have passed through town. In reality, he hasn’t started yet.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments
By Dave In Tampa
July 27, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
First! Go Dawgs!
By me
July 27, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Hopefully this means that UGA fans won’t have to hear from other fans that all we do is “predict national championships each year.” No one is predicting greatness this year, so give it a break.
There are reasons to be optimistic, but let’s let the other SEC fans pump up their programs while we play the games and see where we land. Go Dawgs!
By Jack
July 27, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Yeah they sure are some underdogs. Preseason Top 25 by most without barely any returning OL’s with experience and a depleted defense. Yes, they are seriously being overlooked..not.
By Gwinnettian4life
July 27, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
It is refreshing to see a head coach with priorities in line with life. And I am no homer, but this year’s UGA squad could surprise some teams.
By Rhett Butler
July 27, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
GO GAMECOCKS
By Alex
July 27, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
GO BACK TO SOUTH CAROLINA
By sammy miller
July 27, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs will have one more Loss/butt kickin after Ole Miss steam rolls through Athens!
By Mike Vick
July 27, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
It don’t matter where dem dogs is flying. I’ve got me a tall tree and a short rope for them.
By boots
July 27, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
Let me ask you a question, you buzz head geek - if you could change teams & coaches with the Dawgs, would you? Of course you would. Only we would then be stuck with some felons, some males flag waivers and a losing football team. No thanks!
Dawgs finish #2 but have an awesome season, going to a New Year’s Bowl and win it. Either Tenn or Auburn will be the loss in the SEC. We roll Tech and “upset” the lizards.
Predict Auburn goes on probation within 2 years.
By Joey H
July 27, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Ole Miss! That’s a good one! Stop, you’re killing me!
By AJ GREEN WEARS #1
July 27, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this
I love this coach. Could not be any happier with the way the preseason has started. Lets lay low and sneek up on some people!
By woodstock bats
July 27, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
Hey just keep the football players at school aways from bats and highschool kids and they might have a chance. If they don’t continue to TRIPP over themeselves. And Richt should take note of the character of the Murray STate coach and start cleaning out that pile of dawg crap.
By shane
July 27, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
there was a reason our recruiting slipped a little last year and picked up this year. we had a coach that had worn himself out,richt had admitted this fact in other interviews. now he has the time and energy to get to know the kids he is recruiting. i hope the recruiting success tranfers to the field this fall.
By ga dog
July 27, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
dogs will suprise some folks this year, new ol line coach will produce some hogs up front for stafford who i believe will avg 350,360 yds passing a game to set records this year, 08 expectations,.. i am not so sure,things go wrong when you expect big things
By spike
July 27, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this
Richt is a class act. no doubt about it. We are all proud to have him as a head coach. Underestimate him and the Dawgs at your own peril….
By Charlie
July 27, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
Bama just got a commit from the all-evrything OL from Mtn Brook that the AJC kept writing about how UGA had a very good chance…dream on dawgs…your getting hit from each side of Jawga. The gravy train is ovah.
By RedDawg
July 27, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this
I like the fact that Gerogia doesnt get the respect it deserves. Georgia is a special team. a 9-4 is a down year for Georgia, i expect georgia to win 12 to 14 games next season
By Yankee down South
July 27, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this
Charlie…you’re an ignorant peni$. Have fun w/ your sister.
By Ben S.
July 27, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Couldn’t ask for a better man to be leading our program. He is a man of great faith and charachter, and I am proud of you.
By BamaDawg
July 27, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
“hit from both sides of jawga”. This state is one of the most loaded states in the nation, so we’ve got plenty to spare. By the way, Mtn Brook is in ALABAMA, so big surprise that ‘Bama got him. UGA never relies on kids from ‘Bama.
Would’ve been nice to steal one away, but no biggie.
Like Yankee said, have fun with your sister.
By Chris
July 27, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
Richt is a class act no doubt. I wish him well.
UGA is where they should be. They do not have high expectations because they are not a first tier SEC football program. They had some success in the 90’s only because other schools were down. Those schools are now back and uga has stayed at the same level. They will finish where they should w/ 3-4 losses.
By stevethehawk
July 28, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this
Success in the 90s, Chris? Dawgs won 2 SEC Championships in the 2000s, No SEC championships in the 90s. 3 SEC championhips in the 80s. The 90s was a decade without success.
By Big Dawg
July 28, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
It is good that the Dawgs are flying under the radar. Now maybe some of these other schools that we play on a yearly basis won’t have the date they play us circled indicating it is a very important or in some cases most important game for them. That way we can slip up on a few people and surprise them. This team is loaded at every position with talent some of it is young and inexperienced on the collegiate level but they are not a second tier SEC team as several of you other posters are saying i.e. Chris and you will be eating your words by the end of this season.
Go Dawgs
By Big Dawg
July 28, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
Charlie,
BTW we got 2 very good offensive linemen out of Alabama this year i.e. Jonathan Owens and Ben Jones who Coach Saban and most of the other Top tier programs wanted as well.
By m. vick
July 28, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
Dawgs?? Dis be da Dawg site?? My boyz bees runnin kinda short on good dawgs up in Virginny, so’s iffn any yu nice white folk can call de courthouse 10-4, M-F, an leaves a message, I be apreciattin it. I aint sho bout dem boys tho, cause my lawya sez dey maybe turnin states evidence (whatever dat be) agin me, tryin to stay outta big house. Also, anybody gots Al Davis cell numba? I needs dat an also a numba fo KFC or Church’s since Nike an Reebok dun dumped on me. It look like de next numba I be wearin on a shirt be longer dan 7.
By Arthur
July 28, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
Jeff,does the reference to “radar” have something to do with the increasing number of arrests of UGA players? You know—driving the wrong way on a one-way street, driving without licenses, and the usual beatings and drunken brawls. It looks to me like Richt is recruiting and uh “coddling” players who are entitled to behave as they please. “Nip it Mark, nip it in the bud.”
By SECDAWG07
July 28, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
I for one am glad to run under the radar. CMR is a class act, and I believe that we are a Top 5 program right now, and I am being objective. I cant believe when some of you say things like we cant recruit and we are a second tier SEC program. If you are just objective, you will see that UGA has numbers over the last 7 years comparable to USC and TX. CMR has been a blesssing, and any of you that spew off things like I mentioned before are one of two things: You either dont know anything about football or you are completely and utterly jealous. Even an objective fan could see the success and momentum that Georgia is enjoying. I have a feeling most of you are jealous….
By Roswell Ed
July 28, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Let’s just hope that they aren’t DRIVING UNDER THE RADAR!
They’ll surely be pulled over before the OSU game without a license!!
CMR’s boyz are at it again. Can’t stay off the blotter.
Why can’t he stop this? Bobby taught him well.
“Awe shucks. Boys will be boys!!
Good job CMR.
By shane
July 28, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
another moving violation,another kid in jail. can someone tell me what license required means. i understand what driving on a suspended means,and i understand driving without a license, but i don’t understand this charge.
By Roswell Ed
July 28, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
THE LATEST RUMOR
Stafford and Cox were in the back seat spooning.
By Skydawg
July 28, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Personally, I find this a very comfortable position. As I recall in the pre-2005 season, no one was picking the Dawgs nor the 2002 season. But people tend to forget that the Dawgs are no longer the Goff or Donnan Dawgs. Richt and coach Van have put in a system (thanks to Bobby Bowden) that optimizes the potential of athletes. People tend to forget that Richt has been putting together top 10 recruiting classes for 5 years now. Granted this last class slipped a bit but its only due to the recruiting services preference for skill players vs OL/DL and JUCO players. But mark my words, even though we lost some key players from last year, this team is ready. And I personally think Richt knows this as does the team itself. The Dawgs are getting absolutely no respect and you know what..I like it. Because you know what happens if you back an injured dog into a corner. And to all the Gayturd fans. Welcome to D1 college football you noobs. Why don’t you guys act like you’ve been there before you start talking so much smack. Your pathetic team was non-existant until Spurrier got there. Not even a blip on the map. So don’t settle in so high on that pedistal cos its a long fall when you do. Just the latest punk on the block. Your program is still in diapers compared to the overall success of Bama, UT, AU and yes us lowly Dawgs. So grow up and act like you’ve been there before..but guess its hard when its all so new. Cos life runs in cycles and you’re due for a long dry spell real soon. Especially when subUrban gets you slapped with sanctions or bolts once again like he’s prone to do.
By Ben S.
July 28, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Wow, an unauthorized pass in a right hand lane makes it on the AJC. What about that man in Lawrenceville who was driving with a headlight out? What about that woman who turned at a red light without coming to a complete stop? Oh wait, what about that immigrant who rolled through that 4-way stop in Stone Mountain? Publishing traffic violations in a major paper….what a day in the newsroom!
By Thomas
July 28, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
LOL. I am a Tech fan, and I find that a little ridiculous. Publishing traffic violations in the AJC. Glad they’re not coming after us.
By AJ GREEN WEARS #1
July 28, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
How do you get arrested for passing on the right? What happened to a ticket. CMR has got to real these boys in. Fat like! Someone better watch out the ax is going to fall.
By Lenny
July 28, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Will Richt be able to get all these players out of the slammer on Saturdays to field a half decent team?
By Roswell Ed
July 28, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Early Prediction:
Athens-Clarke County Jail 21
OSU 24
By shane
July 28, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
aj,why write a ticket when you can lock somebody up and get your fifteen minutes of fame from the ajc. no wonder our recruiting has cooled lately. i love uga,but i don’t know if i would want my kids to go to school there. i culdn’t afford to drive to athens every weekend and post bail for some chicken s—- charge. boosters pour millions into uga and athens every year,maybe it’s time for us to get together and have a chat with the local office holders.
By Roswell Ed
July 28, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Shane:
Boss Hogg, Enos and Roscoe said that it wouldn’t do any good.
You city folks stay on home.
By Ben S.
July 28, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Wow, an unauthorized pass in a right hand lane makes it on the AJC. What about that man in Lawrenceville who was driving with a headlight out? What about that woman who turned at a red light without coming to a complete stop? Oh wait, what about that immigrant who rolled through that 4-way stop in Stone Mountain? Publishing traffic violations in a major paper….what a day in the newsroom!
By shane
July 28, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
ed old buddy you got me all wrong,i am south georgian and country as cornbread. i do know a scam when i see it however. can you imagine bear bryant putting up with this crap? heads would be rolling all across the state of alabama! i wouldn’t want to be the cop that wrote up one of bears boys on a charge like this.
By Bill
July 28, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Well sky, time to face a few facts.
Cocach Van has been gone for a few years now.You guys were not the greatest team on earth before Dooley got there.Certainly nothing compared to Bama,Oklahoma,Southern Cal,or Notre Dame.
Keep bringing up ancient history.It’s about all you have to fall back on now
As for the name calling,it displays an obvious lack of intellect.
A generation has passed since you last NC.
News Flash:Herschel Walker doesn’t play at UGA anymore.
This is one long cycle.15 out of 17.8 SEC titles,2 national titles.
Sanctions?That is ridiculous.Where has Urban incurred NCAA violations?At Bowling Green?No.At Utah?No.At Florida?No.In fact the UF football team has not had a whiff of NCAA problems since Spurrier arrived in 1991.Can UGA make the same claim?Again the answer is no.
Jealously is an ugly thing.