UGA

By Bryan G.

February 8, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

Ward was an excellent and underrated player for UGA. Ward holds the school record for passing yards in a Bowl game at UGA for his performance against UVA in the 1995 Peach Bowl. He also holds the record for receptions in a Bowl game for the 1998 Outback blowout of Wisconsin.

Ward was a heckuva a talent and, if you count bowl stats, is the only player in NCAA history to rush, pass, receive, and return for over 1000 yards.

He’s probably the best UGA receiver of all time and is possibly the best all-around reciever in the NFL now. Damn Good dawg.

By Nate

February 8, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Mr. Super Bowl MVP deserves everything he has coming to him. He is not only a great football player (who blocks as good as he catches) but he is also a good person. Congrats! Hines

By Reilly

February 8, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

Hines Ward carried some Ray Goof teams by himself. Without Ward those Goof teams would have been horrible instead of mediocre. Take a look over the talent that Ray Goof had while at UGA : Zeier (at end of career left with many SEC passing records), Hearst (led nation in scoring one year, and was third in heisman voting), Davis (led the NFL in rushing, and was a Super Bowl MVP), Ward (conintual all-pro receiver, and Super Bowl MVP), R. Edwards (great pro running back for NE that was played at corner by Goof). When you think that the talent there didn’t win an SEC championship it’s obvious Hines Ward played for a horrible head coach at UGA that everyone was aware of and yet he still had a smile on his face through the whole thing. In this day and age the fact that he got through Ray Goof while still maintaining a cheery disposition is a testament to his never give up attitude. With an attitude like that you know he wasn’t going to stop till he achieved success.

By godawg

February 8, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

Hines Ward certainly ranks in my personal top ten 10 greatest Georgia players. Where?, it would be hard to say as there have been so many at different positions. He is certainly the number 1 “all-around” player. And, Yes, I rooted for Pitt because of Hines and Veron, and before ya’ll say it, over Mack and DG (nice that there always seems to be so many Dawgs in the Big Game!). UGA now has 3 former players selected as Superbowl MVP and no other school can boast more. GO DAWGS! WOOF!

P.S. Good UGA blog Chip.

By 74dog

February 8, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

I thought the falcons were idiots for passing over him. Of course, billy knight would no doubt leap at the opportunity to draft such a versitile player. What would Ward’s stats and draft status have been I wonder if he had played 4 years at WR ? My personal knowledge goes back to 1965 ,and I would put him in a group right behind Herschel, that would include Scott,Stanfill, Worley,Hearst, Robert Edwards, Edgar Chandler, Terry Hoague Garrison Hearst ,Greene and Pollack.Pick your own order,and apologies to those who saw Trippi and Sinkwich play in person(like my parents)Any way you slice it Ward deserves everything he is getting. And as an aside ,if TO had been raised by someone like Ward’s Mama, wouldn’t that be a scary thought.

By Bryan G.

February 8, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

74 Dog…you can’t forget Zeier in that group! His greatness is overshadowed by the fact that he played on 2 very mediocre teams (but two good ones in 91 and 92).

By godawg

February 8, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

Reilly, good points about the level of talent recruited by Coach GoFF (maybe not the greatest coach but he certainly deserves our respect for what he did as a player and tried to do later as a coach (we ain’t all Donald Trump either)). Two future SB MVP’s. Coach Goff also moved R. Edwards to RB in ‘95 but he got hurt after only 2 games. Donnan inherited him in the position and he went on to his 2,033 career rushing yards ranking ninth on the all-time Georgia rushing list and is only the 10th player in UGA history to rush for over 2,000 yards despite only playing offense for two years and two games.

By 74dog

February 8, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

BryanG, you are absolutely right and I intended to add him , but kept getting interupted by work! The funny part is I occasionally deal w/ Zeier in my job and should not have forgotten. He is by the way also a great representative of UGA.

By woody

February 8, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

Atlanta needs to honor Hines Ward with some type of Key to the city or Hines Ward Day, but they wont cause its Atlanta…

if they do let me know…..i’ll be there.

Hines Ward Rocks

By Bryan G.

February 8, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

godawg—I was at Edwards’s first game at Tailback vs. SC in 1995 when he scored 5 TDs. He was an incredible talent, and it’s unfortunate that both his college and pro careers were cut short by injuries. The next game at Knoxville, he ran for more than 100 yards in just the first quarter!

74dog—Zeier really is great. He was a heckuva talent. He even got to hand off to Hines for a year! Wonder how good a Tailback Ward would have been—he got moved to WR because of Edwards. So, hey, maybe Goff wasn’t so dumb afterall, Reilly.

By geechee

February 8, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

While Hines was an incredible athlete with the ability to play so many positions and play them all well, what made him excel and has endeared him to so much to Dog’s fans was his selfless attitude. He was team all way the way and would willingly play at whatever position he was asked.

By BIGNCDAWG

February 8, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

With the greats, you have to mention Tarkenton, Hampton, Davis, and Rauch.

By BIGNCDAWG

February 8, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

Good point geechee

By SamoanDawg

February 8, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

He’s a great team player. Something all the young kids need to look up to. He should be in the Hall of Fame one day.

By Don

February 8, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this

Great read Chip! I was pulling for the Steelers because of Hines Ward. I don’t know if anybody else on that deserved a Super Bowl ring but I knew Hines did. I also predicted that he would win the Super Bowl MVP. What a class act and exceptional athlete. I won’t get into my all time top 10 but I have said it before and I will say it again here, Hines Ward is at the top of my list. He played every down like it was the play that was going to win the game. He played injured. He played everywhere. He could do it all and do all of it good. He returned kick offs and punts, caught and threw passes and ran the ball.

By geechee

February 8, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

Please people, the man’s name is Goff. Let it go already because while we are talking about Damn Good Dawgs, he was one. He carried some teams on his back also as a player. He still holds some records at the school and it has been a while since he played. Why dis a Dog, especially a damn good one?

By Ray Goof

February 8, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

Because he only finished over .500 three times in seven seasons at UGA, including 6-6 my freshman year, despite having tons of talent - and fan support. That’s damn sorry.

By Jennifer Jennifer Armour

February 8, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

I was rooting for the Steelers because of Hines and Veron but also was hoping Mack Strong would have a big game. My only disappointment was that Hines said where he was from in the intro. not what school he went to.

I would love to read about what some of 2002 team are doing now. How about Musa Smith? What happened to Terrence Edwards after the Falcons cut him? How’s Fred Gibson done?

By jg

February 8, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

I guess if Herschel had comeback as a coach and failed you’d hate him now also. What did you do so great for the school? What sport did you play? Why not tell us your name so we can make fun of it?

By SugarDawg

February 8, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

Hines Ward is a full blooded football player. The versatility he showed at Georgia was tremendous. I’ve said it before… if only he could have been a Falcon! BTW, Jennifer, last I heard about Musa was he came back from his knee injury only to hurt it again, and finished the season on IR. Fred was picked up by Miami and last I heard, he was on their practice squad. As for Terrence, I haven’t a clue. GO DAWGS!!

By WMFDawg

February 8, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this

Here’s my personal list of favorites based solely on college career, not NFL. The list would be way different if we discussed NFL careers. 1. H. Walker 2. F. Sinkwich 3. C. Trippi 4. H. Ward 5. C. Bailey 6. T. Hoage 7. G. Hearst 8 F. Tarkenton 9. D. Pollack 10. Tie: D Greene/E. Zeier

By Bryan G.

February 8, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

people need to lay off Goff. It’s hard to follow a legend…look at Zook, Solich, etc., etc. It’s much easier to be the guy following the guy who followed the legend.

Goff was as good a player as UGA has had. In 1976, he helped lead us to the SEC Championship and Sugar Bowl. If you’re picking on Ray Goff, you’re a s** UGA fan or just weren’t born until 1989.

By AltamahaDawg

February 8, 2006 08:42 PM | Link to this

Amen Bryan. And if anyone was a fan back then, we rememebr nobody was ever as snakebite from injuries as was Coach Goff. One year was down to third string defence going into the fall.

By geechee

February 8, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

The ‘76 season Bryan mentioned included one of the greatest comebacks in UGA history. Down 27-13 at the half against Florida, Goff led UGA on a 28-0 run in the second half and beat the gators 41-27. Goff completed all his passes that day. He threw 2 TD passes and rushed for 3 TDs among his 184 yards rushing that day which is still a UGA record for a QB.

By T'Ville Dawg

February 8, 2006 09:10 PM | Link to this

Like Geechee says, Hines Ward was the most selfless player UGA has ever seen. He was/is such a great all-around talent. He definitely carried some Dawg teams. Recall vs. Texas Tech the reverse/end around in the final 5 minutes to win that game. He was asked to play whatever position was necessary. Unfortunately this included his debut game at QB vs. the Tide in Athens that was admittedly awful (final score was 23 -0?) Hines excelled at evrything he did and is a genuinely nice guy (he and Robert Edwards hung out and chatted with a few of us until about 2 AM in the coliseum parking lot in Athens after the team finally beat Florida in ‘97). Hines Ward is the quintessential “MR. Bulldog”. He ranks in the top 5 all time Dawgs.

By Bryan G.

February 8, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this

T’ville…I was there vs. Alabama in 1995. It was 17-0 and then Bama scored late twice to win 31-0. Hines started the year at WR and had to play QB b/c Bobo and Brian Smith got hurt. Vs. Alabama, fullback Larry Bowie was playing Tailback because Edwards, Selma Callaway, Torin Kirtsey, and Robert Arnaud were all hurt. That year was AWFUL with injuries. That 1995 had a lot of potential but really was snakebitten.

By Ray Goof

February 8, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this

My name is Robb Dryden.

By I'm sure

February 8, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

Right Robb, so you are saying one UGA athlete would dis another like that? You got any better names than that?

By Steve

February 8, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this

I was pulling for the Steelers b/c of Verron Haynes, too. Dont forget about him, not only a Dawg, but grad of North Springs High in Sandy Springs. 1 of 3 players in the NFL from North Springs (CHanning Crowder (Dolphins), Efrem Hill (Panthers).

Also, anybody know that the entire 2001 starting defense played in the NFL…pretty good, too.

By Mark Rauterkus

February 8, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

Eat your heart out. He’s our now. He is so gracious. Thanks for sending him to Pittsburgh. And, we welcome you’re arrival to the Black-and-Gold Steeler Nation too.

By Larry England

February 9, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

Hines is a fine player and even a better person. Its great to see his hard work pay off so handsomely. On another subject, all you Goff bashers should be ashamed. Ray too is a fine person and had the guts to follow a legend. Ray was an excellent player who loves UGA. Understand he did the best he could under the circumstances. Don’t cover your own weakness by shining a dark light on someone else.For every success we have today, someone paid a price. Thanks Ray!

By G'BORO DAWG

February 9, 2006 06:46 AM | Link to this

My personel knowledge goes back to the 1988 team. Some of my favorites have been:

John Brantley LB

David Hargett CB

Chuck Carswell CB/S (Didn’t he break his neck and still came back and played)

Mack Strong/Terrell Davis( I think b/c I met each during the 1992 Football camp I participated in)

Arthur Marshall-WR (I hated it when he opened the season breaking his leg in ‘91 against LSU. Wasn’t that game the first UGA game on PPV?)

Carlo Butler—LB

Mo Lewis—-LB

The big names are always easy but some of these lower profile guys were great. Remember Mike Jones, brother of Sean?

In mentioning Mo Lewis remember the other outside linebacker who we ended up kicking out, Normin Cowins? I would love to know whatever happened to that kid. That year, ‘89-90 we have some good linebackers and then he got busted for crack cocaine. Any way It is great to be a GEORGIA BULLDAWG!

By Mayretta Dawg

February 9, 2006 07:11 AM | Link to this

Major kudos to those true Dawgs who are defending Ray Goff. He was probably our best recruiter and a DGD. I’d like to steal a line from the UGA red red coat band and say “once a Dawg, always a dawg….” I hope these are posts from oponents trying to stir the pot cause you’re downing someone whose done a lot more for the University than your sorry selves.

Go Dawgs!

By GW

February 9, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this

Since 1976 Hines Ward is easily in the Top 5 Georgia Bulldogs.

By gdawginkalamazoo

February 9, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

Jennifer, Hines said Forest Park instead of UGA because he has very strong feelings for his childhood/upbringing. He contributes money, uniforms, support for his high school team. This is where he began his journey to the HOF. I can’t say that I wasn’t disappointed that UGA wasn’t shouted out but I understand. Besides WE all know and if anybody that didn’t know where he played college ball might get curious and look it up on the internet.

By gdawginkalamazoo

February 9, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

And yes I was pulling for the Steelers and one of the reasons was Hines Ward. I knew if the Steelers made it to the Super Bowl Hines would step up and be the player to make the clutch plays. Well deserved MVP.

By JQ

February 9, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

The only reason I somewhat consider myself a Steeler fan is because of Hines Ward. However, he is not at the top of my list of my favorite UGA players. Being born in the middle of the Herschel Walker era I didn’t get to see him play. So, for me the list looks like this: 1. G. Hearst 2. C. Bailey 3. H. Ward 4. D. Pollack. Stats wise, or NFL accomplishments don’t play into my decisions. I just really enjoyed watching these guys play college football, and will root for whatever team they play for.

By physicsDawg

February 9, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this

1) Hines is on my Top Dawg Totem. (Can’t you see his grin, or Herschel’s grin, on the one that sits on top)

2) Yes, I’ve always kind of liked the Steelers, since Atlanta doesn’t Have it’s own team. I ALSO have always liked Seattle, b/c I was born there. So, I definitley rooted for Pittsburg b/c of Hines.

3) I remeber some lousy (sub-par) years with Dooley, so lay off Goff. Both were great men. Yes, I’m glad he was fired as coach, and Donnan hired, but he was(and IS) a good man, and good Dawg. Have some respect.

4) T’Ville Dawg, genuinely nice guy (he and Robert Edwards hung out and chatted with a few of us until about 2 AM in the coliseum parking lot in Athens after the team finally beat Florida in ‘97) -That’s why I’ve got a hat signed by both of them, and wholly agree on their character.

5) Related to 3 & 4, Hines played so many positions, because injuries were horrendous those years. It wasn’t the coaches’ fault, and Hines excelled at everything he was called on to do.

By Reilly

February 9, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this

Wow! I never expected so much support for Goof and no I’m not going to lay off of him. He was a good player, a good recruiter, and a horrible coach. For all the guys out there asking me to go easy on him am I to assume that a 46-34-1 record and a blowout homecoming loss to Vandy (I was at that game and stayed through the whole thing) doesn’t deserve ridicule? It’s this kind of passive attitude which kept that moron as coach for two years longer than he should have been there. I am and always have been a UGA DAWG and I don’t understand back in the Dark ages (Goff’s coaching years) why my fellow UGA fans were willing to sacrifice the success of the program because they didn’t want to bad mouth and/or fire Goof. To quote an evil but very smart and succesful coach about Goff’s coaching ability. “How is it when Georgia signs people, they get the ‘best’ players, but when we play, we’ve got the best players? Georgia has signed a lot of good players. Something just happens to them at Georgia, I guess.” Yeah, what happened to those players is that they had Goof as there coach.

By John

February 9, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

I think Hines Ward is one of the better football players that Georgia ever had. He just had the misfortune of mostly playing during the worst period of Georgia football in the last 30 years.

By MD

February 9, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

I wanted the Steelers to win because of Hines Ward. I graduated from UGA in ‘94, so I never saw any of the older legends play. My personal top 10 is Herschel, Pollack, Ward, Greene, Zeier, Hearst, Bobo (love the guy, and he beat Florida and led the last-second comeback win against Tech in ‘97), Champ, Jon Stinchcomb (a little love for the guys in the trenches, and I’m a Parkview grad. Plus does anyone ever remember the fumble recovery for a TD against Auburn in 2002? Great hustle play that saved the game, and the SEC East title.), and Robert Edwards.

By John

February 9, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this

It’s one to comment on the job that Ray Goff did as head coach. And I’ll the first to admit that it was time for a change.

Just don’t attack him personally. That is totally classless. He has done nothing to deserve that.

By Reilly

February 9, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

I’m not attacking him personally. I think he is a nice guy that also happens to be a bad coach.

By gdawginkalamazoo

February 9, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

Reilly, regarding Goff, okay that is your opinion, lets call that that and have everybody agree to disagree. But to rag on the guy and make fun of his name I would expect a gator to do that and keep on doing that. Also you can’t fault him for “hanging around” two years too long. He might not have been the best coach for us but he certainly wasn’t a quitter.

By BD

February 9, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

I am and have always been a huge UGA fan. Yes, Ward has to be one of the best past UGA players but I can’t really decide who would be my favorite.

In reference to someone pointing out that’s now 3 S.B. MVP’s for past UGA players it made me think why hasn’t UGA had even better teams than they have ? Even without considering MVP’s think of all the UGA players in the NFL and how good they have become. Are they just not fully developing until they get to the NFL or should we somewhat question the coaching they’re getting at the college level. AND PLEASE, I love Richt and what he has done so don’t jump on me about that !

By crs

February 9, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

74 - Don’t forget Rodney Hampton, a fantastic back for UGA, who, in my opinion, had an amazing career for New York, equal to Emmitt but largely unacknowledged due to some poor and unhearalded Giant teams. He was their all time rushing leader until Tiki overtook him late last season. I would like to know what guys like Rodney Hampton, Fast Freddy Lane, and Tron “The Electron” Jackson are up to these days.

By crs

February 9, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

On Ray Goff, he was too young and he was put in a bad situation by Coach Dooley and others.

On UGA’s great players not translating into success always - it is a team game not an individual game - Ohio St. comes to mind - think of the teams that failed to win with Eddie George and those recievers - they finally got it done with a medicore quarterback but a great team.

By David Plant

February 9, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Hines Ward was a true Bulldawg He played every position that was ever asked to play with no questions asked. And I will say he played them to the MAX. Way to go Hines you deserve it.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

The other thing is that the idea that if the fans had Booed louder he would have been fired sooner is rediculous. As much as the fans and even the bigger booster like to think that they have some control over the Universities personel matters, the fact is, those of us that sat there and supported him were just realistic. He was the coach, that wasnt going to change until Dooley decided to do it, and talking him and the program down would have served absolutely no purpose but made it more difficult for Coach and or his replacement. Supporting a guy isnt being “passive”. We all saw what was happening, trusted the powers to move on when the timing was right. We didnt need to rant and B*** to prove our loyalty or standards.

By Reilly

February 9, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

It worries me to see that I can’t make a harmless joke about Ray Goff amongst fellow UGA fans without being accused of doing something “gatorish”. Would someone explain why everone is treating him like a saint on this blog? He was a nice guy that almost buried UGA’s football program. And if you think I am being too mean on ol’ Ray you should check out the other UGA discussion boards. The comments made about some members of the current coaching staff there are far more mean spirited than I am to Goff. Also in regards to him not being a quitter, that isn’t a good quality when by not being a quitter causes you to bring down everyone around you. Sometimes people need to realize their limitations. Especially if you get blownout by Vandy at homecoming.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

BD not jumping on you, just curious what you meant by not having better teams. Do you mean in the past under other coaches or in the past 5 years? I think an argument could be made that in the past 4 at least, UGA has had as good as any in the country. As for prior to that, I think we all agree that there were a number of factors, starting with just not having a great fit at HC.

The other thing is look at the Fl program, plenty of NFL guys now from the mediorcracy that has been their last 5 yrs.

By crs

February 9, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

Reilly - I think your criticism of Ray Goff is largely legitimate but his era was a long time ago now and what is done is done, we have moved onto better times now. The one thing I appreciated during the Goff era was he was given plenty of time to succeed which can not be said for Coach Donnan’s tenure. All of that said, lets enjoy the here and now with CMR and atleast having a chance every year to win the SEC and be in the national championship picture.

By Bryan G.

February 9, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

Reilly, I definitely agree that Goff was not a great coach. He was also the third choice for the job after Erk and the NC State guy (I forget his name) turned it down. Still, he’s a great guy and a Damn Good Dawg and that’s what’s important now. The unabashed hate for him could be okay if he weren’t an alum! Ha ha…

As far as UGA as a program, look at the record: since Dooley took over, UGA is top 10 in the country in wins (as they are all-time). That’s a pretty good record, don’t you think? Winning NCs is hard b/c it takes luck (see: Colorado 1990, USC 2004 with their fluke win over Va tech, Ohio State 2002, FSU 1993, and on and on) Almost any team in recent memory other than Nebraska 1995 needed a little luck. UGA just hasn’t had that other than in 1980 when the stars aligned. But, hey, if you keep hitting your putts close, eventually they’re going to start falling! GO DAWGS!

By godawg

February 9, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Reilly,

It’s OK to criticize former and present coaches, that’s what this blog is all about. I think what everyone is saying is draw a line between criticism and ridiculing one of our own. For instance, although I may have problems with his defensive schemes, I’m not going to refer to him as “Little Willie” Martinez. You get my drift.

You stated: “He was a nice guy that almost buried UGA’s football program.” You’re right about the nice part. A major criticism of him at the time was that he was too close and too empathetic with the players. To “bury” a football program takes participagtion of the AD and the president or “total lack of institutional control” (sounds like NATS).

Additionally you stated,”Also in regards to him not being a quitter, that isn’t a good quality when by not being a quitter causes you to bring down everyone around you.” Do you know any coaches you ever said, “I’m getting my butt kicked, I can’t take it, I’m quitting for the good of the program.”?

By Ray Goof

February 9, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

Does that blanket “once a dawg, always a dawg” apply to Jim Harrick also?

By wild thing

February 9, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

remember his gutty performance in peach bowl against virginia…bringing the team back to tie in 4th quarter .. special player

By godawg

February 9, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this

Jim Harrick is not a UGA Alum or former player and was hired over Vince Dooley’s objections. Ray Goff also was not fired for cheating and did not get the program put on probation. Big differences.

By Reilly

February 9, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

I can agree that part of the responsibility for the Ray Goff debacle is on the administration for choosing him as head coach and giving him way too much time when it was obvious to all that he wasn’t going to have success at UGA. What worries me now is that I feel like many UGA fans here on this blog didn’t learn the lesson of the Goff years. That lesson being that the program can’t be risked in order to treat an unsuccessful coach with tenderness just because he is an alum or a “nice guy”. I’m not saying we should have been rude about it. I’m saying the adminstration should of discreetly told him not to come back next year. Instead of quickly and efficiently dealing with the problem we had people still calling for him to get another year at the helm all the way to the end of his career. This blind loyalty is dangerous to the program. No coach’s hurt feelings are more important than the sucess of the program. Luckiliy, we have a successful coach that is intellgient, of good moral character, and will be with us for hoepfully quite sometime. Whenever Richt’s coaching days are over, I pray that the UGA nation doesn’t repeat the same mistake they made with Goff. Unfortunately, from how it sounds on this blog it seems that we are doomed to repeat it if we have another below average coach with school ties and/or a great personality. The same bunch who wanted to keep Goff will want to keep the next Goff and once again UGA will waste and fall back in football for several years. Just like how we kid Tech fans by saying “Keep Chan”, our rivals did the same with Ray Goff. They knew what we know now. Being a “great guy” isn’t the most important thing, winning is.

By crs

February 9, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

Little Willie - LOL!! Killing me.

By godawg

February 9, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree with you more Reilly. There was A LOT of pressure on Dooley at the time to “hire one of our own”, after Erk turned them down. I think the lesson was learned as evidenced by the Donnan firing and “getting the best guy for the job regardless of school ties” hiring of Mark Richt. I hope and pray you are right and we are not “doomed to repeat” mistakes by ignoring our history. There are always some who want to “give coach one more year” at every school.

There’s a fine line between giving another chance and pulling the trigger too early, as in the case of David Cutcliffe—the only coach in Ole Miss history (not even Johnny Vaught) to win at least seven games in his first five years and was 44-29 in six seasons at Ole Miss, 25-23 in the SEC, and just a season removed from going 10-3 and finishing tied for first in the SEC West. Foolish move.

The long and the short of it: You can’t be the player’s “best friend” and their coach.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Reilly, I almost agree, if the “fans” had a shread of input as to who gets hired and who gets fired. I chuckle at the notion that by defending the honor of a coach (from what ive seen it was more appreciation for his playing days and a lil respect for Gods sake) from 10 yrs ago, that somehow means I havent learned some lesson. I AM Blindly loyal, because guess what,Im just a paying fan (and alum) and I can be loyal without concequence. I can say nice things about a guy I truly beleived gave great effort and had numberous bad breaks. The professionals that run the program call the shots. Do you really think the sentiment of a half dozen folks in a silly blog on a regional newspaper sport section is destined to doom a universtity to future failure????

Whatever bunch of fans wanted to keep Goff, and I dont know many, had ZERO say in that decision, as they will no doubt in the future. So your problem with that whole deal rest squarly on Dooley and a small handful of top rank.

Lighten up Fransis!

By gator the dog catcher

February 9, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

The only person to do more damage to UGAY than Ray Goof, was Steve Spurrier. UGAY still chokes when they see orange and blue!

“Once a dawg always a dawg”

Tony Cole Jim Harrick Quincy Carter Jim Donnan Tavares Kearney Ray Goof Jim Harrick Jr Billy Carter

Some just have a harder time covering their tracks!

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

So gator we are going to start naming famous coaches that embarrassed thier universities now? hmmm hello pot.

Oh and FYI Spurrier did more damage to Fl last year than in any year he did to Georgia.

By godawg

February 9, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Charlie Pell. WOOF!

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

Galen Hall

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

Ron Zook..If your gonna pick on Jim Donnan

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

Norm Sloan, Vernon Maxwell.

By godawg

February 9, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

Urban “I cry in public when I lose” Meyer. Talk about embarassing.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Fred Taylor, Reidel Anthony

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

yawn, too easy

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

Since you love Billy so much, does Major Parker ring a bell? sniffff.

By Reilly

February 9, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

Altamahadawg : “if the “fansâ€? had a shread of input as to who gets hired and who gets fired.”

The fans do have input. They buy tickets and donate money. If the admin. saw a significant drop in donations and ticket sales Goff would have been out much earlier than he was. Instead fans that were blindly faithful to Goff kept paying so it took a lot longer for him to be removed

Altamahadawg : “I truly beleived gave great effort and had numberous bad breaks”

Yes he gave a great effort. But you have to be kidding me if you think that his poor record was due to numerous bad breaks. Goff lost 13 games in his first two seasons. Richt just got his 13th loss at the end of his fifth season. Luck does play a part in w’s and l’s but it doesn’t cause that much of a disparity. It’s lack of talent that made Goff a bad coach not just bad luck.

Altamhadawg : “Do you really think the sentiment of a half dozen folks in a silly blog on a regional newspaper sport section is destined to doom a universtity to future failure????” First off it’s largest circulated newspaper that has a UGA blog. So, I think that short of a polling of fans this is the closest one will get to figuring out the opinions of UGA fans and if the half dozen or so folks in this silly blog seem to think that blind obligation to Goff despite the sinking ship was the right way to go than UGA will be destined for failure if we happen to hire another coach like Goff at the end of Richt’s tenure.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Eh yi yi,

You win, he was not successful as a coach and we should trash him till the day he dies. Come to think of it Dooley had some bad years too. That SOB.

And fans hire coaches. Thanks, I was mistaken. Im sure when you stopped buying those ticket back then and stopped going to games, that’s what did it. You did stop going right? Dont tell me you simply perpetuated the problem by attending games during Goff years. Of cource not.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

And not one person in here said he should have been kept, did they? I didnt read a single person say that.

Just dont trash a former player, coach, and have a lil class. Get his damn name right!

By Reilly

February 9, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

AltamahaDawg : “You win, he was not successful as a coach and we should trash him till the day he dies. Come to think of it Dooley had some bad years too. That SOB.”

Dooley had a few bad years but over the course of his career he was successful. You are trying to misrepresent my arguement. Coaches are allowed bad seasons but they aren’t allowed to have bad seasons more often than good ones.

AltamahaDawg : “And fans hire coaches. Thanks, I was mistaken. Im sure when you stopped buying those ticket back then and stopped going to games, that’s what did it. You did stop going right? Dont tell me you simply perpetuated the problem by attending games during Goff years. Of cource not.”

Good use of sarcasm. So, do you think that whole FireRonZook.com didn’t have any influence on his employment at UF? I guess University adminstrations don’t care at all about money from tickets and donations, they just do whatever they want and ignore the fans even if it causes the money coming into the University drops like a rock. How do you like my use of sarcasm? And yes I did stop going till Goff was removed.

AltamahaDawg : “And not one person in here said he should have been kept, did they? I didnt read a single person say that.”

Yes you are right no one said he should have been kept but how many people felt that way in 1994? My concern was that people aren’t willing to give him his fair share of blame for the poor record of the team during his years because of his character and that he is an alum. That special treatment for him, caused him to be kept longer than if he wasn’t an alum or a good guy. And it seems that sense of misguided loyalty is still alive today among some Dawg fans. Luckily, we don’t have a bad coach who is an alum now.

Altamahadawg : “Just dont trash a former player, coach, and have a lil class. Get his damn name right!”

Is stating facts trashing him? I’m not brining up his record to hurt his feelings, I am bringing it up to state a fact and support an arguement. To “trash” someone, a person’s goal is to personally hurt them. I don’t want to emotionally hurt Ray Goff. I just want to state the facts about his time as coach. Saying Goof instead of Goff is a harmless joke. I personally think he is a good person just not a good coach. So, is it so wrong for me to make light of the fact that he wasn’t a good coach? He is just a football coach, he isn’t the pope. In regards to having class. I believe I do. I didn’t know that it was classless to harmlessly tease an unsuccessful ex-football coach and make a point about his career.

By geechee

February 9, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

“Yes, I’ve always kind of liked the Steelers, since Atlanta doesn’t Have it’s own team.”

LMAO, that’s the best line, I’ve read on here in here in weeks.

By geechee

February 9, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

“Does that blanket “once a dawg, always a dawgâ€? apply to Jim Harrick also?”

Harrick was never a “dawg”. He coached at UGA for a few years that’s all. He never paid the price as a player the way Goff did. If you are not mature enough to put his coaching years behind you and just remember him as the player that he was after all these years then you are not trully a Dogs’ fan.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

I’ll give you credit for one thing. ive never seen anyone go to the trouble as you have to prove a non point. Nobody is defending his coaching career.

I would like to ask? Did you attend any games the last 2 years of Goff coaching tenure? I am assuming not.

By gdawginkalamazoo

February 9, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

Damn, can we drop the Goff “argument”. 1) we have a new AD 2) we have one of the best coaches in the COUNTRY, 3) we have a perrenial top 10/top5 program with an NC in sight 4) we have #4 recruiting class in the country that filled our gaps from last year 5) Reilly, I think every big time program has learned a lesson from the fireRonZook campaign. That said, I can’t think of anything of that magnitude from fans, especially back in the 90’s. Now that we know it can be truly be effective I just don’t see our football program slipping from “blind loyalty” to ANYONE. Can we all stop b*tching about the past and celebrate the future? We are moving in a good direction and besides This blog is about Hines Ward being a nice guy and an ultimate dawg that has represented UGA in the best way

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

fireRon Zook had absolutely nothing to do with his firing.

By AltamahaDawg

February 9, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this

But ‘zoo, I agree. Times are different. Thtas not a dig at Dooley or a vote for Evans, its just the stakes are different. Its not about Connections and bragging rights any more.

Reilly here is my prediction. If 10 years from now, UGA gets caught with an underacheiving coach, they will react LONG before the fans stop buying tickets.

By SugarDawg

February 9, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

I hope Reilly doesn’t work in a post office and poor Ray Goff comes in to buy stamps one day. Can you say “Postal?”

By Windogger

February 9, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

I have two favorite memories of Hines while at UGA. One is maybe the best downfield block I have ever seen. It took place during one of Edwards 5 TD runs against SC in ‘95. The other is setting the Peach Bowl passing record against UVA with a broken wrist. It was his non-throwing hand of course, but still very impressive.

Gotta include Terry Hoage in any list of all-time UGA greats.

By geechee

February 9, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

“Gotta include Terry Hoage in any list of all-time UGA greats.

Yep, you gotta. Like Hines, he was another great high school QB recruited by UGA who became a star at another position. He’s becoming a great winemaker now. Terry Hoage Winery’s top rated and always sold out wine is called “The Hedge”. Wonder where he got that name?

By Dick Suave

February 9, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

All UGA fans should be proud of Hines Ward. If I were picking a team to compete at the highest level Hines would be the first reciever I picked. Others might be a little faster or a little more athletic but Hines has a lot of everything including the intangibles that only a great heart can produce. No player I can think of deserves the accolade of Super Bowl MVP than Hines Ward.

By geechee

February 9, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

Dick, y’all are steadily moving up, finally cracked top ten I see.