Richt makes point to meet new boss

By Andy Johnston

For the AJC

ATHENS -- Mark Richt took some time to meet his new boss Friday after thunderstorms forced Georgia’s football team indoors.

The Bulldogs were practicing at the same time that Greg McGarity was introduced as Georgia’s new athletic director, so when the weather hit, Richt went to the news conference and reception.

“I got a chance to shake his hand and hug his neck,” Richt said. “I look forward to working with him.”

Richt said he doesn’t think he had ever officially met McGarity, an Athens native who was an assistant AD at Georgia before leaving in 1992 to go to Florida, where he was the executive senior associate AD.

“He just seems like a very genuine person,” Richt said. “Everybody that I know that knows him, or has worked with him, they think the world of him. They think he’s just tremendous. It’s very obvious that he loves Georgia, that he loves Athens. I think it’s very believable when he says this is his dream job. It’s where he wants to be.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know him and working with him.”

Richt joked that he might learn a few of the Gators’ secrets.

“I won’t hit him with that right off the get-go,” he said, laughing. “I’m sure that’s a subject that will come up.”

Glenn out with mono

Starting guard Cordy Glenn has mononucleosis and will not practice “for a while,” Richt said. “I don’t think it’s severe, but it’s enough to keep him from contact.”

He said the training staff is guarding against potential weight loss and the possibility of an enlarged spleen. Tanner Strickland has moved into Glenn’s spot.

Glenn, a junior, started all 13 games last season and nine in 2008 and was in tremendous shape this summer. Richt said he should return in time for the opener.

Reserve offensive tackle Jonathan Owens will need surgery for a subluxed kneecap.

Linebacker Akeem Dent (toe surgery) is expected to return to practice the week before the Sept. 4 opener against Louisiana-Lafayette and be able to play in the game.

“Dent’s doing real good,” Richt said. “He’s able to [work on conditioning] now. It’s a shame he got hurt, but we’re thankful it shouldn’t cost him any playing time.”

Scrimmage moved for wedding

Saturday’s scrimmage at Sanford Stadium was set to start at 3 p.m., but Richt and the coaches wanted to accommodate the Ogletree brothers, who had expressed a desire to attend their sister’s wedding this afternoon.

The scrimmage is now scheduled for 8:05 a.m.

“I told mama I’d try,” Richt said. “I can’t promise the rehearsal dinner, but I think I can get them to the wedding. It’s not right to have something important and have all the family portraits, and the boys aren’t there. That would not be good. I definitely wanted them to be there for that.”

Alec Ogletree is a freshman safety, and Alexander is a freshman fullback.

Richt liked the change and said it’s something he’ll likely keep as part of the schedule.

“We’ll have a chance to scrimmage, and the coaches will have a chance to grade the film,” he said. “After the scrimmage, the players can go back to their rooms and take a nap or whatever they want to do, then come back around 5 o’clock and spend a couple of hours watching the film. I don’t know why we didn’t think of it on the front end.”

Smith back at practice

Cornerback Branden Smith, who was cleared to practice after taking care of some eligibility issues, wasn’t permitted to talk to the media after Friday’s practice.

Smith, who missed eight practices, also could see playing time at running back or receiver and as a kick returner this season.

“He’ll definitely get some work [in Saturday’s scrimmage],” Richt said. “I don’t know how much, but he wants to play. He’s just excited. He’ll be fine. He says he remembers everything, so we’ll see.”

Heading inside

A thunderstorm forced the Bulldogs off the practice field and into Stegeman Coliseum about 3:30 p.m.

The players remained in their pads and “walked through some plays to get ready for the scrimmage,” linebacker Justin Houston said.