Credit: Mark Bradley
Credit: Mark Bradley
On Dec. 17, 2014, I asked Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity if he felt Mark Richt was capable of delivering a championship . His measured response: "Until I'm convinced he is not, then I believe he can."
On Sunday, I emailed McGarity to pose the same question. His response: "Mark, am focused on the Kentucky game and supporting our coaches and players."
Georgia lost 27-3 to Florida on Saturday in Jacksonville behind quarterback Faton Bauta, a fourth-year quarterback making his first collegiate start. (He threw four interceptions.)
The Bulldogs were 1-3 in October after rising to No. 7 in the Associated Press poll. They lost to Alabama by 28 points in the worst home loss under Richt, then wasted a 21-point lead and fell to Tennessee. Their one October victory was a 9-6 edging of Missouri. Georgia was outscored 109-53 in the month.
Credit McGarity for fielding the question -- he didn't go the "no comment" route -- even if what he supplied wasn't really an answer. He expressed his support of his team and his coaches, which is what an AD should do.
Still, I can't say I took those 13 words as an endorsement of anything. If his December answer wasn't nearly a "Heck yeah!", this seemed even less. But your interpretation might differ.
Further reading: Georgia under Richt has run out of ideas.
Still further: The furor over Faton Bauta -- much ado over not much.
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