Note: This was published Nov. 16. Yes, I realize Mark Richt's record is one game better after Georgia defeated Georgia Tech Saturday night. My opinion has not changed, however. I was at the game Saturday night. What I saw was the most poorly coached, least poised Georgia team in memory and my memory goes back a good ways. Now, Richt is reportedly/reputedly a candidate for the Miami job. He might be well-advised to take it.
With apologies to the Von Trapp Family, how do you solve a problem like Mark?
Mark Richt is a fine Christian man.
He goes on mission trips.
Coach Mark Richt
As you (being the Dawgfan that you are...) probably know, the new AD has, all but, given CMR one more year to get the program back on track again. I would be totally shocked to see CMR accept another gig at Miami, or any other program right now for that matter. I just don't think that he has the fire in his belly that it would take to elevate a program that is downtrodden. I believe that he knows it, too, but is trying his best to disguise it.
With all of the resources that he has at his disposal at UGA, and with the program falling off like it has, I don't know why anybody else would think that he could do better at a Miami / Colorado, for example.
However, I do think that his style of coaching is better suited for the ACC (Almost Competitive Conference), than it is for the brutal & physical style of play that is the SEC. The coaching dynamics have drastically changed from when CMR came into the league. Mainly, Nick Saban & Urban Meyer, to just name a couple of examples, have relegated him to mid-tier-status. Both appear to be more demanding, More intense, more energetic, & more driven than is CMR.
There is, also, the argument that our talent level is down. And, in some positions like the offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, & defensive backs -- it is, imo. We have slipped over the last few years in recruiting top talent at those positions. Great talent can make an average coach look like a genius. I offer up Vince Dooley & Herschel Walker from 1980-1982. Along those same lines, I offer up Gene Chizik & 'Cam-the-Scam' Newton in 2010.
Where's Urban Meyer & Florida this year without Tim Tebow & Percy Harvin? What about Mack Brown, and all of those great recruiting classes that he has had at Texas? And, Nick Saban finished 4th in the SECW behind Auburn, LSU, & Arkansas. I can see giving him one more year to deal with the dreaded SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT ULTIMATUM that normally comes before the axe is wielded...
I can only speak for myself, but I think that a lot of UGA fans want to see CMR turn this thing around... It's really hard to not like CMR the person. But, as you alluded to in your piece, he's getting paid a huge sum of money to win at a high level. Prolonging his dismissal could be a huge mistake, because it just makes it even more difficult for the next guy that comes in to replace him that will come with a further fall off in recruiting.
I do agree that Greg McGarity & Michael (Napolen) Adams have a huge dilemma on their hands. But, I (also) think that they will give him at least one more year based on the equity that has in escrow at the present time. Right, or wrong, I think that you can take that to the bank.
I have no clue, obviously, as to what CMR is thinking. But, if I had to venture a guess, it would be that he wants to coach until his current contract expires in 2012 / 2013, and step down, while leaving the program in good shape. Personally, I hope that he can reach those goals. There's no doubt that he is a super nice guy. It's just too bad that the SEC is not a super nice guy league.