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The state of the program as it pertains to the layperson. (long)
Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:10 am
Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:10 am
First I would like to preface this by saying, I am a person that takes college football with a grain of salt with regards to what it means to my life. Meaning, I am as passionate about as the next person, but it doesn't control what my actions are away from Saturday. I do believe, however, that things are never as bad as they seem and never as good as they seem. Some guys on here are ready to jump off the deep end because of a loss to a team that played-1)at home 2)in the biggest game of their stadium's and schools existence, and 3)Has arguably the best defensive front seven in the conference. I am obviously not one of those people, but I do have some questions about where our beloved program may be heading and how it equates to how what the direction would be in our chosen professions and our everyday lives...
It is well documented that the football program is now 0-9 in the last 2 years against teams that finished the season ranked in the top 25. We are taken for granted here that USC will end the season in this years top 25, but I think we can all unequivocally say that is an inevitability. On the flip side to that is the fact that we have been winning games that we are supposed to win to the tune of, the recent ended, 15 game regular season winning streak; which was tops in the nation until last week. I think we can all agree that is nothing to scoff at. But what do those numbers really mean and how does that apply to how we conduct are lives on a daily basis in our professions juxtaposed to Mark Richt's?
I myself manage a business and have direct reports that I am responsible for, I also have a manager that is responsible for my yearly reviews within our Region. Now within how we conduct business, my subordinates and I have many clients that spend a good amount of money with us and we are on a roll with closing those clients at a frantic clip but none of those client really spent the amount of money that is simply mindbending. I have had opportunities however to close 9 clients that were prepared to spent an obscene amount of money with my company but in so doing I fall flat on my face with each sales pitch and every one of those clients walks out and are never to be heard from again. This is when my performance matters the most because it is most visible by my company's most important people. Theoretically, next month I have a review that will be filled out by my manager and he asks me for a self assessment before the review is to begin.
The question now is, am I doing a job that is worthy of promotion,(in this case, a contract extension) or am I doing what is necessary to just survive in my current position? Would I expect my manager to be happy with my performance?
The purpose of this is for me to convey how we should feel about Greg McGarity and Mark Richt to self assess themselves when the review is due. In no way am I looking for Mark Richt to be fired; at this moment or any moment, but I would like to see both men be publicly accountable for what has been transpiring on the field recently. As well as letting us as "billpayers" know where we are heading as a program and is this the behavior we can expect from here on out. What is the state of the program, and are we doing just what is necessary to survive?
I just wanted to get some thoughts from you guys as fellow fans on this, aside from the "FIRE RICHT" rhetoric that is the usual here.
It is well documented that the football program is now 0-9 in the last 2 years against teams that finished the season ranked in the top 25. We are taken for granted here that USC will end the season in this years top 25, but I think we can all unequivocally say that is an inevitability. On the flip side to that is the fact that we have been winning games that we are supposed to win to the tune of, the recent ended, 15 game regular season winning streak; which was tops in the nation until last week. I think we can all agree that is nothing to scoff at. But what do those numbers really mean and how does that apply to how we conduct are lives on a daily basis in our professions juxtaposed to Mark Richt's?
I myself manage a business and have direct reports that I am responsible for, I also have a manager that is responsible for my yearly reviews within our Region. Now within how we conduct business, my subordinates and I have many clients that spend a good amount of money with us and we are on a roll with closing those clients at a frantic clip but none of those client really spent the amount of money that is simply mindbending. I have had opportunities however to close 9 clients that were prepared to spent an obscene amount of money with my company but in so doing I fall flat on my face with each sales pitch and every one of those clients walks out and are never to be heard from again. This is when my performance matters the most because it is most visible by my company's most important people. Theoretically, next month I have a review that will be filled out by my manager and he asks me for a self assessment before the review is to begin.
The question now is, am I doing a job that is worthy of promotion,(in this case, a contract extension) or am I doing what is necessary to just survive in my current position? Would I expect my manager to be happy with my performance?
The purpose of this is for me to convey how we should feel about Greg McGarity and Mark Richt to self assess themselves when the review is due. In no way am I looking for Mark Richt to be fired; at this moment or any moment, but I would like to see both men be publicly accountable for what has been transpiring on the field recently. As well as letting us as "billpayers" know where we are heading as a program and is this the behavior we can expect from here on out. What is the state of the program, and are we doing just what is necessary to survive?
I just wanted to get some thoughts from you guys as fellow fans on this, aside from the "FIRE RICHT" rhetoric that is the usual here.
This post was edited on 10/8/12 at 10:13 am
6
Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:21 am to JStanDawgFan
Man, I appreciate it, but that was too long.
I feel like I got the gist of your article without reading completely.
But let me just say this. No top coach gets it handed to him like what happened this weekend and wins championships. The man has had 12 years to get it right, and it's hasn't happened.
I always hold out hope that my team can win at the highest level, but it's all but faded for me in regards to Richt.
I understand the good qualities the man has as a person and a coach (yes, there are some), but his will to win is not on par with the most successful coaches in college football.
I feel like I got the gist of your article without reading completely.
But let me just say this. No top coach gets it handed to him like what happened this weekend and wins championships. The man has had 12 years to get it right, and it's hasn't happened.
I always hold out hope that my team can win at the highest level, but it's all but faded for me in regards to Richt.
I understand the good qualities the man has as a person and a coach (yes, there are some), but his will to win is not on par with the most successful coaches in college football.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:36 am to bulldawger
quote:
bulldawger
Sorry man, didn't mean to make it too long.
Thanks for the response. I am not saying I am losing hope with regards to Richt, but I am saying its time for feet to start hitting fire. Get it righted now or because there may not be a next time type of thing.
I will say that McGarity knows this all to well, as he has never been present for a Mark Richt post game press conference; but where was he on Saturday? Right next to Richt. He knows the time is now.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:40 am to JStanDawgFan
quote:For me, the best part is to know that many factors are involved in this great game... a team can have the best players at every position and STILL LOSE.
I do believe, however, that things are never as bad as they seem and never as good as they seem.
Hell yeah!!!
Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:43 am to JStanDawgFan
Let's just see how we finish the season. If we could some how beat Florida and finish the year 11-1 that would be a great season. 
Posted on 10/8/12 at 10:49 am to JStanDawgFan
quote:
Get it righted now or because there may not be a next time type of thing.
If I'm not mistaken, we were led to believe this type of mandate was given back in the 2011 off season.
The soft schedules have to be taken into consideration in regards to Richt's success this year and last. Changes have been made, but no improvement has been made in regards to catching the better schools in the conference.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 11:20 am to DisneyDawg
Even if we finish 11-1, Which is not likely, I couldn't consider that a "great" season because of all the expectations and hype there was around this team coming into the season. It could deffiently be worse, but it should be alot better with the tallest that's there.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 11:20 am to JStanDawgFan
Valid analogy that applies to many things including football. To answer your hypothetical questions:
1. Yes, you are probably doing enough to survive your evaluation short-term but
2. No, neither you or your manager are happy with your performance.
The main question is what happens if your performance doesn't improve? This is where the comparison takes a sharp turn. In your hypothetical case, you can probably be replaced any number of junior executives who might be able to improve on your performance. However, in Richt's case I don't see many viable possibilities. Many teams lose or fire coaches only to end up in a worse situation in terms of wins and loses. Change in this case means lack of continuity which often hurts recruiting and the bottom line. Also, we don't have insider info on success criteria that has been agreed upon in Richt's contract and through verbal exchanges. But considering McGarity's background at Florida, my guess is the ineptness vs ranked teams can't continue indefinitely. However, considering Mark had his first losing season in 2010, McGarity will likely see 2 subsequent 10 win seasons as improvement regardless. Thus the quandary.
1. Yes, you are probably doing enough to survive your evaluation short-term but
2. No, neither you or your manager are happy with your performance.
The main question is what happens if your performance doesn't improve? This is where the comparison takes a sharp turn. In your hypothetical case, you can probably be replaced any number of junior executives who might be able to improve on your performance. However, in Richt's case I don't see many viable possibilities. Many teams lose or fire coaches only to end up in a worse situation in terms of wins and loses. Change in this case means lack of continuity which often hurts recruiting and the bottom line. Also, we don't have insider info on success criteria that has been agreed upon in Richt's contract and through verbal exchanges. But considering McGarity's background at Florida, my guess is the ineptness vs ranked teams can't continue indefinitely. However, considering Mark had his first losing season in 2010, McGarity will likely see 2 subsequent 10 win seasons as improvement regardless. Thus the quandary.
This post was edited on 10/8/12 at 11:45 am
Posted on 10/8/12 at 11:29 am to JStanDawgFan
one major flaw...nobody is trying to knock your head off while you're trying to sell/manage/administrate...
Richt is a very good administrator of the program. his "fatal" flaw is his bobby Bowden-like loyalty to his staff. If you remember when he first came here, he stated that the players have to execute and if they don't, it's on them, not the coaches. I bet, to this day, he didn't see firing WM as justified, but was forced to in order to save his own hide. As long as we are in the top 5 most profitable programs year in and year out, Richt will not be let go. Perhaps the new UGA pres will have a different opinion, and if so Richt won't last 2 years.
Richt is a very good administrator of the program. his "fatal" flaw is his bobby Bowden-like loyalty to his staff. If you remember when he first came here, he stated that the players have to execute and if they don't, it's on them, not the coaches. I bet, to this day, he didn't see firing WM as justified, but was forced to in order to save his own hide. As long as we are in the top 5 most profitable programs year in and year out, Richt will not be let go. Perhaps the new UGA pres will have a different opinion, and if so Richt won't last 2 years.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 11:50 am to bulldawger
As I understand what happened bulldawger is correct. Richt was given detailed goals after 2010.
Well here we are in 2012 and the same issues exist. I was amazed at the various games other posters pointed out as the exact date Richt showed he could not advance the program beyond a certain point. I would have thought it was the WV bowl game, but others point out even earlier games.
The problem with applying a business model to the football program is obvious. Private business with a profit motive vs a public entity with somewhat amorphous goals.
For me the program goals are black and white. Win big within the rules. Nothing else matters to me. If you want to play ball on scholarship, then you accept the rules of program. In my area of athletic specialty - running - sponsors expect runners to meet certain time goals and expect sponsored athletes to run certain races. Fail either and guess what goodbye sponsor. I once had a sponsor complain because I wasn't wearing the "right" singlet when photographed at the finish line.
As a coach if you can't meet the expectation of the program, then you lose your job. What I and other fans fail to realize or accept is that UGA's current goals and expectations for Richt may not be as lofty as we like. Therefore, the issue is how to work from the outside to influence a change in the underlying goals and expectations of the program. I believe this forum and others like it are read by the administration. I don't think the administration is particularly influenced by fan opinion.
I stated earlier that Adams is leaving. I believe one reason Richt survives is Adams' experience with Harrick. Adams knew Richt would not get the university into trouble. Mediocrity has been the price for this knowledge.
I refuse to buy into the argument that Richt can't be readily replaced. It is McGarity's job to replace any coach who doesn't meet or exceed quantifiable goals and expectations. Look, for example, at the gymnastics program. He pulled the trigger pretty fast in that situation. Less than 3 weeks later a coach is hired who has specific expertise in the area of the team's greatest weakness.
Richt needs to go. I wish he would go gracefully. He is a fine man. In fact I admire the fact that he has a homelife, but I also think there are other coaches who are willing to outwork him. Richt is in a profession where you MUST evolve in order to attain long term success.
Well here we are in 2012 and the same issues exist. I was amazed at the various games other posters pointed out as the exact date Richt showed he could not advance the program beyond a certain point. I would have thought it was the WV bowl game, but others point out even earlier games.
The problem with applying a business model to the football program is obvious. Private business with a profit motive vs a public entity with somewhat amorphous goals.
For me the program goals are black and white. Win big within the rules. Nothing else matters to me. If you want to play ball on scholarship, then you accept the rules of program. In my area of athletic specialty - running - sponsors expect runners to meet certain time goals and expect sponsored athletes to run certain races. Fail either and guess what goodbye sponsor. I once had a sponsor complain because I wasn't wearing the "right" singlet when photographed at the finish line.
As a coach if you can't meet the expectation of the program, then you lose your job. What I and other fans fail to realize or accept is that UGA's current goals and expectations for Richt may not be as lofty as we like. Therefore, the issue is how to work from the outside to influence a change in the underlying goals and expectations of the program. I believe this forum and others like it are read by the administration. I don't think the administration is particularly influenced by fan opinion.
I stated earlier that Adams is leaving. I believe one reason Richt survives is Adams' experience with Harrick. Adams knew Richt would not get the university into trouble. Mediocrity has been the price for this knowledge.
I refuse to buy into the argument that Richt can't be readily replaced. It is McGarity's job to replace any coach who doesn't meet or exceed quantifiable goals and expectations. Look, for example, at the gymnastics program. He pulled the trigger pretty fast in that situation. Less than 3 weeks later a coach is hired who has specific expertise in the area of the team's greatest weakness.
Richt needs to go. I wish he would go gracefully. He is a fine man. In fact I admire the fact that he has a homelife, but I also think there are other coaches who are willing to outwork him. Richt is in a profession where you MUST evolve in order to attain long term success.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 12:07 pm to JStanDawgFan
quote:
loss to a team that played-1)at home 2)in the biggest game of their stadium's and schools existence, and 3)Has arguably the best defensive front seven in the conference
Just more excuses. I've been driving the Richt bandwagon for 12 years now, and after Saturday I sadly had to take the keys out of the ignition. It's time to go, regardless of what happens the rest of the year. This isn't an aberration, it's a trend. Well SC was just too fired up! The atmosphere was crazy! Excuses, excuses, excuses. They are South frickin Carolina, and in about 4 years they have managed to severely close the talent gap between them and us, that should never happen. We're #5 in the country playing against #6 at night, and we came out with NO emotion, no energy, no life. That falls squarely and directly on Richt, and we've seen it time and time again.
This wasn't just a loss man, this was a game that set our program back years. That's not hyperbole either. It took 3 years to really recover from the perception that followed us after bama 08. And this game was twice as bad as that one. There is literally no excuse to look and play like we did. and then to say "well we just got whipped. We lost to a better team" and all that shite, that is on Richt and nobody else. We are by God Georgia, and we are now something like 0 for the last 16 against teams that finished the year ranked. That is sickening, disgusting, and I just can't even fathom how something like that at a program like ours happens. It is 100% on leadership and coaching. Beating up on teams we're clearly better than is fine, but when we face a team similar to ours (one that finishes ranked) that has quality talent and coaching we shite the bed again and again. For the last 16 times. Inexcusable.
It's been happening for years and I sadly realized that we will never, EVER win a title with Richt. Teams adopt the personality of their leader, and our leader is soft and for whatever reason can't seem to inspire and motivate when it is needed most. Next year won't get any better as we replace every defensive starter and add clemson and likely bama/lsu to the schedule. It's gonna be a down year anyway, so we might as well cut ties after this year. Sadly, I doubt we will, but we should. What's that saying, "what should be done eventually, must be done immediately"? Richt isn't the answer, so why hang on longer than we have to? After the tech game we should start looking for better answers.
This post was edited on 10/8/12 at 12:10 pm
Posted on 10/8/12 at 12:44 pm to WG_Dawg
quote:
WG_Dawg
Well stated. While I agree in principle I too don't see it happening. The business analogy is actually a good one. UGA football is a profit center and as long as that continues our admins likely won't see any reason to rock the boat. It will probably take a couple of losing seasons in a row and a drop off in donations for McGarity to be forced to pull the plug.
This post was edited on 10/8/12 at 1:46 pm
Posted on 10/8/12 at 12:53 pm to davesdawgs
spot on. at the end of the day these places care about MONEY. Yes winning championships brings in more money, but as long as UGA remains tops in profits, change isnt likely to happen.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 1:43 pm to JStanDawgFan
quote:
the recent ended, 15 game regular season winning streak;
Of course, that "streak" is sort of a garbage statistic, as it ignores two back-to-back stinkbomb losses. Yes, they were not regular season games, but they can't simply be dismissed out of hand, either.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 3:00 pm to FaCubeItches
Thanks for the responses guys. I realize that the business analogy may be lost on a few, but I think it is what relates to most of us. I just think that things cannot keep progressing the way they have been with regards to how we play against the best competition. Our coaches and our guys have to toughen up and start beating the best or our program will get left behind.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 3:17 pm to JStanDawgFan
quote:
or our program will get left behind.
Sadly, it has been left behind, at least compared to the conference's elite teams.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 5:52 pm to FaCubeItches
Here's the problem with Richt and why I am not a fan and how this plays out to now. There are some smoke and mirrors t ohis numbers in the W column.
2001- 8/3 lost bowl to BC
2002- 13/1 Sugar bowl, LSu was not up to speed Bama was on probation, Ufag had a new coach that still beat us and kept us out of NC game. Down year for SEC.
2003- 11/3 Outcoached by Saban and beat by the Zooker AGAIN, blasted at SECG. The Sec still a little down.
2004- 11/2 lost to UT, blistered by Auburn, the first sign of shitting the bed in big games.
2005-11/2 SEC Champs, we are the last SEC champ to not play for a national title. shite the bed in the Sugar Bowl.
2006- Shitty year. I wanted him fired then and I wonder what the program would be like now.
2007- 11/2, lost to the ole ballsack and shitted the bed at UT. Team became better but because he took the team to Newland unprepared it was a day late and a dollar short.
2008- 9/3 thisis where the total collapse happens.
2009- shitty year-should have been fired.
2010- shitty year should have been fired.
2011- 10/4 True smoke and mirrors, was outclassed,outcoached, and mocked by Peterson as Boise drilled us. Coughed one up to the shamecocks, got raped by LSU and coughed one up to MIch St.
He can beat the bad teams, just like Donnan, and Goff but he cannot prepare his team for big games. This has been going on since 2004. His wins are also good because we went to a 12 game schedule and that allows more scheduling of cupcakes and that fattens up statistics and wins columns. Look at Murray's stats this year and we play one really good tema and it's the biggest bed shitting loss int he history of the program. Time to move on. Mark Bradley said in 2009 that "hiring new coordinators was like shuffling hte deck furniture on the titanic". I concur, he will never take this program to another level. I believe thats 90% of the fans know this they are just scared of change. Change can be awesome, ask Bama, Florida, Notre Dame and even South carolina. They have all eclipsed us into another century.
2001- 8/3 lost bowl to BC
2002- 13/1 Sugar bowl, LSu was not up to speed Bama was on probation, Ufag had a new coach that still beat us and kept us out of NC game. Down year for SEC.
2003- 11/3 Outcoached by Saban and beat by the Zooker AGAIN, blasted at SECG. The Sec still a little down.
2004- 11/2 lost to UT, blistered by Auburn, the first sign of shitting the bed in big games.
2005-11/2 SEC Champs, we are the last SEC champ to not play for a national title. shite the bed in the Sugar Bowl.
2006- Shitty year. I wanted him fired then and I wonder what the program would be like now.
2007- 11/2, lost to the ole ballsack and shitted the bed at UT. Team became better but because he took the team to Newland unprepared it was a day late and a dollar short.
2008- 9/3 thisis where the total collapse happens.
2009- shitty year-should have been fired.
2010- shitty year should have been fired.
2011- 10/4 True smoke and mirrors, was outclassed,outcoached, and mocked by Peterson as Boise drilled us. Coughed one up to the shamecocks, got raped by LSU and coughed one up to MIch St.
He can beat the bad teams, just like Donnan, and Goff but he cannot prepare his team for big games. This has been going on since 2004. His wins are also good because we went to a 12 game schedule and that allows more scheduling of cupcakes and that fattens up statistics and wins columns. Look at Murray's stats this year and we play one really good tema and it's the biggest bed shitting loss int he history of the program. Time to move on. Mark Bradley said in 2009 that "hiring new coordinators was like shuffling hte deck furniture on the titanic". I concur, he will never take this program to another level. I believe thats 90% of the fans know this they are just scared of change. Change can be awesome, ask Bama, Florida, Notre Dame and even South carolina. They have all eclipsed us into another century.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 6:39 pm to FaCubeItches
Sad but true. We've been passed by the perineal doormat of the SEC. 
Posted on 10/8/12 at 6:51 pm to DawgCountry
SC may be a doormat, but it has a damn fine coach. I would hire at whatever his age is in a second. In fact I lobbied to hire the guy when he got fired by the skins. He may be a douche and he probably would have laughed, but you never know what might have motivated the guy.
Posted on 10/8/12 at 7:47 pm to JStanDawgFan
quote:
I am not saying I am losing hope with regards to Richt,
Gee, what is it going to take to make you give up?
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