This time last year, there was a dark cloud hanging over Athens as UGA had to beat GT to even make a bowl game. Ok so they win that game but then get sent to Memphis to play Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl, to which it was obvious the team didn't care to be there by how they played, and the coaches didn't much care either-Coach Richt was dogged for weeks about his early decision to kick a FG instead of go for a first down inside teh UCF 5. People were angry, people were talking and the talk was not good. Course behind the scenes, changes were being made. Numerous players were shown the door or just chose to leave-or maybe a combo of the two. The coaches were out hitting the streets recruiting what would be called, "the DREAM TEAM". Spring practice rolled around, everyone seemed happy about the recruiting efforts-and many golf folks were thrilled the spring game did not interfere with that big tourney over in Augusta. Also in the works, a deal to put us in the spotlight opening week of the season, against Boise State. Yeah, we were struggling but surely we could handle a team like Boise. Then along comes that game and we lose it pretty badly after a decent showing in the first half. The next week is the first conference games against the team that won it last year, a team that we ALWAYS seem to play close games with. Sure enough, that game is VERY close, we turn in over 5 times, they have a big DL turn a fake punt into a nearly 70 yard TD run, yet we still lose by only 3. But, the damage is done, there are posts all over the message boards, who do you want as our new coach etc etc. The cloud was continuing to hang but the man we have in charge never gave up-in fact he told his players after the game against SCarolina to hold their heads high, we could right this ship and turn this thing around. Sure enough, they did right the ship and although some games were closer than maybe we all thought they should be, despite the fact our schedule was viewed as weak and several of our rivals were "down" this year, a team that puts 10 straight victories on the board is doing something right. Along the way, we all got to witness some young pups growing up and we realized, wow, this team has a lot of promise for the future. Malcolm Mitchell, Isaiah Crowell, Amarlo Herrera, Chris Conley, Ray Drew, Watts Dantzler, David Andrews all play worthy snaps from dream team to reality of depth charts. Q Harrow, Damian Swann, Nick Marshall, and Corey Moore, still more dream teamers that contributed as true FR. You then had players that had been around but were young making huge contributions, Mike Gilliard, Garrison Smith, Michael Bennett to name a few. You had a transfer come in and make All American, you had a stud of a safety move to LB and although hurt for much of the season, you can just see the talent. Of course how could we forget another dream teamer but not from HS, rather from JUCO to come in and plug the middle of our D, along with Geathers who also had very little impact until this year. We had running back by committee this year due to injuries and suspensions, yet we had our best running year since I believe 2002. Our OL really had zero depth but managed to make it through. Bottom line, this year to me brought a lot of satisfaction to me because all the negative quickly turned to positive as the year played out. As happy I was for UGA, I was equally as happy for Coach Mark Richt-this guy is our most succesful coach of all time. Some will say Dooley but I disagree with that. Mark Richt has brought so much to our program, but yet he was being called out and questioned constantly during the last two seasons, and for sure at the start of this year. Granted, everyone has the right to call out the head man, especially when he is getting paid a LOT of money to win football games. But, that being said, he has built the expectations so high that sometimes fans have to realize, not every year is going to be rosy. I was at UGA when Ray Goff was hired. His first year, he went 6-6, with a bowl loss to Syracuse, his second year-you know the magical 2nd year, my senior year as I went the JUCO route first, 4-7 final record. Now, Goff in years 3 and 4 did have strong seasons but then it went downhill from there. Jim Donnan had a losing year his first year in Athens, after that he picked up the pace, but eventually started a downward trend in record, and Jim was not the best PR representative of our program. While I enjoyed listening to him on the call in shows, many were offended. His handling of the Quincy Carter mess, amoung other things-like losing 3 straight years to Tech, spelled doom for Donnan. In came the OC from FSU, everyone knew immediately that this was a man of class, but we didn't know he coach coach football-until the hobnail boot game in Knoxville during his first season.
Now we are 11 years in, minus a bowl game, and Coach Richt is going to get a contract extension when the bowl game is over. I am thrilled because I like having a man like Mark Richt leading my alma mater. Have we won a national title yet-NO. Do I think we can win one with Richt in charge-YES. We have been awfully close to one a couple times before. The fact is, we have a coach that cares about his players and coaches. Here recently we learned he committed NCAA violations for paying assistants out of his own pocket when the former AD Evans refused to pay what Richt wanted. Now, granted he makes more than enough to give some money away BUT, how many coaches around the nation do you think actually DO give money out of their pocket. I bet very few. There was a recent story about Nick Saban stepping over a Dolphins player who was struggling to stay alive basically in the locker room, needless to say, I KNOW Mark Richt would not do such a thing. Sure, Nick Saban has two national titles, he will play for a third in another couple weeks, but for me, I would MUCH rather have a coach with class, dignity, compassion, and character than a man that ONLY cares about one thing, that would be to win a football game. I want to win, and I want to win a national title but if I have learned anything in my nearly 43 years of life, it is that there are FAR more important things in life than winning a football game. This time of year it especially comes into focus. If you have children, especially kids under say 10, the joy on their faces at Christmas time is one of the most special moments in the world. To know that your kids are happy, to spend time with your family and realize you never know how many more of these special times you will have, it just causes me to reflect on what is truly important in your life, that would be your family and your friends. Sure everyone has to work to survive but your job will always be there, will your family?? When you hear Mark Richt speak, you know he values his job greatly, and you know he is a competitor and he wants to win badly. BUT, you know also know he loves his family, he loves God a lot more than he loves UGA football.
I hope to blog again next week so until then, Merry Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys time with family and friends during this holiday season, and if traveling, be safe.
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