Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Coach Richt and the hot seat: It's lazy journalism

I've been a professional newspaper reporter for 12 years. And I've just had enough of this "hot seat" crap.

Mark Bradley made the obvious point yesterday: Coach Richt is on the hot seat in this and any year, if he tanks.

That's like saying a chef's probably going to be fired if he poisons all the customers. Reminding a major-program football coach that he needs to win is akin to suggesting that he breath.

Even the columnists have started to turn on this ridiculous meme. Some don't even call it the hot seat anymore. It's the "imaginary hot seat," a phrase now popping up in Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi's work. It was also used at Coach Richt's press conference at SEC Media Days.

When you're typing that, shouldn't there be a moment when you think "Maybe I should write about things I don't think are imaginary?"

And who's doing this imagining? I don't hear fans or boosters or UGA officials talking about the hot seat. I hear columnists and talk show hosts talking about it.

I'll issue a challenge now, to any sports writer or talk show host or blogger who's written about Coach Richt and the hot seat: Produce for me one Georgia official or significant booster who questions whether Mark Richt is the right man to lead this program.

Produce for me the numerous Georgia fans you've interviewed before writing about the mood of the Georgia fan base. I think it'd be better for you if they weren't a bunch of mouth breathing fools, but, for starters, just give me the name of one actual human being you've talked to.

Otherwise, you're writing in the echo chamber, equating repetition with the truth.

Update:
Dean Legge did an excellent job yesterday of drawing distinctions between what Georgia beat reporters think about Coach Richt's job security and what those further removed say:
Perception: Mark Richt is on the hot seat according to some outside observers
Reality: Mark Richt is not on the hot seat according to anyone who covers the Dawgs on a day-to-day basis

Perception: Damon Evans’ departure hurts Mark Richt
Reality: The opposite

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't start an argument with idiots. They'll drag you to their level and beat you with experience.

Lucid Idiocy said...

They're not idiots. They're just shameless.

Anonymous said...

Ok then, instead let's talk about "Errorn Intercepta-Murray!

Anonymous said...

# 11 Program All-Time in 1-A wins

# 19 last 4 years won/loss 38-14

# 96 Average NCAA Rank in Penalties last 4 years

21 fumbles a year average every year last 4 years

14 interceptions a year every year last 4 years

No Quarterback prepared 2006 (4 losses) 2009 (5 losses) and now again 2010.

# 3 Fulmer Cup Standings over the last 4 years as well

10-10 vs SEC East good for # 3 in the SEC East the last 4 years

20-12 vs SEC over the last 4 years good for # 4 vs SEC

1-3 vs Florida last 4 years, 1-3 vs 4 sorry vols' teams last 4 years, 2-2 vs Kentucky last 4 years, loss in last 4 years to South Carolina who that year were 6-6 and not even in a bowl game, and for good measure lost to Vandie who that season accumulated a grand total of 4 wins including the win over Georgia Bulldogs. Outstanding.

5 of the 10 losses vs SEC East the last 4 years came to teams who were not even ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll even with their win over Georgia Bulldogs.

In the last 4 years, the ONLY SEC East Win by UGA over a ranked Final AP Poll Top 25 team was 4-Loss Florida we beat in 2007, just after we had LOST 6 SEC East games in a ROW, 4 consecutively to end 2006 and 2 more in succession to begin 2007.

1-5 vs SEC East Ranked Top 25 teams last 4 years Coach Richt Era.

Out of 20 possible SEC East Opponents, only 6 have been ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25, and against those only 6, we have lost 5.

14 of the 20 SEC East Opponents for UGA the last 4 years have NOT been ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25.

The SEC East has been absolutely horrible for good Opponents for UGA the last 4 years

.
.

# 5 SEC Coach current school vs ranked teams for Coach Richt his entire tenure according to Chris Low last week of ESPN

3-8 vs Top 10 Final AP Poll teams Coach Richt Era one in 2001 one in 2005 one in 2006, none since.

No win in a bowl game over ANY Top 10 Final AP Poll team entire Coach Richt Era

2-7 vs Florida entire Coach Richt Era

17-19 vs Top 25 Final AP Poll teams in Coach Richt Era

8 Losses to teams not even ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll that year they beat us even with their win over Georgia Bulldogs

# 52 NCAA Total Offense entire Coach Richt Era 9-Year Average.

.

.

Lousy coaching staff Coach Richt assembled the entire 9-Year Coach Richt Era. If this were not true, why did he just fire half of them and tell the AJ-C that he is taking over the offense ? If you think he has not taken over the offense, do you expect us to Redshirt more Knowshon Moreno type players so we get to see them only 2 years too, the best RB at Georgia in 30 years. If you think he has not taken over, did you agree because Aaron White had 3 catches his freshman year that he should have started every game until game 12 of the 13-game year we had (8-5) despite the fact that Orson Charles had 23 catches his freshman year by direct contrast. Do you believe it correct to rip the redshirt off the # 11 best RB in the nation last year, Washaun Ealey in the 3rd quarter of the 5th game ? Still, he led the Bulldogs in rushing. He only got 2 starts and they not even the last 2 games. Marlon Brown # 2 WR in the nation, we threw 2 passes to all season long. Branden Smith who had over 1,085 yards receiving the year before, we threw the ball to him 2 times all season long too. Former great RB coaching WR. Former WR for us, whose dad was a great RB for us coaching RB. Offensive Coordinator we STOLE from Jacksonville State where he was the QB coach 1 year. A former QB is Mike Bobo’s Tight Ends’ Coach. How good are they ? Well ? Spent $ 750,000 on DC and more than that on his staff, and this what we have on Offensive Coaching Staff STILL. We recruited NONE of the offensive all-stars in this state 2010 signing class, none. And, we have the same going on for 2011 on offense, yet we recruited a great defensive class 2010 and again for 2011. Can you say this either.

Anonymous said...

# 11 Program All-Time in 1-A wins

# 19 last 4 years won/loss 38-14

# 96 Average NCAA Rank in Penalties last 4 years

21 fumbles a year average every year last 4 years

14 interceptions a year every year last 4 years

No Quarterback prepared 2006 (4 losses) 2009 (5 losses) and now again 2010.

# 3 Fulmer Cup Standings over the last 4 years as well

10-10 vs SEC East good for # 3 in the SEC East the last 4 years

20-12 vs SEC over the last 4 years good for # 4 vs SEC

1-3 vs Florida last 4 years, 1-3 vs 4 sorry vols' teams last 4 years, 2-2 vs Kentucky last 4 years, loss in last 4 years to South Carolina who that year were 6-6 and not even in a bowl game, and for good measure lost to Vandie who that season accumulated a grand total of 4 wins including the win over Georgia Bulldogs. Outstanding.

5 of the 10 losses vs SEC East the last 4 years came to teams who were not even ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll even with their win over Georgia Bulldogs.

In the last 4 years, the ONLY SEC East Win by UGA over a ranked Final AP Poll Top 25 team was 4-Loss Florida we beat in 2007, just after we had LOST 6 SEC East games in a ROW, 4 consecutively to end 2006 and 2 more in succession to begin 2007.

1-5 vs SEC East Ranked Top 25 teams last 4 years Coach Richt Era.

Out of 20 possible SEC East Opponents, only 6 have been ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25, and against those only 6, we have lost 5.

14 of the 20 SEC East Opponents for UGA the last 4 years have NOT been ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25.

The SEC East has been absolutely horrible for good Opponents for UGA the last 4 years

.
.

# 5 SEC Coach current school vs ranked teams for Coach Richt his entire tenure according to Chris Low last week of ESPN

3-8 vs Top 10 Final AP Poll teams Coach Richt Era one in 2001 one in 2005 one in 2006, none since.

No win in a bowl game over ANY Top 10 Final AP Poll team entire Coach Richt Era

2-7 vs Florida entire Coach Richt Era

17-19 vs Top 25 Final AP Poll teams in Coach Richt Era

8 Losses to teams not even ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll that year they beat us even with their win over Georgia Bulldogs

# 52 NCAA Total Offense entire Coach Richt Era 9-Year Average.

.

.

Lousy coaching staff Coach Richt assembled the entire 9-Year Coach Richt Era. If this were not true, why did he just fire half of them and tell the AJ-C that he is taking over the offense ? If you think he has not taken over the offense, do you expect us to Redshirt more Knowshon Moreno type players so we get to see them only 2 years too, the best RB at Georgia in 30 years. If you think he has not taken over, did you agree because Aaron White had 3 catches his freshman year that he should have started every game until game 12 of the 13-game year we had (8-5) despite the fact that Orson Charles had 23 catches his freshman year by direct contrast. Do you believe it correct to rip the redshirt off the # 11 best RB in the nation last year, Washaun Ealey in the 3rd quarter of the 5th game ? Still, he led the Bulldogs in rushing. He only got 2 starts and they not even the last 2 games. Marlon Brown # 2 WR in the nation, we threw 2 passes to all season long. Branden Smith who had over 1,085 yards receiving the year before, we threw the ball to him 2 times all season long too. Former great RB coaching WR. Former WR for us, whose dad was a great RB for us coaching RB. Offensive Coordinator we STOLE from Jacksonville State where he was the QB coach 1 year. A former QB is Mike Bobo’s Tight Ends’ Coach. How good are they ? Well ? Spent $ 750,000 on DC and more than that on his staff, and this what we have on Offensive Coaching Staff STILL. We recruited NONE of the offensive all-stars in this state 2010 signing class, none. And, we have the same going on for 2011 on offense, yet we recruited a great defensive class 2010 and again for 2011. Can you say this either.

Anonymous said...

# 11 Program All-Time in 1-A wins

# 19 last 4 years won/loss 38-14

# 96 Average NCAA Rank in Penalties last 4 years

21 fumbles a year average every year last 4 years

14 interceptions a year every year last 4 years

No Quarterback prepared 2006 (4 losses) 2009 (5 losses) and now again 2010.

# 3 Fulmer Cup Standings over the last 4 years as well

10-10 vs SEC East good for # 3 in the SEC East the last 4 years

20-12 vs SEC over the last 4 years good for # 4 vs SEC

1-3 vs Florida last 4 years, 1-3 vs 4 sorry vols' teams last 4 years, 2-2 vs Kentucky last 4 years, loss in last 4 years to South Carolina who that year were 6-6 and not even in a bowl game, and for good measure lost to Vandie who that season accumulated a grand total of 4 wins including the win over Georgia Bulldogs. Outstanding.

5 of the 10 losses vs SEC East the last 4 years came to teams who were not even ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll even with their win over Georgia Bulldogs.

In the last 4 years, the ONLY SEC East Win by UGA over a ranked Final AP Poll Top 25 team was 4-Loss Florida we beat in 2007, just after we had LOST 6 SEC East games in a ROW, 4 consecutively to end 2006 and 2 more in succession to begin 2007.

1-5 vs SEC East Ranked Top 25 teams last 4 years Coach Richt Era.

Out of 20 possible SEC East Opponents, only 6 have been ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25, and against those only 6, we have lost 5.

14 of the 20 SEC East Opponents for UGA the last 4 years have NOT been ranked in the Final AP Poll Top 25.

The SEC East has been absolutely horrible for good Opponents for UGA the last 4 years

.
.

# 5 SEC Coach current school vs ranked teams for Coach Richt his entire tenure according to Chris Low last week of ESPN

3-8 vs Top 10 Final AP Poll teams Coach Richt Era one in 2001 one in 2005 one in 2006, none since.

No win in a bowl game over ANY Top 10 Final AP Poll team entire Coach Richt Era

2-7 vs Florida entire Coach Richt Era

17-19 vs Top 25 Final AP Poll teams in Coach Richt Era

8 Losses to teams not even ranked in the Top 25 Final AP Poll that year they beat us even with their win over Georgia Bulldogs

# 52 NCAA Total Offense entire Coach Richt Era 9-Year Average.

.

.

Lousy coaching staff Coach Richt assembled the entire 9-Year Coach Richt Era. If this were not true, why did he just fire half of them and tell the AJ-C that he is taking over the offense ? If you think he has not taken over the offense, do you expect us to Redshirt more Knowshon Moreno type players so we get to see them only 2 years too, the best RB at Georgia in 30 years. If you think he has not taken over, did you agree because Aaron White had 3 catches his freshman year that he should have started every game until game 12 of the 13-game year we had (8-5) despite the fact that Orson Charles had 23 catches his freshman year by direct contrast. Do you believe it correct to rip the redshirt off the # 11 best RB in the nation last year, Washaun Ealey in the 3rd quarter of the 5th game ? Still, he led the Bulldogs in rushing. He only got 2 starts and they not even the last 2 games. Marlon Brown # 2 WR in the nation, we threw 2 passes to all season long. Branden Smith who had over 1,085 yards receiving the year before, we threw the ball to him 2 times all season long too. Former great RB coaching WR. Former WR for us, whose dad was a great RB for us coaching RB. Offensive Coordinator we STOLE from Jacksonville State where he was the QB coach 1 year. A former QB is Mike Bobo’s Tight Ends’ Coach. How good are they ? Well ? Spent $ 750,000 on DC and more than that on his staff, and this what we have on Offensive Coaching Staff STILL. We recruited NONE of the offensive all-stars in this state 2010 signing class, none. And, we have the same going on for 2011 on offense, yet we recruited a great defensive class 2010 and again for 2011. Can you say this either.

Anonymous said...

Florida is better than Coach Richt in the Coach Richt Era.

LSU is better than Coach Richt in the Coach Richt Era.

Alabama has passed us by as well.

10-win seasons in 14-game seasons (7 of the 9 Coach Richt Era seasons are 14-game seasons) 10-win seasons SUCK and are the # 19 team in the nation in won / loss.

2002 and 2007, we beat NO GOOD TEAMS, not 1 Top 10 Final AP Poll team.

5 Consecutive Years, we have not even been to The SEC Championship Game, no 1 considers us a possibility even to do so this year either, and after this 2010 season we lose 15 seniors and 4-5 juniors – all starters.

We are # in Fulmer Cup Standings for 2010 including several Top 10 Mike Bobo Recruits here at their position in the nation who abused little coeds SINCE Spring Practice Started. Mike Bobo not only recruited Montez Robinson here and Zach Mettenberger here, but also Christian LeMay who committee the exact same offense sex on school grounds as Michael Grant whom UGA Admissions refused to let in here for obvious good reason.

47 Arrests / Suspensions since February 2007 includes 3 years then of 160 players including walk-ons through this program. We have thrown 3 MORE off the team since Spring Practice was over.

Mobile Press-Register, AJC, David Hale, Orlando Sentinel, CBS Sports, Paul Finebaum, Mark Bradley and Damon Evans AD UGA say that what UGA is doing in football is NOT SATISFACTORY.

EVERY Sanford Stadium fan BOOS the play calls of Mike Bobo.

10-3 is NOT VERY GOOD.

Vince Dooley 80-88 and Wally Butts 40-48 lost only 21 games and had better wining percentages over those 9 years than in the Coach Richt Era. Both also won CONSENSUS National Championships.

“I take full responsibility because at the end of the day the buck stops with me,” Damon M. Evans said on June 11, 2010. “I’m not the guy doing the Xs and Os and recruiting and all of that, but I do believe that as the leader of an organization that I’ve got to provide them with the necessary resources to be successful – whether that’s from money to facilities or what have you – and at the same time, am I providing the leadership that’s going to allow us to rise and be where we should be. That’s why I have to take a look at myself as well. You can’t run away from things.”

There is no reason why with this soft easy schedule that in Year 10 Coach Richt’s coaching staff cannot go 12-2 this season, losing to Florida obviously and Alabama assuming Florida loses 2 games as most think possible. I like Coach Richt; I do not like his coaching staff ANY of the 9-Year Coach Richt Era. Is this what you want a discussion of the facts ? If Coach Richt does not go 12-2 this season, there will be hell to pay in the media. We are headed in the wrong direction the last 4 years (after Jim Donnan's recruits all graduated, he who was fired for 13 losses his last 4 years while we have had 14 losses the last 4 years of Coach Richt Era.)


Nowhere do you provide ANY FACT.

NOT 1.

Try addressing the points. You sound like a scared child whistling past the cemetery.

Anonymous said...

Florida is better than Coach Richt in the Coach Richt Era.

LSU is better than Coach Richt in the Coach Richt Era.

Alabama has passed us by as well.

10-win seasons in 14-game seasons (7 of the 9 Coach Richt Era seasons are 14-game seasons) 10-win seasons SUCK and are the # 19 team in the nation in won / loss.

2002 and 2007, we beat NO GOOD TEAMS, not 1 Top 10 Final AP Poll team.

5 Consecutive Years, we have not even been to The SEC Championship Game, no 1 considers us a possibility even to do so this year either, and after this 2010 season we lose 15 seniors and 4-5 juniors – all starters.

We are # in Fulmer Cup Standings for 2010 including several Top 10 Mike Bobo Recruits here at their position in the nation who abused little coeds SINCE Spring Practice Started. Mike Bobo not only recruited Montez Robinson here and Zach Mettenberger here, but also Christian LeMay who committee the exact same offense sex on school grounds as Michael Grant whom UGA Admissions refused to let in here for obvious good reason.

47 Arrests / Suspensions since February 2007 includes 3 years then of 160 players including walk-ons through this program. We have thrown 3 MORE off the team since Spring Practice was over.

Mobile Press-Register, AJC, David Hale, Orlando Sentinel, CBS Sports, Paul Finebaum, Mark Bradley and Damon Evans AD UGA say that what UGA is doing in football is NOT SATISFACTORY.

EVERY Sanford Stadium fan BOOS the play calls of Mike Bobo.

10-3 is NOT VERY GOOD.

Vince Dooley 80-88 and Wally Butts 40-48 lost only 21 games and had better wining percentages over those 9 years than in the Coach Richt Era. Both also won CONSENSUS National Championships.

“I take full responsibility because at the end of the day the buck stops with me,” Damon M. Evans said on June 11, 2010. “I’m not the guy doing the Xs and Os and recruiting and all of that, but I do believe that as the leader of an organization that I’ve got to provide them with the necessary resources to be successful – whether that’s from money to facilities or what have you – and at the same time, am I providing the leadership that’s going to allow us to rise and be where we should be. That’s why I have to take a look at myself as well. You can’t run away from things.”

There is no reason why with this soft easy schedule that in Year 10 Coach Richt’s coaching staff cannot go 12-2 this season, losing to Florida obviously and Alabama assuming Florida loses 2 games as most think possible. I like Coach Richt; I do not like his coaching staff ANY of the 9-Year Coach Richt Era. Is this what you want a discussion of the facts ? If Coach Richt does not go 12-2 this season, there will be hell to pay in the media. We are headed in the wrong direction the last 4 years (after Jim Donnan's recruits all graduated, he who was fired for 13 losses his last 4 years while we have had 14 losses the last 4 years of Coach Richt Era.)


Nowhere do you provide ANY FACT.

NOT 1.

Try addressing the points. You sound like a scared child whistling past the cemetery.

AthensHomerDawg said...

Yikes. Anon posting the same tired rants here as well. Cut and paste posting. Use that talent towards having something positive. 2am is kinda late to rant. This can't be healthy. It's kind of worrisome.