Georgia Bulldogs Go in New Direction
So shoot me. Are you right 100% of the time? Georgia Bulldogs Head Football Coach Mark Richt made some tough decisions and let the world know today. DC Willie Martinez, LB Coach John Jancek and DE Coach Jon Fabris will not have their contracts renewed for 2010. Many Georgia fans are dancing in the streets, but I am not. Sure the moves were necessary, but I can’t celebrate someone’s professional demise.
I know these three will land somewhere else if they choose to stay in football. My old team mate Hugh Nall, who was the offensive line coach at Auburn a year ago, is the CEO of a trucking company in South Georgia now. Word is he is as happy as he’s ever been.
Whatever these coaches choose, I wish them well.
Georgia Football Keeps it All in the Family
It is very difficult to write openly and honestly about Georgia Football sometimes. There is an unspoken rule of not being too critical of your coach or team in the public eye. This is true for former players as well. This blog has been a tight rope because if I can’t be honest, it’s not worth doing. And blind loyalty is just that…blind.
But something that has occured to me lately is this notion of “family”. In the best case scenarios it is real. I believe Coach Mark Richt has fostered that environment at Georgia. I’ve seen recruits mention it as a big reason they chose Georgia over other schools. That’s great. The team should have that feel. But what about the coaching staff?
A head coach should foster the feeling of trust, good chemistry and maybe even family, but there is a point of diminishing returns. I keep thinking of the company I worked for prior to starting Total Team Sports. It was a family run business that had been around for over 30 years. They liked to think it was a family atmosphere, but there were just a few true family members and close friends that were in the inner circle.
The problem inherent in some “family” situations is it clouds business decisions. And make no mistake, college football is a business. You know that. In any event, any response to the cries for the firings of Bobo, Martinez, Jancek and/or Fabris have been and will be slow in coming, as they should be. Continuity on a staff is sometimes just as important as year to year results.
It may take Damon Evans taking Coach Richt off the hook and imposing his will to make any significant changes. I’m not saying he should at this point. I think at the end of this season, every one should be honestly evaluated without emotion. I believe Damon is that kind of person, which again is good.
Some Georgia fans seem to be unable to stop the micromanaging game to game, forget year to year. In this his ninth year, Mark Richt has orchestrated the DawgNation to it’s best run in history. And, most of the coaches in question were in the mix from the beginning. Do they need to continue to step up? YES. Do I want see anybody fired? Not really. But I am sure you are held accountable for your job performance.
They should too.
Tell me what you really think!