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Surprised By The Reaction In Athens?

Tad Footeball

Tad Footeball

1996 Interim Big East Conference Commissioner
Joined
Feb 6, 2014
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19,337
Gotta say I'm really surprised by the amount of love that fanbase still had for Richt. Criticisms of their AD. Posting on our boards about how great Richt is. Split opinions at best on the Kirby Smart hire. Richt's name floated for freakin' governor. I really had no idea he was soooo beloved in that state as that didn't match the initial media narrative about their mighty SEC-type expectations.
 
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It's a testament to the quality person he is. I have concerns about him not being able to "win the big one" but I will support him and the Canes nonetheless. What is funny is the reaction from the haters like ESPN. They find it easy to hate on us but are now having a hard time dishing it out with this news. They can still EAD.
 
I think the 'not winning the big game" thing is a positive.

It should keep him motivated to finally win one. And what better place than his Alma mater?
 
I think its more of a reaction to his replacement, Kirby Smart, a person who has never coached a college game before.

You have zero idea what type of coach he will be.
 
No its not about Kirby Smart....Richt is like a king in Ga...were having a farewell rally in Athens this weekend and so far we have over5000 sigs on a petition to have the AD fired
 
Not surprising at all. I live in Alabama and worked at UGA for a couple years - Richt has very nearly achieved sainthood in that state. The man is truly beloved. The reaction to his firing down here has been shock and anger for the most part.
 
His former players too. Todd gurley tweeted he was coming to miami next year. A few of his former players in the league said they rooting for miami now too.
 
ghost2 said:
Not surprising at all. I live in Alabama and worked at UGA for a couple years - Richt has very nearly achieved sainthood in that state. The man is truly beloved. The reaction to his firing down here has been shock and anger for the most part.
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Hopefully that helps him recruit Georgia for the canes. There are some beasts in that state that would look good in Orange and Green.
 
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Colombie said:
I think the 'not winning the big game" thing is a positive.

It should keep him motivated to finally win one. And what better place than his Alma mater?
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I think the way he was fired and not being able to coach way he wanted the last few years will have him motivated
 
The only reason he wasn't fired years ago is because of his character. You think Miami fans are rabid? Try and SEC fan. Georgia fans remember Herschel Walker like it was yesterday, and they want it back. They've had the talent, but there was always something missing to get them over the top. It's what LSU has run into with Miles. With Saban in the conference, it's made it hard to come out on top, unless you've got that ringer like Auburn did with Cam Newton. The SEC complaint has always been that they have to get up for more than one or two games a year, and they get worn down. Saban is mean enough to get Alabama to do it. Richt needs to make the right hires for the staff. If he does that, Miami will be in the mix every year.
 
Mark is a truly good, nice man. GA is not Florida. I didn't want Mark but it is because he is a truly nice man who doe NOT put winning above everything. As a friend, son, son-in-law or neighbor he would be great. As coach of the University of Miami where winning the NC is the ONLY measure of the coach, I cannot understand what he was thinking of. He better pay Butch whatever is necessary to get him to be DC and bring us our Miami defense. Then Mark has a chance. Otherwise he honeymoon will be short. I assume he wins Coastal next year and expect him to beat FSU next year too. He will have a top 3rd year QB. If he loses to noles, things will bet bumpy quickly. I hope he is on mission to prove UGA wrong. That is not consistent with his faith and persona. I like Mark and will be cheering for him, but if he is not here to win a NC, he should have said no.
 
I mean someone correct me if I'm crazy but I've never seen a fan base like this about a coach. Same with former players and you can tell it's not just respect, he's a great dude
 
Living in Atlanta, I work with a lot of UGA fans, unanimously they love Richt and the majority hated to see him go.
 
Posted in another thread - my buddy the 30 year Dawg fan agrees that McGarity pulled back the reins on Richt when he came in. Thought he had "too much control" over the football program. That's where the CEO business came from. Vince Dooley loved Richt and let him coach how he saw fit. Buddy is sorry to see Richt go, but he's also a Cane fan (undergrad) so has a bright side.
 
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Lets keep it in perspective. I do love the the hire, but program he ran had as many renegades as anyone. Over the last 5 years 3rd most arrests in the country. More than 3X what we had here. They love him because he's easy to love. Relates very well with players and fans, and won a lot of football games.
 
I also think that the fan base and alumni are shocked at the replacement. You know what you're getting with Richt at UGA, maybe he can rekindle a 2012 season, but he is pretty consistent. With the new guy, a ton of risk but.......who ***ing knows? Can't believe they went with Smart.
 
407cane said:
I mean someone correct me if I'm crazy but I've never seen a fan base like this about a coach. Same with former players and you can tell it's not just respect, he's a great dude
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I was trying to think of a similar type situation/reaction too. Mack Brown came to mind and he even won a title but it seems like his popularity on the way out was way more with the Texas high school coaches and not the fanbase/state as a whole the way it is with Richt.
 
Gatorhater said:
Mark is a truly good, nice man. GA is not Florida. I didn't want Mark but it is because he is a truly nice man who doe NOT put winning above everything. As a friend, son, son-in-law or neighbor he would be great. As coach of the University of Miami where winning the NC is the ONLY measure of the coach, I cannot understand what he was thinking of. He better pay Butch whatever is necessary to get him to be DC and bring us our Miami defense. Then Mark has a chance. Otherwise he honeymoon will be short. I assume he wins Coastal next year and expect him to beat FSU next year too. He will have a top 3rd year QB. If he loses to noles, things will bet bumpy quickly. I hope he is on mission to prove UGA wrong. That is not consistent with his faith and persona. I like Mark and will be cheering for him, but if he is not here to win a NC, he should have said no.
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Get out of butch's *** already. Who made this guy bear Bryant. Do u remember the banner from champs to chump?? Enough with this butch is the savior. The guy hasn't sniffed a coaching job in 5 years--and prob won't get another coaching gig. Yes I loved those butch teams but the guy was a horrible game day coach.
 
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