Ten thoughts on McGarity's worst week

Isn’t it cute when a columnist, one that absolutely doesn’t live in his mom’s basement (like a lowly blogger does) and fling poo at the walls to see what sticks, writes about something of which he knows nothing? You know, a columnist that has spent numerous words and time just asking if a certain coach should be fired and just why he might think that coach should be fired? Only to write a complimentary piece about the man who eventually did what said columnist suggested.

Congratulations Mr. Bradley! Mrs. McGarity just highlighted your name for the Christmas card list!

Let us not forget that Mr. McGarity actually spent more time talking to his ol’ buddy Mark last year than he did Mike Bobo. As a result, Bobo left his alma mater for a head coaching gig (not a big problem) feeling as though his services were not appreciated (big problem). Especially when the Athletic Director turned right around and gave Richt the money Bobo so richly deserved to one Brian Schottenheimer.

As the kids say, “YGTBFKM.” Some other facts as well as suggested conclusions as I see them.

1. Yes, McGarity has lied. Part of his job is protecting certain information to make sure the University and Athletic Dept. he represents are cast in a favorable light. But he looked bad doing it. There was no PR savviness involved in anything he said. At all. No leadership qualities.
2. I figure Greg McGarity to be someone who delegates. I guess the associate who typically handles Monday press conferences called in sick that day. Too bad.
3. One of the biggest issues was the search firm he hired. As Schlabach suggested, it’s name is Google. But follow the timeline, and bear with me because this gets complicated: on Monday about 10am McGarity says there will be a full search and vetting of candidates...then, on Tuesday about 9pm news leaks that Kirby Smart is not only indeed the choice, but has agreed to terms...probably.
4. That’s a doozie. What it says to me is McGarity talked out of a side of his mouth the boo$ters hadn’t approved of yet. I think the AJC’s breaking of the story came from persons close to the program and not necessarily employed by it.
5. And really, that’s just another incongruence between our AD and the guys writing the checks. I do absolutely believe McGarity would prefer an exhaustive interview and vetting process for the biggest hire of his tenure. But I believe the boo$ters had decided after the Florida game that change needed to come. It’s been awhile since Georgia has fired a coach, but I remember how things move along once the coach has lost the money players.
6. Meanwhile, Richt’s name gets (albeit loosely at the moment) tied to the Miami opening that came in the days before the WLOCP, and South Carolina’s search is hitting a full stride. At some point Kirby Smart, the guy at the top of many influential persons’ lists (probably including McGarity) evolves into Ray Tanner’s chief target. I think this coincides with Tom  Herman slowing his roll a bit as he was the hot name out there.
7. So the plan is in place to force Richt out and bring Smart in. The problem was Richt didn’t lose another game after Florida like many expected (maybe even hoped…??) and the fanbase was more than a little surprised Sunday when the ax fell. Couple that with the timing between the “mutual parting of ways” announcement and the “team meeting with Butts-Mehre bouncers” and suddenly there’s a firestorm of malice and a potential PR nightmare.
8. Luckily, a press conference is scheduled for the next day. The press can ask Richt some questions and then at a later time after Richt has driven his Ford F-150 into the sunset, McGarity can have his turn when it will be easy to deflect questions and focus on the task at hand of finding a successor. All he’ll need is a hot mic and some band-aids to re-assure the masses (which by this time are local, regional, and national) that this is a minor flesh wound and everything is going to be okay.
9. But oh no! It’s a joint press conference!! Richt, already the besmirched hero, is right beside McGarity whose only friend at this point is Mark Bradley. Richt doesn’t even break a sweat saying goodbye. Meanwhile, McGarity leaves behind a pool of Clairol for Men in his seat. Band-aids don’t equate to a tourniquet.
10. Compounding matters is the apparent back and forth over autonomy as it relates to the new staff after UGA just got rid of the last coach in America without such a luxury. Even if these were just rumors, they come during a week when rumors are a dime a dozen. Like when a blowtorch enters a gas station, things get heated.

You can decide which (if any) of those ten points you believe, and then proceed with your online betting. I mention them all to illustrate that as we near the beginning of the Kirby Smart era, it appears that at a minimum there is a divide between the administration and the fanbase. And while that can be repaired, there may also be a divide between the athletic director and the power brokers. That one is a slippery slope filled with potholes and barbed wire.

As the Smart “news” was “breaking” Tuesday night, I received a text from a buddy mentioning the rumor that there’s a push to make Frank Ros (1980 captain and recently retired Coca-Cola VP) the new UGA Athletic Director. Since then I’ve read it in two other places. Doesn’t mean it’s any more true or that McGarity’s job security is actually in hot water.

What it does mean is that the guy could use a better week to follow up his worst; a week in which he has more than one friend.

Coaches, rumors, bowls, and transfers

Sunday evening is going to be busy. Once bowls are announced plans will start to finalize all over the place. We should find out our bowl destination, gain a clearer picture of coaches that will be helping the players prepare for the bowl, as well as which coaches are planning to join Kirby Smart. Specifically, who is staying and who is going? Also, who will be the coordinators and what coaches do they prefer to bring with them and how that matches up with current staff that want to stay.

Whew. And by the way, before we delve into Smart’s potential staff, I’m very happy for Bryan McClendon. Former Richt player carrying the torch for his former boss’ last team in their last game of the season. Of course it would have been nice to see Richt on the sideline one more time in red and black. But it just didn’t play out that way.

Okay. I’ve seen a lot of strong opinions (myself included) over the possibility of Smart wanting Muschamp to coordinate the defense. This doesn’t excite me for two reasons: namely that I don’t recall having a whole lot of trouble with his defense the times we’ve gone up against Auburn. Sure, Florida’s defenses while he was the head coach there were a different story. So maybe I should cut him some slack. But, the guy’s also a little bonkers. I mean there’s such a thing as intense motivational tactics and then there’s out of control hissy fits that can cost the team penalties, yards, and focus.

However, if this is who Smart wants, who are we to judge? Kirby has waited a long time for this opportunity and should fill his staff with people he wants coaching alongside him.

Defense aside, the offensive coordinator is probably Smart’s biggest decision. I heard Coach Donnan talking about the roster Richt left behind. My brief summation of it would be that the defense is full of young talent and the offense has Sony Michel and hopefully Nick Chubb…

Talk about Eason all you want, but if he ends up coming to Athens (and I think that he will) and he evolves sooner rather than later as the starter, he’s going to need time to develop. That’s why I’m hoping some of the transfers that come out of this coaching change (and I’m sure we’ll have a few) aren’t at the quarterback position.

The name that comes to mind first is Faton Bauta. Can’t think of a better player to put on display the work ethic Eason will need to emulate if he’s to become this world beater people have made him out to be. But given the circumstances, it’s hard to imagine not seeing some attrition at the quarterback position.

Changing channels a bit, Smart is looking to bring in a staff (not just coaches, a staff) that can stand up to anyone off the field. Yes, his success as a head coach is yet to be determined. How will he manage the game, timeouts, the referees, fourth down decisions…? Those are things that, for the most part, have been managed and micro-managed for him until next Fall. But recruiting, strength and conditioning, player development, game planning...all areas that Georgia fans should be excited about, immensely.

Now, some names:

• On offense, appears that Thomas Brown is favored to remain and the feeling may be reciprocated. McClendon and Lilly are more of a question that will probably be determined by the coordinator hire. Although it would be a shame to lose either as they’ve been in Athens so long and are established recruiters, again it comes down to guys that are the best fit for Smart’s first staff.
• On defense, Muschamp is interviewing with South Carolina and (as we talked about the other day) Pruitt may not even want to stay. Sherrer has been mentioned as one that Smart wants to retain. Rocker seems 50/50.
• Staff. Cochran would be a huge get for Smart. And it’s being treated as a foregone conclusion that Bama’s S&C guru is leaving for Athens. But like we’ve said, Saban will put up a fight. After all, the only time I’ve seen Nick honestly, genuinely smile, is when he was talking about Scott Cochran. In the end, friendships between the Smart and Cochran families may (hopefully) run deeper than professional respect. And surely (hopefully) the UGA boosters that have put this all in play wouldn’t balk at competing salary-wise. Surely.
• Also, the mysterious Glen Schumann, as Football Scoop describes as the “well-hidden gear in machine” that is Alabama’s defensive dominance. Can Smart lure him away as well? If you’re scoffing at the thought of spending any time worrying about a staff assistant, if Schumann is important enough in Alabama’s defense to Saban to include in the game planning, there’s no question he’d be someone Smart would want by his side as he transitions from coordinator to head coach.

That’s a lot to chew on. And like you, I’m sure tired of all the speculation and back and forth. I was a little surprised Smart is (allegedly) staying with Alabama through the post-season. But I also recognize he’s been there for many years. If Saban wants him to continue, I’m sure Smart is compelled to stay.

Coach Richt - a personal memoir from his era

"Being a part of Georgia is something I get to do everyday. 

And I'm very grateful for it." 

"That I loved Georgia and I did it the right way."

- Mark Richt

It's been a hard week. You've probably heard all the analogies of losing a friend, saying goodbye, grief and loss. But it's also a time of reflection, remembrances, and thankfulness. Thankful because Georgia football is where it is today because of this man.

Mostly, I take solace in seeing that Coach Richt is at perfect peace. After all, it will be him and his lovely wife Kathryn that will certainly work hard to make the transition easier for his staff and their families, all while making a big transition of their own.

So I’ve started this post three different times in three different ways. Approximately 1500 words later I’ve come to realize that this tweet is the best that I’ve got.

In the end, my kids learned to be Georgia Bulldog fans in the @MarkRicht era. As a dad, I wouldn't have it any other way. Go #Dawgs!

— Bernie (@BernieDawg) November 29, 2015

I also realize that I’m writing this for posterity in many ways. Something to look back on fondly, in all its highs and lows, and with a tone of appreciation and thankfulness. Something to help my own kids (maybe even my grandkids if we can manage to keep the Internet afloat that long) remember this time period that has come to a close. You know, a glimpse into what our house has been like since just before they were born all the way into their teenage years. Yes, perhaps the best way to show my appreciation of the Coach Richt Era is to recall some key moments of the last 16 years and 15 seasons and how we shared them as a family.

December 2000 - Richt is introduced as the new head coach to succeed Jim Donnan. I remember watching the press conference with my wife. We both remarked at how young he looked. I also remember seeing their kids (Johnathan, David, Zach, and Anya) sitting with Kathryn and immediately impressed with his genuineness in the way he talked about family, his faith, and wanting to win in Athens.

October 6, 2001 - Wife and I are watching the noon kickoff of the Georgia-Tennessee game. The Vols sprint out to that early lead, but it’s close from there on out. Unfortunately, Jenn has to leave for work at halftime when it’s tied 17-17. After P-44 Haynes secured the victory and the Hobnail Boot had broken their nose, I called her with the news.

“We won. We beat Tennessee in Knoxville!”

“No we didn’t. You’re lying.”

It was then that I realized I would never find the words to describe what had happened. Georgia had finished the drill. The team was confident in the moment of truth and had executed to perfection. What a strangely intoxicating feeling!

The girls with Coach, and some weird guy
whose hunker down done broke.

August 2003 - By now we have a one and a half year old and Richt has helped us knock the lid off the program with his first SEC title. The popularity of the program shows at “Picture Day”. I brought my little girl, complete with stroller and diaper bag, as well as my neighbor Allen and his young son Logan. Uga is the most popular pic, especially with kids, and we’re glad we are early as the mascot’s line is halfway around the Classic Center by the time we get there. After waiting for an hour or so, someone comes out and draws an imaginary line just in front of us and says that everyone behind that line isn’t getting a picture with Uga.

We dejectedly make our way to Richt’s line as he is a fairly close second to Uga at this point in his career. We’re not too far off either, but still find ourselves in a race against the clock before the event closes. Otherwise we’ve driven an hour and spent an entire afternoon waiting in lines for nothing. Should have made it easily, but this is before they cracked down on memorabilia hoarders that required so much attention for the twenty items they brought in. Five o’clock came and went and Richt was still posing and signing. He stayed an extra hour to fit everyone else in. He posed with my little girl and signed a picture to her. She smiled. What a great day!

The Tailgate Crew

September 2005/2006 - Wife and I make the road trip to Starkville and Nama and I make the one to Oxford the following year. There’s nothing like seeing the Dawgs on the road. And these two trips were highlight type experiences back during a stretch when Richt’s teams were world beaters on the road. The band, the road whites, singing Glory, Glory in an opponent’s stadium, the team coming over to greet the fans after the clock drains, Coach Richt with the thumbs raised to the crowd...ain’t nothing better than that as a Georgia Bulldog fan. And Coach Richt embraced all of it. He always said he loved Georgia. More importantly he always showed it with his actions. He walked the walk and this was the time period I really started to feel a connection with Mark Richt as both the coach of my football team as well as a man on this Earth.

September 2007 - My oldest is six and I think it was Western Carolina because I remember Conner asking me what a Catamount is. I answered like any proud, intelligent father would, “Hey sweetheart, the cotton candy guy is coming up the aisle!” Georgia rolls and the crowd is pretty into it. Even though the opponent was a cupcake, it was pretty exciting to see Stafford and Moreno and Brown and Massaquoi click on all cylinders. As we near halftime I begin to worry like most dads do when they bring their young ones to games - Is she going to ask to leave soon? I want to see some of these backups play. Plus the cotton candy is long gone. It’s a matter of time before she’s done as well. Which is why it caught me off guard when she looked at me, eyes full of excitement, and asked “Dad, can we stay the whole game?!?”

"Yes honey. We absolutely can stay the whole game." Got a little dusty up there all of a sudden.

September 2008 - Wife and I take the kids to the Central Michigan game. My youngest was four at the time and takes the entire scene in, from the flags on the field pregame to the trumpet in the southwest corner. She could do this because her older sister was taking care of searching for the cotton candy vendors. :)  Y’all probably remember the biggest highlight of the game. If you don’t, perhaps Mrs. Wendy’s question at pre-school the next Monday and Ainsley’s subsequent response will refresh your memory.

“Anything exciting happen this weekend?”

“Yeh! Knowshon jumped over a guy!!”

The next week, I start a blog before the South Carolina game and then we head out west to Tempe. Nama, Ann and I take the town by storm. AJ Green was superhuman and Knowshon defied gravity. It was a dry heat and we left it a dry town. Almost just like we found it. Again, ain’t nothing like being a Road Dawg!

Sun Devil Stadium

  Dawgs On Top!         

January 2009 - Speaking of Road Dawgs, the family heads down to Orlando to see Stafford and Moreno’s last game. Somehow we manage this without them realizing just how close we are to Disney World and avoid the trip costing an arm and a leg. (Sorry, kids. But to be fair we had recently taken y’all there...twice)

May 2009 - Here you can read about the one time I got to interview Coach Richt. And by interview, I mean when you have a buddy that wins a supermarket contest that allows you to eat nachos and ask the head coach a question. The post is a comical review of the evening, but it was a pretty cool experience for sure.

That time Kathryn and I had lunch and she
insisted on a picture with me.

December 2010 through 2011 offseason - Like any long term relationship, there is a period of darkness. I declare that Richt and I are on a break, which was my humorous way of coming to grips with Richt's only losing season.

June 2012 - The dance between embracing a coach and loving a program is a slippery one. In this post I attempt once again to reset the expectations as well as set the bar high. It was as difficult to read as it was to write, but I think it’s as fair an assessment as I could manage. The reason I mention it here is twofold: 1) we may look back on this 2012 team as one of Richt’s most talented and resilient, especially in terms of leadership within the roster, and 2) …..(next slide please)...

Rare moment when no one pictured
is on their Twitter phones.

December 2012 - My favorite post of the 4000+ in the history of the blog leads up to Coach Richt’s biggest game in his career (imho). Having responded to national lack of respect, and rallied the team after getting steam-rolled in Columbia SC, Richt leads the team back to Atlanta for the second year in a row. The Dawgs go toe to toe with mighty Alabama for the right to beat Notre Dame and become National Champions. The wife and I give everything we’ve got because that’s exactly what our team did. She showed the Bama fans around us what true team spirit looks like and I nearly out-sprinted Ogletree to the endzone on the blocked kick. I can honestly say, walking out of the Georgia Dome that night was the weirdest experience I’ve ever had as a Georgia fan. I’ve walked out of stadiums elated with wins and dejected over losses, many times over. But to feel so immensely proud while so very depressed was something I’ll never forget and I'll never get over.

Who has the bigger smile?

June 2014 - My youngest loves some football. If you follow me on twitter you know this already. She’s got quite the arm. Jennifer and I sign her up for Coach Richt’s camp and when I show up at Butts-Mehre to drop her off I’m less surprised that there are like 150-200 kids there than I am that there’s only one girl...the one I brought. Competing is easy for Ainsley, but taking the stares and the casual comments about her gender was less so. Still, Richt’s staff put her completely at ease. From his secretary Ms. Hunt to Coach Inman and everyone in between, she settled in and got in line. I was supposed to leave her for the day, but couldn’t help but return after one trip to Jittery Joe’s to see how things were going.

What’s the word for when the pride you have for your kid crosses paths with the pride you have in your team? At the end of the day, once again Coach Richt stayed late to sign all the t-shirts, pictures, gloves, and footballs. He wasn’t even upset when Ainsley pulled out of his line to get a picture with Christian Robinson first.

Sunday - Ironically, Ainsley and I had just finished throwing the football. As we walked into the house I checked my phone.

“Oh no. Really?”

“What is it Dad?’

“They fired Richt.”

From mine to yours Coach...thanks!

You blink and suddenly your little girl has gone from the excitement of Knowshon “jumping over a guy” to this young lady with beautiful eyes that are filled with the same questions an adult ponders - “What’s next? Who’s the coach? Where’d the time go?” - and you have to explain that this is one of those times when there are more questions than answers.

We had nearly 16 years and 15 seasons with one of college football’s greatest coaches. We saw Mark Richt grow from that young guy trying his best to emulate his own personal role models and make them proud, to a seasoned coach and a magnificent molder of young men. We're all better for the experience, all the highs and the lows and the in-betweens. As a dad, a fan, a man, an alum, an Athenian...I'm eternally thankful for the experience.

Come to think of it, perhaps there are two answers that I have after all. I know that the University of Georgia will never have a finer representative for the program we hold so dear. And I know that my family was blessed to have shared this time with him as part of the Georgia Bulldog Nation. 

Thanks for reading. And feel free to share your own memories below.

Go Dawgs!

Coaching rumors, episode three

So that Atlanta paper reported last night what we all knew anyway; "barring last minute snags" is the equivalent of saying there is still much that is fluid, but the two sides agree and would like to move forward with more pressing business. For one side that is the SECCG, for the other it is waiting for that to be over.

The assistants being retained is still foggy.

• It seems to me (as I alluded to yesterday) that the UGA admin have relented on its desire to pack up Pruitt's office. However, it's important to remember that it's a two way street. It's not a foregone conclusion that he wants to stay. Although I find it hard to believe South Carolina would give Pruitt more than a casual glance, I can believe Pruitt is as tired of McGarity as McGarity is of him.
• Muschamp also appears 50/50, as I could see South Carolina looking seriously at him.
• I've read conflicting reports on Rocker. I'd love to have him stay (and my wife would really like him to stay). But like Pruitt, he's a guy that is going to get some other interest.
• Thomas Brown appears safe to stay. I would imagine the other offensive positions (namely longtime assistants McClendon and Lilly) would depend on the coordinator hire there.
• Which seems to be zeroing in on Western Kentucky's Ty Helton. If that rumor sticks we'll look more at him tomorrow.
• The sexiest rumor appears to be that Alabama S&C coordinator Scott Cochran is coming with Smart. If you recall from the 2010 flirtations, these two are very close. So it's not surprising that Smart would want to poach his friend from Saban's staff. But I would expect the Alabama head guy to put up a fight. Cochran is the blood that pumps through that program.

Personally, I would hope some (or all) of this has been ironed out behind the scenes since we have so many coaches out on the road recruiting. That can get awkward, especially when some of those guys are being tied to other openings.

As the Butts-Mehre turns....

"Has not signed memo of understanding"

Some key phrasing...

Can confirm @AJC report that Kirby Smart will be named #UGA coach, barring a last-minute development. Has not signed memo of understanding

— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) December 2, 2015

...reminds me of this...

Two words y'all...Glen Mason. If he's still here THREE days after the press conference, THEN the torch is passed.

— Bernie (@BernieDawg) December 2, 2015

Still, we look like we're getting closer y'all.

Well now...that's real cold.

Just seen in Athens! Love it! #FireMcGarity https://t.co/5QbpiutOyw pic.twitter.com/qzTiSruijz

— FireMcGarity (@firemcgarity) December 1, 2015

Unpacking the Richt firing

I have a great way to honor the Coach Richt Era of Georgia Bulldog football. I should have it ready late today or tomorrow. Not sure you'll enjoy it as much as I have putting it together. But it has certainly helped me focus on his importance to this program, both on and off the field.

Because of the format I'm using for that post, some things I wanted to say are getting left out. But they're important enough to bring up as I sift through social media, my own feelings, and my own experiences.

First off, the only people that can piss me off more than gator fans, are Georgia "fans" that won't even acknowledge facts. It's like they're so caught up in specific stats (and to be perfectly fair, their own factual evidence) and their own viewpoint, that they can't even recognize what this man meant to the program and the University and the community. You would think that they'd all be new to Georgia, but some of these guys are my age. They should remember what it felt like to lose to Auburn consistently and lose three in a row against Tech. I mean, you'd think Mark Richt kicked their puppy or something.

Next, and here's where I think I'm truly in a minority, you can support the program first and foremost while also believing that Richt shouldn't have been fired. I see all these Facebook groups and Twitter accounts that, at least on the very surface, represent a group of people that put the man himself above the program. That's as dangerous as it is wrong. Don't get upset that Richt was let go just because you love the man. Look, I love him too. But he ain't hurting. We've made him wealthy beyond his dreams and he's going to make some other program better off and the world a better place too. Get upset if you're like me and feel that after what he's built, the man had earned the chance to see at least one more season of full financial and administrative support. More importantly, we had earned the chance to see that.

Last, is anyone else feeling down about how this played out and saying goodbye to someone you've grown to admire for the last decade and a half, yet excited about the future? I don't care if I'm alone there as well. But if you feel that way too, I want you to know that's okay as well.

Hey y'all, Go Dawgs!

Coaching rumors, episode two

Had planned to look at Herman today. But that ship has been tethered closer to Houston. And really, truly, this is all about Kirby Smart.

Reading the tea leaves a little more closely, Pruitt, Rocker, and others joined Thomas Brown and Bryan McLendon on the recruiting trail yesterday afternoon. Our defensive coordinator appears to have been a sticking point for Smart and UGA. Again, that's just the way I'm reading things. But suddenly Pruitt leaves to recruit just after Herman agrees in principle with Houston and just before news of Muschamp and South Carolina getting cozier grains national attention.

Pruitt and McGarity don't get along. Hell, sounds like my dear, sweet grandmother Rosalie might not have enjoyed spending time with Jeremy Pruitt. But if you've fired the most successful coach in the program's history just to put all your eggs in Kirby's basket, you better find a way to iron some shit out.

So yeh, my best guess is we'll have something definitive in the hours after the SECCG. And perhaps by then we might even have a better idea of other assistants coming with Smart. Sure, there's always a chance this turns sideways. I mean, it was our own athletic director who couldn't answer the simple question yesterday of who was on the road recruiting. So UGA can definitely screw this up. But it certainly appears as if Smart is satisfied with the details and UGA is all in on bringing him home.

Richt says goodbye

Press conference is over. Sounds like the one most thankful it's over is the one most responsible for it happening in the first place.

Coach Richt on the other hand looked and sounded like he had a good night's sleep.

LISTEN | @MarkRicht says "thank you" to #BulldogNation in today's press conference... @IMGAudio ---> https://t.co/5HqGtSbDzq

— Scott Howard (@UGAVoice) November 30, 2015

Coaching rumors, episode one

I know. I’m just not there yet with a Richt reflective piece. Gonna need a little more time to get it right. The man deserves that much.

For now, let’s delve into the rumor. Prevailing thought is that a deal is imminent with Kirby Smart to succeed Mark Richt as the head football coach at the University of Georgia. There’s some factors that make this more than just message bored fodder, namely the South Carolina coaching search.

Tom Herman (former Ohio State offensive coordinator and now the head coach at Houston) backed off of the Gamecocks’ overtures (as well as some others I would imagine) a couple weeks ago and that’s when AD Ray Tanner made a push for Smart. From what I’ve read, things progressed quickly, but naturally the Alabama defensive coordinator and UGA alum wanted to see what would happen in Athens before making a decision.

And it appears as if Athens was more than ready to open up backdoor communications.

From there we get that certain coaches like McClendon, Brown and Rocker are being retained and Smart is bringing specific coordinators with him. Muschamp has been mentioned as the potential defensive coordinator and I’ve read where Clay Helton (USC interim head coach)*, Bill Napier (Tide receivers coach) and several others as the possible offensive coordinator.

(At this point I don’t put much credence into assistant rumors. I only mention it as I’m sure a big factor in a coach like Smart’s decision to take his first head gig would be who he could retain and who he could bring with him. Given the recent connections between the Alabama coaching tree and UGA, I would think there is a lot for Smart to sort through.)

Last night after the team meeting there was loud noise, mostly from the defensive players, to #keepPruitt. I doubt Muschamp’s hissy fit on the sideline (and the field, twice) during the Iron Bowl helped his case to “come back home”. But in my opinion, his track record of mediocrity in the SEC as a coordinator speaks even louder than his F-bombs. If Pruitt can be retained along with Rocker, it would be a big plus for me as we played a lot of young players on defense this year.

Anyway, the main point here is that if the Kirby Smart rumor is true it appears to be a counter-move to step in the way of South Carolina getting him instead of us. I’ll be honest, I’m intrigued by Smart. That would win the press conference for sure. What worries me is we have at least a week before any kind of announcement is made as Kirby is a little busy this week continuing as Saban’s minion.

A lot can happen in a week. And most of it is not good considering the traction the story will get. Traction leads to more and more questions which adds more and more pressure. That’s where a confident and poised administration steps in and seizes control.

Unfortunately, everything we saw and heard outside of Butts-Mehre last night speaks to the opposite of confident and poised. Therefore today’s press conference needs to restore order, at an absolute minimum.

*Helton has been promoted from interim to USC's new head coach

McGarity's way, the power play

As I try to put some thoughts and words together to honor the end of an era, I keep coming back to this moment of complete douchebaggery that was made public today:

By the way, Richt had to know he was in trouble when McGarity made him fly commercial to Washington to visit Jacob Eason

— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) November 29, 2015

This is the man we're trusting to find our next coach. And now that the cat's out of that bag, what coach would want to work for this asshat? If he treats his long-tenured head coach like this, unless your only offer is to replace Richt, why not look elsewhere?

This may be a quick search. Most tend to agree that McGarity had to have a plan in place before he fired Richt. If we don't know soon who the next coach is, things have backfired on our bean counting, dipshit of an Athletic Director and things will start to spiral into back up plans.

Like Coach Inman said, I'm not worried about Coach Richt. I'm worried about Georgia football.

Richt fired.

Welp, I asked. And McGarity has responded.

Georgia has fired Mark Richt, a source told https://t.co/IUb98wmtlA

— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) November 29, 2015

I agree with Fletcher, both opposing views are right. I don't agree with this move. But if they were going to make it, it was important to make it now and not in January.

I'll have more later. For now, glad Richt will get to coach in the bowl game. Hope he goes out on top. Go Dawgs!

The deafening silence from Butts-Mehre

Watching the post-game after LSU's win - Les singing before finishing his interview, carried off the field, and then using his press conference as a big ol' "take that chumps" - I could only think about what Butts-Mehre is thinking. Hours later, still no vote of confidence and nary a pink slip.

The coaches will hit the recruiting road soon. Sure would be nice to have something said. Something.

Don't get me wrong. Joe Alleva handled this week about as poorly as an athletic director could. But he and the boosters with knives in their hands knew when it was (finally) time to put them down and allow Miles to enjoy the moment and continue to run the football program.

Seems to me like Richt deserves that much, at a minimum. He just beat Tech for the 13th time in his 15 year career. As MaconDawg pointed out, that's as many times as Tech has won the game in my lifetime.

Don't let the cloud linger through the bowl season. Put on your big boy pants and step in with your alternate plan, or pat Richt on the back and give him a vote of confidence his recruits can have faith in.