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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Richt's Wrap-Up

Mark Richt held his end-of-season wrap-up teleconference this morning. He was at his most evasive when discussing -- well, almost everything -- but here are a few tidbits from the phone call...

-- Richt said he would not comment on the DC hire until a final decision was actually made, including about John Chavis. "I'm not taking any pleasure at all in what people might be going through out there, but the only comment I'll make on that is that, when I do have that decision made and it's ready for public consumption, we'll let everybody know. But my goal is to get the right man for the job and the timetable, I never set one. I gave a general idea. But the bottom line is that I'm not going to make any comments until the job is done."

-- Richt said he hoped the final two games of the year helped change the public perception of this season a bit, but on the program overall, he said he thinks the perception is still high: "People have a picture in their mind of what should be and we do too. We certainly don't want to say that 8-5 is the greatest season in Georgia football by any means. But I liked the way we finished and I liked the way the guys battled to the very end."

-- Richt on Rodney Garner as a DC candidate: "Rodney is not a candidate for the job and he knows that. We're just still in the search."

-- Richt on the battle for the starting QB job in the spring: "The things I'm going to be looking for are a guy who can hit his target, make great decisions, a guy I think can handle the pressure of the job. It's the same thing I'm looking for when we're going recruiting. Whoever wins that job has to have a very good respect for the football. … I think it's going to be a very difficult thing for these young men because in one sense they want to do something great to win the job but they also have to understand that the ultimate respect for the football and not being careless with it is a big part of the job description. That might be the biggest thing they've got to understand."

-- On Logan Gray: "I think he's trying to make a decision right now. I don't know for certain what he'll come up with but we want to respect what he wants to do. We didn't put a timetable on that either."

-- On other position changes: "I do think there's a possibility of a couple things but if I say it publicly it becomes a big issue and causes people to maybe be uncomfortable before they want that decision to be public. I'm not saying there's some certainty that there'll be some changes but there's going to be some thought about that as a staff. What you want to do at this point of the season, which is very young and brand new, is to get everybody in the right spot where they'll have the greatest chance of success… I think that conversation is going to happen after recruiting because we have to see what we've got at certain positions. Are we filling our needs with the recruiting process or will we possibly have to make a move within the program to get us as solid at every position as we possibly can. And again, is there a move out there that would possibly help a young man's future? Those are the things that will come into play, but that conversation really won't be done in ernest until after the signing date and we know who we have coming in."

-- Richt said he has spoken with Rennie and Reshad since the bowl game but didn't elaborate much beyond that. He also said he did not know of any other juniors or redshirt sophomores who are seriously considering the NFL. He did say, however, that he was sure some were "curious" while not seriously pursuing it, which is almost exactly what he said about Reshad last year.

-- The dead period for recruiting ends after Jan. 3, and Richt had originally said he hoped to have his new DC in place to make calls after that. Now, not so much. Richt said he'll be on the road or making some calls to a few players at that point, but he seemed more enthusiastic about having a DC in following the next dead period, which lasts from Jan. 7 through Jan. 10. He also backed off his "first week in January" prediction a bit.

-- Richt said no other schools have contacted him for permission to speak with any of his current assistant coaches regarding job openings.

-- Richt said he did not expect Trinton Sturdivant to participate in any contact drills this spring.

6 comments:

the anonymous suckup said...

David:

Here are two random questions for you.

First, I read a story a few minutes ago about how Urban Meyer told a recruit he would be back in August. I've read other similar stories recently as well. My question is simply this: How is Meyer talking to recruits during the dead period? As a corollary, if talking to them is forbidden, why are recruits and reporters discussing it so openly without any mention of it being illegal?

Secondly, is Aaron Murray really any bigger than Joe Cox? The published heights I've seen have them both around 6'1" tall. And those numbers are sometimes inflated. Everyone seems to think Murray is the next big thing at QB. Everyone also seems to think Cox is too short - which seems to be the case since he often had passes tipped at the line. So what's the story from someone who has stood toe-to-toe with both of them?

Thanks in advance for your response.

David Hale said...

It's a complicated situation on the "dead period." First off, here's how the NCAA defines "dead period":
The college coach may not have any in-person contact with you or your parents at any time in the dead period. The coach may write and telephone you or your parents during this time.

And here's part of the rule that allows for exceptions for mid-year enrollees: "Institutional staff members may have contact with a prospective student-athlete who has been admitted for mid-year enrollment, provided the prospect has signed a National Letter of Intent or other offer of admission and/or financial aid to attend the institution and is required to be on campus to attend institutional orientation sessions for all students."

And when you add indirect contact (coach talks to HS coach who talks to player) it's all too vague to really matter outside of the fact that in-person visits are pretty much out the window. The rest is all a big gray area, which is part of what makes recruiting such a dirty business.

As for your second question, Murray isn't super tall, but he has about 3 inches on Joe. I'd say Joe is probably closer to 5-10 at best. The media guide was very, very kind to him. (And Rennie, too, for that matter.)

Anonymous said...

David:

People have been piling on Joe all season. I'll give you Tebow, McElroy and Mallett as better than Cox.

Other than them, name a SEC starting QB that you would rather have had this year? Snead, Garcia, Crompton, Jefferson, Todd, Lee, whoever QB's Kentucky and Vandy? Snead had fewer touchdowns and more interceptions. Jefferson maybe, but I'm not so sure.

Skeptic Dawg said...

DH,

Thanks for your excellent work this season! You hav always provided great insight for those of us without inside access. What has been the biggest difference in CMR that you have seen this season? Thanks again for the great work!

the anonymous suckup said...

Well, you learn something new every day. I thought the dead period was a lot stricter than that.

Also, I'm surprised to hear you say Cox is 5'10" tall. I didn't know the media guide was being THAT kind to him. I figured Murray had an inch or so on him, but not three inches.

Thanks again.

The Cuatro said...

David,

I love you stuff, but to your answer on Cox's height is off. I've been around both of those guys and Cox is my height (I am 6' on the dot, got measured not too long ago at the doc's office), He is a good bit taller than than 5'10"... Rennie is about 5'9 1/2" and Joe is MUCH taller than him.

Also, Murray is only slightly taller than Joe... I say he's a legit 6'1".

But, I think what hurt Joe the most was that he rarely extended the play beyond the pocket, so he always had to throw over the big boys and constantly had balls batted down. Murray is known for his mobility and his ability to get outside the pocket and make things happen. Because of that, I think Murray's height will be less of an issue.