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Georgia Bulldogs: Trudging Through Thursday’s Turmoil

By John Buhler

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The Georgia Bulldogs’ football program had a tumultuous Thursday full of turmoil. Mark Richt is definitely on the hot seat entering Week 10 and reports are out on the strange state of the UGA football program.

USA Today first reported today the intense friction existing in the Georgia Bulldogs football program. The sports division of the national news publication spoke with several people who have a better understanding of what is going on behind closed doors in Athens. Those sources remain anonymous for obvious reasons.

-= Related: Brian Schottenheimer: Was He a Bad Hire for UGA? =-

USA Today extracted four major takeaways from their conversations with those involved in the UGA program:

1. AD Greg McGarity wanted to replace Mark Richt after last season, but new President of the University Jere Morehead refused. McGarity supposedly has a liking for Mississippi State HC Dan Mullen from their time together in Gainesville.

2. The relationship between Richt and DC Jeremy Pruitt has “grown toxic”, citing that Pruitt likely won’t return to Georgia next year.

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3. While no major booster has specifically levied for Richt’s removal, several are not happy with the current status of the football team.

4. Should Richt return in 2016, it will likely require major overhaul to the coaching staff. The interviewed see new OC Brian Schottenheimer as a major concern.

Richt reportedly has received instructions to “fix the issues within the program”, but the problems seem numerous with a great deal of discontent emanating from the coaching staff. Coach Richt went on to send out a Tweet to dispel the friction that might exist between him and Pruitt.

Regardless of where you stand on the Mark Richt hot seat issue, this isn’t a promising Tweet, as it sounds like a coach fighting for his job. At 5-3 (3-3), Richt may have to win out to keep the wolves at bay. However after seeing the dismal quarterback play from the Georgia Bulldogs in the month of October, I don’t think we can take any wins for granted for the rest of the season (Kentucky, @Auburn, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech).

Though I doubt UGA misses out on a bowl game in 2015 by losing their final four games, changes seem inevitable in Athens. This tumultuous Thursday probably needed to happen, but it feels like a major distraction heading into the Kentucky game.

I’m not saying that we will see a 2009 type of game from the Dawgs against the Wildcats at home, but I can’t say that I like Georgia in this game. Mark Stoops has the Kentucky program on the verge of bowl eligibility. Don’t think for a second that Big Blue Nation wouldn’t want to jump on the UGA Dawg pile of dysfunction and send the Georgia Bulldogs football program into a deeper nosedive on Saturday.

The tension surrounding the program is unsettling, but totally understandable. It’s become such a distraction that the Georgia Bulldogs won’t grant media availability until after Saturday’s home game versus Kentucky. I remember last year laughing at the Florida Gators’ heated head coaching situation between Will Muschamp and AD Jeremy Foley. Now the shoe’s on the other foot, only this time the head coach in question, Mark Richt, didn’t beat his school’s arch rival, Florida, down in Jacksonville.

Next: Georgia Bulldogs: Losing Jacob Eason Would Ruin UGA

Big changes are apparently coming in Athens and McGarity and Morehead will have the final say. The tension is uncomfortable and feeling uncomfortable typically ignites change. Regardless of the numerous changes that might occur to the Georgia Bulldogs football program, I am a Dawg for life and I’ll support this team no matter what. Let’s rally together in these trying times and beat the snot out of the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday. Go Dawgs!

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