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Georgia football coach Mark Richt watches the Bulldogs lose to Tennessee 35-14 last October at Neyland Stadium.
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Georgia football coach Mark Richt watches the Bulldogs lose to Tennessee 35-14 last October at Neyland Stadium.
HOOVER, Ala. - The Tennessee football team never got a thank-you note from the Georgia Bulldogs last season. UT coach Phillip Fulmer didn't get a fruit basket with "best wishes" before the Vols' SEC championship game against LSU.
Such expressions of gratitude are out of place in a conference as competitive as this one. But Georgia knows it owes UT big-time for last October. That came across loud and clear at the SEC football media days.
UT's contribution to Georgia football was an emphatic beating, highlighted by a 28-0 first half during which the Bulldogs looked less competent than any SEC opponent to stumble into Neyland Stadium since Vanderbilt in 2003.
When Fulmer shook hands with Georgia coach Mark Richt after UT's 35-14 victory, he should have said, "You'll thank us later."
Georgia's coach changed. His team changed. And so did the season.
The same bunch that looked like the worst of the SEC East in early October was campaigning for a berth in the national championship game two months later after winning its last six regular-season games. The Bulldogs finished 11-2, second nationally and now are a popular pick to contend for a national title in 2008.
Their reversal of fortune is easily pinpointed.
"After getting beat so bad by Tennessee, I was taking inventory of that game," Richt said. "I was kind of wondering what went wrong.
"As I looked around, I was seeing that everybody was kind of waiting on someone else to do something, coaches and players. I was getting kind of mad at them until I looked in the mirror and realized they were just basically reflecting me. I was sitting there, waiting for somebody to do something."
It's worth noting that Richt has never shied away from self-criticism in a public forum. And when he takes himself to task, his criticism is too specific to qualify as a token gesture.
Maybe that made it easier for him to transform himself and his team in the middle of the season. Motivation also had something to do with it.
"I realized that if we don't play with emotion, which we usually do but didn't that day … I said, 'Something has got to change.' I knew it had to start with me."
Suddenly, a coach who seemed as stoic and thoughtful as Tom Landry on game day was doing his best Houston Nutt imitation. The change in personality wasn't as difficult as you might think.
"There have been people saying, 'March Richt is a true gentleman of the game,' " Richt said. " 'He never gets excited. He's just kind of calm.
"My family members are texting me, saying, 'We know better.' Not that I'm not a gentleman. But I get riled up. I get fired up."
In the past, Richt's play-calling duties on game day forced him to curb his enthusiasm. After delegating those chores to Mike Bobo last year, it apparently took Richt half a season to realize he was a free man.
Once he become more emotional and animated on the sideline, his team followed its coach's lead. Not all of the exuberance was spontaneous.
Before the Florida game, Richt instructed his team: "After the first score against Florida, I want you guys to celebrate so hard that the referees throw a flag."
The Bulldogs followed his message en masse. In fact, the mass was greater than Richt anticipated.
"I'm thinking 11 guys celebrating," Richt said. "Well, somebody in that crowd thought I meant everybody."
"Everybody" included the Georgia reserves, who raced onto the field to join their teammates in celebration.
"When I saw the passion and fire get unleashed that had been dormant in this football team, I got excited," Richt said. "I was fired up."
Only later did he consider the ramifications - a bench-clearing brawl comes to mind.
"In hindsight, I shouldn't have done it," he said. "It could have easily turned into a big, stupid brawl and everything else."
Instead, it turned into a 42-30 Georgia victory - one that might never have happened if not for an embarrassing loss to UT.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 50
gavol2572 writes:
Thankyou sir may I have another. Lets give em three in a row come Oct 11!! Whataya say boys!!!
gavol2572 writes:
Agreed General
rusty_shackleford writes:
Wow, did I feel the earth stop turning there for a second? One entire article by tuscaloosa john without a muckraking comment? No cheap shot at CPF? If the sun rises in the west Sunday morning, then I'll know it's true.
Tenn_Dawg writes:
I would rather not have my coach have to learn lessons that way but I guess whatever it takes. That certainly was a sound whooping. I was very nervous about that game because UT had two weeks of poor mouthing by the fans and media. UT has certainly shown the ability to play its best when their backs are against the wall and that game was indicative of that. This season should be great. Our conference is so deep that four or five teams from our league could be hoisting the hardware.
Oh yeah I just finished watching the 2006 UT/LSU game and Crompton is going to do just fine.
Tenn_Dawg writes:
Is John's new gig to write about all other SEC teams except UT? This is like the fifth article this week about other SEC coaches. I guess that is all he can write about because he sure isn't going to be invited to practice anytime soon.
TurboFan writes:
I didn't know the Bulldogs were the worst of the SEC west in October. Kaplan, check the sixth paragraph.
We do such a service to the world: propelled LSU on to a NC, helped Tebow win the Heisman, kept Saban from a losing record, and now inspired Georgia to an audacious hope of an NC this year.
Heck, the BB team even awoke the Memphis Tigers from their sleepwalk through their conference to get them a...oh, whoops, nevermind.
TurboFan writes:
Or was JA meaning to compare Ga to Ole Mrs. My bad.
IPOrange writes:
Uh, Adams, Georgia is in the SEC East last time I checked.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Hard game to watch, Tenn_Dawg (dude, that's such a contradiction, but it's a free country and you sound like a decent sort),but, yes, Crompton will do just fine.
It doesn't seem possible, but the SEC just seems to get more brutal every year. This year should be a barn burner. One mistake (reference last year's SEC Championship) can change an entire season.
Georgia will be out for our arses this year for sure. I just can't wait to see whiny Urban attempt to extract his revenge for the end zone melee on you boys . . . . Could well be the SEC game of the year.
GO BIG ORANGE
Coach_Joe writes:
I really like Coach Richt, but I can't stand the bulldog fans! And as a Volunteer fan I'm sick of hearing about the Bulldogs.
Georgia this and Georgia that! Florida this and Florida that!
Yes, we were picked third in the toughest division of the toughest conference in the nation. That's fine! Why not write an article on how the Vols do when picked as underdogs or something instead of feeding us "phooey" about the other two.
I don't want to hear anymore about how bad UT was beaten against UF or how bad the Vols beat UGA last year. That was last year! -- OLD NEWS!
gavol2572 writes:
Hey thanks for the manners TennDawg, unlike some of the Gator scum that frequents this board from time to time
pdhuff#552644 writes:
8 is enuf.
AlpharettaVol1 writes:
Yup, the genius Richt was sooooo successful in his motivation that they went out the next week and whupped up on Vandy!
Wait!
They didn't whup on them! They were going to lose the game until Vandy fumbled (while driving for the winning TD or FG) leaving UGa about 1 minute to drive 50 yards for the winning FG...
Now getting the other team to fumble as they're about to win, that's coaching!
Heh heh...there is a lot of luck involved...
I'm just glad JA is here to explain that it was Richt who turned it around...LOL...
rusty_shackleford writes:
IPO, PRICELESS! ROTFLMAO!!!! hahahahahahahaha
The "great tuscaloosa john" and his lapdog kappy missed such an elementary fact! Or is it "opinion" that UGA is in the SECW?!
IPOrange writes:
Hard drinkin' will do that to a guy.
newtonrail writes:
Actually there is a backhanded slap at Fulmer, when Adams refers to Richt's public self appraisals: "It's worth noting that Richt has never shied away from self-criticism in a public forum. And when he takes himself to task, his criticism is too specific to qualify as a token gesture." I do love to beat Georgia although one of my son in laws, and thereby my daughter are sick for a week or two.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Finally, after an hour and a half of fact verification, "SEC West" was changed. But did the change make the printed edition? hahahaha Goobers!
IPOrange writes:
rusty - they called an immediate board meeting and voted on it. It was a 5-4 vote for "East".
rusty_shackleford writes:
But took 90 minutes to count the votes. They didn't know what to do with the extra finger.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Let the publisher know how much you like Adams.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/staff/bruce...
TopperVol75 writes:
I am a Vol by birth and by schooling, but I have been in ATL for 24 years. I have heard the Pups hype year after year after year. Richt is a GREAT man and a great coach. My buddies and I said during the Goff/Donnan years that GA was a sleeping giant. Well, Richt woke up that giant. But last years antics with the celebration in Jax and the sideline dancing against Auburn were the signs of a man losing control of his program. I think the "Soulja Boy" dancing against AU was a bigger insult than Jax. Let the thugs rule and you will get the same result as all the other schools in spite of the coach's "choirboy" image. One man's humble opinion...based upon living omongst the Dogs for a quarter of a century!! Go Big Orange!!
banman360 writes:
cdidoc i highly doubt hartmann cares what anyone has to say about his sports section. as long as its against UT and Webb
eefor10c writes:
Wow! Another Adams article praising an opposing coach. Where are the tough questions on the lack of discipline and the players in trouble. Why aren't you calling for his head John? I DO hope that what we have seen since your "vacation" continues. Let DREW EDWARDS provide the unbiased coverage on the Vols and send John to Alabama, GA, Florida, LSU, and Auburn and let him cover those teams since they are the only good ones in the conference. STAY OUT OF NEYLAND STADIUM, adams, and I for one will be extremely happy. I think we should circulate a petition at the first UT home game to ask KNS management to replace Adams. Oh, by the way adams, who coached the Georgia team that stomped the Dawgs?
eefor10c writes:
Oops, make that the Tennessee team that beat the Dawgs although I'm sure adams would like to give the credit to Richt.
mparker writes:
poorly written. damn, I can't type, but I at least know good writing. this story just kind of PLOPPED at the end (no nasty puns intended).
VOLinDAWGland writes:
That's because obviously Adam's cares nothing about the team he's covering and in fact openly dislikes the team in general and Fulmer in particular. But hey, that's not much different from the leftist scum who love to hate the USA and justify it with the stupid slogan "dissent is the sincerest form of patriotism".
jhmclain#224991 writes:
Kids may not get as much of their news these days via the paper (hard copy or electronic) as when I was growing up but I can tell you that for those that do what they read influences their opinion of the football program. I still remember as much about the writers of the 60s and 70s as the players. Folks like Tom Siler and Marvin West (and let's not forget the Dyergram!) made Sunday morning almost as big as the game the day before. And some of these writers (and especially the late Gary Lundy) could be critical of the Vols at times BUT there was never a question as to the color of their blood and that is what is missing from John Adams! The KNS is making a huge mistake with this guy and future generations will not ever know the thrill of reading articles about the Vols they way that I did. PS - I don't need to hear about any of the koolaid phooey - just stating it the way I see it.
etsuvol99#227561 writes:
No mention of Georgia's offseason problems? Why do the other coaches who have worse incidents get Adams' fawning but Fulmer gets attacked? Saban had a major cocaine dealer on his team, John!
tkid writes:
Hey Dusty, you’re a classic case of open mouth and insert foot.
You actually read the article and commented on it. You didn’t catch the error! Of course you also felt the earth move, but then realized your Metamucil just kicked in. LMAO!
Speaking of GOOBER!
khelton657 writes:
CPF needs to learn the same lesson about enthusiasm and getting involved. You act like your leadership. If they aren't excited, the kids aren't excited. I'm tired of seeing someone screwup on the field and CPF pats them on the butt when they run off the field, like they are 9 year olds. No enthusiasm, no fire, no passion from Fulmer means none from his players.
ctownvol writes:
Georgia Tech had it right when they said "To he(l with Georgia"
waterskier3#226480 writes:
Just back from vacation in Gulf Shores and boy was that a mistake... LSU, Auburn and Ala fans everywhere....... Man the LSU fans were thanking me for letting two back-up QB's beat us in both SEC CG's.... Auburn fans counting us a victory and alabama fans smiling all day long when i wore my orange!!!!
GO VOLS... BTW they all thanked us for keeping CPF :) a little odd isn't it??? I would have never thanked fla for keeping coach spur...lol
LanceR24 writes:
mcbrim1998
lol thanks for article, that is something that always makes me laugh if fulmer gets a break he is a crappy coach that got lucky, if any other coach has some luck its because (sarcasm) he put his hands to his forehead and thought really hard fumble, fumble, fumble, and by god it happened because he is such a great coach lol.
invisiblekid writes:
Agree at 9:17 General H2OMelon Sir.
Regarding the column, the smarmy act is wearing real thin.
budd#207344 writes:
UT beat uga because they were a better fottball team Period. If you dont get emotiional in a game where the opponent is wiping you a** like UT did to uga you just suck. We will see about emotion come this fall
rusty_shackleford writes:
Fuzzy-balled one, what did I say to insult you? Are you a tuscaloosa john apologist who mindlessly believes that everything he writes is free of bias and rancor?
If you like the muckraker, that's fine with me. Yesterday Kaplan said everyone can have an opinion. IMO, tuscaloosa john has lost objectivity and will say or write anything to degrade and defame CPF. That isn't "journalism" IMO. And yes, it does make me laugh when the Pompous One screws up.
Finally, I'm not at all impressed by a tennis fan interested in my colon.
tkid writes:
Now Now Mrs. Shakleford, its so un-lady like to get all riled up. I just thought it’s funny that you’re busting Kappy’s chops for not catching that mistake…and yet YOU didn’t either. Come on…you know you didn’t. Other posters did. YOU didn’t. You know, the ol foot in the mouth syndrome.
But, as far as the Adams apologist goes, it’s time to let it go. I think you’re still bitter because you didn’t get asked to your senior prom….but that was in 38! Let it go. You’re starting to sound like a bitter old woman. Don’t like his column, don’t read it. Try Ina Hughes. LMAO!
BTW, how would you know I have fuzzy…oh never mind. Too easy.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Perve, had your moniker been "baseballkid" I would have written Dear Rawhide. If your alias was "footballkid", I would have called you pigskin. But since tennis balls are, in fact, fuzzy the the salutation was as above. I wasn't surprised that you didn't get it.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Ikid 11:16 - Would you break down "smarmy" for we geezers?
Is that anything like tutti-frutti?
TommyJack writes:
PD: :)
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictio...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Tks, TJ,7:21- the New Yorker part I can understand.
Beagles can be smarmy when you want them to do something and all you get is a baleful stare.
Bluegill rarely are.
DannyVol writes:
First of all, why is this hateful, cynical idiot still employed by KNS? I live outside the subscription area, but can I please recommend a boycott until he is fired?
Anyway, we totally ambushed Georgia by playing to our potential, playing with great emotion and by implenting an incredible gameplan.
Once again, Adams reduces the outcome of a UT victory...one of the best UT victories in recent years...by saying Georgia was not "competent" on that particular day. We were just a mediocre team that was lucky enough to encounter a sleepwalking bunch of Bulldogs. I suppose Wisconsin was simply incompetent as well on New Year's Day.
Speaking of competent - you are not, Mr Adams. You are just a hack who knows his audience even less than he does his craft.
atl4canes writes:
Georgia will have 4 losses. Toss up between Vols and Gators in the east. But, one thing we can all be sure of is Urban shoving that Nike football up Richts a##!! Guess payback can be a real b#$%#>
VolGraduate writes:
wow! i'm extremely bored so i read the article. this was ja's best article in a long long time. did it have a point? not really. did it belittle the vols? not really....coming from ja that is a win win
volboy81#211803 writes:
GEORGIA: Southern state, located between Tennessee and Florida. Origin unsure, thought to mean "ALL TALK NO ACTION."
rabidvolfan writes:
Mr Adams we owe you a thank you. Since your "Change at top" article, there has not been one thing close to an off the field issue.
joboo64#211992 writes:
I hope all of you realize what Adams is up to. He is no friend of The Vols, he is just trying to fire GA up so they will kick our butts this year. He would do anything he can to hurt Tennessee. Why can't we go back to the days of Tom Syler and West and have a friendly, objective reporting of our team instead of having a newpaper that hates its home town team. The Knoxville News is sick for allowing this to happen in the first place. They need to send Adams packing.
b_appleton#223053 writes:
Check out the link:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danp...
Go to Wednesdays broadcast w/ Tim Tebow.
He basically states that if FLA doesnt beat TN this year, hes bet Kenny Chesney he'll sing Rocky Top.
In my best Balladeer voice (eg. Waylon): I dont know about you boys, but this is pretty close to blasphemy where I come from....
Orange4life writes:
What? I can't hear ya'll for the Adam's suck assin other coaches. We better be ready this year to play between the hedges, cause they'll whip us worse than Fla last year.
snoopbob87 writes:
Adams is doing his best to destroy a proud tradition of UT football. Either outright critize or praise them. Don't give us "faint praise" based on some non sense that Georgia owes thanks. UT played as hard as they can every game every play. Georgia plays as hard they can every game every play. Winning or losing has nothing to do with changing your attitude after a loss or a win. Adams you are a sorry journalist. Oh for the days of Tom Siler, John Ward and Bill Anderson. They were happy and proud of the fightening spirit shown by our Volunteer team. They spoke and wrote about the Vols and their rivals with class and diginity. Something very lacking in the Knoxville Sports Paper.
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