November 30, 2015 · 10:58 AM

No excuses now.

Uncontested.

You’ve got the premier job opening in the country now, Georgia.  Don’t screw up the hire.

91 Comments

Filed under Georgia Football

91 responses to “No excuses now.”

  1. Jeff Sanchez
    November 30, 2015 at 11:00 AM

    Hiring Kirby over Herman would be a colossal mistake, IMO. Let’s not even discuss Mullen.

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  2. Tronan
    November 30, 2015 at 11:03 AM

    I hope you crossed your fingers and toes when you typed that last sentence, Senator.

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  3. Steve
    November 30, 2015 at 11:08 AM

    Agree, CMR needed to go years ago but my fear was we would hold aim high evenough. Hopefully our AD learned something at FL and still has connections for questions. Our previous searches have been questionable if not embarrassing.

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  4. Aunt Edna
    November 30, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    Kiffin out as OC, Richt to Bama with Eason, we hire Bobby Petrino, Trump gets elected, McGarity sells the team to LA…….

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  5. lamontsanford
    November 30, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    Chill the f*** out everybody Greg “The Wolf” McGarity is on the mother.

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    • 1979 Dooley
      November 30, 2015 at 12:49 PM

      ^^hahahahahahahahahaha^^
      Gator McGarity looked incompetent in that presser. He just fired the coach everyone will be going after.

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  6. @gatriguy
    November 30, 2015 at 11:12 AM

    Go get Herman.

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  7. 3rdandGrantham
    November 30, 2015 at 11:14 AM

    Wow! Didn’t see that coming.

    If SCU ends up with a better coach than us, I’ll go insane..

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  8. Go Dawgs!
    November 30, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    Who?

    Man. The SEC East looks like it’s going to stay a reasonably friendly neighborhood the next few years, then. Things in Gainesville and Knoxville would figure to keep getting more competitive, but I’m not sure either of the Columbias will be a threat in the near future.

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  9. Reverend Whitewall
    November 30, 2015 at 11:17 AM

    I sure hope to heck that we don’t actually have a deal already in place with somebody now. And the fact that McG says we’re hiring a search firm would seem to indicate that we don’t. Surely as much as he likes to protect money, he wouldn’t go splurge on a search firm when Smart is already in place, correct?

    We have the best opening available, and it’s not even close. It’s time to swing for the fences. Make Patterson tell you “No”. Shoot, make him tell you “No” at least 3 times. Call whoever else is on your wish list, no matter how unattainable they may seem. At least make them say “No”.

    If Smart and/or Mullen are fallback options, they’ll wait while you make those calls. Mullen, in particular, where else is he gonna go? Not that Miss St is a premiere job, but what other available jobs are an obvious step up? And I believe Smart would wait too, if he thinks there’s a chance of him landing it.

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    • Ben Dukes (@BenDukes)
      November 30, 2015 at 1:03 PM

      Mullen has beaten exactly ONE Top25 team in all of his years at Mississippi State. Why would we want him?

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      • Chuck
        November 30, 2015 at 2:19 PM

        He started from less is what I think many would say. In other words, he has exceeded what was expected.

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      • Reverend Whitewall
        November 30, 2015 at 3:11 PM

        Well you kinda missed the whole point of my comment. 🙂

        I’m not advocating for him in any way, you won’t find anywhere that I’ve called for him to be the hire. But lots of people seem to think he’s on McG’s list. My point is just that if he is on McG’s list, it’s not like McG has to worry about losing Mullen if he takes the time to call others. He should take the time to go after more desirable candidates first, including more desirable than Smart.

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    • red
      November 30, 2015 at 5:31 PM

      McGarity said he would a search firm for some things. Have no idea what somethings means.

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  10. Doggoned
    November 30, 2015 at 11:18 AM

    I’m going to keep believing we had someone ready on a string. I want to believe that. I have to believe that. There is a Santa Claus…

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  11. Zuto
    November 30, 2015 at 11:20 AM

    How has there not been any mention of us hiring Bobo as HC?

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  12. Normaltown Mike
    November 30, 2015 at 11:22 AM

    Spurrier.

    Think about it, he worked with GMcG, he’s still close to Augusta National with the added bonus of close proximity to Atlanta Motor Speedway AND Taladega.

    It’s crazy enough that it just might work.

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  13. Jared S.
    November 30, 2015 at 11:24 AM

    I’m very puzzled why so many people are down on the idea of hiring Kirby Smart as HC. I don’t think he’s the ideal candidate, but It’s hard for me to accept any other possibility who’s currently considered a possibility. The man has coached 3 national championship defenses in 7 years. And….he might make it 4 this year. He’s been in the SEC a looong time, and he’s spent time at multiple universities – has a wealth of experience in the SEC. I’d like to see us take a chance on someone like that, rather than a very inexperienced HC from a non-SEC, non-Power5 Conference school.

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    • SAtownDawg
      November 30, 2015 at 11:46 AM

      not speaking for others, but I would have a hard time giving the job to a guy who gave his word to his alma mater that he was coming as DC only to later renege… he was using us to get a pay raise at Bama…in addition, ask any south Georgia high school coach what Kirby says about UGA on the trail…it hasn’t been pretty and I would expect better from a former letterman

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      • eethomaswfnc
        November 30, 2015 at 12:05 PM

        This in spades – it’s why I would prefer to call him Benedict rather than Kirby.

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      • dawgtired
        November 30, 2015 at 12:19 PM

        …what Kirby says about UGA on the trail…

        Which makes you wonder just how effective his recruiting to UGA would be. At bama he was recruiting for the “best coach in the SEC”…at UGA he would be recruiting for himself, an unproven HC…after he had bashed the school and program for years. I guess he could tell them he is the “fix” to all the UGA problems.

        I will be shocked if he even wants to step out of the shadow of Saban and come to UGA

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    • Slaw Dawg
      November 30, 2015 at 12:17 PM

      Because you don’t fire the second winningest coach in program history and one of the most consistent current winners in the country with anything other than an experienced head coach who has won or at least closely competed for championships. Otherwise, you’re just gambling. Hope we’re looking at Shaw, Swinney, Petersen type coaches. I suppose Briles and Dantonio are a bit too late in their careers, and the jury may still be out on Fedora. But doesn’t make sense to me for UGA at this stage to give any coordinator his first shot at the big chair when we SHOULD be able to lure an experienced and successful coach.

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  14. sUGArdaddy
    November 30, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    I don’t understand the Herman love affair over Kirby. He has ONE SEASON of Head Coaching experience. This is his resume of stops:

    1998 Texas Lutheran (WR)
    1999–2000 Texas (GA)
    2001–2004 Sam Houston State (WR/ST)
    2005–2006 Texas State (OC/QB)
    2007–2008 Rice (OC/QB)
    2009–2011 Iowa State (OC/QB)
    2012–2014 Ohio State (OC/QB)
    2015–present Houston

    Kirby has learned from the master of the SEC, maybe the best coach in the conference of all time. Since 2008, in the regular season, Bama has gone:

    12-0
    12-0
    9-3
    11-1
    11-1
    11-1
    11-1
    11-1

    He’s learned what it takes to win at that level in this league. Herman has never sniffed the SEC, and that scares the daylights out of me. In fact, it scares the daylights out of me what might happen in Living Rooms across the South, and that’s the battle that I know Kirby can win, and win big at. We’re not going to overtake Bama and win SEC titles consistently with better coaching. We’re going to do that with better players. We need more elite, 5-star players backing up 5-star studs. That’s why Bama can overcome injuries. That’s why Bama can bench kids that don’t perform. That’s why Bama wins EVERY year and not just one year out of three.

    I’d be delighted to see us go after Dantonio, Brian Kelly or Chip Kelley, but do you really think we’re going to pay $7 million? I’m not convinced we’re ready for that kind of investment.

    Kirby MIGHT be the next Muschamp, but he might be our Spurrier. He might be that alumnus who has a fire burning to see his alma mater win. But, just because he’s been a coordinator doesn’t mean he’s NOT the right guy for the job and just because someone has been a head coach doesn’t mean he IS the right guy for the job. None of that means anything. And hiring a name doesn’t mean it’s right either.

    I can tell you this, if we hire Kirby there’s a good chance we’re going to sign the #1 class in the country this year. And what do you think will happen with the ’17 class? And what, exactly, do you think will get us over the hump those one or two games each year? I don’t think it’s calling a timeout or going for it on 4th down at the right spot. I think it’s having a 3rd string running back who can actually get a couple yards when you need them to.

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    • Senator Blutarsky
      November 30, 2015 at 11:31 AM

      Two things: One, the issue for me isn’t Kirby Smart per se, it’s making sure the AD did his due diligence in finding the best man for the job. I know it’s a crapshoot, but as long as there is real thought behind the decision, I’ll be okay with it.

      Two, the only thing dumber than keeping an existing coach who isn’t meeting expectations simply to preserve a recruiting class is hiring a new one to save it. And if that’s the mindset behind hiring Kirby Smart, see point one.

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      • sUGArdaddy
        November 30, 2015 at 11:40 AM

        I agree on the recruiting deal, but it’s more the overall approach in recruiting that matters, and Kirby would upgrade our recruiting immediately.

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    • David K
      November 30, 2015 at 11:32 AM

      I agree about Herman. If you want an ex Meyer OC then Mullen seems to be the better hire. He’s winning with limited resources and talent at Miss State.

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      • sUGArdaddy
        November 30, 2015 at 11:45 AM

        HE WENT 8-4 WITH THE BEST QB IN THE LEAGUE!!!!!!! Okay, I’ll stop yelling. They can’t beat their in state rival. They got torched by our in state rival in the Orange Bowl last year. With his best two teams ever, he got dominated by Bama both times. They went 10-3 last year, same as Richt.

        They’re 9-3 this year with victories over Auburn…Played UK and Mizzou from East. I’ve seen what Mullen can do. I won’t no part of it. He runs a Mickey Mouse offense, can’t hire a good DC and can’t beat his rivals. No thanks.

        I have not idea what Smart or Herman can do.

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        • matthc
          November 30, 2015 at 12:11 PM

          Anyone who thinks Mullen is some savior just needs to know that Ole Miss beat Arkansas, LSU and Alabama more times this year than Mississippi State has in the last 7 years under mullen.

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      • Dawg Stephen
        November 30, 2015 at 12:53 PM

        mullen is 4-28 against ranked lately i heard…. if so. then oh hayull naw.

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    • SAtownDawg
      November 30, 2015 at 12:02 PM

      You left out his relevant stats

      001–2004 Sam Houston State (WR/ST) — second nationally in passing offense, averaging 358.5 yards, 471 yards of total offense ranked fifth among Division I-AA schools…coached three all american receivers

      2005–2006 Texas State (OC/QB) 2005 team ranked eighth nationally in scoring…led the conference in scoring both years

      2007–2008 Rice (OC/QB) ranked in the Top 10 nationally in 2008 in passing offense (5th; 327.8), scoring offense (T8th; 41.6) and total offense (10th; 472.3).coached the QB who won conference player of the year

      2009–2011 Iowa State (OC/QB) —his QB ended his career as the Cyclones No. 2 all-time leading passer with 6,777 yards and 42 touchdown passes. His 8,044 yards of total offense is the second-best total in school history.

      2012–2014 Ohio State (OC/QB) national title…fourth ranked offense while using two back ups

      2015–present Houston –15th in nation in total offense, 11-1 this year with team which was 8-5 last year…

      not saying he is the right choice but he’s been impressive wherever he;s been

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    • 1979 Dooley
      November 30, 2015 at 12:57 PM

      Has anyone in Sugar Daddy Saban’s twisted tree ever been a quality HC at a bigtime program? Don’t anyone dare mention McElwain. He’s been there 1 year and got waxed by an FSU squad that lost to Tech. Muschamp sucked. Son of Dooley sucked. So let’s go run to the stupid tree for our deliverer. Surely Kirby’s just gonna fix everything. My god. We’re morons.

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  15. The Truth
    November 30, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    I won’t pretend to be an in-the-know guy, but what do you make of the chatter that Smart was the guy but he wanted Pruitt or Muschamp as DC and GM won’t sign off on either — Boom for $$, and Pruitt because he hates him?

    The thought of Muschamp on our staff make me want to puke.

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    • Governor Milledge
      November 30, 2015 at 12:17 PM

      I personally think any conditions McG places on staff hiring will chase off many, if not most, of the desired coaching candidates. If you believe enough in The Guy, whoever that will be, to hire him, let him fill out his staff as he sees fit.

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    • MGW
      November 30, 2015 at 1:57 PM

      I’d love to see Pruitt stick around. I mean what has he done wrong over the last two years that anyone else in the country could have improved on with the young talent at his disposal? Couldn’t hurt recruiting either.

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  16. SouthernYank
    November 30, 2015 at 11:40 AM

    I have zero idea why Herman is even being mentioned. If this is the best available job (and it is), that is the pick for some of you? Are you f’ing kidding me? I’m not saying I know who’s walking through that door (I know it’s not Larry Bird and not John Gruden), but they’re not hiring Herman. If Herman is the pick, by the F was Richt fired?

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  17. Careful Brad
    November 30, 2015 at 11:41 AM

    Why don’t we get a great DC and someone who’s won a national championship as a head coach? I say we load up a dump truck full of cash, drive it down Tobacco Road and give Chizik an offer he can’t refuse! All in!!!

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  18. Flukebucket
    November 30, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    I am hearing a lot of “Kirby HC and Muschamp DC”. Is that just pure and simple trolling or is it actually a possibility?

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  19. Turd Ferguson
    November 30, 2015 at 11:53 AM

    My gut — informed by a lot of hearsay and rumor-mongering, mind you — tells me that they’ve already got Smart on board, and are simply delaying the announcement until the coordinator situation is worked out.

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    • Normaltown Mike
      November 30, 2015 at 11:58 AM

      to satisfy some hiring procedures, I think they have to post it publicly and it has to be open for some minimum amount of time (no idea on that part)

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  20. Spike
    November 30, 2015 at 12:05 PM

    If we hire that asshole Muschamp to do anything, even to take out the trash, I’m done with them.

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  21. Russ
    November 30, 2015 at 12:10 PM

    Okay, after much deliberation and careful consideration (meaning I read all the blogs and comments for the past two days), I’ve decided we need Shaw from Stanford. He’s 42 years old, has a better record at Stanford than that self-proclaimed genius Harbaugh, and has done it the right way. Yeah, they have a face plant or two every season, but I think he’s our best chance at not slipping too much, and he might be able to get us over the hump.

    That’s a proven HC that I could get excited about. Unfortunately, I can’t see us paying a proven HC the $5-$6M it would take in this current job market.

    So, I guess it means we’re looking at Smart.

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  22. alamosa
    November 30, 2015 at 12:29 PM

    Why would he leave Stanford? Top athletic program in the country for what 18 of last 20 years. Private institution with unlimited $$$. Can recruit nationwide with ease. Plus SEC is insane, much more than the Pac 12. Wife is a Stanford graduate and she states “no way, but $$$ talk”.

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    • SouthernYank
      November 30, 2015 at 12:33 PM

      He’s not going anywhere, but Stanford can’t recruit anyone – there are some academic standards for athletes, I’m sure.

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  23. SouthernYank
    November 30, 2015 at 12:32 PM

    It will be Smart. And if Muschamp is in tow, the masses will fall in line. You can all bloviate now about either of those names, but, that’s all it is.

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  24. TMC dawg
    November 30, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    Want no part of Kirby Smart. Defensive guys hired are only winning 40% of there games in the sec. David Shaw is the right hire for me. I believe he gets the most out of his 2 and 3 star prospects. He will not put up with any bullshit from anyone players or admin guys.

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  25. panty
    November 30, 2015 at 12:46 PM

    I am hearing strong rumors from TTown that Saban is heading to Athens.

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  26. Dawg Stephen
    November 30, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    I read where mullen is 4-28 against ranked teams in the last few years. is that right?? geebus…..

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    • TMC dawg
      November 30, 2015 at 1:23 PM

      If we hire Dan Mullen, there will be mass rioting n Athens.

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    • MGW
      November 30, 2015 at 2:01 PM

      In the SEC west, with a perennial cellar dweller. 4-28 isn’t special at all, but dang its Mississippi State we’re talking about here.

      Also curious if thats ranked at the time of the game or at the end of the year? Both stats are dubious, but I’m just curious.

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  27. W Cobb Dawg
    November 30, 2015 at 1:34 PM

    I take this USC selection as a sign we should promote from within. If there was a good coach out there, USC would’ve hired him/her. This is why scu, miami, UCF, etc. haven’t announced a hire yet – everybody available sucks 😉

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  28. MGW
    November 30, 2015 at 2:11 PM

    The most Georgia possible thing that could and probably will happen:

    New hire takes us to a national championship game and loses to Richt’s new team.

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  29. A10Penny
    November 30, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    Back to the Senator’s point….the USC news is freaking AWESOME. Yes, there is a chance B-M could botch it. But coaches – even ones with good jobs – will have or already have had their agents call UGA. There will be plenty of choices. Yes some of those coaches will be doing it to extract raises…but UGA is clearly the #1 job to get by miles. If you’re going to make the move, this had Perfect Freaking Timing.

    Like