December 30, 2015 · 9:46 AM

The process isn’t impressed with the Georgia Way.

Well, now.

Then again, maybe he’s just ticked at McGarity for taking Kirby Smart.

Advertisement

111 Comments

Filed under Nick Saban Rules

111 responses to “The process isn’t impressed with the Georgia Way.”

  1. @gatriguy
    December 30, 2015 at 9:54 AM

    This is Saban being duplicitous as fuck. Saban has run down Richt and UGA in Atlanta living rooms for 8 years and alledgedly told Kirby not to take the DC job in 2010 bc the head job would be open soon enough, and NOW he gets all warm and fuzzy about Richt. Once again he gets to have it both ways. It really is Nick’s world and the rest of us are just passing through.

    Like

    • Dolly Llama
      December 30, 2015 at 10:21 AM

      Oh, for fuck’s sake. That’s recruiting, man. You don’t think Pruitt, et al, have been doing that and worse the past two years?

      Like

      • Argondawg
        December 30, 2015 at 12:25 PM

        Agreed that’s recruiting but F Saban. How many times has Saban or one of his minions dropped the UGA hasn’t won any type of championship in a decade on the recruiting trail? Would Saban have a job at Bama if it had been a decade since he won the conference. Hell no! He has set the bar and now he bitches when other programs are unhappy when they can’t get to it. He knows UGA with the right coach and the proper support could be pretty damn scary. Is Kirby potentially one of the answers? Saban knows one way or the other. He sure as hell was not scared of us before no matter how much bullshit he fed the media before our game this year.

        Like

    • Derek
      December 30, 2015 at 10:22 AM

      I tend to think that nick is the embodiment of evil, so I agree with him on very few things. Here, his motives notwithstanding, he happens to be right. It’s irrational fans and boosters that are going to make everything about playoffs. They’ll expand it and kill all that was beautiful because of the same assholes that wanted CMR axed. Stupid people are why we can’t have nice things.

      Like

      • jdjrip
        December 30, 2015 at 10:37 AM

        When the ESPN’s an the NCAA’s expand the playoffs to 8 teams and we make the playoffs but don’t win the big one/crap the bed/have a brain cramp the same folks will both demand 16 teams and fire Smart. Derek,Your instincts are correct distrust Satan but when he is right he is right. Outlaw stupid people,

        Like

      • wcgornto
        December 30, 2015 at 2:30 PM

        He might be right about expanded playoffs leading to more head coach firings for underachievement. However, in the case of Mark Richt, the existence of the playoffs, no matter the number of teams in it, had nothing to do with him being fired. Rather, it was sleepwalking through approx. two games against key opponents every year and losing in embarrassing fashion without putting up a meaningful fight.

        Like

    • Go Dawgs!
      December 30, 2015 at 11:05 AM

      Prove it.

      Like

      • Dolly Llama
        December 30, 2015 at 12:20 PM

        Prove what? That some UGA coaches engaged in negative recruiting at least as grievous as Alabama’s? Shit, I’d be shocked and disappointed if they didn’t.

        Like

        • Go Dawgs!
          December 30, 2015 at 1:39 PM

          Prove that Nick Saban told Kirby not to go to Georgia as DC because the head coaching job would be open soon. Prove that he personally runs down Mark Richt in living rooms. I don’t give a rip what rumor you read on the Dawgvent. Prove it. I’m no Saban fan, but repeating rumor as fact is irresponsible, and I’ve never seen any bit of evidence that he engages in personal animus against other members of the coaching fraternity. I’ve seen him lament the firing of good coaches in the past and this doesn’t seem to be out of his usual modus operandi.

          Like

    • lamontsanford
      December 30, 2015 at 12:27 PM

      I think Saban did advise Smart not to make a lateral move. He was right. If he did so because he believed the Head Coaching job at UGA would be open in a couple years, well, again he was right. Wait–does this count as agreeing with Derek!?

      Shit.

      Like

  2. AusDawg85
    December 30, 2015 at 9:55 AM

    LOL….Saban = Disney Dawg, settles for mediocrity

    Yeah, yeah…#moveon Blame the Senator for posting.

    Like

  3. Trey (@cpadawg)
    December 30, 2015 at 10:01 AM

    Well, Saban should go to Dallas so the expectations in the SEC will tamper down. You know, for the good of the profession…

    Like

  4. defacto dawg
    December 30, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    that’s cute and all how Saban is taking up for Richt but how many 9 win seasons would they allow in Tuscaloosa?

    Like

    • Go Dawgs!
      December 30, 2015 at 11:07 AM

      I think Nick Saban knows that he has landed at one of the maybe three programs in America that will give him everything that he wants and that’s been a big part of the success that he’s had. The reason why is because Alabama is insane, and I think he understands the monster there and his role in strengthening it.

      Like

  5. PTC DAWG
    December 30, 2015 at 10:08 AM

    Go Sparty!

    Like

  6. HVL Dawg
    December 30, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    UGA is now a part of the NFL- not for long.

    And in the future you’ll continue to blame the Presidents, ADs, and conference commissioners for the NFLisation of college football..

    Like

  7. Nate Dawg
    December 30, 2015 at 10:18 AM

    So…the man with the most secure job in America is talking about concern for job security…wait…what? I’m so confused…oh, wait, is he being ironical? Help…

    Like

    • Go Dawgs!
      December 30, 2015 at 11:08 AM

      Nick Saban can’t be fired this year or next. After that? His seat could begin to heat just like anyone else’s. Auburn fired a coach two years removed from the national championship. You think Alabama fans are more level-headed? Let him lose a team and go 3-9 and let’s see how great an offseason he has.

      Like

  8. Gene Simmons
    December 30, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    And the HUNH once was evil, but now AL runs it-GO FIGURE

    Like

  9. unclebeezer
    December 30, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    I’m viewing this through my admittedly Crimson colored glasses, but without a lot of context, it seems more like a shot at the UGA administration not Richt. Wolken is the one who interprets it as a shot at Richt. His follow-up tweet reads differently, like its disappointment with the administration and fan expectations: “Basically said all you need to do is see new mentality is schools firing coaches who average 9 wins over 15 years.”

    Granted, Saban’s unbelievable run at Alabama has probably skewed expectations for the rest of the league.

    Just my $0.02.

    Like

    • Dolly Llama
      December 30, 2015 at 10:52 AM

      I try my best not to agree with Bama fans, but when you’re right, you’re right.

      Like

    • eethomaswfnc
      December 30, 2015 at 10:55 AM

      Beezer, it’s clearly a shot at the UGA administration. I think Saban and Richt respected one another. I remember Saban said before the 2012 championship game that it was going to be a 15-round heavyweight fight. You are right … Saban’s run at Bama has skewed expectations. Just as Bear Bryant’s did. Just as Darth Visor’s did.

      Like

      • lamontsanford
        December 30, 2015 at 11:42 AM

        yup…despite the ass whippins he handed us, Saban was always gracious. Proof positive you can be kind and still set another program back 3 or 4 years.

        Like

        • eethomaswfnc
          December 30, 2015 at 11:44 AM

          Good post. One thing you have to respect Saban for is that he has NEVER acted like the OBS did in the early 90s.

          Like

        • Irwin R. Fletcher
          December 30, 2015 at 12:48 PM

          The 2004 game against UGA was the last time Saban lost an SEC game by 20+. The 2003 game in Death Valley, the OT win in Tuscaloosa in 2007 and the 2012 SECCG were all dogfights. The beatdowns in 08 and this season were just that…but Richt had a pretty good deal of success relative to the coaches that came and went in those 15 years.

          Like

          • Russ
            December 30, 2015 at 3:11 PM

            Don’t cloud the issue with facts.

            Like

            • @gatriguy
              December 30, 2015 at 3:19 PM

              It’s a little misleading to look at it that way since UGA simply doesn’t play Alabama that often. Does anyone honestly believe that had they played in 2009, 2010, 2011 that the outcomes would have been materially different from 2008 or this year? The 2012 team went toe to toe with them and lost. I think 2013 pre-injuries UGA would have beat them because the offense was just that relentless. 2014 Alabama was probably better too, but not by 2008 or 2015 levels.

              If anything, Richt got lucky in that he missed the the wrecking ball teams that followed 2008. Each of those years looks much different with one fewer win and one additional curb stomping.

              Like

              • Irwin R. Fletcher
                December 30, 2015 at 4:02 PM

                So I’m straight…it’s misleading to look at actual results and would be more accurate to make up outcomes based on your own temperament of how you think the team would have performed in a hypothetical matchup that didn’t take place.

                Whatever floats your boat, dude.

                Like

                • @gatriguy
                  December 30, 2015 at 4:10 PM

                  You’re right. Joe Cox would have shredded Bama. Good Lord.

                  Like

                • Irwin R. Fletcher
                  December 30, 2015 at 4:22 PM

                  Uhhh….don’t get confused here, guy. The would/should stuff is your bit.

                  Feel free to continue to argue with yourself, tho. It’s entertaining.

                  Like

                • gastr1
                  December 30, 2015 at 6:24 PM

                  There’s not really any inconsistency in what gatriguy said…the results are misleading because of the unbalanced schedule. Not sure what’s so crazy about that.

                  Like

                • lamontsanford
                  December 30, 2015 at 8:24 PM

                  Its not unbalanced at all. The last few times Georgia played Alabama, we got stomped. There was a SEC championship Game in between that was a game, otherwise we were not in the same class as Alabama. Not even close. I know any given Saturday and all that–but on the Saturdays we play them, we get crushed. Those Alabama teams came to play, ours didn’t. If we play them every 4 or 5 years and get our teeth kicked in each time–why would you expect any different? To me Alabama has become the FL of old. You know the players are comparable and you believe Georgia can win.. But you get embarrassed.

                  Like

  10. hassan
    December 30, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    He speaks the truth. Expectations are extremely high and the pressure is intense in this profession. There is a coaching fraternity and Saban is just saying that he thinks it is messed up how some coaches are treated when you look at the numbers.

    Like

  11. Jared S.
    December 30, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Saban is the best coach in college football because he also happens to be the smartest, hardest-working and most disciplined. I get sick of UGA fans who talk like Saban’s an idiot because he runs Georgia down to recruits. Uh…. that’s his job! Years ago I hated Saban, then I realized I hated him not because of who he was or what he did, but because I wish he was being/doing it for UGA and not for BAMA. I was envious. Since then I’ve learned to listen to what the man says, because he’s usually right.

    Like

  12. Bright Idea
    December 30, 2015 at 10:45 AM

    Saban knows if he doesn’t win this NC AGAIN dammit Bama fans will be livid and questioning him, Smart, Kiffin, Battle and everything else about the process. Truth is it is easier to get a chance now but harder than ever to win a NC having to play 2 tough games back-to-back. Just getting in will never be enough for Bama folks.

    Like

  13. eethomaswfnc
    December 30, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    Maybe there’s a little Bear Bryant veiled in Nick’s comments. While I tend to agree with him about the substance of his comment about winning 75%+ of your games not being good enough, Nick knows the two programs that would be the biggest threat to Alabama’s dominance of the SEC are Georgia and Florida for obvious reasons:
    1) The best high school football in the traditional SEC footprint is played in the two states
    2) The 2 states have a better basis for big time economic support … if UGA and UF wanted to outspend Alabama on athletics, both states have the economic wherewithal to do it.
    3) Georgia, in particular, has no in-state competition to compete over blue-chip quality athletes (yes, I understand the transient nature of Atlanta)
    4) Both states dwarf Alabama’s population which contributes to the deeper talent pool and economic clout. Florida is now a clear #3, and Georgia will be in the top 5 in the next 20 years.

    These two universities (along with Texas A&M) provide the biggest challenge to Saban’s dominance, and he knows any of the 3 with the right leader can compete with Bama at the highest level. Whether McElwain, Smart or Sumlin is the right guy to be Saban’s foil remains to be seen.

    Like

    • lamontsanford
      December 30, 2015 at 11:49 AM

      Exactly…I think Saban takes the long view–and crushing perceived threats is part of his process. I think that stomping us is a much bigger deal to him than he lets on. The last 2 times we played them during the season were just recruiting trips for him. I also think that is why Ole Miss sneaks up on them…

      Like

      • eethomaswfnc
        December 30, 2015 at 12:02 PM

        Honestly, on our side, 2008 shouldn’t have been that. That team was every bit as talented as Alabama. We played terribly, coached terribly, and dealt with the post West Coast hangover terribly. The team played like “we’re wearing the black jerseys so we’ll never lose.” That night on the way home was the first time I questioned the direction of the program since CMR took the job.

        This year we weren’t in Alabama’s class. I honestly should have seen it coming with the way Lambert struggled against the one decent defense we played. Saban had his guys ready to play, and they played possibly the best game they played the whole year.

        Like

  14. JCDAWG83
    December 30, 2015 at 10:50 AM

    Saban would have been fired after the ’10 season if he had Richt’s results at Bama. He might have been fired after the ’09 season.

    Like

  15. A10Penny
    December 30, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    CFB is sadly becoming more and more of business. I still love CFB far more than the NFL, but we’ll have to come to grip with the facts. And one of those facts is that businesses don’t pay $4M/year to COO’s that under-perform. Especially businesses that have outstanding candidates to replace them.

    Like

    • eethomaswfnc
      December 30, 2015 at 11:12 AM

      “Especially businesses that have outstanding candidates to replace them.”

      That only happens if you conduct a real search as opposed to hiring the one person you interviewed because your puppet masters told you to or you were afraid that person was going to get hired by somebody else.

      Like

      • lamontsanford
        December 30, 2015 at 11:53 AM

        The SEC is full of outstanding coaching candidates…yet not all of them are successful. There are only so many wins to go around. Some AD is going to pay $4M for a coach that doesn’t make a bowl game every single year now.

        Like

      • A10Penny
        December 30, 2015 at 12:22 PM

        Well, McGarity’s failure (or whoever pushed him to it, if that was the case) is separate from CMR’s. Underperforming Presidents and CEO’s get canned, too.

        Like

        • eethomaswfnc
          December 30, 2015 at 12:31 PM

          Absolutely – unless the AD is an idiot, he knows his neck is on the line now. If Kirby fails, both will take the fall. If Kirby succeeds and decides to leave for greener (or freer) pastures, the AD will be the one held responsible in the court of public opinion. The only way this works out for the AD is if Kirby succeeds and is loyal … That’s what will be fun to watch if/when the Georgia Way gets put to the test.

          Like

          • A10Penny
            December 30, 2015 at 12:49 PM

            McGarity’s rush to get Kirby is even more painful now that Chip Kelly is looking for a job. I know he says he wants to stay in the NFL, but we should have made a run. BTW, I’m not discounting the chance – however slim – that McGarity actually put feelers out to better, more-established coaches than Kirby. I just don’t believe that is the case.

            Like

  16. jdjrip
    December 30, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    Suppose your right…Saban would have been fired after the ’10 season if he had Richt’s results at Bama. He might have been fired after the ’09 season……would Saban still not been a better Coach than anyone they could have replaced him with. Would the Bama negatrons not have cost their program two subsequent national championships? Have ours ? #fireMcGarityNow

    Like

    • Siskey
      December 30, 2015 at 11:51 AM

      Maybe you have a point but with Saban the negatrons would have been firing someone who had overachieved at LSU (The first SEC Championship), won a BCS Title (2003), and had a two loss season with Shula’s players at Bama (2008). That is in sharp contrast to Richt being fired in 2015 after 15 years, 2 SEC titles, 5 SEC Appearances (2 wins 2002, 2005) 2 blowout losses (2003, 2011) and 1 close loss. Not really apples to apples.

      Like

  17. 990Dawg
    December 30, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    You can bet if Nicky was winning 10 games and not making it to the SEC championship game, his a$$ would have been out way before now. Don’t throw UGA under the bus.

    Like

  18. jabo052
    December 30, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    This is what I was referring to earlier when I said I don’t believe that we have what it takes to cut throats and dabble in the gray, The Process way. We want what Bama has but are we willing to do what it takes in today’s CFB?

    If you ask do I believe that it only takes new coaches to get us to the next level, my answer wouldn’t be no, but, HELL NO! If you ask would I like to find out, I’d say no. See, there are some parts of the Georgia Way that Mark Richt built or reinforced….parts that I have a great appreciation and respect for. I’m just not all of sudden willing to sacrifice what is right to me for the sake of winning. Imo, he did the best he could while being hamstrung by the bad Georgia Way and for always staying true to who he was. As for results….even during his down years, I still had a better time than at any time during the previous couple decades, save for a blip that was Herschel Walker.

    Anyway…I’ve said what I had to so hopefully I can move forward. I really hope Smart can do good things while maintaining some what Mark Richt built. I hope I don’t find myself rationalizing some of the very things fans of other programs rationalize. What I most hope for, though, is that my love for Georgia football, and CFB, doesn’t turn to the same indifference that have for the NFL.

    Like

  19. chilidawgnv
    December 30, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    I guess we’re never going to quit beating the “Richt was fired for not making the playoff/winning national title” horse.

    Like

  20. jabo052
    December 30, 2015 at 11:34 AM

    I don’t believe Saban would have done much better here, all things being equal. Can’t say I believe he would have done ANY better. Not with the Georgia Way.

    After their boosters got them on their last big probation they hired Saban and got the hell out of the way. He runs it like a business and always refers to it as such, even though he’ll give lip service about the “student- athlete”. The whole college experience/amateurism garbage is mostly a lie now, especially if you want to be elite. Saban tends to get a few more guys with a little more edge for competition and athletes who know college is but a stepping stone. He even spent years getting elite players to buy in even though his roster management was notorious. Then he had boosters and admin who backed his business in any way he needed.

    Like

    • lamontsanford
      December 30, 2015 at 12:11 PM

      Nick Saban would have never taken the job at UGA. They know. Coaches know. You have a douchebag high school coach in Colquitt County that is 10 or 12 steps removed from being in the know calling out UGA’s commitment. If that is happening, you know people are shitting all over us in recruiting. If that is happening, something needs to change.

      Like

      • Dolly Llama
        December 30, 2015 at 12:34 PM

        When did Rush Propst become Mr. Insider, anyway? I remember seeing that ESPN special, “Friday Night Disgrace,” or whatever it was, but when did he graduate from ultimate-high school football savant-and-personal-shitbag-combo to an authority on the thinking of all our coaches?

        Like

        • lamontsanford
          December 30, 2015 at 12:51 PM

          Whether he graduated or not, I don’t know–but he is pretty mouthy. His published comments on Richt and Georgia were a little much for my taste. I think that guy sucks, Just putting all that out there is real bad.

          Like

    • A10Penny
      December 30, 2015 at 12:29 PM

      Saban has elevated every college program he led. Toledo, Michigan State, LSU, and ‘Bama. He’s 4/4. Sure, the Georgia Way could have stopped his streak. But the odds are he would improve the program, possibly not to the level ‘Bama has been, but elevated nonetheless. We should also consider that Saban might be better at breaking down the impediments to success than CMR was. He certainly has more standing when it comes to discussions with an AD and boosters.

      Like

  21. Mike
    December 30, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    I am pretty sure that Smart would be at USCe right now, had UGA not fired Richt and gone after Smart.

    Like

    • Mayor
      December 30, 2015 at 8:41 PM

      I think that is probably right. The question is whether or not UGA would be better off if the Cocks did hire him. Jury is still out on that.

      Like

  22. Rebar
    December 30, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    The coaches are well aware of the “Georgia way”; Spurrier told Richt not to take the Georgia job all those years ago. And it was because the coach is not in total control of the football program. That is how ‘Bama got Saban. They gave him the keys to the kingdom and left it all up to him and he has produced. I don’t think he is upset at losing Kirby, he’s probably happy for him to land a head coaching job. Saban always spoke well of Richt; I remember after the 2012 SECCG, Saban stated that Georgia should not go down in the polls because of the loss to Bama. I think Saban respects Richt and is pointing out the crazy expectations of fans and boosters for getting out their pitchforks and storming the castle of successful coaches. Hell, the ones that were wanting Richt gone would never have allowed Dooley to stay around long enough to win the 1980 championship.

    Like

    • A10Penny
      December 30, 2015 at 1:42 PM

      People, and their expectations are allowed to change over time… it’s not 1979 after all. Georgia was WAY more patient than most programs are these days. Hell, Chip Kelly just got fired for failing to meet expectations during one year… after TWO years of elevating his team. CMR’s teams met expectations once in the last 10 years and never exceeded them.

      Like

      • lamontsanford
        December 30, 2015 at 1:55 PM

        Chip Kelly was fired for not winning enough after alienating the fanbase by shitcanning exciting players the fans liked. Do that and you better win and win big. Spurrier, Saban–even Petrino are great great college coaches but shitty NFL coaches. Chip is in that group. I think it takes a different animal to coach in the NFL than it does college. Its a totally different motivation for the players,

        Like

      • lamontsanford
        December 30, 2015 at 1:59 PM

        The parallel would be Richt benching Gurley his last year because of a personal conflict. If the coach that benches Gurley doesn’t win it all–he deserves to be canned.

        Like

  23. Twistification
    December 30, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    I’m shedding a lot of tears for these poor coaches that get canned because of very high expectations. Its as if these folks are some of their state’s highest paid employees or somethin…

    Richt is gonna rock it in the ACC and still be able to provide for his family. Saban should save those crocodile tears for D-linemen who he gives second chances to.

    Like

  24. 69Dawg
    December 30, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    If you want to worry about Alabama then you are going to be miserable. Because of their history with Saban they have a built in advantage against every school in America not just the SEC in recruiting. Do they go negative on the opposition, probably but they don’t have to. All they have to do is point to the championships. Heck anybody can win a recruit if you can tell them to come play for us and you will always be in the national picture and the NFL will notice you. Kirby, no matter how good he is does not have the championship history to aid him. The best he can do is try and convenience some good Georgia boys to be loyal to the state school and try to win the East. Maybe if the stars align will might win the SEC. I just hope he is luckier than the last 3 coaches we have had. Maybe the Process can bring the luck with it.

    Like

    • lamontsanford
      December 30, 2015 at 2:14 PM

      I partially agree with you. Winning begets winning. But how does Kirby not have championship history? He has as much championship history as Georgia does–and his is a lot more recent. The fact that it was at another school doesn’t matter. Him bringing “a championship attitude” to Georgia should negate the “Georgia hasn’t won anything in 30 years” negative recruiting tactic. I might be disney dawging here–but I think he has a hell of a lot more going for him than just hoping for local kids to be loyal and stay home–shit how many stud O-lineman have been “loyal” the past 15 years? Seems like our best have come from FL.

      Like

    • JCDAWG83
      December 30, 2015 at 2:32 PM

      At least Kirby has some championship rings to show recruits that are not 10 years old. I guess Richt only had “love” to sell to recruits.

      Like

      • lamontsanford
        December 30, 2015 at 2:45 PM

        I hate this comment. I don’t think that “love” and championships are mutually exclusive–assuming that is your implication. I am hopeful for what is to come–but I am proud of what’s been. I think Richt did an admirable job with what he was given. Do I think he should have managed a win or two more a year? Sure. Do I think he should have focused more on O-Line recruiting? You bet. Net net–that guy was good for Georgia.

        Like

      • lakedawg
        December 30, 2015 at 6:14 PM

        Guess your comment is just to agitate a few of us readers and I should probably just ignore, but Richt brought many fine young men through Athens and they left better off having played for him.

        Like

  25. Heywood Merkin
    December 30, 2015 at 6:31 PM

    He’s gone. He’s not coming back. Some of you need to move on.
    We had 68 scholarship players in 2012. Think about that.

    Like

  26. Scorpio Jones, III
    December 30, 2015 at 9:50 PM

    Good God, people.

    Like