Once upon a time, Greg McGarity had hopes and dreams, like the rest of us. What happened?
Once upon a time, Greg McGarity had hopes and dreams, like the rest of us. What happened?
Filed under Georgia Football
“Those 13 jerseys are going to be around a long time.”-- Brock Bowers, The Athletic, 1/10/23
Wow, can someone throw those quotes in his face when you look at the current state of the programs that have had turnover in the head coaching position since his hiring. I had visions of becoming a Florida type of all-sports powerhouse, and we haven’t quite gotten that.
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Technically, we are all “in the hunt” on opening day, so mission accomplished.
But when the other hunters start firing their rifles and we are still muzzle-loading our muskets, the hunt doesn’t last long for us.
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Its simple. You can hire administrators and people who have been in the “system” or you can hire businessman and sales people who live daily with accountability and have to produce results. The AD job has changed so much since Vince Dooley or even Jeremy Foley took over and college football has exponentially grown in terms of revenue streams… these lifetime guys from the past haven’t adapted. Its an old school mentality. McGarity doesn’t seem to be capable of running a program with this much revenue potential and the complexity required. Not sure if Morehead is either….
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I saw the Steve Patterson and Dave Brandon experiments at Texas and Michigan, respectively so I think I’ll pass on the businessman model. Once again – Bama shows how forward thinking they are by going out and snatching up the best AD in the business in Greg Byrne ensuring they will be just fine when Saban decides to hang it up. Sure would be nice to see my alma mater have some innovative thinking, but that would probably require cleaning house at B-M. Wish in one hand, shit in the other and whatnot.
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I never said clueless businessman, those two were the wrong choices but you make a blanket statement. As in saying you don’t hire college coaches in the NFL because of Spurrier or Saban….until Pete Carroll. The key is WHO is hiring the person and where is the accountability. Foley was a great AD, he isn’t anymore. McGarity came from a great system and under a great AD but wasn’t prepared for the quickly evolving business of sports. You mention Greg Byrne as being the best in the business, so tell me what makes a great AD?
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Or Jimmy Johnson. Or Barry Switzer, if you prefer. 🙂
This article by Stephen Godfrey really catches why Byrne is so widely respected. The gist is that he’s attuned to what fans care about, treats the media as an ally and not an adversary, and is generally proactive rather than reactive.
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Good stuff
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how and why do you think Byrne is the best AD in the business? Arizona football hasn’t been anything to write home about. their hoops team is good; but not great. Good guy; but I wouldn’t say he’s the best in the business.
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McGarity realized mediocrity and the “Georgia Way” produce record revenue, he sees no reason to rock the boat.
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He saw that from the very beginning with his “in the hunt is OK” statement.
What a visionary.
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Just making sure they have the money in the back for his buy out when the shoe drops. His priority #1.
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We don’t win anymore. Make me the Athletic Director. We’ll win so much you’ll be sick of winning. You’ll say, AD Saxondawg, this is too much winning. Believe me.
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IF this is who I think it is, you have my vote. 🙂
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There are four basic ways an athletic department can operate:
The program hemorrhages money and all the teams suck.
The program loses lots of money but at least the teams are good.
The program makes bank even though the teams are mediocre.
The program turns a profit and all the teams are great.
I think we can all agree that (1) is undesirable and (4) is the ideal. McGarity came from a (4), but he seems content for his own program to be a (3). Meanwhile, the fans would settle for a (2).
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I think McGarity just sold out–to the AB, to cushy living, to keep his job.
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No, to the LBs … the liquor barons. Corrected that for you
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