Leather Helmet Blog

Conventional wisdom goes something like this: The three fired coaches were the entire problem at UGA. All that is necessary to compete for SEC championships is to hire competent replacements.

Rex Robinson suggested yesterday that there are further issues within the program that need to be addressed. He said that strength and conditioning at UGA is not on par with, much less in front of, competitors. He also questioned if the «inmates were running the asylum». In addition, he mentioned that there was strife among the players. Today that post was discussed by AJC's blogger Bill King. Well, you should take a look at the comments.

As DawgsBUI says, «Sometimes the Truth Hurts».  The twin issues of strength-and-conditioning and focus-and-discipline are the underlying problems with UGA football and they are essentially the same thing. Observers have noted for years that Georgia signs many highly rated recruits and they disappear. Saban & Meyer sign such recruits and they produce. Neither is known as a nice guy or friend to players. They require that players get with the program completely or open the scholarship slot for someone who will. The program is one that prepares players for championship competition.

I am not saying that Coach Richt has become something he is not to change the program. I am saying that these most fundamental of issues (strength-and-conditioning and focus-and-discipline) must be addressed or UGA will be playing for third or fourth place in the SEC East annually. The offensive staff and the new defensive coaches can be the hated coaches and Richt can stay above the fray.

Many years ago during a conversation about high school football with a friend who, unlike me,  had gone on to play college ball, he observed, «If you don't still hate your coach 10 years after you graduate, you played on a lousy team».

When something breaks - find it and fix it. Rex is just pointing...