RamblinWreck09
Greatly appreciated amongst mid 30s Turkish males
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2008
- Messages
- 22,079
The ACC should be proud to have a coach of Mark Richt’s caliber. CMR is a fantastic representative of all that is good in college sports.
Could he play the game? Many claim he was damn good at it. His playing time was limited at the University of Miami due to future hall of famer Jim Kelly being on the roster, but don’t let that fool you – Mark was a gamer. His football IQ has been on display ever since.
Do you want to hear about maturity? He went to coach for his alma mater’s arch rival so he could have the opportunity to be mentored by the great Bobby Bowden. How many of us would be willing to wear UGA gear if it meant working under someone at the top of our chosen field? That takes courage, and Mark had it by the bucket full.
While at Florida State CMR developed two amazing quarterbacks – Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke. He not only developed them to play football but to play, and win, at life. Mark was a leader of young men and young men wanted to follow him. No one can match his recruiting abilities. He has his pick of players every year, and for good reason.
Can any of us forget Mark’s time in Athens? He arrived after George O’Leary drove Jim Donnan out of town (but let’s be humble and keep in mind CGO’s shortcomings – perhaps he should have been thinking “What Would Mark Do?” before sending out his resume). Almost immediately Richt had the UGA football team at the top of the mighty Southeastern Conference, which was no easy task. Week in and week out he had to battle the likes of Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama, LSU, and Vanderbilt in conference play. A weaker man would not have been up to the challenge, but Mark was and is not a weak man.
His recruiting classes were near the top every year. Was he able to translate that to championships? Well, not everyone is perfect. He got close several times but could never quite clinch the big one. However he could continue to keep his head held high as he was developing his players to be men. Did some of them get in trouble with scooters? Who hasn’t? Was there issues with recreational drugs? These kids are in college. Unlike his contemporaries in Tuscaloosa and Gainesville he was following the spirit of the rules and wasn’t harboring murders.
This brings our discussion to the University of Miami. Mark has come full circle by accepting the head coaching position at his alma mater and is now leading a once great program that has not been living up to expectations for over a decade. This is a program that has the potential to be the best in college football with the right leadership. Mark has a proven track record in recruiting, and the allure of South Beach will only help him attract the best talent. The school administration and alumni are ready for the football team be winners once again and will be willing to provide CMR with the resources he needs to make that happen.
What does this mean for the rest of the college football world? There will be a few rebuilding years, of course. It would be foolish to expect Mark, as great as he is, to turn around a program as damaged as Miami’s in one or two seasons. However, there will come a time when the Hurricanes from the University of Miami will lay waste to all that lay before them. The world of college football should prepare themselves.
Could he play the game? Many claim he was damn good at it. His playing time was limited at the University of Miami due to future hall of famer Jim Kelly being on the roster, but don’t let that fool you – Mark was a gamer. His football IQ has been on display ever since.
Do you want to hear about maturity? He went to coach for his alma mater’s arch rival so he could have the opportunity to be mentored by the great Bobby Bowden. How many of us would be willing to wear UGA gear if it meant working under someone at the top of our chosen field? That takes courage, and Mark had it by the bucket full.
While at Florida State CMR developed two amazing quarterbacks – Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke. He not only developed them to play football but to play, and win, at life. Mark was a leader of young men and young men wanted to follow him. No one can match his recruiting abilities. He has his pick of players every year, and for good reason.
Can any of us forget Mark’s time in Athens? He arrived after George O’Leary drove Jim Donnan out of town (but let’s be humble and keep in mind CGO’s shortcomings – perhaps he should have been thinking “What Would Mark Do?” before sending out his resume). Almost immediately Richt had the UGA football team at the top of the mighty Southeastern Conference, which was no easy task. Week in and week out he had to battle the likes of Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama, LSU, and Vanderbilt in conference play. A weaker man would not have been up to the challenge, but Mark was and is not a weak man.
His recruiting classes were near the top every year. Was he able to translate that to championships? Well, not everyone is perfect. He got close several times but could never quite clinch the big one. However he could continue to keep his head held high as he was developing his players to be men. Did some of them get in trouble with scooters? Who hasn’t? Was there issues with recreational drugs? These kids are in college. Unlike his contemporaries in Tuscaloosa and Gainesville he was following the spirit of the rules and wasn’t harboring murders.
This brings our discussion to the University of Miami. Mark has come full circle by accepting the head coaching position at his alma mater and is now leading a once great program that has not been living up to expectations for over a decade. This is a program that has the potential to be the best in college football with the right leadership. Mark has a proven track record in recruiting, and the allure of South Beach will only help him attract the best talent. The school administration and alumni are ready for the football team be winners once again and will be willing to provide CMR with the resources he needs to make that happen.
What does this mean for the rest of the college football world? There will be a few rebuilding years, of course. It would be foolish to expect Mark, as great as he is, to turn around a program as damaged as Miami’s in one or two seasons. However, there will come a time when the Hurricanes from the University of Miami will lay waste to all that lay before them. The world of college football should prepare themselves.
