Since I recently said something nice about Jason Kirk, it will not surprise you to learn that, when Jason told me that this article was a "must-read," I read it. Hey, I was told I must.
Of particular interest was the part about SEC coaches’ superstitions. As you know, I am pretty danged superstitious when it comes to sports, and so are most of the regulars around here, so much so that we routinely discuss sacrificing livestock and schedule get-togethers for the purpose of doing so (even if only metaphorically).
The coaches’ answers bear out the sensibility of being superstitious. Derek Dooley says, "I'm not a superstition guy, but I am a routine guy. In fact the one thing I do on purpose is change it up just to prove that our ability to win has nothing to do with my underwear." Please bear in mind that, last year, this guy’s team twice lost games in which it had a lead at the end of 60 minutes of play! Maybe a pair of lucky game day underwear would’ve made a difference.
Will Muschamp says, "I'm not a superstitious guy at all." James Franklin says, "I am not a real superstitious guy." Neither of these guys has ever won a game as an SEC head coach. Gene Chizik says, "I have absolutely no superstitions. Zero. I don't believe in that." The NCAA is getting ready to come down on his program in a way that would make the Old Testament Israelites go, "Dang!"
Meanwhile, Houston Nutt always wears the same socks, and he’s managed to survive in the SEC for a decade and a half. Yeah, he had a rough year last year, but does anyone seriously think Will Muschamp, James Franklin, or Gene Chizik will last as long in the league as Houston Nutt has?
Dan Mullen, who just led Mississippi State to its best season in recent memory, always sends his wife a text message just before kickoff. Bobby Petrino, who just led Arkansas to its best season in recent memory, always gets dressed the same way.
Les Miles, who has won a national championship at LSU, says, "I am certainly superstitious." Nick Saban, who has won national championships at LSU and at Alabama, says:
I am superstitious. The year we won the national championship, my daughter used to give me a penny before every game. There were a couple of times where she'd gone out the night before and I didn't see her, and I'd leave before she got up. And we'd have to meet in the tunnel before the game so I could get my penny. And it worked 14 times in a row. That was a superstition that I kind of enjoyed and she felt like she was making a great contribution to what went on.
End of discussion.
So . . . what did Mark Richt say when asked about his biggest superstition? He said: "I can't think of a thing really that I do that would be considered superstitious."
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!!!
Do you think there’s any chance we can get Coach Richt to sacrifice a goat?
Go ‘Dawgs!