Fanshots

Going into his 10th season, some folks are wondering how much time is left for him in Athens. I...

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Going into his 10th season, some folks are wondering how much time is left for him in Athens. I personally am wondering if that is more a reflection of his record (unlikely) or just the fact that we're not used to SEC coaches sticking around for that long.

The above passage is the only part of Year2's examination of Mark Richt's longevity as the head coach of the Bulldogs with which I take issue. I disagree with that sentiment, for two reasons. First of all, the reason "some folks" are "wondering" about such things is that the "folks" in question know little to nothing about the University of Georgia, its history, its administration, or its fan base. The more you know about the culture in the Classic City, the more certain you are that there's nothing to all this "hot seat" nonsense. If Paul Finebaum says otherwise, it's only because Paul Finebaum doesn't know whereof he speaks, Paul Finebaum is more interested in stirring the pot than in making sense, or both. My second quarrel is separate, yet it also underscores the correctness of my initial objection. In Athens, we are, in fact, "used to SEC coaches sticking around for that long." Counting the head coach whose tenure overlapped with the founding of the Southeastern Conference, the Bulldogs have had eight head coaches as an SEC member institution. Only two of those served fewer than five seasons in that role. Since the SEC came into being, the Red and Black have been led by coaches who served ten years (Harry Mehre), 22 years (Wally Butts), and 25 years (Vince Dooley). As long as Mark Richt is not fired before the end of the 2010 season, half of the head football coaches to have served in Sanford Stadium in the SEC era will have lasted a decade or more between the hedges. I can't speak for the rest of the league, but, at Georgia, we're perfectly accustomed to seeing head coaches last for the long haul. I was in my first quarter as a student at the University of Georgia when my father and I attended the Bulldogs' season opener in Coach Dooley's final fall as the Red and Black coach. I will not be surprised in the slightest if my two-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, is in her first semester as a student at the University of Georgia when she and I attend the Bulldogs' season opener in Coach Richt's final fall as the Red and Black coach. Go 'Dawgs!

My Interview with Team Speed Kills

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As promised, my answers to C&F's questions are available at SB Nation's SEC-centric weblog. Yes, my answer to the athletic director/Uga question is featured, as well. Go 'Dawgs!

Doug Gillett Shares His Dawgography

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I think this will be remembered as the moment at which the Dawgography officially went mainstream. I predict that "sharing your Dawgography" will be the "bros icing bros" of August 2010. Only, nowhere near as lame. Go 'Dawgs!

USC vs UGA....Why not?

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This would be an epic contest. May not be the right timing now, but what would you guys think about this game?

Day Games Doomed the 'Dawgs in 2009

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Since Georgia starts the season with three straight noon kickoffs, this does not bode well for 2010. Go 'Dawgs!

The 'Cats have experienced some success versus the Dogs in recent years, splitting the last four...

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The 'Cats have experienced some success versus the Dogs in recent years, splitting the last four games. I look for UK to make it two-in-a-row in 2010.

A Sea of Blue forecasts a second straight Kentucky victory over Georgia in 2010. Yes, in football. Go 'Dawgs!

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe promised big bucks last month to save his disintegrating conference...

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Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe promised big bucks last month to save his disintegrating conference at the last possible second, and Texas A&M is taking the man at his word: University president R. Bowen Loftin said in a statement/warning Wednesday that A&M "fully anticipate(s) that the Big 12 will honor its commitment" to distribute $20 million a year to its biggest fish, TAMU, Texas and Oklahoma, beginning in 2012. If it doesn't? A&M will "explore every legal avenue" to get its money, according to another high-ranking official, including the much-rumored defection to the SEC the Aggies held over their rivals' heads when it looked like the rest of the Big 12 South was about to bolt for the Pac-10.

We may not have heard the last of the talk of Texas A&M joining the SEC. Go 'Dawgs!

BYU-Utah Rivalry May be Moved to Start of Schedule

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The Utes' impending move to the Pac-12 has put the "Holy War" series with the Cougars in jeopardy. As Dr. Saturday notes, the game "will probably have to be moved to the front of the schedule after decades as both teams' season finale." There's really nothing novel about such an approach; other in-state rivalry games like Kentucky-Louisville and Colorado-Colorado State are played at the start of the schedule. I'm just saying. Go 'Dawgs!

Lane Kiffin - America's most hated coach

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From foxsports - everyone is getting there Kiffin hate on. Law suits pending. Totally surprrised.

Initial Thoughts on the 2011 Baseball Hall of Fame Candidates

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This is an insightful piece, about which I have three observations to make: 1. Kevin Brown is a jerk even by professional athlete standards, which is saying something. 2. The Montreal Expos did not win the 1994 NL East title. They were leading the division when the strike halted the season, but that isn't the same thing as winning the title. No team won the 1994 title in anything in major league baseball. The Braves' supposed "streak" cannot be defended because of the 1994 break, but neither can the Expos claim a division crown. 3. Jeff Bagwell deserves to be in Cooperstown merely by virtue of the fact that he was a successful hitter in spite of the fact that he had a batting stance that can be used effectively while sitting on the commode. Go 'Dawgs!