Opinion: Time for a change in Athens

Most of y'all know I am a life-long Alabama fan. But, I am a Georgia grad, married a life-long Bulldog fan, and consider Sanford Stadium the best place to watch a college football game in America.<br /> <br /> And while the UGA-Ga. Tech game is touted as "Good, old-fashioned hate," I've never gotten into the spirit of the Tech rivalry as much as the Bulldog lifers. The Jackets just don't excite me as a classic villain.<br /> <br /> So I watched Saturday's latest installment mainly as a diversion until the Mississippi State-Ole Miss game expecting the Dogs to make quick work of the Jackets and then prepare for their bowl game and a strong finish to a disappointing and frustrating season.<br /> <br /> Little did I know the ultimate frustration was just about to begin.<br /> <br /> What a huge waste of 3 1/2 hours of my life. If not for the hamburgers I grilled at halftime it would have been a total loss.<br /> <br /> The Fiasco Game as I'm going to coin it (I would call it something else but it involves virtually all profanity) also may have helped me finally come to the conclusion that it may be time end the Mark Richt era at Georgia.<br /> <br /> Personally, I think Richt is as good a guy as I have ever met or interviewed and believe him to one of the most honorable coaches out there. And I have been a Richt supporter to those who have had the unfortunate luck of discussing the subject with me over the years.<br /> <br /> But this is football. And football is about winning, especially over your rivals and those you are superior to in almost every phase. As a Dogs fan, I'm tired of watching them lose the important games. It's time for a change.<br /> <br /> Saturday's punch-to-the-gut 30-24 loss in overtime was ALL on the coaches. No, the coaches didn't fumble twice at the 1-yard line. And they didn't throw the interception on the final play that sealed the Jackets win. But they might as well have.<br /> <br /> Horrible play calling in the Red Zone. No adjustments on defense while the Jackets were chewing up yardage faster than a riding lawnmower. And the special teams? Yuck is all that comes to mind.<br /> <br /> How do you allow a live kickoff at your own 30 to go unclaimed while the other team strolls down the sideline to snatch it on a bounce? Then, after being handed a virtual gift turnover you turn into what should have been a game-winning touchdown, you kick the ball 30 yards shorter than conventional wisdom dictates with just 13 seconds left. How or why in the name of Larry Munson can you allow that?<br /> <br /> Tech looked like the better coached team. Tech was more disciplined. Tech made adjustments. And if not for two bizarre fumbles by the Jackets, it would have been a blowout.<br /> <br /> Coaching is the only thing that comes to mind. It is the coaches responsibility to teach players to be aware of the moment. It is the coaches who makes the decisions on such important matters.<br /> <br /> Richt and his staff either fell asleep at the switch at the most critical time of the game or are just unaware themselves of the moment. Either way, that does not bear the mark of a winner, or a champion. Sometimes it appears they just don't have a clue.<br /> <br /> How about the Florida debacle? Letting the worst offense in the league look like the 1960s Packers. How about South Carolina and just a wretched day all-around while once again being intimidated by the 'Ole Ball Coach?<br /> <br /> That is just this season. There are sadly too many days like Saturday that have kept the Dogs from becoming a national brand. Georgia fans WANT their team to be nationwide, as ZZ Top sings, but we all know it isn't considered among the truly elite programs.<br /> <br /> Of course for those Richt detractors, Saturday has become just another nail in the proverbial coffin they have had on layaway for several years now. It may time for them to make the final payment and bring this experiment to an end.<br /> <br /> If not, I am calling on Larry Munson to descend from heaven with his Hobnailed boot to do what perhaps should have been done four years ago:<br /> <br /> Change regimes in Athens.