Right now a lot of Georgia fans are shaking their heads in amazement at the start of a very strange year. So used to winning they cannot imagine that their team could ever start 1 and 3. Loses to South Carolina, Arkansas, and Mississippi State has created an atmosphere of wonder and disbelief. Where do we go from here?
For many, they are ready to burn the coaches at the stake. You can't coach our team if you can't win. I have seen it happen at Georgia ever since Vince Dooley left. Ray Goff did not win enough. Jim Donnan did not win enough but more than Goff. Dooley had a .715 winning percentage (he did pretty good during his 24 years as the head coach). Now Mark Richt (.767 winning percentage, 2 SEC titles and 3 SEC East titles and a 7-2 bowl record) has the reigns of this well loved and heavily followed team.
In the past two years, UGA has endured much turn over. They are on their third starting quarterback (in as many years) and a new defensive coordinator (which means a totally new defensive strategy with new plays). As a leader, I can sympathize with the massive turn over that Coach Richt is experiencing. Though some are beginning to question his abilities, I admire his tenacity as a leader. Imagine going through that kind of turn over with a corporation, a church, or in a military unit. How would you hold it together knowing you had a new crew to lead every year, every month, or even every week?
Having the winning percentage that Coach Richt has is really great considering the work he has to do each year to pull together a team that competes within the SEC. Some would point to Coach Saban and his run in Alabama, and I would point to the fact that Mr. Saban, who I respect, has been coaching college football since 1972 (the year I was born) and as a head coach since 1990 with a brief stint as an NFL coach. Coach Richt has been coaching since 1985 starting as a volunteer coach! Now, he holds a prestigious position in a top tier football program.
If I can learn anything from Mark Richt, then I hope to learn how a real leader continues to work to grow as a coach, a man, a husband, and a father. For those coming down hard on him or any of his staff, put yourself in his place. Can you say you could be half the leader he has been? If so, you would still not be anywhere near the leader he has become under the gracious guidance of a loving God.
If you are really a Georgia fan, you'll stand behind this team with even more vigor because they are starting a new run. Just imagine what the next four years hold as this talented new freshman quarterback learns the ropes and this newly developed defense buys-in to the leadership of their new defensive coordinator. Now is the time to stand behind this team because they do it for you. I am a Georgia fan and very proud of every effort they put forward.
Take a leadership lesson today from Coach Richt and see if you can stir your workplace, your community, your church with the same graciousness and tenacity it takes to build a legacy. Thanks Coach Richt and keep up the great work! This season is only going to get better! GO DAWGS!
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