Why I now hate the Jaguars

GrantDawg · 01-10-2005, 04:52 PM

UGA's defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder going to Jaguars; RB coach Ken Rucker to Texas

By Steve Wyche
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 01/10/05

Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, who was named college football's top assistant coach in 2003, is leaving Mark Richt's staff for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He will be replaced by Willie Martinez, the Bulldogs' secondary coach.

EMAIL THIS

PRINT THIS

MOST POPULAR

"Brian VanGorder is a high-energy, detail-oriented coach with an impressive background," Jacksonville head coach Del Rio said. "He'll bring great enthusiasm and intensity. He is a good fit for our staff and for our defense."

VanGorder's position isn't the only one Richt will have to fill. Running backs coach Ken Rucker is also leaving the Bulldogs for a similar position at the University of Texas, Georgia announced today.

A press briefing has been scheduled for 4 p.m. today in Athens.

VanGorder, winner of the 2003 Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant, turned Georgia's defense into one of college football's finest in his four seasons in Athens. If Richt decides to promote someone in-house to replace him, Bulldogs secondary coach Willie Martinez is considered a strong candidate.

The Bulldogs have finished in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense in all four years under VanGorder:

-- 17th in 2001.

-- Fourth in 2002.

-- Tied for second in 2003.

-- 13th in 2004.

Thirteen Bulldog defensive players went to the NFL after playing for VanGorder and at least three more (Thomas Davis, David Pollack, Odell Thurman) are expected to join that group in April.

Van Gorder was the only assistant coach in the Georgia athletic program with a multi-year contract. During the fall, he signed a three-year deal which paid him $210,000 annually.

GrantDawg · 01-10-2005, 04:55 PM

If you would have asked me who I would rather lose, Van Gorder or Richt, I would have said Richt. Not that Richt is a bad coach, but Van Gorder has just been amazing. I'm not really mad at him or the Jags. I hope he does well and goes all the way to the top someday. It just feels like someone punched me in the gut.

cartman · 01-10-2005, 04:56 PM

Is it too early for predictions of games this fall?

I see Boise State pulling the upset against UGa.

Buzzbee · 01-10-2005, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

If you would have asked me who I would rather lose, Van Gorder or Richt, I would have said Richt. Not that Richt is a bad coach, but Van Gorder has just been amazing. I'm not really mad at him or the Jags. I hope he does well and goes all the way to the top someday. It just feels like someone punched me in the gut.

JonInMiddleGA · 01-10-2005, 05:28 PM

Question for UGA fans:

Do you believe that Van Gorder will be able to duplicate his success in college in his new NFL gig?

From the outside looking in, I've gotten the impression that his success (which I admit has been impressive in a number of ways) is more due to his ability to motivate the kids & squeeze every drop of production out of them, than anything that he's doing scheme-wise or technique-wise. Call me cynical perhaps, but I don't believe motivation goes as far in the NFL as scheme & personnel, which is why I'm questioning whether there'll be a drop off in his perception as a coordinator.

Thoughts?

GrantDawg · 01-10-2005, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Question for UGA fans:

Do you believe that Van Gorder will be able to duplicate his success in college in his new NFL gig?

From the outside looking in, I've gotten the impression that his success (which I admit has been impressive in a number of ways) is more due to his ability to motivate the kids & squeeze every drop of production out of them, than anything that he's doing scheme-wise or technique-wise. Call me cynical perhaps, but I don't believe motivation goes as far in the NFL as scheme & personnel, which is why I'm questioning whether there'll be a drop off in his perception as a coordinator.

Thoughts?

I was actually wondering the same thing. He is a motivator, but he seems mostly to motivate by getting in the kids face. I don't know how well that is going to go over at the next level. I do wish him all the best, though. I would love to see him as a DC in the NFL someday, if that's what he wants.

Cringer · 01-10-2005, 06:04 PM

Well, it' not like Georgia would have won a National or even SEC title anytime soon. So I'm not sure what the big deal is?

Recoil · 01-10-2005, 06:13 PM

Nice. To Hell With Georgia.

Celeval · 01-10-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recoil

Nice. To Hell With Georgia.

That's what I'm talking about. Welcome to the fold.

KWhit · 01-10-2005, 07:28 PM

Losers.

01-10-2005, 04:56 PM	#3
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	Is it too early for predictions of games this fall? I see Boise State pulling the upset against UGa. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

01-10-2005, 05:28 PM	#5
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Question for UGA fans: Do you believe that Van Gorder will be able to duplicate his success in college in his new NFL gig? From the outside looking in, I've gotten the impression that his success (which I admit has been impressive in a number of ways) is more due to his ability to motivate the kids & squeeze every drop of production out of them, than anything that he's doing scheme-wise or technique-wise. Call me cynical perhaps, but I don't believe motivation goes as far in the NFL as scheme & personnel, which is why I'm questioning whether there'll be a drop off in his perception as a coordinator. Thoughts? __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

01-10-2005, 06:04 PM	#7
Cringer Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edinburg,TX	Well, it' not like Georgia would have won a National or even SEC title anytime soon. So I'm not sure what the big deal is? __________________ You Stole Fizzy Lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and steralized, so you get NOTHING! You lose!

01-10-2005, 04:55 PM	#2
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	If you would have asked me who I would rather lose, Van Gorder or Richt, I would have said Richt. Not that Richt is a bad coach, but Van Gorder has just been amazing. I'm not really mad at him or the Jags. I hope he does well and goes all the way to the top someday. It just feels like someone punched me in the gut.

01-10-2005, 06:13 PM	#8
Recoil High School Varsity Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: GA	Nice. To Hell With Georgia.

01-10-2005, 07:28 PM	#10
KWhit Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Conyers GA	Losers.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)