Mark Richt’s landmark win

I believe it’s about time to give University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt a long term extension.

He celebrated his 100th victory as Bulldog coach after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville — this following a 6-7 season last year, after which some fair-weather fans grumbled he could no longer coach the team up to win the big game.

The 2011 season opening loss was so disheartening I was tempted to jump on the “dump Richt” bandwagon. The team looked listless and outclassed by Boise State.

Which turns out to be a pretty damn good team.

But after all, isn’t college football all about “what have you done for me lately?”

Though the Dawgs also lost the following week against South Carolina, they looked much more competitive. Arguably, they should have won the game. Too many mistakes by young players, turnovers, and the evil genius of Steve Spurrier led to our downfall.

Those mistakes now appear to have been corrected (three interceptions against Mississippi State not counting because we won the game).

Those two losses were followed with four consecutive “must” wins, the most recent being our domination of Tennessee in dreaded (and deafening) Neyland stadium.

Therefore, by my logic athletic director Greg McGarity should offer coach Richt a long term extension, during the bye week before the Florida game.

Coach Richt (and defense coordinator Todd Grantham) deserve a renewed long term commitment from the university after all he’s done for the school.

Plus, it might even help with recruiting!

After all, every 17 and 18 year old football player in the South decides where he’ll go to school based on the coach, and the coach’s job depends on the player’s production and execution minus injuries, correct?

I know grown men who subscribe to internet reporting services that rank these high school kids announce when one gives a “verbal commitment” (about worth as much as the piece of paper that wasn’t signed).

So give coach Richt a long term extension — immediately after the Vanderbilt game.

Because if we lose to Vanderbilt, Richt’s in serious trouble.

Right?