Georgia Football: Offensive Coordinator Wish List

Now that the Bulldog’s season has been reduced to playing for pride and self-esteem, it’s not too early to look ahead to next season with the hope of a new offensive philosophy and someone competent to call plays.

Mark Richt will have at least one more year to get things together under the new administration so he had better make this offseason count.

The first and most important move will be the removal of Mike Bobo from the program. The only reason he was a bit overlooked last year was due to how bad Willie Martinez and the defense looked. Bobo has no more safety net.

Richt must find a coordinator to juice things up on offense and limit turnovers and penalties, and most importantly, score touchdowns.

Here is a wish list of a few coordinators that could fit the bill as Georgia’s new offensive coordinator.  

Mike Mularkey

If Richt is still so bent on having the traditional NFL style offense then this is his man.

Mularkey, currently the Atlanta Falcons OC, believes the run should be the centerpiece in the offensive attack. He uses unique run blocking schemes that create opportunities for the backs and forces the defense to respect the run (watching his schemes on the NFL network are a thing a beauty). But don't expect it to stop there.

If he knows he can run against you, expect run, after run, after run, until you stop it. His ability to work with young quarterbacks is excellent, as he has molded Matt Ryan into one of the top QB in the NFL. He could do the same for Aaron Murray.

This hire would be highly unlikely as coaches rarely step down a level to keep the same position, especially since Mularkey was a former NFL head coach, and by the way Matt Ryan is developing expect Mularkey to be a head coach soon in the pros.  

Jim Bollman

Jim Bollman will do several things for the UGA offense immediately. The pass and run blocking will become 10 times better. The offense will be a very physical unit that imposes their will on the defense, allowing Murray to pick them apart.

The current Ohio State OC and offensive line coach will come in speaking the same language as Richt but change the culture on offense. The O-line will begin to block with urgency and Aaron Murray would have more time to look for receivers.

The smash mouth football that many Georgia fans love to see would return with Bollman calling the shots. Just imagine the ability of Aaron Murray's arms and legs in Bollman's offense. 

Mark Helfrich

Many might not be familiar with the name but his work produces an amazing product on the field for the Oregon Ducks. Before Oregon, Helfrich was the coordinator at Colorado where his 2007 offense averaged 4.5 yards per carry and scored 30 or more points in five games.

Now at Oregon, Helfrich and company are leading the nation with a blistering 55.6 points per game, nearly a touchdown per minute. What will excite fans and Richt about this offense? It also is run base offense.

Oregon is second in the nation with 331 yards per game on the ground. The key is a smart QB that can make quick reads and is mobile, a perfect fit for Murray.

Mike Leach

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LUBBOCK, TX - NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Mike Leach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during play against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The man would love to get back into coaching and what better place to revive a coaching career then in a place that’s begging for new blood and excitement. Despite his failures as a head coach his brilliance on offense can’t be over looked.

Leach can devise a wicked game plan for any type of defense and it will work. It’s hard enough to win at Texas Tech but he did it and did it often.

Leach's record at Tech was an amazing 76-39. Remember this is a team in a conference dominated by the Longhorns, Sooners, Cornhuskers, and Aggies.

Currently Leach is a broadcaster for CBS sports. Could he ignite an air attack over Athens? 

Mark Richt

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Mark Richt of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 21, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mark Richt was hired by UGA because of his ability to call plays. He was the catalyst to all those explosive Florida State teams in the 90’s. What has changed? He doesn’t call the plays anymore.

Although using his playbook, Richt is not the one constantly making the calls. That duty falls on Bobo whom we all agree needs to go. The one major flaw with Richt becoming coordinator is he will undoubtedly keep all the same offensive coaches and the same result will follow on the field. The offense needs a thorough cleaning and it couldn’t happen any faster.