[Tuck4Bama]

For a coach who's been labeled soft by his critics, I'd say Mark Richt was able to stimulate enough toughness in his team to inspire victory against resurgent Alabama this past Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

In the celebratory aftermath, Richt tried to let his hair down. After a key victory, the Georgia players have a jig they dance accompanied by a nonsensical chant, often led by defensive end coach Jon Fabris. Richt led the cheers inside Georgia's lockerroom.

"That is worth everything," he said. "To see those kids enjoy the ultimate experience of winning a tough SEC game on the road is something that I will never tire of. I can't adequately explain what it means to me."

He had congratulated his team with his low-key personality, which is not without competitive fire and dedicated resolve. Normally, he reminds his players not to celebrate to the extent that damage control is required. With a five-hour bus ride home that ended after the sun came up, Richt injected some humor.

"Men, I don't think anybody can mess anything up tonight," he said.
The team roared with laughter.

Georgia's assistant coaches, operating on four hours of sleep or less, knew that their counterparts at Alabama were restless Sunday morning. Coach Nick Saban is a hard-driving, tough-minded coach. He keeps those around him on edge. If the system works, then why not practice it for all it's worth.

Vince Dooley was never easy to be around when Georgia lost. When a big game was won and focus needed to be regenerated, he was ever the hard liner. Win a big one with a lower-rung SEC opponent next - like with Ole Miss here on Saturday - Dooley could be insufferable.

Mark Richt just happens to approach things differently. Frankly, his style probably wouldn't work with most coaches. Most of them would get tripped up with inconsistency. Richt's hallmark is a selfless control of balanced emotions. His competitive juices are there, but he's never over the top. He is the same, win or lose.

Composure could be Mark Richt's greatest asset 09/26/07