Georgia upset saves coach's job
Posted: Monday March 17, 2008 05:14AM ET
Do we even have to ask about Dennis Felton's future? "Of course he's going to be back," said Damon Evans, the athletics director. "He's our basketball coach." Special upsets in sports have had "miracle" attached to them. The U.S. Olympic hockey team over the Soviet Union. Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson. Villanova over Georgetown. Felton said his team was "kicked in the stomach" before it ever played a game this year. Academic suspensions, injuries and defections wrecked the program. When Evans gave ambiguous answers to questions about Felton's future, it was clear disenchantment had risen well north of the fan base. We'll never know how close Felton was to getting fired. Asked afterward when exactly it became a non-issue, Evans smiled. "I'll just say it this way: It's a non-issue now."
Dennis Felton, AP
Comments (16)
This man looked pissed yesterday.
J. HOVA: ES MUY BIEN | 03/17/08, 10:02 AM
Report Offensive CommentI want to be the first to apologize on here for bashing Dennis Felton in a previous story... I still can't believe we somehow won the way we did... He DEFINITELY deserves to stay... His methods may be questionable, but the results speak for themselves... One thing he needs to get better at is recruiting the state of Georgia, but as long as we play the way we have in the past 4 games, I'm sure that will come! Congrats on the HUGE upsets fellas! Let's go dancing, Dawgs!
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The True #7 | 03/17/08, 10:23 AM
Report Offensive CommentI've often heard sports writers mention the "neutral field in Omaha with nobody around" as a test of which team is better. What we had for the SEC tournament was about as close as you're likely to ever get for a major sporting event.
I'm no UGA fan (far from it), but way to go! I might even have to pick them over Xavier in the first round.
I wonder what kind of odds you could have gotten in Vegas a week ago for UGA winning the SEC tournament at Georgia Tech because a major tornado would hit the Georgia Dome? I'm thinking that they would have been pretty long ones.
Trainwreck | 03/17/08, 10:47 AM
Report Offensive CommentHe did an amazing job coaching in the SEC tournament...hopefully he can make the NCAA just as fun by pulling off more upsets. He at least saved his job until next year!
DMitch | 03/17/08, 10:54 AM
Report Offensive CommentI think he'll be on the way out after he loses in the 1st round.
wzupdude | 03/17/08, 11:34 AM
Report Offensive CommentI think he'll be on the way out after he loses in the 1st round.
wzupdude | 03/17/08, 11:34 AM
The first round is a lot further than anyone would have thought they would make it. I ma not a UGA fan (per se), but GO DAWGS! I am glad to see Coach Felton give a well deserved break, the UGA team was indeed "kicked in the stomach, before the season started." As the saying goes, "That which does not kill me, only makes me stronger" is applicable to the UGA BB dawgs.
Jabril1217 | 03/17/08, 11:40 AM
Report Offensive CommentThis is a fantastic story and it's great for college basketball. Honestly I looked at them as a 14 seed in my bracket and almost penciled in an upset. I think the SEC tournament hangover will bite hard and they will go down swinging in the first round, but that in no way takes away from the guts and determination they showed in winning the SEC tournament.
I lived in Georgia for four years and let me tell you, there is a TON of talent coming out of the metro-Atlanta area (Dwigtht Howard, anyone?). Plenty of blue chip recruits defect from Georgia but now they have a reason to stay.
With the Florida program looking lethargic and aloof, UGA might be able to steal some of Billy D's recruits. I expect them to challege for the SEC -East next season along with Tennessee and Kentucky.
pantherfan0728 | 03/17/08, 12:23 PM
Report Offensive CommentHe'll get one more year out of the deal. If he bombs next year, then he's gone for sure.
J. HOVA: ES MUY BIEN | 03/17/08, 03:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentWHEN....the Bulldogs lose in the first round by 40, will he still have saved his job?
Tongan | 03/17/08, 03:47 PM
Report Offensive CommentCongrats to UGA on what was probably the most unexpected SEC tournament winner ever!
pantherfan, UGA will start steeling UF's recruits when the bulldogs start losing fewer than 16 games in a season or make it to the sweet 16.
RamblinGator | 03/17/08, 05:16 PM
Report Offensive CommentWell I guess we have to scratch him off the Provedence College list for coaches - DAMM !!!
Kaycee3 | 03/17/08, 05:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentHey Tongan...
I will take UGA with those points... Put your money where your mouth is!
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The True #7 | 03/17/08, 05:50 PM
Report Offensive CommentGutsy performance by the DAWGS!! Very inspirational week. My congrats to the entire UGA Basketball Program. Talk about sticking together when things get tough.
DOOKIE4LIFE | 03/17/08, 07:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentI don't think 4 games should save a career. it only delays his firing if that is the intention by the Univ of Georgia AD. He has had little to work with though since he took over the program which was left under probation from the previous coach and has made something out of nothing. Good luck!!!
Riddy | 03/17/08, 08:13 PM
Report Offensive CommentSomewhere in Athens, an poilitical science professor just kicked his chair.
DSS: house shopping | 03/17/08, 10:40 PM
Report Offensive CommentNo one wants to be unemployed right now!
They will can you next year if you fail stay tuned!
LOL!
illiniev1 | 03/18/08, 10:44 AM
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