ATLANTA — On the eve of the 2003 SEC Football Championship game, LSU head coach Nick Saban and Georgia head coach Mark Richt took part in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Coaches Luncheon held in the Regency Ballroom in the Atlanta Hyatt Regency Hotel. Comments from both coaches are included.
LSU HEAD COACH NICK SABAN
“First of all it’s an honor to be playing in the SEC game. I’m proud of the way we’ve competed this season to get the opportunity to be back. Our staff has done a great job to have a high caliber team. It’s a great competitive venue and we’re really looking forward to opportunity to play Georgia.
“Our team has shown more focus and have played with consistency. They have been really good at not being affected by things that are going on around them. We just focus on playing the strengths we have as a team. You have to develop somewhat of a hateful attitude to compete in this game. It’s somewhat of us against the world and we have been able to do that. Again, back to the first question about being focused as a team. We have been able to do that.”
“I love LSU, love being at LSU. It’s a great place to be. It takes a lot of support to be successful and as long we have that support it would take a lot to look at taking anything else. I love coaching college football. I love to see them (players) getting an education, and to see them growing and developing as players.”
“Georgia’s running game has been effective. It just shows the patience they’ve been willing to take. I’ve seen a lot more play-action passes and seen the offensive line trying to do a better job of protecting David Greene more. Those plays might not be as exciting as others but they are more effective. Georgia has an outstanding Defensive as a whole. They are aggressive. They are very physical at safety, they have two great safeties – the kind I love. They are a physical team and an excellent secondary overall.”
“David Greene and Matt Mauck play with different styles. David Greene is a more experienced player. He’s a third year starter, he’s big, accurate, and mobile enough to move around if he needs too. He is a pure passer. Mauck started out as a running quarterback and has developed into more of a passer. Mauck has as much character and quality as anyone. He’s an outstanding student, has leadership qualities, confident, and secure about his decisions about his future. He had a plan when he came it and hasn’t strayed from that.”
“I came to LSU with the goal to take the people that were there and grow and develop them. We’re proud of the players in general that we have been able to establish up to now. I still feel that we will continue be a consistent program in the future.”
“Our focus is on what we can control. We have two more games to play to the best of our ability and that is what we are going to concentrate on.”
GEORGIA HEAD COACH MARK RICHT
“Preparation has been good, moral is outstanding, we’re looking forward to a good game”
“This game is a bit different, we struggled mightily this season. Last season was easier, we stayed healthy and there was not a lot of juggling around in the lineup. This was a long season and we did not have a very restful off season.”
“Ben Watson and Fred Gibson are different for us offensively. With Bartley Miller injured, Nick Jones a true freshman will start at center. Our offensive line is more inexperienced than the first time around. I think Cooper’s condition is good. He had an ankle injury and in compensating for the ankle injury his calf was strained. The last days he’s felt better and he’s ready to play. Golston’s shoulder has held up well and he’s felt pretty good. He’s a little rusty but his legs are fresh and he will play. It’s difficult to tell how Mario Raley felt but he’ll make the trip and dress. Defensively we lost DeCory Bryant, one of the best cover guys in the league. Guys like Kenny Bailey and Tim Jennings are going to have to step up. They have some big shoes to fill. I hope Michael Cooper, Kregg Lumpkin and Tyson Browning are better at picking up the blitz this time around.”
“We have gotten better all around and offensively we have made some strides, but LSU has improved also. We have closed the gap between our offensive team and their defensive team.
“The rematch is not as important as being here. We haven’t celebrated playing LSU again, the focus has been on being here with a shot at defending the title”
“No one has held up against LSU. Florida won and were able to make a couple of plays, but no one has had their way with LSU’s defense. Their run game has gotten better as the season went on. Now they are more balanced offensively and are more difficult to defend with three legitimate receivers who can take care of business outside. Their kicking game is also about the best in the league.”
“David Pollack has had more attention, more double teams, and more schemes. He has probably led the league in being held the most. Gibson’s injury situation is the reason why he didn’t have the year he has in the past. Green’s played well but doesn’t have the benefit of a healthy line, Musa Smith, or a healthy Fred Gibson.”
“Playing here last year seemed like a decided advantage to us. It felt like a home game. We blocked a punt early, scored early, and really gave the fans something to be excited about. I’m sure this year we will have some good Georgia fan representation again.”