Georgia's basketball team suffered another embarrasing defeat Sunday, this time against the Kentucky Wildcats. It's not that they lost 68-45, but more of it is how they lost. They lost in front of a 75% full Stegeman Coliseum, and more than a quarter of those fans were wearing blue. And also, for the second straight game and third time this season, the Bulldogs failed to score 50 points.
Dennis Felton is in his sixth season as head coach of the Georgia basketball team. In those six seasons, Georgia is 84-88 overall and a miserable 26-57 in SEC play. That's a terrible 31% winning percentage in conference play.
Dennis Felton's overall record away from Stegeman Coliseum in Athens is a dismal 23-59. In SEC regular season play away from Athens, it's a lousy 6-36.
The 2008 SEC Tournament Championship was obviously a one-time deal for the Dawgs. It was a moment in Georgia basketball history that won't be forgotten, but it will also be remembered as the one good moment in Dennis Felton's coaching career. That weekend is the closest Georgia has come under Felton to any kind of championship. He has led the Bulldogs to only one NCAA Tournament (eliminated in first round) and two NIT appearances (1-2; one first round elimination).
Felton has been supported through all the difficult times he has had since being hired in 2003, but it's clearly time to let him go. Georgia's even off probation and has their full allotment of scholarships now. Even with that, they still can't sign the best players in Georgia. Derrick Favors recently chose Georgia Tech over Georgia, and this probably sealed Dennis Felton's fate.
The question now is not if, but when will Dennis Felton be fired? Should he be fired Monday morning or on Friday? Bob Slidell and Bob Porter would recommend Friday.
Dennis Felton should not be allowed to finish the season. Georgia basketball has been nothing but mediocre during his six years as head coach, and the Dawgs are in danger of becoming the laughingstock of college basketball. They've looked disinterested, lost on offense, and have failed to score 50 points three times this season.
Damon Evans will make the final decision, but he will definitely have Michael Adams' opinion on the matter. It's time to take the Georgia basketball program to another level. Make a firm decision, take action, then go and hire the best basketball coach you can find. The university has the money, the facilities, and a wealth of basketball talent inside the state of Georgia. They have the potential to be a powerhouse in college basketball. So what are they waiting for?
