ATHENS — Fran Tarkenton believes the University of Georgia football coaching staff is not functioning properly.

The quarterback of Georgia’s 1959 SEC Championship team and NFL Hall of Famer, made comments critical of Mark Richt’s staff during an interview on an Atlanta radio station.

“This staff that is over there today — and I am going to be very kind about it — it is not functioning properly,” Tarkenton said on WCNN 680 The Fan’s Chuck and Chernoff show. “I think the culture there of the staff is not functioning properly. As we all know Mark Richt is a good, fine, wonderful person. I think there are things going on inside of his staff that are unsavory. If you don’t have your whole staff and your whole organization of respect and understanding the roles of everybody, things happen badly. …We’ve got troubles in our program over there that needs to be fixed. It’s not about play-calling, it’s not about a defense-calling. It’s about a culture that has the right culture of love, respect, together.”

Tarkenton criticism weighs heavier than just his position of a Georgia football great.  He was one of many to commit to a six-figure contribution towards the new $30 million Georgia Indoor Practice Facility.  He is also reported to be close with University President Jere Morehead.

In the interview, Tarkenton was also critical of coach Jeremy Pruitt, calling him “very loud” and suggesting he’s “taken advantage of things over there.”

Further, the Hall of Fame quarterback called the loss to Florida a “total disgrace,” including being critical of using third-string quarterback Faton Bauta in the game as the starter.  He called Bauta “awful”.

Tarkenton said “as long as Mark Richt is the coach, I support Mark Richt, but I think there are discussions going on.”

He said athletic director Greg McGarity knows best and will make the proper decision.

“People are evaluating things, I imagine Mark is evaluating things,” Tarkenton said, “but this is not a good situation, it’s a bad situation at my alma mater.”