McGarity described the decision as a “mutual agreement”. TCU coach Gary Patterson has built the Horned Frogs into the nation’s unlikeliest powerhouse-and that’s now the standard for every school with a football opening and a few million dollars to spare.
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PRO … Integrity. Richt’s humble pie, “Jesus He Knows Me” shtick can be insufferable at times, but there’s something to be said for the fact he runs a clean program and has stayed out of trouble with the NCAA.
Georgia announced Sunday Richt will not return as coach in 2016.
It’s nearly impossible to figure out when the temperature began rising on the seat Mark Richt was sitting in, but it feels like his job has been on the line for ten years. The words “Thanks Coach Richt” were written on a white poster board, situated near a burning candle. And just like any polarizing issue, everyone had an opinion. He won two SEC championships in 2002 and 2005, but failed to bring Georgia the national championship that has eluded the university since the 1980 season.
According to Mark Schlabach, Richt will coach the Bulldogs in a bowl game.
Richt is 49-17 over the past five years.
Given the lingering frustrations, Georgia has been under obvious pressure to make a move for a new coach. In this instance Georgia hopes its next coach can exceed Richt’s 9.6 wins-per-year average and throw in a national championship or two along the way. The He Went To Georgia Option Is ……
This season was also marked with quarterback chaos in Athens, fluctuating among Greyson Lambert, Faton Bauta and Brice Ramsey.
Do you agree with this decision for Georgia football?
How much did the Florida factor play a part?
“I expected it”, McGarity said. So started the Mark Richt era after the Oahu Bowl.
I still think the current coach is the best person to fix it. But that will not happen.
“I am deeply grateful for his many years of dedicated service to the University of Georgia, and I particularly appreciate the positive way he has represented UGA”, Morehead said.
Richt scheduled a meeting with his players Sunday night and did not hold his normal Sunday teleconference with reporters. “He taught you more about being a man than anybody else”.
Other players reiterated the desire to keep the second year defensive coordinator, though they did not specify as a defensive coordinator or as the new head coach.
The risk-and-reward factor is very high for Georgia.
When you fire a coach like Richt, both are the reality of college football in 2015. He has coached 12 first-round National Football League draft picks.
The Sooners (11-1) jumped ahead of unbeaten Iowa, which was No. 4 this week after getting by Nebraska 28-20.
A leading candidate in Georgia’s search could be Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former Georgia safety and assistant coach under Richt. Houston’s Tom Herman could also be in play, among other names. Only time will tell.
The Bulldogs are a fixture in the top programs in the country when it comes to recruiting.
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Bill Murphy is sports editor of The Times.
