After 15 years as Georgia’s head coach Richt was asked Sunday to step down in what was called a mutually agreed upon decision by UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity. He’s a UM alum, he’s a great recruiter with extensive recruiting ties in Florida and if he can win 9 or 10 game per year in the SEC, think of what he could do in the ACC. They were the preseason pick to win the SEC East. Richt, 55, acknowledged Saturday the team “came up short of our goal” to win the SEC.
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The University of Georgia will owe Richt a sum of $4.1 million as a part of the buyout clause in his contract.
With the bowl game left to play, Richt has posted a 145-51 mark at Georgia – good for second all-time at the school – and a 83-37 record against Southeastern Conference opponents.
Kirby Smart, defensive coordinator, Alabama Talked about as the possible replacement for Les Miles if he was booted out at LSU, Smart is ready to take over someone’s head coaching gig at the highest of levels.
Richt has led Georgia to two SEC Championships and led it to the title game five times. I have no idea why UGA fans expect Georgia to win the national title on a semi-regular basis.
Yes, there’s the SEC factor and the hotbed of talent in Atlanta, but it’s not like the Bulldogs aren’t a team poised to contend in the SEC East in 2016. Getting rid of your coach is one way to try and change your outcome in the future, whether or not it will end up being the right move is up for debate.
“All of the Dawg walks – everything – has been so memorable for me and my family”, Richt said. “There are jobs that we do and everybody has an opinion on it. If things don’t go the way people want them to go, I understand people being disappointed and thinking there’s a better way and I respect that”.
Dawson said all the players appreciate “how much he loves everybody”.
On Monday, McGarity reiterated the hope for Richt to stay in Athens.
Soon after, Georgia announced the news that Richt was out as coach.
As for the Georgia opening, McGarity had little to say Monday, deflecting questions about the impending search by saying a couple of times that the focus should be on Richt. “I think that the expectations have been built to the point where if you don’t win a championship, it’s kind of miserable around here”. The Tigers had lost three straight games coming into Saturday night.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly – A longshot, but the current National Football League coach and former Oregon Ducks HC could be a name heard among the rumors in Athens. “So I’m sure they’ll find a great coach”. Georgia won the conference twice during his tenure (2002, 2005) which was enough for a Sugar Bowl invite, nothing more.
“Oh yeah, no doubt”, Richt said when asked if he would coach again.
This season, Richt earned positive reviews for his personal role with Southern wide receiver Devon Gales, who suffered a serious neck injury in a loss at Georgia. He is considered a potential candidate at Miami, his alma mater, and Virginia if he decides to coach next season. Also, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has a connection.
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“I look forward to hopefully working closely with him as we advance our capital campaign at the University of Georgia”, Morehead said. Richt admitted to missing the simpler aspects of football: Play-calling, position-coaching and other factors that first sparked his love of the game.
