“So, why like, year after year are we not winning championships?”
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That ultimately led to Richt’s ouster.
“I think that 15 years is a long time”, Mark Richt said today. The team also struggled against Missouri and Georgia Southern. There was even some lobbying for Richt to return to Miami, his alma mater, before he and Georgia went their separate ways.
McGarity said a search for Richt’s replacement would begin “immediately” and that the school will hire a search firm.
Now, those players will be playing for a new coach, and how Richt’s leaving affects the incoming recruiting class remains to be seen. McGarity said such a backlash was “expected”. “Our fans are passionate, and Mark has tremendous support and a way of connecting with people”. The way Mark connects with people, sure. I’ve been the recipient of emails on both sides, and it goes with the territory. “You chose Georgia for a reason, and it was more than just me or (offensive coordinator Brian) Schottenheimer, ‘” Richt told the Telegraph. The partnership gave Georgia 145 wins along with a pair of SEC championships.
Richt, 55, acknowledged Saturday the team “came up short of our goal” to win the SEC championship. He didn’t win an SEC title in his last 10 seasons, which might have ultimately been his undoing. He took Georgia to a bowl in each of his 15 seasons at the helm and will remain on staff to coach the school in its upcoming bowl.
Only Bob Stoops and Barry Switzer at Oklahoma and Tom Osborne at Nebraska won as many games in the first 15 years as a head coach, according to NCAA records. Numerous columnists have opined Richt simply didn’t win enough. “I miss coaching quarterbacks and I miss calling plays”. 740 win percentage topping Dooley’s.
I hear that you are serving our country in Iraq and I appreciate the fact that you are laying your life on the line for this country and all of its freedoms.
Georgia has planned a Monday news conference. “His legacy is well intact”.
VIRGINIA TECH INTRODUCES FUENTE: Justin Fuente had numerous opportunities to leave Memphis, but said that it wasn’t until Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock offered him the chance to replace the retiring Frank Beamer as coach that he knew it was time to make the move.
In all probability, Maryland would likely have to pony up the big bucks to sway Richt, who some believe wanted some time away from football to devote more time to his missionary work. As a result, he’ll have the next 14 days to contemplate his future endeavors, whatever they may be.
“That’s the standard here”, Richt said. “The jobs that we do, everybody seems to have an opinion on it. You can’t have all the excitement and all the cheering without the other”.
Asked what he thinks will happen next, Richt said: “I’m going to listen to anyone who has interest in me, coaching or not, really in any area or any arena”.
We shall await to see what Richt’s fate will be. Just don’t expect to get over that hump with a guy with a heavy sack of morals.
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A number of local players, including former Troup Tiger Chris Burnette and LaGrange High graduate Bruce Thornton, have played for Richt over the years. “It can wear a man out a little bit, especially sitting in the head coach’s chair”.
