One person responded: Mark Richt.
Advertisement
Michigan Defensive Coordinator D.J. Durkin, who interviewed earlier in the month, has also emerged as a strong candidate for the position. “But ultimately we want what’s best for him”. UGA offered him an undefined, non-coaching role. “I said, ‘Be patient. I think he’s still committed as of right now, but if he doesn’t know what’s going to happen, he’s got to pursue other options”.
One of them could be at Miami. A news conference was scheduled for Monday.
The news was a surprise to one of his former players, Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh, who learned before Sunday’s game at the Atlanta Falcons that Richt was out.
Seated alongside athletic director Greg McGarity, Richt said that Georgia’s failure to live up to its lofty preseason accolades this year is the reason his time with the Bulldogs is done after 15 seasons.
Injuries played a part in this season, a disappointment even in Richt’s assessment, when sophomore running back Nick Chubb went down with a season-ending knee injury.
Georgia announced the move as a “mutual” decision, but it looked like a firing. “I don’t think that McGarity would just go and do that without any idea of who he’s going to talk to”. “This week and next week will be intense and very stressful for many directors of athletics”. “Coach Richt is a man of God, a Christian man”. Virginia Tech introduced former Memphis coach Justin Fuente.
McGarity had generous praise for Richt, who ranks second in all-time coaching wins at the school. The facilities and support of Georgia also allows it to win national championships and has weaker competition in the SEC. He made 15 straight bowls and won nine, with an upcoming chance to win his 10.
Tom Herman, for now, is still the head coach at the University of Houston. He was tied with outgoing Missouri coach Gary Pinkel for the longest tenure among active SEC coaches. My focus was always on moving forward and recruiting and bringing in the best class we could bring in and continue to build a future team that would be able to win a championship. “There wasn’t enough confidence that my leadership could get it done”. It was clear following the game Richt had no plans to step down.
“The pressure’s on McGarity”, said Vickery.
The University of Georgia will owe Richt a sum of $4.1 million as a part of the buyout clause in his contract. “A handshake means something here”. Bobo is 7-5 and won his last four regular-season games in his first season at Colorado State.
McGarity had praise for Richt, who was 145-51 with two SEC championships.
He previously coached as a graduate assistant at Florida State, then East Carolina as offensive coordinator, and Florida State from 1994 until he was hired at Georgia in 2001. If in fact I choose to do that I’d be really excited about coaching QBs again and getting in the middle of coaching offensive strategy. “I miss coaching quarterbacks”. “Quite honestly, I believe in the players we have here now”. “Not that I wasn’t in the middle of it, but I wasn’t calling it. I’d be more apt to do that again”.
Advertisement
Mark Richt is out after 15 seasons as head football coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.
