Richt and UGA Decide It’s Time For Program To Go Another Direction

ATLANTA, Ga.— A day after Georgia head coach Mark Richt said that he was not concerned about his job security, the news came out that he will end his 15 year head coaching career at UGA following their bowl game. The announcement came down in a joint statement released this morning by the school’s athletic director Greg McGarity.

“Coach Richt and I met Sunday morning to discuss the status of our program,” McGarity said. “We mutually agreed that he would step down as head coach and would have the opportunity to accept other duties and responsibilities at UGA following the bowl game.”

Richt was 145-51 during his career with the Bulldogs. If they win their bowl game, then he will have 10 seasons with double-digit wins. He also won six SEC East championships, two-time conference champion and two-time conference coach of the year.

It is no secret as well that the school’s president Jere W. Morehead has been a huge supporter of Richt.

“Mark Richt has been an outstanding coach and mentor to our student-athletes during his fifteen-year tenure, and we have developed a strong and enduring friendship during that time,” Morehead said. “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. I have asked Mark to remain engaged with the institution in a new leadership role, and I look forward to hopefully working closely with him as we advance our capital campaign at the University of Georgia. I know all UGA alumni and supporters will look forward to celebrating the successful conclusion of his coaching career at UGA in a bowl game later this year. I want to wish Katharyn and the Richt family all the best.”

Richt has the chance to stay with the athletic department, working with former football lettermen and other department affairs.

Right now, it is unclear who the next head coach at UGA will be. Heavy speculation has been that Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart would be a logical choice, given the fact he played football at Georgia.