Mark Richt Leaves University of Georgia

In making the announcement, athletic director Greg McGarity and University of Georgia President Jere Morehead said Richt had been offered another position at the school.Richt said at a news conference Monday he appreciated that option but would consider other opportunities. I know the Bulldog fan base is split on keeping Coach Richt or letting him go, but I also know a lot of them would be willing to give him another year or two to straighten things out.

“Georgia football is going to be around a whole heck of a lot longer than I’m going to be alive…” He said, however, that staying in Athens is an “attractive” option, but he’d like to continue to coach.

“Yeah, there’s about five today”, Richt said, chuckling.

When asked how he wants the Richt era to be remembered, he said, “That he loved Georgia and he did it the right way, and he did it hopefully in such a way that it was well pleasing to the Lord”. He did allow, however, that he would enlist the services of a search firm and “the job is wide open”. A smaller sign said “Fire McGarity”. I wasn’t aware of the man backing him up on the sidelines, only his name and the fact he held a clipboard for the program. I was all for that.

“Mark has touched thousands of lives over the past 15 years – he has a huge heart and his positive influence has affected many people, young and old”. “Our fans are passionate, and Mark has tremendous support and a way of connecting with people”. “If we don’t make it to Atlanta, I’m miserable, too”. He is still considering the Bulldogs despite the coaching change.

“That remains to be between Mark and myself”, he said. “So I’m sure they’ll find a great coach”.

“I see where I am, Georgia sees where they are, and everybody is going to do what they think is in the best interest of having success in the future, so that’s kind of how I look at it”, Richt said. “I miss coaching quarterbacks and I miss calling plays”. The jobs we do, everybody seems to have an opinion on. UGA just does not win national championships.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen also could be candidates. He began his coaching career in 1985 as a graduate assistant at Florida State. Bobo is the former Georgia quarterback and offensive coordinator.

Following Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech, numerous questions directed toward Richt were about his job status.

There has been speculation about Richt’s future since losses to Tennessee, Alabama and Florida ended the Bulldogs’ hopes for a Southeastern Conference championship. Georgia closed the regular season with four consecutive victories, but that was not enough to make up for failing to land a spot in the title game.

Richt has a 145-51 record at Georgia, with his.

Georgia hasn’t won an SEC title since 2005, and last won the SEC East in 2012.

Gone from Georgia is a good guy trying to win a game that’s rigged against good guys. Former Georgia athletic director Damon Evans is now the senior associate athletic director for the Terrapins.