Georgia Fires Head Coach Mark Richt After 9-3 Season

Richt and Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity met with the media Monday morning, less than 24 hours after news broke of Richt’s firing after 15 seasons at the helm of the program.

“I appreciate the opportunity of serving the University as well as considering any other options that may present themselves in the future”, said Richt. Richt said. “To coach one more time with these guys and finish the season?”

With that in mind, Richt said he’d be open to returning to his days as an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach, though another head coaching job certainly is on the table.

“Oh yeah, no doubt”, Richt said when asked if he would coach again. He won more games (145) than every UGA coach except Vince Dooley, who won 201 times in 25 seasons. “I believe in the coaching staff that I’m going bring in here”, Campbell said in his introductory press conference. Georgia has the facilities and support to win national championships and plays on the easier side of the SEC. Mark Richt wouldn’t even defend Todd Gurley for signing a few autographs for pay, yet Jimbo Fisher stood by his QB Jameis Winston, who shoplifted, embarrassed his school with idiotic antics, and was accused of rape. Georgia won the conference twice during his tenure (2002, 2005) which was enough for a Sugar Bowl invite, nothing more. The first report came flying out Monday night from 247 Sports that the Maryland Terrapins have reached out to Richt for his services, and a meeting could occur tomorrow.

“That remains to be between Mark and myself”, McGarity said. The only good thing about it is the fact that Coach Richt will be allowed to coach the Bulldogs in a bowl game.

“I think decisions of this nature are very hard”, McGarity said. The Bulldogs finished 9-3 this season but lost the three games that mattered to fans: Alabama, Tennessee and Florida.

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. “… Our sport is a very passionate sport and a very public sport”. He said, however, that staying in Athens is an “attractive” option, but he’d like to continue to coach. In the past 15 years, if a headhunter called me and said, ‘Are you interested in this job?’ it’s always been a simple answer. LSU have a national championship with Les Miles and another visit to the BCS national championship game.

Chip Towers of Dawg Nation reported Richt’s ouster was entirely so the Bulldogs could pursue Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

Mason and Zeier both said they look forward to seeing what’s next for the university and wished Richt nothing but the best.

Georgia has tentatively planned a news conference for today.

Richt defenders felt like their guy made up for any shortfalls as a coach with the way he carried himself and represented his university.