Georgia and head football coach Mark Richt part ways after 15 years

He laid a strip of paper next to his microphone, flashing a red bracelet on his wrist emblazoned with the Georgia “G” as he took his seat. They worked together for 10 years in Athens, and one would think that Evans and Anderson will reach out to Richt.

Indeed, the notes were likely unnecessary for Richt, a man well-versed in the job he’d held for the last decade and a half.

Mark Richt has stepped down as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.

The vibe on Monday had more in common with a funeral than a celebration.

Richt could choose a path very different from those three by returning to coaching, and he said Monday night on his radio show that he already has been contacted by five or so schools.

The university is presenting Richt’s exit as a mutual decision, and the announcement came padded with tributes usually reserved for retiring legends. Highlighting this contrast was one particular exchange, when McGarity was asked about the impending coaching search. Why fire a coach with Richt’s proven credentials?

The problem Mark Richt faced was two-fold, unrealistic expectations from Dawg fans and playing in the most competitive conference in the nation. When asked about the situation, McGarity said he was not sure who was still out recruiting, calling it a “moving target” at this point.

Richt will coach the Georgia Bulldogs through their bowl game, wherever that bowl might be. “I really won’t have hardly anything to say about the search”.

Once they were blown out by LSU, and in 2012 they lost to Alabama 32-28 with a spot in the BCS championship game on the line.

McGarity said he knew there would be some backlash for firing a coach as popular as Richt.

Georgia (9-3) ended its regular season with Saturday’s 13-7 win over Georgia Tech.

Richt, 55, mutually parted ways with Georgia on Sunday. “To think that I had a part to play in that”. Character counts, of course, just as long as it accompanies winning.

While Georgia has continued to win consistently, it has been unable to keep pace with the elite teams in the SEC.

At that point, the Bulldogs were 5-2, and Richt was facing pressure from inside and outside the program.

Only Vince Dooley (201) won more games at Georgia.

McGarity thanked Richt and Richt’s wife, Katharyn, “for 15 years of remarkable service to the UGA community, hundreds of our students and staff, and to college football”. “You betcha”, Miles said. I respect everything you are doing for our country.

But Richt’s time in Athens is now over.

One man who isn’t a stranger to decisions like this is the former head coach and athletics director Dooley, who attended Monday’s news conference.

Tight ends coach John Lilly also paid a visit to Rabun County receiver Charlie Woerner on Sunday. Some possible options include Miami, Maryland, and Virginia.

“My plan right now, quite frankly, is to get prepared for this bowl game”. That means more coaching on the horizon. “But in the meantime, since I’m not on the road recruiting, I’ll have an opportunity to look at a lot of options”. “Obviously, you don’t want to drag your feet”.

If that happens, it’s anyone’s guess who might receive a Gamecocks offer. Richt paused before answering.

Georgia should be able to make a successful hire if the market is right.