Richt out as coach at Georgia

“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. Claeys took over as coach with five games remaining after Jerry Kill was forced to retire because of epilepsy. Richt will coach the Bulldogs in their bowl game as the search for his successor begins. McGarity admired Richt’s class while at Georgia and his calmness in receiving the news of his dismissal as the head football coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.

Richt also said today that he misses “hands-on” coaching and that he’s open to coaching quarterbacks and/or calling plays in the future. Floyd, a junior outside linebacker and National Football League prospect, was in a vehicle leaving the athletic building’s parking lot on Sunday night when he yelled this out:”I’m gone too, by the way!”

The perception among Georgia football fans that the program was not performing up to par started as far back as 2010, but reached its peak in 2015 with ugly losses to Alabama and Florida, and a 21-point lead squandered against Tennessee for another loss this season in Knoxville. Georgia closed the regular season with four straight wins, but that was not enough to make up for failing to land a spot in the title game. Plus he has recruited most of his talent in Georgia, a place where SC must reestablish inroads if it wishes to return to competitiveness in the SEC East.

PRO … Integrity. Richt’s humble pie, “Jesus He Knows Me” shtick can be insufferable at times, but there’s something to be said for the fact he runs a clean program and has stayed out of trouble with the NCAA. Against Georgia’s two biggest SEC rivals, went 10-5 vs. Auburn but 5-10 vs. Florida….

But as the flagship school in a state rich with talent, Georgia seemed to fall short its fans’ incredibly high expectations every season-especially this one.

Richt is 145-51 with two SEC championships in 15 seasons. He’s very keen on his seniors getting their 40th win as members of the Georgia football team.

“I don’t know what the world’s coming to in our profession”, Saban said Sunday of Richt’s departure. For those contributions, we are sincerely appreciative.

“There may be more opportunities that come in the next few hours, 24 to 48 hours, that type of thing”, Richt said. He is 111-32 with a national championship.

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

However, there have been Saban disciples who have achieved immediate success such as Florida’s Jim McElwain, who served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator from 2008-11 before taking over as Colorado State’s head coach in 2012 and Florida’s last season.

Richt said that he has not made a decision to take another role within the athletic department, a statement offered in the school’s announcement on Sunday.