Only a day after Georgia’s 13-7 victory over in-state rival Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia announced that head football coach Mark Richt would be stepping down following the Bulldogs bowl game.
On Monday morning, both Richt and J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity took the podium to answer questions about the decision to part ways. McGarity said the decision was made following the Tech game; he said it was a “quiet ride home” from Atlanta, trying to make sure this was the right decision.
McGarity was quiet about the reasons for Richt’s departure. He was asked multiple times for the reason Richt is stepping down, but he said the details of those conversations would remain between he and Richt.
“We had a good, mature adult conversation Sunday morning,” McGarity said.
McGarity alluded to today being Richt’s day, choosing not to answer questions regarding who the next head coach would be and who, if anyone, on the current staff will remain. As far as what Richt is planning to do right now:
“My plan right now, quite frankly, is to get prepared for this bowl game,” Richt said.
Georgia does not know the destination of their bowl game yet. But, Richt says he is thankful for the opportunity to coach this group of guys one more time. He wants to finish this season on a good note by notching the 40th win for this group of seniors.
“That’s a hard thing to do,” Richt said of reaching 40 wins.
Richt wants the fans to know that he and his wife, Katharyn, will be fine. He says that they know they’ve been “abundantly blessed” at Georgia.
“Georgia football is going to be around a whole lot longer than I’ll be alive, and has been around 100 years,” said Richt.
Right considers his proudest accomplishments to be watching guys leave here ready to be men, good husbands and good fathers, good citizens of this country and a Godly leader.
On his legacy at Georgia and how he’d like to be remembered, Richt said he’d want people to say that he “loved Georgia and did it the right way.”
We will continue to update this story as more details become available. Be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
