(Photo by Greg Poole – Bulldawg Illustrated)
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After a 13-7 victory over Georgia Tech, UGA finished out its 2015 college football season with a 9-3 record, but this came after a 1-3 debacle in October that had the program reeling, especially after a 2nd straight loss to Florida. The Bulldogs ended up finishing out the seasons with a 4-0 performance for the month of November.
[su_spacer size=”40″] But despite the turn around in November, there have been rumors and speculation regarding Coach Mark Richt’s future with the University of Georgia. Just after noon Eastern Time, UGA announced that Mark Richt would be stepping down as Georgia’s head football coach.
[su_spacer size=”40″] ESPN’s Mark Schlabach was the first to break the news on Twitter.
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Georgia has fired Mark Richt, a source told https://t.co/IUb98wmtlA
— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) November 29, 2015
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Shortly afterwards, we received confirmation from the University. UGA’s Athletic Director Greg McGarity released this statement:
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[su_spacer size=”40″] Mark Richt also released a statement:Coach Richt and I met Sunday morning to discuss the status of our football program, and we mutually agreed that he would step down as head coach and would have the opportunity to accept other duties and responsibilities at UGA following the bowl game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] On behalf of the University of Georgia Athletic Association and Bulldogs everywhere, I want to thank Mark and Katharyn for 15 years of remarkable service to the UGA community, hundreds of our students and staff, and to college football
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[su_spacer size=”40″] You can read the full press release hereI appreciate the opportunity of serving the University as well as considering any other options that may present themselves in the future.
[su_spacer size=”40″] [su_spoiler title=”CLICK TO READ STATEMENT FROM UGA REGARDING MARK RICHT” style=”fancy”] [su_spacer size=”40″]
[su_spacer size=”40″] [/su_spoiler] [su_spacer size=”40″] Mark Richt finishes with an overall record of 145-51 from 2001 – 2015 and a conference record of 83-37. While at Georgia, Richt helped lead the Bulldogs to 2 SEC Conference Championships and 6 SEC Eastern Division titles along with 14 bowl appearances, and it is expected Georgia will receive a bowl invitation for this season, where he led the Dawgs to a 9-5 bowl record. With his victory over Tech on Saturday, Richt finished 13-2 against Georgia’s in-state rival and 8-0 in Bobby Dodd stadium.Coach Richt and I met Sunday morning to discuss the status of our football program, said UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity, and we mutually agreed that he would step down as head coach and would have the opportunity to accept other duties and responsibilities at UGA following the bowl game.
[su_spacer size=”40″] I appreciate the opportunity of serving the University as well as considering any other options that may present themselves in the future, said Richt.
[su_spacer size=”40″] On behalf of the University of Georgia Athletic Association and Bulldogs everywhere, I want to thank Mark and Katharyn for 15 years of remarkable service to the UGA community, hundreds of our students and staff, and to college football, McGarity continued.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Mark’s record on the field was outstanding; however, his impact on college football goes well beyond the gridiron. His fingerprints are evident on shaping the lives of children, many of whom attend a Bulldog summer camp or a retreat; they are evident on the prospective student-athletes as they determine what college to attend — whether it be UGA or a competitor; they are evident on his current players, and probably even more so, on those who have lettered and are in the workplace, as fathers and husbands. For those contributions, we are sincerely appreciative.
[su_spacer size=”40″] 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. We will never actually know how many people were positively impacted by a comforting phone call, a sympathetic or uplifting note, an autographed football or photo — he had the unique ability to shine a bright light on others when they needed it most.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Mark has the opportunity to remain on our staff at the University of Georgia, and would be heavily involved with outreach programs for our former football lettermen via the PO Network as well as other University and Athletic Association initiatives. We wish Mark, Katharyn and his family the best as he enters a new chapter of his life.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Mark Richt has been an outstanding coach and mentor to our student-athletes during his fifteen-year tenure, and we have developed a strong and enduring friendship during that time, said UGA President Jere W. Morehead.
[su_spacer size=”40″] I am deeply grateful for his many years of dedicated service to the University of Georgia, and I particularly appreciate the positive way he has represented UGA. I have asked Mark to remain engaged with the institution in a new leadership role, and I look forward to hopefully working closely with him as we advance our capital campaign at the University of Georgia. I know all UGA alumni and supporters will look forward to celebrating the successful conclusion of his coaching career at UGA in a bowl game later this year. I want to wish Katharyn and the Richt family all the best.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Mark Richt has the opportunity to remain with the University of Georgia with the PO Network as well as having other responsibilities within the University and the Athletic Association, but as of this time, Richt has not made known whether he will stay at UGA.
[su_spacer size=”40″] As soon as more information and news is available, we will make sure to break it, and it is expected that there will be a press conference regarding Mark Richt and the future of the UGA football program.
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