Big SEC Head Coaching Domino Falls with Mark Richt out at Georgia
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The proverbial hot seats in college football have been simmering for weeks now, and in some cases for months, with fan bases and alumni itching to pull the trigger on removing a coach with the thought of a brighter future. With the majority of college football wrapping up their 2015 regular season schedule on Saturday, pink slips are starting to be issued across the nation with Mark Richt getting caught in a questionable crossfire.
On Sunday, the University of Georgia reportedly said goodbye to their coach of 15 years who only had one losing season, in 2010 the Bulldogs finished 6-7. In nine of those seasons Georgia won 10 or more games, a possibility for a tenth had Richt finished his coaching stint with a bowl game victory could have been had this season. The Bulldogs are 9-3 overall and 5-3 in the SEC tied for second in the East Division two games behind Florida, very respectable but evidently still not good enough for some.
Richt posted a record of 145-51 at Georgia winning two SEC titles but had difficulties getting over the proverbial hump to challenge for a national championship consistently. Despite great recruiting class after great recruiting class matriculating to Athens, Richt could not maintain a stranglehold on a down SEC East Division allowing Florida first year head coach Jim McElwain to win the East in 2015 and a questionable Missouri team to take the previous two titles (2014 and 2013).
Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity issued a statement regarding Richt’s dismissal which is being called a “mutual” decision reading, “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. Mark’s record on the field was outstanding, however, his impact on college football goes well beyond the gridiron.” McGarity added, “For those contributions, we are sincerely appreciative.”
The Division-I level is in the midst of going through a great offseason of turmoil and hope for the future with dozens of head coaching jobs expected to come open in the coming days. If Richt decides to leave Athens to pick up his whistle on another sideline for the 2016 season, he will have plenty of options including some within the SEC East at schools like South Carolina and perhaps Missouri.
One can easily assume Georgia fans expect to contend for a SEC East title every year, understandable, win a SEC Championship, as do all SEC teams, and a playoff berth, a hope all Power Five Conference teams hold. The downfall for Richt could have been his 5-10 record against Florida during his stint at Georgia but finding a quarterback to replace Aaron Murray (2010-13) and overcoming devastating injuries since back-to-back SEC Championship Game berths in 2011 and 2012 played as big of a part in his undoing as anything.
Not to be overshadowed by his record on the field but Richt has a well-deserved reputation for running a clean program. Winning 10 games every year is a benchmark in college football but the UGA administration, alumni, and boosters must feel that there is a better coach somewhere out there that can deliver the Bulldogs to the promise land, or at least a little bit closer to catching the prize. Reality shows losing a coach in the SEC is more of a setback or at best keeps a team right where they left off, see Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Ole Miss, but what is done is done.
Georgia last won a national championship in 1980 going 12-0 under Vince Dooley. Richt’s 9-5 postseason record and .740 career percentage win totals were not enough along with his seven end of year Top 10 AP rankings. Good luck in the future UGA, you might need it.
Photo credit: ajc.com; Mark Richt shows UGA fans his appreciation post game.