If the news of Urban Meyer's departure sent a gasp of disbelief through the Gator Nation, it should have sent a sigh of relief to Mark Richt.

Not that Richt is happy to see a fellow coach step down in the face of physical problems, which I know he's not, but this could be the break that Richt has been lacking since Urban Meyer laid claim to the SEC East.

Now, Mark Richt has a shot to lay claim to the SEC East for himself and the Georgia Bulldogs.

The timing is perfect on one hand. No matter who the hire is, there will be a period of rebuilding not only of the coaching staff, but the post-Tebow team of players as well.

Lane Kiffin is still struggling to get Tennessee rebuilt, Kentucky is well, South Carolina and the Old Ball Coach are finding out why even Lou Holtz had a hard time winning in Columbia. 

For Richt and the Bulldogs, this turn of events is both a blessing and a curse. They can now have it all in the East, or they have run out of excuses. It's time to put up or pack up for Richt and the coaching staff at Georgia.

With Richt facing breaking in a new quarterback next season and all the other problems the Dogs had this year, maybe it didn't happen at the best of times, but it did happen and it swung the door wide open for Georgia.

Should Richt not be able to herd the dogs through it, it may be time for him to pack it up and for Georgia to find someone who can. This window of opportunity may be short and they better grab it and all the good recruits that come from Meyer's decision.