Mark Richt: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Coach's Future

Speculation that Mark Richt will retire is apparently premature, as the former Georgia Bulldogs coach said he "will listen to anyone that is interested in him," according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.

Continue for updates. 

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Miami Reportedly Expects Richt to be Next Head Coach

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Miami is reportedly believes Richt will be their next coach, per Brett McMurphy of ESPN. Mark Schlabach of ESPN reported "with 100-percent certainty" that Richt's contract will be finalized tonight or tomorrow. 

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Richt Comments on Future 

Monday, Nov. 30

Richt revealed multiple teams have reached out regarding head coaching vacancies, according to Seth Emerson of DawgNation.com.

"Yeah, there’s about five today. It’s kinda crazy," he said on Monday. "But I’m not sure, again, what I’m gonna do yet. But it’s nice to have opportunities and options."

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Maryland Contacts Richt

Monday, Nov. 30

The Maryland Terrapins have reached out to Richt and could have an in-person discussion on either Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Jeff Ermann of 247Sports.

Ermann noted Maryland's current associate athletic director, Damon Evans, was Georgia's athletic director from 2004 to 2010.

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Richt Ousted to Allow Georgia to Pursue Smart

Monday, Nov. 30

Chip Towers of Dawg Nation reported Richt's ouster was entirely so the Bulldogs could pursue Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart. A former defensive back at Georgia from 1995-98, Smart is considered perhaps the best assistant coach in the nation. It's likely he'll be a top candidate for a number of open jobs this offseason, so Georgia likely wanted to strike before missing out.

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Richt's Success Wasn't Enough in Ultra Competitive SEC

Richt, 55, mutually parted ways with Georgia on Sunday. The decision came a day after the Bulldogs defeated Georgia Tech to finish the regular season 9-3 and on a four-game winning streak. He will coach the team in its bowl game.

Richt spent 15 years at Georgia, posting a 145-51 record overall. The Bulldogs finished as a season-ending Top 10 team seven times and peaked with a No. 2 ranking in the final AP poll of the 2007 season. They won two conference championships and six division crowns, but they've been held out of the SEC Championship Game for the last three years.

Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity spoke on Richt's contributions:

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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. 

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Overall, he's the second-winningest coach in Georgia history behind Vince Dooley. It was Richt's inability to match Dooley in the national championship department, however, that was ultimately his undoing.

Still just 55 years old, he could have another decade-long tenure remaining in his career if he chooses. What's clear is that he'll need the right fit. Richt almost certainly wouldn't step away from the Power Five conferences and, after years of a near-unlimited budget at Georgia, will need to have freedom to make big staffing hires.  

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