OFFICIAL Georgia fires Mark Richt

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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.

I appreciate the opportunity of serving the University as well as
considering any other options that may present themselves in the future,
said Richt.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,² said UGA President Jere W.
Morehead. 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.

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