The University of Georgia has extended head football coach Mark Richt’s contract through the 2019 season and has increased his salary from $3.2 million per year to $4 million per season. Richt has a 136-48 record as head coach of Georgia since taking over in 2001, which includes a Southeastern Conference mark of 78-34.
The 54-year-old Richt has led Georgia to five SEC East Division titles. Richt led the Bulldogs to the SEC championship in 2002 and 2005 and is a two time SEC Coach of the Year. Despite the record of overall success, there is a feeling that the program has not lived up to its potential under Richt. His career winning percentage of .739 is just marginally better than that of predecessor Jim Donnan.
A Soft Image
In recent years, the Bulldogs have been perceived as an underachieving team. Each spring they rank among the highest programs in the country for recruiting classes and yet that success has not been translated on the field. Of particular frustration has been a defense that has grown increasingly soft in recent years. What was once referred to as the Junk Yard Dawg defense is now considered to be soft. Georgia ranked 63rd in the nation for rush defense, which is indicative of weak interior line and linebacking play.
Richt made his name and reputation as offensive coordinator of the Florida State Seminoles under Bobby Bowden. The Bulldogs have thrived on offense for most of his tenure in Athens with a diversified pro attack. The success of Detroit Lions quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford is among the program’s top selling points under Richt.
Arms Race Joined
Georgia had little choice but to give Richt more money and time. Texas A&M is paying head coach Kevin Sumlin $5 million per year. Hugh Freeze of Ole Miss and Butch Jones of Tennessee are at $4 million per season. Even Mark Stoops of Kentucky is at $3.6 million per year. None of those coaches has a record close to that of Richt.
The Tom Osborne of the SEC? Much like mild mannered Nebraska Hall of Fame legend Tom Osborne, Richt is a man of faith that has a brilliant offensive mind. Osborne also struggled for most of his career in winning national championship, taking 22 seasons to finally earn a number one ranking. Osborne retired with three national titles in his final four years as coach. One could see Richt with a similar finish at Georgia. The talent is there and the record is indicative of a man that is capable of more. Perhaps like Osborne, the best is yet to come for Richt and his Georgia program.
