ATHENS, Ga. -- Florida State offensive coordinator Mark
Richt was picked Tuesday as the new coach at Georgia, which fired
Jim Donnan despite four straight bowl victories.
|  | | Mark Richt has coached two Heisman winners at FSU -- Chris Weinke and Charlie Ward. |
Richt, who is accepting his first head coaching job, was
introduced at a news conference accompanied by his wife and four
children -- all wearing recently purchased outfits in the Bulldogs'
red and black.
A 1982 graduate of Miami, Richt has been on Bobby Bowden's staff
at Florida State for 15 seasons, with a one-year break in 1989 when
he served as East Carolina's offensive coordinator.
"I've been slow and particular about wanting to leave," Richt
said. "I knew if I left, it would have to be a place where I could
spend the rest of my life.
"It's not only a perfect place to raise a family, it's a place
where you can win at the highest level."
Richt, 40, has been the Seminoles' offensive coordinator for
seven years, directing some of the nation's highest-scoring teams.
He also has spent 14 years as quarterback coach, sending five
players to the NFL and working with Heisman Trophy winners Charlie
Ward and Chris Weinke.
Richt will remain the Seminoles' offensive coordinator through
the Orange Bowl -- a national championship matchup against Oklahoma
Jan. 3. He indicated he will try to do some recruiting for Georgia
at night by telephone while in Miami.
"It's been a great pleasure having him on our staff," Bowden
said in a written statement. "He and his family have been role
models for our players and fans. We will miss them very much, but
wish them well at Georgia."
Georgia athletics director Vince Dooley and university president
Michael Adams conducted the search. They chose Richt after also
interviewing two NFL assistant coaches: Green Bay Packers receivers
coach Ray Sherman and Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan
Gailey.
Dooley also talked with Southern Mississippi coach Jeff Bower.
Donnan was fired despite a 40-19 record, which included a 37-14
victory over Virginia in the Oahu Bowl on Sunday.
Georgia (8-4) notched four consecutive bowl victories for the
first time in school history. For the first time since the early
1980s, the Bulldogs had eight or more wins four seasons in a row.
Pointing to that record, Donnan criticized the school for
ousting him.
"I think that's going to hurt Georgia in the long run," he
said after the Oahu Bowl. "I never dreamed this would happen, but
it happened. I'm not going to slit my throat over it. ... But I'm
not sure what it says about Georgia."
At the very least, it says the next coach had better take care
of business against the Bulldogs' biggest rivals. Donnan's 6-14
record against Florida, Tennessee, Auburn and Georgia Tech was a
sore spot for Georgia fans.
Donnan also took some parting shots at Adams, believing he was
responsible for his firing. Dooley admitted that he wanted to give
Donnan another season.
"I don't feel any vindication," Donnan said. "I've been
humiliated publicly by one man, who didn't even discuss the
problems he had with me. As far as fund-raising, I had to be one of
the best they've had here. I think I'm respected as a coach
nationally."
Richt also was reported to be one of the top candidates for the
Virginia job, though athletics director Terry Holland denied that
he made an offer.
Just a week ago Dooley expressed concern about having a coach in
place by the first on-campus recruiting weekend, Jan. 12-14.
Georgia receiver Terrence Edwards, MVP of the Oahu Bowl, said
the Bulldogs will embrace their new coach.
"Coach Donnan is like a father to me, but I signed with the
University of Georgia and that's who I play for," Edwards said.
"Whatever the new coach wants me to do, I'll do it."
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VIDEO
  Mark Richt accepts the head coaching position at the University of Georgia. RealVideo: 28.8  Mark Richt feels he can raise a family and a football program in Georgia. wav: 182 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Mark Richt is excited about his new job, but is focused on the Orange Bowl. wav: 151 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
