Mark Richt is headed back from where he came.
The former Georgia coach has agreed to become the head coach at the University of Miami, where he played quarterback from 1979-1982, according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt. Miami announced on Thursday that it will introduce its new head coach at 10 a.m. ET on Friday. Richt decided he will not coach the Bulldogs in their bowl game, Georgia announced on Thursday.
Richt exited the Georgia job less than a week ago in what was described by athletic director Greg McGarity as a "mutual" parting. Richt drew interest from multiple schools, saying earlier this week that he had heard from five of them, but ultimately settled on the school for which he once played.
It was only fitting that Richt settled at his alma mater, as former Georgia defensive back Kirby Smart is set to replace Richt for the Bulldogs. Georgia's assistant head coach, Bryan McClendon, is serving as the the Bulldogs' interim head coach, the school announced. McClendon also coaches wide receivers.
Brandt also predicted that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano would get the Rutgers job, where he has coached before, and that Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would be hired at South Carolina.
Miami fired former coach Al Golden in midseason, following a 58-0 loss to Clemson. The Hurricanes rebounded from the loss and finished the season 8-4. Former Miami offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, now of the Buffalo Bills, left no doubt about his opinion of Richt, as opposed to Golden, for whom he played.
Richt compiled a 145-51 record in 15 seasons with the Bulldogs.
He faces plenty of challenges at his former school, not the least of which are sagging attendance, a weakened recruiting footprint, and a stadium that is a 45-minute drive from campus. In five seasons at UM, Golden was just 17-18 in ACC play.
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