Outgoing Georgia football coach Mark Richt has a short-term goal of guiding the Bulldogs to a bowl victory.
His long-term plans are wide open.
Richt and Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity met with the media this morning, less than 24 hours after news broke of Richt's firing after 15 seasons at the helm of the program. McGarity and university president Jere Morehead have offered Richt an undefined role in the athletic department, but the 55-year-old coach isn't committing to anything past his final time on the sideline.
"Since I'm not on the road recruiting right now, I'll have an opportunity to look at a lot of options," Richt said, "and I think there are going to be a lot of options to weigh. I'm blessed in that way and thankful about that, but I'm just not ready to say what I want to do yet. It's very attractive to have the thought of being able to stay in Athens and still be able to help our young people."
Should Richt continue living in or around Athens, he would follow in the footsteps of his three predecessors - Jim Donnan, Ray Goff and Vince Dooley.
Richt could choose a path very different from those three by getting back into coaching. Before his 15 seasons with the Bulldogs, Richt was an offensive assistant at Florida State at 15 years and an offensive assistant at East Carolina for one.
"If and when I do coach again, I'm looking forward to being more hands-on," Richt said. "I miss coaching quarterbacks and I miss calling plays. I miss that part of it, whether it's the role of head coach, coordinator or quarterbacks coach. If, in fact, I do choose to do that, I would be really excited about coaching QBs again and getting in the middle of the offensive strategy."
For more information, read Tuesday's Times Free Press.