Mark Richt: Miami got better as a program…position…to be great again
Speaking for the first time since his sudden retirement in December former Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt said that “Miami got better as a program and is in good position to continue to be great again.”
Mark Richt appeared at the Miami Hurricanes spring game in Orlando on Saturday as part of his announcement that he was joining the new ACC Network as an analyst for the upcoming season. The ACC Network will debut on August 22, two days before Miami and Florida kickoff the 150th season of College Football in Orlando.
Richt disputed that his retirement was related to his refusal to fire his offensive staff. Rampant speculation centered around Richt’s son Jon who was previously the Miami quarterbacks coach, and offensive coordinator and running backs coach Thomas Brown. When hired, new head coach Manny Diaz dismissed the entire offensive staff.
Miami had one of the worst offenses in the country in 2018. Their passing game was particularly anemic. The Hurricanes were 105th in total offense last season and 113th in passing. Diaz replaced Brown and Jon Richt with former Alabama QB coach Dan Enos. Enos is the Hurricanes new offensive coordinator and QB Coach.
Richt discussed the Hurricanes QB battle, his reasons for stepping down and his new role. It was Richt’s first conversation with reporters since his retirement announcement almost four months ago. He was asked, among other topics, was his decision to retire due to a loss of passion for the job.
Very excited to join the ACC Network as a College Footbball Analyst! See you in the Fall!
— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) April 20, 2019
"“I felt it was the right time to do it…I felt like Miami would be in better hands. I did it because I thought it was the right time for me and I also thought it would be good for the university. Me knowing it wasn’t time to do it anymore, I didn’t want to fake it. I didn’t want to just do it for the money.For me to know it was time to stop coaching, it was obvious it would be good for everybody…I don’t know how to describe it (his reason for retiring). Sometimes you just know. It wasn’t like I planned it, midseason or a year in advance. When the season was over, I was thinking about the possibility of it.By the time the bowl game was finished, between myself and God and my wife, it was the right thing to do. I am thankful and blessed to be asked to coach at my alma mater.”"
Richt also spoke about the misconceptions about his retirement and his new role with the ACC network which is owned by ESPN. He said that Miami athletic director Blake James never told him to make changes on his coaching staff.
"“(Blake James never) asked me to do anything…He had full faith and confidence in me to lead the team…I want to continue to stay in the game and this is a way to stay in the game. I will hopefully bless people with insight that might be fun for them…I love the game of football.”"
Diaz has been a great mentor to Diaz. Without Mark Richt hiring the Miami native and son of the former Mayor of Miami-Dade to be his defensive coordinator in 2016 Diaz might never have become the Miami Hurricanes head coach. Richt praised Diaz and discussed their dinner meeting within the last month.
"“(We met) more just as friends spending time together. We’ve been friends for a long time in the business. We really didn’t talk shop much. I know Manny is a really sharp guy and understands this place and loves this place. If I was the AD he would be the first guy I would talk to. He’s a great fit.”"
Diaz wasn’t handpicked by Richt and he was not consulted about who his replacement would be. Diaz’s hiring and his buyout from Temple where he was hired 18 days before James lured him back to Coral Gables likely would have been blessed by Richt.
Diaz understands the Miami culture even better than Richt who is a former Miami QB. Diaz is Miami. His brashness and warmth is the perfect combination of what Diaz and the Magic City are all about.
Diaz helped bring the swagger back to the U. The Miami Hurricanes aggressive style of play on defense and the turnover chain have helped reestablish the boastfulness that Miami was known for in the glory years. Diaz hired Enos for the Miami offense to match the assertiveness of the defense.
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Richt was much more subdued and conservative. His personality was a better fit for Boca Raton where he grew up and in Athens, Georgia where he was the head coach for 15 years. His relaxed nature, intellect and knowledge of the game will make him a perfect studio analyst in the ACC Network’s inaugural season.