In announcing he had a heart attack on Monday morning former Miami football head coach and quarterback Mark Richt relied on his faith.
Former Miami football head coach and quarterback Mark Richt has often spoken openly about begin a devout Christian. His faith guided him during a heart attack on Monday morning. Richt stated he was doing fine as that he went through the heart attack he had peace knowing he would go to heaven but he would miss his wife.
The current ACC Network analyst showed a good sense of humor three hours after his initial tweet acknowledging the heart attack. Richt said “I guess I’m off the cheese balls!” He made the cheese balls famous during the in-studio game watching party during Miami’s season-opening loss to Florida.
After 15 years at Georgia, Richt returned to his alma mater in 2015. The Hurricanes posted a 26-13 record in Richt’s three seasons. Richt abruptly retired following the 2018 season after a 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl that wrapped a 7-6 season. Miami was 9-4 in his first season in 2016, and 10-3 in 2017.
The Hurricanes won their first bowl game in years after Richt’s first season. Miami defeated West Virginia 31-14 in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando. The 2017 Miami football team was the first to win an outright ACC Coastal Division title and appearance in the ACC Championship game. The Hurricanes lost 38-3 to Clemson.
After going 10-2 in 2017 including the loss to Clemson Miami earned a berth in the Orange Bowl on their homefield at Hard Rock Stadium. After taking a 14-3 lead against Wisconsin, the Badgers scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 24-14 lead at halftime. Wisconsin went on to win 34-24.
Prior to his coaching career as an assistant at Florida State and head coach in Athens, Georgia, Richt played QB at Miami from 1978-82. Richt led Miami with 838 passing yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions in 1982 when the Hurricanes finished 7-4. Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly was a teammate of Richt’s.
Richt received well wishes from throughout the sports world. Among those who expressed for Richt to get well were current Miami football head coach Manny Diaz, Sun Sentinel writer Michelle Kaufman, retired Atlanta Braves slugger Chipper Jones and Virginia Tech defensive coordinator, Bud Foster.
Amazingly Richt expects to be back at work this week. The ACC has five football games this weekend. The ACC Network will televise the crossover game between Coastal Division leading Virginia and the Atlantic’s Louisville at 3:30 PM ET. Boston College at Clemson will kickoff at 6:30 PM ET on the ACC Network.