ATHENS, Ga. — Former longtime University of Georgia head coach Mark Richt was honored inside Sanford Stadium during the middle of the UGA-Ole Miss game Saturday night.
Richt, who led the Dawgs for 14 years from 2001 to 2015, was presented with a Hall of Fame plaque by UGA, National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Football Hall of Fame with an on-campus salute in front of nearly 93,000 strong.
“During his 18 years as a head coach, Mark Richt established himself as one of the top coaches in the history of college football, winning nearly 72 percent of his games at Georgia and Miami (FL) and never failing to make the postseason and landing himself in the NCAA record books among the all-time winningest coaches,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “We are thrilled to honor him at Sanford Stadium as a member of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class.”
Richt will be officially inducted into the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame in December.
Richt is the second-most winningest coach in UGA's esteemed history, with Bulldog legend Vince Dooley the only man ahead of him. Richt, who is beloved in the Athens community for his high character and genuine kindness, won 74% of his games while in Athens, which ranks first all-time on non-active Georgia coaches.
He also led the Dawgs to 15 straight bowl appearances, which included three New Year's Six bowls (Sugar Bowl in 2002, 2005 and 2007). He also coached UGA to five SEC Championships (2002, 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2012) during his time. He was recognized with SEC Coach of the Year honors in 2002 and 2005. Richt is the 10th-winningest coach in SEC history.
The 61-year-old Richt was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2021, indicating at the time the disease had begun to affect him physically, noting he received questions about how he had been walking -- prompting him to make the announcement a little more than two years ago.
You can check out the plaque Richt received below:
