Miami Hurricanes athletic director Blake James has announced that former Georgia head coach Mark Richt will become the university's next head coach, according to the Hurricanes team website.
"I'm just very excited to be home," said Richt in his opening press conference, via ESPN. "I do understand what's expected of me. We will earn the right for victory."
"Coach Richt embodies the competitiveness, the integrity, the passion, the abilities, and the experience to lead our young men to ACC and national championships and help them become men of character and success long after," said James. "His passion for the game of football and for his student-athletes is evident in everything he does and we could not be more excited to welcome Mark and Katharyn and their family to Coral Gables."
Richt played under Howard Schnellenberger at Miami in the 1980s, and the university held a press conference Friday morning to announce Richt as the 24th head coach in the program's history. "Returning to 'The U' is truly an honor and I am humbled by the responsibility of leading our storied program," said Richt, via ESPN. "I can't wait to get started. We are blessed to have the opportunity to come to a world-class institution and world-renowned city."
Richt resigned as the Georgia head coach this past Sunday after posting a 9-3 record in the SEC. Georgia has announced that assistant coach Bryan McClendon will serve as the interim head coach for the Bulldogs for their bowl game, according to the Associated Press. Richt had a record of 145-51 as the Bulldogs' head coach in 15 seasons. Richt has already meet with his new team Friday morning, as that was his first order of business as the Hurricanes' new head coach.
The Hurricanes finished the 2015 season with an 8-4 record and fired head coach Al Golden midseason after taking the worst loss in the program's history. Richt will inherit a top college quarterback in Brad Kaaya and will look to have talented roster that will compete for an ACC title in 2016. Richt threw up the "U" sign with his hands at the end of his press conference, making it official that Richt has returned to Miami.
