Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mark Richt

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 9, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mark Richt made an impact.

Mark Richt is a former American college football coach and player, now a television analyst. He is most known for his 15-year tenure as head coach at the University of Georgia, where he won two SEC championships and five SEC division titles. He also coached at the University of Miami for three years, winning one ACC division title. Richt received multiple Coach of the Year awards, including SEC Coach of the Year twice and ACC Coach of the Year once. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1978: Richt Starts Playing at University of Miami

In 1978, Mark Richt began playing football at the University of Miami.

1980: Miami Hurricanes Finish Ranked 18th

In 1980, the Miami Hurricanes football team finished with a 9-3 record and were ranked 18th in the country.

1981: Miami Hurricanes Finish Ranked 8th

In 1981, the Miami Hurricanes football team finished with a 9-2 record and were ranked 8th in the country.

1982: Richt Completes Playing at University of Miami

In 1982, Mark Richt completed his playing career at the University of Miami.

1993: Florida State Wins National Championship

In 1993, Florida State University, where Mark Richt was the offensive coordinator, won a national championship.

1994: Promotion to Offensive Coordinator at Florida State

In 1994, Mark Richt was promoted to offensive coordinator at Florida State University.

1999: Florida State Wins Another National Championship

In 1999, Florida State University, where Mark Richt was the offensive coordinator, won its second national championship during his tenure.

2001: Hired as Head Coach of Georgia Bulldogs

In 2001, Mark Richt was hired as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, replacing Jim Donnan.

2002: SEC Coach of the Year and SEC Championship

In 2002, Mark Richt was named SEC Coach of the Year and his Georgia Bulldogs won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship.

2002: Top Ten AP Poll Finish

In 2002, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs finished in the top ten of the final AP Poll.

2002: SEC Championship and SEC East Division Title

In 2002, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship and the SEC East Division title.

2003: SEC Eastern Division Title

In 2003, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs won another SEC Eastern Division title.

2005: SEC Coach of the Year and SEC Championship

In 2005, Mark Richt was again named SEC Coach of the Year and his Georgia Bulldogs won another Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship.

2005: Top Ten AP Poll Finish

In 2005, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs finished in the top ten of the final AP Poll.

2005: Second SEC Championship

In 2005, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs won their second Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship under his leadership.

2007: Top Ten AP Poll Finish

In 2007, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs finished in the top ten of the final AP Poll.

2007: SEC Eastern Division Title

In 2007, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs won another SEC Eastern Division title.

2008: Top Ten Coaches' Poll Finish

In 2008, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs finished in the top ten of the coaches' poll.

2008: Highest Season Ticket Sales Since 2008 at Hard Rock Stadium

Prior to the opener of Mark Richt's first season, the Miami Hurricanes surpassed 40,000 season ticket sales, the highest since they started playing at Hard Rock Stadium in 2008.

2011: SEC Eastern Division Title

In 2011, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs won another SEC Eastern Division title.

2011: Sale of Lake House

In 2011, the Richts sold their lake house in Georgia for nearly $2 million, intending to contribute more to charity.

2012: Top Ten AP Poll Finish

In 2012, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs finished in the top ten of the final AP Poll.

2012: SEC Eastern Division Title

In 2012, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs won another SEC Eastern Division title.

2014: Top Ten AP Poll Finish

In 2014, Mark Richt's Georgia Bulldogs finished in the top ten of the final AP Poll.

December 4, 2015: Named Head Coach of Miami Hurricanes

On December 4, 2015, Mark Richt was named the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, his alma mater.

2015: 2015 Georgia Bulldogs Football Season

In 2015, the Georgia Bulldogs, coached by Mark Richt, started the season as favorites to win the SEC Eastern Division, finishing with a 9-3 record after notable wins and losses to Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee.

May 2016: Donation to Indoor Practice Facility

In May 2016, Mark Richt donated $1 million towards the campaign for a new indoor practice facility at the University of Miami.

July 2016: Launch of 'The U Network'

In July 2016, Mark Richt and his wife Katharyn announced the launch of 'The U Network' to help former players find employment.

2016: Coaching the Miami Hurricanes

In 2016, Mark Richt began serving as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, calling offensive plays and working closely with quarterbacks.

2016: First Season at Miami

In 2016, Mark Richt's first season at Miami concluded with a 9-4 record, including a victory in the Russell Athletic Bowl, and a #20 national ranking in the AP College Football Poll.

2017: Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award

In 2017, Mark Richt received the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award after the Hurricanes peaked nationally with a No. 2 ranking and clinched the ACC Coastal title.

2017: ACC Coach of the Year and Walter Camp Coach of the Year

In 2017, Mark Richt was named ACC Coach of the Year and won the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award.

2017: Most Community Service Hours

In Spring 2017, Mark Richt's team led all Division I FBS Football teams with the most community service hours.

December 30, 2018: Retirement Announcement

On December 30, 2018, Mark Richt announced his retirement from coaching.

2018: Final Season Coaching the Miami Hurricanes

2018 marked Mark Richt's final season as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.

2018: Opening of New Practice Facility

In 2018, the new $34 million practice facility at the University of Miami, which includes an 80,000 square-foot indoor practice field and a 20,000 square-foot football operations center, was slated to open.

2018: Miami's Season Struggles and Pinstripe Bowl Loss

Miami entered the 2018 season ranked eighth but struggled throughout the year, ending with a 7-5 record and a 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl.