History of Mark Richt in Timeline

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

February 18, 1960: Mark Richt's Birth

On February 18, 1960, Mark Allan Richt was born in Omaha, Nebraska.

1967: Richt Family Moves to Boulder, Colorado

In 1967, the Richt family relocated to Boulder, Colorado, due to Lou Richt's new job.

1973: Richt Family Moves to South Florida

In 1973, the Richt family moved to South Florida after Lou was transferred, where Mark would eventually graduate from high school.

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.

1982: Georgia's Last Conference Championship Before Richt

The text mentions that Georgia's conference championship in 2002 was their first since 1982.

1987: Katharyn's Graduation and Meeting Mark Richt

In 1987, Katharyn Francis graduated from Florida State with an economics degree, where she met Mark Richt.

1987: Bain's Team Wins National Championship

Tolbert Bain was a starter on the national champion 1987 team.

March 11, 1990: Birth of Jonathan Richt

On March 11, 1990, Jonathan ("Jon") Richt, Mark Richt's son, was born.

1992: Start of SEC Divisional Play and Championship Game

The text notes that the 2002 season marked Georgia's first SEC Championship Game appearance since the league began divisional play and the championship game in 1992.

1993: Florida State Wins National Championship

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

December 1, 1994: Birth of David Richt

On December 1, 1994, David Richt, Mark Richt's son, was born.

1994: Promotion to Offensive Coordinator at Florida State

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

May 15, 1996: Birth of Zach Richt

On May 15, 1996, Zach Richt, Mark Richt's adopted son, was born.

February 13, 1997: Birth of Anya Richt

On February 13, 1997, Anya Richt, Mark Richt's adopted daughter, was born.

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.

1999: Adoption of Zach and Anya

In 1999, Mark Richt and his wife adopted Zach and Anya from Ukraine.

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.

2006: Appearance in Facing the Giants

In 2006, Mark Richt appeared in the movie "Facing the Giants" as the former coach of the main character, Grant Taylor.

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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.

October 25, 2008: ESPN's College GameDay Documentary

On October 25, 2008, ESPN's College GameDay featured a documentary detailing the Richts' adoption of Zach and Anya from Ukraine.

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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: Katharyn Earns Nursing Degree

In 2016, Katharyn Richt earned a nursing degree.

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: Richt Discusses Ethics of Job-Leveraging

In 2018, Mark Richt stated that he feels it is unethical to pursue other jobs due to the trust involved in recruiting and the commitment made to players and coaches.

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.