Richt will not coach UGA in bowl game, sources say

ATHENS, Ga. — Mark Richt will not coach UGA in its bowl game, a source told Channel 2’s Zach Klein.

The news comes one day after Richt agreed to take the head coaching job at the University of Miami, sources told Klein.

The decision is a complete reversal from Richt’s statements during a news conference Monday.

Richt spoke with enthusiasm when asked about his agreement to coach the Bulldogs in a bowl game.

"Oh man, I was very thankful for the opportunity, are you kidding me?" Richt said Monday. "To coach one more time with these guys and finish the season? I was all for that. If it wasn't offered to me, I would have asked for it. I'm very excited about that."

https://twitter.com/ZachKleinWSB/status/672496438518128640

Sources told Klein that Richt started crying heavily and became very emotional when he spoke to the team Thursday afternoon.

He told the players that he originally wanted to coach them in the bowl game and had all intention of doing so and taking a year off, but then the Miami opportunity came up and he couldn’t pass it up.

Long snapper Nathan Theus tweeted this after the meeting.

https://twitter.com/NTheus49/status/672504046364815360

Klein learned Bryan McClendon, who coaches wide receivers, will coach the Bulldogs final game of the season.

https://twitter.com/ZachKleinWSB/status/672502920823316480

"I've asked Bryan to assume all administrative duties of the head coach," Athletic Director Greg McGarity said in a news release. "This will be the least disruptive option for our players and staff as they begin preparations for our bowl game."

All other coaches will resume their normal duties.

WSBTV