What's next for Richt and Georgia football?

Richt's biggest fault was not winning the big game.

He had long said that he hoped to retire in Athens, and there was talk of him remaining at Georgia in an off-field capacity, but Monday morning he sounded like he was excited about future possibilities elsewhere. Plus, Maryland's associate athletic director is Damon Evans who was his athletic director at Georgia from 2004 to 2010.

"I appreciate the opportunity of serving the University as well as considering any other options that may present themselves in the future".

It was another disappointing season for Dawgs fans; another season with the Bulldawgs projected to win the SEC East during a season where the team lose to Tennessee, Alabama and Florida as they fell from no. 9 in the county to unranked. "So, why like, year after year are we not winning championships?"

"Just watching guys leave here ready to be a man", Richt said. Virginia Tech introduced former Memphis coach Justin Fuente.

"That remains to be between Mark and myself", he said. I respect everything you are doing for our country. I've been coaching for 33 years straight.

"I love him and I'll miss him at Georgia".

Current UGA defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt - If a coach with the credential of studying under Nick Saban is a hot commodity, why not promote from within?

"I expected it", McGarity said.

Five-star defensive lineman Julian Rochester of McEachern High tweeted on Monday afternoon: "I got a lot on my mind right now", along with a photo of Mark Richt and him.

"If you don't win a championship, it's kind of miserable around here", he said, sitting next to Athletics Director Greg McGarity.

Richt was 145-51 with two SEC championships.

The interim head coach at USC may be a long shot to come to Georgia, especially after taking over the reigns mid-season and leading the Trojans to the Pac-12 title game.

McGarity thanked Richt and Richt's wife, Katharyn, "for 15 years of remarkable service to the UGA community, hundreds of our students and staff, and to college football".

McGarity said he has had mixed feedback from fans. The last time the school won the championship was 1980. The last commitment before Sunday's news was Devwah Whaley, 247Sports' No. 4 tailback nationally out of Beaumont, Texas, who made a nonbinding pledge Thanksgiving.

After playing in the Mountain West title game for three consecutive seasons, the Bulldogs struggled this season.

Mark Richt could be back coaching at a new Power Five job very quickly. A news conference was scheduled for Monday.

Richt was an absolute legend at the college level and there is no denying that he would make a great National Football League coach.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen also could be candidates, according to ESPN. He began his career as a graduate assistant (1985-88).

Sclabach also tweeted that Richt has agreed to coach the team in their upcoming bowl game. He will be paid approximately $2.7 million through next season.

Houston head coach Tom Herman - The former offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer at Ohio State has led the University of Houston Cougar's team to an impressive 11-1 season in the American Athletic Conference.