Miami

Mark Richt Talks Miami Hurricanes Football, Faith and Family Before National Signing Day

What to Know

  • For Miami Hurricane football coach Mark Richt, the decision to return to his alma mater was about winning.
  • Richt says the Canes are headed in the right direction, and there are no guarantees when it comes to any position - including quarterback.
  • His faith and family - whom you could see on the sidelines on any given game day, including his son and UM assistant Jon – are his priority.

They say home is where the heart is, but for Miami Hurricane football coach Mark Richt, the decision to return to his alma mater was about winning.

“A lot of people thought I took the job because it was my school, but I really took the job because we could win,” Richt told NBC 6’s Jackie Nespral.

A big part of winning in college football is recruiting. With National Signing day on Wednesday, how does he convince the talented high players from South Florida to stay close to home?

“We do a good job at targeting the ones we think are Miami type guys and we go after them and we’ve had a high level of success,” he said.

A big motivating factor - remember that famous chain?

“The beauty of it was the excitement that it created with our players and the excitement it created with our fan base,” the second year coach said. “I think a lot of people are jealous of it and others are trying to copy it.”

What started as a Cinderella season for the Hurricanes – winning their first 10 games, including their first victory over rival Florida State since 2009 and being ranked as high as second nationally at one point – did not quite end. But Richt says the Canes are headed in the right direction, and there are no guarantees when it comes to any position - including quarterback.

“Everyone on our team will have to compete for their job, that’s what makes Miami great,” said Richt. “Competition brings out the best in everyone, so Malik (Rosier) is going to compete and everyone else is going to compete.”

South Florida has had its share of coaches promising to stay and then leaving, so is the NFL in the sights of this 57-year-old?

“I have no desire to coach in the NFL. I want to coach these guys, I want to finish my career at the University of Miami,” he said.

Richt has been known for being a devout Christian, something that he credits former FSU head coach Bobby Bowden for instilling in him when Richt was a longtime assistant with the Seminoles. His faith and family - whom you could see on the sidelines on any given game day, including his son and UM assistant Jon – are his priority.

“Everything starts with my relationship with God. That’s number one,” he said. “The biggest decision I’ve made in my life, but as far as my family, number two is my wife Catherine."

"We’ve been best friends for years. I can tell everyone that if you’re empty nesters and you’re still madly in love with your wife, then it’s a good thing.”

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