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The dust has mostly settled on the Georgia Bulldogs firing long-time head coach Mark Richt. Athletic director Greg McGarity, who hired Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart to replace Richt, is ready to move on.
But are the fans ready?
The reaction from Bulldogs fans on Twitter regarding the Richt firing and new coach has been mixed at best. Some fans have predicted that at some point down the line, Georgia will regret firing Richt.
UGA Fan Posts Touching Mark Richt Tribute Video https://t.co/xmCfi6Q6La #georgia #uga pic.twitter.com/lR0NDsYbGj
— fb.com/aboutAthens (@aboutAthens) December 8, 2015
Grass is always greener syndrome..
Winner-Miami Loser-Georgia
IMO our profession has taken a hit when 9/10 wins isn't enough! @MarkRicht— John Perry (@jperry_nixa) December 3, 2015
I wish #KirbySmart well at #UGA. But save this tweet and mark my words: "Georgia will regret letting #MarkRicht go." pic.twitter.com/30xLE0VIBQ
— GDawgDad (@JoeTheAnnouncer) December 8, 2015
Many admins/fan bases get greedy & forget to be happy with what they currently have in a coach. Georgia canning Mark Richt is great example.
— Adam Prescott ?♂️ (@APrescott614) December 7, 2015
@MarkRicht Georgia gonna regret losing you! Sad to see Wins and money top character and christlike leaders
— Mason Allen (@masonallenuga77) December 7, 2015
There are even a select few that suggest Bulldogs fans will root for the Miami Hurricanes as a sort of “second team” because of Richt.
@MarkRicht Well, you now have a lot of Georgia fans who will be cheering on the "U" as well as the Dawgs!
— Dennis Rice (@DennisRice) December 7, 2015
Others, though, will also be loyal to the program first and foremost no matter who is at the helm. There is also a fresh excitement at Georgia about the new possibilities with Smart.
https://twitter.com/JJStauber/status/674319325705216000
https://twitter.com/JJStauber/status/674338539291701248
Excited to see what Kirby Smart has in store for this program
— Dawg Nation (@DawgFball) December 9, 2015
Georgia fans have also been very mixed on the final address Richt gave to his players. Richt told them “life is about people, not rings. Rings collect dust.” Those words have become viral on several social media outlets.
Although the quote does make the general fan stop and realize that there is more to life than winning, some diehard fans are never going to accept that. The drive to win at all cost is what many people want in their football coach.
“Life is about people, not rings. Rings collect dust.” – Coach Mark Richt's parting words to the UGA Football team. pic.twitter.com/ETxE8nlurP
— Drew Molitoris (@DrewMolitoris) December 7, 2015
The rings Mark Richt won at Georgia did collect dust…because they are 10 and 13 years old!! You play to win the game!!
— Kirby Smart (@NotKirbySmart) December 6, 2015
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
