Next hire huge for Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity's legacy

ATHENS -- It was easy to see the contrast between the two men at the podium Monday morning.

Outgoing Georgia head coach Mark Richt spoke first. With a slight smile, Richt delivered a heartfelt opening statement. He thanked everyone from Vince Dooley and Michael Adams, the two men responsible for hiring him, all the way down to the Georgia band, the cheerleaders and the Bulldogs fan base in typical Richt fashion.

When Richt concluded, McGarity began. With a statement half the length, McGarity delivered a rehearsed thank you to Richt, emphasizing the difficulty of the decision.

"Days like (Sunday) are the most difficult in our profession, especially dealing with someone who has the character of Mark Richt," McGarity said. "And we sincerely appreciate Mark's professionalism at all times."

The entire time, McGarity's glasses sat halfway down his nose, complementing a stern expression without a smile.

That tone carried throughout the news conference. Richt continually responded positively to tough questions, expressing his gratitude for his opportunity at Georgia without harboring any ill will toward McGarity or anyone who had a hand in his firing.

"It's part of the business," Richt said. "It's not all that shocking to think it could happen."

"You can tell everybody that I'm going to be fine. My wife and I will be fine. We're empty-nesters. We're still madly in love. We'll probably get to do some things we just haven't been able to do in the past. I've been coaching for 33 years straight ,and that's a long grind. It can wear a man out a little bit."

McGarity, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to get the news conference over as quickly as possible. Highlighting this contrast was one particular exchange, when McGarity was asked about the impending coaching search.

"Again, this is about Mark's day," McGarity said. "I really won't have hardly anything to say about the search. I think it's not appropriate right now. In due time, I'm sure a new head coach will be announced."

Richt followed up that answer, unprompted, with a long diatribe about the message he's delivering to the players about being respectful to whoever the new coach is and about carrying themselves in a way that sets a good precedent for his replacement. McGarity's response to the question took 44 words. To the same question, one that he wasn't even asked, Richt dropped a 305-word response.

Adding to the apparent discomfort, McGarity continually deflected questions at the podium.

Like on why Richt was fired, even after Richt had just delivered a lengthy response himself on the matter.

"That remains to be between Mark and myself," McGarity said. "We had a good, mature, adult conversation on Sunday morning for an hour or hour-and-a-half or so. Those things will really remain between Mark and myself."

And about defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, who has garnered large player support on Twitter with #KeepPruitt tweets.

"I'd rather us to focus on Mark," McGarity said. "We can talk about those things later. (Monday's) all about Mark and the decision that was reached (Sunday). I'd just prefer to defer those to a later date."

There's no wonder McGarity looks to be under plenty of pressure, because there is pressure on him to find the right coach. Richt is likely to have plenty of job offers in the coaching realm and elsewhere.

McGarity acknowledged the importance on this hire on his legacy.

"I think every hire does," McGarity said. "That's the role and the responsibility of athletic directors just as the other positions around the country like this. It's just a part of our job. You're right. We are judged upon the success of particularly football because of the interest and revenue it does generate for our programs, for sure. I know that, and I'm accountable for everything here. I understand that. I accept that responsibility."

One man who isn't a stranger to decisions like this is the former head coach and athletics director Dooley, who attended Monday's news conference. Dooley spoke of his decision to fire Ray Goff, a former player whom he greatly respected. He called that firing "the most difficult one" he ever had to make.

So Dooley knows the pressures that come with what's next for McGarity, and he's glad he's not in McGarity's shoes.

"There's a lot of good (coaches) out there," Dooley said. "I'm just glad I don't have to make the decision, let's put it that way."

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 10:02 PM with the headline "Next hire huge for Georgia athletics director Greg McGarity's legacy ."