Mark Richt Hire Was Brilliant Move For Miami Football

Miami announced yesterday that they are hiring former Georgia coach Mark Richt. While it was a brilliant hire, as a Seminole girl it also makes me really nervous. Richt is sure to bring the Hurricanes back to national prominence. He also might be able bring some much-needed class to the beleaguered Hurricanes.

During the 90s Miami was known as much for its legal troubles as it was for its football program. Frankly, the school’s unremitting legal troubles far eclipsed the national titles it managed to acquire throughout the decade. Miami’s football program was constantly found guilty of a litany of abuses. During this period — and this is a far from exhaustive list — Miami faced charges of recruiting violations, positive drug tests, academic cheating and improper use of booster funds. Most recently, the Nevin Shapiro scandal kept the team out of post-season play due to NCAA sanctions.

In addition, the players faced various charges, including many claims of physical altercations, weapons and assault charges, sexual assault charges and credit card fraud. Several students were allowed to play for the Hurricanes but couldn’t even meet the most liberal academic requirements. Indeed, one player scored a 200 on his SAT verbal and was still admitted into the school. Richt never allowed any player onto his team who couldn’t meet the school’s academic obligations.

During Richt’s tenure at Georgia, the school never had any serious charges levied against any of its players. Richt ran a squeaky-clean program, and Miami can only benefit from his brand of tough love.

During the 90s, the rivalry between Florida State and Miami was one of the greatest in college football. Between 1983 and 2002, the two teams combined to win seven national championships and play in 14 bowl games in which the national championship was at stake. However, the past decade has not been kind to the Hurricanes. Since 2005 the team has not finished a season with greater than nine wins and have had two losing seasons — in 2007 and 2014, respectively. This is a massive failure for a team that regularly finished the season undefeated and in the top-five.

Richt ran one of the top programs in the FBS for the past 15 years. If anyone can bring this team back to its former athletic glory, it’s him. If anyone can keep this program out of trouble, it’s him. The ACC needs to be on notice. With Richt at the helm, Miami football is back in a big way.