Fansided

Top-10 coaches most likely to make the jump to the NFL

By Robert Judin

Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin reacts from the sidelines against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin reacts from the sidelines against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt on the sideline during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt on the sideline during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Mark Richt – Georgia Bulldogs

This might be a surprise because the general feel of this list has been coaches with quick rises in popularity over the past few years, but it’s hard to imagine Mark Richt not taking a shot at the NFL soon.

Look, he’s got one of the best head coaching jobs in the country. There are a plethora of coaches who would kill for the opportunity to coach the Georgia Bulldogs, but you have to wonder if Richt’s time with Georgia has run its course.

After compiling 15 years with the Florida State Seminoles as a graduate assistant, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Richt accepted the Bulldogs’ job in 2001.

Since then, he’s led Georgia to 141-50 record. He’s recruited with the best of them and has won nine of the 14 bowl games he’s coached in. He’s produced guys like Matthew Stafford, A.J. Green, Todd Gurley and Tim Jennings — just to name a few.

But a national championship has eluded Richt like Barry Sanders eluded… well, everyone. The one time Richt had Georgia ranked at No. 1 was 2008 in the preseason AP poll. The Bulldogs finished No. 13 that year after a 10-3 season.

What’s funny is a lot of people believe Richt is a great coach, and he is. But for whatever reason, he just hasn’t been able to win a championship with Georgia.

Richt could easily be a candidate for the Jaguars’ job if it opened. The drive from Athens, Ga. to Jacksonville isn’t that far, and it’s not like he’d be starting from scratch.

He’s the longest-tenured coach for the Bulldogs since they had Vince Dooley from 1964 to 1988, but you have to wonder how much is enough for Richt.

Even Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban took their shots in the NFL, and even though it didn’t work out for them, it could work out for Richt. After 15 years with Georgia, he owes it to himself to try.

Next: Brian Kelly

Home/College Football