Former University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt is being courted by some in the Republican Party as a potential gubernatorial candidate.
Only in the SEC could a football coach be deemed unfit to run the state’s flagship football program, but still perceived as qualified to become governor. That’s just what might happen in Georgia if several key Republicans get their way. The Republican Party is reportedly recruiting Richt to run for Governor, but it’s still more likely that he takes another job in college football.
Most fans around college football knew that Richt would be a hot commodity after being ousted by Georgia, but few saw this possibility coming. Reportedly, political officials are drawn to Richt because of his experience in public speaking and withstanding the glare of the public spotlight. They think the same qualities that made him an effective coach for UGA over the years could translate well into politics.
There is some logic in that line of thinking, but it’s still a very strange potential move. Sure, other big names from college athletics have transitioned to the political arena, but typically they don’t skip right to the governor’s mansion. It would seem much more appropriate for Richt to dip his toe in the political waters of the state before diving right in.
The most hilarious aspect of Richt running for Governor is that the same people who called for his head as a football coach, would happily turn around and vote him into the state’s most prestigious position. If that doesn’t say SEC football I’m not sure what does.
Thinking of the potential political debates if Richt were to run for Governor is also high comedy. Would a Democratic opponent potentially question Richt on his play calling against Florida? Maybe hard-line Republicans would question Richt as to why he never ran any running plays to the left.
In all seriousness, the possibility of Richt running for Governor is quite interesting, but not all that likely. He’s still being courted by a number of high-level football schools that would love to bring him in immediately. Whether it be Miami, Maryland or someone else, it’s a pretty safe bet that Richt will be back on the sidelines next year.
It’s a safe bet that Mark Richt knew he’d have a lot of job opportunities in the event that Georgia let him go. I just don’t think he knew that becoming Georgia’s next governor was going to be on the list of potential new positions.