UGA family and friends say goodbye and thanks to Mark Richt

Current and former players take to social media to share gratitude and support for Mark Richt:

"I sure am gonna miss these times… No better man in the business, we love you coach." — Aulden Bynum, sophomore at UGA, shared via Twitter

"Best of luck coach! No better man on or off the field." — Cameron Faulkner senior fullback at UGA, via Twitter

"Nothing but praise for @MarkRicht. Thank you for allowing me to walk on after high school and to keep playing the game I love." — Michael Scullin, sophomore guard at UGA, via Twitter

"Man I love coach Miami getting a blessing I'm happy for him and Georgia." — Leonard Floyd, junior outside linebacker at UGA, via Twitter

"Although it's been a roller coaster of a season, this has been my favorite year to date. I can't thank Coach Richt and his coaching staff enough for allowing me to be a part of such a special team. Thank you to the fans and all of DawgNation for your support. Can't wait to do everything possible to help get these seniors to 40 wins. Go Dawgs and God Bless!" — Greyson Lambert, junior quarterback at UGA, via Instagram

"Coach Richt will always be the Head Coach at Georgia 2 me Always No matter what. His Impact far surpassed just football. Love ya CMR 10x10." — Brandon Boykin, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and former UGA player, via Twitter

"I wouldn't be the person I am today without @MarkRicht and he will always have my support. Thank you for everything, Coach." — Arthur Lynch, former UGA tight end, via Twitter

"Hate to see CMR go. Great Coach and even BETTER man. Would do anything for me. UGA is a better place because of you Coach @MarkRicht." — Michael Bennett, former UGA player, via Twitter

"Will always love Coach Richt and wherever he is there will always be piece of me too. #GoCanes #GoDawgs" — Chris Conley, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and former UGA player, via Twitter

Fans and UGA alumni shared favorite memories and thoughts on Richt’s departure via social media and in emails to the AJC:

"On a whim, I approached the coach and told him it was my sister's birthday, and if it were no trouble could he send her a surprise birthday wish. With a sly grin, he asked me her name and took the phone from my hands and began a sincere conversation that lasted at least a couple of minutes. He took his time. He genuinely cared. I don't remember if Georgia won or lost that weekend, but my sister and I talk about that day every year when we meet for her birthday and watch the Dogs and Gators go at it. You see, winning at football is quickly forgotten, but kindness never is. Thank you, and good luck Mark!" — from Joe Morgan

"I never passed up a chance to talk to him when he came to Charlotte. Mark has a way that just makes you feel as if you matter. He is always gracious and personable. He ran a great program at UGA and it is the top job in the country solely because of him. There is nobody better I would want as a Coach today or any other day. Win or lose." — from Stacey Stanely

"As an alumna of the University of Georgia, I was not only excited to meet the coach that has led us to numerous victories, but also the honorable man that has developed so many young football players and men. I assumed that he would simply sign my item and move on to the next person, but I was so pleasantly surprised when he told me that my item was really cool and represented the best of Athens. He was smiling and so polite to everyone and never seemed bothered by the number of pictures we wanted to take. When I think of Coach Richt, I will always think of that patient and humble man that led the Dawg Nation for 15 great years." — from Sumita Dalmia, UGA class of 2010

"After hearing him speak (at the North Carolina Coaches Association annual convention) I waited in line at the front of the auditorium to shake his hand and thank him for what he had done for UGA football. I was wearing one of my UGA SEC champs hats and he told me "Let's see if we can't get you another one of those hats!" I proceeded to leave the auditorium and walk toward the parking lot. As I approached the side door to the stage Coach Richt came out at the same time. I said Hi again and walked with him around the Coliseum complex and talked about Georgia football. One on one, just me and Coach Richt. I love what he brought to our program and absolutely hate that it came to this. He is a great person and will be sorely missed." — from Mike Goyne

"I stood with Coach Richt for just a few, yet wonderful minutes, talking about his kids Anya and Zach. I had a special interest since I too was born in the Ukraine. Coach Richt was gracious with his time." — from Irene Woods

"My favorite quote about Richt, courtesy of my 83-year-old aunt yesterday: 'Why would they fire him? He wins games and looks nice on the sidelines. I bet the next fellow won't be half as good looking!'" — from Rachel Turner-Cantrell

"I went to my brother in laws police academy graduation in 2011 and low and behold (Mark Richt) walked in. After it was over I got a photo taken with him and he took the time to chat with me for about 10 or 15 minutes. He was there to support former (UGA) players who were graduating. One of the highlights of my life." — from Tamara Wells

"I was in church this morning when my phone started blowing up with the news of your departure. I'll admit I was more than distracted. I was sorrowful. Heavy hearted even. I realized this morning, as my friend Catherine so eloquently stated, that I might be a bigger Mark Richt fan than I am a Georgia fan. I did not think that was possible, but that is how I feel today. … Thank you for not settling for just trophies, but instead for making men from boys. Thank you that in your pursuit of winning, you pursued higher things, eternal things, the right things. Thank you for making me the proudest I've ever been to be a Georgia Bulldog. Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done. Farewell, Coach." — from Mary Grace Lyon, UGA class of 2000 via her blog

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By Seth Emerson

seth.emerson@ajc.com

There have been plenty of testimonials of praise the past few days from Mark Richt’s former players. Here’s another one, with a twist — he now plays for another college team.

Sheldon Dawson is a senior cornerback on the football team at Tennessee-Martin, an FCS program. Before that he played three seasons at Georgia, starting once — the 2013 Georgia Tech game — before leaving the team midway through the next season.

Dawson was a highly recruited athlete out of Memphis four years ago, the best recruit in the state of Tennessee, according to several outlets. When he left Georgia’s program three years later, however, he wasn’t forgotten by the team or its coaches. Richt stayed in touch with Dawson, who said his former head coach prayed for him and put him in touch with people who could help him in football and in life.

On Monday, a day after Richt was fired by Georgia after 15 years as head coach, Dawson reached out to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, asking that an open letter about his experience with Richt be printed. Here it is:

“Hide, so I did behind false smiles and timid-ness. Stuck like a kid lost in darkness.

“Hide and Seek … Hide and Seek …

“Seek. What was I looking for? All I could see was the back of my eyelids. All I could hear was pitch black darkness. My hands touched nothingness. My nose was wrapped in the aroma of my own guilt and shame. My taste was overcome with disgust.

“So what do you search for in darkness? Darkness? Myself? I couldn’t find anything. A lost child, and I was susceptible to anything. Willing to serve and do anything for anyone just to receive the satisfaction from any being. Instead of just being myself. But who was that?

“That somebody was Mark Richt, who took a chance with a troubled kid from Memphis. This is an open letter to just say thank you to everybody associated with UGA for allowing me to participate at such an great institution.

“And of course people have been wondering about Sheldon Dawson, Well, coach instilled in me to instill in my kids to Finish the Drill! That’s what I’ll do.

“Thanks Coach!”