Reaction on the streets of Athens to Richt's firing: 'That ain't right'

There was no small amount of celebrating in the Bulldog Nation Sunday at the deposing of Mark Richt.

But on the streets of Athens, many people spoke of the loss of Richt the man rather than Richt the coach.

“He’s such a stand-up guy,” said Carissa Smith of Washington, Ga., who was having dinner with her husband, Robert, and their small children in downtown Athens. “Just as a spectator watching him over the years, he was not afraid to express his love of God. That has been a breath of fresh air. He prayed with his players. You just don’t see that sort of thing nowadays where people aren’t afraid to show they care for other people.”