ATHENS – The long line of people started at the top of the stairs and snaked back-and-forth through bookshelves on the second floor of the UGA Bookstore. It ended with Mark Richt behind plexiglass, smiling and laughing with a jar full of black Sharpies while signing books.
One after the other after the other after the other.
Three hours later, UGA was out of books and Richt was out of energy. It can be exhausting being Mark Richt in Athens.
The Georgia Bulldogs’ beloved former football coach was back in the shadows of Sanford Stadium on Thursday afternoon promoting his new book, “Make the Call: Game Day Wisdom for Life’s Defining Moments.“ It’s an interesting work that’s very reflective of the man himself, partially about football and partially about negotiating life as a Christian.
“The funniest thing I heard was somebody in line said, ‘I hope there’s some spiritual things in this book,’” Richt shared Thursday night after the book signing was over. “Then the other person says, ‘It’s coach Richt’s book. What do you expect?’ I got a good chuckle out of that.”
Yes, there definitely are some “spiritual things” in this book. In fact, booksellers had had a tough time categorizing it. In some stores and online depositories it is found in the sports and football sections. In others, it is located among Christian books and something called “Christian Men’s Issues.”
Richt’s book is doing well in all those categories, by the way. It has remained ranked No. 1 in Christian men’s issues almost since its launch Aug. 31. As for current football books, generally it trails only the new release by Kirk Herbstreit, “Out of the Pocket.”
“For the most part, it’s doing well,” Richt said. “People that have read it and have called me or talked to me about having sincerely enjoyed it. A lot of them have said they read it in a day or two. So that’s nice to hear.”
Author is just the latest in the continuous reinvention that Richt has undergone since retiring as a college football coach in 2018. Richt, of course, was Georgia’s head coach for 15 years, from 2001-15. He then led the program at Miami, his alma mater, for three years before retiring.
Since then he has worked as an analyst for ACC Network. Earlier this year, he drew attention with his public announcement that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In between, Richt had a heart attack.
At Georgia, Richt mostly remains revered. He’ll always be known as the coach that revived the Bulldogs’ football program after going two decades without winning an SEC championship. Richt led the Bulldogs to the 2002 title in just his second season as coach and would win another championship in 2005. Georgia came up just short several other times while Richt posted a record of sustained success but never could run down that elusive national title. Richt went 145-51 – an average of nearly 10 wins a year – as the Bulldogs’ head coach and finished first or second in the East 10 times during his tenure.
Georgia’s appreciation for Richt seems to get only greater over time. On Nov. 6, before Georgia’s game against Missouri, the school is going to honor him in pregame ceremonies.
“(Richt’s wife) Katharyn and I are really excited about that,” Richt said. “Georgia has always been very special to us.”
And Richt to Georgia. So many people were turned away during Thursday’s book signing that Richt is considering doing another one when he comes back then. But it will depend on whether time and the to-be-determined kickoff for that game will permit.
Now 61, Richt moved back to the Athens suburb of Watkinsville part time to be close to his children and grandchildren. But it has been rare that he ventured this far onto campus, where he poured his heart and soul into a job for for 15 years.
It was cathartic, he said.
“It’s a good feeling that people want to buy the book and just want to come say hi,” Richt said.
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