Badger of Honor
Fansided

Orange Bowl Preview: Scouting the Miami Hurricanes Coach

By Noah Seligman

DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes watches on against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In preparation for the Orange Bowl we at Badger of Honor want to look at everything Miami Hurricanes.  That starts with sizing up its head coach Mark Richt

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst has a had a successful run in his return to his alma mater.  Thus far, his opposite number in the Orange Bowl is enjoying a similar experience.

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt went 9-4 in 2016, his first season back at his alma mater.  Significantly, the Canes also won its first bowl since the 2006 MPC Computers Bowl.

That was so long ago that the bowl name is a couple names behind.  After the Miami win it was renamed the Humanitarian Bowl and now the Famous Potatoes Bowl.

Related Story: Badger Football Flashback to 2009 Champs Sports Bowl

According to his official University of Miami bio, he played quarterback for the Hurricanes.  Although he was apparently buried on the depth chart behind future NFL greats like Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosas, and Vinny Testaverde.

Richt spent 15 years piloting Georgia and had quite a run in Athens for the Bulldogs before they parted ways with him.

"He compiled a 145-51 overall record and an 85-40 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Georgia won two SEC championships, six SEC East titles and nine bowl games under Richt, and finished the season in the Associated Press Top-10 rankings seven times"

He was an offensive coordinator at Florida State before getting the Georgia job.  So the offense is obviously his preferred side of the ball.

Related Story: Badgers Earn AP All American Honors

This year, the Canes raced to a 10-0 start and a #2 national ranking.

They of course stumbled in their final two games of the 2017 season.  Nonetheless, Miami fans have to be pleased to have Richt as the man in charge.

Richt has already earned a couple coaching accolades.  He was named the ACC Coach of the Year which obviously was before the ACC Championship Game.

Next: 5 Questions with Canes Warning about Miami

Richt was also named the Walter Camp Coach of the Year.  The only other Miami coach to win that one was Jimmy Johnson back in 1986.

So the Orange Bowl will highlight a pair of proud if understated alums leading their schools.  Both Wisconsin and Miami have to believe they have the right coach now and for the future.