Mark Richt shares personal emotions for Orange Bowl matchup

Mark Richt has some deep connections to both Georgia and Florida State.

The Bulldogs and Seminoles will be playing each in the other in the Orange Bowl on Saturday. Richt coached at Georgia from 2001-2015 and finished with a record of 145-51 while in Athens. He was also a Florida State assistant from 1990-2000 on Bobby Bowden’s staff. Richt last coached at Miami from 2016-2018.

Richt owes a lot to Tallahassee and Athens as a whole. Here’s what Richt had to say about his emotional ties to the game:

“As I’m preparing for the clash between FSU and UGA a flood of emotions are running thru my heart,” said Richt. “15 years at FSU where Coach Bowden led me to Christ in 1986 and I met my beautiful wife, Katharyn. 15 years in Athens where our kids grew up and where we still call home! I love

them both!”

The Bulldogs have a chance to ruin Florida State’s hopes of an undefeated season. The Seminoles come into the matchup at 13-0 after beating Louisville in the ACC title in their last game. The last time that Georgia and Florida State played was in the 2003 Sugar Bowl when Richt was the head coach in Athens.

Georgia and Florida State battle at Hard Rock Stadium at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.