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Fans react to firing of Mark Richt

ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia students and fans have mixed reactions to the school's decision to release football coach Mark Richt, who has been a part of Bulldogs football for more than a decade.

News of Richt's era coming to an end spread quickly on the University of Georgia campus.

Some fans Channel 2's Matt Johnson spoke with say they're torn on how to deal with the fact that Georgia's football coach of 15 years will no longer walk the sidelines.

"I was really sad for him, because he's such a good guy and all the people he's impacted," student Garrett Wright.

According to UGA, Richt stepping down as head coach was a mutual agreement.

He led the Bulldogs to 145 wins under his command, but along the way fans remember some disappointing losses, including the 2015 season.

"Losing to Alabama hurt, being such a big game, losing to Tennessee wasn't good," Wright said. "So there were definitely questions, but I've always been a big Richt fan."

Not everyone on campus says they are Richt fans, especially after a tough 24-point road loss to Florida in October.

"We needed some sort of spark in that game. I think he totally mishandled that game," student Kurt Keiser said.

The university says Richt will stay on to coach the team in its upcoming bowl game.

After that, Richt could take another position with the university.

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