Former UGA Coach Richt Discloses Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

GEORGIA — Former Georgia football coach Mark Richt announced Thursday night via social media that he has Parkinson’s disease.

“I have been waddling around lately and people asked me what’s wrong,” Richt wrote in a post to Twitter. “I’ve decided to tell everyone at the same time. I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.”

Richt, 61, made the announcement just a few days after a celebrity golf tournament he attended in Athens, which was sponsored by former Bulldog and current ESPN broadcaster David Pollack. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported “several individuals” that saw Richt there on Monday said that he “did not look well.”

In March, Richt and his wife Katharyn set up a second household in Athens to be near his children and grandchildren. Richt continues to maintain a primary residence in Florida, where he coached the Miami Hurricanes from 2016 to 2018.

Before that, Richt coached the Bulldogs from 2001 to 2015. While in Athens, his teams won two Southeastern Conference championships, played in nine bowl games and finished in the Associated Press’s top 10 seven times. With 145 wins, Richt is second only to Vince Dooley as Georgia’s winningest coach.

“Truthfully I look at it as a momentary light affliction compared to the future glory in heaven,” Richt tweeted. “Thank you Jesus for promising us a future blessing of a glorified body that has no sin and no disease. In the meantime I am going to enjoy the blessings I do have.”

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— Mark Richt (@MarkRicht) July 1, 2021