Heisman winner remembers Mark Richt as a coach during his Miami playing days

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami football icon Vinny Testaverde was what he remembered about Richt during their playing days together for the Hurricanes. Richt was a senior when Testaverde was a freshman.

He thought about it for a second. His answer made him flash a big grin.

“He was always just a person that reached out to help you when asked,” Testaverde said. “He was just a genuine person.”

Testaverde always had questions. Richt even finished those drills with every answer. Defensive calls. Defensive fronts. Offensive reactions.

Testaverde wanted to know why the offense did specific things.

“I don’t know what his mindset was or what he was thinking,” Testaverde said. “Was this a pesky freshman bugging me with questions every day? That he was a backup quarterback trying to prepare for a game. He would take the time to answer every question whether it was a good one or a bad one and he would take the time to sit there and explain it. He was my coach. That’s one of the things I have always remembered about him.”

Testaverde said he could see himself becoming more visible around the program in the days ahead with Richt leading the program.

“We call him a coach,” Testaverde said. “But he’s a teacher. He’s going to teach my kid and all the boys about football. But he’s also going to teach them about life. He’s preparing them for football but also their life after they leave here.”