ATHENS — UGA athletics director Greg McGarity declined to reveal what led to his decision to fire Mark Richt as the longtime football coach of the Bulldogs. McGarity was asked about it at a Monday press conference.

“That will remain between Mark and myself,” McGarity said.

“We had a good mature adult conversation on Sunday morning. For an hour and a half or an hour. Those thoughts remain between Mark and myself.”

Maybe McGarity was just being polite with Richt sitting only a couple of feet next to him at the podium. Maybe McGarity simply wanted to avoid the question.

Richt was asked later why he felt like he was out of a job, and he responded, “I think the expectations have been built to the point where if you don’t win a championship it’s kinda miserable around here. When we don’t make it to Atlanta, I’m miserable, too …

“I think it got to the point where there wasn’t enough confidence that my leadership could get it done. That’s the prerogative of the people in charge, and I understand that.”