Former Georgia coach Mark Richt takes subtle dig at Florida during ACC schedule release show

Former Georgia head coach Mark Richt is a current analyst for ESPN’s ACC Network, and during their schedule release show on Monday made an interesting comment regarding the Bulldogs’ rivalry with the Florida Gators.

Richt coached the Bulldogs for 15 seasons between 2001-2015 and is more than familiar with the rivalry nicknamed the “world’s largest outdoor cocktail party”, which is played in Jacksonville every year at a neutral site. But Richt made a comment about that neutral site location, showing some discontent with it’s specific location.

“Now, there’s a late neutral site (game) I used to coach in,” Richt said. “Georgia-Florida in Jacksonville. Which, wasn’t really much of a neutral site to be honest with you.”

Richt’s statement may have to do with his track record versus the Gators, as he tended to struggle during his tenure with Georgia when facing them with a 5-10 against Florida in his 15 seasons at the helm. The game will continue to be played in Jacksonville through 2023 based on its current contract, with options to extend for 2024 and 2025.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has expressed interest in the rivalry game being played on a home-and-home basis, which would bring the rivalry to the school’s respective campuses for the first time since 1932. But only time will tell if the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party from it’s ‘neutral’ Jacksonville location.

Billy Napier provides his thoughts on potential changes to Florida-Georgia rivalry

Florida versus Georgia is one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football, a game that has been played at a neutral site in Jacksonville, FL since 1933. UGA head coach Kirby Smart has expressed that he’d would prefer for that rivalry to be a home and home matchup instead, and at SEC media day new Florida head coach Billy Napier was asked for his opinions on the matter.

“You know I got asked that question earlier, I think the big thing is I want to experience the game first. I’d like to see that game in Jacksonville, experience that game before I have an opinion on that. But you know there’s a lot of credibility to both right, a home and home obviously would be fantastic but there’s also some tradition there, there’s a rivalry there,” Napier said.

The game has been nicknamed the “world’s largest outdoor cocktail party” and has only not been played in Jacksonville seven times due to the construction of a new stadium. According to the Mayor of Jacksonville, game is slated to be played until 2023, with an option to extend to 2025. Smart views the current format as a missed opportunity, and with 2023 right around the corner it’ll be interesting to see if the the rivalry changes locations in the near future.

“Time will tell, I agree that’s above my pay grade but I’m looking forward to the opportunity to participate in the game,” Napier said.