By Matt Osborne
SouthernPigskin.com

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The addition of the one of the most respected coaches in the country has already served to increase the expectations for Miami in the minds of most around the conference.

After having faced years of intense scrutiny and uncertainty in regards to his job security while at the University of Georgia, it would be natural to assume that Miami head coach Mark Richt would be feeling less stress as he begins his tenure in Coral Gables.

Despite playing college footballs toughest conference, Richt was able to lead the Bulldogs program for an astonishing 15 seasons, solidifying his status as one of the top coaches in college football. During his time in Athens, Richt produced an overall record of 145-51, won five division titles and took home two conference championships.

Ultimately, though, many Georgia fans felt that the program had stagnated under his watch. Although Georgia won an average of nine games over his final three seasons at the school, many fans felt that he had failed to lead the program to the echelon of the elite.

The opportunity to come back to his alma mater to take over a Miami program that has undoubtedly underachieved since entering the ACC a decade ago certainly comes with lower immediate expectations than he faced at Georgia.

But that doesnt necessarily mean that Richt is experiencing less stress or pressure than he felt during his time with the Red and Black.

Of course, those who know him best already know that Richt, in spite of constant ramblings from the outside world. Has never really been one to let the pressure get to him.

x9cThere’s pressure in this job of head coach,x9d Richt responded when asked about the stress of his new job. x9cI mean, there’s certain deadlines you have to meet, certain things you’re responsible for. A lot of things have to happen. There’s pressure to get the job done, so to speak. I think whether you stress out about it is up to you. I’ve tried not to stress out about much of anything. I have a solid faith that the Lord is going to take care of me. All I can really control is what I can control. That’s how hard we work, how do we prepare, how do we treat our players, how do we go about our business in recruiting, are we doing the things in the right way. I focus more on the process of doing things right. I feel like the results will come.x9d

As has almost always been the case at Miami, the Hurricanes certainly appear to have the talent and athleticism necessary to be a major contender in the Coastal Division this fall.

It has long been held by many college football experts that Miamis biggest problem in recent years has been the lack of a steadying presence at head coach.

The addition of the one of the most respected coaches in the country has already served to increase the expectations for the program in the minds of most around the conference.

Rather than focusing in on the tangible results, though, Richt says that he is focused in winning in the areas of competing and preparation. A victory in those areas, he feels, will lead to as natural correlation on the scoreboard during the season.

x9cThe thing that people want to ask, x98How do you think the team is going to do, all that. I really don’t know for sure,x9d Richt said at ACC Media Days in Charlotte. x9cThe only thing I promised is that we’re going to work hard and try to do things the way everybody will be proud of us, just a team that will play hard, play physical, be a disciplined bunch, just get after it. Sometimes I think fans can see when a team is playing hard. I think fans can see when a team is well-coached and is pouring their hearts out. All we can do is ask our student-athletes to work as hard as they can, prepare the best they can, play as hard as they can. These guys are doing it.x9d

Those who have followed Richt throughout his career know that he is one of the most respected head men in the country not simply because of what his teams have been able to accomplish on the gridiron, but perhaps even more so because of how he has conducted himself as a leader of young men with the values he has attempted to instill in the program.

His emphasis on molding young men is something which have players have already come to respect and appreciate.

x9cHe’s come in, been honest with us from a start,x9d said Hurricanes punter Justin Vogel. x9cBeen a great guy. He’s not only tried to improve us as players but as men. He’s done many things for us in the community, pushed us in the community to be better people. He’s trying to get us new things, like better meals at the dining hall, some things outside of football that some coaches may overlook but players appreciate.x9d

At the end of the day, Miami hit a Giancarlo Stanton-sized home run in its hire of Richt.

The athleticism still exists within the program, as it seemingly always has.

Now, however, it appears that the Hurricanes finally have a head coach capable of developing and molding that talent into a championship-caliber team.

Dont be surprised if the Hurricanes reach the levels for which they are currently striving sooner rather than later.