Katharyn Richt, First Lady of the Bulldogs
by Rebecca Carter

She’s described by football players, community and church members as consistently positive and upbeat, congenial and kind. She’s also incredibly genuine, fun and Christ-centered. As the wife of University of Georgia Head Football Coach Mark Richt, Katharyn Richt is involved in her community, actively supporting the fight against cancer, serving as the watergirl for the Bulldogs and is the mother of four: Jonathan, David, Zach and Anya. Her perspective on life, family and football through the filter of her personal relationship with Christ not only is enlightening and encouraging, but also one from which to learn.

Check out the first of two BTB articles based on a recent interview with the incomparable Mrs. Richt.

Rebecca Carter: How did you come up with the idea to be the watergirl for the Georgia football team?
Katharyn Richt: When my children were younger, I used to go to practice and hang out and get to know the boys. When Mark just coached one position, I got to know those boys very well and spent time with them; but being the head coach’s wife, I wasn’t getting to know any of the boys really well, so I felt disassociated.

But now I love it! Being the watergirl is a way for me to stay busy during the game. Even though it’s just a simple little thing of doing the water and ice, that’s my way of being a part of their Saturday and what my husband, those boys and the other coaches work so hard for. It’s my little way of giving back.

RC: I think that’s phenomenal! How do the players react to your being on the sideline?
KR: Oh, they’re sweet, (she laughs). When they come up to the table, sometimes they see me there and sometimes they don’t. They’re focused on the game. But if something happens, I’ll say, “That’s OK. Keep your head up.” And they’ll say, “Yes, ma’am” (laughs).

RC: Are you competitive?
KR: Oh, yeah! I want to win. I definitely want to win. But if I don’t, I’m going to figure out what’s the next best thing. I’m going to start looking toward the next game. My thing becomes helping Mark get over the loss, encouraging him and pointing out the positive things that might have happened, and telling him what good boys the players are.

I just try to encourage him and give him space. During the season, they actually don’t have much time to dwell on games, because they have to get ready for the next one. So, I don’t ever critique him or anybody else. Like I said, I’ll just point out some of the positive things I saw. “Well, you know, I saw Matthew walking down the sidelines patting the boys on the butt, trying to get them revved up, and I saw some leadership going on.” I might point out that kind of thing.

RC: What advice do you have for other coaches’ wives?
KR: I would tell them that, on their wedding day, when they committed themselves to their husbands, they had a choice with this profession—whether they were going to commit themselves to this profession or not. They can choose to embrace it and all the good and wonderful things about it, and be involved by going to practices and getting to know the players, being their husband’s helpmate and looking for opportunities; or they can choose to not embrace it—to not be committed to it—and become angry, bitter, grumbling women.

You married him for better or worse. You can make what could be perceived as the worst—his time away from the family, not being there when your car breaks down, not being there when the sink or the dishwasher overflows—and make that a bad scenario, or you can choose to make it an OK scenario and just laugh.

I laugh! I think it’s funny. I’m like, “OK, so how am I going to do this?” I don’t know, but the Lord does. I would hope that all coaches’ wives would choose to come alongside their husbands and be their husband’s helpmate—be committed to the profession and the athletes, because it’s worthy. It’s a worthy and worthwhile thing.


A native of Tallahassee, Fla., Katharyn Richt met her husband Mark-- head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs--on a blind date at Florida State University, where she was a student and he was a graduate assistant for the football team. Now married with four children (Jonathan, David, Zach and Anya), the two are still “best friends.”

Next month, Katharyn Richt talks family dynamics and sports ministry.





*For more stories about faith and sport, visit www.sharingthevictory.com, the official magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Photo courtesy of Katharyn Richt