Former UGA football coach Mark Richt diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease

Former UGA football coach Mark Richt said Thursday on his personal Twitter account that he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

Richt, who spent three years at Miami after a 15-year tenure at Georgia, retired in 2018 with a 171-64 record and joined the ACC Network.

Parkinson's is a brain disorder that can cause shaking and trouble with balance and coordination. Symptoms usually begin mild and get progressively worse over time.

"I have been waddling around lately and people have asked me what's wrong," Richt said in a Twitter statement. "I've decided to tell everyone at the same time. I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's."

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Richt's 145 wins at Georgia are second only to Vince Dooley (201), and he led the Bulldogs to the 2002 and 2005 SEC Championships. 

Richt and wife Katharyn recently moved back to Athens after living in Florida for several years. The family has long devoted their life to a Christian faith, which Richt spoke of in the statement.

"Truthfully I look at it as a momentary light affliction compared to the future glory in heaven," Richt said. "Thank you Jesus for promising us a future blessing of a glorified body that has no sin and no disease. In the meantime I am going to enjoy the blessings that I do have. See you on the ACCNETWORK!"

On Friday, UGA coach Kirby Smart tweeted his response to the Richt news saying: "Saddened after hearing the news about Coach Richt. Coach Richt embodies everything that a #DGD represents. My thoughts go out to Coach, Katharyn & his whole family. Dawg Nation will be behind you the whole way."