“Retirement” is a word that is usually far away from the minds of college students, young people with their entire lives in front of them.

In the case of Georgia senior strong safety Quintin Banks, “retirement” is something he had to confront far too soon.

In his meeting with media members Thursday, head coach Mark Richt revealed Banks’ decision to end his playing career at the University.

“Quetin has basically decided to retire from football, I guess is the best way to say it,” Richt said. “His knees have not allowed him to move the way he’s accustomed to moving, and move well enough to compete at this level.”

Richt said Banks will have surgery in the “next few weeks to months” to get the knee problem corrected, but his collegiate playing days are over.

That does not mean Banks will not stay around the team. In fact, Richt said Banks is going to help the coaching staff this season.

“He’s got tremendous knowledge, he’s got tremendous love for this team and his teammates, and he’s got a wonderful spirit,” he said. “When you describe what you’re looking for in a person, and a player, Quintin is exactly what we’re looking for when it comes to a ‘good Bulldog’.”

Richt described how tough it was for Banks to come to the “realization” to call it quits.

“He just could not stay healthy long enough to truly compete, and he became frustrated to the point where he thought it would be in his best interests to [retire],” Richt said. “He wants to be able to run around and play with his kids one day. He didn’t want to sit there and have to think about a knee replacement at a very young age, so I think a lot of those things crossed his mind.”

Banks, a senior from Warner Robins, appeared in four games last year, posting three tackles.