Get Smart? It’s yet another Georgia longshot
Karate is for defense only. Maybe Miyagi should coach.
My old journalism professor, Mr. Miyagi, once told me balance is not only a lesson for karate, but for blogging. So after an extended Tuesday morning blog about Tiger Woods’ pursuit of cocktail waitress perfection, I thought I’d come back with something a little more serious today.
The possibly chemically imbalanced Georgia football fan.
Now, if you’re one of these, please don’t take that description the wrong way. I can relate. I
Don't expect a Mike Bobo-Kirby Smart reunion.
grew up a lunatic sports fan. I’m also quite familiar with chemical imbalance, particularly when it involves a chilled clear liquid and two olives. But some Bulldogs fans have lost all sense of reality when it comes to this search for a new defensive coordinator.
Yes, the Georgia job is a good job. It’s a top coaching position at a major program in the best football conference in the nation. But to hear it from some readers, you would believe coach Mark Richt can have his pick of any defensive assistant in the nation. That’s just not the case. Fact is, it seems more likely Richt will hire somebody relatively under the radar and not high profile.
Last week I wrote a blog that Richt’s first phone call should be to the Falcons’ Brian VanGorder. I wrote that knowing VanGorder probably wouldn’t want to leave the NFL to come back to Athens for the same job he held five years ago. But I had been somewhat inundated by readers asking me to push his candidacy and also learned that some inside the Georgia program were pushing for him. So I thought: Why not?
Here’s where the delusion comes in. Even since VanGorder denied interest, I’ve received emails from some insisting that he’s still interested. Over the past few weeks (even before Willie Martinez’s firing), several also have claimed me to have “inside knowledge” or “a real strong feeling” that: 1) Former Bulldogs player and Texas defensive coordinator/head coach-in-waiting Will Muschamp will return to Georgia; 2) Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former Dogs defensive back, would take the job in Athens.
It’s OK to shoot high, people. I just don’t know how realistic it is. There’s no reason for the defensive coordinators of the two schools (Alabama and Texas) playing for the national championship to make a lateral move back to Georgia, just because they played between the hedges.
Smart didn’t completely close the door Tuesday. But he came pretty close. Via our Tim Tucker, Smart was in Little Rock being honored as the nation’s top assistant coach when he was asked about the Georgia speculation. His answer: “I haven’t really thought about it, to be honest. All I’ve done since the game against Florida is get ready and go recruit. I’m happy at Alabama and my wife’s happy at Alabama. We’re not looking to go anywhere.”
And why would he? The Tide is on the verge of a national championship. They figure to be a favorite again next season. Smart’s best chance to become a head coaching candidate is to stay where he is.
Richt will get somebody good. He knows how important this hire is. Just don’t expect the moon.
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237 comments Add your comment
mmgtfan
December 8th, 2009
11:29 pm
FIRST!
Tex
December 8th, 2009
11:32 pm
Tiger should join Amway, they also screw anything that moves. Amway is a scam, and here’s why: Amway wants to pay out as little money as they can get away with, so they support the higher level IBOs ripping off their downline via the tool scam. As a result, about 99% of IBOs operate at a net loss, while the top 1% make several TIMES more from their Amway tool scam than from the Amway products. Read about it on my blog, I suggest you start here: http://tiny.cc/D5oJh and forward the information to everyone you know, so they don’t get scammed.
DawgEDawg
December 8th, 2009
11:33 pm
Second?
DawgEDawg
December 8th, 2009
11:33 pm
Third. That’s still good.
Nobis for HOF
December 8th, 2009
11:33 pm
Well, I shant be the moron who types ‘first’ oops, I did it, never mind.
Kirby’s wife, happy In Tuscaloser, is a former Lady Dogs b-baller. She seemed to like Athens while she was here, worked for the athletic dept for awhile after she graduated. Does it mean anything? Probably not. Just wanted to show off my super sleuthing abilities.
CMR could just as well go out and get an under the radar coordinator from a mid major school…kind of like Van G was before he came.
Tokyo Bravo
December 8th, 2009
11:34 pm
Moon?!? Who’s this “moon” guy, and can he stop our secondary from being torched?
Don't forget Noter
December 8th, 2009
11:36 pm
Moon? Who’s he and where is he referenced? (That means where is his name mentioned to all of you in Covington)
OK Jeff
December 8th, 2009
11:36 pm
Jeff, News for ya. He has to say that. He is coming home
PHIL
December 8th, 2009
11:36 pm
Jeff……………………………is this really the best you can do? We know who is probably not coming. Tell us who is. Do a little digging and fact finding and less copying Tim Tucker. Look at what Dave OB tells us with the Braves. Can we get him to cover UGA football maybe? Could you please?
Just for future reference, a UGA football fan blog that has in it’s beginnings “some clear liquid and a couple olives……..” is pretty much doomed. Do you REALLY think that UGA fans can relate to you? Really? You bash us all year and then try to relate to us with Martini’s? Really?
freshd
December 8th, 2009
11:37 pm
hire al groh as linebacker coach and install 3-4 defense. he was a sorry head coach but he is a great defensive coach with a nfl background.
Bobby Butler couldn't cover jack
December 8th, 2009
11:37 pm
OK Jeff…what do you ‘know’?
DawgEDawg
December 8th, 2009
11:37 pm
Even if Smart comes, he’d only be there for 1 or 2 yrs. at the most. I would love to have him, but the likelihood of a short time frame and the small probability of him leaving Alabama tell me to focus my attention elsewhere.
Anyway you cut it, this is an exciting time. I check the websites every 15 minutes hoping to hear some “good” news…
Rowland Office
December 8th, 2009
11:38 pm
how about the dude from Akron. I hear he’s a possibility. The dc from Akron.
The Professor
December 8th, 2009
11:39 pm
So, who are the realistic choices then for defensive coordinator at Georgia? Any credible rumors and such?
UGA is embarrassing the NCAA
December 8th, 2009
11:39 pm
UGA has the most penalties on the field in the country and the most arrests off the field in the country.
I wonder why fans don’t get upset, and then I see pictures of the fans trashing the campus on game day.
What a travesty. More convicts than the rest of the SEC and trashy fans. Who would ever respect these guys? TEXAS A&M for life!!!!
Didier
December 8th, 2009
11:42 pm
footballrumormill.com is reporting that Bob Stoops brother interviewed this weekend with FSU. This is relevant because with Charlie Strong taking the Louisville job tomorrow, UF will be looking for a dc as well, unless they go with the guy Urbane brought with him from YOOtah. More school to compete with for the dc job = more money to get a good one.
Convict U.
December 8th, 2009
11:43 pm
Embarrassed:
Hear hear! Tennessee players have been in some serious stuff lately, but UGA takes the cake on consistently bringing in the criminals. I love UGA but our players are pure trash off the field.
rlinaug
December 8th, 2009
11:45 pm
“It’s OK to shoot high people.” you might want to add a “for” in there somewhere.
At least Dawgs have cute cheerleaders
December 8th, 2009
11:47 pm
OUR PLAYERS MAY BE CRIMINALS BUT THE RECORD BOOKS STILL SAY WE WON!
AND OUR CHEERLEADERS ARE BETTER LOOKING THAN THE NERD HERD’S. I HONESTLY DON’T GIVE A RIP HOW MANY OF OUR GUYS ARE IN JAIL AS LONG AS WE BEAT YOU EVERY YEAR!
SickandTired
December 8th, 2009
11:47 pm
Kirby wants to be a head coach. I’m sure he’d love to be the head coach at Georgia some day. If he comes to Georgia getting hired as the next coach at Georgia seems highly unlikely. I think he’s smart enough to realize that Mark Richts days in Athens are numbered and most likely he will either quit or get fired in the next two years. The season next year isn’t going to be pretty for the Dawgs starting a RF Qb. So, Kirby should stay at Alabama and win a national championship and return next season. Another solid season and there is no reason to doubt they will be very good again next year, and he’ll get head coaching offers, good ones. Like I said, Mark Richt is a dead man walking in Athens, if I were Kirby I’d wait for the implosion and then take my chances on getting the head job.
Bride of Chucky Knapp
December 8th, 2009
11:53 pm
Clear liquid and olives? What are you making, salad dressing?
Stirred, right?
Boise State News Station
December 8th, 2009
11:53 pm
Our local news station did a spot on out of control football players in college… and it mentioned Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. All the clips were of UGA players on the field though. Who is number 23 and what did he do? UGA was singled out as leading the country in suspensions from games and arrests off the field.
Jeff Schultz
December 8th, 2009
11:55 pm
mmgtfan — Certificate’s in the mail.
Bride of Chucky Knapp
December 8th, 2009
11:55 pm
Y’all lay off our players! Pre-law is a popular major at Georgia.
Jeff Schultz
December 8th, 2009
11:56 pm
Tex — of all the Tiger angles I’ve read, Amway wasn’t one of them.
Jeff Schultz
December 8th, 2009
11:56 pm
DawgEDawg — Yes, in the money.
Jeff Schultz
December 8th, 2009
11:57 pm
Nobis — EXCELLENT point about BVG.
Jeff Schultz
December 8th, 2009
11:57 pm
Tokyo — Wally Moon. Played for the Dodgers.
Georgia is OWNED ALREADY
December 8th, 2009
11:58 pm
Texas Agricultural and Mechanical is gonna own Convict U’s running game when we stack 9 in the box. You know Cox can’t pass.
How the heck do you guys deal with having the top recruiting classes and talking crap all year and then having sorry teams?
Jeff Schultz
December 8th, 2009
11:58 pm
OK Jeff — OK, OK. You’re on the record. We shall see.
OK Jeff
December 8th, 2009
11:58 pm
Sick and Tired. Mark R is going nowhere. Georgia is on the verge of being as talented as we have ever been. A RS Freshman QB will be fine. 10-2 next year and competes for East. Bank on it
Jeff Schultz
December 8th, 2009
11:59 pm
Phil — I don’t know who is. But I like Reggie Herring of the Dallas Cowboys. How’s that?
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:01 am
Freshd — Wouldn’t surprise me if Groh prefers to head back to NFL as an assistant.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:03 am
Didier — I heard Sal Sunseri (who’ve some pushed for Georgia job here) has inside track for Florida State job.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:05 am
Rlinaug — actually just a comma.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:07 am
Sick And Tired — Damon Evans is not going to hire a coach-in-waiting. He doesn’t like the concept, and I can’t say blame him.
Chuck
December 9th, 2009
12:07 am
Why not Bumpas? Or Ellis Johnson at South Carolina? He was GREAT at State in spite of Croom. And whatever happened to Joe Lee Dunn? That guy could coach some D, too.
And has all the talk about Tuberville died out, too? And I can’t BELIEVE no one has brought up one of the Bowden brothers. Seems like that would be a natural fit for the Richt family. Just a few thoughts…
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:07 am
Bride — Shaken.
lamar
December 9th, 2009
12:09 am
I love it when coaches say “” I am not planning on going anywhere”‘. Did you hear a “”NO!!”" In that? No you did’nt, he just said “”NOT PLANNING”", which means he is not planning on it but, IF THE OFFER & MONEY ARE RIGHT HE WILL ANSWER, “”PLANNING ON COMING TO GA”"! Just like I was not planning on getting a ticket from the cops the otherday, but THEY WERE “”PLANNING ON GIVING ME ONE”"! HA! HA! COME HOME YOU TRAITOR KIRBY!! GET SMART!! GET IT?? GET SMART?? HA! HA! DAMN WHAT A DAY! YOU SEE, I HAD TO MANY OF THOSE LIQUID THINGS, WHATS YALL EXCUSE??
Bride of Chucky Knapp
December 9th, 2009
12:12 am
++Jeff!
CosmosDog
December 9th, 2009
12:14 am
Jeff, that statement from Kirby sounds like the standard disclaimer. What else could he say? I’m not saying he’s coming back to UGA but it’s certainly worth a try. I’ve heard that he is not making top dollar for a coordinator. Richt could offer him a hefty raise and he could be the high profile coordinator on the staff, away from the Saban spotlight. Also, as I am sure you know, his wife played BBall at UGA and is close to that program. Just saying that there are good reasons for him coming. BTW, clever title with Get Smart.
JSS
December 9th, 2009
12:15 am
No Dog in this fight; but, are you enjoying this LONG WEEK? Why don’t those crazies call Pete Carroll and get Ken Norton, Jr.? He is everything that school lacks, professional, high octane, and has coached at the side of a Jedi…
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:15 am
Chuck — Several folks have mentioned Bumpas. But Gary Patterson just got a HUGE salary bump to $2.5 million per season and he’s negotiating significant raises for his assistants (Bumpas included). So not sure if he would leave.
Don’t have a feel for Johnson or whether he’d leave. If Spurrier had said he was retiring, that would be a different story.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:16 am
Lamar. Why are you shouting? (all CAPS)
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:18 am
Cosmos — Aware of all the UGA connections, including wife. I’ll just say this about $$$. If Alabama wants to keep him, they can match anything Dogs offer. Remember what they’re paying their head coach, and he has quite a bit of power. But you might be right about the Saban spotlight thing.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2009
12:22 am
JSS — Norton? Dunno. I have no sense that Richt would reach across the country for somebody who never coached or played in this region. Ken (who I covered as a player in SF) is all West Coast.
SOUTHGADAWG88
December 9th, 2009
12:27 am
I don’t care about the name as long as he can recruit.It’s the Jimmies and the Joe’s not the x’s and o’s.I do look forward to a new LB coach because that unit has sucked for years now.Our recruiting classes have been excellent on offense and average at best on defense.
SOUTHGADAWG88
December 9th, 2009
12:34 am
Iowa has 20 int’s?Who is their secondary coach?
Bride of Chucky Knapp
December 9th, 2009
12:39 am
I’m hearing from well placed sources in my head that Prez. Adams is gonna coach up the defense himself. He certainly knows how to hold field position and not budge.
Black Cloud Syndrome
December 9th, 2009
12:44 am
Why all the gloom and doom and cynicism? There are tons of excllent reasons for Smart to come to Georgia. This article coming from the same cynic who said Georgia would get killed by Tech.
22 Reasons for Kirby Smart to come to Georgia:
The challenge of turning around a defensive program that’s in rough shape–he won’t find that at Bama’–he might get bored at Bama’
1) To work with a top 5 winningest coach
2) Closer to home and friends & family–which matter to Kirby
3) Emotional ties to Georgia for him–some of the best most formative years of his life were spent in Athens–he has not ties to Albama–he has to “fake it” there–he chose Georgia for college over Alabama
4) Emotional ties for his wife–she played sports at Georgia–she chose Georgia in college over Alabama
5) Richt’s loyalty to his coaches is long in the patience area—Martinez would have been fired years ago with a guy like Saban
6) Getting FULL recoginition for his defensive genius—his skill will ALWAYS be doubted as long as he stays under DEFENSIVE genius Saban instead of OFFESNIVE GENIUS Richt
7) Friends with Bobo–they played together–pretty tight
9) Not working for a tyrant like Saban–every year under Saban takes 5 years off your life from the stress–Richt wins more than Saban without all the drama and confrontation
10) An economic raise PLUS huge financial incentives for results that BLOW AWAY his current deal
11) Knowing that he’s a better balance to Richt than Saban
12) Taking over a program that ranks so low in so many defensive categories–he’ll look like a genius if he makes even moderate progress
13) Saban has left people in his wake the WAY HE LEFT in LSU and Miami—Richt has not done that
14) Better recruits in Georgia than Alabama–more talent to draw from
15) An offense that’s loaded with #1 and #2 ranked at skill positions to help him out: WR’s, TE’s, RB’s, QB
16) Richt’s motivation and drive is stronger than Saban’s who will have a couple of Championships already done after 2009—retirement mode for Saban will likely be like Spurier or Bowden–Richt’s never won the big one yet and it’s driving him nuts
17) Richt’s long-term upside potential exceeds Saban’s based on FSU track record and Georgia’s winning %–80 wins in 8 years–only 8 coaches in HISTORY have done that
18) Athens is a better place to raise a family than Birmingham
19) Georgia football has close ties to the NFL with 46 players in the NFL–if Smart ever wants to coach in the NFL
20) More decision making authority under Richt
21) Richt is a MUCH BETTER OFFENSIVE GENIUS than Saban—if he ever wants a guy on the other side that can put up points on a defense’s bad day–he can’t find a better O Genious than Richt.
22) Beautiful easy schedule in 2010 to work out the kinks
23) Philosophical/worldview sync with Richt better than Saban