Kirby Smart would be taking risk following Muschamp
It doesn't make sense for Kirby Smart to make lateral move from Alabama to Florida.
If we are to believe reports, Kirby Smart is considering leaving as the highly paid defensive coordinator at Alabama to become the highly paid defensive coordinator at Florida, thereby forming “Team Bulldog” in Gainesville with Will Muschamp.
I’ll ask the same question now that I did a year ago at this time when Bulldogs coach Mark Richt tried to lure Smart back to Athens: Why would Smart do it?
Smart is a terrific coach. I know some believe he gets too much credit for Alabama’s defense because he works for Nick Saban. But if he wasn’t highly regarded, he wouldn’t be on Saban’s staff and Alabama wouldn’t have bumped up his contract to $750,000 a year to keep him when Richt phoned.
But Smart’s next move should be as a head coach. He’ll get offers, as soon as next season. We all know there will be some tenuous heading coaching situations going into next season.
If Saban, who has a reputation for burning out assistants, is driving Smart nuts, that’s a factor. If Florida offers to elevate his pay even more, that also would be a factor (although it’s hard to imagine the Gators paying Smart much more than he’s making now). Finally, there’s the opportunity for Smart to work with a close friend in Muschamp.
But if Smart leaves, he will be taking an enormous risk. We know Alabama is going to be a very good team again next season. We don’t know that about Florida. The outgoing Urban Meyer said the Gators are “broken” right now. There’s a transition period for any new head coach.
Mostly, we still have no idea how good Muschamp will be as a head coach. The fact he was the coach in waiting at Texas and deserved this opportunity doesn’t guarantee he will be a success. It’s a different job with different responsibilities when you’re the guy in charge.
If Muschamp struggles, his coaching staff slides down with him. Smart already is a hot commodity. He’s not going to become a hotter commodity in Gainesville.
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353 comments Add your comment
JMar
December 13th, 2010
1:08 pm
You know what other defensive coordinator got his first head coaching job the year after he had a mediocre defense? Mike Smith.
jwilli120
December 13th, 2010
1:08 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT sorry for the spelling ah who cares!
Tweets that mention Kirby Smart would be taking risk following Muschamp -- Topsy.com
December 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Georgia Bulldogs-UGA, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Kirby Smart would be taking risk following Muschamp http://bit.ly/gTFQCV [...]
6-6 and headed to Memphis
December 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
Next up for Cam Newton: Delivering the Top 10 list on the Late Show with David Letterman
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/12/next_up_for_cam_newton_deliver.html
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
1:10 pm
Some additional statistics:
UGA should have 3 titles under their name, including 1980, 1981 and 1982, however, you were:
1. Beat by Marino and Pitt in 1981
2. Beat by Blackledge and PSU in 1982
Both of these losses were due to Dooley’s ability to win the big ones. He got fat ass lucky with the coin toss landing Herschel Walker, and if he had lost the toss, there would be not statue and no Vince Dooley.
This program has been poorly coached since 1891 with only 1 tite to youur name. That is a disgrace to the state of Georgia.
Gay Blade
December 13th, 2010
1:10 pm
Is this blog still reserved for unemployed gay men that live in their parent’s basement that get their kicks by being UGA jock sniffers?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
1:12 pm
Big Dog 98
I tend to agree with you on your Kirby Smart comment, Saban is calling the shots, Smart is just going along with Saban. Also, Saban will wear you out, big time.
6-6 and headed to Memphis
December 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
“That is a disgrace to the state of Georgia.”
Not as much as Jimmy Carter.
DGAD
December 13th, 2010
1:16 pm
It will take a couple of years for Muschamp to turn things around at Florida. He has some good athletes, but he needs time to bring his recruits in. Urban Meyer’s premature retirement hurt UF last year and his actual leaving will hurt them this year. Benjamin is right. If Smart goes to Florida, they will clean up in Georgia.
Master O
December 13th, 2010
1:16 pm
All job changes come with risk- obviously.
Jimmy Carter
December 13th, 2010
1:17 pm
Speaking on behalf of all jock sniffers, I am insulted that someone would call me a disgrace!
Incompetent, yes…but, not a disgrace.
TONE
December 13th, 2010
1:18 pm
straight from a corner booth at the huddle house . Richt will be let go at the end of next year and in a suprise move that is already been discussed privately over hash browns and coffee Urban Meyer will be named head coach at Georgia ! Smart will still be at Alabama wondering why he wasn’t considered and the gators will fially be worried about the dogs.
Ricky
December 13th, 2010
1:19 pm
Smart ain’t going nowhere, he needs to stay close to his stoller, needs his blankey, you know, Saban.
Wondering ?
December 13th, 2010
1:19 pm
Who is the Gay Blade @ 1:10?
Jury is out on Kirby Smart
December 13th, 2010
1:19 pm
Still don’t know how much influence Saban had on the Bama defense. After next season we can more aptly compare Kirby and Grantham.
Also, some of the posters on here seem unusually bitter in their remarks about the Dogs. Wonder what happened to make them so resentful of UGA. It is only a game, and it is not healthy to harbor such resentment.
Besides the 17 interceptions
December 13th, 2010
1:24 pm
Let’s look on the positive side
1. Leads rout of Gators
2. Last play TD pass against Auburn leads to overtime win
3. Sticks a late dagger in the Jackets with TD pass to pull out win
4. Riddles Wisconsin’s defense with 26-28 passing stats
Now, you know the rest of the story
G8RB8
December 13th, 2010
1:25 pm
Hey Dawgs, Steve Addazio is looking for a job.
Jared E
December 13th, 2010
1:26 pm
Wondering ? @ 1:19,
Why? Are you a jock sniffer?
Richard
December 13th, 2010
1:26 pm
As a 2-time graduate of UGA, I have to say that I absolutely can’t stand stupid posts like the first 2 under this story. The posts have nothing to do with the purpose of the article. These guys are probably those “fringe” fans who wonder what those buildings are that surround Sanford Stadium and why they aren’t torn down to make more room for game day parking!
Honky Talkin'
December 13th, 2010
1:28 pm
Actually, the Georgia State Panther’s “RUN THIS STATE”, since they had a winning record you ignorant web-footed inbred redneck UGA fans!!! Is that all you have going for you? You beat a crappy 6-6 Tech team….get a freakin’ life (or a job).
about time
December 13th, 2010
1:29 pm
Personally I think Florida has made a mistake in going with youth and energy vs quality X & O guy. But I’m a dawg fan so I am not complaining. Wasn’t that impressed with Muschamps defense this year.
Belcher
December 13th, 2010
1:31 pm
When CUM announced his retirement CMR was spotte d doing carywheels down Lumpkin Street!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
suwanee dawg
December 13th, 2010
1:31 pm
if uga could play gt 12 times each season, we would be undefeated
about time
December 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
I don’t think Smart is all he is cracked up to be either. NO WAY he or Muschamp had more passion and energy than Ray Goff. FL should have paid Sperriur $5 million to leave SC. Just my opinion tho
shankit
December 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
Reliable source says Muschamp is at
Valdosta High today talking to Rome
and Mitchell. Ain’t wasting no time.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
1:32 pm
Who cares?
suwanee dawg
December 13th, 2010
1:33 pm
Honky Talkin’ at 1:28
Georgia State Panthers?
They have a team?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
1:33 pm
Well, apparently Athens does not care. Bobo is not be fired under any circumstances, because he is tight with the Dooleys and Vince is still running and driving your program in the ground.
Look at Goff and Donnan, need I say more?
Sim
December 13th, 2010
1:34 pm
The fact is that ‘bama was a HUGE disappointment this year. 3 regular season losses for the runaway favorite and defending champs was nothing short of a disaster. The defense was pitiful in the big moment. Smart’s star isn’t shining as bright after this last campaign. I understand the need for AJC columnists to pressure Smart into staying at ‘bama as the thought of ‘Champ and Smart leading Florida to an SEC/BCS title would be a death blow for a struggling UGA program. But, if Smart goes to Florida and coaches up a top 5 D he will be in line for a top flight job in 2012 or ‘13.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
1:35 pm
suwanee dawg
You are correct about GT, but UGA would still be unranked because GT is worse. Dawginlex made the best comment this year when UGA beat GT….he said the dumbest team won, which was UGA running the ball when they should have taken a knee with just a few minutes to play.
If GT had pulled this out in the last minute, CMR should have been fired on the spot.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
1:36 pm
Nobody needs to hammer on Smart, he has his ring along with Muschamp.
6-6 and headed to Memphis
December 13th, 2010
1:36 pm
“if uga could play gt 12 times each season, we would be undefeated”
Does UGA still have a football team?
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
1:37 pm
Nobody in Athens gets it, Muchamp totally bypasses Athens for Gainesville because he wants to move from 1 winning program to another winning program. Athens has been rebuilding since 1982.
Bulldog
December 13th, 2010
1:37 pm
Maybe Smart is a good coach but he was sure a wimpy player when he was at Georgia!!!! He was scared to tackle and he was easily stiff armed by runners and even wide receivers.
Ricky
December 13th, 2010
1:37 pm
There’s a reason no one ever offers Kirby Smart a head coaching job.
Assistant for a reason.
There’s a reason Texas kept Muschamp as coahc in waiting versus making him the head coach.
Assistant for a reason.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
December 13th, 2010
1:38 pm
[...] to run the defense himself… or bring in Kirby Smart from Alabama?6. This writer believes Smart would be taking a risk to join Muschamp.7. Georgia is back at work in preparation for the Liberty Bowl.8. Sounds like [...]
6-6 and headed to Memphis
December 13th, 2010
1:38 pm
“Maybe Smart is a good coach but he was sure a wimpy player when he was at Georgia!!!”
It’s that kind of thinking that keeps UGA at 6-6.
6-6 and headed to Memphis
December 13th, 2010
1:39 pm
“There’s a reason no one ever offers Kirby Smart a head coaching job.”
There’s a reason UGA will continue to be a bottom tier SEC East team.
There’s a reason UF will continue to beat UGA.
There’s a reason that Miss State, Auburn, Arkansas etc are on the way up.
Buckeye
December 13th, 2010
1:39 pm
Wake me up for kick-off at the Liberty Bowl.
6-6 and headed to Memphis
December 13th, 2010
1:41 pm
“Wake me up for kick-off at the Liberty Bowl.”
You’d be better off watching re-runs of Jersey Shore. At least you’d get to see thugs getting arrested as opposed to reading about it.
Paul in RDU
December 13th, 2010
1:44 pm
Jeff – I think you have it exactly correct concerning Smart going to UF as DC – it’s a lateral move that doesn’t really help him get to be a HC.
I love the comments from some of the UGA fans about how Smart is overrated, a poor DC, etc – this time last year most of the posts were along the lines of “Kirby is coming home – Dawgs will be much improved on D”.
al.com
December 13th, 2010
1:53 pm
The word in Alabama is that Smart is looking to get out as Saban is a joke to work for. Life is to short to put up with Saban is the word on this coaching staff. He is looking to get out and Smart is the one who called Mushchamp .
michael
December 13th, 2010
1:53 pm
go Bainbridge boy!
Tweets that mention Kirby Smart would be taking risk following Muschamp | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
December 13th, 2010
1:58 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Georgia Bulldogs-UGA, Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: Kirby Smart would be taking a risk following #Muschamp to #Gators. #Dawgs http://bit.ly/fjJ6yz [...]
producewiz
December 13th, 2010
1:59 pm
listen,we’ll take Maxwell Smart.Better then what we have.Geeez, it could be Ray Goff.
Gatorzone
December 13th, 2010
2:00 pm
No way does Smart take a lateral job unless he is totally burned out and hates Saban. Even so, got to agree with Schultz that it would make sense to hang around Bama one more year if he could stand it.
ManUp...
December 13th, 2010
2:03 pm
Ok so there’s a dawg fan posting as Yoda. And here I’ve been under the impression all this time that nerds were a strain of less-than-human creatures localized only to the Georgia Insitute of Technology – a place I just found out has a student body which is over 20% Greek Affiliated. For the record that’s the same percentage as UGA and more than several other SEC schools. GASP!
This, along with UF hiring up all the best of the UG sports Alums, must make today one of the oddest, topsy-turvy Mondays in a while.
"No lateral moves"
December 13th, 2010
2:10 pm
I don’t think that Kirby Smart will move to Florida, but if he does make a ‘lateral move” to Florida after turning down UGA last year then he can forget ever getting a call from Athens when Jeff Shultz finally gets his revenge on Mark Richt.
al.com = barner plant
December 13th, 2010
2:11 pm
Who the hell cares if he leaves. His defense STUNK UP THE JOINT THIS YEAR.
Katy Perry has really nice girl pillows
December 13th, 2010
2:13 pm
Boy it must suck to be a Georgia Bulldog. Pretty bad when one of your own decides to take over at Florida AND says he would of never left for anywhere but Florida…….