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
Go Gators!
December 13th, 2010
4:14 pm
Jeff, it looks like Kirby did not follow your advice. Rumor has it that he has been offered and has accepted the DC job at Florida.
SavDawgs owner
December 13th, 2010
4:15 pm
You are an idiot. Muschamps Defense was 7th best in the NCAA this year. The problem was not the D, it was the sorry O coordinator that was forced out. But it is ok that you Dawg fans are trying to save face.
Honky Talkin'
December 13th, 2010
4:16 pm
Dawg fans are stuck with CMR while the hottest coaches look anywhere but UGA for jobs. Accept the mediocrity for years to come. And by the way, bragging over a 6-6 seasom makes you look more ignorant than you are. Are all Daws fans illiterate web-footed inbreds?
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:19 pm
Dawgs have ONE MORE year to suffer and I have faith in McGarity to hire someone to take advantage of the resources and all the blue chip talent in this state. Enjoy while you can. Muschamp and Kirby off the table is a blessing for most Dawg fans. See ya in 2012.
Vince Dooley
December 13th, 2010
4:19 pm
To JB: If the Gators suck, how did UGA lose to them (again)? UGA won’t win the SEC East for the next 20 years.
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:20 pm
Honky Donkey………….Who is YOUR team coward.
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
4:21 pm
Kirby did not take the UGA offer as a D-Coordinator because his goal is probably to be the Head Coach in Athens. He he took the DC job and was successful, then Richt would stay longer. This could work out the best for the young man especially if the Gator dominance in Jax continues.
Red Panties Forever
December 13th, 2010
4:21 pm
UGA is off the radar for a long time. What a joke the program has become.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
December 13th, 2010
4:22 pm
I like men.
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:22 pm
Vince, losing 5 games with the worlds greatest coach and a five star at every position sounds like failure to me. Me thinks Urban was headed for 4-5 defeats NEXT year and Quit before being fired. Florida UNDERACHIEVED BIG TIME this year. A total train wreck.
Honky Talkin'
December 13th, 2010
4:23 pm
JB: I think you left the hot plate on in your trailer.
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
4:23 pm
JB you are correct and dont be surprised if he hires Kirby if successful in Gainesville. Remember who trained McGarrity.
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:27 pm
Kirby will be on the list. There will be a new man in Athens in 2012. That can’t be good news for haters. The state is loadeddddddddddd with D 1 talent, and IF, big if, the right guy is hired, I like our chances. Georgia is the SECOND most profitable D 1 program in the Country. Money and the talent in this state will draw a worthy guy.
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
4:28 pm
JB there was only one Trainwreck in Gainesville and that was Urban and his sorry OC Steve Addazio. The talent was there but they were too stupid to realize that you cannot run the Tebow offense without Tebow.
Vince Dooley
December 13th, 2010
4:28 pm
JB: UGA has the easiest schedule in the SEC and 9-3 was expected with the quality recruiting they are known for. Colorado???
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:30 pm
Thanks Honky, you’re a Techie…..The trailer remark is UGA hate 101 at Tech…….got your own set of problems over there don’t you? Usually, a good coaching hire is rising in year three, not in free fall. Johnson is a failure. Next year, you lose to everyone except patsies.
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:32 pm
Vince…##### Kansas ??????
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 13th, 2010
4:39 pm
JB
You are not too BRIGHT. Every school in the SEC says UGA fans live in TRAILERS. UGA fans say the same crap about UF, AU, UA and UT.
Richt has been in a FREE FALL for 3 years so why are your defending Richt and Bobo? Bobo finally got a job offer. The Sandy Spring Saints @ Morgan Falls Park want Bobo the be the Grounds Keeper Super. He will be paid $12.50/hr, all the leftover Hotdogs and Hamburgers his rugrats can eat, and He will not have to pay fees if his kids want to cheerleader or play football. It sounds like a great deal. Bobo better jump on it before he ends up like Pat Nix on the outside looking in on the football world.
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:42 pm
POAD…..I’ll break one of my rules to answer you. I don’t answer you. Tech people are so full of hate it’s not normal. You are so obsessed with everything UGA 365 days a year just to hate. I’ve never seen anything like it. Are there any decent, normal Tech people out there ?. Merry Christmas POAD.
HAHA
December 13th, 2010
4:42 pm
“Bama cried,,,, are you bragging about being in the tie rod, because that where you are LOSER!!!”
Gotta love the poor lack of grammar from bama people.
HAHA
December 13th, 2010
4:43 pm
“Fact, Auburn is the SECOND most NCAA penalized team in history ”
No, they’re not.
HAHA
December 13th, 2010
4:45 pm
“Also, WDE, Auburn won this year, but at what cost. ”
No cost.
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:46 pm
I’m sorry, tied as the most penalized team…look it up……Go to the Louder library on campus.
JB
December 13th, 2010
4:47 pm
HAHA……Denial is not a river…..
From Where I Sit
December 13th, 2010
4:52 pm
Yes, Nurse Ratchet
I do believe that, and hell, I would have taken the job for 1/2 the pay that Muschamp got. The bottom line is this guy is not going to have to work hard to get top recruits to come to FL to play since this is one of the top programs in the nation. The Gators will be back on top within the next two years.
Richt Suck!
December 13th, 2010
4:52 pm
Why is it every one make the right moves but UGA?
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
4:53 pm
Gators with Charlie Pell and UGA with Jan Kemp have no real place to critisize anyother School.
HAHA
December 13th, 2010
4:56 pm
“I’m sorry, tied as the most penalized team…look it up”
Wrong again.
HAHA
December 13th, 2010
4:56 pm
“HAHA……Denial is not a river…..”
Did they teach you that at UGA?
TampaGator
December 13th, 2010
5:00 pm
Jeff…a lot more is going into Smart’s decision that you wrote about. It is mostly about him wanting to work with his friend at Florida…and little to do with Saban or Richt. Smart will bring everything he has learned from Saban about defense….which is a lot….to Gainesville. Applewhite or some other excellent OC will also get the outstanding offensive talent in Gainesville working…and it was not working under Addazio…who was not much more than a high school coach.
MAN AM I GLAD ADDAZIO IS GONE!!! That solves a lot of problems with the offensive line and offense right there.
Nurse Ratchet
December 13th, 2010
5:00 pm
From Where I Sit If you mean winning the NC then I totally disagree with you.
bamaguy
December 13th, 2010
5:02 pm
If Smart is smart, he will stay put. Come January there will be four SEC schools with crystal footballs in the trophy case. I don’t see Florida competing for another one for a few years. If Florida slips a bit for a couple of rebuilding years behind Auburn, LSU and Alabama he will not be as desirable as a head coach.
Coaching is a profession. Your primary goal is to advance your career and take care of your family. Use your head, not your emotions, Kirby.
dwa
December 13th, 2010
5:05 pm
The Valdosta State springboard to Div. I head coach continues(for better and worse-no longer coaching)-
Mike Cavan (SMU), Hal Mumme(Kentucky & New Mexico State), Guy Morris- (Baylor), Mike Leach (Texas Tech), Mushchamp (Florida),
Chris Hatcher Youngest Coaches to Reach 100 Victories this Century (Ga. Southern & Murray St.)
George Woodruff 35 years-261 days
Elmer Layden 37 years-175 days
Fielding Yost 37 years-191 days
Pop Warner 37 years-235 days
Chris Hatcher 37 years-274 days
Amos Alonzo Stagg 38 years-51 days
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
5:06 pm
bamaguy, so after the great season you had you think Bama will be back before Florida. Gator recruiting classes have been just as good as Bama’s. The difference last year was we had a Drama Queen who should have retired last January.
wtf?
December 13th, 2010
5:06 pm
Dawgs might’ve gone 6-6, but we beat sorry a$$ Tech
GEEZ
December 13th, 2010
5:06 pm
When will you folks realize these assistant coaches…offensive…or defensive minded have no business of making 750,000k a year. Until we the fans….quit going to the games…start watching them on tv which may very well have to happen to due to the economy. I wish I could wipe the smirk off half the coaches faces out there who don’t know jack crap about football but sit there and go 1-10 or 6-6 and make 3 million. I say off with their heads!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Dave
December 13th, 2010
5:06 pm
The Muschamp hire is a solid one for UF. He has cut his chops under Saban, and coached a top 5 team at Texas. He is walking into a fertile recruiting ground. Last year Florida had what many listed as the top recruiting class in the past 20 years.Florida’s problem was not just losing Tebow, but also Strong and Mullen at the same time. If Muschamp hires even above average coordinators, they will do well. This past year was an abberation for several teams, including Texas, Florida and UGA. I hope that UGA can capitalize on the stability of a coach who is level headed and has been there for ten years. This is a critical recruiting year for them. If they get Crowell, Drew, Rome and Swann, they will be tough going forward. If they don’t, then it may be time for a coaching change.
Eaassyy
December 13th, 2010
5:08 pm
Smart holds out for the Texas HC job.
oakwood dawg
December 13th, 2010
5:09 pm
we here at uga who are real fans know that the conference has past us by and we just always will be second tier no matter who the coach is and mark it down uga will never win a national title much less the sec if they finish 9-3 or 10-2 is the best your going to get it is just fact.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 13th, 2010
5:12 pm
The 82 Worlds Fair in Knoxville, TN made just $57. I hope none of the Vol players are studying Business.
GDBurdell
December 13th, 2010
5:12 pm
wtf? “Dawgs might’ve gone 6-6, but we beat sorry a$$ Tech”
… yeah, that and a buck will get you a cheeseburger at McDonald’s. Too many of you mutts focus on a team that you handily beat every year instead of opening your eyes to what is happening in the conference. UGA has been passed by several teams in the SEC, all with national championships. AU will join them soon. Georgia? Cellar dweller in the SEC.
Ed (The Original)
December 13th, 2010
5:13 pm
Two thoughts:
1. Smart and Muschamp are friends. I can’t think of a single friend I’d want to work for. It’s hard enough on the friendship when you’re partners.
2. Florida has been as good as any program in the nation since the 90s, but this is Alabama we’re talking about. Notre Dame, USC, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma and possibly Nebraska are the only real peers Alabama has in college football from a tradition and prestige standpoint. Taking the same job at any other school isn’t a lateral move.
Unless he hates Tuscaloosa or can’t stand the thought of working another day for Nick Saban, Smart should stay at ‘Bama. Besides, Saban isn’t known for staying in one place for too long. A little patience and Smart could find himself as the head coach of Alabama or his alma mater.
Sanford Drive
December 13th, 2010
5:15 pm
GDBurdell,
UGA will be fine in the SEC and nothing, and I mean nothing, gives me more pleasure than beating the nerds every year. As long as CMR keeps that streak up I say let him stay. Go Dawgs!
Dan Morton
December 13th, 2010
5:16 pm
Everyone is talking about how long it will take to rebuild the Florida program — Balderdash ! — UF has had a top 5 recruiting class 3 of the last 4 years ( were number 11 one year ) including the no. 1 class last year. They are loaded / just need either an offense that fits their QB or a QB that fits their offense. It is a helluva lot easier for Muschamp to follow a 7 – 5 season than it would have been to follow a 13 – 1 season. Top 10 next year — top 5 the year after. All upside
17 of 20
December 13th, 2010
5:18 pm
ESPN has reported that Kirby Smart has accepted the job of defensive coordinator at the University of Florida. It is also being reported on the Gainesville Sun website.
bamaguy
December 13th, 2010
5:20 pm
Yes ga gator, I believe Alabama will be back to the NC game before Florida. The reason is Muschamp vs Saban.
As far as this “terrible” season, let me see we:
Lost by one point to the eventual National Champion (Auburn)
Lost by three points to the Number 11 team (LSU)
The worst slip up was to SC by 14 points, but they ended up in the SEC Championship game..
And we beat the #8 and #21 teams (Arkansas and MSU)
Did Florida do that well this season?
You wish
December 13th, 2010
5:21 pm
Kirby did not leave for UGA he ain’t going to the swamp for the same postion. Dream on you belly crawling mud licking reptiles, we got our man undercover now so the streak and orande and blue curse is over..GO DAAAWGS
still@the bar
December 13th, 2010
5:22 pm
UGA needs to add some Pepper to all the Salt in high level coaching jobs at UGA. A little more Pepper as in an HC, OC, or DC and UGA would really win the recruiting war in this state. I know that would be a HUGE longshot for the UGA Plantation, but I think it would work.
You wish
December 13th, 2010
5:24 pm
Still@thebar
We need more salt on the field and we would have less in lock up.
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
5:27 pm
bamaguy, no we had a drama queen and you had Saban. Trust me every OC and DC on Bama’s schedule will study the Carolina game tape. Your run is over and Saban will be working for Jerry Jones next year.