Kirby Smart says he’s ready to make jump to head coach
Kirby Smart was sought after as a defensive coordinator, but now he seems ready for top job. (AP photo)
NEW ORLEANS — Two years after saying no to his alma mater, Kirby Smart can take comfort in one thing: The next time somebody picks up the phone to offer him a job, it won’t be for a lateral move.
Georgia wanted Smart back as their defensive coordinator, a position he already held at Alabama. But there was a thought by some in Athens, including Mark Richt, that the promise of a more-than-doubled salary – and the option of an attractive escape route from under Nick Saban’s thumb – could lure Smart back to the Bulldogs.
It didn’t happen — and that was the wisest decision Smart ever made.
When Alabama faces LSU on Monday night, Smart will have a chance to win his second BCS championship in three seasons. He no longer is viewed as merely a hot young assistant ready to jump at any head coaching job. He sounds more head coach-ready than ever before, and, to a large degree, he can be choosy about any offers that come his way.
“I definitely think I’m ready to take the next step,” Smart said. “It’s gotta be the right place, the right opportunity. That hasn’t really presented itself. I’m completely happy being the defensive coordinator at Alabama. It’s the greatest non-head coaching job in the country.”
When Georgia started this season 0-2 and Mark Richt’s job security was tenuous, Smart frequently was referenced as a logical candidate to replace him. An unexpected 10-game winning streak blew up that scenario, and Richt’s not going anywhere now.
Smart will tell you he doesn’t pay attention to rumors. Coaches need to operate with tunnel vision. So it follows that when he was asked Saturday, given his aspirations, if he ever allowed himself to take notice when another major program struggled this season, he laughed.
“If you start doing that, you lose your own job,” he said.
Don’t doubt a man who works for Nick Saban.
Smart presided over a defense that allowed the fewest yards (191.2) and points (8.83) per game this season. LSU’s offense has averaged over 38 points. Alabama held the Tigers to three field goals in November (albeit, they were enough for a 9-6 overtime win).
Smart even looks and sounds like a head coach.
The defense is not all about Smart having Saban above him and great athletes below. He has grown as an assistant in the past two years.
“I look at things from a different perspective now,” he said. “I used to look at things from the secondary, then as a coordinator. Now it’s like, ‘What would I do as a head coach?”
We have been hearing for two years that Saban’s demanding style will wear on the 36-year-old Smart and chase him out of Tuscaloosa. It must mean something that he’s still there.
“When you say, ‘demanding,’ to me the definition of demanding is they require you to do what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it, and how you’re supposed to do it,” Smart said. “That’s what [Saban] does. So is he demanding? Yeah. He requires you to do your job. And I appreciate that. That gives me job security knowing that everyone in the organization is held accountable.”
(Is it just me, or is he starting to sound like Saban?)
Continuing: “To me that’s probably the greatest feature I’ve learned or will take with me when I become a head coach, is you have to be demanding. You have to be able to confront people if they’re not doing their job or not doing it the way you want it.”
Are you sold yet?
Smart officially said no to Georgia on Jan. 11, 2010. Alabama matched the Dogs’ offer ($750,000 annually, which equated to a $390,000 raise). Smart said at the time he “wouldn’t have even considered discussing the [coordinator] position with any other school.”
He added this Saturday: “I felt I still needed to develop as a coach so I could be a head coach, and what better way to do that than under Nick Saban?”
He made the right decision to stay. Before long, somebody will make the right decision to phone him.
By Jeff Schultz
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382 comments Add your comment
blazerdawg
January 7th, 2012
6:55 pm
I dont feel moldy
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
6:56 pm
Wow this anouncer has a LISP!
katherine
January 7th, 2012
6:56 pm
there is really bad lightning and rain going on right now
Hawg Head
January 7th, 2012
6:57 pm
There is no doubt that Mark Richt is a heck of a coach(offensive coach), but he has surrounded himself with some very average coaches which is reflected by his great recruiting but very average play when it counts(especially the past 4 years).
TampaGator
January 7th, 2012
6:58 pm
Hawg Head….
He just won a VERY BIG game of importance….in the Gator Bowl….against Ohio State…..Urban Meyer’s future team…..and the win prevented the Gator from having a losing season…..and they dominated an Ohio State team that beat Wisconsin and lost to Michigan State by 3 points.
And I never that about Driskell. I said I wished he would play right away….but I was concerned that his small high school background (similar to Brantley’s) might require him to redshirt. I was surprised this summer when they planned to redshirt Brissett instead of Driskell. I did think that Driskell coming in early would earn him playing time this year. But I knew Brantley would play in the pro style offense this year, not Driskell. The game was too big for Driskell this year. But he learned….and he will compete with Brissett for the starting QB postion at Florida next year. The winner of that battle will be prepared to play next year….and will likely have an outstanding season. Driskell is very talented…..just needs experience and time. The same is true of Brissett. The Gators are in great shape at QB…..so much so that Muschamp did not even recruit a QB this year.
SuperB
January 7th, 2012
6:58 pm
Okay, so who is this guy– Kirby?
Stinger2
January 7th, 2012
6:58 pm
Jeff: This article reads like Smarts` agent paid you big bucks to write. I know you will deny it.I will compliment you on the context but not content.
TampaGator
January 7th, 2012
7:00 pm
Katherine…….
Do you have $100 to bet on the Lions……DON’T……
TampaGator
January 7th, 2012
7:01 pm
Have a nice evening……
See……not everyting I post is about the Gators!
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:01 pm
Katherine
Yea just went by my house a few min ago
CRO-MAGNON MAN
January 7th, 2012
7:02 pm
Truth be Told
January 7th, 2012
3:30 pm
COULDN’T HAVE SAID IT BETTER, TRUTH BE TOLD IS RIGHT ON WITH HIS COMMENT ON UOAD.
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:04 pm
Nice Lightening storm right now.
katherine
January 7th, 2012
7:04 pm
TampaGator
January 7th, 2012
7:00 pm
Katherine…….
Do you have $100 to bet on the Lions……DON’T……
Well, like I said…we’ll see won’t we
Hawg Head
January 7th, 2012
7:05 pm
TampaGator
January 7th, 2012
6:58 pm
Hawg Head….
He just won a VERY BIG game of importance….in the Gator Bowl….against Ohio State…..Urban Meyer’s future team…..and the win prevented the Gator from having a losing season…..and they dominated an Ohio State team that beat Wisconsin and lost to Michigan State by 3 points.
********************************************
Followed by a deep belly laugh. Winning a game against a team with a 6-6 record, who by all accounts have given up is not a BIG GAME. Big Game are championship games or games that get into a championship game.
Last year afte the UA game you continually bragged on how much the big TE and Driskell would make a difference and if memory serves correctly you used the words “Tebow Lite”. But feel free to beg out now and I guess it will need to be played out on the field and allow Muschamp prove he can coach at this level.
Best of luck to you, but continually bragging on UF after a season in which you lost to UGA is not good, but like I said earlier, feel free to lay the wood to them for another 17 of 20 years anytime you want. I just think at this point Jimbo has his buddies number for a few more years.
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:05 pm
I don’t think tonight is the night for the ROAD teams.
The Falcons will be the first ROAD team to win in these playoffs.
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:06 pm
You don’t intercept the ball on fourth down moron!
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:08 pm
I still love you too CRO-MAGNON WOMAN. Now go beat my laundry on a rock and make me some fire to keep me warm.
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:08 pm
Tampagator must be drunk on gatorAIDE not koolAIDE!
cattle dawg
January 7th, 2012
7:12 pm
Smart will wet his pants as a head coach..
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:13 pm
48 i think it might be better to be drunk on the Gatorade than to be drunk on the Murray-aide like many Dwag fans are. LOL
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:14 pm
Hey, I like Murray
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:16 pm
Anne Murray the Canadian Song Bird yes. Aaron 3/4 Murray no.
Fair n Balanced
January 7th, 2012
7:17 pm
Kirby will do well somewhere but of course there is a learning curve and you usually don’t go from asst coach to head coach at another school where all is going well. He will get a depleted program, some decommitments and will have to endure a bit of tough sledding. Note that the good coaches turn programs around in 2-3 years. He will probably do this wherever he goes and should have a winning season his first year. He has learned from the best.
Cdpridg
January 7th, 2012
7:18 pm
What I think is most hilarious tonight is that this gator fan from the retirement home known as Tampa fla thinks fla will win a championship with Muschamp…lol! Hey bub….drinking early tonight? I would be too if I were in Tampa…lol!
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:19 pm
Murray was only a sophomore, he has a lot to learn. He is farther along than stafford or Greene by the end of year 2.
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:20 pm
He Stepped Out of Bounds. Bendall can’t challenge
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:20 pm
WOW he did stay in bounds. I can’ believe it.
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:21 pm
This game is done!
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:22 pm
cdpridg and in the Last 10 years you have NEVER said Richt will win a Championship? I would bet the house you have said that and probably a few times too.
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:23 pm
I can’t believe BUM Phillips is still alive.
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:24 pm
5150
Lol, what’s a bendall?
Rick James
January 7th, 2012
7:25 pm
With Saban being the control freak that he is how can anyone give Kirby Smart so much credit? When and if he leaves Alabama to take a head coaching job he will be exposed just as Muschamp was this season.He does nothing well but recruit! Saban in running the defense and Smart takes the credit.I was relieved when he didnt take the UGA job.
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:26 pm
We really need to cheer for the AINTS to win just so JEFF can go back to NoLa again. Hell at this rate Jeff could gain 50 pounds since Thanksgiving.
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:27 pm
a bendall you know bend don’t break? Well they are just the bendalls. LOL
katherine
January 7th, 2012
7:29 pm
who does houston play in the second round?
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:30 pm
48 it is only fair that AJ GREEN doesn’t get to win a playoff game his rookie year and Calvin probably want this year either.
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:33 pm
Katherine
Winner of the broncos steelers game I think.
JJ
January 7th, 2012
7:33 pm
Coach anywhere you want but on the day you’re announced please don’t say
that you’ve always been a (insert team other than the team you ACTUALLY played for).
The Dawg nation will wish you well.
katherine
January 7th, 2012
7:34 pm
I feel sorry for aj being on the bengals……
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:34 pm
48 even mentioning the Broncos like they have a shot is funny.
katherine
January 7th, 2012
7:34 pm
thanks dawg
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:34 pm
Fighting Harvey updykes 21 UGA 15
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:36 pm
5150 & katherine
Who would you of rather had the falcons get, Julio or AJ?
katherine
January 7th, 2012
7:37 pm
AJ
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:37 pm
Julie-O is fine by me. He is thicker and stronger. I think he can be healthy in the league longer, but who knows.
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:37 pm
5150
Hinds ward and the steelers will roll Denver!
5150 UOAD
January 7th, 2012
7:39 pm
AJ 5 for 47. That was a bad day at the office for Green.
Where is CHOKE to tell us Yates is better than RYAN even as a rookie.
Dawg48
January 7th, 2012
7:40 pm
Katherine knows her football!
katherine
January 7th, 2012
7:40 pm
chokes mom told him he had to clean the basement before he could get back online sooo……
katherine
January 7th, 2012
7:42 pm
my brother just called and told me he was taking a big rob parker LOL omg that made me laugh