About UGA, Tech, press conferences and misTweetment
This energetic fellow is Kirby Sma ... er, SMART
I know it’s an anxious time for many of you. Heck, it’s an anxious time for me, because I’m not sure where I’ll be today. A brief explanation:
The Falcons are having their customary season-ending press briefing at Flowery Branch at 3 p.m. That was to be my destination until Georgia Tech announced a 1 p.m. session with juniors Derrick Morgan, Jonathan Dwyer and Morgan Burnett. So that’s where I’m going, as of this moment. I attach the qualification because there’s a chance — a “chance,” I said – something could happen in Athens.
Tech is also having a 9:30 a.m. session with Paul Johnson on Wednesday. It’s described as a season-ending wrap-up, and that could be all it is. But Johnson is believed to be attending the coaches’ convention in Orlando these next two days, and … well, last I heard, Tech needs a new defensive coach. A coordinator, if I’m not mistaken.
Yes, I know. Georgia needs a DC, too. And speculation is so rampant a guy could make an innocent little mistake — I swear it was innocent — and touch off a veritable Twitter-storm.
Last night I attempted to enter the words “Kirby Smart” as a personal Twitter search. But somehow I ended up Tweeting– meaning submitting for mass viewing — the message “Kirby Sma” instead. And within 10 minutes I was deluged both on Twitter and Facebook by Georgia fans wanting to know what I knew and why I was being so mean by teasing them like that.
(A brief aside: I would not advise anyone to follow me on Twitter. But if you’re tempted nonethless, I’m @markbradleyajc. I cannot guarantee you’ll be happy with the results.)
As I tried to explain/apologize, I wasn’t teasing anybody. I just messed up. But some folks weren’t buying it. Were I they, I probably wouldn’t have, either.
So, in the attempt to mend Twitter fences, I’m offering the very latest information this so-called journalist has at his disposal. Claude Felton, Georgia’s Hall of Fame publicist, told me late last night that there is no press conference scheduled. That doesn’t mean one couldn’t be arranged in 10 or 15 minutes, but I’m telling you what I know. Which isn’t as much as I’d like to know. But it’s all I have at the moment.
If things change, I’ll drop you a line on Twitter. And I promise it won’t read: “UGA has announced its new defensive coordinator and his name is … “
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401 comments Add your comment
Jona
January 11th, 2010
9:23 am
You people are funny. Georgia is one of the most consistent schools in the country even with a less than average defense. You people get a grip on the fact Georgia has not won less than 8 games in the last 13 years. Even when they’ve had really bad years they still win 8 games. A NC would (will) be nice when it happens but I personally like to have a competitive team year in and year out instead of a flash in the pan. For all you bumpkins running on that Alabama is far superior to Georgia, where were you after Stallings and before Saban?
Baba O'Riley
January 11th, 2010
9:26 am
Jona- When you get to play the rest of the SEC (besides UF, Bama, and LSU) and your homecoming cupcakes, plus the season opening cupcake, you SHOULD win 8 games a year.
Kirby Smart
January 11th, 2010
9:27 am
I am committing career suicide. I like to lose. Who could resist a job with the 2009 Advocare Bowl champions???? Go dawgs sick em 8-4 baby
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
9:27 am
It will be today….keep up. As far as a move down. Being able to turn around a defense of your own, is going to get you more recognition then running someone elses defense. In the NC game how many times did they refer to Smart when mentioning the defense…..none. They refered to Saban everytime. I really do not know why I read the AJC.
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
9:27 am
Mark Bradley … I agree with you, nothing has happened other than the offer. Do you think with all of the coaches being in Florida for the convention does that slow things down?
Baba O'Riley
January 11th, 2010
9:29 am
jona- I forgot to add that when you get to play a 6-6 team in a bowl game.
Scott "Last Call" Hall
January 11th, 2010
9:29 am
Hey Jona,
Alabama has won 2 national championships in the past 18 years… how many has UGAg won?
How many have the won since 1980?
How many National Championship games have they played in since 1980?
You can have all the 8 win seasons you want, I’ll take national championships over that any day.
….hey YO
Dawg 3/20
January 11th, 2010
9:30 am
The program has just made a “Smart” move, National Champions 2010!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=4811710
norman
January 11th, 2010
9:31 am
$800,000 for an assistant coach/defensive coordinator? I don’t believe it!!!
Baba O'Riley
January 11th, 2010
9:31 am
Is it true that Idaho State has a football team?
Jona
January 11th, 2010
9:31 am
Baba, obviously your team plays in a conference superior to the SEC. I guess I see your point when Georgia plays those SEC “cupcakes” and then throws push overs like Oklahoma State, Arizona State and Georgia Tech in the mix.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
January 11th, 2010
9:32 am
ahhhh and the childish banter begins by the tech fans..kudos to you guys.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
January 11th, 2010
9:35 am
nobody whose anybody knows anything yet.
Phat Phil
January 11th, 2010
9:35 am
Mark, what do you hear about the guy that stole my job going back to USC. Word is, he and the Washington coach are the front runners
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
9:37 am
Cherokee, that’s a great question. I think it might with Tech — by a day, maybe. I don’t know if Richt is in Orlando or is headed there. He was in Athens last night.
Disco Inferno
January 11th, 2010
9:38 am
We hired Kirby Smart! No one will score a point on us all season! Kirby was the mastermind behind Alabama’s success. Saban is a bum and will go to USC. 2010 we are going all the way! Break out the PBR’s and cigarettes.
Its a great day to be a GEORGIA BULLDAWG!
jerry
January 11th, 2010
9:38 am
Somebody knows something, Mark. Dig it out, please.
Really Baba O"Riley?
January 11th, 2010
9:39 am
Did you see our schedule this past year? We opened with OK State, and our only cupcake was with Tennessee Tech. At least we do not play Tulane every year, or Louisiana Monroe (who we would actually beat, unlike Bama). Georgia by far has one of the toughest schedules year in an year out. Now to Kirby, I am hearing its a done deal from many different sources, such as Rivals, but I am trying not to get happy until I hear it from Richt’s mouth. Also, I think it is so funny that the Dawgs attract so many people. I am glad y’all are this scared of us.
buzz is wiser
January 11th, 2010
9:39 am
Tech fan here. Just a question, outside of the $800,000 he’ll make why would he come to UGA. I thought the goal of every coach was to become the head man. His greatest chance to do that is now, wait a year and he’ll have a job as a head coach. His stock will not get any higher in Athens, it can only decrease. What if he has a great defense because of Nick Saben and is exposed in Athens, and in three years he’s Willie Martinez? If I were him, I’d take my 500k from Alabama this year and make a million plus next.
Gator Growl
January 11th, 2010
9:40 am
Very strong rumors down here has Kirby Smart going to the Dawgs. Literally and figuratively. Money talks baby and I don’t see Bama matching the $$$$$$. Be careful about that “coach in waiting” thing though, you might live to regret it…Go Gators!! (sorry)
jerry
January 11th, 2010
9:40 am
Somebody knows something, Mark. We know you have contacts. Dig it out, please.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
9:41 am
Buzz is wiser, I must tell you that an esteemed colleague of mine makes precisely that point.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
9:42 am
I can’t imagine that Southern Cal, which is facing heavy NCAA scrutiny, would hire a guy who commits secondary violations and laughs about it.
Really Baba O"Riley?
January 11th, 2010
9:42 am
I hate to say this, but I agree with Gator Growl(haha). I really do not want a coach in waiting scenario.
Georgia’s DC Search Continues | MrSEC.com
January 11th, 2010
9:43 am
[...] to Athens.Georgia folks are certainly watching the situation closely. Mark Bradley of The AJC accidentally typed the phrase “Kirby Sma” into his Twitter account last night and got bombarded with immediate responses.(For those that want [...]
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
9:44 am
Buzz because everyone thinks he is just running Saban’s defense….which he is. He will make more money and get better offers if he can prove he can do it on his own.
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
9:45 am
Mark Bradley Buzz is wiser Whats the difference if he “gets exposed” at Ga as defensive coordinator or waiting to get a head coach job. Busted is busted.
jerry
January 11th, 2010
9:46 am
Just what is the hold up? If Smart is coming, why not announce it? Maybe they are too embarresed to announce that he is not coming.
buzz is wiser
January 11th, 2010
9:46 am
Well Mark if that’s the case, I do have a major in media…any openings at the AJC. I’d sure leave this job to work with someone as well respected as you and the other AJC staff, especially that Doug Roberson guy, he’s saw the light.
homer
January 11th, 2010
9:47 am
I have been to Tuscaloosa many times and lived in Athens for several years. For the life of me I don’t know why anybody would want to live in those nothing towns. The only good thing about making a lot of money in Athens is you can afford to get out of town whenever you want to.
Gator Growl
January 11th, 2010
9:47 am
Oh Dawg 3/20…that was cruel!! I wouldn’t have even treated my own “Dawg” like that!! And yes, it is a monster class but it will take another year…look for 2011…
Really Baba O"Riley?
January 11th, 2010
9:47 am
Buzz, if he does a great job he can be even more respected, thus landing a bigger job. He could also take over his alma mater at one point, if Richt does leave.
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
9:48 am
Saban is not going to go to USC…..why do you think CPC wants out? Saban will get another plug and play guy for his defense and it will not miss a beat.
Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash
January 11th, 2010
9:48 am
Two words for Kirby Smart:
“CAREER SUICIDE”
Kevin
January 11th, 2010
9:52 am
Georgia:
FootballCoachScoop has BREAKING NEWS and the FIRST TO REPORT that Alabama Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart has been hired as the new
Defensive Coordinator by Head Coach Mark Richt.
collegeballfan
January 11th, 2010
9:53 am
If Carroll goes to Seattle USC will call Richt. They will call others, but Richt will be on the short list.
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
9:53 am
It seems to me there are alot of bitter fans here, that are afraid of whay CKS would be able to do with UGA’s talent. Its defenitely not going to be anywhere close to CWM’s defense. gt just lost their 3 top players. uf lost their golden boy, alot of coaches and almost all their defense( still waiting on Dunlap and Wright to declare, which will happen) and ut loses 14 starters.
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
9:53 am
Here is Georgia’s major problem, while Richt wrings his hands trying to hire a coach, poor old Urban Meyer has gone out and gotten not only the 4 coaches he lost (to moves up-not lateral), but has also brought in the # 1 recruiting class in the nation. That’s why Richt is 2-7 against Meyer, Meyer out coaches him with better coaches and out recruits him. Sorry the truth hurts.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 11th, 2010
9:54 am
Twitter? Ain’t that something you do when you’re not quite ready to blast a big one but you need to cut loose a little? Like in church?
P.S. I’ll work for a biscuit or two, but you ain’t painting my rear end again.
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
9:54 am
please dont use fcs as a source.
CDAWG
January 11th, 2010
9:55 am
What is the holdup? I want Smart as much as anyone but if he cannot make a decision I think that maybe we need to move on. We need someone in place to reassure our recruits. Cmon Smart repeat after me $700,000,000,000,0000 per year for 3 years. Good lord man, make up your mind.
Really Baba O"Riley?
January 11th, 2010
9:55 am
Except we have not face Meyer that many times. Idiot.
Carmine Gillgood
January 11th, 2010
9:57 am
Kirby is obviously not qualified. Ask yourself this: Has he ever accomplished the sports trifecta-level hat trick of being first dumbell on a comment board?
No.
UGA can do better than this Kirby Sma loser.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
9:57 am
I would assume that the holdup is that a young coach is trying to decide between two very attractive schools. I would not say that hesitation is at all odd.
USC facing NCAA scrutiny?
January 11th, 2010
9:57 am
Have I missed something Mark? I haven’t heard anything about USC in trouble with the NCAA. Do tell…You have the worse season in a decade, lose your coach to the NFL and now NCAA violations?…Man, somebody at USC broke a mirror or stepped over a grave or something.
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
9:58 am
GaGator …….you got Willie too
buzz is wiser
January 11th, 2010
9:59 am
Cherokee and MikkUGA, I understand your passion but you and the rest of Bulldog nation must admit, your losing all logic. MikkUGA, you said it yourself he’s running Saben’s denfense. He’s hot right now running Saben’s defense, its like all the Patriots coaches under Belichek, they all recieved head coaching jobs. Smart could be the same, he could be a bust you’re right but from an ego standpoint I’d rather be a bust as a head coach than a bust as a coordinator, because then I’d never get a shot to be a head coach.
georgia87
January 11th, 2010
9:59 am
Baba O’Riley…if it is so easy, why couldn’t Bama do it?
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
10:01 am
Do you people even keep up with college football here? My 12 year old knows more than the comments I am seeing posted here.
Jona
January 11th, 2010
10:01 am
That was funny GaGator