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 … “
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
401 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:01 am
Here’s a link to a Los Angeles Times story, written by Gary Klein and Lance Pugmire, about Southern Cal tailback Joe McKnight and his Land Rover.
Sean "X-Pac" Waltman
January 11th, 2010
10:03 am
Didn’t Alabama lose their Defensive Coordinator after last season?
How that end up turning out for them? Did they survive?
jerry
January 11th, 2010
10:04 am
Crimson Tide stepping up to try to keep Kirby Smart in Tuscaloosa
By Gentry Estes, Mobile Press-Register
January 10, 2010, 1:06PM
(UA photo)Alabama appears to not be letting defensive coordinator Kirby Smart go to Georgia without a fight.
As reported yesterday, the Bulldogs have offered Smart the same title at UGA and are willing to more than double the roughly $360,000 base salary the Broyles Award winner made this past season at Alabama.
Smart, a UGA graduate, is still thought to be mulling the offer at this point.
ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach is reporting this afternoon that UA officials have told Smart they would “do everything necessary to keep him.”
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
10:05 am
buzz is wiser……. no I understand what you are saying and I am not losing all logic. I personally think he is two years away from getting a decent HC offer if he stays at Bama. If he goes UGA and helps turn the program around and keeps his defense in the top 5, he would still be a hot ticket. Maybe even hotter when the AD’s see what he did with the UGA defense.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:06 am
Kirby Smart was Alabama’s defensive coordinator in 2008.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:06 am
Saban isn’t going to USC….He’s going to the Cowboys after Wilson loses in the playoffs. It’s the only indoor arena in the world that can safely contain Saban’s Ego, which actually arrives for games some 2 hours before he’s even in the same county….
m is for mullet
January 11th, 2010
10:07 am
The tech nerds are saved, maybe Roxy will keep them off the UGA blogs!!!!
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/01/11/worlds-life-size-robot-girlfriend
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
10:07 am
In terms of coaching/program/mentor…..why would Smart leave the major ‘PHD’ school of coaching at all levels to go to a ‘Jr. College’ of coaching???? To become a head coach and profit much more in the future, he will do better staying and learning under Saban at Alabama….not only the ‘defensive’ side of the ball, but how to run an entire program…. that is what he needs to be a head coach and on a consistent winning program… that will put more money in the bank in the long run than being at Georgia… as to ‘coach in waiting’, I do not think that any school would put him in that position at this time..
m is for mullet
January 11th, 2010
10:08 am
Enter your comments here
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
10:09 am
Jerry not sure why your post has Jan. 10 on it because that is old news. That actually came out before CKS had the contract in hand.
jerry
January 11th, 2010
10:10 am
There appears to be an auction ongoing for Smart. Who will blink first?
Sid
January 11th, 2010
10:10 am
MARK:You need TWEETment !!
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
10:12 am
The better question here is….will UGA go to a 3-4 next year or will they play a 4-3 and throw in the occassional 3-4 look.
CLEVON LITTLE
January 11th, 2010
10:13 am
At this point it doesn’t look good that Smart is coming to Athens. Kirby definitely left the door open when asked by the media about the GEORGIA DC job, but now I’m starting to lean toward: A)He (yet again) used it to get him a raise, or B) He was undecided and, once offered, BAMA has made him second guess leaving. If he really wanted the DC job at GEORGIA, and the fact that they are doubling his salary, more than likely means he staying put if he hasn’t jumped by now. They could be hammering out the details of the contract, but how much more is there to ask for when they are doubling your salary?? Makes me think the long delay is not from the GEORGIA contract, but from the BAMA (counter) contract.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:13 am
At some point, doesn’t this start to look like he’s being coerced into taking the UGAG position, or at least being pulled to Athens kicking and screaming???
If $800k and total control of his Alma Mater’s Defense didn’t have him telling Richt, “You had me at hello!”, then his heart is saying “stay with Saban and Bammer”. If an announcement still doesn’t come TODAY that he’s accepeted an offer that’s getting colder every minute, then I’d say you’re looking a train wreck in slow motion. Nothing quite like settling for somebody who just can’t seem to decide if he wants to fill a key position on your staff or not….I’m sure recruits are starting to wonder, “WTH? Can’t this guy get anyone to coach our Defense?” After all, it’s been a 5 WEEK search already…
jerry
January 11th, 2010
10:14 am
MikkUGA Perhaps everyone didn’t know that. So what’s the holdup?
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
10:15 am
Mark Bradley
Why don’t you write an article about the monster recruiting class the Gators have put together and what Georgia needs to do to combat it.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:17 am
I wouldn’t read anything into Kirby Smart’s apparent hesitation.
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
10:17 am
drsoul
You are right as rain.
Alabama Jack
January 11th, 2010
10:17 am
Way too funny. You da man, Mark
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:18 am
The better question here is whether UGAG will go to 2-6 next year or will they surprise everyone and beat KENTUCKY to go 3-5 in the SEC next year?
The "Smart" money
January 11th, 2010
10:19 am
The big reason Smart might come to Georgia is $$$$$$$$, lets face it going from Alabama to Uga will be a huge demotion.
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
10:19 am
The UGALY Truth … I agree with some of what you say. BUT to CMR’s credit he did say he was not rushing and that it would be first week in January. Yes we are now in the second week but I think it has something to do with the NCG was on Thursday. Smart got the official offer over the weekend. Also cant say Kirby is wrong for wanting to think about and have his agent to review.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:20 am
Yeah, you can title the story:
“A Monster Recruiting Class At UF This Year….Now, Just Where The Heck Did Our Head Coach Go THIS Time?!?!”
Bryan
January 11th, 2010
10:21 am
Oh Mark, Mark, uhm Mark! That’s why we love you!
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:21 am
I laughed, UGALY Truth. You made me laugh.
Edward
January 11th, 2010
10:21 am
Kirby’s apparent hesitation is no cause for alarm. I want him to be thoughtful and make the decision that has him pouring his soul into the job.
I like the way Richt has approached this process and I think we’ll come out just fine. Looks like PJ over on North Ave. is also making interesting moves …
UglyOldDog
January 11th, 2010
10:21 am
MB…..Smart ain’t going to UGA land…he just used Richt to double his salary at BAMA.
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
10:22 am
GaGator … if you want an article on the Gators google the Gainesville Sun I am sure they have all of the gator news you want.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:22 am
“Urban? Urban? It’s time for your meds, dear…”
those games meant nothing to Tech
January 11th, 2010
10:22 am
we could hire Maxwell Smart and still beat Tech…..as for you Mark…stick to Sesame Street …you write better for them….and as for Al Groh did his Virgin..ugh team lose to Gardner and Webb and william and Mary….or was he able to beat off William….lmfao…30 to 24…318 more days till ole alligator jowls…you know…’what has Georgia done since 1980′johnson..brings his flagboy team and the flagboy nation back to Athens…with ALGROW …gotta love it..later fireflies and your beat off writer..Mark Bradley
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:23 am
And what I mean by not overanalyzing Smart’s hesitation is this: He’s the defensive coordinator of the BCS champion; he has a great job. It takes a lot to leave a great job, even if it’s for another great job.
I’d hesitate. You’d hesitate. We’d all hesitate.
CDAWG
January 11th, 2010
10:23 am
drsoul, if you won 40M in the lottery would you take half of it now or want it all spread out over 20 years. There is no guarantee that you would be around in 20 years to collect it all. When a coach redshirts a freshman he is hoping to get maximum playing time out of him, but we have seen that is not always the case with these guys making an early exit to the pros. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that if Smart stays at Bama that he will hit the jackpot later. I say take the better offer now. My God UGA is not exactly the ACC or Tennessee State. I would venture to say that UGA is a consistent program. I would also think that if he has been paying attention he should have his Master’s under Saban by now and his playbook, maybe not his PHD but Master’s
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 11th, 2010
10:23 am
Twitter? Mark! I don’t even know you.
Jona
January 11th, 2010
10:25 am
The “Smart” money- Demotion? You been to Tuscaloosa? Birmingham? I feel like I go back 30 years every time I go over there. I married a girl from Alabama so I have to. A few more trips over there and I may have to rethink my relationship. Arkansas would be a promotion from Alabama.
Green
January 11th, 2010
10:25 am
GaGator – there is nothing the Dawgs can do to combat it. Christian Green(Ath) out of Tampa is down to three schools – UGA, FSU, and Florida. He says :
“I like the Florida program. I feel like Coach [Urban] Meyer and those guys motivate players to win, and they are going to make you better as a player. That, and they win national championships,” he said. “I think that’s important to go to a school that is going to win national championships and they have proven they can.”
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:25 am
Sorry to disappoint a true fan, Bank Walker.
(You ARE a true fan, right?)
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
10:25 am
The Tide sports.com reports Smart was offered the position some time Saturday.
The longer this goes on the less likely he’s heading to UGA.
Preston
January 11th, 2010
10:25 am
UGALY truth, there are a LOT of defensive coaches out there that would love to have the job. CMR is, and has been, interested in guys that hadn’t (or haven’t) finished their season. If Kirby comes—great. If not, we might have to wait until the Cowboys lose in the playoffs to get to Grantham. Either way, UGA will be fine. Hell, we’d be fine letting CRG take over the defense and hire a couple of new assistants for him to replace Jancek and Fabris. At any rate, UGA will be better next year. Much better. I also hope that Richt will hire someone to coach ST as well.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 11th, 2010
10:27 am
Mark, on Smart, I think Colin Cowherd said it best. To improve in job situations, sometimes you have to roll the dice. It would be a roll of the dice for Smart but if he is successful here, he can go anywhere he wants.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:27 am
Yes, Mark….So if it’s that GREAT of a job:
1) Why should he even leave it in the first place (esp if it’s being countered and made an even BETTER job)?
and
2) When you leave a GREAT job and the other one doesn’t turn out to be “as green” as you thought it would be, guess how THAT turns out???
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 11th, 2010
10:27 am
I guess since I agree with you most of the time
jerry
January 11th, 2010
10:28 am
If you look at the history of UGA hires compared with UA hires, there is quite a contrast. I can’t think of a single football coach that UGA has ever hired that had been successful as a head coach at a major institution. I am totally shocked that they would pay up for talent and I will have to see it to believe they will out bid Bama, where pride is on the line, a school that has a winning record against every current and former SEC school.
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
10:28 am
The UGALY Truth
All Meyer needs is a cell phone, he can be anywhere.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:29 am
I know. It’s not a not-brainer for Smart. This is a tough call. Probably the toughest he’ll have to make.
Me, I can’t decide which value meal to get at McDonald’s.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 11th, 2010
10:30 am
GaGator, it better be Verizon or he won’t have any bars in most parts of Florida.
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
10:30 am
CDAWG…precisely my point.. I think GA is a more volatile program than BAMA… a poor showing at GA, until rebuilt…if ever…lowers KS bankability …. there are NO guarantees anywhere…!!!!
The "Smart" money
January 11th, 2010
10:31 am
If you know anything about the last two classes Alabama has brought in, the incoming class this year, incoming Freshman Phillip Sims(QB), and the starters coming back you would understand why coming to Athens will be a demotion for Smart.
De' truth
January 11th, 2010
10:31 am
I worry a lot more about getting the players necessary to have a good defense than I do about who we get to coach them. Good players make good coaches much more often than vice versa.
memphisdawg
January 11th, 2010
10:31 am
Enter your comments here