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
memphisdawg
January 11th, 2010
10:33 am
Mark, what would UGA have to pay to get Grantham, certainly not 800,000. Is Alabama really looking at Grantham now? http://www.footballcoachscoop.com
Preston
January 11th, 2010
10:33 am
Jona, just thought I’d clue you in on something about Arkansas. They have a LOT of money behind their programs. Some little retail chain called Wal-Mart (not to mention their own alumni and boosters) pumps many millions into their state of the art facilities. I’m a lifelong UGA guy but my dad is from Arkansas so we went to the UGA/Arkansas game this past year and I was very impressed. Who’d have thought, huh?
Kirby's fishing
January 11th, 2010
10:34 am
I just took Kirby fishing yesterday here in Montana. He’s not even close to Athens.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:34 am
If leaving Bammer for UGAG is “rolling the dice”, just WHY? He can pretty much go anywhere he wants NOW. He could even fill a HC position in FBS right now…..Rolling the dice often results in Careericide.
Grandpa always said, “It’s not hard to buy a stock….The real money is made when you sell it.” Smart’s stock isn’t going higher if he leaves for Athens. With the coaching carousel just now heating up, his stock could DOUBLE in a couple of more weeks….I’m sure he’s aware of this as his phone has likely been ringing off the hook.
it's official
January 11th, 2010
10:35 am
Kirby has signed…1.9 million a year for ten years, coach in waiting after Bobo, bringing Muschamp with him to coach db’s. Ken Whisenhunt coming to coach special teams and be coach in waiting…after Bobo and Smart, for 5.9 million a year. Wait! Bobo fired, Paul Johnson new offensive coordinator….Pete Carroll to coach linebackers.
duh
January 11th, 2010
10:36 am
Does anyone remember the number of coaches Bama tried to hire bfore Saban? It seemed that nobody wanted the job. It turned out pretty well for them.
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
10:37 am
There is no real hold up Jerry. Just overly anxious fans. It should be announced soon. He just got the contract this weekend and supposedly accepted last night.
I can't believe the Simpson's turned 20!
January 11th, 2010
10:37 am
No matter who is announced as DC, I’m going to have to let him show me some results before I get too excited. I am quite confident that we’ll be far better than a WM coached D though.
jerry
January 11th, 2010
10:37 am
The hold up is that UGA is mulling over a counter offer.
Jona
January 11th, 2010
10:37 am
My personal opinion on the motivating factor for Kirby Smart is the fact most people’s perception is he is merely managing Nick Saban’s defense. I hope that is not the case if he does end up coming to Georgia. I see it as Nick Saban’s defense, not Kirby Smart’s. At Georgia there would be no doubt whose defense would be on the field.
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
10:39 am
I would assume the players and recruits will be talked to before its announced.
Denver Dog
January 11th, 2010
10:39 am
I have to admit that Mark RIcht has really made this an intriguing adventure. Hiring three assistant coaches, how exciting is that? Since this started Notre Dame has fired and hired, Cincinatti has hired and fired, Urban Meyer has quit and come back, Bowden resigned and was replaced, Brooks resigned and replaced,, Zook fired and hired coaches, 33 bowl games have been completed, some DC’s have gotten big raises, Texas Tech fired and hired Lane Kiffen has taking UT further into the NCAA investigatory process, USC is further into the investigation process, the Ray Goff coaching tree is now at the top of the college world, and there are still the same candidates that we all talked about in the first of December. It is warmer in Denver than in Atlanta, or Jax for that matter. WOW.
Next thing we here we will be waiting for the Az Cardinals DC to come over!!!!!
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
10:40 am
Recruiting should be a huge consideration at GA vs BAMA…. wonder if Adams meets with all of the potential recruits at GA??? there is a big difference in recruiting to both of these schools… Saban and BAMA are on top and solid right now… GA has some big question marks for a kid..
the primary difference will come down to head coaches and playing time..!!!
Jona
January 11th, 2010
10:40 am
Preston – no offense to Arkansas. Maybe I should have said Mississippi.
Denver Dog
January 11th, 2010
10:41 am
The best deal is the dollar large diet coke, no ice.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:43 am
I would imagine Grantham wouldn’t cost more than $500,000.
jerry
January 11th, 2010
10:44 am
A final take it or leave it offer is on the way. Time to move on.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:45 am
But if you get a meal, you get the drink and free refills. Just saying, Denver Dog.
Rod
January 11th, 2010
10:46 am
I’ve got a question.
Where is Terence Moore? I’m elated that he’s gone, but what happened to him?
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 11th, 2010
10:46 am
UGALY if he could go anywhere then he would have been considered for the numerous positions that have opened up. I’m sure he could go somewhere like Iowa State but if he resurrects Georgia’s defense and there a no whispers about it being Saban’s defense, then he could go to a SEC school or any other job that opens up. As long as he is with Saban, who may be one of the best defensive minds ever, then there will always be doubts that Smart is actually running the defense. If he came to Georgia, then there would be no doubt about it. He could always fail due to his coaching or the wrong players. That is the roll of the dice.
Denver Dog
January 11th, 2010
10:47 am
On Sunday, I like the fake Chick Fil A
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:47 am
There’s NO WAY they’d ever let Adams meet with ANY of the potential recruits at UGAG…..They keep him locked up in a room without windows and feed him oatmeal and applesauce through a straw 3 times a day. If he’s a good boy, he gets to watch an episode of Gabba Gabba Hey! as a reward.
ccjacket
January 11th, 2010
10:47 am
Jona,
didn’t seem to hurt Will Muschamp’s career….
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
10:50 am
Rod…every Sunday night at 11:30pm….Channel 2 in Atlanta
Terrence is on board…
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 11th, 2010
10:50 am
Rod, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Just be glad he is gone but if you are missing him I could write his next collum. “Georgia should hire (inset black coach’s name here) as DC, now.”
memphisdawg
January 11th, 2010
10:50 am
In my opinion, UGA should save the 300,000 (or whatever amount) extra it would spend on Smart and hire grantham; then take the 300,000 and invest it in the best position coaches. Just don’t know that Smart is much more attractive than Grantham to begin with.
RailroadDawg
January 11th, 2010
10:50 am
Being afraid to make a career move for fear of failure is no way to succeed. I would think any coach worth their salt would be of the mindset that they could succeed anywhere. Come on Kirby, come back to Athens, get out of Saban’s shadow and show everyone what you can do. This is a great opportunity, and if successful, will only lead to bigger and better things for you.
Denver Dog
January 11th, 2010
10:50 am
If remember correctly, the last big hire that Adams made was the Harricks!
birddawg92
January 11th, 2010
10:51 am
Take this Saban: http://www.saturdayinathens.com
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:52 am
Bank, if the Athens thing falls through (for whatever reason), then there will be some “buyer’s remorse” soon after…”Should I have taken that job? Why is Coach Saban treating me like a rented mule now?” etc. That’s the perfect time for another school to try and pluck him away. There are other schools that are interested, believe me. But who wants to get into a public bidding war?
Georgia will ALWAYS dominate GT!!!
January 11th, 2010
10:53 am
Attn Mark,
There is a sudden rush of Gaytors, Vols and Bamers making daily post on AJC blogs (undercover NERDS)
Please be advised……
(((((((((((((((((30-24)))))))))))))))))))
Orange Bowl “LOSS” or not, WHOS YOUR DADDY?
Jealous nerdy fools……
Georgia will ALWAYS dominate GT!!!
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
10:53 am
Rod….Sundays on Channel 2 in Atlanta at 11:30pm….Terrence is on board
memphisdawg
January 11th, 2010
10:55 am
Hope we don’t have to hire garbage position coaches to pay for Smarts salary. Don’t think its the case, but who knows.
Bank Walker, Texas Ranger
January 11th, 2010
10:55 am
UGALY, things fall through? Sounds like Wren may be doing their negotiating.
RailroadDawg
January 11th, 2010
10:56 am
…and by the way, yes, i found St. Simons filling up every blog with last year’s UGA/GT score extremely annoying, but it’s getting to be just as annoying seeing this year’s score from the dawg fans as well. At UGA, we expect to beat the Nerds every year. We don’t need to brag about it all season, it should simply be business as usual.
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
10:56 am
Mark, If this does not work out and he stays at Bama, what will his and Saban’s relationship be like? Will Saban hold a grudge since Smart did not say no before there ever was an official offer.
memphisdawg
January 11th, 2010
10:57 am
and by garbage position coaches, i am, of course, referring to David Pollack. You guys crack me up. Pollack, seriously?
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
10:57 am
Yes, proper introductions are due….Allow me:
“4 and 4, Kentucky, SHREVEPORT — WE ARE GEORGIA FOOTBALL!!”
“UGA Football — Proudly leading the nation in AVERAGE ARRESTS PER PLAYER for 5 consecutive years now!”
Hollywood "Hulk" Hogan
January 11th, 2010
10:58 am
Hey Mark,
Did Richt offer Kirby free use of his tanning bed if he comes to UGag?
Just wondering
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
10:59 am
Tanning bed is non-negotiable, I hear.
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
10:59 am
If Saban wanted Kirby out because he did not say no before an official offer, KS would be on the road recruiting GA today…
jerry
January 11th, 2010
10:59 am
” The offer is believed to be well in excess of Smart’s current contract at Alabama, under which he earned $360,000 in base pay this year. Smart also earned a 20 percent bonus of $72,000 for reaching the BCS title game, for total compensation of $432,000.”
A 20% bonus x $720,000 would put his pay at $864,000.
CLEVON LITTLE
January 11th, 2010
11:00 am
Rod, I was thinking the same thing! I was actually having fun the other day & it dawned on me that I was on a AJC blog?? Wow…. How can ……..then I realized that I haven’t seen the negativity that I have been accustomed to. Now I know why: Terence Moore is no more. Much better w/ Bradley & Shultz.
jerry
January 11th, 2010
11:02 am
Why not just make it an even mil. What’t the dif.
FWIW
January 11th, 2010
11:03 am
IF……KS does not take the UGA offer, it will a sight to behold how he will
suddenly become “persona non grata” in Athens and in this State.
Consider the pressure bieng put on him by the UGA boosters.
A “NOW OR NEVER” tone was conveyed with the offer.
There is SERIOUS arm-twisting going on behind the scenes.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:03 am
I think if anyone understands the dynamics of coaching offers, it’s Saban.
#1DAWGFAN
January 11th, 2010
11:04 am
Shreveport was great. How was frigid Miami?
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
11:04 am
Saban would never let a grudge be a distraction…!!!
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:05 am
I think grudge is Nick Saban’s default mode.
jerry
January 11th, 2010
11:05 am
Somebody is going to get their feelings hurt. No doubt about it.