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
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
11:06 am
Sure, but it looked like Saban was taking THIS ONE personally….Who goes off about greener grass over spetic tanks if it’s just another coaching change? I never even saw Saban crack a smile during that entire……Wait a minute….It’s Nick Saban, right? There ARE NO SMILES……Ever!
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
11:06 am
You people remind me of those women on the TV reality show, the Bachelor.
Everyone here is just hoping and praying that Kirby picks me and I get the ring. You and Kirby then ride off into the sunset and UGA never loses another game. NOT
123456789
January 11th, 2010
11:07 am
UGA should forget Kirby Smart and save the money. The UGA-AA is going to need it.
When the Decory Bryant reaches the Federal Appeals court,
UGA is going to lose…..HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE.
Jona
January 11th, 2010
11:07 am
ccjacket – Muschamp broke away from Saban and went to Auburn and made a name for himself as DC. Then went to Texas as co-DC. The CIW thing came a year or two later.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:07 am
That’s true, the septic tank part.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:09 am
But LSU apparently took it kind of personally when UGA pursued John Chavis. The Tigers mentioned that Chavis was staying at LSU despite an offer from another SEC school — in the official release.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
11:11 am
So apropos Ga Gator…..The Batchelor hasn’t produced a successful marriage in 13 seasons. This one is looking like the honeymoon’s already over before the vows…
Saint Augustine
January 11th, 2010
11:11 am
This just in:
KIRBY SMART STAYING WITH TIDE
http://al-tuscaloosa-news:jan11;10:01amcst//.com
ptc dawg
January 11th, 2010
11:11 am
GaGator,
I know the mighty gators have beaten us really bad a couple of years, but it still only counts as one loss. I don’t see how even the Urban Crier can get 7 wins in 5 years. Also, you sound a little scared about the Dawgs actually getting a good DC. Are you losing a coach to USF? Would that be a promotion or demotion?
jerry
January 11th, 2010
11:12 am
FWIW Arm twistin’ and a$$ kissing too, I imagine.
Dave
January 11th, 2010
11:13 am
The UGALY Truth – yeah they did. The girl who married the guy on TV. I forget their names, but they’re doing well.
Dave
January 11th, 2010
11:13 am
Krista something.
I can't believe the Simpson's turned 20!
January 11th, 2010
11:14 am
Jona, none taken. Most people are unfamiliar with what Arkansas has out there. Hell, I was until I actually went to a game and saw it for myself. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Arkansas could get more blue chippers to take official visits to see their campus, they would do much better than they do.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:14 am
That’s a false link to the Tuscaloosa paper, by the way.
drsoul
January 11th, 2010
11:15 am
I think Saban was giving KS something to think through on the septic tank issue… when your alma mater calls, it may not always be the best decision…lots get jaded over that and do not think the entire situation through… Saban may also know within that KS is not really ready to take a full defensive program, especially in a GA environment with all of the other issues here… do not think that he has ever not given his coaches a chance to better themselves, but other than money, I do not think that any intelligent person can see a ‘plus’ to move to GA at this time for KS… maybe when things get on better balance there… too many entire program issues… I think Saban genuinely cares for his coaches…
Saint Augustine
January 11th, 2010
11:18 am
Sorry Mark, I couldn’t resist. Please delete
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
11:18 am
Smart will pick all of his assistants and at the top of the list is Travis Jones with the N.O. Saints. Word is going around CRG will not be retained but we will see.
JSS
January 11th, 2010
11:18 am
LaJolla, yeah when I’m back in S. Pasadena, I get up at 5:30 too… Get my morning workout/walk in, then it is off to fight the traffic… Mark Bradley, ask Schultz, L.A. traffic is almost as brutal as Atlanta!
cherokee
January 11th, 2010
11:20 am
Tom Cable is available
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
11:21 am
ptc dawg
You make no sense. 7 wins in 5 years, what is that? The Gators own Georgia and no DC is going to change that as long as you keep Mr. nice guy Richt. Remember what Bobby Bowden said about Richt. And if Florida loses an assistant to USF that would be a head coaching position, can you say promotion?
Ted M
January 11th, 2010
11:22 am
Georgia fans are desperate to find out whether former Dawg, Kirby Smart, will be the next Defensive Coordinator in Athens. Some of them over at Scout’s free boards are even tracking planes and flight plans, like this one, which is set to land in the greater Atlanta area (not too far from Athens) in about 15 minutes (8:17 ET). According to that thread, this plane belongs to a Georgia booster, and, given that this information is coming from Georgia’s free board, you can bet that this is highly reliable. (make sure you’ve got your sarcasm switch set to “On” for that one).
Speaking of reliable sources, Smart’s Wikipedia page was updated today to state that on January 10th he’d accepted the postion of Defensive Coordinator at UGA, signing a 4 year contract that will pay him in the region of $800,000 annually. This sentence has since been deleted within the last hour or so, staying true to a heated editing war on Smart’s Wikipedia page that’s been going on for the past 72 hours (Seriously, go to the page and refresh every half hour or so. Pretty funny).
Check back for updates…after the Frump.
GaGator
January 11th, 2010
11:23 am
Dave, do you know what an analogy is?
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
11:23 am
Dave:
ABC’s The Bachelor doesn’t exactly have a strong track record. Through 13 seasons, there have been no marriages and only one couple – last season’s lovebirds Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney – remain engaged. Before this week’s split by Byron Velvick and Mary Delgado, his partially insane Season Six final rose recipient, there were two. Now it’s all on Jason. (from Dec 5th)
Rumor has it they split because in a key moment of passion he uttered, “something…something…Krista….something…..Oh, wait a minute…..Which one are you again?”
JSS
January 11th, 2010
11:24 am
By the way, Richt wants no part of the grinder that is Southern California football… It will eat him alive! UCLA would be relevant again in a heartbeat if Richt took the job…
DamntheButcher
January 11th, 2010
11:24 am
That SOB Saban talks about lateral moves and goes from the NFL to back to Alabama. He is such a Hippo Crit. lol
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
11:26 am
Tom Arnold is available…
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:28 am
No, I’ll leave it. Lightens the tension, Saint Augustine.
Jona
January 11th, 2010
11:29 am
GaGator – “That’s why Richt is 2-7 against Meyer” is what you said. Meyer has only been there since 2005.
gbal
January 11th, 2010
11:30 am
your a hacker not a journalist
ToothlessRedneckFleabag
January 11th, 2010
11:30 am
Tech #13. UGA #?
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
11:30 am
Can someone in Follywood come up with a reality show where “celebrities” get to coach a professional sports team for 1 game? I’d LOVE to see Tom Arnold coach on one side and maybe Roseanne on the other……In fact, I’d probably PAY for entertainment like that!
jerry
January 11th, 2010
11:31 am
A chance for UGA to “take a drank and be somebody”.
Not Disappointed
January 11th, 2010
11:31 am
Well, Mark you’re atonement is 4 Hail Marys and no twitter for 10 minutes. Go forward and twit no false rumor No More my son!
Ramblin Wreck out!
matt
January 11th, 2010
11:34 am
Ted M- tHAT’S why Wiki is not a credible source. Any a hole can get on their post whatever they want.
trey
January 11th, 2010
11:36 am
You techies are consumed with jealousy just over the POSSIBILITY that Kirby will come to UGA. It’s eating you nerds alive. Just look at the posts all over the blogs. Constantly you are searching for a reason for KS to not go to UGA as you ponder the various scenarios of “why not”. You just can’t stand it. LOL
I can’t blame you though. UGA is trying to get a YOUNG winning coach. You on the other hand are looking at an old, washed up goat who is almost ready for assisted living.
I think paying KS 800K is insane. But I think all coaches are overpaid. However this is just ridiculous. Grantham is a proven coach that would come cheaper and produce a good defense. But if KS turns UGA down (and I think he will) and after Grantham sees that he would be second fiddle, would he even be interested?
And what about Boobo? Will he get a raise up to 800K to be on par with the DC? Now talk about a statement of insanity, that would be one. Boobo IS NOT worth the $300K he makes now and $800K would be off the radar screen of stupidity.
(( 30-24 )) in case you forgot who your daddy is. LMAO
Tailback U
January 11th, 2010
11:36 am
Mark , The lack of common sense illustrated by fans of other programs
worried about Georgia improving their stock is to be expected by now.
But for anyone seriously trying to analyze the situation honsestly it
comes down to the old saying we are all familiar with and that is
“a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” . If the rumors of the
substantial increase by Georgia is true and it is not adaquately
countered by Alabama then taking the Dawg DC post makes more sense.
As you know there are no guarantees about recieving a HC offer and
to be considered as well not all HC offers are the same. Smart could
end up staying and then be offered a less than ideal situation , decide
to take it and it end up badly thereby damaging future HC opportunities.
I offer BVG as just one example of the many times guys jump for HC
positions at the wrong place and the wrong time. I say putting myself
in his shoes for a sec that considering everything going home and for
that amount of money offered can hardly be a losing proposition .
I do think that if he turns down the job that a sense of loyalty to
Saban could turn out to be a key factor in the decision , so bottom line
no big suprise here that we still don’t know.
Saint Augustine
January 11th, 2010
11:36 am
Glad that’s not the case here
jerry
January 11th, 2010
11:36 am
Make no mistake about it, this Smart thing has enormous ramifications. It could be a sea change in UGA/ALA football, it could be Bama’s Waterloo.
JSS
January 11th, 2010
11:37 am
The UGALY Truth…
Write a 4 page treatment, get an agent and see if you can sell it… You might get a development pilot deal…
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:38 am
Is Richt to the Trojans even a rumor?
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
11:41 am
Dragged away kicking and screaming is not the way to fill a vacant DC position…..Surely UGAG Alums wouldn’t be applying “undue pressure” to convince a fellow Alum to return home???
If that’s indeed the case, let me be the FIRST to say, “This one ends UGALY!”
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 11th, 2010
11:41 am
Mark what does Tech have any replacements for these kids if they go pro?I think Dowtin will be great filling Curran’s spot.And I know it’s just a rumor but isn’t 800k a bit steep for Smart.Bud Foster maybe but Kirby Smart?seriously
MikkUGA
January 11th, 2010
11:42 am
No CMR to USC is not a rumor. My guess is they will go after Sarkisian.
Ted M
January 11th, 2010
11:43 am
I know …but funny
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 11th, 2010
11:44 am
Tommy T at Texas Tech was a good hire.Tubbervile have any close ties with Garner?
DirtyDawg
January 11th, 2010
11:44 am
News Flash…The University of Georgia will have a Defensive Coordinator before the signing deadline. He will have a distinguished resume…he will have a philosophy of how a team should go about playing defense…he will be somebody that Georgia fans can, and will, rally around and make us proud. You see it doesn’t matter who it will be, just that he will have demonstrated his ability to Mark Richt’s satisfaction and that’s damn-well good enough for me.
As for Gators and Tiders and Techies and Vols…we’ve beaten you before and we’ll beat you again – count on it.
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:44 am
That price went up about midnight on Jan. 7/8, 2010.
The UGALY Truth
January 11th, 2010
11:44 am
For the record, I was more concerned Richt would get Foster or Chavis….
SOUTHGADAWG88
January 11th, 2010
11:46 am
Curan,Jones and Weston to the Falcons?
Mark Bradley
January 11th, 2010
11:46 am
Anthony Allen becomes the feature back at Tech. And Tech is loading up on defensive commitments. And Giff Smith points out that Tech redshirted some defensive guys who could have helped in 2009 just to brace for 2010.