Smart weighs return to UGA
(Updated 9:30 p.m.)
Kirby Smart, the defensive coordinator of newly crowned national champion Alabama, apparently is considering a return to Georgia, his alma mater, for the same job but considerably more money.
Smart, seen as a leading candidate for the UGA position since the Dec. 2 firing of Willie Martinez, was weighing a formal offer on Saturday but “has neither signed it nor made a decision regarding the opening,” according to the Tuscaloosa News, which cited “multiple sources.”
Smart has been publicly coy about his interest in the job but left the door open during a press conference in California two days before the national-championship game. He could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Georgia had no comment on the matter other than to say that no announcement of a hire was scheduled. Associate athletics director Claude Felton said he had not heard from coach Mark Richt all day and that no announcement was expected through Saturday night. Felton said Richt had been on the road recruiting.
Smart would be a popular hire in Bulldog Nation. Former UGA defensive great David Pollack posted on his Twitter account Saturday: “From what I am getting guys I think Georgia has made a very SMART choice on their next DC, nothing 100% but def looks good.”
Smart makes about $360,000 in base salary at Alabama. Georgia is believed willing to pay much, much more than that.
All indications are that UGA will make a hire within the next few days. Richt would like to have the new defensive coordinator named before the final recruiting contact period starts Friday. Also, junior linebacker Rennie Curran -– expected by most around the Georgia program to enter the NFL draft –- has been trying to withhold a final decision until he has a chance to talk with the new coordinator.
Smart played defensive back for Georgia from 1995-98, making All-SEC as a senior, and began his coaching career as an administrative assistant at Georgia in 1999. He also coached running backs at UGA in 2005.
For most of his coaching career, Smart has worked under Nick Saban -– at LSU (2004), the Miami Dolphins (2006) and Alabama (since 2007). He has been the Tide’s defensive coordinator the past two seasons.
Saban seemed to be sending a pointed message to Smart on Friday when he said at a news conference that assistant coaches should not make lateral career moves.
“I’m not pleased when guys make lateral moves because it’s a little bit human nature to think, like my dad used to say, the grass is always greener on top of the septic tank,” Saban said. “You always think it’s better someplace else. You kind of let your ego get involved, and you make moves that you shouldn’t make and really aren’t in your best interests for a career standpoint.”
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949 comments Add your comment
Preston
January 10th, 2010
11:00 am
Jason, I hope you’re not kidding because I’ve said all along that CWM was an outstanding secondary coach and it would have been nice to see him stay on board in that role. He simply got in over his head as DC. But he’s a FINE football coach. Is there a link to this story. I would love to read this.
Gatorland
January 10th, 2010
11:01 am
Just an Update on Talent:
A.J. Green would start for any SEC School! However, although many UGA current players were recruited by FL, ALA, LSU…no Other Player on UGA’s Roster in 2009 would have started for any of these three teams….those are just facts, yeah some would have played during games, but NONE..NONE would have cracked the starting lineup…..
UNTIL…..UGA learns not to commit stupid penalties…late hits, unsportsmanlike conduct, jumping off sides, face masks….UGA will not be an elite team competing for titles…Now having said that…..the Head Coach sets the tone for the type of discipline a team plays with….During the past 3 seasons UGA has not demonstrated the ability to control their mistakes effectively.
A Head Coach can change coordinators, coaches, and support personell….but you only get one shot at doing that (two if you have some credit in the booster bank) , the next failure creates the opening in the Head Coaches position…..How does Mark Richt react when (a). The team responds to the improvement….(b) the team just does not have the coachable talent to improve, (c) the overall record does not reflect until improvement to please the Administration( the guys at UGA do not have the best SUPPORT Record for many coaches) . Those are the questions that will be placed on UGA no matter who the next Coordinators are.
Kirby can X and O it with the best( he learned from the best) but if the HEAD COACH allows the same behavior and practice patterns to return in 2010 the end results will be the same.
jeff
January 10th, 2010
11:02 am
I thought Saban was a “brilliant” coach? Judging from the championship game he is just a “brilliant” recruiter. If not for Mack Brown being even more stupid, Saban would have lost to a true freshman backup QB. Some of the most bonehead calls I have ever witnessed!!!
BuLLdawg
January 10th, 2010
11:03 am
If you go back 5 Quarterbacks ago :
1-whoever now
2-Joe Cox
3-Matthew Stafford
4-DJ Shockley
5-David Greene
David Greene won 9 games against Final AP Poll Top 25.
Only 1 of those was a Top 10 Final AP Poll team, his 1st victory.
He never matched that victory over Number 4 vols, ever again.
2 of the 8 Losses Coach Richt has to teams NOT in Final AP Poll are David Greene’s.
8 of the 19 Losses Coach Richt has to Final AP Poll Top 25 are David Greene’s.
David Greene beat 1 Top 10 Final AP Poll team, his 1st last and only.
David Greene 9-8 vs. Final AP Poll Top 25 with 2 more losses to teams NOT RANKED.
He was not a gifted Quarterback who had neither an arm nor could run.
Colt McCoy has More Wins now in his career than David Greene did in his.
Colt McCoy has no one on Defense like David Pollack was for David Greene.
David Greene was NOT the Star. David Pollack was.
Colt McCoy WAS the Star.
CDAWG
January 10th, 2010
11:03 am
I was under the impression that this blog was a UGA blog concerning Kirby Smart. Many of you are acting like kids…did not, did too, did not, did too! For all of us Dawg fans I am honored that so many other schools are taking time out of their busy schedules to have dialogue with us; to me that is ultimate respect for UGA. I smell a hint of jealousy because we just might get some more big recruits because of KS…..Uh Oh! Bottom line we have to give credit to Alabama for an incredible year and the NC…good job. I have nothing but respect for Bama. Lizards you are a different story, yep you have had our number for a while but things will be different next year. Lizards, I will have to say that I REALLY enjoyed the a$$ whooping you took from Bama. Everyone in the state was pulling for Bama because you guys are soooo arrogant!!! The look on your faces as the clocked ticked down was priceless. Yeller Bees, you might get lucky from time to time but you will never be able to compete nationally in the football arena. I bet you guys kick A$$ in spelling bees. I made myself laugh…Yeller Bees/Spelling Bees, get it?
Now as far as UGA, We have a stable of good QB’s and we just might get Blake Sims who de-committed to UA and I bet we might get Nick Marshall next year so we are good in the QB department. We have a veteran OL coming back next year. Our RB’s will be much improved. Our D can only go up, way up. I think UGA will be riding a wave of momentum into next season. I think this past year was a huge wakeup call to CMR…about time. GO DAWGS!!!!!
dawg nation
January 10th, 2010
11:06 am
Get um going Kirby!!!!!! The bulldog nation is ready to rise!!!!!
DSGB
January 10th, 2010
11:07 am
You FL/GT/BAMA fans sure do obsess over UGA alot. It’s comical that you would spend so much time on a UGA board talking trash and writing 1,000 word articles on how bad UGA sucks. It seems to me you guys are either A.) closet UGA fans who try and cover your true love for the program with constant rants about how bad they suck or B.) are pale-skinned virgins sitting in your mom’s basement with way too much time on your hands.
squat
January 10th, 2010
11:08 am
Well said…..BuLLdawg….
cowboy
January 10th, 2010
11:09 am
Alabama:
Sources tell FootballCoachScoop that Head Coach Nick Saban has interviewed Todd Grantham (Dallas Cowboys Defensive Line coach) for the soon to be
vacant Defensive Coordinator position.
Preston
January 10th, 2010
11:09 am
BuLLdawg, settle down and pour out the rest of that coffee. For crying out loud! LOL!
cowboy
January 10th, 2010
11:10 am
Georgia:
Sources tell us that Head Coach Mark Richt did interview New Orleans Saints Assistant Defensive Line coach Travis Jones. The interview took place
several weeks ago.
BuLLdawg
January 10th, 2010
11:11 am
David Greene was 3-1 vs. Tennessee vols.
David Greene was 2-2 vs. Auburn.
David Greene was 1-2 vs. LSU.
David Greene was 1-3 vs. Florida.
It doesn’t take a genius to see that David Greene was 7-8 vs. LSU, Florida, Tennessee and LSU combined.
cowboy
January 10th, 2010
11:14 am
Georgia:
FootballCoachScoop sources tell us that Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart, this season’s Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant, has just be
given an offer that is double the $360,000 base salary Smart earned this past season at Alabama. According to our sources, Head Coach Mark Richt
should be announcing Smart as the new Defensive Coordinator at Georgia very soon.
Preston
January 10th, 2010
11:18 am
DSGB, you must be new to this. LOL. It doesn’t matter how important or irrelevant the article is. The respect that is given to all things UGA are made evident by the presence of all the tech, UF, UT, Bama, etc. fans that come to EVERY single UGA blog and try to talk trash. It’s funny as hell! That being said, I hope the Kirby Smart deal comes through because he has earned the opportunity to make a lot more money by coming home to Athens. It would also be a little icing on the cake to shut all the bama fans that have been saying that Smart would never do it because UGA is a lesser program. We know better. That’s why they’re on our blog!
Eaaasssy
January 10th, 2010
11:18 am
Dang. Nothing but sour grapes on this blog. Bunch of insecure Techies and Gators spewing their insecurities in the form of blogging. Ha. Your losers need to get out of the house. The ice has melted, it’s safe to turn your computer off and leave your parents basement.
Jason
January 10th, 2010
11:18 am
SI.com is reporting that Saban is considering making Kirby Smart the coach in waiting at Bama
Gatorland
January 10th, 2010
11:18 am
CDAWG,
Nice Post! I hope you know that Blake Sims has been told by 4 Major Recruiters and HC’s that he IS NOT a SEC Quarterback…Great Athlete…but not at QB….he will play and can play any other position in the SEC due to being such a strong athlete. But he saw the writing on the wall at BAMA and saw he was the 5th best QB coming in.
The best WINNER on UGA’S Roster is Aaron Murray…that kid can WIN… he has the intagibles to make plays and provide leadership….
But as an earlier post listed the SEC..UGA is # 6 in the SEC in recruiting….Tennessee is coming in an stealing some great players out of former UGA Strongholds. Now I do think The Vols will get busted for some of the Violations that they are committing..but UGA is getting kicked back to Ole Miss and Miss. State recruiting levels.
Those are the facts..
BuLLdawg
January 10th, 2010
11:19 am
DisneyDawgs,
Gentlemen :
David Greene 7-8 vs AU FL LS TN. 9-8 vs T25 plus 2 losses outside T25.
Coach Richt 17-19 vs Final AP Poll Top 25 plus 8 more losses outside Top 25.
We ain’t that great.
And, NEITHER was that QB 5 Quarterbacks ago.
CDAWG
January 10th, 2010
11:19 am
GATORLAND, I do have to agree with you on the disipline issue. Saban gets criticized by some for being a control freak. Hey if it lands you a NC…ok, call me a control freak.
fair and Balanced
January 10th, 2010
11:28 am
Smart would be smart to come to GA where he can have the lead of the defense and get more money. Saban isn’t going to make a counter offer because he knows defense and can get someone to do what he tells him. Which begs the question: Does Kirby really know defense? Bama has a good defense because of Saban – not Smart. Hope at GA is that Smart has been smart enough to learn a lot and bring some fire to the defense and make a name for himself at GA.
But talk of “coach in waiting”???? Say what? Where did that come from? Nonsense! If KS came to GA expecting that – GA would be wrong to hire him.
the truth
January 10th, 2010
11:29 am
All the “brillant” people on this blog just don’t get it. The HEAD COACH is responsible for the defense and the offense. He has the final say on the game plan, play calling, schemes, etc. It seems to me that Mark Richt fired his coaches to protect his own job. He needs to take responsibility for his own lack of coaching ability. I already know some bloggers will respond with comments that head coaches don’t micromanage. Maybe they should learn from Saban and Meyer. They control the game plans and schemes for all phases of their teams. Last time I heard, Martinez worked for Richt. In the business world, the boss is ultimately responsible. Smart is going to UGA to save Richt’s job. Keep in mind that Smart only served with the coordinator title for 1 year. Steele was the coordinator the first two years with Saban at Bama. Steele struggled without Saban and so will Smart. How many of Belechik’s disciples have been successful without him? Muschamp is the only Saban disciple who has been successful and he just got beat by the master. Do you really think Smart came up with the game plan. Saban is the process. Smart was just an instrument used in the process.
Gatorland
January 10th, 2010
11:30 am
CDAWG,
Yes I would be a control freak too if I made 3 to 5 million a year and 90+ thousand were in the stands. LOL! Do you think M.Richt has it in him to be the JERK that Meyers and Saban are on the practice field. Look at IOWA AND IOWA ST. their HC’s are strict disciplinarians and run a program like a BOOT CAMP..they turned programs around in a state that plays alot of 8 man football.
The SEC is now the Biggest Business in the NCAA and if you are not willing to treat your program that way then you will be out of job in a hurry.
BuLLdawg
January 10th, 2010
11:31 am
Does Kirby Smart know Defense ?
What a stupid statement
CDAWG
January 10th, 2010
11:31 am
Gatorland, you are correct about your assessment of Blake Sims. As good as Sims was in high school he would be listed about 4th or 5th on the UGA depth chart at QB. He did say he wants to play other positions on offense. Where we go from here depends on CMR. He needs to hire a recruiting genius and I really hope that we get a new strength and conditioning coach. The better our coaching staff the better the athletes that we get. What you said about discipline has been a complaint of mine all year. We didn’t have that problem when Dooley was at the helm.
Villa Rica DAWG
January 10th, 2010
11:34 am
Buddy of mine just told me Smart was spotted looking at houses yesterday! Not sure where exactly, but my buddy lives off 316.
fire lane kiffin
January 10th, 2010
11:35 am
I hate our Coach!
Villa Rica DAWG
January 10th, 2010
11:36 am
Seems a little early in Richt’s tenture to be naming a coach in waiting. Just my opinion. I don’t see that happening. Smart would be an idiot for accepting that too. He’d be locking himself into a DC position for another 10-20 years, potentially.
CDAWG
January 10th, 2010
11:38 am
the truth, I agree with you as well. The successful coaches run a tight ship and have the final say. The HC is not for the weak. I like CMR but have wondered for a few years if he was just too nice to get the job done. I do know if after this hire he does not turn things around we may try to get Saban
BamaBill
January 10th, 2010
11:43 am
Lot’s of hate on here for Coach Saban and Bama, but we are used to that. Jealously is a biatch…
To those that think CNS’s statement about lateral moves was stupid or worse, he is only interested in seeing his guys move upward. Who can blame him? Kirby will make a fine head coach, whether it be now or down the road. But, he has only been DC for 2 years and perhaps needs more seasoning. The smart move would be if he got offered a head-coach-in-waiting deal. Otherwise, it’s all personal (wife, ex-player. etc.) which is fine but who knows now if it is the right move for his career?
We’d love to keep him at Bama, but if he decides to leave we will be fine. CNS will hire another excellent coach who is an excellent recruiter. We have a very fine D Coach in Sal Sunseri who could step right in as DC.
Georgia’s problems lie much deeper than the DC position…Richt needs to get better control of his program..
Sucky Lucky
January 10th, 2010
11:46 am
Oh you mean like not get on probation? or nearly get the death penalty? Seriously a Bama fan telling Richt to get control of the program. Tell us about it Bama Bill
Hbtd
January 10th, 2010
11:47 am
gt nerds now sound like they’re obsessing over an UGA coaching decisions. Go Dawgs!!
dax
January 10th, 2010
11:50 am
Going from Miami to Bama was more than a lateral move for Saban. He went with tradition. Might I mention that it was 3 years to the day from Saban stepping off the plane as Bama’s new head coach to WINNING the National Championship. What tradition does the Dawgs have. Bama 8 confirmed NC, 22 SEC Championships. The year that the Dawgs were suppose to win it all, they were man handled by Bama, Sabans 2nd year. Oh by the way, Saban runs the defense, Kirby just follows his directions. So if he does leave Bama, you’ll see. Just think of Muschamp another Saban student.
GaGator
January 10th, 2010
11:52 am
Bobby Bowden said when Richt came to Georgia that, “I don’t know if Mark is tough enough to be head coach”. We shall see this year, 7 & 5 or 8 & 4 and he’s outa here.
BamaBill
January 10th, 2010
11:54 am
To Cowboy:
It may be true that CNS has interviewed Grantham, but seeing that the Cowboys are in the middle of the playoffs I would doubt that any coach would be given permission to interview with anybody until the playoffs are over.
1eyedJack
January 10th, 2010
11:59 am
It wouldn’t be a lateral move simply because he would be moving from the STATE of Alabama to the STATE of Georgia.
I’ve been to Alabama people. There is nothing there but rocks, farms, shacks, trailers, rusted out pickup trucks, cars on blocks, dogs tied to trees, and 40 year old people who look 60. Couldn’t be uglier unless it was Arkansas. Some good fishing holes and deer hunting though.
No ‘Bama fans should hang their hat on that “sceptic tank” comment. Per capita they have far more sceptic tanks than Georgia. Shucks, EVERYBODY lives in the country there.
One thing about winning a MNC. Now you’ve got the “hot assistants” and everybody wants them. Will who you get to replace them work out as well?
Techies celebrating the future hire of the beat down and broken 90 year old Al Groh, the guy is old enough to collect social security. You ‘re going to have to hire some special assistants just to make sure the guy wakes up on time and can find his way to the stadium. Of course CPJ wouldn’t want to hire someone better looking than him. “…mirror, mirror on the wall…”.
BuLLdawg, stop posting the press guide on every blog. You may have some great stuff to say, but everybody just scrolls past it.
Florida fans, just go screw yourselves.
BamaBill
January 10th, 2010
11:59 am
Hey Sucky! I’m the perfect one to say it. Have seen what that crap does to a program..And you act like I am the one that got Bama in trouble..Jeez man, get a life!
I was referring to (in case you have an IQ over 50) Richt “losing control” by means of discipline. I think that 90% of the Georgia fans would agree with me about that.
cowboy
January 10th, 2010
11:59 am
BamaBill,
First That don”t make since.he may have but he did not get permission.
It was also reported that CMR spoke with a Saints coach 2 weeks ago.This may or may not be true,just ran across it and passed it along.
TDAWG
January 10th, 2010
12:03 pm
BamaBill, very true but Grantham would be a great hire for Bama. He is a very good coach.
BamaBill
January 10th, 2010
12:03 pm
To 1eyedJack: Have lived in Georgia for 30 years, but was born and raised in Alabama. You, my friend, are the perfect example of the pot calling the kettle black. You have just described most every place in Georgia outside of Atlanta and it’s suburbs. You’ve “BEEN” to Alabama..My, you should know everything about it then…
cowboy
January 10th, 2010
12:03 pm
Why are Gator,Vol,Bama and Yeller Jacket fans surfing a UGA story web site.
BamaBill
January 10th, 2010
12:06 pm
Agree, TDAWG, it would be a great hire..
Cowboy, was just saying that it is unusual for any pro team to give permission for any of their coaches to interview during the playoffs..
1eyedJack
January 10th, 2010
12:08 pm
BamaBill, I know this:
Alabama’s main domestic import, dentists.
Alabama’s main domestice export, mobile homes.
Realistic Dawg Fan
January 10th, 2010
12:11 pm
1eyedJack – your comments are pretty funny. “40 year olds who look 60″ – nice.
Stinger
January 10th, 2010
12:12 pm
Anything over $50,000 per yr for Kirby Smart is too much. He should be flipping burgers.
mayor bob
January 10th, 2010
12:13 pm
Bottom Line….we better find the athletes that can make plays….make sure their drivers licenses are up to date….don’t get into fights in downtown…focus on the mission…When you hear Saban talk…Ingram talk after the BCS game…both mentioned “buying into the mission”..
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE UGA FOOTBALL PROGRAM? ACCEPT THE FACT THAT UF IS GOING TO BEAT US….TENNESSEE IS OUT RECRUITING US….LETTING KY.COME TO ATHENS AND EMBARRASS US ….LOSE THE “BETWEEN THE HEDGE” EDGE IN BIG GAMES….PLAYING AT HOME MEANS NOTHING TO THIS PROGRAM….WE HAVE ALLOWED TENNESSEE…ALABAMA…SOUTH CAROLINA….KY….COME INTO OUR STADIUM AND HAND IT TO US….WE BETTER DEVELOP A “MISSION” THAT MEANS SOMETHING…WE DID NOT FINISH IN THE TOP 25 THIS YEAR….WITH ALL THE “TOP RECRUITS”…BIG $$$$…FACILITIES….THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN..!!!!!
TIED OF HEARING THIS BULL ABOUT THE NEXT SAVIOR TO THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE THE RIGHT D.C…..HOG WASH…..THIS PROGRAM HAS MORE PROBLEMS TO FIX THAN JUST THE RIGHT D.C….
MOST OF YOU BLOGGERS ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE BLENDER ABOUT THIS “SMART” DECISION…..WHO HAS HE RECRUITED..PERSONALLY…AT BAMA OR LSU..THAT HAS MADE THE DIFFERENCE….WE BETTER GET THE PLAYERS THAT CAN PLAY..BEFORE WE THINK A SUPER D.C. CAN TURN CHICKEN SH.. INTO CHICKEN SALAD…
AS ALWAYS….YOU “KNOW IT BETTERS”…CAN RESPOND…
Ron Recruitment
January 10th, 2010
12:13 pm
In case you didn’t hear the Florida Gators picked up three 5 star players at the U.S. Army Game yesterday…………………………….only one UGA hat seen…………….not selected.
TDAWG
January 10th, 2010
12:13 pm
BamaBill, pay 1eye no attention. He is a Bama and Georgia reject and classless as well as clueless.
BamaBill
January 10th, 2010
12:15 pm
1eyedJack, You know squat except how to make semi-funny bad jokes…but that’s cool…love to see redneck comments on here when the subject was about football…shows the IQ comment I made was pretty much dead on..
yogi2
January 10th, 2010
12:17 pm
who gives a rat’s ass what David Pollack heard
BamaBill
January 10th, 2010
12:17 pm
TDAWG…Again, in total agreement..