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
Realist
January 10th, 2010
1:17 pm
GaGator,
If UF is bringing in the “projected #1″ class, then why did Meyer almost bail on UF? All the bromance going on down there, i think he needed a break. I mean let’s face it. Every “relationship” needs a break. Or did he almost bail because LWT, (life without Tebow), got a little tougher because he realized that he is actually going to have to start coaching again and break in another QB because we all know Brantley isn’t going to cut it.
GatorInsider.com
January 10th, 2010
1:17 pm
“What’s the deal?” -
He’s taking the job.
.
January 10th, 2010
1:18 pm
Hairy Dawg: What? That was a joke, right? Try to use English so the rest of us can understand whatever point it is you are trying to make.
cowboy
January 10th, 2010
1:19 pm
It is a matter of having the whole staff put together before the press con. with several more people involved other than CKS.Just making sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed.
Gatorland
January 10th, 2010
1:20 pm
Gatorinsider,
You need to read all my post….I think you find I have been really fair….Meyer is a winner, Saban is a winner and the two will continue to dominate the league without regard to who is Coordinators.
Those persons perpertrating nasty comments are just that NASTY and do not have the ability to think in rational terms.
Read my earlier posts before you comment….
cowboy
January 10th, 2010
1:22 pm
If you are a Georgia fan, you will be well pleased with what is being put in place.
2007 was an illusion (Football & Basketball)
January 10th, 2010
1:22 pm
With the Recruiting class Florida is bringing in CMR and UGA is going to endure huge beatdown deficits to the Gators no matter who the coach is. Cans you say” half a hun” will be the norm put on the dawgies at the c0cktail party ! Wow Its being regarded as the top TOP recruiting class of ALL TIME by the Gators!
GatorInsider.com
January 10th, 2010
1:23 pm
“Meyer is a winner, Saban is a winner and the two will continue to dominate the league without regard to who is Coordinators.”
Saban, yes. Meyer, no.
Without saying too much…if you think Urban Meyer is going to be the coach at Florida next year, you are mistaken. Additionally, enjoy our titles…while we still have them.
Coach Richt better than Coach Dooley
January 10th, 2010
1:23 pm
Dooley’s first year he went 1964-(7-3-1),then it goes like this 1965-(6-4),1966(10-1),1967-(7-4),1968-(8-1-2 SEC Champions),1969-(5-5-1),1970-(5-5),1971-(11-1),1972-(7-4),1973-(7-4-1),1974-(6-6),1975-(9-3),1976-(10-2 SEC Champions),1977-(5-6),1978-(9-2-1),1979-(6-5),1980-(12-0 National Champions, SEC Champions),1981-(10-2 SEC Champions),1982-(11-1 SEC Champions),1983-(10-1-1),1984-(7-4-1),1985-(7-3-2),1986-(8-4),1987-(9-3),1988-(9-3),Now tell me how great a Coach Dooley was if he coached in the SEC today he would have been fired before he got a National Championship.
GatorInsider.com
January 10th, 2010
1:24 pm
2007 was an illusion-
Snowball’s chance those recruits stick with Florida when the hammer drops.
GaTruth
January 10th, 2010
1:24 pm
I hope he takes the UGA gig just so all our no-nothing fans will pipe down and stop showing how little they know about anything, yet think they know about everything and the University can quit walking around with the egg of coaches’ rejection on our face.
Fire Kirk Herbstreit
January 10th, 2010
1:25 pm
ESPN puts out every rumor about who Richt is hiring, but goes silent when it’s actually the truth–Kirby Smart. Hilarious.
Georgia doesn’t care where ESPN ranks us pre-season, when we win the SEC, and go undefeated, they have to put Georgia in.
I’d love to see:
1) Kirk Herbstreit HAVE to call the National Championship in 2010 which Georgia wins (Kirk HATES the SEC)
2) Urban Meyer come back and stay for 4 more years and get some more from Kirby Smart’s D for 4 more years
3) ESPN drop Georgia form pre-season rankings, really show their bias, don’t even rank Georgia
4) Kirk to leave off ALL Georgia players AGAIN from his uni-all-star team
5) Refs call at least 10 penalties per game against Georgia AGAIN (Richt is 27-2 when that happens)
Hi ESPN. It’s the internet age. We don’t need you anymore. Bye Bye. Hello Sports Illustrated.
Fire Kirk Herbstreit
January 10th, 2010
1:31 pm
Until ESPN fires Kirk, let’s start visiting the COMPETITION.
Georgia needs to forge a dynamic relationship with SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, since Kirk Herbstreit, and ESPN, have it out for Coaches like Richt and Leach these days.
Here’s the link to start visiting SEC fans, remember, Kirk lobbied to get Georgia dropped from #1 ranking in 2007 to #4.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/
cowboy??
January 10th, 2010
1:31 pm
I am a fan, I also coached 2 of the Defensive commits to the dawgs and i am just concerned that something could break down with all of this
jughead brown
January 10th, 2010
1:33 pm
Kirby Smart will bring some of his Bama recruits with him, others will defect from FSU/Fla/USC, making Georgia the #1 recruiting class when all the dust settles.
Ole Yeller Dawg
January 10th, 2010
1:35 pm
What’s the deal?:
Kirby is a Dawg again. A contract would not have been extended without a verbal agreement already in place. Today is Sunday which if you know the bible the 4th commandment states (in short) remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy – this is a day of rest – no work will commence on God’s day. It will be announced Monday (1/11/10) before noon along with the other two assistant’s that also have been hired.
CDAWG
January 10th, 2010
1:36 pm
I disagree with the naysayers that say Kirby is making a mistake leaving the National Champion Tide to come to UGA. At Bama all the credit for the defense goes to Saban. At UGA he gets to take a program that didn’t do so well this past season and put his stamp on it, so unless the guy is a complete idiot he HAS to do better than what WM did. Furthermore, he has been running Saban’s D and has his playbook; he should be pretty versed in running the D. I will tell you that I was a little concerned about Saban’s potent D giving up 2 TD passes to a freshman. As long as KS betters the D at UGA he will be a hero. NOW WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO DOUBLE THEIR SALARY??? If KS has confidence in his abilities then he knows that he can improve our D dramatically. There is no guarantee if he stays put that Bama will win it again.
Well said “Seriously Guys”
What's the deal?
January 10th, 2010
1:36 pm
Thanks Cowboy and GatorInsider. I am very excited about this hire. I feel confident that KS will solidify our recruiting class, while bringing a brand of aggressive defense back to GA that we have been sorely missing. How do you guys feel the hiring of KS will impact UGA football? Thanks in advance for your insight.
Kirby Smart Killed the Spread Offense
January 10th, 2010
1:36 pm
Cool Georgia is getting the guy who killed the Spread Offense. Meyer will never run it again. The spread died in the Bama/Gator SEC Champ. Kirby Smart ate the spread offense for breakfast. Meyer was embarrassed, Tebow was cryin, it was a bad scene.
Da' Da' Da' Da'
January 10th, 2010
1:36 pm
Da’Rick Da’cant Da’catch Da’ball .
What's the deal?
January 10th, 2010
1:39 pm
Thanks Ole Yeller Dawg.
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
1:40 pm
Does anyone have any news???????? I’m trying to week through all the trash talk on thing, after getting in from Church, and, all I see is childish banter. UGA folks, let’s set the tone by showing some class and not reciprocating when folks from other schools want to lead us down that path . . . Several Bama fans have shown a ton of class on here, as have several GA folks, and even a few Gators. Looks like UF has another great recruiting class, looks like Smart is considering UGA (whether we get him or not is yet to be seen), and, it looks like the Saban USC stuff is just worthless rumor. BTW, its Saban, not Satan. And, despite his reference which could easily be interpreted as derogatory remarks toward UGA, we should refer to him by his name.
What's the deal?
January 10th, 2010
1:40 pm
Cowboy, what are you concerns regarding a breakdown of some sort?
Mr. Nick Saban
January 10th, 2010
1:42 pm
Well Georgia fans,
You may have Kirby, after all, it is ME with the brains and the control over our “D”. Your program has been relegated to mid tier in the SEC and a new DC is not going to help you. Good luck against UF and UT next year, although I would imagine that you ‘DAWGS” have already written next year off as a rebuilding year. Blame the media, blame the refs, heck blame Sherman for not burning down your little town en route to the sea.. Nothing will change the fact that your head coach just cannot win championships!
agree with whats the deal
January 10th, 2010
1:42 pm
are there any concerns??? also who do you here will flesh out the defensive staff
Sports Illustrated Opportunity
January 10th, 2010
1:43 pm
This is a big chance to Sports Illustrated to grab the college football fan base from ESPN.
ESPN credibility is at an ALL-TIME LOW after the Craig James incident.
ESPN continues to not represent the SEC in broadcasters (anyone with SEC background calling the Natl Champ game?)
ESPN continues to show bias against Georgia.
Time to retaliate.
Sports Illustrated to forge and internet presence, strong SEC expertise, pro-Georgia relationship, leaving the ESPN inept reporters like Kirk Herbstreit and Craig James behind.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
January 10th, 2010
1:43 pm
Any word on a DC for UGA yet? Most colleges now have their staff put together for the recruiting period. Why is CMR asleep at the wheel and letting grass grow under his feet at the Septic Tank ???? kinda stupid wouldnt ya say ?
singndablues
January 10th, 2010
1:45 pm
check this link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4813421
Buckhead Bulldog
January 10th, 2010
1:46 pm
Raven’s D is CRUSHING the Pats. That is the D we need….Junkyard-mean and nasty, nasty, nasty.
I know KS knows and has that mentality! Hope it is true….I guess we will find out this evening or tomorrow a.m..
Seriously Guys(Dog Fan)...
January 10th, 2010
1:47 pm
Hey guys, I think CMR’s “experiment” with being a “players” coach has come to an end.
Did you see the look on his face at the end of the Tech game when our undisciplined players were trying to douse him w/ Gatorade?
He looked pissed off and rightfully so.
There was over a min left in the game and Tech had the ball, etc.
Now if Kirby is coming home, hopefully he will bring the discipline w/ him and CMR can feed into that.
the espn article worries me
January 10th, 2010
1:49 pm
bama saying they will do anything to keep him really puts a little fear in me
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
January 10th, 2010
1:50 pm
A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com that Smart hadn’t yet made a decision as of Sunday morning. The source said Alabama officials have told Smart they would “do everything necessary to keep him.” Wow this could be damning for UGA Nation according to ESPN. CMR is the problem huh!
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
1:50 pm
Good link singndablues, thanks. Sounds a bit like Low, a UT homer, is hoping Smart stays at Bama though. Hard to figure out what’s going on . . . I do think its safe to assume that a pretty solid offer has been put on the table. Should KS stay at Bama, what are ya’ll thoughts on Grantham? I think, it could be argued, that we might be better off with Grantam . . . just based on experience in the NFL, and, the fact that KS, when successfull at UGA should he take the job, might not be around long when other schools coming calling . . . Love KS, just saying . . .
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
January 10th, 2010
1:51 pm
Looks like david pollack may have Egg on his face!
Cowboy??
January 10th, 2010
1:52 pm
What do you think about this Low article? Als again who are the other pieces being put in place
Weed must be strong in Athens
January 10th, 2010
1:54 pm
Well as a Bama Fan, I hate to see Kirby go. Word in T-Town is that Mal Moore has an offer on the table to Smart for a new 4 year deal at just under $800k a year. Kirby will still likely bolt to Athens so he can have a real DC job. What is funny is how UGA fans think that KS will instantly turn UGA into a powerhouse. I also see how you guys think that he will pull recruits from Bama and Saban. That is pretty funny. The Bama D was built by CNS and has been RUN by CNS from day one. and the recruits committed to Bama are coming because of Saban, tradition, and of course the chance to play for championships. UGA needs better assistants who can develop talent and KS will definitely help you guys there. Good luck next year as UF and UT will be the powers in the east and our TIDE will likely be favored to win it all! Happy Sunday..
Kirk Herbstreight
January 10th, 2010
1:56 pm
You ignorant red neck dawg fans I always stand by my sources. You one toothed walmart shoppers need to stand by your resource, ” The Green Grass Septic Tank” on the north campus!
800k
January 10th, 2010
1:58 pm
if ALA is matching our offer why would he leave??
Sports Illustrated Says Florida's #1 Recruits Don't Matter
January 10th, 2010
1:59 pm
Even if Fla gets a #1 recruiting class, it won’t matter according to SI’s crack reporters. Check it out:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/12/24/top-100/index.html
Buckhead Bulldog
January 10th, 2010
1:59 pm
sc dawg: I think Mark Schlabach wrote the piece. Everything I’ve read by him has been fair to the SEC and UGA……
Thanks for the link singndablues!
Seriously Guys(Dog Fan)...
January 10th, 2010
1:59 pm
Yeah Kirk was real cool two years ago. Remember, He was pumping up Ohio State and they got WAXED by our two loss LSU Cousins.
And AGAIN…the fans were chanting S…E…C so loud after the game that the talking heads were blushing like little school girls.
Reality
January 10th, 2010
1:59 pm
Four reasons Kirby Smart will pick UGA over bama:
1) He is a SMART young man and feels like he is living in a hick state that is 30 years behind the times.
2) He will make twice what bama pays.
3) He will be working for Coach Mark Richt and not Nick Satan.
4) Kirby and his wife and TRUE DAWGS.
1) I’ve lived in both places and like it or not, there ain’t a lot of difference in Alabama and Georgia. Unless you are a friend of KS and he told you that then that argument is bogus.
2) The salary has not been disclosed but I doubt UGA will pay a DC 800K per year. UGA’s athletic department is ages behind Bama’s. Since when does UGA, who doesn’t even have an indoor practice facility, pay an assistant coach 800K? LOL It might be 100K more than he makes at Bama but lets not get carried away. 800K. I’m still laughing.
3) He’s left Coach Richt twice before (you do know he’s had 2 other coaching jobs at UGA in the last 10 years, right?) to go work for “Nick Satan”
4) See #3.
rik
January 10th, 2010
2:00 pm
looks like CMR got another raise for another DC
Sports Illustrated Says Meyer Creating Bad Chain
January 10th, 2010
2:02 pm
Good read, check it out:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/12/26/meyer.health/index.html
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
2:02 pm
Interesting Weed, not sure why KS (Ga roots and all) would leave if Bama puts a better offer on the table. Agree that the Tiide will be favored to win it all, possibly for the next two or three years. Even IF, and that’s a big IF, Smart comes to UGA, Bama moves on unphased. Saban is the genuius behind that D. Regarding UF, yes, they will be tough as long as they recruit and develop talent like they have. UT, have to disagree on that one . . . I see Kiffin and wonder exactly where that program is going, could be up, could be down, could be status quo, who knows. What are the Bama boards saying guys??????
Sports Illustrated Calls Leach Firing Strange
January 10th, 2010
2:04 pm
It was strange what Craig James, ESPN reporter did to Mike Leach, read it:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/12/30/meyer-leach/index.html
Sports Illustrated Says Leach Firing Hurt Texas Tech
January 10th, 2010
2:06 pm
Excellent article, check it out:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/12/30/leach-fired/index.html
UGAgrad71
January 10th, 2010
2:07 pm
Louie, are you old enough to shave, or is mommy still wiping your BEE-hind? Get a life you loser!!!!!!
Financial Freedom Dawg
January 10th, 2010
2:07 pm
If you need a raise at your current job let CMR and company help you obtain the results you need guaranteed ! Dont wait call today! BR 5149 ! Tell’em Willie sent ya !
01HAWK
January 10th, 2010
2:08 pm
SMART can go and BAMA will not miss a beat. It is really funny to see you guys all on pins and needles almost like you were when you were waiting on your first born to see if SMART is loading up to come there
Major Applewhite left for Texas and we got Jim McElwain and we won a NC.
Hey Smart……………………Which mover do you want, North American, ALLIED ?
Hey James Willis…………..You can go to Tx Tech also with TUBB VILLE
Here is the reason I come to the UGA boards: You guys make my day for you are so funny. The BARNERS have already done their hating on me.
Here are my next comedy acts:
1. TENN………………This will be fun talking about the dealth penalty for most of there players and how KIFFIN will put them on probation
2. SC…………………..What a joke. Lose to UCONN in football, not basketball. They will probably get the CIA and FBI to try and find me
3. OLE MISS AND MISS STATE……………………Oh what the heck. Most of there players are 2 stars anyway.
4. LSU……………This will be fun when I mention that they won NC with SABAN’S players. LOL
5. KENTUCKY…………..They will probably try to get me to talk about basketball. But I will remind them that UGA almost beat them, WHICH IS SAD for UGA lost to some college by the name of AWFUL or WOFFORD, or something like that. Also you guys lost to UAB. CONFERENCE USA in the HOUSE. I went to that game and UAB slapped you guys silly.
6. VANDY……………….I have to be careful here because we probably all will work for someone that was a VANDY GRAD