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.”
Please follow me on Twitter for the latest UGA news and notes.
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
949 comments Add your comment
Weed must be strong in Athens
January 10th, 2010
7:19 pm
Expect the formal introduction tomorrow as Smart has turned down Bama’s offer! He figures that if he can turn the DAWGS defense around within two years, he will be the hottest head coach prospect in the country. Tough to argue that point even for a Bama fan!
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
7:23 pm
Is the jox report credible weed?
BTW, thanks for your posts. Nice to exhange thoughts with someone classy amongst all this trash on here!
Saint Augustine
January 10th, 2010
7:33 pm
You’re welcome
Evansdawg
January 10th, 2010
7:45 pm
I just want to say to Kirby Smart, do what you think is right for you and your family. But, Bulldog Nation wants you to come home. I think all serious fans are proud of your accomplishments. Returning to bringing victory to UGA would be the thing the best stories are made of. You were a helluva player B-tween the Hedges. Now, get on the sidelines, and show these boys how to expect to win.
Weed must be strong in Athens
January 10th, 2010
8:17 pm
The JOX story is right on from what my sources within the program are telling me and have been telling me all day. The only shot for Bama is for CNS to come in at the last minute to persuade KS to stay. Word around the athletic building tonight is the KS is not happy that Saban has not come out publicly OR privately to ask him to stay. Assuming this is accurate, KS is waiting for something that likely will never happen. Saban is not the type of HC to even speak about his assts and those assistants on the defensive side of the ball have it even worse. It is now not about the money as Mal Moore’s offer to KS is actually quite a bit more than UGA’s. Now it is about getting his “due” and exposure as a genius, versus living under the shadow of a HC who is known for his defensive mind! Even us Bama fans in Atlanta are hoping that Saban intervenes, but I expect that the UGA deal gets signed tomorrow. Good luck to KS as he has been a great asst at Bama and will have an immediate impact at UGA, especially with focus, penalties and consistency!
Dawgfan
January 10th, 2010
8:18 pm
It says on footballcoachscoop.com breaking news Smart to UGA
Weed must be strong in Athens
January 10th, 2010
8:23 pm
One final observation for you UGA fans.. You guys have some talent on defense and surely will continue to recruit in the top 10 or 20 in the next few years to give KS the players to work with. Expect much more intensity, much fewer penalties, and for the first time in a very long time, expect to see the talent actually get BETTER across the board, not just for the “stars”. The one thing KS learned under Saban that( in my opinion) is sorely lacking at UGA is that it is not the stars who win games and ultimately titles.. It is the other 40 or so guys who get significant playing time. Making THOSE 40 BETTER than they were when they got there is what has turned Bama around. Too many “good” coaches recruit lots of talent and then do nothing with it.
Laughing uncontrolably
January 10th, 2010
8:23 pm
If Kirby is indeed smart, he’ll stay the hell away from the swirling toilet that is UGA football until Richt is long gone.
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
8:26 pm
weed, rumors everywhere that smart is now head coach in waiting at bama . . .
Weed must be strong in Athens
January 10th, 2010
8:34 pm
SC.. I am seeing and hearing them as well, but all points lead towards Athens for KS. Of course, a friend of mine out west texted me a whole ago saying that USC was going to interview Saban!! These rumors are quite funny at times. I hope my sources are wrong, but unless Saban has completely changed his normal attitude, there will be no HCIW under him at Bama or elsewhere. Unless Saban has personally gone to KS and asked him to stay, KS is flying east to Athens tonight or first thing in the AM.
Laughing uncontrolably
January 10th, 2010
8:39 pm
Saban favors HCIW. USC is going on probation, who wants to rebuild when recruiting goes down due to scholarship loss. Saban cannot stand sub-par performance, he aint going to USC at 60 years old to start from the bottom
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
8:44 pm
I keep reading and hearing about Bama’s recruiting dropping off. Well we can’t sell playing early on a roster this deep, so we won’t get #1 every damn year, but we’ll do ok anyway, and we’ll coach ‘em up. Last time I checked we were still sitting at #3 on the recruiting boards so far.
Weed must be strong in Athens
January 10th, 2010
8:48 pm
Bama’s recruiting is as strong as ever. Losing Thompson to UT had no real effect and we are stcked for years to come. Most importantly is what Big red A said.. WE COACH ‘EM UP! Like him or not, but Saban has disciplined players that show major improvement during their time with him.
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
8:51 pm
We will be sending more players to the pro’s in the next 5 years than anyone
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
8:51 pm
thanks weed, its crazy isn’t it, he’s staying, he’s going, i just want a coordinator who will improve our D. Think Smart is a great coach, at Bama, or at UGA . . . there are rumors that Saban was pressing and pleading with Smart, I believe the former, not the latter! I can’t see Saban pleading with anyone. Whatever happens, CONGRATS on that title. ya’ll should be great again next year. Maybe we’ll know something tomorrow . . .
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
8:54 pm
Saban is not as rough as everyone would like to think, coordinators leave because other AD’s realize that their contact with Saban has made them a more valuable commodity
Saint Augustine
January 10th, 2010
8:55 pm
My sources tell me that tomorrow Kirby Smart will be named head coach at the University of South Florida.
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
8:56 pm
red A, I think Saban’s a great coach and he has plenty of disciples out there to prove it!!!!! It did seem, at his press conference, that he might take Smart leaving a bit personally, but, maybe they just work well together, or got close, who knows, I respect both of them. Congrats to all u Bama guys! Great title, Class program!
DC
January 10th, 2010
8:57 pm
Update from Pollack’s Twiitter:
Same that I said yesterday. UGA made a SMART move for there new DC.
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
8:59 pm
Nah, Saban just speaks his mind a little too quickly at times. Those comments may not have been for Smart though, only they really know
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
9:00 pm
Smart would be a good fit for USF, good recruiter, D-minded and will have plenty of good athletes to pick from.
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
9:03 pm
Thanks sc for the compliments.
DC
January 10th, 2010
9:16 pm
J Clay just posted on Smart, Groh Blog:
One of the Bama pay sites reporting Smart landed in Athens….
Come on Kirby!!
Buckhead Bulldog
January 10th, 2010
9:18 pm
Sorry sc dawg, but this was just too funny to pass.
“Is the jox report credible weed?”
“thanks weed, its crazy isn’t it”
“weed, rumors everywhere”
It is getting late and I had to laugh….you and weed carry on. Good stuff. I’ll shut up now. : )
Zippidee Doo Dah
January 10th, 2010
9:21 pm
Kirby should be offered the Head Coaching Job in Tampa at USF by Wednesday morning. Mal Moore has approved Kirby to speak to USF as of Saturday afternoon. Coach Moore advised Kirby as of this morning of the approval to speak to USF. USF wants new blood and a defensive guy, a young guy who can take USF to the next level.
So you folks up in Athens do not get your hopes up too quick.
We all hope Kirby gets a job where he can display his talents. Look at the Saban lineage, Fisher,
Muschamp, Steele, Smart… They are all head coaches or head coaches to be named sooner than later.
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
9:27 pm
If Smart leaves whatever will we do? Oh yeah, we’ll hire someone else. That seems to be normal when filling a position. Saban gets a new trainee and Bama gets another top 5 class and the world keeps turning and so on. By the way on the recruiting thing, I am a coach and great players make it soooo much easier, I mean you don’t have to tell a Cheeta to chase a gazelle, but you can improve his technique.
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
9:41 pm
Big Red A, IF Smart leaves, and that appears to be a big IF, Bama won’t skip a beat. While Smart could improve UGA on the defensive side of the ball, Smart staying at Bama only makes excellent defense a bit more convenient. ya’ll will have it, with or without Smart! Coaching without talent only gets a man so far, talent without coaching might get you farther, but Bama seems to have both right now.
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
9:42 pm
excellence*, sorry red a
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
9:43 pm
that is funny now that you point it out buckhead . . .
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
9:44 pm
that is funny buckhead, now that you point it out . . . i’m laughing with you
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
9:45 pm
what’s wrong with this thing, time to give it up!!!!!!!!!!
southern star
January 10th, 2010
10:00 pm
Kirby is coming home!!!
http://forums.tidesports.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3631098265/m/7551058759
Smart to UGA
January 10th, 2010
10:14 pm
With Smart, UGA wins the SEC in 2010—bank on it! He’s the missing piece. UGA’s loaded with talent, florida’s way down and nothing will stand in the way. It’s hard to be humble as a dawg fan in 2010!!!!!!
RED DOG 77
January 10th, 2010
10:43 pm
What happened to St. Augustine? I guess by the pass he made at me ,he has probubly put on his makeup and tight skirt, and moved his show on the road. Whatdaya bet he is really one of those Key West boys. When I told him I was going to put on my sleeveless shirt and go up to the Waffle House to have breakfast, and see my girl Darline, I thought he was going to jump through the computer screen at me, must be attracted to the sleeveless shirt thing you think? Well I will take a break for now, mabe back later……Best Regards to all in BULLDOG NATION……GO DOGS !!!
RED DOG 77
January 10th, 2010
10:57 pm
Candy Gram for St. Augustine……….Oh …..St. Augustine…..Candy Gram
Big red A
January 10th, 2010
10:59 pm
Sorry Smart, UGA is loaded with talent on offense, but thier stalwarts on d are leaving for the NFL. UGA may win the east, but I’ll bet they can’t beat Bama in the big game. Bama will have the edge in the SEC next season with a seemingly bottomless supply of depth at every position. Hell Bama has better players sitting the damn bench than most do on the field.
sc dawg
January 10th, 2010
11:18 pm
now that’s funny red dog, damn funny!
dax
January 11th, 2010
12:10 am
Here is the problem for KS at UGA. When UGA only goes 6 – 6 next year, will CMR still be there and would they turn over the Football program to a non proven head coach. I see Smart lookiing and wondering why he decided on such a dumb move, when he could have been part of another National Championship team as he is looking for another job in 2011 after CMR gets canned.
RED DOG 77
January 11th, 2010
12:32 am
sc dawg…..thanks, I laughed too, but did the dude impress you as a little scary too? Looked like to me he was on all day……..justagettinit as we say in North Georgia……Think the boy missed his meds? A pleasure having good natured fun with DOGS like you….My Best…RED
BuLLdawg
January 11th, 2010
12:34 am
Don’t know about 6-6 next season, but 8-5 was sobering enough as it is this season.
The only team we beat was # 13 Georgia tek.
Saint Augustine
January 11th, 2010
9:16 am
No press conference means he ain’t coming dawgs! Instead, you’ll just see a headline in the Birmingham/Tucaloosa online news. Hate it. Hahahahahahahahahaha!
GameTime
January 11th, 2010
9:54 am
If Smart accepts the UGA job its just additional confirmation that the UGA grads (Kirby being one) aren’t so smart. Anyway you look at it he’s better off at Alabama.
- The money will be about the same when Alabama counters UGA’s offer.
- He’s established at Alabama. He’d have to start over at UGA
- He’s being mentored by one of the best defensive minds in college football (Saban). You can see what kind of mentoring and development Willie Martinez got under Richt.
- And if Smart has head coaching aspirations which program gives him the best chance to showcase his talents — Alabama, a top notch, high visibility program; or UGA – a mid-SEC program.
He may take the UGA job on emotion but Smart will be pretty Dumb if he does.
Saint Augustine
January 11th, 2010
11:09 am
This just in:
KIRBY SMART STAYING WITH TIDE
http://al-tucaloosa-news:jan11;10:01amcst//.com
Please say it aint so
January 11th, 2010
11:23 am
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big red A
January 11th, 2010
1:49 pm
Hey guys it is not confirmed whether or not Kirby is going or staying, but listen to jox at 2:00 cst, Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa News will be on at some point and he should have some info one way or the other. Good luck to KS either way, but I don’t think he can resurrect UGA quickly enough to save Richt. It’s time to make a HC change at UGA or get acquainted with mediocre with flashes of great, like Auburn.
Bdawg
January 11th, 2010
3:09 pm
I’ve heard that it’s a lock, but stranger things have happened. I don’t see where it’s such a far fetched idea. He’s already got a Broyle’s award and NC on the resume. There have been articles, even in this very newspaper stating that he is no hurry to be a Head Coach. Why wouldn’t he want more money, more control and credit for his D, and the chance to coach at his alma mater where he’ll be closer to his and his wife’s family? Seems like a VERY GOOD possibility to me. If David Pollack is tweeting that it’s a pretty much done deal, then we should listen. He has just as much insight or more than anyone.
Crimson Crush
January 11th, 2010
6:30 pm
Yep … a “done deal” . Smart will get 18 quintrillion a year and Bama can’t match that . It is true cuz I read it in the AJC blog comment section and David Pollack backed it up !!!!
dax
January 11th, 2010
7:24 pm
Better check your sources…He is staying at Bama
Big red A
January 11th, 2010
9:08 pm
Well I guess Kirby figured that Bama had plenty of money for him to stay right where he is. Looks like UGA will have to give up on the SEC title for another 5 or 6 years.