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
Larrysmydawg
January 9th, 2010
7:46 pm
If Kirby has a written offer it’s a done deal.Welcome back CKS!!!!
Louie
January 9th, 2010
7:46 pm
pm dog , dambama- You both are red neck trailer hicks so out there and ignorant pieces of crap. Typical dog filth so caught up in Wally World marked down after Christmas redundant all red and black attire. Get your a$$es up to the Waffle House and wash the dirty dishes and occupy your childish minds.
Dawg26
January 9th, 2010
7:46 pm
Louie- If the Dawg fans so much as see any Tech fans LOOK at our hedges wrong, there WILL be alot of noses being knocked in! You are delusional, Tech is going NO WHERE in the near future! Except maybe to best buy as Geek Squad workers…?
native
January 9th, 2010
7:47 pm
Louie put the Koolaid down
Mark "Crimson Crier" Ingram
January 9th, 2010
7:49 pm
Rivals, Scout, and ESPN has Florida’s 2010 Recruiting Class Number One! What ever they’re doing it’s working!
CPJ's Sportsbra
January 9th, 2010
7:50 pm
Saban, septic tank, both are full of s#$&!!
Mister T
January 9th, 2010
7:50 pm
Head Coach in waiting? If Ritch turns it around he would be waiting a hell of a long time. If he doesn’t, I seriously doubt that uga would hire one of cmr’s assistants to fill the vacancy.
If Smart is smart, he will steer clear of this opportunity. Saban is correct. How exactly is this a good career move. Smart should be a Head Coaching candidate himself soon enough. If he stays with Saban it is a sure thing. If he goes to uga and doesn’t produce, he could become a career assistant.
Smart should wait and let cmr fall on his sword. He would be just as highly thought of as a head coach at uga in a couple of years if Bama strings together a few more title runs.
The uga job, can’t believe I am going to say this, is a great opportunity for someone just a notch below Smart. Ok, that wasn’t a pun. uga needs to be looking to find the NEXT Kirby Smart. They should have been after Smart two years ago instead of sticking with cwm. At that point it would have been a promotion for Smart and a great move for uga.
If he comes over and rescues cmr, it may look good on his resume, but if he doesn’t…he has exposed himself as only been riding on the shirttail of Saban all along. He will get one shot at a head coaching job at the SEC level…well, Miss State or Vandy could be a stepping stone job. His next move needs to be eith Head at a non-BCS or wait for the Head job at a uga, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, NC State, or somewhere like that. No other Major SEC is going to let him go from assisting at Bama to head coach. uga will because of the ties.
What do I care though…
THWg!
Louie's Brother
January 9th, 2010
7:50 pm
There is no way Louie has the brains for Tech. I know this guy, he lives at home with his mom and loves Olvatine and oreos before bed which his mom brings to him. By the way, he is a cook at Waffle House in Lawrenceville. Sorry Louie, had to let the cat out of the bag. Mom says take out the trash when you are done with your friends.
PMDawg
January 9th, 2010
7:51 pm
Wow Louie you got some real fire in that belly of yours. Take a deep breath before you hurt yourself. The truth hurts I know but there’s no reason to get your panties in such a wad. Let try and make sense when you are trying to put somebody down o.k.
Dama O'Bama
January 9th, 2010
7:51 pm
Ok louie, you are now mad and it shows.WHO CARES ABOUT YOU OR YOUR HIGH SCHOOL NO THROWING/DEFENDING TEAM. HOPE YOU FROZE YOUR A$$ OFF IN SUNNY AND FUNNY MIAMI.LOSER!!!!
Suwaneedawg
January 9th, 2010
7:52 pm
Mr. T, god man you are stupid. Saban will be gone in the next two years. It is his M.O.
Cracker Jacket
January 9th, 2010
7:53 pm
Saban telling people about changing jobs is like Obama saying change you can believe in!
BamaInGa
January 9th, 2010
7:54 pm
Read all the funny posts on here. Kirby Smart will be missed from the Bama program because he is a good coach, good recruiter, and a great guy. No matter what you think this is Saban’s defense. The biggest reason to miss KS next year will be recruiting in Georgia. If he stays with us we will dominate the state but if he goes to Ga. then we will have to fight for a few big time recruits. The move to Ga is a lateral move at best. I think he will be taking a very big risk career wise. He stays at Bama he gets a good head coaching offers within the next year or so. If he goes to Ga then he either gets no offers next year or possibly gets fired (from another subpar year under Richt) or does okay in his first year there and has to wait two or three years for a decent head coaching job. Bottom line is KS might take this job just for the raise. I know for a fact that KS and NS get along great. He also has friends on the staff at GA (Bobo). I dont think Nick is going to match the offer but will offer him a raise, which he was going to do regardless of the situation. My gut feeling is KS will take the Ga job. I hope everything works out for him if he does. We will not lose a beat on the field. It is Saban’s defense. Kirby will use what he has learned and mold his own defense. I think he will be successful. It will take a few years if he wants to run the same type of defense because of the different type of players that Ga does not have on there roster. Sorry so long. Good luck to KS if he goes to GA and see you guys on the field in a few years. Roll Tide
RxDawg
January 9th, 2010
7:55 pm
I just can’t for the life of me see why he would do this. But welcome aboard if he does!
Kirby Smart's the Guy
January 9th, 2010
7:58 pm
The only way Richt would make an offer, would be to someone Richt KNEW ABSOLUTELY would say yes. Since Kirby’s been given a contract offer, it’s because Kirby has already verbally said absolutely yes.
Start the homecoming parade, strike up the band, our boy Kirby Smart is coming home.
Suwaneedawg
January 9th, 2010
7:58 pm
Hey, who’s to say that if KS comes to UGA and improves the defense like expected, he does not go for an NFL gig down the road? Why assume he wants to be a college head coach?
FL Dawg
January 9th, 2010
8:00 pm
‘Bama can match anything UGA offers. Both schools have very deep pockets. The one thing is ‘Bama does not need to match UGAs offer. Saban has taught his philosophy to a number of coaches and he will be able to do it again. ‘Bama would be silly to match a UGA offer. They might, but I doubt it.
A lot of good points about this being a lateral move to get out of the shadows of Saban or is it a step up becuase he (KS)will be the man. You can make arguments both ways. In the end, it comes down to what does KS want to do. Apparently, the ball is in his court. I hope he makes a great decision for himself and his family.
To all of those trashing Saban, that is a bunch of crap. He is one heck of a head coach. He certainly has a different style than Richt, but still one of, if not the best coaches in the country.
Hal
January 9th, 2010
8:00 pm
TO SHULTZ AND BEADLEY, TWO IDIOTS………..Alma Mater means a lot, The deal is done.
3 yrs 800 K, Thanks for all your useless articles, Peace!
Henry
January 9th, 2010
8:02 pm
He was in Athens looking at homes today, deal is done
DILLIGAF
January 9th, 2010
8:03 pm
GaGator:
“Richt has already offered two DC the job at UGA and all he has got is a big no.”
UGA has not formally offered anybody a job. Several candidates were contacted and there were discussions about the position and that only resulted in pay raises across the board for these individuals. Educate yourself, oh yeah, your from FLA. Nevermind.
sc dawg
January 9th, 2010
8:04 pm
classy post bama in ga . . .
Porty
January 9th, 2010
8:05 pm
Smart’s defense just got lit up by a freshman qb from Texas. I hope you do get him. That D will get lit up like the sky on July 4.
PMDawg
January 9th, 2010
8:06 pm
I agree FLDawg, Saban is a great coach and can obviously teach his defensive philosophy to young coaches. We’ll see what KS does in the end and I’m sure that it will work out.
Chipped Tires
January 9th, 2010
8:07 pm
Will CMR have the intestinal fortitude to hire a new strength and conditioning coach ? kirby smart knows that this will be an important facet to run his defense and this area has been lacking for the last few years at UGA.
Mister T
January 9th, 2010
8:08 pm
Hey Dawg 26,
Name the time and place and I will show you a punch in the face. You are full of $#!+
The hedges will come down when we say they come down!
I know it is a cow college and all, but the idiot dawg player withthe chunk of yellow painted turf that he had apparently taken a bite out of? Really. How incredibly stupid.
You know what I think I want to punch you in the face for that little stunt on his behalf.
Time and place.
“I pity the fool who tries to take what I got!”
THWg!
Dama O'Bama
January 9th, 2010
8:08 pm
Where the hell did little louie go. He was a REAL tool coming on here and talking crap. Must have gone to get ready for his movie.
PMDawg
January 9th, 2010
8:08 pm
I would hardly call what Texas’s qb did lighting bama’s d up, he made a couple of plays thats it.
sc dawg
January 9th, 2010
8:10 pm
techie, go find your own blog . . . we don’t care what you guys do or don’t do except of course when we oppose you on a field, or court. Most of the bama fans on this blog, while in some obvious disagreement, are disucssing matters intelligently. You are here out of some sort of bitterness, as are your cohorts. Yes, a few UGA people paid you back for a year of obnoxiousness, after a football game this fall. Deal with it and move on. I think the ajc even reserves a special sports page for you guys. Best wishes . . .
how2fish
January 9th, 2010
8:10 pm
BamaInGa …God I wish there were more folks on here like you…from every fan base! Good post!
The Other St. Simons
January 9th, 2010
8:11 pm
My hope is that Paul Johnson stays at Tech for 20 years.
Triple Option playbook:
Option 1: 3 and out
Option 2: Punt
Option 3: Throw interception
Chipped Tires
January 9th, 2010
8:12 pm
If Kirby comes to UGA he should demand a new strength and conditioning coach to make his defense work. If CMR refuses Then Kirby should stay at Bama.
Steve
January 9th, 2010
8:13 pm
Saban is a total a-hole. Seriously. Imagine that idiot telling people under him not to make lateral moves.
Saban’s career in chronological order:
– Defensive Asst at Kent St – 2 yrs
– Defensive Asst at Syracuse – 1 yr (lateral)
– Defensive Asst at West Virginia – 2 yrs (lateral)
– DB coach at Ohio State – 2 yrs
– Defensive Asst at Navy – 1 yr (took a step backwards)
– DB coach/DC at MSU – 2/2
This isn’t even considering his head coaching career.
This kind of crap is exactly why Smart should leave Saban asap, whether it be UGA or not. The guy is a self-absorbed ego freak. He might occasionally say the right things about his players, but he treats people working with him like children who can’t think for themselves.
Dama O'Bama
January 9th, 2010
8:13 pm
Mister T, little louie’s daddy 5 feet 4inches tall and going to tell the DAWG NATION when the hedges come down. What a joke , just like his little boy louie. Still pi$$ed at the smacking on the flats, huh boy.
PMDawg
January 9th, 2010
8:13 pm
I think whoever comes in as dc will have some of thier own guys coming with them and UGA’s strength coach willl prob. be replaced
BIRDDAWGONE
January 9th, 2010
8:13 pm
Anyone rememeber the recruiting of Max Jean Gillis? This man lived in south Flaorida and was offered a scholorship at Miami, when Miami was still playing for National Championships.
They asked him, “how can you choose UGA over Miami?” He said “that he wanted to be a part of something special” not just another piece of the puzzle.
Max helped to get UGA back into the SEC Chamionships after not being there for 20 some odd years. Every year there is debate about our National Championship and how we need a play off system. There are never any arguements about the Conference Championships. They are decided on the field.
mgdawg
January 9th, 2010
8:14 pm
First and foremost, this the first real offer. Richt talked with foster and chavis, never offered and who knows exactly whate they talked about.
If Grantham is the guy UGA can’t wait until they get out of the playoffs if they win this week. Keep in mind the guy is a Dline coach for dallas, I just don’t think making an announcement of him as the DC will hurt the cowboys.
As far as 750-800k being too much, I don’t think so. UGA has a plenty of money, especially when it comes to football. Richt needs to do whatever he needs to get the guy he wants, yes it is alot of money, but it is not too much. If he comes in and does what fans expect, he will be worth every penny.
Dama O'Bama
January 9th, 2010
8:15 pm
Oh, and you don’t have a damn thing,remember.
PMDawg
January 9th, 2010
8:15 pm
Enter your comments here
SuperB
January 9th, 2010
8:16 pm
Nick Saban is a hypocrite. He implied Kirby Smart should not make a “lateral move” from Alabama to Georgia, (or I guess, anywhere else for that matter.) Tell me Mr. Saban, what is NOT lateral about going from LSU to Alabama? The Dolphins brief foray notwithstanding.
Fix my email account, ya $40k/year geek!
January 9th, 2010
8:17 pm
Mister T: You are a joke just like the character you pretend be from your favorite cartoon show….go to the tech blog, bone head.
reality bites
January 9th, 2010
8:17 pm
Who cares? Kirby or no Kirby, UGA is still the 5th place SEC East team…bank on it !!!
PMDawg
January 9th, 2010
8:18 pm
mgdawg, good post all you have to do is look at what Tenn. was willing to pay Kiffin’s daddy. UGA has the money to pay and they will b/c football is the reason that school makes so much. It’s just a waiting game now until the announcement.
2007 was an illusion (Football & Basketball)
January 9th, 2010
8:18 pm
UGA has been a jigsaw puzzle for years and still is, I mean no NC since 1980 ….WOW
St Simons
January 9th, 2010
8:20 pm
Louie, tickle pile in mom’s basement tonight! She’s out of town this weekend!! No stinky girls either!
Oh yea, were you saying about pants down?
Dawg26
January 9th, 2010
8:20 pm
Hey Misses T! You’ll have to come to Athens ma’am, I don’t want to get mugged in Atlanta! So sorry cupcake! Your techies are going to get their A$$es handed to them again and again and again and again and again and again year after year! I seriously doubt you have any kind of education past middle school you obnoxious idiot. You talk big sh*t online, but your team can’t handle themselves on the field! The reason Ben put the turf in his mouth is because the only thing your “stadium” ( if you can call that crap hole that! ) is known for is the turf, so he did the same thing the Tech players did to the hedges. I’m assuming your sex life is alot like the Tech football team playing against UGA, you only get it once every 9 years or so! Too bad your boyfriend PJ was so upset after the Orange Bowl or you might have gotten some after that game :/ Oh too bad.
DILLIGAF
January 9th, 2010
8:21 pm
I think that it would be much more than a lateral move for Kirby to come to UGA. Sure, it’s Saban’defense but Kirby is a smart guy and I gurantee that he has learned a great about running a defense from one of the top coaches in football and he knows that Saban will steal all of the glory form this NC and will continue to do so in the future. Saban is an egomaniacal tyrant and no one on that staff will ever get their deserved recognition as long as they remain there. Kirby knows that if he comes to UGA, he will be able to apply his wares and when results take place then he will get his props. This is a much better stepping stone into a HC postion than staying at Bama. And when this program succeeds (and he knows what this team has to work with as far as talent) the sky will be the limit for whatever endeavors he decides to pursue.
UGA85′
Ole Yeller Dawg
January 9th, 2010
8:21 pm
Suwaneedawg:
Kirby’s own words “his dream job was to become a DC, that’s all he has ever wanted to be and if he has a career as a DC that last as long as Mickey Andrews at FSU than he would be very happy. These words were spoken just a few days ago before the NCG.
He is coming home to be with family, something Nick Saban simply cannot relate to..
Bama will be okay, they are very deep at all positions and will find another disciple to do as Saban says.
I look for them to be in the SECCG and also be in the hunt to repeat as NC.
Louie
January 9th, 2010
8:21 pm
Yes, Mr. T is my step-father. the DAWG NATION is my DADDY. Poppa T(as Icall him) hates it because we have no grass in our yard ,so he takes it personally when he see’s someone eating chunks of grass. He really hates eating hedges , says it gives him heartburn.
south
January 9th, 2010
8:22 pm
Bama in GA – Nice to hear you’re comments…classy.
I don’t think this would be a bad career move for Smart at all, but he will have to change a lazy culture that has been a part of UGA defense philosphy since 2005. The players are there to be successful, but they need coaching, direction, and intensity.
Chicken Lou
January 9th, 2010
8:23 pm
YOU Mutt Fans just dont get sabans comment about lateral moves which he was saying he would be disappointed if Kirby went back to the Septic Tank in Athens. Get a Clue mutt fans!