Smart explains decision to reject UGA (updated)
Athens — Kirby Smart won’t be coming to Georgia as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator, deciding after two days of deliberation to remain in the same job at Alabama.
Smart, a former Georgia player, explained his decision in written comments provided by Alabama:
“I think it was pretty well known that there was an opportunity to return to my alma mater as defensive coordinator,” Smart said. ”I wouldn’t even have considered discussing the position with any other school, but when it is a place I’ve spent some of my best years and had some great memories, I thought it was something I should discuss with my family and figure out what was best.
“After thinking about all the factors over the last couple days, we are going to stay at the University of Alabama. We love it in Tuscaloosa, have made some great friends here and I think we are building something special here at Alabama with Coach [Nick] Saban. I have learned so much in the time I’ve spent with Coach Saban, and every year I feel like a become a better coach.
“I’ve got a great deal of respect for Coach [Mark] Richt and the job he has done there, and the University of Georgia will also have a special place in my heart. Not only did I play there, but my wife played basketball there and we have a lot of friends at UGA.”
Smart had been considering a lucrative multi-year offer — reportedly for three or four years at around $700,000 per year — to return to his alma mater as defensive coordinator. His pending decision had been the subject of intense speculation among UGA fans over the weekend. Saban previously had expressed his disapproval of assistant coaches making lateral career moves.
“We’re very pleased and happy that Kirby is going to be staying here at the University of Alabama with us,” Saban said in a statement this afternoon. ”He’s done a fabulous job for us. He’s one of the finest assistant coaches in the country.
“You expect guys like Kirby to get lots of opportunities to do things, and we want to continue to help him continue to develop his career here so that when he leaves here, it’s going to be to be a head coach and probably in a very good situation. So we’re excited about that. We’re happy for him and his family. It’s very pleasing to us.”
Alabama is believed to have aggressively countered Georgia’s financial offer, but said it would not reveal Smart’s new salary until it is approved by trustees in the spring. Smart’s salary was around $360,000 in 2009.
Richt has been trying to hire a new defensive coordinator since the Dec. 2 firing of Willie Martinez and two other defensive coaches.
Georgia previously pursued two veteran defensive coordinators for the job, Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster and LSU’s John Chavis. Both opted to remain in their current jobs after having their contracts considerably sweetened.
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1,397 comments Add your comment
To DAWG MAX
January 11th, 2010
4:41 pm
I think Clarabell is available…Bozo as OF, Clarabell the clown as DC.
Oh wait, that’s Bobo as OF, so maybe you can get BooBoo as DF if Yogi can part with his little buddy. (Bribe him with picnic baskets)
Bobo and Booboo. That’s rich, I mean Richt!
B Hussein Obama
January 11th, 2010
4:42 pm
I’ll be looking for a job pretty soon; I hear UGA has great health insurance benefits! Hopefully I can get a teleprompter installed on the field so Saban can call my plays for me, too.
Denver Dog
January 11th, 2010
4:42 pm
Good luck young Kirby, you did the right thing for you and that is what counts.
David Pollack
January 11th, 2010
4:42 pm
I am a douche nozzle.
pc
January 11th, 2010
4:42 pm
USF head coach might be a Smart one.
The Grinch
January 11th, 2010
4:43 pm
GT Joe
January 11th, 2010
4:23 pm
Groh may turn out to be a great DC, we’ll see. The biggest question is how well a cadaver can recruit? BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Big Fat Elephant Fan
January 11th, 2010
4:43 pm
I love Saban.
COME ON OUT
January 11th, 2010
4:43 pm
Come on out and play you ignorant UGAy pukes. The last 2 weeks or so all we’ve read from the UGAy rednecks is about Kirby Smart coming home to the pasture and saving your football butts. You did’t believe when you were told it won’t happen. Come on out redneck pukes and complete your bashing of Coach Saban & Coach Smart. After all these just won the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA!!!
Gdawg
January 11th, 2010
4:43 pm
Kirby you suck. Remember, what goes around comes around twice as hard. You will pay dearly for turning your back on Richt. Go Dawgs!!!!
COME ON OUT
January 11th, 2010
4:44 pm
Come on out and play you ignorant UGAy pukes. The last 2 weeks or so all we’ve read from the UGAy rednecks is about Kirby Smart coming home to the pasture and saving your football butts. You did’t believe it when you were told it won’t happen. Come on out redneck pukes and complete your bashing of Coach Saban & Coach Smart. After all they just won the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA!!!
UGA Guy
January 11th, 2010
4:44 pm
This is a public black eye for sure, but there are plenty of people out there that can do a great job. Even as a Georgia guy I cant see how this every made sense for Smart to leave Al. from a future stand point. I do think it speaks volumes however about the type of guy Saban is when he steps in and speaks for another grown man when it is not his place. If you ask me, Smart wanted to get away from Sabans shadow but knew enough about his track record to see he would be gone in a year or so and that leaves the job to him. JMO
Damon Evans
January 11th, 2010
4:44 pm
Dang, who are we gonna get a big raise for next?
I would write more, but I must clear all thoughts and actions by President Adams prior to doing anything on my own. President Adams is getting impatient, and this must be recognized and respected by all.
the other coach smith
January 11th, 2010
4:44 pm
It’s still not official. Have you seen anything official? Thought not. Don’t believe it until it’s official. HA!
Steve
January 11th, 2010
4:44 pm
what a joke…..hope all you guys are happy you bi-ched and complaigned all year…our program is in big trouble…now what Coach?
Antwon
January 11th, 2010
4:45 pm
Who WILL it be? Neither candidate thinks it is a SMART move.
cantondawg
January 11th, 2010
4:45 pm
Candidate A Resume
1990-1995 VA TECH DL COACH
1996-1998 MICHIGAN STATE (With Coach Saban)
1999-2001 Indianapolis Colts
2002-2004 Houston Texans
2005-2007 Cleveland Browns Defensive coordinator
2008-present Dallas Cowboys
Candidate B resume
1999 Georgia (Admin. asst.)
2000 Valdosta State (DBs)
2001 Valdosta State (DC)
2002-2003Florida State (GA)
2004LSU (DBs)
2005Georgia (RBs)
2006Miami Dolphins (Safeties)
2007-2009Alabama (Asst. coach/DC
I’m sorry but without looking at the names and just the resumes i would take Candidate a(Grantham) everyday of the week. His resume is much stronger than Kirby Smart’s AND we won’t have to worry about him leaving in 1-3 years
Dawg4Life
January 11th, 2010
4:45 pm
Who cares about turning your back on Richt….he may not even be employed this time next year
UGA FAN IN ALANAMA
January 11th, 2010
4:45 pm
WOW!!!!! All i can say is wow!!! It makes no since~~~
MAD-DONNA
January 11th, 2010
4:45 pm
dog!
GaTruth
January 11th, 2010
4:46 pm
Now that the world knows we can be used for about $700,000, has Tiger Woods called?
Burdell
January 11th, 2010
4:46 pm
Hey Grinch…
Al Groh is still a tremendous recruiter. Try some fact checking next time.
WestOfAthens
January 11th, 2010
4:46 pm
What a shame, it appears Nick Saban made this decision for Kirby Smart. The aforementioned handle “evil-genius” has been applied elsewhere, and it looks to stay firm.
I don’t think it makes a big difference in Tuscaloosa anyhow, Saban is the play-caller—Kirby Smart is simply the translator.
Your’e shadow beckons you Kirby, what a shame.
Go Dawgs!
Got 12?
January 11th, 2010
4:46 pm
Coach Smith,
Here you go:
http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2010/01/tides_kirby_smart_at_the_end_o.html
Attention Knuckledraggers....
January 11th, 2010
4:47 pm
“UGA is a regional program….Bama is National Program”
I just hurt myself laughing.
BamaGrad hahaha. Look sport, Georgia has an economy over three times that of Alabama. And Alabama is a glorified junior college compared to UGA. Nobody outside of Alabama thinks of you as anything but Podunk.
And newsflash, there is no National Championship in college football. The NCAA neither awards nor recognizes a national champion in D1A football.
We beat Vandy-- yeah!
January 11th, 2010
4:47 pm
Hey UGAY Fans– where did you guys display your Weedeater Bowl Trophy??? Dollar General Store! LOL!!!
Antwon
January 11th, 2010
4:47 pm
It’s called “using the hype built by the media to increase your negotiating leverage”. Thanks in part to the AJC, espn, etc. and all of the other “me, myself and I media”.
ONE VOICE
January 11th, 2010
4:47 pm
You folks ever heard of speaking with one voice. Part GREAT management in having ONE VOICE speak for the entire program. Saban runs the program and he SPEAKS for the program. Continue to bash and show your stupidity.
Will
January 11th, 2010
4:47 pm
I am dissapointed because I thought that Kirby would give the program a big shot in the arm with recruiting and with the fan base. I also think that Saban out-sold us and talked Kirby into staying put. He probably said they would win another championship next year and he would get his shot at a head coaching job. Anyways, maybe we can save face and still get Grantham or somebody. I’m just worried now recruiting is really going to suffer this year.
CLEVON LITTLE
January 11th, 2010
4:48 pm
13-NC , I do think Saban is an A-hole, but I don’t blame him for Smarts’ dicision.. While I was excited about hearing the new DC cordinator hire announced, I was not sold on Smart being as good as the ALA defense showed to be. I’m just ready for this ’search ‘ to be over already.
ps- ‘IF’ UGA wins another NC, I will vote NOT to have is displayed at the local Walmart. lol Can you say ‘Roll Back Tide’??? lol
Vince's Dooley
January 11th, 2010
4:48 pm
I got it! Get Suzanne Yoculan to be the coordinator. She has free time now and we can get her cheap. Plus, she did a great job with those little midgets who played on the jungle jim.
FaninAlabama
January 11th, 2010
4:48 pm
UGA can do much better than Smart! Saban’s defense is composed of leading and spearing with the head to take out as many of the other team’s star players as possible. Just look at Bama’s games with South Carolina (star receiver), LSU (quarterback), and Texas (quarterback). Smart lacks character as seen with his inability to speak for himself.
Herschel
January 11th, 2010
4:48 pm
Who is going to turn us down next? I need a raise, how does it work? What is Mark’s cut?
Keith
January 11th, 2010
4:49 pm
UGA is doing a great job getting other schools to give coaches a raise.
Dawgger
January 11th, 2010
4:49 pm
UGA plane is in route to Austin, Tx as we speak
Gatorguy
January 11th, 2010
4:49 pm
Too funny—–you scream “fire him! and fire him!” Now NOBODY wants the job! Hilarious!
Next....
January 11th, 2010
4:49 pm
Kirby strung Richt out, misled him, and encouraged him to wait. Richt’s a man of honor who took Smart at his word about his intentions.
Ok baby, forget Smart, let’s rock n roll.
If Richt can go 13-1 with Van Gorder, and finish #1 in 2007 with Willie Martinez (who finsihed #8 and #14 in defense for a couple of years as Georgia DC), it doesn’t really matter who Georgia gets for DC. But rest assured, everything happens for a reason, and Georgia will have a much better defense in 2010.
Alabama Jack
January 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
Is Willie Martinez still available?
Antwon
January 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
By the way, wasn’t Kirby one and done a few years ago at UGA as a coach? There must be a reason.
DawgFan
January 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
OPEN Defensive Coordinator Position-University of Georgia
Qualifications: 65 or older, coached the NY Jets for one year and had horrible teams in the ACC.
No need to apply: Winners
Realistic Dawg Fan
January 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
Geez people. While this certainly makes Richt/UGA look a little silly right now, let’s not forget who was in this position with their head coaching search just a few short years ago: ALABAMA. They were swinging and missing like Andrew Jones and it was starting to look really bad for Alabama (and the SEC in general) – and they were coming off of a really bad firing and a really bad year. In the end, they got their man and obviously, it worked out. My point? Some of the very bashers on here looked even worse a few years ago. UGA will be fine. Unfortunately, I do think Richt is a nice guy swimming in a pool of sharks. I’m sure he is really disappointed in the way KS handled this situation.
Dawgie Bowser
January 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
As I said, bama will sweeten the pot and he will stay put. I know he don’t like Nick much but the moneys done the talkin’ and ‘ol Smart won’t be uh walkin’. Too bad, I like him.
Big Kahuna
January 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
The scariest nightmare ever to an informed GT football fan: If Dooley had allowed Erk Russell to replace him (knowing as he did that Erk would prove to the world that he, not Dooley, was the reason for uga’s success) and Erk would’ve hired Paul Johnson as OC. Uga would have some national championships to go along with Herschel Walker’s ONE. Thank you Mr. Dooley for not allowing that to happen!
chDawg
January 11th, 2010
4:51 pm
I am confident Richt will find the right guy, but just a little disappointed in the lack of integrity by some of these people looking for a raise. Kirby would have been a great fit because he was a former Dawg but who knows if he can actually coach by himself. I expect us to make a good hire soon and it might be someone from under the radar. Let all the haters bring it on. We run this state.
gem dawg
January 11th, 2010
4:51 pm
We’ll be okay, A&M scored more points against TX than anyone else, even Bama. We played decent D against them without a DC. Kirby would have done a good job at UGA but he’s not the only one who could do the job well. It will be interesting to see if Saban takes Kirby when he moves on in ‘11 or ‘12.
I just want someone more aggressive that CWM.
DawgFan
January 11th, 2010
4:51 pm
Heck, go out and offer Van Gorder $700K and he would leave the Falcons for sure.
KZGuy
January 11th, 2010
4:51 pm
Come on readers! What established DC would take the the job? Only one that is about to to get fired during a coaching change. Why change schools when there is no hope for getting the head coaching job. NO established DC wants to wait behind CMR (who ain’t going no where) and he is years from retirement. CMR HAS to set his sights on young generally unproven DC or a retread like Tech is about to hire.
Mid Town Joe
January 11th, 2010
4:51 pm
The Walmart wasn’t close enough to the campus for Kirby.
Cleveland, OH jacket
January 11th, 2010
4:51 pm
LOL at UGA fans thinking a DC that will get NCs at Bama would want to come to the cesspool of the south.
UGADawg4life
January 11th, 2010
4:52 pm
Tweet this…Is Pollack still 100%?
RonnieGarDner
January 11th, 2010
4:52 pm
What about the “Swamp Fox” aka Marion Campbell. Ray Goff brought him back, I imagine he may be available.