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
Not disappointed
January 11th, 2010
5:21 pm
Yo, Fuuf. You know, and I know the reason they don’t “go back…” I know–you know too. Just had to say it for the record. Again, some pretty slow trap doors on here if you follow me…
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:21 pm
Not disappointed, the BCS trophy would have been in Wal Marts in Austin if UT had won. Part of a sponsorship deal with Dr. Pepper.
But then again you don’t have to worry about the crystal football showing up anytime soon in Georgia WalMarts, huh?
RTR!
Dylan
January 11th, 2010
5:22 pm
And I don’t know what he’s talking about saying he wants to stay at UA with Coach Saban. Saban is a coach that builds a program up, gets the glory, then leaves. He better hope Saban takes him wherever he goes.
Moose
January 11th, 2010
5:22 pm
Makes total sense. Why would you leave a national program at the top to take a rebuilding job at UGA..
Saban's gone before 2015
January 11th, 2010
5:22 pm
Any takers?
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
YOU NO CLASS MUTT FAN’S ARE KILLIN’ ME!!! BLAMING SMART FOR TURNING YOU DOWN AND MAKING YOU LOOK LIKE A SECOND TIER TEAM IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD!! HELL RICHT DIDN’T NEED ANY HELP FOR THAT JOB…HE’S DONE IT ALL BY HIMSELF!!! YOU THINK ‘OL MARK IS KICKIN’ HIMSELF IN THE ARSS RIGHT ABOUT NOW FOR RUNNIN’ KIRBY OFF??!! MUTT’S,BE PATIENT,LET THE BEST COACH IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL TRAIN HIM A LITTLE LONGER AND THEN WHEN THE DAWG NATION IS TIRED OF SECOND RATE PLAY THEN THE BAMA NATION WILL SEND YOU OUR CLONE!!! NOT AS GOOD MIND YOU BUT GOOD ENOUGH FOR A DAWG!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! WOOF WOOF!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
BamaBill
January 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
DawgFan…….Sal Sunseri is the LB coach at Bama, BUT he is also the Assistant Head Coach. Don’t think he would step down to a DC position…He is also head coach material….
Saban's gone before 2015
January 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
Enter your comments here
WestOfAthens
January 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
Hunker Down, well spoken!
The Dawg Show
January 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
It sucks getting turned down this many times. It reminds me of high school.
gtfanfrom1951
January 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
so who’s next to turn down UGA!!!!
ACC -2
SEC – 0
RTRnGA
January 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
Fuuf: lol, u r correct. i haven’t made one play in a bama uniform. nor have i claimed to have done so. i DID refer to my inclusion in the FAN BASE of the univeristy of alabama. disgrace? ok. at least i’m not blinded by the illusion that everyone on this board is “passionate b/c we know how attractive our university is to attend from the standpoint of recruiting, how much money the Athletic Department makes every year (the most in the country), and the pride someone takes from being a Georgia Bulldog.” GOOD GRIEF~~~~THATS why they are bashing everyone not on the “bash kirby smart” bandwagon??? I sincerely doubt it. but, alas, you ARE a member of the bulldog nation, i presume. as such, it should not surprise me that you are confused. LOL. poor puppies.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:24 pm
Dylan, let’s check back in 2 years and see who is still at their respective school: CMR @ UGA or Saban @ Bama.
My money will be on Saban. I know all these crystal footballs in the SEC that don’t belong to UGA is driving the Dawg fans nuts!
CDAWG
January 11th, 2010
5:24 pm
Although Grantham might have been fired with the Browns, THE Dallas Cowboys apparently saw something in him that they liked. I was hoping for Smart but I said yesterday that I really hoped that if we got Smart that we were making the right choice taking him over Grantham. If I were CMR I would be telling the recruits that I could get someone to fill the role but I want to make sure that I get the best available coach for the job. If UGA hires any Joe Blow just to have a body that would surely make some recruits leave. I think we should offer CMR our support, he knows he is in the pressure cooker. My hat is off to the guy for aggressively pursuing what he wanted.
Standing on the sidelines
January 11th, 2010
5:25 pm
This certainly does not reflect well on Richt. Depending on what the truth is concerning whom Richt has approached and why no one has accepted thus far, it does not look good. Maybe Richt ought to quit going after the “name” coordinators and find some young guy with the desire to move up in the college coaching ranks. They’re there. If they really have the desire and the brains, they may be the next van Gorder or Muschamp. You never know unless you give them a shot. After all, UT took a chance with Jr. Maybe Richt ought to do the same with the guy at Tennessee Tech. Smart may or may not have panned out. One thing for certain, there ain’t no where to go but up. Of course, if Richt had canned Martinez last year like he should have, the problem would be solved. No matter whom Richt eventually hires, “big name” or “no name”, if things don’t get better in a hurry, whomever he hires will be irrelevant.
BIG TECH FAN
January 11th, 2010
5:25 pm
All I can say for Georgia and fans…Look towards who’s on your staff…You never know how far loyalty and appreciation can go if you don’t try it..
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:26 pm
Dear Mark,
I’d love to be your next DC. I know what it takes to train Dawgs correctly.
Signed,
Michael Vick
MW
January 11th, 2010
5:27 pm
I would go hard after Mr. Withers from UNC excellent DC and recruiter. This has been my pick from day one. Now on a different subject,its funny how many bama,gator,vols and gt fans make there way to this site and blog! Me i never go to other college fans sites to run my mouth, dont have to you are all here.So what that tells me you are all dawg fans in one way or the other or you would’nt be here with such frequency GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Techie
January 11th, 2010
5:27 pm
HA HA HA HA HA…..All you UGA fans who thought your program was so elite the KS could not turn it down. He was coming home. The grass is greener under the septic tank and no one wants to live there. You know if it was not for all the egotistic comments and elite attitudes over the last few weeks most of us would not feel this way. Come down now dawgies….no body wants that job..I wonder why…could it be that the wrong coach was dismissed…..For you solid intelligent UGA fans…things will work out..have faith…for the remainder it serves you right…
Dylan
January 11th, 2010
5:28 pm
gtfanfrom1951
November 28, 2009.
Georgia (SEC): 30 / Georgia Tech (ACC): 24.
Florida (SEC): 37 / Florida State (ACC): 10
South Carolina: 34 / Clemson (ACC): 17
SEC: 3
ACC: 0
DFWTX Dawg
January 11th, 2010
5:28 pm
BTW…Saban’s totally out of line referring to UGA as the “Top of the Septic Tank.” “Why?” you ask…His record against Richt is 3-2 overall and 0-1 in Tuscaloosa. LSU was the recipient of the other loss in 2004(or 48-15 beatdown I should say). Saban’s 2 wins vs. UGA while he was @ LSU were against the 2003 UGA team. Every o-lineman on that UGA team was a 1st year starter and none were upper-classmen. Saban’s record vs. Richt isn’t exactly bragging material.
I AM A DUMB REDNECK UGA FAN
January 11th, 2010
5:29 pm
I said Kirby deal was done. How does that make me look like now?
N.C.C.A. Here!!!
January 11th, 2010
5:29 pm
If you need help finding Alabama football we know they way to PROBATION “U”.
gss303
January 11th, 2010
5:30 pm
Alabama had been a 5th rate program till they hired Coach Sabin. (last 15 years)
They were everyones door mat…..especially Auburns.
He was the best hire since Coach Bryant.
DAWG
January 11th, 2010
5:30 pm
Kirby, is not the only one who can coach defense,Texas had their number and it would have been a different game if Colt had not got hurt. I think the DC at Texas is a lot smarter, oh here i go saying that word smart.Georgia will be fine,they will hire the right person to do the job.
Techie
January 11th, 2010
5:30 pm
MW
You should go their at least once to see the overall crap that is spewed by most UGA fans. They deserve what they get and what makes you think the Withers will leave UNC.
BamaBill
January 11th, 2010
5:30 pm
Grantham would probably be a very good hire..Has great experience and success at the college level and the pro’s also..He did not do well as DC for the Browns, but he should get a mulligan because no one does well with the Browns! The problem is that you may have to wait until after 2/7/10 to get him..
olddawg
January 11th, 2010
5:30 pm
@Memphisdawg-Who the hell wants to be closer to their in-laws???
this blog is full of idiots
January 11th, 2010
5:31 pm
Can you folks not read? Paragraphs 3-5 quote Kirby, that means he was doing the speaking, as explaining why he was staying in Tuskeloser. The rest of the idiots claiming that he was only doing Saban’s bidding should look at Muschamp, he seemed to be okay after being a dc for Saban. I’m no Bama fan, in fact I’m a Dog season ticket holder for longer than most of you idiots have been alive, but the man made a decision, and as a program we’ll be better off finding someone that wanted to be here rather than someone who didn’t. Respect his decision, grow the he!! up and move on, folks.
Nobody wants to be Mark Richt DC Job
January 11th, 2010
5:31 pm
NOBODY!
Uh, "Troof" (wth?)
January 11th, 2010
5:31 pm
Yo, mental-midget!
Ouch, your retort r e a l l y just kills me…(indefatigable sarcasm inserted herein). Good grief get a frickin’ life. How much joy and contentment did that game mean last Friday AM? I’m just reading these loser-jackass-no-lifers like you posting on here “trying” to “rub it in.” Whatever you’re trying to do, cretin.
1eyedJack
January 11th, 2010
5:31 pm
Could be ol’ Nicky is planning a move of his own…to So. Cal…and promised little Kirby and Mrs. little Kirby a house on the beach.
Ute
January 11th, 2010
5:32 pm
Sure was a nice Sugar Bowl last year now wasn’t it? Beat the $#!+ out of the trailer trash redneck junior college in tuskerlooser. Felt good!!
GT FAN
January 11th, 2010
5:32 pm
UGA, I understand the doubt, but UGA is a top tier program and you guys will get a good coach trust CMR.
Techie
January 11th, 2010
5:32 pm
Hey DAWG
I was waiting for that. Now KS is not as good a coach since he turned down the dawgs. Typical bull crap…..come down earth….
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
5:33 pm
I SEE ALL YOU DAWG FAN’S TOOK A PAGE OUTTA’ MYER’S & TEBOW’S BOOK WITH ALL THIS WHIMPERIN’ AND CRYING GOIN’ ON OVER HERE!! HELL WITH THE WAY THEY’VE OWNED YOU AND RICHT FOR SO LONG YOU OTTA’ BE USE TO BEING KICKED BY NOW!!!
dexter manley
January 11th, 2010
5:33 pm
Smart had two choices: 1) Go to UGA and get cussed out by Saban one last time 2) Stay at BAMA and get cussed out by Saban on a regular basis. Not a very”Smart”choice Kirby.
bryan ruff
January 11th, 2010
5:33 pm
kirby smart made the right decision why? because they won a national championship and they going to recieve a raise .one person told me before they got a raise kirby smart is making less money over there at alabama.georgia offer him $700,000 on sunday.
GA30456
January 11th, 2010
5:33 pm
I understand now why no one wants to come to UGA. They have to deal with a bunch of whining crybabies and backstabbing, bad mouthing jerks, that know anything about talent, skill and ability.
Steve
January 11th, 2010
5:33 pm
Kirby just proved why I am glad he is not at UGA…..he cant even stand up like a man and tell us he is staying at Bama….he has to have Nick submit a written response from him. What a loser!
MW
January 11th, 2010
5:33 pm
Techie,
I dont know if Withers would leave but that is who i would have tried first and thats why i dont go to other fans sites techie i am a bulldog with class
OldDawg
January 11th, 2010
5:34 pm
“Well thanks Kirby Smart, you have single handedly made your alma matta look like a second rate program”
No, Richt’s been taking care of that task for a few years now.
The Other St. Simons
January 11th, 2010
5:34 pm
Richt is my agent.
UGA FOOTBALL= 3RD RATE PROGRAM
January 11th, 2010
5:35 pm
HAHA NOBODY WANTS TO COACH @UGAY!
Techie
January 11th, 2010
5:35 pm
USC is on the verge of probation and Carrol is jumping ship now. CLS will not go to USC…bet your last dollar on that.
Joe
January 11th, 2010
5:35 pm
Hey Kirby…man up dude- does Nick have to write a response for you?? You cant talk for yourself? Pretty weak in my book
YoungDawg
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
Take that plane to Austin, TX & offer Will 2 mill a yr! Just see if he’ll at least think about it if not then move on but at least ask him. So Kirby signs a paper then backs out, he’s not a man of his word & hid did Mama wrong! Woe unto him that puts his trust in Satin! Sonner or later Sabin will jump ship ala Pete Carol before the NCAA takes AL down again.
1eyedJack
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
Ok, on to Plan B….NFL assistants that will see this as a career move….then to Plan C…college assistants that will see this as a career move.
Coach Richt, my sources tell me that you have a pile of resumes sitting on your desk from people who would love to have this job. Surely one or two of them can develop, institute, coach and manage a defense.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
But see Dexter, Kirby will be able to use his national championship rings, after next season, to cover his ears so he won’t have to listen to the cussing! LOL!!
RTR!
Ute
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
Bama was such a pushover team in the Sugar Bowl. The rednecks want to forget about that one. Utah OWNS AlaSpama. Ignorant trailer trash – they’ll never change. Want a rematch, inbreds?????