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
Frank
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
Well, I guess the septic tank analogy worked. Good luck to Smart, and I hope when he comes to Athens again he avoids stepping in the wet spots . . .
BamaBill
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
To MW….I post here because I have lived in Atlanta for 30 years and read the AJC…as do many of the others you named, I suspect. I make clear and valid posts, no slamming of any program as do many of the fans on here do…I also read and post on Alabama’s scout site…I love football, hate half the idiots on here who cannot make a good statement about anything without “rednecking” it and showing their 50 point IQ…Enough of an answer for you?
RTRnGA
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
gss303: absolutely correct! it was awful. a return to prominence has been a relief and is based on how long saban can control his 7 year itch…which brought me to remark about many of the posts on this board. 1. class coaches are common at georgia. 2. it can always be worse (probation. lost scholarships. losing, losing, losing) 3. maybe, just maybe, it was a reach to attempt this hire. not everyone longs to go back to the school they played for. especially if they have a decent gig right now. it is inevitable that a good coach will be hired. maybe not a popular one, but a good one. it is a good job to land. just maybe not as good as alabama right now…
Reine
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
Duh! Who would leave ALABAMA and Nick Saban for the sucky puppy dawgs and the flailing Richt?! Are ya serious?? It’s not even a promotion. It’s the same job. Of course you’ll stick with the better coach/program/players. Once Georgia gets rid of Richt and finds a coach worth something, they’ll start recruiting better players and perhaps they won’t be the most penalized team in the SEC for once.
CDAWG
January 11th, 2010
5:36 pm
That is totally not true. I will take the job. Heck I will do it for..um, knot, knot carry the knot um I’d say oh $400,000!!!
tim tebow
January 11th, 2010
5:37 pm
just sad that I won’t be around again to break more records against the ga defense. if you want to call it that. We own this state! Go Gators
tony
January 11th, 2010
5:37 pm
Nick Saban is a hypocrite. How in the world he’s telling someone how to handle their business when he hasn’t handle his business the right way? He made the worse lateral move in sports history when he left Miami Dophin’s head coach position to take a step down to coach a college team. Practice what you preach Saban.
ufalum92
January 11th, 2010
5:37 pm
Grantham would be a great hire, however last time I checked UGA doesn’t have Ware, Ratliff, Olshansky on the defensive line.
A little perspective
January 11th, 2010
5:37 pm
Big dawg fan here.to / offered so far and the reasons they declined.
1st – Foster: been at VT for 20 + years and has no ambition to be a head coach…would like to end career at VT.
2nd – Chavis: just got to LSU…does not seem like the kind of guy that enjoys moving around (10+ years at TN)
3rd – Smart: 34 yo…just won National Title…even said he wouldn’t even consider such an offer from another school.
These people declining the job says nothing about UGA. It does not make UGA look bad. It may hurt the egos of fans, but no coach that was really a potential suitor for the job with think the way you guys do. There are A LOT of great coaches out there. I think CMR had to at least go after these 3, but I can guarantee you that he did not hang his hat on one of them. I am looking forward to the improvement that will come with whoever CMR hires.
YoungDawg
January 11th, 2010
5:38 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! Sooner or later Sabin will jump ship ala Pete Carol before the NCAA takes AL down again.
OLE ANDERSON-MINNESOTA WRECKING CREW
January 11th, 2010
5:38 pm
Next DC will be from the pros-or a mid-tier.
Cut Richt slack & give Damon Evans credit-they’re shooting at a very high target. Props for going after the caliber of coach they are targeting. I’m guessing a new DC will be announced by Monday of next week.
Herm Edwards-next USC coach
Mark Richt-FSU coach in 2 more years-UGA fans will run him out & regret it.
Roswell Dawg
January 11th, 2010
5:38 pm
Alum or not, Kirby used Georgia. He knew from the beginning this was his chance to get a big raise and longer-term contract. I’m convinced he took the offer to Saban and said “How much will you pay to keep me?” never intending to leave because he knew Saban would cover it
DP
January 11th, 2010
5:38 pm
Kirby can never come home NEVER-he will never be considered even to be the water boy at UGA.
Remember, you’re not welcome in our state. Stay away boy with your daddy Satan.
Opinion
January 11th, 2010
5:39 pm
wait for it………BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…….TAKE THAT GRINCHY
tim tebow
January 11th, 2010
5:39 pm
Dang. Too bad. I guess my UF will have to run up more offensive records against the pups again. We run this state! Eat a turd dogs. Go Gators
blazerdawg
January 11th, 2010
5:39 pm
Just d***; the disapointment is not just that KS would have done a great job at UGA, but that he was a great “fit”, kind of like Kelley to Notre Dame. Best of luck to KS, I hope he gets a great head coaching position at a great school in 2011.
I have to laugh about all of the folks calling UGA a second rate program. UGA has a pretty good record against some of these folks’ schools. Stand by everybody, because the legacy will continue with new individuals adding to the legend!
GO DAWGS!!
Sterling Smith
January 11th, 2010
5:39 pm
Good for him but….. he has to know that Saban will not stay there forever (my guess is 3 years tops, or probation, which ever comes first). All you have to do is look at the man’s track record. What will Smart say then when Saban leaves and ask him to leave too? Will he use the same excuse to tell him no? What of his friends and the school then? It’s unfortunate but that’s his choice.
UGA will get a good coach and life will go on. I know it doesn’t accect my paycheck one way or the other.
HONK! IF YOU BEEN OFFER THE DC@UGA
January 11th, 2010
5:40 pm
Yes it sucks to be a mutt fan!
Dawggrl
January 11th, 2010
5:40 pm
Did anyone read the article before posting? Kirby released a statement himself. Glad we went after the big name hire and to see we would pony up the money necessary. Good luck staying in Alabama Smart, you were a DGD when you played for us. Wish you were coming home but at the same time excited about the Grantham prospect.
dawggone it
January 11th, 2010
5:40 pm
Smart played GA all along. Wanting an offer in writing meant one thing only, a way to extract more money from Alabama. Smart never intended to go to GA. Now, let’s see who else Georgia can get a raise,
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:40 pm
Oh, all you Jawja fans can come check out the crystal trophy at the Bryant Museum the next time you come over to T-town. It’s going to be the only one you may actually get to see any time soon.
29 YEARS SINCE YOUR LAST NC! EVEN TECH HAS ONE SINCE THEN!
FIRE MARK RICHT!!!
You guys fired the wrong coach! It’s not Willie’s fault!
Scott
January 11th, 2010
5:41 pm
So what’s with all the troll Bama fans on here talking smack about UGA? You just won a MNC and you kept your coach..seems like you really have to be an a**hole to have nothing better to do than talk trash on a UGA blog now…
sandman053
January 11th, 2010
5:41 pm
You know instead of bashing Smart for doing what he thought was the right thing(although in a not so high-handed way), let’s just trust in CMR to get the right man for the job. And then let’s go hang 50 on them in the Dome in December 2010.
dexter manley
January 11th, 2010
5:41 pm
Smart had two choices 1) Go to UGA and get cussed out one last time by Saban 2)Stay at Bama and get cussed out by Saban on a regular basis. Not a very “Smart” choice Kirby.
Opinion
January 11th, 2010
5:41 pm
Rankings of Significance in College Football History
1. ALABAMA
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13. GEORGIA TECH
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52. GEORGIA
Your own Kirby Smart even knows that your Irrelevant…..HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
anger management required
January 11th, 2010
5:41 pm
Dang DP. Turn on a brother faster than a new york minute. If he’d have come, you’d have been washing his car. At your fulltime job. hahahahahaa.
UGA Supporter
January 11th, 2010
5:41 pm
Coaches come and go (coordinators and head-guys). Why is it such a big deal to bitter UGA folks and those who are shall we say “naysayers” that this is such a big surprise? Big-time NCAA football is about one thing and one thing only: money. Does UGA have “money?” Of course. Do the other “big-time-football” schools like UF, AU, UA, UT, and others have money? Ditto. At the end of the day, Georgia will get what it needs to fulfill the DC job. UA will probably be at the top of the national picture again–or at least in the hunt. Not because Smart didn’t “go home” but because of recruiting, timing, hard work, etc.
JJ
January 11th, 2010
5:42 pm
This may not ending up being the end of the world. Richt looks bad (as he has the past two years) and our image probably takes a hit for getting spurned repeatedly, but at this point KS is still just a name with no *real* credentials. We can spend less money on an experienced DC and have money left over to fill out the rest of the staff with great coaches.
Of course, this is all in theory. Richt hasn’t exactly proven that he can get the job done.
GT 51
January 11th, 2010
5:42 pm
so much for what David Pollack tweeted over the weekend. Just proves what i always knew about him….he’s just another dumba** jock
FL Dawg
January 11th, 2010
5:42 pm
Smart has probably burnt a bridge, whether I agree with it or not…
virgina thought
January 11th, 2010
5:42 pm
how ’bout groh? naaaa. he’d probably turn it down too.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:42 pm
Sterling, another one of the “Saban will be leaving soon” crowd, huh? Bad news for all non-Bama folks. Saban isn’t going anywhere. There is a new juggernaut in the SEC and they aren’t in Gainesville.
Kirby Knows Georgia Sucks
January 11th, 2010
5:43 pm
Bama is head and shoulders above Georgia. ROLL TIDE !
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:43 pm
Pollack = FAIL as a sports commentator.
Nice player though.
newdawg
January 11th, 2010
5:43 pm
That UGA diploma got him a better offer!
GameTime
January 11th, 2010
5:43 pm
Well the good ole boys from Georgie are showing their true colors — blasting one of their own for making an objective, intelligent decision. These are the same posters who were praising Smart as the messiah leading up to the decision. Not surprised — Georgie fans do the same thing when one of their highly recruited prospects decides to attend another school — they trash the poor guy. Shows real class. Here are some good reasons Smart made the decision to stay:
- The money will be about the same after Alabama’s counter 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.
All things considered, he made a good decision for himself and his family. It’s too bad there aren’t more Georgie fans that can understand and accept that.
CKS
January 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
Kirby: May I please leave, Nick?
Nick: Assume the position, you Georgia clown.
Kirby: Coach, no! Please no!!!!
Nick: You heard me. I control everything here in Bammer.
Kirby: Um….okay. Please don’t hurt me, Nick!
Nick: Pants down!
Kirby: Oh, no! Me want mommy!
Nick: {{{Whack!!!!}}}
Kirby: Thank you, sir! May I have another?
Nick: {{{Whack!!!!}}}
Kirby: Owwwwww!!!! Thank you, sir! May I have another?
Nick: {{{Whack!!!!}}}
Kirby: Oweeeeeeeee!!! Thank you, sir! May I have another?
FL Dawg
January 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
JJ there is enough money in the UGA system to have paid both KS and what ever staff he wanted.
Sucks to ge a Georgia fan?
January 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
Why? Care to elaborate, fool?
mike vick
January 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
Free Willie Martinez!
Courtney
January 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
Where can you go see Alabama’s new Trophy? At WAL-MART. What a state!
Opinion
January 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
BREAKING NEWS:
DAVE WOMMACK TO UGA TO BE NAMED COACH IN WAITING (CONTRACT DETAILS SHORTLY)
brit878
January 11th, 2010
5:44 pm
He signs a term sheet and then backs out on it? He keeps UGA on the hook for this long and then turns down an incredible offer to help out his alma mater? Kirby definitely burnt some bridges. Screw him.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:45 pm
How much more can Dawg fans take??? No NCs in 29 years. Rejection and rejection for their coaching positions. Constant ownage at the hands of one of their most bitter rivals.
90 wins in 9 years + 2 SEC titles = not bad.
1 NC = much better.
Vangorder knows Georgia Sucks Georgia always over rated
January 11th, 2010
5:45 pm
Kirby does also.
Miracle worker
January 11th, 2010
5:45 pm
Hiring Jesus still would not help your year in and year out 5 star defense, what a joke. Go to Monster and AJC classifieds and put a ad in the paper, with all this unemployment there has to be somebody out there who needs a job.
barneyb
January 11th, 2010
5:46 pm
This is distressing….UGA is beginning to look like the green weenie nobody wants. Sad.
bernie maddoff
January 11th, 2010
5:47 pm
Hey I am available! Just have to coach from afar.
Goobo Edwards
January 11th, 2010
5:47 pm
No One wants the job! Yippee! Us Georgia Fans need to realize it is NOT our birthright to win National Championships…even though we beat Yech, it seems Yech is heading in the right direction, unlike our program…Get ready for more 7 & 8 win seasons and having to listen to the Nat fans!
Troof
January 11th, 2010
5:47 pm
Courtney = FAIL
BCS trophy @ Wally World was part of a sponsorship deal. Would have been in WMs in Austi had the Horns won(LOL at that thought!!)
Don’t worry. No reason to think a BCS trophy is coming to Athens any time soon. RTR!!