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
Bammer Boy
January 11th, 2010
7:51 pm
Kirby didn’t think making a fashion statement of a black uniform de jour would help his defense. He decided to staying with the winning traditions of Bama. The last time you wore those jersies you dressed up for your own funerals in Athens, and we were happy to oblige. Roll Tide!
JUNKYARD
January 11th, 2010
7:51 pm
It’s so good to see the class Alabama fans are showing over this. When word leaked out Smart was leaning towards leaving, Bama fans started posting they hope he leaves. It’s Saban’s defense anyway. Smart never showed us anything anyway, it’s all Saban. He’s not worth it so I hope he does leave. Then he announces he’s staying and Bama fans start celebrating and laughing at UGA. Hey moron, didn’t you just say he’s not qualified anyway just yesterday? But now he’s the greatest coordinator in the nation because he stayed? Typical Bama ignorance!! Good luck to Coach Smart, but I hope Alabama fans like it when Saban goes to Michigan or elsewhere and the Tide goes straight back to the tank they were in for the last ten years.
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
7:51 pm
READING THIS HATE LACED DRIVEL SHOW’S THE TRUE dog nation!! I’M TRULY GLAD TO SEE IT HURT’ SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!
GSP Dawg
January 11th, 2010
7:51 pm
As I said on prevoius blogs over the last week, I always thought Kirby was a flight risk because of his ambition to be a head coach. In this case, he didn’t even get on a flight. I’m just wondering why CMR doesn’t have another contract ready to go for his next choice and perhaps he does. It just appears that CMR put his eggs in one KS basket which isn’t smart (no pun intended). It also appears that Kirby strung us along a bit as well, but so much of the info out there is bogus. You just don’t know what to believe.
Personally, I prefer Grantham or Deruyter. The knock against Grantham he can’t recruit right now due to the Cowboys’ current success. The other reason was that he had mixed results as the Browns DC. To be honest if you’e good enough to be a NFL DC, you can be a DC at ANY SEC team, regardless. He coached under Foster, Saban, and bunch of terrific NFL coaches. Regarding recruiting, he still can make phone calls to recruits and talk with them. I know that isn’t the same as a personal visit, but it’s not chicken feed either. CRG can fill in on the recruitment trail. As a reward, CRG can coach one of the LB spots (if he wants to), since Grantham coaches the line in a 3-4. I think he would be an excellent choice. Deruyter could step in immediately and start recruiting. His defenses are statistically strong despite coaching at the AF Academy.He would do a great job with an increase talent pool at UGA. Both candidate would be strong hires.
Shelley Meyer
January 11th, 2010
7:52 pm
Where is Gilda the Gatorette Gatorade Drinker?
BobbyDawg
January 11th, 2010
7:52 pm
When I was working in Nashville Tenn. and found a better job in Atlanta, my wife didn’t want to move. It turned out that she had a boyfriend. I don’t even miss her. WATCH OUT KIRBY!
Oh Please
January 11th, 2010
7:53 pm
NEVER saw this coming. Why the hell would he leave a successful Bama program to come to uga?
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
7:54 pm
BOBBY DAWG,THAT’S B/C YOU WEREN’T HITTIN’ IT OFTEN NOR HARD ENOUGH!!!
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
7:55 pm
JUNKYARD MOUTH…..STFU!!!
01HAWK
January 11th, 2010
7:56 pm
Just spoke to Joe Kines and he will come out of retirement if you will give the following:
1. AARP CARD
2. Rocking Chair
3. Life time supply of milk of magnesia
4. A place at the same nursing home that Vince Dooley has set up for the future
5. A Life time supply of PUPPY DOG CHOW FOR whats that ugly dogs name ?
6. A heart monitor
7. Life Insurance policy before he turns 70
8. A tractor so that he can plow the fields next to his SEPTIC TANK
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
7:57 pm
BRIAN,SPIT THAT SET OUT SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOUR TYPING!!!
WhatupDawg
January 11th, 2010
7:58 pm
Its only natural for the Dawg Nation to say that they did not offer the job to Foster, Koenning, and Chavis. I mean if they all rejected my team, I would want to save face as well.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
7:58 pm
UGA = 4th in the SEC East
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
7:59 pm
DANDY DAWG,PUT THAT CRACK PIPE DOWN…………..NOW!!!!
King Ealey
January 11th, 2010
7:59 pm
BamaGrad and you other bama fans: Have you forgotten your Shula years? You guys were terrible. Sinking ship under Richt? Check out his numbers. The man ran Florida States’ offense during their historical run. The comments I’m reading from you guys are just ignorant.
Athens v. Tuscaloosa
January 11th, 2010
7:59 pm
Why would smart want to live in that hick town, Tuscaloosa, known otherwise as the trailer park capital of the world??? Athens is a much better city with more to do. Smart must have a mansion in a birmingham suburb to stay in that dumpy town. UGA can find someone to coach the D next year—it may have to be someone from a mid major who needs a job.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:00 pm
I love how the Dawg doofuses are saying now they didn’t even want CKS. Hillarious. Almost like UGA’s 2009 season.
Shelley Meyer
January 11th, 2010
8:01 pm
I am so worried my husband is cheating on me…he keeps going back and forth about this job at Florida…
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
8:01 pm
JOE BLOW,GO BLOW YA DADDY!!!! WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED YOUR BROTHER’S AND COUSIN’S ARE NEXT!! AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT YOUR UNCLE GRANDPAW SAY’S!!!!
tbomachine
January 11th, 2010
8:02 pm
Clemson orange—– at least we dont wear purple, and we can beat Tech,unlike ummmmm,,,…who was it,,,… oh yeah Clemson, now go get back on your tiger rag. Go Dawgs
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:02 pm
Have you actually been to T-town. CKS will be rocking it on Lake Tuscaloosa in a sweet pad.
Come to T-town to check out our brand new crystal football. You know, the one you wish was in Athens! LOL!!
RTR!
01HAWK
January 11th, 2010
8:03 pm
I for one stated that Kirby SMART could leave because one person is not bigger than THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE. SABAN can leave to.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:03 pm
No, we haven’t forgotten the Shula years but what do Shula and Richt have in common? Shula had as many NCs as Richt. LOL!!!
RTR!!
JUNKYARD
January 11th, 2010
8:04 pm
CANINE NONSENSE…..Don’t look now but your wife just swallowed….again! And tell your mama to get off my lap. Nasty ho!!
Stinger
January 11th, 2010
8:04 pm
How bout Bill Lewis? You will not find anyone any better. You have 3 choices. Bill Lewis, Chan Gailey, and possibly Willie Martinez but you will have to pay him $700000 / yr. LMFAO
Richt so soft
January 11th, 2010
8:05 pm
1. As a city Tuscaloosa is actually as nice or nicer than Athens- I’ve lived very near both.
2. UGA needs to realize that their problem is not with their coordinators; it’s with CMR- too soft.
3. I try to pull for the dogs when their not playing Bama, but it’s kind of hard to do that at the moment. I’m not a hater- just trying to state the facts.
4. CMR will never win a NC at UGA.
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
8:05 pm
king ealey,DON’T HAVE TO REMEMBER SHULA!!! GOT SABAN & THE MAGIC CRYSTAL BEAN!! HOW ‘BOUT THEM DAWGS???!!!!
Vince's Dooley
January 11th, 2010
8:06 pm
Damon and Mark, didn’t I read somewhere that Bobby Cox is retiring? What about him? If I finish remodeling my house I’ll coordinate for you this year. Then we can get Bobby in here and everyone will forget all the times we were turned down. I mean, who wouldn’t love Bobby Cox here? We could tell them he is Joe’s grandaddy or something. Think it over.
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:06 pm
Finally, someone who can see the light(Richt so soft). Perhaps CMR should just resign and go sell Ford trucks.
WhatupDawg
January 11th, 2010
8:07 pm
Poor little Junkyard dont have a DC. Let it out……
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
8:08 pm
HERE’S A THOUGHT….TAKE OUT AN AD IN THE AJC!!! YOU COULD(AND HAVE )DONE WORSE!!!
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:08 pm
Mr. Blue Sky, Richt has 0 NCs. Perhaps you weren’t born when they last won one…remember it was 1980! LOL!!
RTR!!
01HAWK
January 11th, 2010
8:08 pm
ATHENS is no comparison to Tuscaloosa. You see, I have worked in both cities and Tuscaloosa is way better than Athens will ever be. Go to some of those MILLION DOLLAR sub divisions in Tuscaloosa and then go to the MOBILE HOMES in Athens. SEPTIC TANK and DIRT ROADS GALORE
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:09 pm
Make the pain go away Dawg fans. Fire the one responsible for this embarassment….MARK RICHT!!
.
January 11th, 2010
8:10 pm
Mark call Willie Martinez and offer him the job back….you can’t do any better.
Did you really believe Smart would leave Ala for UGA?…#1 for #35 hahahahaha
.
January 11th, 2010
8:11 pm
MORA?
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:11 pm
01HAWK, they’ve never been to the North River subdivison or Crowne Point and seen those multilmillion dollar homes. All they know in Athens is failure and sadness since 1980.
Bottom line: Win NCs or GTFO! Bye Richt!
JUNKYARD
January 11th, 2010
8:11 pm
CANINE, Utah called and said SHUT UP!! Louisiana Monroe wants to schedule Bama again, they need an easy win. At least we never lost to Louisiana Monroe Community College. Dumba**!!
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
8:12 pm
BETTER TO HAVE IT(THE MAGIC CRYSTAL BEAN)DISPLAYED AT WALMART THAN NOT AT ALL LOSER DAWGS!!! IN THIS CASE IT’LL BE NEVER FOR ugag!!!
2010 Dawg
January 11th, 2010
8:12 pm
Has anyone checked out the schedlue for this coming fall? I see and SEC East championship this year if we don’t have many key injuries. For all of these dirty Bama fans who are bashing Georgia for falling off the map don’t forget y’all were the SEC West doormat before the past few years. Were a QB and a few defensive players away before being dominant again. Here’s to hoping we play Alabama in the SEC championship in OUR state this year! GO DAWGS
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:12 pm
Dear Coach Richt,
I will be happy to come back for the DC job. I can also bring my own coaching staff with me.
Signed,
Herschel Walker and his multiple personalities
Senator Blutarski
January 11th, 2010
8:13 pm
—When the going gets tough–the tough…
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:14 pm
2010 Dawg, you are Gator bait again this year and soon to be hillbilly bait once 10RC takes you to the woodshed again.
You’ve got to reach the top to become “dominant again.” It’s been 30 years since you’ve been at the top.
Sad sad program. RTR!
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
8:14 pm
JUNK YARD IS THAT ALL YOU GOT BOY!! YA MAMA AND YA SISTER IS WAITIN’ ON YOU TO COME TO BED!!!OH SHE SAY’ S TO BRING ANOTHER PACK OF CIG’S,THE DAWG SLIP AND CRUSHED’UM!!!
dandydawg
January 11th, 2010
8:15 pm
CANINE NONSENSE, I actually saw you and Kirby hitting that pipe.. read your comments.. sounds like a crackhead in Alabama sitting on the septic tank!
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:15 pm
Dear Coach Richt,
I am submitting my resume for your DC opening. I can throw in some free dance lessons as well.
Signed,
Lawrence Welk
CANINE NONSENSE
January 11th, 2010
8:15 pm
THAT IS WHEN YOUR FINISHED BLOWIN’ YA PA,JUNK YARD!!!
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:16 pm
Just kidding and trying to get a rise out of the UGA folks. I have to go now because my mommy told me to get off of her computer. Mommy says that Uncle Jimmy will give me a big surprise if I strip for him again tonight in the trailer. Mommy likes to watch us romp around. Uncle Jimmy is really my cousin but who cares in ‘Bama? I’m just trying to figure out who my daddy is. Oh…wait, that would be UGA when Matthew Stafford threw that late TD pass. Yes, Matthew Stafford….you are my daddy and I love you. Will you tuck me in tonight in my trailer bed?
Troof
January 11th, 2010
8:17 pm
Dear Coach Richt,
Please hire a DC soon. The waiting is killing me!
Signed,
UGA VII
P.S. Never mind…too late!
gadawg
January 11th, 2010
8:17 pm
This is for all you bama fans. I live in North Alabama and I listen to Bumo Bug and Paul Pinebum for the entertainment. When you expert football morons call in to those shows I laugh my A** off at how stupid you all are. Be proud of your football teams becasue except for Gulf Shores this state doesn’t have anything else to be proud of.