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 $360,000 in 2009.
Richt has been trying to hire a new defensive coordinator since the Dec. 2 firing of Willie Martinez and two other defensive coaches.
Georgia previously pursued two veteran defensive coordinators for the job, Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster and LSU’s John Chavis. Both opted to remain in their current jobs after having their contracts considerably sweetened.
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1,397 comments Add your comment
GT
January 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
HAHAHAHA nobody wants to come to UGA. Guess they know Richt will use them as the reason why, when things go bad next year.
Gatorland
January 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
dennisd4: MORONS like YOU really do not get it. It is not was is broadcasted by announcers on a Nationally televised game that gets you a job. Coaches talk alot more than you must realize. It is called networking.
How many coaches that were Graduate Asst or Assistant Coaches have worked for Saban, Carroll,
Meyer gone on to become Head Coaches , coordinators or are in line to become one in the near future? Ask anyone with a working knowledge of the game and the coaches and they will tell you that SABAN, MEYER AND CARROLL are Hard to Work for. Winners demand hard work.
BUT THE REWARD IS OUTSTANDING!
Realist
January 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
So much crying and name calling going on here. LOL I can tell you for sure that Bama LOVES being hated, so keep up the name calling and bitterness. But I guarantee you if UGA had a chance to hire Saban, 95% of you would be ALL ABOUT IT. Don’t even try to say you wouldn’t.
War Eagle
January 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
……….$aban is so sweet ………
Kirby
January 11th, 2010
3:54 pm
Let’s see, I came to Alabama and won a national championship in 2 years. I could come to Georgia, win 7 games, possibly go to Shreveport next year, and watch my old team win another conference championship and play for the national title again. This is a tough one. I think I’ll stay here and go for another NC because after thinking about it, beating Kentucky is the big challenge at UGA. In fact, 7 wins may be a stretch next year. Yeah, I’m staying here.
GT Joe
January 11th, 2010
3:54 pm
I guess saban was right: athens is a septic tank…
Greg P.
January 11th, 2010
3:55 pm
Not saying he won’t go there tomorrow, but he really hasn’t had long term success. Georgia always has wanted that HOT name for football. Also, I think it would be a mistake to go back to the ole alma mater; if you get canned, you pretty don’t have much of a home..AKA Ray Goff. Bama would be fine with or without him.. RTR!!
jamie mullinax
January 11th, 2010
3:55 pm
Dont think this is true check out this link http://uga.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=1038226&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=
Still living in 1980
January 11th, 2010
3:56 pm
Who can we get now? Erk? Bill Lewis? Dick Butkus? Jack Lambert? Clint Eastwood? This ain’t possible, nobody’s ever turned down the DAWGS before,much less 15 folks! Oh lordy! What’s the mighty RED and BLACK universe gonna do?
Dig Deep
January 11th, 2010
3:56 pm
Swampfox Marion Campbell is still kicking.
DawgyBags
January 11th, 2010
3:56 pm
What about Curly Hallman??? Is he available???
Rod
January 11th, 2010
3:57 pm
Kirby can’t even speak for himself. Saban has to do all the talking. Kirby should be ashamed for using his university to get more money from Alabama.
CJJScout
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
FARK!
coachdawg 2000
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
for all of you Bammers,
Don’t forget you are lucky you didn’t get the Death penalty. You lead the SEC in Mythical National Championships and being on probation.Most people would tell you that your greatest alumunus is Forrest Gump.
AltamahaDawg
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
No hell no , we don’t look stupid. Second rate programs can’t go after some of the top assistants in the country to make lateral moves. The fact that Richt can even make those kind of serious offers speaks pretty highly of him. You know who was convinced that they would take it? Thier bosses.
Dawgs Run This State!
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
It seems to me that we are admitting Smart was the best candidate we could have gotten if we don’t offer the next guy a similar package.
ReptilesRule
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
Sounds like Bama stepped up to the pump after all and Smart used UGA as a bargaining chip. I would have done the same thing.
Got 12?
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
Loser Posters,
I can tell you what our record is over the last 10 months: 14-0 including the Heisman Trophy, Butkus Award, Broyles Trophy, SEC Championship, BCS Championship, and an NCAA record 6 First-team All-Americans.
Compare that to your last ten years and get back with me.
RollTide
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
UGA’s fans are pathetic. Their thought progression:
We love dat coach smart, he is da awesomest… dang my sistur is hot…smart is a dawg all da way… i hope my racoon traps catch me sum dinner fur tonight… smart don’t want to coach my doggies?… need to clean out da out house… we don’t want smart… he ain’t really a dawg… we to good for him.
I love it. You drool over Smart all week, now you claim you never wanted him. Reality check, UGA’s program isn’t even a has-been, it is a never-was. You don’t deserve the best unless you are the best.
ROLL TIDE! Hope you dawg fans enjoy looking up at Alabama from the cellar of the SEC because it is going to be that way for a long time.
Tim
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
I have from a very reliable source that CMR is gone after next season unless the team drastically improves. Smart would have a longer career at GA once the new coach is in place. He may even have a chance at the HC position as well……
Steve
January 11th, 2010
3:58 pm
I’m disappointed, but not too much as Smart will likely get a head coaching offer either next year or in 2012, so he couldn’t have been expected to be at UGA long. Grantham could be a better fit for the long term.
South Georgia Dawg
January 11th, 2010
3:59 pm
Why are you all so upset? We didn’t want Smart anyway. We never even officially offered him. The discussion was had, but that’s a lot different than an offer. Coach Richt knows what he is doing. I’m sure he’s already got this thing all wrapped up. You think we know it all? I wouldn’t be surprised if he already has hired someone.
tony
January 11th, 2010
4:00 pm
To bad georgia puppy dogs.
Stinger
January 11th, 2010
4:00 pm
Willie is willing to listen if Mark Richt will double his salary. Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha. Boo hoo hoo hoo bwaah bwahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
I told you KS would be a fool to leave Alabama to coach your defense. Chan may also be able to coach defense. He can’t be worse than Willie. Ha, Ha, Ha. Losers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jan's kemps
January 11th, 2010
4:00 pm
Hey SMOKIE JOE:
He did grow a pair and they are on your CHIN ! ! !
BAMA STAN
January 11th, 2010
4:00 pm
13 NATIONAL TITLES – 22 SEC TITLES!!!
Richt will find a good DC. Smart is a great choice – but there are many other excellent coaches out there. Keep grinding – you will find a great coach.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!
Jim Mora
January 11th, 2010
4:00 pm
I’m available
Money Talks
January 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
Give Van Gorder $950,000 a year and he might show up.
Jim
January 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
Hysterical. Kirby wants an opportunity to be a head coach. He weighed each opportunity to find which one will provide him the track that will get him to a HC faster. Saban and the national champions? Richt and the Independence Bowl champions? He made his decision.
Bamabelle in ATL
January 11th, 2010
4:01 pm
http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2010/01/tides_kirby_smart_at_the_end_o.html
No Way Jose
January 11th, 2010
4:02 pm
Hahahahaha. Chihuahuas strike out. AGAIN!
Grantham Smart
January 11th, 2010
4:02 pm
Why would I leave The Dallas Cowboys to come to UGA? Thats a stupid question like why would Kirby Smart leave Alabama to go to UGA? Everyone knows there is Florida, Alabama, and LSU and then there is the rest of the SEC. All the talk about SEC being the best conference is true. But take Alabama, Florida and LSU out of the conversation and what do you have. The ACC, Big Ten, PAC Ten, Big Twelve, and Big East- thats what you have.. I am happy coaching for “America’s Team”. Thanks for the offer but I am turning you down too!!!
GT Joe
January 11th, 2010
4:02 pm
Who the hell is Grantham?
At the bottom of the barrel already?
I’m telling you, Camden County had a killer defense this year…
BamaGrad
January 11th, 2010
4:02 pm
I wents to Alabama and I speaks real good! My seester is coming over l8ter so we can screw! RTR!
Bama Fan Who Thinks You're Better Off
January 11th, 2010
4:03 pm
Look, I know you guys are mad about Smart staying at Bama. He’s a great young coach, but you don’t need a great young coach. You need a veteran who can turn things around. That’s Todd Grantham. Go get him, and let all this mess lie about Bama-hating. Coaching is a business, not a religious faith, not a marriage.
And, Smart is still an employee of the University of Alabama, and the policy is that the head coach alone addresses the press. I like that policy because it keeps the wolves at bay, which is what ALL HC’s should do, IMO. The media is the enemy (apologies to Marshall McLuhan). Argue with Saban all you want, but you can’t dispute his results. (shrugs)
FL Dawg
January 11th, 2010
4:03 pm
Saban said, lets wait until we hear it from Kirby. What if right now, the deal is be sweetened in Athens….just a thought.
Jim Mora, Jr.
January 11th, 2010
4:04 pm
I’ll be your huckleberry, Coach Richt!
kerryb
January 11th, 2010
4:04 pm
I never saw what all the fuss was about this guy in the first place. I want someone that has proven he can have success on his own. This guy was our RB coach a few years ago and now everyone is going crazy over him. They did’nt think enough of him to let him coach defense. Now, he latches onto Saban a few years ,who really runs their defense, and everyone wants him for our DC. I don’t understand it.
Rich
January 11th, 2010
4:04 pm
Wait until Kirby speaks for himself.
Got 12?
January 11th, 2010
4:04 pm
Competent mentor, national championships, conference championships, #1 recruiting classes, equal pay
v.
(What exactly does UGA have to offer?)
We beat Vandy-- yeah!
January 11th, 2010
4:04 pm
FOr all GA fans wanting to hear from Smart himself– link below. DOes this make you feel better???
http://blog.al.com/bamabeat/2010/01/tides_kirby_smart_at_the_end_o.html
Big ole dawg
January 11th, 2010
4:05 pm
“Honk if youve turned down the UGA DC job”
RS Dawg
January 11th, 2010
4:05 pm
The Air Force DC would be a nice choice
TidePrideGA
January 11th, 2010
4:05 pm
Told you so Doggies, Kirby made the smart choice.
Brian
January 11th, 2010
4:05 pm
Maybe Slick Willie will come back for a sweetened multi-year deal.
......
January 11th, 2010
4:05 pm
That defensive coordinator at IOWA is pretty good.
DawgyBags
January 11th, 2010
4:06 pm
I have a reliable source that told me Bama offered Smart $1 more than UGA and that is what tilted the scales. He also said Smart did not want to sell his house in such a weak real estate market
RollTide
January 11th, 2010
4:06 pm
Ha, I just read multiple comments from UGA fans teasing Alabama fans for being “redneck”. Really? Have these people been to Athens? Septic tank is a compliment. It is a trash haven. Some of our fans are pretty bad, but UGA’s are just as bad, if not worse.
BigMike Said...
January 11th, 2010
4:06 pm
Only thing worse than a YELLOW MAGGOT ON NORTH AVE, IS A SELLOUT DAWG who can’t speak for himself,
G.P. Burdell
January 11th, 2010
4:06 pm
*** Please offer me the job as defensive coordinator Mr. Richt! I need a pay raise at my current place of employment. Please! ***