Best buddies Mike Bobo and Kirby Smart will match wits in SEC title game
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is one of five finalists for the Frank Broyles assistant coach of the year award. (UGA photo)
ATHENS – We know from talking to Mike Bobo on Tuesday that he and close friend Kirby Smart first met as youngsters when they were ball boys for their fathers, who coached at rival high schools Thomasville and Bainbridge in the 1980s.
Bobo, Georgia’s offensive coordinator, spoke extensively about his relationship with Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, as the best friends prepare to match wits in Saturday’s SEC Championship game.
We don’t know much about Smart’s side of the relationship because, well, Alabama coach Nick Saban doesn’t allow him speak to the media. Saban’s ascribes to the Bill Belichick coaching model where he insists on doing all the talking for the team to the exclusion of assistant coaches and all but a handful of players.
“I’m jealous,” joked Bobo, who has twice-a-week media responsibilities to fill with the Bulldogs. “I’ve told Claude (Felton) that several times.”
Like it or not, Bobo’s relationship with Smart is front and center this week as their high-powered units face off in a game that will determine which team plays Notre Dame for the national championship. Smart’s unit is ranked No. 1 in the nation in total defense and points allowed while Bobo has Georgia’s offense on a record-setting pace in which it has already set records for points in a season and is on track to set the school record for total offense.
That it could come down to how these two South Georgia boys and former UGA teammates compete is somewhat fitting considering the competitive nature of their friendship.
“We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest,” said Bobo, who played quarterback for the Bulldogs from 1994-97; Smart was a defensive back from 1995-98. “It’s just one of those things. It never ends pretty, so we’ll just see. . . . But this is a game. He ain’t on the field and I ain’t on the field. We’ve got to go out there and put our players in the best position to win and execute. Hopefully that’s what we’ll do on Saturday.”
Bobo was asked if he was excited about trying to outwit his friend/foe.
“I’m not really excited about any of it watching them on tape,” he said. “They’re pretty formidable opponent. You really can’t find a lot of answers watching tape. They do an outstanding job really just stopping everything the teams they play do. It’s going to be a tough challenge, which I know our guys are excited about. We’re not going to have to play perfect but we’re going to have to play good and play well on offense.”
Bobo and Smart are part of a small coaching fraternity that blossomed out of the Ray Goff era at Georgia. Bobo and Florida head coach Will Muschamp played together for one year under Goff and they were joined at different times by Travis Jones (now in the NFL), Brian Bohannon (now a Georgia Tech assistant) and Derek Dooley (who served as a grad assistant).
“We all talk and we’re all in coaching and everybody wishes everybody well,” Bobo said. “Obviously we’re all in the same league and play against each other, so it’s a tough deal and we don’t talk much during the season. But if one of us is out of it or not playing each other, we’re pulling for each other.”
This past summer they all gathered at Smart’s house for a get-together with the families.”Just hanging out with the kids and having fun, not really much talking football,” Bobo said
But Bobo and Smart, who were in each others’ weddings, have always been the closest of the group. They even used to ride together sometimes on spring recruiting trips. But they had to give that up because it became too competitive.
“We’ve agreed not to talk about recruiting,” Bobo said. “We don’t talk much hardly any during the season. It might be a text message after each game, congrats or keep your head up, one of those tings. But during the season there’s not much communication.”
And definitely not this week.
“We’re getting ready to play Alabama,” Bobo said. “I’m excited for these players. Obviously we’re excited as coaches to be in the SEC championship. But the bottom line is we’re getting ready for an opponent, the team we’re watching on tape. We’re worrying about what we can control and that’s executing our plays, not who’s on the other sideline or who the other team is. We’ve got to handle ourselves offensively.”
Bobo’s squad has done that well enough this season to earn him a spot among the five finalists for the Frank Broyles Award, which goes annually to the best assistant coach in college football. Should the Bulldogs upset Alabama and Smart’s ballyhooed defense, that’d go a long way toward Bobo locking up the award.
Of course, Smart knows all about the Broyles Award.
“He won it,” Bobo said with a laugh. “First.”
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106 comments Add your comment
CHDawg
November 28th, 2012
2:36 pm
G-Dawg, this is an interesting battle. The key to stopping Georgia’s powerful air force is pressure. If they don’t bring it, Murray will munch on elephant BBQ all afternoon. I suspect they will bring the kitchen sink, despite their reputation, if the line can’t put enough heat on him. SC blitzed more on us. If their line can bring enough heat, it will be a tough day and we will need some Superman work from Aaron to win. Let’s hope they have a plan for heavy blitzing out of Kirby & Co.
USMC DAWG
November 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
“Roll Tide……….beat the easy schedule team UGA puppies.UGA does not deserve to be where they are. Other than UF and SCAR who have the puppies played? NOBODY”–Football Fan
Who did BAMA play this season that was so great?
Bama played an easy SEC West Schedule. LSU is the only decent team that Bama played all season and BAMA was LUCKY to win out in the last minute of the game.
Georgia defeated the #4 Ranked Florida Gators. That’s a better victory than any of Bama’s this season.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 28th, 2012
2:56 pm
Let’s hope Bobo reads this blog and sets his gameplan according to what we post. Looks like we can win this game if he will just listen to us.
Great story above though. Childhood/life long friends performing on the big stage. Go Dawgs.
Ed
November 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
What a difference a year or two makes. Bobo has gone from being a frequent scapegoat to probably being one high-profile win away from a head coaching opportunity. Good for him.
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – Arkansas – Razorbacks News
November 28th, 2012
3:03 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, championship, coordinator, [...]
Best buddies Mike Bobo and Kirby Smart will match wits in SEC title game – Georgia – Dawg News
November 28th, 2012
3:15 pm
[...] post: Best buddies Mike Bobo and Kirby Smart will match wits in SEC title game ← Back to Home Tags: alabama, athens, belichick, bill, bill belilchick, bobo, claude [...]
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – South Carolina – Gamecock News
November 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, coaching searches, florida, [...]
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – Auburn – War Eagles
November 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, coaching searches, florida, [...]
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – Florida – Gators News
November 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, coaching searches, florida, [...]
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – Tennessee – Vols
November 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, coaching searches, florida, [...]
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – Alabama – Crimson Tide News
November 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, coaching searches, florida, [...]
icedawg
November 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
One fact that should not be overlooked is that Johnny Football was a difference maker in the Bama loss. He can run and throw. I don’t think that Murray could be placed in the same category. The Dawgs however have two good running backs which A&M does not have. So the Georgia offense poses a different threat than A&M. If Murray can play a full 4 quarters without turning the ball over and connect on some big passes, then the Dawgs could very well win the game.
Dawg Fud
November 28th, 2012
3:24 pm
My prediction is that Kirby Smart takes the NC State job
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – Missouri – Tigers
November 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, coaching searches, florida, [...]
SEC Headlines 11/28/2012 Coaching Searches, Championship Game & Heisman Hype Edition – Mississippi – Hotty Toddy
November 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
[...] Georgia.Bobo: “We’ve tended to compete at everything we’ve ever done, from cards to golf to who can get to the store the fastest.” 1 2 Next Page ← Back to Home Tags: alabama kirby smart, coaching searches, florida, [...]
gdawginkalamazoo
November 28th, 2012
3:33 pm
The thing is that Murray can run. He was a dual threat out of HS and had a few good runs his freshman year. Then Richt & Bobo put him in the pocket. I hope he takes off a few times, that could be huge.
SteveDawgFan
November 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
Don’t care who the coaches are just freaking win this thing!!!!
ARdawg
November 28th, 2012
4:11 pm
I suspect if the Bama D gives Murray an opportunity to take off running, he will
fayncdawg
November 28th, 2012
4:18 pm
I’ve been wondering if Bobo and Smart played together and if there was any friendship. Now that I know that answer to both questions is very much afffirmative, I would dare boldly predict that Bobo will be Smart;’s OC when Smart leaves Bama for his pre-Dawg HC gig. And yes, Smart needs a gig NOW and there are at least two jobs he can take and should win 9 games a season (AUB, NCST though the War Tigers will be fortunate to win 6 games next season). Once CMR retires to the mission fields, Smart can step right in for him and Bobo can take over for Smart. If nothing else sounds like a nice path for Smart and Bobo to have successful HC careers.
Mobile Dawg
November 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
I’ve been critical of Bobo as have many others. Great atheletes have a way of making a coach look good. I still don’t think Bobo takes advantage of all the weapons he has, and doesn’t think on his feet quickly enough, hopefully he’s been saving something for this gameplan. The vast majority of us want Richt and Bobo to succeed.
Mobile Dawg
November 28th, 2012
4:28 pm
Do you think he starts earning Grantham/Smart dollars if he has a successful game Saturday?
ugab
November 28th, 2012
4:30 pm
Not enough time for Uga to put in a no huddle. We have looked to the side line all season for the offensive play. There were a couple of times Bobo ran an up tempo. I think it worked a couple of times. I also think it ended in a penalty or two. IDK. If the tide subsitutes, it could be a long day for the dawgs. College football live is showing clips from the Ga/SC game. Not pretty!!! SC jammed Ga’s recievers and brought the heat on Murray. Ga’s OL has to protect Murray. Everyone knows that is Ga’s weakness. Running the ball on Alabama could soften up the D of Alabama. Good luck with that one. Ga is going to have to play the game of their lives.
fayncdawg
November 28th, 2012
4:31 pm
NC State would be the Bmart move , pun intended.
fayncdawg
November 28th, 2012
4:33 pm
Smart move, typo not intended
ugab
November 28th, 2012
4:36 pm
Who hasn’t been a critic of Bobo? Run up the middle on 3rd and long. Oh yeh! Who hasn’t been a critic to AM? Can’t win the big one. It’s the way football goes. Win=Happy fans. Lose=Mad Fans. LoseUglly=Real mad fans. Let’s not forget all the tip passes in the SC game. just sayn
ugab
November 28th, 2012
4:38 pm
Smart and Bobo will be heavily looked at by all the schools that have fired coaches. There are a bunch of jobs open. We are talking millions of dollars.
ugab
November 28th, 2012
4:42 pm
k
fayncdawg
November 28th, 2012
4:45 pm
Though Bobo has his critics, don’t be surprised if Arkansas and Auburn give him a call. If nothing else he IS a great recruiter and would definitely upgrade from their previous coaches as for as morality is concerned. And yes at this moment I think the War Tigers and the Hogs are looking for coaches with NO morality issues!
ARdawg
November 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Mobile Dawg
Few have been as critical on Bobo than I but, the ultimate blame for anytime there is blame to go around belongs to Richt. Bobo is doing what he’s told to do just like every other subordinate in that organization. I have never for a minute believed Richt wasn’t making or giving approval for whatever set or plays Bobo was sending in
Wild Bill
November 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Football Fan, other than LSU and Texas A&M, just WHO has Alabama played? Western Kentucky? Florida Atlantic?, Western Carolina?, Tennessee?, Arkansas?, Auburn? Not exactly a murderer’s row of opponents. Just remember, the last team you played with a dog for a mascot (Texas A&M) got dehydrated from running up and down your HOME field and scoring touchdowns. GO DAWGS !!
Bamafan
November 28th, 2012
4:58 pm
Dawg fans have turned on CMR, Bobo, and even Murray just a few weeks ago…now everyone is on their bandwagon. That’s pretty interesting. I predict boo birds out in the 4th quarter. 30 years and still counting.
JB
November 28th, 2012
5:09 pm
Bamafan……… I can remember a few choice words for your Shula the last year or two from your folks over there.. We ALL want to win.elephants have short memories.
ARdawg
November 28th, 2012
5:16 pm
Bamafan
After a Georgia victory on Saturday will the FIRENICKSABAN.com websites go up?
Joey
November 28th, 2012
5:18 pm
Come on Wild Bill, these are TECHIES on here postin as Bama fans. NERDS!
Come on and pay attention! Bama fans don’t give a rat’s ass who was on our schedule.
ALL THAT MATTERS IS THIS GAME!
SEC
November 28th, 2012
5:25 pm
Georgia’s day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muHVRrzioHk&feature=fvsr
Mobile Dawg
November 28th, 2012
5:33 pm
Bamafan, fact is that Richt has underachieved for a long time with the talent that he recruited, and the resources available to him. We laid an egg against USC, barely got by UT, and played just well enough to win on several other occasions. Our season could have gone either way after that USCe debacle. As far as I’m concerned, I’m still in the corner saying Richt has to be more consistent going forward than he has been in the last five years. This year is a mirror of 2007, we ended the year with a really strong team, then we all know what happened.
SouthernGent
November 28th, 2012
5:34 pm
These two are really fine young gentlemen. They have and are paying their dues. I watched them both play. But … when it is all said …. and when it is all done …. Saturday night …. there will be such a roar … a loud rolling roar that will escape the seams of the Dome and permeate the Atlanta night … it will be the loud refrain … from loud and happy DAWG FANS hollering WHO LET THE DOGS OUT! This week in a historical display of junkyard fight, Bobo is going to best his friend Smart in a close contest! GO DAWGS!
Mobile Dawg
November 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
ARdawg, you’re right, the responsibility lies with Richt.
Mobile Dawg
November 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Can you imagine what kind of reaction CTG would get if he came out with his head shaved for the game.
Gator Fan
November 28th, 2012
5:49 pm
After watching Georgia play during the Florida games, I have to say that Georgia players are very disrespectul. LSU players can be the same way. However, I will be rooting for Alabama for they show great respect for every team they play and they are 2nd in my list of favorite SEC teams.
LHarding Dawg
November 28th, 2012
5:59 pm
I’ve been watching Mike Bobo play and coach for a long time. The Florida game in 1997 was a classic for then quarterback Mike Bobo which we won 37-17. He was a good quarterback and has been an excellent coach. I hope he stays at Georgia and continues to have success for many years.
mikebo
November 28th, 2012
6:08 pm
Should be a pretty good game.Good luck.RTR
Roll Tide with Pride!!!
November 28th, 2012
6:21 pm
Nice – Bama wins by double digits. Dawgs are the 5th best team in SEC.
Enjoy the chick-fil-a bowl!
jcrazy
November 28th, 2012
8:41 pm
they learned to coach under goff because he couldnt.they had to learn on there on.
Dawg4Life
November 28th, 2012
8:56 pm
Sorry I am just not sold on Kirby and never will be until he leaves Bama and proves it on his own. At least when we hired Grantham he was already proven. As far as I am concerned Kirby burned his bridge forever and should never be considered for UGA’s next coach.
At the beginning of year I was thinking Grantham should be giving some of his high salary to Bobo based on the level of play. Glad that got worked out. I have been very critical of Bobo’s play calling the last few years, but you sure can’t complain with this years numbers. Hopefully Bobo will continue to evolve. Go Dawgs!!! Play smart, disciplined ball, beat Bama.
#1bamafan
November 28th, 2012
9:02 pm
To all of my DAWG friends, good luck and may the best team win. I look for this game to be one of the best SECG ever. It is refreshing to be playing another worthy opponent in the game, that is not the GATORS. RTR
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 28th, 2012
9:03 pm
In an interview it doesn’t sound like Gary Danielson is sold on UGA. He commented that yeah, they beat FL but Murray almost threw the game away only to be saved be the D.
Said he didn’t really know how good UGA is since they’ve just been playing cupcakes including GT, after the FL win.
I think our D will be fine. O line and everyone on the O side will have to pick it up to beat AL.
Bobo and opportunity
November 28th, 2012
9:34 pm
IF UGA wins the SEC CG, he will see opportunity come his way, fast.
Kirby is seen as more under the direct control of Saban and he might have to wait awhile.
Mid level programs will look at a high flying offensive guy as the man to hire. Of course, Florida pursued , a D coach and he has seemingly worked out well.
Bobo wins the BROYLES Award, he will be in demand. Time will tell.
Go dogs
Observer
November 29th, 2012
6:13 am
Bobo in Spanish means dummy and of course, Smart in English means smart. Just an observation. That being said, I hope Bobo is smarter than Smart on Saturday.
zbulldawg
November 29th, 2012
8:02 am
UGA has it’s share of once at UGA coaches out there in football land !! LET THE BIG DAWG EAT