Advertisement

Kirby Smart reportedly to be tabbed Georgia coach

By The Sports Xchange
Former Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt. UPI/David Tulis
Former Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt. UPI/David Tulis | License Photo

Days after parting with head football coach Mark Richt, Georgia reportedly is ready to hire Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as his replacement.

Both the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ESPN reported that Smart is in line to get the Georgia job. According to the newspaper, the sides were in negotiations and a deal could be announced Sunday or Monday.

Advertisement

Smart, a 39-year-old Georgia native, played defensive back for the Bulldogs from 1995-98. After failing to make the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent, he began his coaching career as an administrative assistant for his alma mater in 1999.

Smart coached defensive back at Valdosta State in 2000 before becoming the Blazers' defensive coordinator the following year. He then spent two years as a graduate assistant at Florida State.

In 2004, Smart was LSU's defensive backs coach, and he returned to Georgia the following year to coach the running backs.

After a stint in the NFL in 2006 as the Miami Dolphins' safeties coach, he joined the Crimson Tide as assistant head coach/defensive backs coach in 2007. Since 2008, he served as Alabama's defensive coordinator.

Advertisement

In June, Alabama made Smart the nation's highest-paid assistant coach at $1.5 million per year. According to the Journal-Constitution, three years remain on Smart's Alabama contract that includes a buyout of approximately $500,000.

Smart and the Crimson Tide are preparing for the Southeastern Conference championship game against Florida on Saturday, which is why the announcement isn't likely to come in the next few days.

Richt was fired after going 145-51 in 15 seasons at Georgia. The Bulldogs went 9-3 this season but lost to key rivals Alabama, Tennessee and Florida.

Latest Headlines