'Dogs Don't Get Smart
A Georgia man turns his back to his alma mater, even after it offers an unprecedented contract. Make no mistake about it, this is a blow to Richt and the Bulldog program. There will be a backlash. Bad P.R. will surround this move. This hurts. There will be no joy of a big homecoming. The big splash isn't going to happen. Perception says Richt and Georgia is a second-class citizen right now.
But Damon Evans and Mark Richt owed this to the Georgia program. They needed to go after the best man for the job, and that was Coach Smart. Perhaps they didn't realize how strong a pull Alabama and Saban had on Kirby. Maybe they were led to believe the "knock his socks off" offer would be enough to lure him away. They obviously couldn't control the timing of the Tide playing in the title game, so they had to wait.
The only Georgia man that's relieved is Rodney Garner. Reportedly, he and Smart have knocked heads out on the recruiting trail and Garner was a good as gone, if Kirby took the job.
Georgia didn't get their man, but I'm encouraged about Richt & Evans stepping up with a legitimate contract offer. It shows they are truely committed and all in, when it comes to competing against the top programs.
Where do they turn now? Signing day approaches. The next move needs to be clean and swift. Coach Smart isn't the only guy that knows good defense. So, target a winner and go get him.
Here is a list names: Groh, Glanville, Tenuta, Mora, Jr. Okay, eliminate those guys, even though it would be interesting to hear about Richt approaching the same guy Tech is going after. Glanville's name just makes me smile, because it would make for such an odd mix. Tenuta and Mora have some Atlanta area ties and are available, but let's be real...they don't appear to be good matches.
Another list of names: Grantham, Travis Jones, Sal Sunseri, Tim DeRuyter, Kevin Steele. These guys know defense. And Jones, Steele and Sunseri learned defense from Nick Saban. Grantham might be a short-term solution. But DeRuyter appears to be a long-term solution. Richt would be smart to target that dude AND Travis Jones. Pair them up.
Stay tuned.
But Damon Evans and Mark Richt owed this to the Georgia program. They needed to go after the best man for the job, and that was Coach Smart. Perhaps they didn't realize how strong a pull Alabama and Saban had on Kirby. Maybe they were led to believe the "knock his socks off" offer would be enough to lure him away. They obviously couldn't control the timing of the Tide playing in the title game, so they had to wait.
The only Georgia man that's relieved is Rodney Garner. Reportedly, he and Smart have knocked heads out on the recruiting trail and Garner was a good as gone, if Kirby took the job.
Georgia didn't get their man, but I'm encouraged about Richt & Evans stepping up with a legitimate contract offer. It shows they are truely committed and all in, when it comes to competing against the top programs.
Where do they turn now? Signing day approaches. The next move needs to be clean and swift. Coach Smart isn't the only guy that knows good defense. So, target a winner and go get him.
Here is a list names: Groh, Glanville, Tenuta, Mora, Jr. Okay, eliminate those guys, even though it would be interesting to hear about Richt approaching the same guy Tech is going after. Glanville's name just makes me smile, because it would make for such an odd mix. Tenuta and Mora have some Atlanta area ties and are available, but let's be real...they don't appear to be good matches.
Another list of names: Grantham, Travis Jones, Sal Sunseri, Tim DeRuyter, Kevin Steele. These guys know defense. And Jones, Steele and Sunseri learned defense from Nick Saban. Grantham might be a short-term solution. But DeRuyter appears to be a long-term solution. Richt would be smart to target that dude AND Travis Jones. Pair them up.
Stay tuned.
How about your man at Air Force?
Reply to this
This has obviously turned into a PR nightmare for UGA. The problem with going after Smart is that I knew if Georgia failed to land him it would "smart" (sorry) quite a bit! Think they should go the route of the NFL (the not-for-long league). A lucrative contract to a talented coach who has produced at the highest level in football wouldn't be a bad move (Tenn's defensive isn't too shabby is it?). Don't think Richt can go wrong with the pro route. The NFL season's winding down: find that D "hit man" and go get him.
Enough with the getting competing coordinators raises!
Reply to this
Well, the Dawgs don't get him. Hey it was a long shot. Hopefully it's not a PR nightmare because this showed that UGA is serious about getting the right guy in and is willing to pay top dollar. But you sometimes never know what average Joe Dawg fan is thinking. There have been some hysterics on the part of Dawg fans this season that I haven't really understood.
As a Bama guy I am cautiously happy -- at least for the moment. True that Kirby has been following Coach Saban around for a while and that may make someone think he's in the shadow of the coach but you don't win the Frank Broyles trophy because you're a lacky. It's only a matter of time before Smart gets what he's looking for.
Buck, keep up the good work on that lobbying. Sooner probably than later your guys will get a defensive coordinator you can be proud of.
Reply to this
Forget all of the second tier candidates for the DC job. Do something bold, hire #47, David Pollack. Nobody has a motor running at more RPM, he does have an understanding of defensive football, and he would be loyal to UGA for a very long time.
His high rev personality would carry over to the 11 young men on the field. I can not think of the downside except he does not have current NFL links which is of questionable value.
Reply to this