Hours after being named Georgia coach, Kirby Smart visits All-American Ben

Smart comes to UGA from the University of Alabama, where he has been defensive coordinator since 2008.

The victor of that game will play in the national championship game on January 11, which means Smart could be more than a month away from taking over full-time as Georgia’s coach. “As the son of a high school coach, and the best English teacher in the world, I’ve always aspired to be a head coach”. On the Georgia Bulldogs “I’m going to be hands on with the entire program”. He said that he met his wife Mary Beth while in Athens and that so many great men like Vince Dooley, Ray Goff, Jim Donnan, and Mark Richt helped pave the way for Kirby Smart to assume the head coaching position at his alma mater. Alabama will play Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl on December 31.

Cleveland, from Stephens County (Toccoa, Ga.), is ranked as the No. 9 offensive tackle in the nation and No. 9 player in the state of Georgia by the 247Sports Composite.

Smart went on to thank the Morehead, and UGA Athletics Director Greg McGarity for their faith “demonstrated in asking me to lead one of the truly great college football programs in the country”.

The theme of Kirby Smart’s introductory press conference was a mix between a homecoming and instilling a brand of “toughness” on all fronts with being a student athlete. Smart did say Alabama associate director of player personnel Glenn Schumann will join Georgia’s staff in some capacity, potentially in a role on the field.

Smart said Alabama coach Nick Saban was supportive and excited for him when Smart told Saban about his decision to accept the Bulldogs coaching job. The athletic association then ratified Smart, the pick by McGarity.

Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson expects Smart to be full committed to the Tide through the end of its season. I’m sure they’ve prepared themselves, whether it was Bill Carr or the other three firms interested. Smart said he plans to stay on as ‘Bama’s defensive coordinator throughout their postseason run, but will be out actively recruiting for the Bulldogs until early next week. Smart was asked about the Alabama “process” and offered a small glimpse into the Crimson Tide’s recent keys to success.

That 2005 season was the last time Georgia won an SEC championship.

As a star defensive back at Georgia, Smart had 13 interceptions, the fourth-most in school history.

Smart said there is no timeline now on naming his coaching staff. “It’s a fluid situation”, he said.