Georgia Bulldogs name Kirby Smart head coach

“I interviewed Coach Smart on Sunday morning, and, following that interview, I accepted the athletic director¹s recommendation to hire Kirby”, said UGA President Jere W. Morehead.

There have been several media reports that Smart will be the next head coach at Georgia, his alma mater.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart talks to players during a team workout ahead of Saturday’s Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Florida, Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in Atlanta. SC and Virginia Tech were among the schools pursuing him the last month.

Smart said in a statement via a press release, “It’s an honor and privilege to return home to the University of Georgia and my home state”. He did not return messages seeking comment.

Of course, if you are one of the highest-paid assistants in college football, there is going to be an expectation for a healthy salary as a head coach, particularly in the SEC. Richt was a masterful recruiter and a player’s coach who has the ability to sway many of his former commitments to Coral Gables if here were to choose to do so.

Among Smart’s biggest goals will be to reassure five-star quarterback Jacob Easons from Lake Stevens, Wash.

“You understand their goals and aspirations and like to help give them direction so that they have a chance to reach those goals and aspirations”, Saban said. “It was a good day”.

His work at Georgia begins with a recruiting visit.

“I also want to thank Coach Saban”, Smart said.

Interim coach Bryan McClendon will coach the Bulldogs for their bowl game, which is expected to be the TaxSlayer Bowl against Penn State in Jacksonville, Fla. “You just try to do everything you can to make sure those guys are OK”.

Expectations and pressure will be high for the Bulldogs, who went 9-3 this season but disappointed with ugly losses to Alabama and Florida.

He said he told players they should be happy for a coach who has “worked hard to create another opportunity for himself” and that they’ve been through such coaching changes before. “You hope you play a small role in their development”. He was on top of things with the other kids and he did a good job of helping me out there.

Smart, a native of Bainbridge, recorded 13 interceptions during his playing days at Georgia. He was also a four-time member of the SEC academic honor roll. They have three children.

According to Anthony Dasher of UGASports.com, Kirby Smart signed a six-year deal worth $3,750,000 annually. He is the second straight Florida coach to hold South Carolina’s permanent job, following Spurrier, who left in mid-October after 10-plus seasons in Columbia.

Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson expects Smart to be full committed to the Tide through the end of its season.

“We are really excited for Kirby and his family”. He’s sound in how he goes about the things that we do and we’ve worked together for a long, long time.

Smart will be assembling his Georgia coaching staff.

Obviously, Smart’s decision will be vital to both programs. Smart’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, could not be reached for comment. “I think our team is ready to take up the challenge we have coming up this weekend”.

On Sunday, Georgia announced Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart would become the new head coach replacing Mark Richt. They’ll have one in the fiery Muschamp, nicknamed “Coach Boom”.