Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has been formally offered the same job at UGA according to the Tuscaloosa News. Smart was thought throughout the process to be Mark Richt’s top target despite rumors that LSU DC John Chavis and Virginia Tech DC Bud Foster were also offered the position.
Information has been tough to come by throughout the search as Richt issued a no-tolerance policy in the UGA athletic department for leaks. This is the first official report that has mentioned an offer to Smart.
Also fueling the Smart to UGA rumors was former Bulldog player David Pollack, who said the following on twitter today.
“From what I am getting guys I think Georgia has made a very SMART choice on there next DC, nothing 100% but def looks good.”
Many have speculated that Smart would be a top candidate since Richt fired Willie Martinez and two other assistants on Dec. 3.
Smart played safety at UGA from 1995-98 and then worked at UGA as an administrative assistant in 1999 and as running backs coach in 2005. In between stops at UGA, Smart worked under current Alabama head coach Nick Saban at LSU in 2004 and then again with the Miami Dolphins in 2006 before moving with Saban to Tuscaloosa in 2007.
Over the past week, the search seemed to have narrowed to Smart and Dallas Cowboys DL coach Todd Grantham, but Smart was always thought of as the first choice of Mark Richt.
Potential reasons for Smart leaving the same job at Alabama to go to UGA are as follows: complete control over the defense, returning to his alma mater to coach with former teammate and family friend Mike Bobo, coaching under a head coach that he has worked with previously, a large increase in his salary, and the ability to hire the rest of the defensive staff.
Smart was asked about the UGA job prior to the BCS national title game and said that he was “looking forward” to coaching at Alabama next season. However, Smart did not shoot down the UGA rumors.
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