Coaching Staff
Kirby Smart
W
Head Football Coach
for the opportunity at Georgia and promise high energy, effort every day, and hard work every minute on the part of all our coaches, staff and student-athletes.” h e n Smart has served on the Alabama staff the past nine years, the Georpast seven as defensive coordinator. During his tenure at Alabama, g i a the Crimson Tide won three BCS National Championships, one Collooked for a new lege Football Playoff national title, three Southeastern Conference head football crowns, six SEC western division titles, and was ranked in the nacoach after the tion’s final top ten rankings the last eight years in a row. 2015 season, A former standout defensive back and scholar-athlete at Georgia, the arrows all Smart was one of the nation’s most respected defensive coordinapointed to Kirtors. During his time at Alabama, he coached players at three differby Smart, longent positions, in addition to his coordinating duties. He was recogtime University nized as the 2012 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year and the 2009 of Alabama defensive Broyles Award winner as college football’s top assistant coach. He coordinator and former was also a finalist for the 2015 Broyles Award. Bulldog player and assistant coach. Prior to joining the Alabama staff in 2007, Smart spent the 2006 On Dec. 6, 2015, Smart officially came home to Georgia. But season as safeties coach with the NFL’s he had unfinished business at Alabama, Miami Dolphins. He served six years on which was still chasing a national title. He the collegiate level as the running backs juggled two jobs for a month until January coach at Georgia (2005), defensive backs “I’m honored and excited for the op11, 2016, when the Crimson Tide won its coach at LSU (2004), graduate assistant portunity at Georgia and promise fourth national championship in a 7-year at Florida State (2002-03), defensive cospan. Twelve hours later, he was in Athens high energy, effort every day, and ordinator/linebackers coach (2001) and ready to go to work. hard work every minute on the part defensive backs coach (2000) at Valdosta When Smart was named head coach he of all our coaches, staff and studentState, and administrative assistant at UGA said “It’s an honor and privilege to return athletes.” (1999). home to the University of Georgia and my Smart was the running backs coach on ----Kirby Smart home state. I’m deeply appreciative of the Georgia’s 2005 SEC Championship team. faith President Morehead, Greg McGarity, His Bulldogs’ unit averaged 162.2 rushand the Athletic Board Executive Commiting yards per game, third in the SEC. He tee have demonstrated in asking me to lead coached Thomas Brown, Danny Ware, and Kregg Lumpkin—all of one of the truly great college football programs in the country. I whom had NFL careers. In 2004 at LSU, he tutored two NFL draft also want to thank Coach Saban. I have been fortunate to spend picks: Corey Webster (2nd round, New York Giants) and Travis 11 seasons with him as my mentor and have learned a tremendous Daniels (4th round, Miami Dolphins). amount from him as a coach and teacher. I’m honored and excited As a player, Smart was a four-year letterman at defensive back for Georgia, Smart Facts where he was a first team All-SEC pick as a senior. He finished his career with 13 inPersonal terceptions, a mark that still ranks fifth in Miami Dolphins Safeties 2006 UGA annals, and led the Bulldogs with six Full Name: Kirby Paul Smart 2007 Alabama Asst. HC/Def. Backs Birthdate: December 23, 1975 interceptions in 1997, five in ‘98. He led 2008-13, ‘15 Alabama Def. Coord./Inside LBs Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama the SEC in interceptions during his final 2014 Alabama Asst. HC/Safeties Family: Wife: Mary Beth; Children: twins Weston season. Smart also scored two points as a 2016-present Georgia Head Coach and Julia (Feb. 8, 2008), and Andrew (May 25, collegian. He was the first player in UGA 2012) Playing Experience history -- and one of just two Bulldogs High School: Bainbridge (Ga.) Georgia (1995-98) Four-year letterman as defensince the rule was introduced in 1988 -- to College: BBA Georgia ‘98 sive back. First team All-SEC in ’98; 13 career MS Florida State ‘03 return a blocked PAT kick for two points, interceptions; four-time member of SEC Academic having brought one back 88 yards against Coaching Experience Honor Roll. New Mexico State in his freshman year of Bainbridge H.S. (1991-93) Three-year letterman in 1999 Georgia Admin. Asst. 1995. football, basketball, and baseball; first team Class 2000 Valdosta State Defensive Backs The 2015 Alabama defense ranked first AAAA All-State as a senior; 16 career intercep2001 Valdosta State Defensive Coord. tions. nationally in rushing defense (75.7 ypg), 2002-03 Florida State Graduate Assistant High School Coach: Sonny Smart (father) 2004 LSU Defensive Backs third in total defense (276.3 ypg), and third 2005 Georgia Running Backs in scoring defense (15.1). His 2014 Alabama defense ranked
16