re: Nick Saban (2008-2014) vs Kirby Smart (2017-2023)

quote:

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Smart went to Georgia because he and his wife are alums. He loves the school and wants to turn Georgia football into the best college football program the country has ever seen.

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Bahahaha! Fans always want the players and coaches to love the program as much as they do. It’s funny. That’s why everyone hates NIL. Players are even bigger mercenaries than they were before when there was just the NFL.

The reason Kirby is at UGA is because it was a job with prime resources. The reason UGA hired him is because he was an accomplished assistant mentored by the best in the business.

If UGA were a second tier program, Kirby would be elsewhere. If Kirby stunk it up as DC at Bama, UGA wouldn’t have hired him.

There’s too much money in CFB for anyone to be sentimental. It is a nice story when the stars align and an alumnus comes home to be successful, but the coach and the program have to be on the same level and maintain an equal dynamic. When an imbalance develops, someone is moving on to greener pastures or getting fired. When the chips are down and someone thinks they have better options and can level up, no one gives a frick about their alma mater or who’s an alumnus.

There’s no better college job for Kirby to take, and there’s no better coach for UGA to get. Therefore, the marriage lasts. That’s all there is to it.