Rush Probst on UGA situation...Kirby, Pruitt, etc.

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My first reaction was that I was a little taken back by it," Propst said. "My sentiment is similar to what Coach Saban said. I worry where football is going in general. The fact that you fire a guy that goes 9-3 on a team that I am 100% positive could not win more than eight games."

Apparently Propst had some concern that Georgia would be in for a long season several months before the opening kickoff.

"I went there in the spring and was there for three days," Propst said. "I had a conversation with Jeremy Pruitt and Kevin Sherrer. I watched practice - and in my 35 years of experience - going to Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida, Florida State - I have traveled as much as anyone, I never thought in a million years that Georgia would win more than eight games. And I do not think anyone on their staff thought they could. I left there extremely nervous for Coach Pruitt, Coach Sherrer, and Coach Richt."

The roster issues indicated to Propst that the deck was stacked against Richt.

"You have a quarterback not on campus until June - who if he was really good he would be playing at Virginia," Propst said. "There was youth on defense and in the secondary - and they had not one legitimate wide receiver. They have not signed a legitimate wide receiver since I can remember. When you look at those variables, I can see what Coach Saban is saying. I worry about what their thinking is."

Richt made an impact on Propst during his time in Georgia.

"Mark Richt has made me a better football coach," Propst said. "When I was in Alabama, Coach Saban was what we all looked to, and Coach Tommy Tuberville was having some success at Auburn, so we had two really good venues to visit. Mark Richt's demeanor and style taught me a lot over the years. Never one time did I ever call or text him that he did not call me back or text me immediately within a minute or two. That taught me right there what kind of person he was, and more importantly, what kind of person the other ones are that don't.

"Here we have a guy that had been there 10 years, and when he was calling me back, I had not won a state title. I did not have a bunch of recruits. He showed me that, and the others showed me they were not as high character as I thought they were."

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"The mistake Mark Richt made was hiring Brian Schottenheimer," Propst said. "It was not a good hire. That is what worries me about college football. Mark was under pressure to hire a name, so he hires a name. Was it the right fit for the University of Georgia? No. So, ultimately, that is probably what did it. I did not agree with the hire and I expressed that to Coach Pruitt and Coach Sherrer."

According to Propst, the inability of Georgia to adapt offensively cost them dearly at the quarterback position.

"No question, if Deshaun Watson was at Georgia, Mark Richt would still be the head coach at Georgia," Propst said. "Or if you decided on Brice Ramsey instead, either way, you have to simplify your offense to make your kid be successful. I think Brice was mismanaged from the first day he got there.

"In the offense Georgia had, they did not have the quarterback on campus they needed. In high school, when we do not have the quarterback to run our system, we adapt. You have to adapt to what you have. They had a system, they recruited to the system. If Deshaun Watson is at Georgia right now, we are not having this conversation right now."

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"I wanted Coach Richt's tenure to end with him going out on top, but it is done," Propst said. "Now they have to make the next step. I do not think Georgia has but one choice - it is Kirby Smart. Hands down, Kirby is the right choice for Georgia. There is not even a close second, in my opinion."

And if Smart is hired, his next move should be an easy decision.

"Kirby would do a great job at Georgia," Propst said. "Recruiting would be off the charts. I am not telling Kirby what to do. He is his own man and he has to make his own decision. I would keep Jeremy Pruitt, Kevin Sherrer and Tracy Rocker on the defensive staff."

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I would hope Kirby would retain Jeremy Pruitt," Propst said. "My belief is that he should and would. Often, cooler heads do not prevail. Egos get involved. I have always felt that with 35-45-year-old men, egos often cloud their judgment."

Propst feels the decision makers in Athens need to step in.

"That is where leadership comes in at the hiring position," Propst said. "If the person doing the hiring, whether that is Greg McGarity, Jere Morehead, the board of regents or the top boosters - can get cooler heads to prevail, then it will work.

"Ultimately it will come down on McGarity's watch. Losing Jeremy Pruitt is not a smart move. That puts you back a year or two, and I know Kirby might think he can do what Jeremy does, but those two need to work together. That is what is best for the University of Georgia. Jeremy said on Saturday he wanted to be at the University of Georgia. He has worked with Kirby before. He was his eyes in the sky at Alabama. If Kirby offers Jeremy the job, and Jeremy turns it down, it will be his loss and I will put the blame on him."

One situation could prevent that from coming to fruition.

"But if Jeremy wants to go home, and Nick comes calling offering the defensive coordinator job, he would be a fool not to go back," Propst said. "They will not promote Mel Tucker. Unless Will Muschamp is involved. Will is a great defensive coach. He and Pruitt will both be head coaches somewhere very soon.

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"What is best for the University of Georgia is Kirby Smart as head coach, Jeremy Pruitt as defensive coordinator, Kevin Sherrer and Tracy Rocker on defense, and whoever Kirby wants on offense, which I think should bring about a cultural change offensively to what your own state is already doing," Propst said. "Your No. 1 and No. 2 wide receiver in the state should not be going to Auburn or USC, they should be going to Georgia if they want them."

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