re: Kirby's transition to Head Coach

Kirby is a good guy and a good coach. There is no magic formula to determine his future success. Opinions are all we have based on his past experience.

The thing that troubles me about Kirby is he's never been responsible for the success or failure of any team and he waited so long to try. He didn't have a burning desire to run his own show. He waited, and waited, and waited, and waited patiently - until a job came along he couldn't pass up - his dream job. Now he has his dream job and the most perfect set of head coaching circumstances any coach in history has ever had. Richt left Georgia with quality athletes and depth. If Kirby can't come out of the gate with back to back 10 or 11 win seasons he'll never be a success as a Head Coach. Kirby has to cover all the bases all the time and keep his staff on edge worrying about their job security if they don't perform at the absolute highest level every single day. I don't see that intensity in Kirby. There are a million other things required to be a great head coach but Kirby hasn't been tested at any of them yet and there's no history to review for answers.

If Kirby fails it will be because he doesn't have the independence, intensity, and unyielding desire to win more than the other guy he's facing. I don't know the answer. My instincts are impressed by his work ethic and teamwork not his leadership - and leadership it what is required to win Championships.

Being a great Head Coach is a lonely job. Everyone is around to share success but nobody sticks around when you lose. I don't see an independent streak in Kirby - the independent streak you must have to be a top notch head coach.