I thought at the time our game had the feel of a mid 90s FSU vs NC State type game where they got sloppy, let us back in, and had to turn it back on to put us away. This statement doesn’t do anything to dissuade.
So did he get those wins because of coaching or player quality? While those things were happening UF, AU, and the vols were floundering. So not exactly murder's row. I seem to remember a curb stomping to Texas and wheel routes for days in a loss to Darth Mullen along the way. For me the jury is still out. As far as building statues, Gator fans I know expect a 3 natty minimum and to win the east every year. They have to win the east twice if they don't recruit only 5*s
He is a good coach, but it sure helps when the school's admin looks the other way while palms are being greased. I don't think it was any accident that Greg McGarity suddenly retired not long after Kirby arrived. This is not to say that he doesn't also work at recruiting as hard or harder than most other coaches, however. He obviously does.
We do if we go man but that's really not the style of our DC scheme. UGA did so plenty of times which meant hooker had very little time to do anything. He didn't dictate the D did. But you are right in that we need some better defensive linemen. No question uga has monsters up front.
Makes perfect sense to me. Is he winning because he got top recruiting classes and is playing college teams with NFL players? [BTW, couldn't beat Alabama last year until they knocked-out the Gumps' best WRs in the SECCG]. Can (Not So) Smart coach his way out of anything beyond a clear talent advantage at every position? What happens when Coach Napier greatly reduces or erases those years of accumulated recruiting advantage? My interpretation for what it's worth.
I disagree. Saban was the leader, the trailblazer, and he has won multiple National Championships using multiple coaches and differing approaches. He won one changing his QB to a freshman (if I'm remembering correctly) at halftime.
So if Smart wins again with a different DC is he still a bad coach? His old DC may win the Pac12. I understand the hate for UGA but you have to give the guy credit for accomplishing everything he has and hope Napier can do the same.
Pretty much sums up my thoughts on this. I'd rather have a coach who is average on game day but knows how to recruit a great team than an offensive or defensive genius who can only recruit average talent. You have to be good enough to not make calls that lose the game, but I don't think anything Saban or Smart has done is world changing other than just having guys who can execute it year after year after year. And as much as I dislike the guy, I think Dan Mullen is one of the best offensive minds in college football when he decides he wants to give it his all, but there is a point where you just can't scheme your way out of a talent gap.
I’ll give Kirby credit. He’s a good coach and an excellent recruiter. He’s Muschamp with a higher IQ. I look forward to being on even footing with them in talent moving forward.
So..let me get this straight. You are objectively saying that Smart is a meh coach and just pure luck in getting the most of the people he has recruited and just pure luck what he has achieved...
They play at Msu next Saturday night. Not saying they will lose but lookout. Trap game...between huge matchup with Tennessee and at Kentucky the following week.
He’s obviously a very good, maybe depending on your definition, a great coach. It’s not like he’s mediocre at a division 3 school. He can coach up a top college defense, he’s one of the best recruiters in the game today. Lots of ways to win and he wins in bunches. I despise him and the dawgs, but give the devil his due. He ain’t saban. But he ain’t ray goff.
lol You reference Kirby's: Overall record Conference record SEC East titles NC Reference this in context of Saban being an obstacle (remember UGA has only face Bama once in the regular season... and lost) So I point out that UF, AB, and 10RC have been historically down during Kirby's impressive success. Leaving them to face what challenge to win in the East? KY? SC? Mizzou? I point out UGA's talent advantage (and admit he is a great recruiter) helps explain why Kirby's record alone might not mean he is a great X&Os coach So that helps explain points 1-3 In comparison to Saban (who IS a great coach) Kirby is what 1-4? So against a team with a comparable talent level Kirby is 1-4 overall and 1-2 in SEC champ games. So with time to prepare and athletes all over the field Kirby is at a sharp disadvantage to a great coach. HMMMM, Maybe he's not a great coach or as I said for me the jury is still out. I didn't say he wasn't a great coach, I just said that there isn't enough evidence to convince ME. A question, if I give both Mullen and Kirby the same talent and 2 weeks to prepare and you have to bet your life on the game, who do you take? As for the nature of our fans, I admit I was a bit hyperbolic for comedic effect. But perhaps you can direct me to the Statue of Urbs... who was a great coach and led the Gators to greater success and more quickly than Kirby. But yeah, I'm bias
In his defense, Kirby has been telling everyone they beat people's ass because they have the better players. It's not like he sits back and takes all the glory, I kinda respect the honesty. I do think when you have two defensive minds like him and Muschamp in the same room, they create a culture of smothering offenses. Combine their abilities with an A+ roster and you see the results. When Muschamp is only responsible for defense, and taking away what you do best, he's about as good as it gets. UGA defense was good before he got there, they are another level the last two years.
He's done a hell of a job but he is also in year #7 with the team. His 1st season was 8-5 with losses to Tenn, UF, ole miss, Vandy and Gatech. Was not a great season but he turned it around through his process. Sound familiar? Let's hope for the same results
