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| Kirby Smart | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kirby Smart |
| Birth date | 23 December 1975 |
| Birth place | Bainbridge, Georgia |
| Alma mater | University of Georgia; University of Miami |
| Occupation | American football coach |
| Known for | Head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football program |
Kirby Smart is an American football coach and former defensive back who has served as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football team. A native of Bainbridge, Georgia, Smart built his reputation as a top defensive assistant under Nick Saban at LSU Tigers football and the Alabama Crimson Tide football program before returning to Athens, Georgia as head coach. Renowned for program building, recruiting, and defensive schematics, he has led Georgia to national prominence in the College Football Playoff era and has been linked to numerous awards including the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award and Eddie Robinson Award.
Smart was born in Bainbridge, Georgia and attended Houston County High School (Warner Robins, Georgia) where he played high school football and participated in local athletics. He enrolled at the University of Georgia and played for the Georgia Bulldogs football team as a defensive back while studying criminal justice and sports management. After graduation, Smart pursued graduate studies and coaching opportunities, including a stint at the University of Miami as a graduate assistant and participation in coaching clinics associated with the American Football Coaches Association.
As a collegiate player, Smart was a starting safety for the Georgia Bulldogs football program under head coaches such as Ray Goff and Jim Donnan. He posted notable performances in Southeastern Conference matchups versus rivals like the Florida Gators football and Auburn Tigers football, contributing to secondary play against future NFL talents. Smart’s playing career included exposure to the NFL Draft process and interactions with professional franchises, which informed his transition into coaching and scouting roles.
Smart began his coaching career with assistant positions at programs including the University of Georgia (graduate assistant), Valdosta State University, and University of Tulsa. He elevated to defensive coordinator and secondary coach roles at institutions such as Louisiana State University under Les Miles and served on the staff of the Miami Hurricanes football program. Smart joined Nick Saban’s staff at LSU Tigers football then moved with Saban to the Alabama Crimson Tide football where he became defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, developing defensive units that competed in the Southeastern Conference and the Bowl Championship Series.
While at Alabama Crimson Tide football, Smart coached future College Football Hall of Fame candidates and NFL draft selections, overseeing defensive schemes in marquee games like the SEC Championship Game and national championship contests against programs such as the Clemson Tigers football and Ohio State Buckeyes football. His work in talent evaluation and game planning earned recognition from organizations including the Pro Football Writers of America and coaching award committees.
Smart returned to the University of Georgia as head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football in 2016, succeeding Mark Richt. He emphasized recruiting battles across the Southeastern Conference against programs like the LSU Tigers football, Auburn Tigers football, Florida Gators football, Texas A&M Aggies football, and Ole Miss Rebels football. Under his leadership Georgia captured multiple SEC Championship Game appearances, produced first-round NFL Draft picks, and secured a national title in the College Football Playoff National Championship era. Smart’s tenure included victories in bowl games such as the Sugar Bowl and matchups in the Rose Bowl and the Orange Bowl.
His staff has featured coordinators who later took roles at programs including the Clemson Tigers football, Michigan Wolverines football, Oklahoma Sooners football, and USC Trojans football. Smart signed contract extensions administered by the University System of Georgia and engaged in fundraising and facility upgrades at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia.
Smart’s philosophy blends aggressive defensive play-calling, situational preparation, and emphasis on recruiting pipelines across the southeastern region, including Georgia—note: pipeline refers to the state—Florida, Texas, and Alabama. He implements pro-style defensive schemes influenced by Nick Saban and tactical innovations seen in Bill Belichick’s coaching tree. Smart stresses player development for lists such as the Consensus All-American and All-SEC honors while preparing athletes for the NFL Scouting Combine and professional free agency. Game management under Smart emphasizes clock control, red-zone defense improvements, and situational substitutions in rivalry games like the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry versus Auburn Tigers football.
Smart is married and has a family tied to Athens, Georgia and the state’s football community. His relatives and close associates include former teammates and coaches from programs such as Valdosta State University and University of Miami. Off the field, Smart has been involved with charitable initiatives and community outreach affiliated with the University of Georgia Athletic Association and regional foundations in Georgia.
Smart’s honors include conference coach of the year recognitions from the SEC and national coaching awards like the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award and Eddie Robinson Award finalists and winners. He has been credited with transforming the Georgia Bulldogs football into a perennial contender in the College Football Playoff era, producing multiple NFL Draft selections and contributing coaches to the broader coaching profession, thereby extending his influence across programs such as Alabama Crimson Tide football, Clemson Tigers football, and Ohio State Buckeyes football. His legacy includes recruitment classes ranked highly by media outlets such as Rivals.com, 247Sports, and the ESPN recruiting service.
Category:Living people Category:1975 births Category:People from Bainbridge, Georgia Category:Georgia Bulldogs football coaches Category:College football head coaches in the United States