ATHENS — Kirby Smart has taken Georgia to the verge of a national championship and entered this season as coach of the two-time defending SEC East Division champs.
At just 43 years old, Smart is viewed as one of the youngest and brightest coaches in college football just four years into his tenure leading the Bulldogs.
It would seem Georgia couldn’t draw up a better head coach.
Consider, Smart was a team captain for the Bulldogs who honed is craft working under Nick Saban as the Alabama coach built a dynasty. Smart also had stints under Florida State Hall of Fame coach Bobby Bowden and Georgia Great Mark Richt.
Alas, there is no honeymoon period in the high-dollar world of college football. Even Smart and his Top 10 ranked Bulldogs are subject to boos, even in the ultra-friendly home confines of Sanford Stadium.
Indeed, Georgia fans earlier this season played aa major role in Georgia beating Notre Dame in a battle of Top 10 teams. The fans were so loud, they triggered six Irish motion penalties in the 23-17 win.
Perhaps that’s why Smart shrugged off questions about being booed this week.
“I’ve been around a lot of good coaches,” Smart said. “And it ain’t the first game I’ve been that somebody booed, and it won’t be the last.
“So we try to control what we can control, and our message to our team is just go out and get better, and our kids adhere to that.”
Smart’s focus and drive have been unquestionable. Smart has delivered on his pledge to deliver game plans that play to the team’s strengths.
It’s hard to believe one outlier performance — a four turnover deficit and two missed field goals — would be enough to derail the Georgia football fan base.
Especially when you take a look and listen around college football Every fan base has their issues and complaints.
The Bulldogs’, by contrast, appear to be in very good shape.
