Georgia Bulldogs name Kirby Smart head coach

Georgia has named Kirby Smart its head coach.

The Georgia Bulldogs have named Kirby Smart their new head coach.

Smart is currently the defensive coordinator at Alabama. He will stay with the Crimson Tide through the College Football Playoff.

“It was critical to identify a person who would focus on a specific, defined process of developing championship football teams on and off the playing field,” athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement. “I believe Kirby Smart is the perfect fit for the University of Georgia.”

Smart played defensive back for the Bulldogs from 1995–98, earning first-team all-SEC honors in his senior season. Prior to coaching at Alabama, Smart coached in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. He was also the running backs coach at Georgia in 2005, when the Bulldogs won the SEC championship.

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Smart replaces Mark Richt, who went 145–51 in 15 seasons with Georgia.