Kirby = Richt 2.0?

[Sub Par SUPERSTAR]

One comment Kirby made this year that I think was very telling was a line about the South Carolina game about how Georgia didn't force enough turnovers to even up the turnover margin. Georgia's defense allowed 20 points in a double-overtime game, and their HC's first thought after the game was that the defense should have forced more turnovers, because their offense gave up the ball 4 times. That is classic "defensive coordinator, not a head coach" thinking. I mean, Kirby...your D allowed 20 points and your offense scored 17 and turned the ball over 4 times. It isn't hard to figure out why you lost that game...it wasn't because of your defense, and it wasn't because your defense failed to generate any turnovers.

Totally agree with the bolded - which also runs contrary to the popular narrative about CFB (and college sports in general) which is that coaching doesn't really matter, recruiting does. Recruiting matters, but good tactical coaching and talent development is the difference between Alabama from 2007-present and Georgia from 2007-present. It's the difference from Clemson 2008-14 and Clemson 2015-present. It isn't solely about acquiring talent.

Until further notice, Kirby is absolutely on the "great recruiter, OK head coach" list given his teams' performances the last 2 years. Their offense was simply not at a championship-level this year. It reminds me a lot of Clemson under Dabo from 2011-14, before he started playing for titles every year.

If Kirby is to ever "get there," it might boil down to the coaching staffs he puts together and how effective of a delegator he can be. That was the difference for Dabo and Coach O - they hired legit OCs/DCs and focused on what they're good at, which is recruiting and motivating.

And you know what, I honestly wouldn't even razz these Georgia guys on here (As much...It's still Georgia.) if they weren't so arrogant, for really no reason, about the accomplishments of their coach and program...It just reeks of inferiority complex.

 

[Lawrence Wright]

And you know what, I honestly wouldn't even razz these Georgia guys on here (As much...It's still Georgia.) if they weren't so arrogant, for really no reason, about the accomplishments of their coach and program...It just reeks of inferiority complex.

I just assumed the guy was too young to have any sort of historical perspective on how badly UGA’s football program has underachieved since their last NC.

I work with UGA fans my age (old), and they take no joy in three consecutive division titles, or beating UF, when it consistently leads to season ending disappointment every year without that elusive national title.

 

[05_never_again]

And you know what, I honestly wouldn't even razz these Georgia guys on here (As much...It's still Georgia.) if they weren't so arrogant, for really no reason, about the accomplishments of their coach and program...It just reeks of inferiority complex.

They absolutely have one, but unlike Auburn's it isn't targeted at any particular program. Like Auburn's (and LSU's too, when they underachieve) struggles occur in large part because of Alabama. Alabama simply has been able to recruit more of the players that all 3 of those schools covet.

Georgia, meanwhile, hasn't underachieved because of any specific program. Georgia's biggest conference rival, Florida, has not been a juggernaut since the late 2000s, so it isn't because of them. Their other conference rival, Tennessee, has been near-complete garbage for over a decade. Another rival, Auburn, has been the up-and-down, inconsistent program they always have been. The dynastic program of the last 10 years, Alabama, has been located in the other division; Georgia does not play Alabama every year or even recruit directly against them all that often. There really is no valid excuse that can be offered - at least Auburn and LSU can say "Well, we're trying to compete directly against the greatest coach the sport has ever seen, in the midst of the great run of dominance the sport has ever seen."

They've failed to reach the top sometimes because Florida beat them, Alabama beat them, LSU beat them, or even because they stubbed their toe in an unexpected loss against South Carolina or Tennessee.

 

[Sub Par SUPERSTAR]

I just assumed the guy was too young to have any sort of historical perspective on how badly UGA’s football program has underachieved since their last NC.

I work with UGA fans my age (old), and they take no joy in three consecutive division titles, or beating UF, when it consistently leads to season ending disappointment every year without that elusive national title.

Just like we're not gonna be doing cartwheels if Dan starts beating UGA and not finishing the deal.

 

[Sub Par SUPERSTAR]

They absolutely have one, but unlike Auburn's it isn't targeted at any particular program. Like Auburn's (and LSU's too, when they underachieve) struggles occur in large part because of Alabama. Alabama simply has been able to recruit more of the players that all 3 of those schools covet.

Georgia, meanwhile, hasn't underachieved because of any specific program. Georgia's biggest conference rival, Florida, has not been a juggernaut since the late 2000s, so it isn't because of them. Their other conference rival, Tennessee, has been near-complete garbage for over a decade. Another rival, Auburn, has been the up-and-down, inconsistent program they always have been. The dynastic program of the last 10 years, Alabama, has been located in the other division; Georgia does not play Alabama every year or even recruit directly against them all that often. There really is no valid excuse that can be offered - at least Auburn and LSU can say "Well, we're trying to compete directly against the greatest coach the sport has ever seen, in the midst of the great run of dominance the sport has ever seen."

They've failed to reach the top sometimes because Florida beat them, Alabama beat them, LSU beat them, or even because they stubbed their toe in an unexpected loss against South Carolina or Tennessee.

I cannot tell you how many UGA fans have told me to "stop living in the past" and I'm like, ok, what has Kirby done of true significance RIGHT now? "But..but..but...Our recruiting classes!...And lemme tell you about this 5 star we got comin' in!" etc....I understand passion for your team, we all do, but when you come in acting like a total donkey, you need to get put in your place.

 

[05_never_again]

I cannot tell you how many UGA fans have told me to "stop living in the past" and I'm like, ok, what has Kirby done of true significance RIGHT now? "But..but..but...Our recruiting classes!...And lemme tell you about this 5 star we got comin' in!" etc....I understand passion for your team, we all do, but when you come in acting like a total donkey, you need to get put in your place.

That "but our recruiting is good!" line is going to start to go away and it'll turn into just pure frustration with Kirby. If you underachieve but still continue to recruit well, the good recruiting actually works against the coach as time goes on, IMO.

 

[Lawrence Wright]

Just like we're not gonna be doing cartwheels if Dan starts beating UGA and not finishing the deal.

Or like McElwain wining the East twice, while ending the season with blowout losses to FSU and Bama.

 

[Dudleys87]

I just assumed the guy was too young to have any sort of historical perspective on how badly UGA’s football program has underachieved since their last NC.

I work with UGA fans my age (old), and they take no joy in three consecutive division titles, or beating UF, when it consistently leads to season ending disappointment every year without that elusive national title.

Honestly at this point how could you? Yes I’m full aware you have to win the East to get to the SEC but at what point do you say “we’re cursed” “it’s par for the course”. If uncle Lou can see this coming why in the world would any GA fan defend it at this point?

 

[BAMA-DAWG]

Since Superdawg and 1980, UGA has not entered a stadium or stepped on a football field but once to even play for a NC.

...and how many times has your team been there?

 

[Atlanta917]

It’s pretty clear he is just out-talenting the SEC east. Dude can’t coach a game to save his life.

Kirby needs to do what orgeron did to succeed. Realize that bully ball doesn’t work any more and update his offense and not meddle with it. Be a CEO type coach and just worry about recruiting and the defense. Unless Mullen ups his recruiting he won’t be an issue, but Pruitt can recruit and is a few recruiting cycles and an OC away from making serious noise.

 

[Sub Par SUPERSTAR]

Kirby needs to do what orgeron did to succeed. Realize that bully ball doesn’t work any more and update his offense and not meddle with it. Be a CEO type coach and just worry about recruiting and the defense. Unless Mullen ups his recruiting he won’t be an issue, but Pruitt can recruit and is a few recruiting cycles and an OC away from making serious noise.

I agree totally, if Kirby just focused on recruiting, defense, and game management, he'd probably be fine...Also, Dan has stepped his recruiting up, you must not have been paying attention...And the brand new Heavener center that's about to break ground is going to make his job even easier.

 

[Dudleys87]

Kirby needs to do what orgeron did to succeed. Realize that bully ball doesn’t work any more and update his offense and not meddle with it. Be a CEO type coach and just worry about recruiting and the defense. Unless Mullen ups his recruiting he won’t be an issue, but Pruitt can recruit and is a few recruiting cycles and an OC away from making serious noise.

All Smart has to do is stop micromanaging. If he gets a quality OC the league will be put on notice from week 1. Whatever the reason though he gets to a certain point and has a mental block. Talent can carry you only so far at some point you have to coach. Which is why I don’t value coaches with loaded rosters as high as coaches who do more with less. Im not taking anything away from Saban or Sweeney they’ve done great things. Imo tho it tells more about a coach that has to get the best from their kids to every week than one who only has to the last 4 weeks.

 

[Atlanta917]

I agree totally, if Kirby just focused on recruiting, defense, and game management, he'd probably be fine...Also, Dan has stepped his recruiting up, you must not have been paying attention...And the brand new Heavener center that's about to break ground is going to make his job even easier.

I honestly haven’t been following UG recruiting that closely. Just remember that recruiting has been an issue for Mullen.

 

[Atlanta917]

All Smart has to do is stop micromanaging. If he gets a quality OC the league will be put on notice from week 1. Whatever the reason though he gets to a certain point and has a mental block. Talent can carry you only so far at some point you have to coach. Which is why I don’t value coaches with loaded rosters as high as coaches who do more with less. Im not taking anything away from Saban or Sweeney they’ve done great things. Imo tho it tells more about a coach that has to get the best from their kids to every week than one who only has to the last 4 weeks.

I think we’ll figure out soon if UGA’s offensive philosophy has been an OC issue or Kirby issue. Making the playoffs has certainly bought Kirby good will, but seeing LSU’s transformation on offense isn’t helping him. Pittman mentioned going away from bully ball at his press conference, but not sure if it was a slight against Kirby or Bielema.

 

[Remy]

Breaking news out of Atlanta in another thread on VN. LSU just scored another touchdown! This could go all into and through the coming new year 2020. That is all.

 

[tbones0711]

Chaney got run off because he wanted to make a change and Smart said no. Chaney didn’t get what he wanted so he left. Why in the world do you leave a school with all that talent to come to Tennessee unless something is really wrong? My guess is Smart said Yes to Fromm but Chaney wanted and came close to begging for Fields. When it’s clear Fields is leagues ahead of Fromm.

And Chaney now wanting Jimmy "the jet" Holiday to commit here proves for a stone cold fact that Smart was the driving force behind Fields getting the hell outta Athens. I read their boards and they simply used Chaney as a scapegoat because he was no longer there. Tua hitting a 26 yd. TD to win the game, Fields attempting a fake punt seeing Bama's defense still on the field don't fall on Chaney. The truly inept one's are still in Athens,imo.

 

[Atlanta917]

And Chaney now wanting Jimmy "the jet" Holiday to commit here proves for a stone cold fact that Smart was the driving force behind Fields getting the hell outta Athens. I read their boards and they simply used Chaney as a scapegoat because he was no longer there. Tua hitting a 26 yd. TD to win the game, Fields attempting a fake punt seeing Bama's defense still on the field don't fall on Chaney. The truly inept one's are still in Athens,imo.

Chaney and smart both wanted to stick it out with Fromm, which isn’t crazy given what he did the year prior. Coley wanted fields and that’s what led to his friction with fromm. Chaney isn’t to blame for a busted coverage, but he got shut down against bama in the second half twice and he laid a goose egg against LSU. Chaney has some amazing game plans, but he’s sub par after the opposing team adjusts. Chaney is a step above Coley, but unless my team has 2 senior backs that will be first round nfl draft picks, I’d rather have an OC with an updated offense like Joe Brady or Graham Harrell.