Thought this was interesting enough to share.

[Gromcat]

well that’s what he said. I don’t wish Kirby gone or there. I’m not all that concerned with Georgia. Now UT on the other hand.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Not an “insider” in the least. But I do have a close friend who works for a national sports news outlet, and although I never talk about it much, this phone call caught my attention and I wanted to share to see what people think.

Allegedly, Kirby Smart is going to be courted by a mega rich booster (I believe a Texas program) who Georgia cannot compete with. From the sound of it no one can.

He’s willing to (collectively) be the lead man in putting a contract together that will rock the sports world, not just college football. This contract will be the first of its kind, and will contain people other than Smart in the details. From the way I am understanding what they’re trying to do, we’re talking incentives down the line through his family. He thinks this contract is going to change the way the entire system works for college coaches on the top tier.

I asked can Georgia match it, and he said now way, and there’s only 3 programs he can think of who could come close. Apparently this contract will also include business partnerships and the base pay doesn’t come close to how much smart and his family will and over generations.

Just thought I’d share I have no way of knowing anything else or the guarantees. I just know this is a friend of mine who works for a major sporting news outlet that most people are familiar with. If he’s wrong, it’s not because he didn’t hear it from someone reputable.

I said Smart is intrenched at Georgia, if this actually happens what are the chances he’ll just stay home? He said this contract is so incredible that it would pull Belichick from the patriots to coach this team.

I tried to get more but he said that’s what he’s going to say and nothing else. I asked if it was a Texas team and he said possibly.

He’s a good friend but ever since I spilled the beans on a 24/7 board about Calipari’s plane situation at Memphis years ago he’s never forgotten it and won’t tell me everything he knows. He hates these boards and knows I’m all over them.

Just thought I’d share it rarely post what we talk about because it’s mostly basketball related and I don’t care enough honestly. But this one sobered me up and I wanted to share.

He also said he thinks brass at Georgia already know keeping Smart is going to be hard because he is extremely liked not just on the college scene but within the NFL.

He doesn’t think anyone at Georgia that is in the know thinks Smart will retire there. He would like to but the way he’s made an impression it’s just too hard to see it happening.

Before we talked late tonight I would have said Smart staging at Georgia was at least 90%. After we talked I feel it’s around 10%.

I threw it out here against better judgement. I just, damn…

Kirby could be gone in the morning, but every person in the administration believes Kirby is where he wants to be and retire. His wife and her family are local, his parents and siblings are there. He is making right at 11m a year with perks worth quite a bit more. Of course Texas would love to have him, and ATM would too. The NFL talk is just not true, he went that route with Saban, as Saban said the NFL creates parity, no way to take advantage of his and Kirby's biggest strengths, which is being the best recruiters in college football. But Kirby just signed a 100m+ contract, more money than he ever dreamed of growing up as teachers for parents. I don't think he leaves and is some wishful thinking by some fans.

 

[buster3.0]

I must say I will go back to one of the few wise things Rick Pitino said upon reflecting on his regret in taking the Celtics job. "Don't mess with happiness", or something to that effect. I guess he meant that happiness is the most important thing and no dollar figure is high enough to outweigh that. Rick had everything he wanted and needed at UK and gave it up due to his ambition. He regrets that. Kirby would regret leaving Georgia. He is a Georgia boy and a UGA alum and he has that program at the top of the college football with no signs of slowing down. He is an icon in the Georgia community and historically the best coach in UGA history. I hope he is wise enough to not give that all up.