Georgia hires Alabama’s Kirby Smart, and Nick Saban calls him as good an assistant as he has had
On December 6, 2015, Georgia announced Kirby Smart, Alabama’s defensive coordinator, as its next head football coach.
Kirby Smart, Georgia head coach, hired from Alabama
It’s an honor and privilege to return home to the University of Georgia and my home state
the University of Georgia’s announcement, as published by NCAA.com
Day by day
- Dec 6, 2015Georgia’s athletic director said it was critical to find a person who would focus on a defined process of developing championship teams.
- Same dayGeorgia’s new coach said it was an honor and privilege to return home.
- Same dayAlabama’s head coach called him as good an assistant coach, and as loyal, as he had ever had.
Each day, as a table
| Date | Who | Days after the hire |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 6 | NCAA.com; Greg McGarity; Kirby Smart; Nick Saban; Associated Press; Ryan Anderson | 0 |
The day
Greg McGarity, Georgia athletic director
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
the University of Georgia’s announcement, as published by NCAA.com
Associated Press
Smart played at Georgia in the 1990s and has been Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator at Alabama since 2008.
University of Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former player and coach at the University of Georgia, will be the new head coach of the Bulldogs according to an announcement Sunday by UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity.
the University of Georgia’s announcement, as published by NCAA.com
Reaction
Welcomes the hire
Nick Saban, Alabama head coach
He’s as good an assistant coach, and as loyal an assistant coach, as I’ve ever had on my staff.
Associated Press, via FOX Sports
Neither side
Ryan Anderson, Alabama linebacker
He’s still our defensive coordinator
Associated Press, via FOX Sports
Related
- Georgia hires Kirby SmartThis page
- Nov 26, 2016LSU names Ed Orgeron head coach
- Nov 26, 2016Texas fires Charlie Strong and hires Tom Herman
- Dec 11, 2024North Carolina hires Bill Belichick
- Same season: Georgia’s 2015 season
- Same coach: Kirby Smart’s coaching record
- Same coach: Nick Saban’s coaching record
- More: All of History
- Same quotes, as a list
Sources
News and releases
NCAA.com, Dec 6, 2015“Georgia football: Kirby Smart named Bulldogs’ head coach”
FOX Sports, Dec 6, 2015“Georgia names Alabama DC Kirby Smart new coach”
Associated Press, via FOX Sports