Sports
Sports

Watch: Kirby Smart’s Georgia journey

1994: High school player in Bainbridge. 1995 to 1998: Playing safety for Georgia. 1999 to 2006: Assistant jobs at Georgia, Valdosta State, FSU, LSU and the Miami Dolphins. 2007 to 2015: Alabama assistant. 2015: Hired as Georgia's head coach. 2016: Serious about Signing Day. 2016: Taking a helicopter to see recruits. 2016: First win (Chick-fil-A Kickoff against North Carolina). 2016: A little golf. 2016: Win over Auburn. 2016: Loss to Georgia Tech. 2016: Liberty Bowl win. 2017: Consoling injured QB Jac
By Mike Luck
Dec 4, 2017

It seems like it only took Kirby Smart two years to get Georgia to the top of the SEC but the coach’s journey was much longer than that.

It started at Bainbridge High School and continued with his playing career at UGA and coaching jobs at Georgia, Valdosta State, Florida State, LSU, the Miami Dolphins and Alabama.

Watch the video above to see Smart’s path, including some low moments, many highlights, and a lot of drive and intensity.

About the Author

Mike Luck is an Audience Specialist on the sports team at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has worked at the AJC since 1980.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Former Carver-Columbus and University of Georgia star linebacker Jarvis Jones has led his alma mater to a 9-0 start. Carver is chasing back-to-back championships for the first time in school history. (Jack Leo/AJC)

Credit: Jack Leo/AJC

Undefeated first-year coach Jarvis Jones ‘grateful’ for return to alma mater

Former UGA All-American Jarvis Jones has Carver-Columbus 9-0 in his first season coaching at the school he helped lead to a state championship in 2007.

After catching Jerry Mack’s eye early, he’s become key to KSU’s success

Watching a clip of Christian Moss made Jerry Moss interested in pursuing a coaching job at Kennesaw.

Braves, Delaware North extend food and beverage deal for another decade

Braves say they and Delaware North will continue to ‘invest in operational enhancements and fan-facing amenities throughout the ballpark.’

The Latest

General view as the Atlanta Hawks host the San Antonio at State Farm Arena, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Atlanta. The Spurs won 126-125. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Atlanta TV sports listings

Undefeated first-year coach Jarvis Jones ‘grateful’ for return to alma mater

After catching Jerry Mack’s eye early, he’s become key to KSU’s success

Featured

The renovation of Jekyll Island's Great Dunes golf course includes nine holes designed by Walter Travis in the 1920s for the members of the Jekyll Island Club. Several holes that were part of the original layout where located along the beach and were bulldozed in the 1950s.(Photo by Austin Kaseman)

Credit: Photo by Austin Kaseman

Gilded Age tycoons built Jekyll’s doomed golf course. It’s been resurrected.

Jekyll Island's historic golf course, Great Dunes, was designed by Walter Travis in the Gilded Age. It reopens Nov. 1 on Georgia's coast after a painstaking restoration.

Embattled Fulton judge sued over woman’s ‘illegal’ jailing

While facing possible removal from the bench, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shermela Williams has been sued by a young woman she jailed during a divorce hearing.

KEN SUGIURA

A miserable loss leaves even less reason to believe in Falcons, Morris

Falcons coach Raheem Morris was accountable for the team's failures after a 34-10 loss to Miami, but that isn't enough if this team wants to make the postseason.