Kirby Smart calls out players while praising new coaching staff

Coming off a national championship win, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart seems less than pleased with his team thus far. He’s been critical of effort and even leadership within the program, wanting his players to step up in that regard.

After Tuesday’s spring practice, Smart decided to call out his players once again, saying there has been a lack of energy when the sled gets tough. However, he did decide to praise some of the new coaches on staff, saying even though they’re new to Georgia, they have done a good job after just two sessions.

“I think they’re trying to figure out where they’re going right now because we got a lot of drills, a lot of things going on in practice right now,” Smart said about the new coaches. “They’re still getting their feet wet. They’ve had four days to do that, to figure out where they’re going, how we do it, what the expectation is. What I like about all of them is that they’re enthusiastic and good leaders and I want their players to take on the personality of the coaches and there’s certainly been great energy out of those coaches. We got to get a little more energy out of our players when things get tough in practice but that’s the responsibility of the coaches. I’m very proud and pleased of what the guys have done.”

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Smart was later asked specifically about new defensive backs coach Fran Brown. There was nothing but praise from the head coach, talking about Brown as a person more than anything. Being hired away from Rutgers, Brown has already left an impression on Smart early in his Georgia tenure.

“I think he’s very charismatic,” said Smart. “You got to really spend time with Fran to get to know Fran and Fran has done a tremendous job in terms of establishing relationships. It was very evident when you talk to people that have worked on a staff with him about his charisma and I was very pleased with how hard he works, relationship with the players. He’s relentless on the road recruiting.

“I mean, the guy communicates so well and pushes so hard. I think he’s going to be a really good coach. He’s a rising star in this profession because of the energy he puts into it. He’s very coachable, he does what you ask and if he doesn’t know what to do, he asks. And that’s important. Just as important to ask when you don’t know as it is to know. He’s been really good thus far in that area.”

Georgia is home to one of the best defensive back groups in the country and will now be led by Brown. However, Smart would still like to see some more energy not just out of the secondary but everybody on the roster. ONly two practices may have taken place for the Bulldogs but Smart is already wanting the bar to be raised.