Kirby Smart on his sore fanny, peer pressure from high-diving attempt

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart went viral in late July when a video surfaced of his best high-diving effort at the Georgia swimming and diving facility. The 45-year-old coach responds to cheers from his players by diving into the water, injuring his fanny and his ego.

During his Saturday press conference, Kirby Smart addressed the origins of the video, his sore fanny and how he feels about his future in diving.

“I had no intentions but at the point where I got called out, I got a little peer pressure,” Smart said. “There weren’t a lot of options once you got up there. But a lot of regret, I can promise you that. I will always land on my feet and not anything else because I was sore for about three days on my fanny. I will not be doing that again.”

UGA HC Kirby Smart off the HIGH DIVE! 😱😱pic.twitter.com/UHAElAaTpb

— Gradick Sports (@GradickSports) July 29, 2021

Smart is entering his sixth season at Georgia. He has three SEC East titles and a national championship game appearance under his belt with a 52-14 record.

Georgia’s 2021 outlook

Georgia hopes to upset the early predictions for the College Football Playoffs by breaking into the top four with an improved team. The Bulldogs are projected to finish at the top of the SEC East, surpassing Florida after a down year. They start the 2021 season quickly with a week one matchup against Clemson, providing them an early chance to assert themselves as title contenders.

Quarterback JT Daniels has established himself as the starting quarterback of a revitalized Georgia offense. Zamir White and James Cook combine with Kendall Milton to form one of the best and deepest backfields in college football behind a more veteran offensive line that has more options than last season. Kearis Jackson returns as Georgia’s top receiver after posting 514 yards and three touchdowns last season. The addition of Arik Gilbert in the transfer portal has offset the injury to George Pickens this offseason. The former LSU star Gilbert joins Darnell Washington to form the best tight-end core in the country by a wide margin.

The defense adds Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick and West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith to the secondary as immediate starters. The front seven brings experience and talent together with Jordan Davis back at defensive tackle and the duo of Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith at linebacker. Cornerback Kelee Ringo returns from injury to make his debut while incoming freshmen linebackers Smael Mondon and Xavian Sorey look to crack the rotation.