Greg McElroy calls out Kirby Smart for ‘coach speak’ on motivational tactics

Greg McElroy isn’t buying the narrative from Georgia coach Kirby Smart that his team isn’t concerned with how last season finished. Smart said at SEC Media Days this past week that the Bulldogs “don’t have a chip on our shoulder” after losing in the 2023 SEC Championship Game to Alabama.

That loss, which snapped a 29-game winning streak, in turn moved Georgia from the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff to No. 6. It would go on to miss the CFP and a chance to win a third straight national title.

Smart has insisted this offseason that the Bulldogs aren’t using that as motivation heading into 2024, and McElroy weighed in with his take on the Always College Football podcast.

“Coach speak, 100%,” the ESPN analyst said. “I found that so interesting (when Smart said) ‘I’ve never used a failure from a previous year as motivation or a success from a previous year as motivation.’ That is impossible. Human nature, granted, not everybody, but those that are high achievers, human nature is that you will use whatever motivational tactics you need in order to elevate yourself. Georgia came up short in the biggest game last year. It would be impossible not for that game to be in the back of both coach Kirby Smart’s mind and his players’ mind.”

Quarterback Carson Beck failed to throw for a touchdown in a 27-24 loss in the conference title game, though he did rush for one score. He returns this season ready lead the team back to the CFP after being named first team All-SEC this offseason.

Georgia should also once again have one of the best defenses in the country thanks to the return of linebacker Mykel Williams and defensive back Malaki Starks. All of those players know both the excitement of winning a title and the pain of missing out.

No matter how much Smart says it won’t play a factor this season, McElroy sees them using that to fuel themselves.

“When asked about the Bama game, Carson Beck was visibly shaking with anger and rage,” he said. “So it’s absolutely coach speak and (Smart) can tell you all he wants to, ‘yes we’re just trying to become the best team we can become.’ But you know what’s gonna help get them there faster? Thinking about their shortcomings from last year and how they can improve.”

Georgia opens up the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Clemson.