Kirby Smart addresses whether Georgia has arrived: 'That doesn't exist'

Kirby Smart doesn’t have time for Georgia to get complacent with their spot in college football.

On an ever-changing landscape, everyone is always trying to knock you off your perch. Smart recognizes that, as he explained to the media ahead of his team’s season opener.

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“You know, I just talked to the team about this concept of whether you think you’ve arrived, and you never do that. When would I ever say that we’re where we need to be, that doesn’t exist. It’s not like on a continuum, you have to keep going and we’re not there. We’re not close to there,” stated Smart. “We have a lot of work to do, and that’s always going to be the case, because you’re always trying to be the best. When you start thinking that alright, I’ve got things like I want them, that’s the first sign that you’re going to get complacent, and the first sign you’re going to get bit. That’s not what we want.

“I want each team to be the best team that they can possibly be. By going out as an organization and by recruiting really good football players with a really good staff, you give yourself the opportunity to have a really good football team every year at the University of Georgia. You have all the support and all the things that you need to be successful , and you just have to use them the right way. We try to do that the best we can.”

As you can see, Kirby Smart is keeping his team’s head on straight, even after reaching the pinnacle of college football. If Georgia wants to return to the top, it’s the only way to do it.

Kirby Smart reveals talks with Kelee Ringo, not letting National Championship interception stunt his growth

Continuing, Kelee Ringo already has his spot in Georgia history due to his championship-clinching pick six against Alabama, but Kirby Smart believes there’s more for the Bulldogs defensive back to accomplish.

“I think Kelee’s done a great job,” stated Smart. “You worry about a play like that going to a guy’s head, or maybe not realizing his deficiencies and how he could improve on them. We’ve had several talks in the off-season, and he embraced it. He was the first to admit, like I’m not where I need to be. He had some plays in that game that weren’t so good. He admitted that, and he said I can improve and that’s what I want to do.

“He’s been a leader, he’s been an every day work guy. I’m expecting him to have a great season because of the work he’s put in. He’s worked really hard to be a good player.”

Continuing, Smart elaborated on what Ringo has continually improved upon throughout the offseason.

“He’d be the first to admit, the play doesn’t define the player. I think so many people, fans want to do that, but he can’t let that do that to him, otherwise he’s limiting himself to plateauing where he is, and he can still ascend,” added Smart. “He’s still a young player, he’s only really played two years of football with us.

“So he has a lot of things he can improve on, and that he’s worked really hard on. He’s gotten so much better with his tackling and his physicality, and he continues to improve on that.”