Kirby Smart credits coaches, players for finishing season in Orange Bowl

Opt-outs are becoming more and more common for college football teams who don’t reach the College Football Playoff. However, Georgia kept most of its roster intact for last year’s Orange Bowl matchup against Florida State.

The Bulldogs were coming off of back-to-back national titles and were a win away from reaching the CFP again, before coming up just short in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama.

Still, Georgia came ready to play against FSU, blasting the undermanned Seminoles 63-3.

Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart recently joined McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning and shared why most of his players suited up for the Orange Bowl and showed up ready to play.

“Great leadership within our organization,” Kirby Smart said. “Coaches, top down, sold throughout the year that we were a team and a family. And that wasn’t going to change based on the outcome of one game.”

Florida State was no match for the Bulldogs after the Seminoles had numerous players skip the bowl game.

Georgia led 42-3 at the half in the thumping and finished the year strong following the disappointing loss to Alabama.

“I mean for us, it was about finishing, and our players, they wanted to play,” Smart said. “We’ve got a bunch of dudes that love football, and they wanted to go play. And they carried that torch, not me. And I’m very thankful they did.”

Kirby Smart speaks about relationship with Nick Saban since retirement

Nick Saban took down Kirby Smart for the final time on Dec. 8 as Alabama won the SEC Championship to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff. Just over a month later, on Jan. 10, Saban announced his retirement from coaching. It was a move you have to imagine was celebrated a bit in Athens.

The relationship between Saban and Smart has always been a good one. Alabama and Georgia have played in some of the most important games in recent times, and there’s no doubt they wanted to beat one another. But there has always been a respect between the two, something Smart says is still active as Saban moves into retirement.

“Nick’s been great,” Smart said. “He’s been wonderful for my career; he’s a great man. He’s a leader in college football. He continues to do that. Been very supportive of me and my family. Enjoyed it.”

Smart spent nine seasons in Tuscaloosa, beginning as the defensive backs coach in 2007. He was quickly promoted to defensive coordinator in 2008 and was part of one of the best runs in college football history with Alabama. Four of Smart’s career national championships are with the Crimson Tide.