Kirby Smart gushes about Florida legend Steve Spurrier, his impact on the game

Georgia coach Kirby Smart is in the middle of one of the most remarkable runs in SEC history, having won 39 of his last 40 games with the Bulldogs.

Smart’s overall success with the Georgia program is quickly rivaling that of another SEC great: Steve Spurrier at Florida.

“First off I wasn’t aware of that, but he’s an incredible person and man,” said Smart on Wednesday on an SEC teleconference call, informed that he’s closing in on Spurrier’s marks. “I have a lot of respect for him. He abused me as a player, but that’s kind of neither here nor there now.”

Smart has already won two SEC titles and two national titles. Spurrier only won one national title at Florida, but he won six SEC titles and had a complete run of dominance in the ’90s.

Spurrier also helped innovate in ways that the game is still feeling today, bringing modernized passing concepts to the Southeastern Conference.

“I look at it as what he’s done for college football and the game of football in general is really incredible,” Smart said. “I’ve got to know him better now through the last I guess about 10 years, we play in a golf tournament together every summer. Just enjoy being around him.”

Smart’s family has also gotten to know Spurrier’s family a little bit, in the process.

“His wife has been really good to my wife,” Smart said. “Jerri has been incredible, as a young head coach’s wife and starting out. She spent some time with my wife about those duties and just a great man. He’s just a great personality, to be honest with you.

“So many Georgia fans dislike him, despise him for the years he spent there, but he’s got a great personality and great sense of humor, I just enjoy being around him. Have a lot of respect for him. It’s nice to know that we have a chance to do that, because that might remove the teams I was a part of that got beat by him so many times.”

Smart, who played at Georgia in the mid-90s, also had a chance to go against some of Spurrier’s Florida teams. Though it didn’t go well for the Bulldogs, he had a chance to see how Spurrier ticked up close and personal.

And one thing really stood out about the legendary SEC coach.

“I think the uniqueness was his personality,” Kirby Smart said. “I think the teams played with his personality. Very laid-back and innovative for their time in terms of throwing the ball. He brought that from when he played, to Duke, to Florida. He had really talented skill sets in terms of the receivers and quarterbacks, and that was probably the most unique thing.”