Alabama DC and Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart Is America's Busiest Man

DALLAS — I was expecting to see a zombie, but the man seated comfortably before me has life in his eyes. His skin is the appropriate color. He is clean-shaven and smiling. His voice is gruff, although that’s nothing new. That comes with the job. 

At the moment, however, Kirby Smart has two jobs.

He is the defensive coordinator of Alabama—one of the key architects of the team favored to win the national championship. Head coach Nick Saban’s right-hand man. He is also the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs—the program where he played his college ball. In this job, he will have the unenviable task of trying to beat Saban on the field and in recruits' living rooms. 

As much as Smart loves Alabama, when he was offered the Georgia job, he didn’t hesitate. He had to take it. For the time being, he has both.

Butch Dill/Associated Press

It sounds like a complicated situation. In many ways, it is. And yet, days before his defense will attempt to slow down Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook in the Cotton Bowl, Smart sounds like a man who has conquered this mad world.

“First of all, it’s an honor and a privilege to be able to coach this game,” Smart said. “It’s the right thing to do. Is it difficult? Yes. Very difficult. It’s time-consuming and stressful, but at the end of the day it’s the right thing to do.”

His goal is six hours of sleep each night. That’s what he’s aiming for. He didn’t confirm if he’s hitting this number, although we probably know the answer.

There were two days around the holidays that Smart allowed himself a moment to decompress. He caught up on sleep. He enjoyed time with his family. Beyond that, he’s been in constant motion.

The routine is unorthodox—even for an unorthodox profession. Currently, Smart is sharing a workspace with the man who will soon replace him. When he announced he was leaving, Alabama hired back Jeremy Pruitt from Georgia. 

Although Pruitt isn’t involved in the team currently in the playoff, he is recruiting.

"Yeah, we're both high school coaches' sons,” Smart said, sprinkling in laughter. “So we’re sharing an office.”

That is, of course, when Smart’s actually been there. Not long after he was hired, Smart hit the road for seven days sporting nothing but Georgia garb and doing his best not to say Tide when he meant Bulldogs. The logo was new but still familiar. The ritual itself was strange but incredibly essential.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

One of Smart's chief goals after taking over was ensuring Jacob Eason, the nation’s No. 1 quarterback recruit, per 247Sports, and a Georgia commit prior to Mark Richt’s November departure, stayed committed. After shopping around some, Eason reconfirmed his commitment to the program and its new head coach.

In less than two weeks on the job, Smart landed his first 5-star quarterback. Not bad. 

Part of this trip included stops and conversations with athletes weighing offers from Alabama and Georgia, and this is perhaps where the water was most murky.

Although Smart said the instances were limited, he and Saban spoke directly about this part of the job. Well, jobs.

“We had a conversation about it. We understand the strains and stresses. And sure it’s tough at times to know we’re recruiting the same kids,” Smart said. “But we’re also both professionals.”

Smart won’t negatively recruit against Alabama. He refuses. He loves this school. He loves his soon-to-be-former boss. His new opportunity exists because of his time in Tuscaloosa, so he wouldn’t possibly tear down something he believes in. 

With that fully out in the open, he does have his Athens pitch ready. He didn’t mind sharing.

“You want to play? Let’s go,” Smart said about Georgia, cracking a smile. “Because we need you to come play.” 

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Although recruiting has been one of his main tasks at Georgia, it is not his only duty. Smart has to put together an entire coaching staff—a process that is still in the works. He’s also trying to better understand a place where he is not yet present. 

To gain a better handle on how to manage the transition, Smart reached out to Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and Florida coach—and former coworker—Jim McElwain.

They talked about maximizing timing, finding balance and the art of operating with limited rest. Smart wasn’t looking for all the answers, but the guidance didn’t hurt.

“Ultimately,” Smart said, “you have to do it your own way.” 

Through all of this—the travel, the phone calls and the dramatic change to his life—Smart has been crafting a defensive game plan for one of the most important contests he will ever coach, Thursday's national semifinal. 

The true burden of the last few weeks comes from Smart’s dedication to his current position. Despite everything that’s unfolded—all of it positive—he’s tried to keep his life at Alabama as normal as possible.

He never really thought about leaving early to transition to his new life at Georgia. His boss wanted him around. Georgia, despite the odd transition, doesn’t mind that its head coach is in the semifinals and potentially the national championship with another school. That coverage is good for business.

David Goldman/Associated Press

Above all, however, Smart wanted to see it through. He wanted to finish what he started. Not so much for himself, but for the people who made this all possible. 

“I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I had to face Denzel Devall, Reggie Ragland, Reuben Foster, Dillon Lee. I've got a special relationship with these guys," Smart said. "To not coach in this game, I couldn't imagine. So it was a no-brainer for me."

The players have taken notice. They see how hard he’s working. They see the zombie behind the scenes—perhaps when his eyes aren’t nearly as bright. They’re grateful Smart wanted to complete the journey.

“I've been with him all four years,” said Ragland, a linebacker. “And just seeing him grow as a coach and making me a better player, I'm very happy for him and the opportunity that he's getting.”

“It's very important because, you know, we respect him for making that decision,” defensive lineman Jarran Reed said. “It shows a lot that he really cares about us, not just as players but as people.” 

How much longer Smart double dips depends on what happens at AT&T Stadium in a few days. If Alabama beats Michigan State, Smart will coach for two of the country’s most successful programs a little longer. Nothing about the arrangement is normal or natural. And yet, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

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