Alabama Assistant Kirby Smart Named the Broyle's Award Recipient

The Nations No. 1 team now has the nations top assistant coach in 2009.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart was named the 14th recipient of Frank Broyles Award at the annual luncheon held at the Doubletree Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Frank Broyle's Award is given to the top assistant coach in college football. Defensive coordinator Joe Kines was the last Alabama assistant coach to be chosen as a finalist for the award in 2005.

The honorable list of assistant coaches receiving the award include Mickey Andrews, Randy Shannon, David Cutcliffe, Norm Chow, Gene Chezick, Bud Foster, Mark Mangino, Jim Heacock, Brian Van Gorder, and others.

Kirby Smart, a Georgia graduate, played from 1995-1998 and made first team All-SEC his senior year at UGA. He bested three time finalist, defensive coordinator Charlie Strong of Florida and defensive coordinator, Dick Bumpas of TCU.

In 1996, the Broyles Award was established to recognize the dedicated hard-working assistants like those who worked for Broyles during his tenure at the University of Arkansas.

To date, 59 finalists and 13 winners have been honored. Many of the assistants for coach Broyles went on to become head coaches or remained in the spotlight as assistant coaches during their careers.

The list of Broyle's assistant coaches includes Joe Gibbs, Hayden Fry, Raymond Berry, Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer. Johnny Majors and Jackie Sherrill also serve as an assistant to the long time Razorback coach.

Coach Smart has already been suggested as a replacement to recently dismissed Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez. Coach Smarts wife, Mary Beth Lycett, is also a UGA graduate, having played basketball for the Lady Bulldogs during her stay in Athens.

Smart replied when questioned at the luncheon: "I haven't really thought about it, to be honest. All I've done since the SEC championship game is get ready and go recruit. I am happy at Alabama and my wife is happy. We're not looking to go anywhere."

Kirby Smart joined the Crimson Tide football staff in January, 2007, after spending the 2006 season as safeties coach with head coach Nick Saban and the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Prior to his stint with the Dolphins, Smart spent six years on the collegiate level with Georgia (1999 and 2005), LSU (2004), Florida State (2002-03), and Valdosta State (2000-01).

He initially served as co-coordinator with Kevin Steele, now the defensive coordinator for the Clemson Tigers. Coach Smart has been at the Capstone since 2007.