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Huge support for Georgia head coach Kirby Smart came from a somewhat unexpected source this week: Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops.
According to DawgNation, Stoops had nothing but good things to say about the new Bulldogs coach.
“I’ve got great respect for Kirby, and obviously what he was able to do at Alabama and everywhere he’s been,” Stoops said. “He’s been at great programs, been around other great people. What I can see is a great leader and a bright guy. So I think he’s going to do an excellent job.”
Smart served with Alabama head coach Nick Saban for 11 years and on three different staffs. But the most recent–and arguably the most impactful–was as the defensive coordinator in Tuscaloosa.
Similarly, before taking over the head position for the Sooners, Stoops served as the defensive coordinator for three years under the one and only Steve Spurrier in Gainesville.
While both Saban and Spurrier are legends in their own right, they have very different coaching styles. But Stoops doesn’t think those differences give either him or Smart a leg up on each other.
“Let’s face it,” Stoops said. “The fact is [Smart has] been around a great coach for a long time. That can only be helpful to him.”
Perhaps the biggest difference between Saban and Spurrier–and what may affect Smart in the upcoming preseason–is their view of the media.
While Saban is known for limiting his players and coaches in their interaction with the media, Spurrier embraced it all, and he encouraged his coaches to do the same.
“[Spurrier] put me in front of the media constantly,” Stoops said. “That helped me grow in the position as well.”
Smart has already spoken to the media a number of times since being hired in Athens. And with SEC Media Days rapidly approaching, we will really see if Saban’s tight control over Smart affected his development as a head coach.
