Georgia coach Kirby Smart made his SEC Media Days 2024 appearance on Tuesday morning. There will be a lot of attention on the Bulldogs coach after their 13-1 finish last season, falling just short of an SEC championship and their chance at a third consecutive national championship.
There will once again be a tremendous amount of pressure on Smart's squad during the upcoming season as one of the top-ranked teams going into Week 1. Here is a look at three of the interesting things that were said by Kirby Smart during the SEC Media Days 2024.
Also Read: Nick Saban explains why Kalen DeBoer's Alabama did not make his SEC championship game prediction
3 interesting things Kirby Smart said at SEC Media Days 2024
#1 Addressing player driving arrests
Georgia's offseason has had no shortage of controversy, with two players recently being arrested for reckless driving and another receiving a citation for racing. These are not isolated incidents, with at least 25 arrests or citations handed out to players driving irresponsibly in the last 17 months.
Smart would make his views on these incidents clear on Tuesday, saying:
"These incidents that we've had off the field are not something that we condone. It's very unfortunate, disappointing I guess is the best word."
On top of the dismissal of safety David Daniel-Sisavanh from the program, Smart also spoke about the disciplinary actions the team will take going forward.
"We'll have suspensions coming out of some of these," Smart said. "I think everybody wants to know, what game and are they suspended?"
#2 Speaking on Nick Saban
Kirby Smart took a moment of his time at SEC Media Days 2024 to speak about his mentor, former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Smart worked under Saban at Alabama from 2007 to 2015 as his assistant head coach and defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job at Georgia in 2016.
During the early part of his time during the event on Tuesday, Smart would address his former boss.
"A couple words I want to say to coach Saban, who meant so much to me in my career," Smart said. "...What he's meant to myself and my family as a mentor, as a friend, as a competitor that drives you to get better..."
Smart continued to give credit to Saban for the success he's had in college football.
"A lot of the success I've had, I give credit to him and thanks," Smart said. "I know he will be critiquing me today, so I'm looking forward to that as well."
#3 Throwing shade at Oregon
According to ESPN, it was reported earlier this month that former Nike CEO Phil Knight "desperately" wants to see the Oregon Ducks win a national title and is supplying the team with unlimited NIL resources.
Kirby Smart talked about the hefty NIL pool at Oregon during his time at SEC Media Days 2024.
"I wish I could get some of that NIL money he's giving Dan Lanning," Smart said.
What do you think was the most interesting thing that Kirby Smart addressed during SEC Media Days 2024? Let us know in the comments.
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