I got into this discussion with a buddy of mine over the weekend.
Sure, Andrew’s been a visible part of the Georgia program for quite some time, celebrating with dad and even roasting the visiting fans from time to time. Needless to say, I don’t think he’d ever end up at Tennessee or Florida.
But the subject of the debate was whether Andrew would play for Kirby in Athens. On one hand, you know the head coach and the assistants probably like family, but on the other, that’s a hard transition for someone to go from little buddy to QB1. The success of the program lands on both dad and son’s shoulders, and that’s a whole lot of pressure in one household week in and week out.
The most recent coaching-QB pairing I can think of involved Shedeur and Deion Sanders…while it was clear he was going to be QB1 for Coach Amazon Prime, the viewpoint of Shedeur was one of nepotism and false praise, especially after the retirement of his number in Colorado. I don’t see that being the same for Kirby, who knows what earned praise looks like being both a player and coach for UGA.
We saw with Muschamp that being torn between coaching and seeing your son play makes a coach pause their professional endeavors, so would Andrew playing at another school cause Kirby to hang it up and take a different role?
Could you see Andrew playing in Athens? If not, where do you think he’d most likely land?
Discuss.
I think if he ends up as good as currently advertised/hyped, heās going to end up at Georgia. If he doesnāt end up at Georgia, Iām guessing he ends up somewhere outside the SEC and the 5 year OOC schedule but is still easily accessible for Mary Beth. Think UNC like his older brother.
I agree. If heās a no brainer qb1, I think he stays put in Athens. Otherwise, you risk a match up in the future that no one would want.
If he ends up being a 4/5-star prospect then yeah, sign him.
If he isnāt a national blue chip I think he comes in, sorta like Daboās son in the Clemson program.
I think (and have always thought) Kirby coaches him and rides into the sunset afterwards, unless the nightmare scenario happens and Andrew plays beisbol for Vandy or Da U. I shook with rage typing that but remembered my TPS Report Cover Sheet.
Why would Kirby retire before 60?
I think financially he might be set to do something different. Pure speculation but his mentor decided enough was enough. he might find an end point we don’t see.
Uncle bobo will want him.
I couldnāt imagine being Kirbyās kid. It would be worse than full metal jacket drill Sargent cussing 24/7.
I saw Kirby with Andrew a number of years ago at a high school game. They seemed to enjoy each otherās company. I donāt think thereās some drill sergeant happening.
When the headset or the microphone turns off, he seems to be a much different person. I also think heās a much different person with his players away from the field or likely the weight room.
The best coaches Ive dealt with almost had split personalities. They could turn it off like a switch and be a grandparent, parent, or friend after practice ends. Very compartmentalized.
I think, with both parent’s support, he leaves town with a chance to grow and learn in a new environment (spread those wings and fly, young man!), but returns for one last run with dad before getting ready for the nfl draft. But where can he go and learn in a better place– I have no idea.
FWIW, I thought investing in Facebook when it first went public was a dumb idea. So there ya go.
I think he’s a 14 year old kid and honestly, do we really want to spend the next four years thinking about this? Geez, the clickbait is heavy with this one. Who cares??
I hope he ends up being a great prospect but he has a long way to go and might not even be a QB 3 or 4 years from now.
Remember David Sills? He went from being a “can’t miss” 7th grade QB with a “commitment” to play for Joey Freshwater at USC to a backup QB at West Virginia to a WR. Nevertheless, he is an UDFA who has put together a 7 year career in the NFL.
I just hope they (mainly the media and fans) let Andrew Smart figure all of it out for himself and where he wants to go to college and how sport figures into it.
Heres my $6.98’s worth of thoughts; if he winds up in the Payne Facility under Kirby, he will be under Bobo’s or whoever the OC’s ever watchful eyes. Kirby trusts his OC’s recommendations I don’t see Kirby playing anyone but whoever gives him the best chance to win. Andrew knows what’s expected and has seen how the sausage is made. I don’t hink CKS would treat him any different than another QB who has come into the program. Now, take that opinion and add an additional $6.98 to and you can get a Happy Meal.
I’m an older timer – long timer reader never post. Old timers may remember UGA coach Jim Pyburn, coached for Dooley for about 15 years. His son Jeff Pyburn was the staring QB who played 77-79. Lost starting QB job to Buck Belue and ripped the coaching staff in two. He left coaching staff after 1979. Coaches with son QBs on the roster create issues. Hope we don’t see this repeat.
Agree, I can see plenty of QB prospects not wanting to come to UGA to have a position battle with the coachās son. Let him go elsewhere unless heās a top of the draft no-brainer.
I was in Athens during the years Pyburn was our quarterback. He dated my next door neighbor so I interacted with him a little bit. Jeff seemed like a nice enough guy, although I was never that impressed with his play. The behind the scenes drama was real though. And take a look at what happened at Colorado once Coach Prime got through with his son.