Kirby Smart is not viewing Billy Napier’s firing as an advantage for Georgia ahead of rivalry matchup
Kirby Smart’s preparation for their next rivalry game actually just got harder.
The Georgia Bulldogs are off this weekend, but that doesn’t mean they won’t spend their free time getting ready for their next matchup against the Florida Gators.
In fact, preparation could be a lot tougher considering the Gators decided to make a big move and fired head coach Billy Napier this week after he led Florida to a 22-23 record.
“As far as how that affects the matchup, you know, it probably affects it more than a one-week window, but in a two-week window, there’s still only so much you can do,” Smart said. You know, they’ll make changes, and a lot of times you inject some energy when you do that. You look across the country at [teams] that have had interim coaches. They’ve had some really big wins and had a lot of energy. I know Coach Gonzalez is doing a great job. I’ve had respect for him, gone against him many years. They’ve got a really good staff, so — again, I hate to say it, but I’m not worried about them. I’m worried about us.”
Kirby Smart shows nothing but respect for Billy Napier
While the coaching change adds more work for Georgia, it’s also a little disappointing for Kirby Smart, who always looks forward to facing a friend and former colleague he once coached alongside at Alabama.
“You know, first of all I have a lot of respect for Billy,” Smart said. “I’ve known Billy a long time. We were on staff together at Alabama. I like Billy a lot. I think Billy is very intelligent, very well-organized. His attention to detail is at a really high level. He’s a guy who thinks things out really well. I think they’ve recruited well and done a good job. I hate it in this profession. We all know what we sign up for, and Billy understands that.”
In the meantime, Florida has promoted their wide receivers coach, Billy Gonzales, as their interim head coach, and Smart won’t be taking him lightly.
“I hate to say it, but I’m not worried about them,” Smart said. “I’m worried about us.”
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