Smart wins award, says ‘not looking to go anywhere'

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By Tim Tucker

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, a former Georgia player and much-rumored candidate for Willie Martinez's old job on the UGA staff, was named college football's top assistant coach on Tuesday.

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Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart (No. 16), a former UGA defensive back, won the Frank Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the nation. Smart is also a candidate for Georgia's open defensive coordinator position, but says he has not plans to leave Alabama.

RENEE' HANNANS Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart (No. 16), a former UGA defensive back, won the Frank Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the nation. Smart is also a candidate for Georgia's open defensive coordinator position, but says he has not plans to leave Alabama.

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Smart received the 2009 Frank Broyles Award at a luncheon in Little Rock, Ark.

The rampant rumors of Georgia's interest in Smart, 33, for its defensive coordinator position followed him to the awards ceremony.

Asked by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette if he had spoken with Georgia coach Mark Richt about the possibility of joining the UGA staff, Smart said: "I haven't really thought about it, to be honest. All I've done since the [SEC championship] game against Florida is get ready and go recruit. I'm happy at Alabama and my wife's happy at Alabama. We're not looking to go anywhere."

After the banquet, Smart said he was headed to Atlanta on a recruiting trip for the Crimson Tide.

Richt last week fired Martinez and two other members of Georgia's defensive coaching staff. While Richt hasn't shed any light publicly on who he's seeking to hire, Smart is obviously a hot commodity, with the Crimson Tide headed for the national championship game and leading the nation in scoring defense.

Smart played defensive back for Georgia from 1995-98, making first-team All-SEC as a senior. He was the Bulldogs' running backs coach in 2005. He is married to former UGA basketball player Mary Beth Lycett.

Among the finalists Smart beat out for the Broyles Award were Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and TCU defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas. In addition to his role as defensive coordinator, Smart coaches Alabama's secondary.