A sampling of responses from the Georgia football community after the school formalized the hiring of football coach Kirby Smart on Sunday:
"He's a really talented guy, smart, detailed, thorough, passionate. He's an intense guy, can get after guys and I think his type of demeanor will work really well at Georgia. He's a Georgia guy, played there, so obviously he has those ties. And I think that's what makes him special. He understands what the Georgia tradition is all about." — Former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley
"Well, I know if I were a player, I'd be excited to know that I'll have an opportunity to play for a coach that's been in and a part of so many championships. I mean, he was party to, I think, two championships when he was at FSU. He was a coach at Georgia in the '05 championship year. He's got the three SEC championships at Alabama and three national championships. So the guy's been in it and around it and he's seen it. He's seen what it takes to build it and he's also seen what it takes to maintain it." — Former Georgia offensive lineman Matt Stinchcomb
"Kirby reminds me a lot of where Coach (Mark) Richt was when he came to Georgia. Both coached for legendary head coaches. Kirby played here and knows what it takes. He eats, sleeps and breathes football and will do what it takes to win. I think what will be big with Kirby is his attention to detail. And if you look at the best teams, they are the ones that have that type of mentality on both sides of the ball. Also, Kirby is a great recruiter and has a great personality, which I think will really help him.'' — Former Georgia quarterback David Greene
"I'm happy for him. With his passion for the game, you can't help but gravitate toward him. He loves the game. Whatever we're doing — meetings, practices — he lives and breathes football. He's definitely an animated coach, but that's what you love about him. He deserves this." — Alabama defensive back Cyrus Jones
"For him to get that job, I'm happy for him. I'm proud. He deserved it. That's his alma mater, that's his dream job. Everyone congratulated him." — Alabama linebacker Ryan Anderson
"When an opportunity presents itself, you can only be happy for a man. We had a great time here when he was here. Next year, we might see each other but I hope he does great." — Alabama defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand
"It means a new era for UGA and I'm fortunate enough to be a part of it." — Four-star UGA commitment Charlie Woerner, WR, Rabun County
"It was critical to identify a person who would focus on a specific, defined process of developing championship football teams on and off the playing field; someone who understands the true meaning of a student-athlete by actually experiencing it himself; someone who competed at the highest levels on the playing field, was mentored by some of the very best in the game and understood the specific ingredients necessary to excel at the highest levels of college athletics. Kirby Smart fits that profile. I believe Kirby Smart is the perfect fit for the University of Georgia." — UGA athletic director Greg McGarity
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