As Kirby Smart takes over at Georgia, his alma mater, it begs the question: Does having an alumnus coach matter?

Former Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen coached the Terrapins after being away for many years. For Friedgen, who no longer coaches at Maryland, the experience was mized.

Here's a look at the alma maters of the head coaches around the SEC and the country.

SEC

* Malzahn spent his first two seasons at Arkansas

ACC

* Johnson did not play football at Western Carolina
** Fuente started playing career at Oklahoma before transferring

Other notable coaches

* Leach did not play football at BYU

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Georgia Southern Eagle Nation Fund donors were treated to an intimate acoustic concert, In the Round, on Nov. 14, 2025 at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center. (AJ Henderson/Georgia Southern Athletics)

Credit: AJ Henderson / Georgia Southern

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