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 State fell to 1-9 on the season and remained winless in Sun Belt play after a 30-18 home loss to Marshall on Saturday. (Stan Awtrey/AJC)

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Travelers wait in Concourse F, the international terminal, at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

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