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Most everyone who knows me, knows that I love the University of Georgia Bulldogs, so it goes without saying that I love the Head Football Coach, Kirby Paul Smart. The Post-Searchlight has already printed a tribute to Kirby’s father, Sonny Smart, the former Bainbridge High School Head Coach and Athletic Director.

            When the UGA job became available in 2016, it was the job that Kirby had been waiting for and he took it. Ever since then, he has been climbing the coaching ladder of success and, now, it is the opinion of many that he occupies the top rung of the ladder.

            I say all of that to get to the last game that Kirby coached, the 2025 Sugar Bowl. It was not a win. The Dawgs lost 23-10 to Notre Dame, but it was a game that Coach Smart of the Bulldogs will never forget. That proves that winning is not everything.

            Scientifically speaking DNA is “a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.” Kirby Smart says that coaching football was in his DNA. In other words, his father, Sonny, was a football coach and passed on that passion and desire to his middle son, Kirby. He learned well.

            He has said that he has had the opportunities to work under some of the most well-known coaches in America. Two of which would be Bobby Bowden and Nick Saban. He is quick to give both credit for his coaching success.

            But it’s his daddy who receives the largest portion of credit. He says that, spite of all the legends he has learned from, it’s his father who formed the “core” of his beliefs. In an article in the New York Post, Kirby is quoted, ““He’s taught me so much just about the way you handle things, the right way, the wrong way,” Kirby Smart said about his father in 2023.  “Control the ‘controllables.’ The moment’s never too big if you’re prepared.”

            Kirby has had many big moments and his daddy has been on the sidelines with him for many of those. Unfortunately, Sonny was not able to be with him at last week’s Sugar Bowl. Talk about “control the controllables,” that Sugar Bowl was full of uncontrollables.

            The first was the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Eve. As UGA and Notre Dame were aiming toward the playoff game the next night on New Year’s Day, a crazy and evil man used his big truck to mow down innocent tourists on that narrow street. The postponement of the game until January 2^nd was uncontrollable. Who knows what effect that had?

            Then, there was Kirby’s father’s fall and subsequent surgery. There was nothing the younger Coach Smart could do about that, but imagine the conflicting nature of coaching a huge game and worrying about your daddy’s life as it hung in the balance. It’s amazing he could even be on that sideline.

            There is such a thing as a security blanket. Security blankets provide safety and security during times of stress and worry.

            Coach Kirby Smart might have been born with high levels of coaching football, but that doesn’t mean he did not need the security and comfort of a daddy by his side, but he couldn’t control that absence.

            Finally, there is life’s common denominator and none of us can control it. It’s called death and we all will experience it. Kirby Smart might have been told that he needs to concentrate on controlling what he can and not worrying about what he can’t. That’s good fatherly advice for all of us. Kirby, we’re praying for you and your family.