Coaching Friendship and Competition: The Story of Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkisian
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was driving through Mississippi, from Tupelo to Starkville, on Saturday morning before their game when he texted Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. Smart checked to see what Sarkisian was doing. “I said, ‘Well, I just got to work out, have breakfast and watch you play, bud. So good luck,’” Sarkisian said.
A History of Competition
Sarkisian and Smart give each other a challenge each time they play against each other. Last season, it was Georgia that bested Texas twice, once in the regular season and again at the SEC Championship. This season, they face each other again at Sanford Stadium. The stakes are high for the Longhorns, who still need to win out to guarantee a spot in the playoff.
“I always love competing against him. It’s a great challenge, and this week’s no different,” Sarkisian said. Despite the competition, Sarkisian and Smart have developed a friendship over the years. They are part of several group chats with other coaches in the league, and keep up with each other as the season goes along.
A Friendship Beyond Football
“He’s become a good friend of mine,“ Smart said. ”He does a tremendous job. He’s at one of the premier programs in the country. He’s been successful everywhere he’s been. He’s done a great job and I enjoy his friendship and look forward to another great matchup on Saturday night.” Their friendship extends beyond occasional texts — now that they are in the same conference, it helps them to be aligned on certain issues.
Sarkisian mentioned on Monday that sometimes they disagree because, as an offensive coach, he wants the conference officials to rule in favor of the offense, while Smart favors the opposite. However, on major issues, Sarkisian said it helps to be on the same page. “One thing about him being the head coach at Georgia, and myself being the head coach at Texas, I think that we have an opportunity to be influential on trying to do what’s best for our game, not only in our conference, but in the state of college football,” Sarkisian said.
Alignment on Key Issues
“And I think us being aligned on as many issues as we can be aligned on is good for the sport.” This alignment is crucial, especially when it comes to making decisions that affect the conference and the sport as a whole. By being on the same page, Smart and Sarkisian can work together to make positive changes and improvements to the game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the friendship and competition between Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkisian is a unique and special aspect of college football. Despite being competitors on the field, they have developed a strong bond off the field, which extends beyond their personal relationship to their work as coaches and leaders in the sport. Their alignment on key issues and their commitment to doing what is best for the game make them a powerful duo in the world of college football.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkisian?
A: Kirby Smart is the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, and Steve Sarkisian is the head coach of the Texas Longhorns.
Q: What is the nature of their relationship?
A: Smart and Sarkisian have developed a friendship over the years, despite being competitors on the field. They are part of several group chats with other coaches in the league and keep up with each other as the season goes along.
Q: What are the stakes for the Longhorns in their upcoming game against Georgia?
A: The Longhorns need to win out to guarantee a spot in the playoff, making their game against Georgia a high-stakes matchup.
Q: How do Smart and Sarkisian work together on key issues?
A: As head coaches in the same conference, Smart and Sarkisian work together to align on key issues and make decisions that benefit the conference and the sport as a whole. They may disagree on some issues, but they prioritize being on the same page on major decisions.
