Kirby Smart confirmed one of Georgia’s best-kept secrets at a Zoom press conference with reporters on Wednesday. He made it clear that Will Muschamp joined the Bulldog team as a defensive analyst
The former Florida and South Carolina coach has been with the Georgia team since December. Dawgs247 reported that he was attending meetings and training as the Bulldogs prepared to play in Cincinnati at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and, in less than two months, Smart believes the decision to have Muschamp around the team is paying off. .
“He has already made a lot of progress in terms of helping me, helping our team,” said Smart. “He will be able to help train the coaches. He will work with the defensive side of the ball, but it is very valuable to have a guy who coached in two positions at our conference. He knows the ins and outs of this conference. He will be able to help our team, our coaches in many ways and I’m happy that he can join us. “
Muschamp and Smart have quite a history. Muschamp was a senior supporter of UGA in 1994, when Smart was a redshirt freshman. The two joined in 2000 at Valdosta State, both training their defensive backs, while Muschamp coordinated the defense. They met again in 2004 at LSU, when Muschamp was the defensive coordinator and defenders trained by Smart.
It’s the third time that they’re on the same team, and for the first time, Smart is the guy in charge. Muschamp brings experience as head coach and defensive coordinator. He called up defenses in Auburn (two passes), Texas and LSU. It is likely that his experience is the reason he is receiving a technical assistant salary. He will earn $ 300,000 in 2021 as an off-field coach. That will add to the $ 12.9 million purchase from South Carolina.
A native of Rome, Georgia, Muschamp will be much closer to where he grew up. He will also see more of his son, Jackson, who is entering his second season as a quarterback for the Bulldogs.
“I would say that whenever you are an aspiring coach, you want to take the field and have the opportunity to train on the grass,” said Smart. “I know he’s not the one who hasn’t finished his coaching days yet. It’s very important for him to be able to get out and relate and develop a position group and coach. I know this is important for him and his family has been his focus here recently because I know he feels he has moved his family across the country. This is an opportunity for him to give back and be with them and be able to watch his son play. “