Todd Gurley: I’m a ‘big fan’ of Georgia coach Kirby Smart

DALLAS — Count Todd Gurley among Georgia coach Kirby Smart’s biggest fans.

Speaking with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday, Gurley shared his thoughts on the coming Bulldogs season and their coach, who’s taken the mantle as the SEC’s most accomplished coach after Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama.

“It’s a great feeling (where the program stands),” said Gurley, who was attending SEC Media days while partnering with Bush’s Beans. “Just being a former player who was there during a time where it was like – it was my freshman year, we lost to Alabama when we could’ve played Notre Dame (for the title if we won). We were just always maybe a piece or two away.

“For (Smart) to come in and basically be like, ‘We’re going to win and we’re going to win now,’ that’s pretty much what we did. He’s been there eight, nine years now. One of the highest paid coaches (the highest paid), but probably not paid enough. He should probably be paid more. He loves it. Definitely a great coach to have.”

These days are quite different from Gurley’s era, as he mentioned. The Bulldogs fell just short in 2012, losing to Alabama 32-28 in the SEC Championship game that many considered the de facto national title game. They regressed in 2013, going 8-5. They went 10-3 in Gurley’s final season, though he was limited by a four-game suspension (accepting money for autographs) and then tore his ACL upon his return. Such win-loss results with Georgia today would be deemed completely unacceptable.

Gurley still follows the Bulldogs, for whom he played from 2012-14 under Mark Richt. These days, Gurley won’t be found breaking down the roster position by position – he’s happily enjoying retirement – but he’s excited about Georgia’s 2024-25 outlook as a fan. The Bulldogs are entering the season as one of the clear favorites for the national championship, which would be their third in four seasons.

“I do know we have Carson Beck, and obviously quarterback is most important,” said Gurley, who was at SEC media days this week while partnering with Bush’s Beans. “We had a chance to see his game last year, and I don’t think he’ll go backward. He’ll grow. And I’m a big Kirby fan, so whatever he has going, I believe in it for the most part.”

Georgia is 42-2 over the past three seasons, and the only man who stopped them – Saban – is gone. They’re firmly in the “next Alabama” category, if someone must fill that void.

“Honestly, Alabama is great,” Gurley said. “But we’re not even going to mention them.”

Georgia opens the season Aug. 31 against Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Get all the news about the Atlanta Braves delivered each morning. Sign up for Braves Report.