It is difficult to carry on a conversation this time of year without the topic turning to football. There will be excitement building intently for the next four weeks – accompanied by a pall clouding the mood the last week or so.
College football fans can’t wait for the season to start. However, practice can be a downer as the days accumulate. Players become tired of hitting one another, anxious to go live against opposing personnel wearing something other than red. Tailgaters have gone over their checklists and “can’t wait” emotions affect fans as much as the coaches and players.
Things are different now than yesteryear – even from a few seasons ago. That was when a player annually made about $10,000, cost of attendance money, which would be sneered at with today’s compensation scale in place. The aforementioned number amounted to $833 per month, a far cry from the old grant-in-aid laundry stipend of $10 per quarter.
All the issues that make headlines today will be forgotten once the season begins. Georgia is one of the campuses where – under head coach Kirby Smart – the talk of the town will always be about championship opportunity. Kirby has set an extraordinarily high standard.
During a recent appearance at the pre-season meeting of the Atlanta Touchdown Club, Kirby was his usual outstanding self, insightful, compellingly analytical with a touch of humor. He makes you realize he is an elite communicator who likely will transition into television someday, similar to what we have seen with Nick Saban. Hopefully, though, later than sooner.
Kirby’s unflappable instincts and demeanor with the media are remarkable. He cannot be buffaloed or entrapped. He is candid, informative, perceptive, discerning, and penetrating. His repartee is enjoyable and entertaining. He has a style reminiscent of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who could parry with the best of the Fourth Estate.
Kirby is a coach who will research the modus operandi employed by other championship teams in their championship seasons, as he did with the New Zealand All Blacks, who have won 23 international rugby titles. He and his staff spent weeks studying their historical winning percentage and leadership methods to avoid team complacency.
And there never is a time when Kirby doesn’t slip in a compliment for his old coach, Nick Saban, a class act that reflects he is grateful for anybody and anything that has influenced his success. He will often sling a compliment to Andy Landers, too, who was his wife’s coach when she played for the Lady Dawgs basketball team. However, a season of promise is on the minds of those close to the program and the passionate fans who always believe in their favorite team.
With students returning in the next few days, change will be in the air. Making restaurant reservations will become a challenge, especially on the weekend. Parking spaces will be scarce and standing in line will be as commonplace as the heat and humidity.
But don’t you love it when everything is back in full swing? The quiet, laid-back, and easygoing atmosphere of the summer when it feels that Athens’ population drops by half or more is replaced with traffic, noise, and congestion, all affiliated with the energy of youth.
A few days ago, at the ADD Drug lunch counter, one Andrew Smart was enjoying lunch, and I was overwhelmed when he stood up to leave. He must have grown six inches since this time last year. He now wears a size 15 shoe and is rearing to compete.
The guess is that with his growth spurt, he must replace his wardrobe monthly. That is not such a bad thing in that a dozen t-shirts take care of his shopping needs as he prepares for the upcoming season where his every move will constantly be audited by the media.
Just a few months ago in the locker room at the Sugar Bowl, Andrew’s heart was broken with Georgia losing to Ole Miss, which brought about tears. You reflect on that, and you realize in a short period of time he is much more a man in a little more than a few months.
Andrew already is showing signs of cogency and maturity as you might expect, given the parenting he gets from a busy and balanced upbringing from a head coach whose primary interests are family and coaching the Georgia football team. Add to that a mother, a competent athlete herself, and whose influence goes well beyond the kitchen. The osmosis factor alone in his life will enhance his development and provide exceptional opportunity.
It will be fun watching his – and the Dawgs’ – progress this season.