Kirby Smart Excited About "Next Big Step" For UGA Program
ATHENS - UGA coach Kirby Smart talks about the addition of a new football facility at Georgia, the Auburn game and how important Sam Pittman has been for his program in Athens.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQnXUbKG4s0&feature=youtu.be
Coach Kirby Smart
Opening Statement
“Our team is looking forward to the chance to go on the road and play a really good program and good team. It’s always an exciting place to play, the atmosphere there is always really good especially when these two teams get together. There’s a lot of tradition and looking forward to it.”
On the stakes of Saturday’s game compared to other weeks…
“It’s no different than any game we’ve had so far. There’s no difference in this game and the last three since the South Carolina game. I don’t know if the ramifications have changed. We have got an opportunity to win the East, and that’s really our next step is to worry about Auburn and take care of business for this game. It’s really about focusing on playing good because that’s what’s going to control the outcome of the game is how we play.”
On Georgia’s latest football building project…
“I’m excited about it. It’s a total new football facility. I’m most excited about the weight room, the team meeting room, the ability to have new meeting rooms, new office space for our coaches, basically an area for the players to dine and be able to be over here when they’re not in class. We’re just in a little bit of tight quarters right now, and it’s going to free up some space so that our guys can utilize the facility as much as they need to. It’s a big step for us. It’s not going to be an easy project. It’s going to take a little bit of time. I’m very pleased with them allowing us to have it, and our alumni helping fund it.”
On preparing his team for the weekly grind in the SEC…
“You don’t do it in season. You do it in the off season. You make every workout, every spring practice, every opportunity as tough and adverse as you can because in this league it’s that way week in and week out. I’m a big believer in sustainable focus. If you stretch people’s brain to be able to focus a little longer and be able to handle a little more and be able to be physically tough and mentally tough a little longer, it allows them to handle the season because the season is a grind. You prepare for that with every offseason workout, every summer workout, every spring practice. You’re constantly preparing for that.”
On Sam Pittman and what kind of head coach he would be…
“Sam’s got an incredible personality and kids gravitate to Sam’s personality. He’s a tremendous asset for our program. He’d make an incredible head coach given the opportunity. He’s a joy to be around. He’s done a tremendous job for our program. He’s been one of the major parts of the foundation, which starts with the offensive line and defensive line. He’s been a part of that ever since we’ve been here. He’s got a lot of experience, and he’s been in a lot of places. Certainly, he’s been a big help to me.”