It’s always a high possibility to hear from the defending National Champion head coach at SEC Media Days.
The SEC does have the last three titles and five of the first eight in the college football era.
Day Three of SEC Media Days in Atlanta featured a first-year head coach, one with a very positive attitude, and the defending national champ in Kirby Smart.
Smart talked about a range of topics, but the main focus was that his team wouldn’t be complacent this season in their title defense.
“There’s a hunger among this group. A lot of guys want to prove that they can replace the other guy. They don’t want to be the other guy, they want to be the next guy. You look across the board, we had some high-profile players on defense and offense when you count the backs and receivers that we have to replace those guys. The hunger comes from the opportunity the talented players behind them have” said Smart.
“I’m excited. Complacency is something that happens to people, they don’t look what’s going on. We don’t have that problem. There’s not a day we don’t wake up and think what can we do to make our program better, and our players are doing that right now.”
Another main topic was the conversation around his quarterback, Stetson Bennett. After leading Georgia to the national title last year, people still doubt the ability of Bennett to be the guy for Kirby Smart.
“When we control what we do, do it the right way, Stetson can be a major factor. Look, Stetson is one of the least respected good players there is in this country. Guess what, we get to see it every day. The kid is a tremendous athlete, he’s got good arm strength. People keep doubting him, and that’s fine with me” Smart said when asked about Bennett.
Smart also touched on his time with LSU and being a part of championship programs at Alabama before going to Georgia. He talked about how there was complacency after LSU won it all in 2003, but he won’t allow that in Athens. He thinks experience is their biggest question mark.
“Complacency is not the concern. Experience is our concern. Our kids will buy into that, and we’ll get them ready in fall camp” said Smart.
Georgia opens their 2022 title defense in Atlanta against Oregon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.