Skip to main content
Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

Former Georgia Bulldogs will finally meet as head coaches

Kirby Smart (16) and Will Muschamp (30) were Georgia safeties during the 1990s, and they will meet as head coaches for the first time Saturday night when Smart's Bulldogs visit Muschamp's South Carolina Gamecocks.
Kirby Smart (16) and Will Muschamp (30) were Georgia safeties during the 1990s, and they will meet as head coaches for the first time Saturday night when Smart's Bulldogs visit Muschamp's South Carolina Gamecocks. Kirby Smart (16) and Will Muschamp (30) were Georgia safeties during the 1990s, and they will meet as head coaches for the first time Saturday night when Smart's Bulldogs visit Muschamp's South Carolina Gamecocks.
photo Kirby Smart (16) and Will Muschamp (30) were Georgia safeties during the 1990s, and they will meet as head coaches for the first time Saturday night when Smart’s Bulldogs visit Muschamp’s South Carolina Gamecocks.
photo Kirby Smart (16) and Will Muschamp (30) were Georgia safeties during the 1990s, and they will meet as head coaches for the first time Saturday night when Smart’s Bulldogs visit Muschamp’s South Carolina Gamecocks.

ATHENS, Ga. – Kirby Smart and Will Muschamp were the two defensive coordinators when Alabama defeated Texas in the BCS title game that decided college football’s 2009 national championship.

Smart and Muschamp were the defensive coordinators in last year’s Iron Bowl.

The two friends will meet for the first time as head coaches Saturday night when Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs travel to face Muschamp’s South Carolina Gamecocks, but neither is making a big deal about it.

“It’s South Carolina-Georgia,” Muschamp said. “It’s a great rivalry. It’s an SEC Eastern Division game and an important game all the time for both schools, and with both schools coming off back-to-back losses, it’s a critical game for both squads.

“I have a lot of respect for Kirby. He’s a great friend, and regardless of what happens Saturday or 10 years from now, we’ll always be friends.”