Kirby Smart’s Quote on Mike Bobo Doesn't Sit Well With Georgia Fans

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Kirby Smart’s Quote on Mike Bobo Doesn't Sit Well With Georgia Fans

After the Georgia Bulldogs lost to the Ole Miss Rebels 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday, head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo have found themselves on the receiving end of criticism.

Georgia got off to a dominant start, finishing the first half with a 21-12 lead. However, its offense struggled in the second half and couldn’t keep up as Ole Miss staged a comeback behind quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

Ole Miss scored 27 points in the second half, while Georgia could only muster 13 in the same span. As a result, the Rebels went on to secure a 39-34 victory.

The Bulldogs’ aggressiveness and questionable play-calling on the offensive end — including a controversial fourth-down try early in the fourth quarter — prompted fans to blame both Smart and Bobo for the loss. Additionally, many felt that Georgia’s offensive play-calling was predictable throughout the game, a complaint fans often voice when speaking about Bobo. Members of the Georgia fan base called for Bobo’s firing, as UGA’s offense failed to get it done.

It’s worth noting that Georgia has now exited the College Football Playoff in the quarterfinal for the second straight year. But it’s also worth noting that Ole Miss put up 473 yards of offense against Georgia. The Dawgs had no answer for Chambliss in the second half. That’s why some fans are pointing the finger solely at the defense, led by Glenn Schumann.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts during a game.© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Kirby Smart Speaks Out on Mike Bobo

Since taking over Georgia in 2016, Smart has guided the team to three national championship games, winning two of them. Of course, some will have words for the UGA head coach, but his job is as safe as it gets in college football.

However, as for Bobo, he has yet to truly show significant results as an offensive coordinator with Georgia. In fact, over the last two seasons, Georgia’s offense has failed to even rank in the nation’s top 20 in scoring. That is after being in the top 10 in points in the previous three seasons (2021, 2022, 2023). Bobo served as UGA’s offensive coordinator under Mark Richt from 2007-14 and has held the position since Todd Monken left Athens after the 2022 season.

Despite the disappointing results, though, Smart continues to support Bobo. Before their loss to Ole Miss, he reiterated his belief in his OC.

“I don’t think he’s the right guy, I know he’s the right guy,” Smart said, according to Radi Nabulsi of UGA Sports. He added that he doesn’t really care what the fans say or feel about Bobo, noting that the Georgia OC has the knowledge and experience to lead his offense.

“I don’t really pay much attention to what our fans say, seek, what they feel like. I don’t respond to them, I don’t work for them,” Smart added. “Honestly, my job is to put the best product, the best football team I can out there, and I need motivators, leaders of men. I need people that have offensive experience, knowledge. I’ll put him up against anybody in the country because of his knowledge, his experience, what he’s done, the staff he has.”

Unsurprisingly, fans took issue with Smart’s comment, especially his statement on how he doesn’t listen to what fans think.

Georgia fan page, UGA Football Barn Sign, takes issue with that comment:

“Kirby says he doesn’t work for fans that are critical of Bobo. Oh but you do in a roundabout way Kirby, every ticket sold in that stadium supports your paycheck and those tickets are bought by fans. You may not answer to the fans but you definitely work for the fans. We are your customers. We pay to see what you put on the field,” a UGA Football Barn Sign wrote on Facebook.

Others agreed:

“Georgia taxpayers and alumni who contribute to the athletic program or NIL collective want to have a word,” a Facebook follower added.

“That’s a terrible take by Kirby. He shouldn’t allow fans to make decisions for him but he does work for them. Just like anyone in entertainment. The fans pay your salary!! You better at least hear them,” another critic stated.

A fourth poster noted, “A change needs to be made. I don’t think the AD and the people who give millions of dollars to the football program are too happy right now.”

“Complacency kills,” a fifth Facebook user remarked.

Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo’s Connection

Smart and Bobo go way back, having played together for four seasons at Georgia from 1995 to 1997. They were both graduate assistants at UGA in 1999. In 2005, they also coached together with the Bulldogs, with Smart serving as a running backs coach and Bobo as quarterbacks coach.

Bobo became Georgia’s OC in 2007 until he left the post in 2014, as he took over the head coaching job at Colorado State.

Smart became Georgia’s head coach in 2016, and Bobo returned to the program in 2022 as an offensive analyst before being promoted to OC a year later.

Many believe that the relationship is what’s holding Georgia back. ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum said last season that Smart is “too loyal” to Bobo.

“I frankly believe Georgia’s problem is at the offensive coordinator’s position. I think Kirby Smart, for as great as I believe he is and I know you guys agree, is being way too loyal to Mike Bobo, and I would get rid of Bobo today,” Finebaum shared on 680 The Fan, per UGA Wire.

Fans echoed the same sentiment following Georgia’s Sugar Bowl loss.

“ZERO lies told. Kirby seems to be peaking at the SEC champ game for some odd reason. His bf gonna continue to hold him and us back,” a commenter wrote on UGA Football Live.

Another one said, “No lies detected. BUT, his son was in Kirb’s wedding, so there’s that.”

It remains to be seen what’s next for Georgia, but until Smart and his staff win the national championship again, the scrutiny will only intensify.

Related: Kirby Smart’s Blunt Message to Georgia Players After College Football Playoff Loss

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the College section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos