Having spent the entirety of my life as a dawg fan, I've seen a few coaches come and go! It's important to remember the "context" that surrounded each coaching departure and the "issues" that arose in retaining a replacement! Point being, Jan Kemp set in motion some complex variables that effected our ability to attract and retain quality, name branded coaches.
It's a lot like an Old Testament biblical story,....The Kemp nightmare prompted VD's retirement from the field to the main office...The brains trust (pre-Mahogany Row) that was assembled to hire a suitable replacement for VD failed, miserably and publicly. So they settled for the ill-prepared, former favorite son...Ray Goff....Goff begat Donnan,...and Donnan begat Richt! ....Neither Goff, nor Donnan, nor Richt were name brands, nor were they the first choice!....Richt did the most with his tenure, but simply did not possess the ability to take the program to the top tier!
Hiring Kirby Smart is by far, the most well planned and well thought out coaching decision made by UGA in decades! Yes, I'm very excited with this hire as it signals a recognition of the mediocrity we dwelled within, as well as a decision to move forward and beyond the past. The bar is set rather high for CKS, I believe he will succeed!....And Soon!!
"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." - Bluto