Kirby Smart Publicly Admits Problem With Georgia Football Program
03/30/2025 03:39 PM
Kirby Smart responded to the latest driving-related incidents within his Georgia football program.
Georgia indefinitely suspended two players from team activities earlier this week. On March 19, Bulldogs wide receiver Nitro Tuggle was arrested for allegedly driving 107 mph outside Athens. Days later, offensive lineman Marques Easley was involved in a car crash.
On Tuesday, Smart told reporters he was "disappointed" in both players. He insisted the program has worked diligently to address its troubling trend of driving incidents.
"Both of them are younger players and have made crucial mistakes," Smart said, via the Athens Banner-Herald's Marc Weiszer. "As far as the process we've followed, it's not been several months. It's been several years in terms of defensive driving courses, having players ride and learn how to drive – just like my two kids did – with a driver service."
Smart elaborated on the steps the university has taken to instruct players on driving responsibly.
"[Georgia athletic director] Josh Brooks has done a tremendous job meeting with every player," Smart said. "We've had several speakers come in, and we continue to educate, and we're not going to stop at that."
Smart claimed many of his players come to college having never learned how to drive.
"It's very unfortunate that one of those young men got his driver's license within one month of that happening at 18 or 19 years old," he said. "It's amazing how many kids come to school without a driver's license. So it's no excuse, but it's one of those things that we'll continue to educate and discipline our guys to try to correct it."
Following the latest events, Weiszer noted that Georgia's football players have faced 32 driving-related incidents since a fatal car crash killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler Lecroy in January 2023.
Later in the press conference, Smart said he didn't believe issuing an "ultimatum" or zero-tolerance policy would solve the issue.
"The immediate reaction is, 'How in the world can this happen again?' And I get that, but each one is a case-by-case basis," Smart said. "You have to look at it as these are your children. That's the way I look at it. I look at what I would do with my children, and there's 18 to 19 to 20 year olds. They make mistakes. The consequences that come with those are based on a case-by-case basis."
Related: College Football Player Arrested For Speeding 107 MPH
