Georgia Bulldogs and HC Kirby Smart Criticized for Controversial Handling of Legal Troubles, Driving Incidents

The Georgia Bulldogs program and head coach Kirby Smart have taken fire from the college football world due to more legal troubles involving players on the team.

The recent driving-related incidents involving high-level Bulldog players have turned fans and pundits’ heads towards Smart. Many believe Smart is not doing enough to prevent more of these issues from occurring.

Two separate driving-related incidents were tallied onto the Georgia Bulldogs recent history

Star defender Smael Mondon Jr. and offensive lineman Jonathan “Bo” Hughley were arrested for driving-related charges in early July.

Hughley and Mondon Jr. both spent under two hours in jail before being released with a $26 bond. Hughley was arrested for a reckless driving charge and a failure to maintain line after UGA police investigated a single-car incident.

Mondon Jr. was arrested by Athens-Clarke County police with charges of reckless driving and racing. The two instances are just the most recent in a long string of driving-related legal troubles for the Georgia Bulldogs.

There have been 24 separate legal incidents involving Georgia Bulldogs players in recent history

According to KTLA, there have been 24 separate driving-related incidents involving Georgia players since January of 2023.

This goes back to when the now Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was involved in a racing-related incident that resulted in the death of a Georgia teammate.

Star transfer running back Trevor Etienne was arrested for a DUI and reckless driving charges earlier in 2024. In an article from AJC, Etienne was told he was a public figure and that his role made his crimes more substantial.

“You are a public figure, whether you realize that or not,” Judge Marcy Jolles told Etienne during the hearing, according to the Athens Banner-Herald, which was present. “What you do, people see because of your role at the university. I would hope that you make better choices in the future to make a better example for those who are watching.”

The continuation of driving-related incidents has made fans ask whether head coach Kirby Smart is doing enough to try to prevent these incidents from happening in the future.

Head coach Kirby Smart says the incidents have resulted in fines for Georgia Bulldogs players

Smart has admitted that one of the attempted methods of correction used by him and the Bulldogs program involved fines.

Smart said the NIL collective has fined players for their actions, not himself in an article from ESPN.

“The [NIL] collective has fined players — substantially,” Smart said. “We’ve dismissed players that have been involved, and I’m talking about like routine traffic, repeated, repeated violations. … I actually think the best key is the pocket because you look at what the NFL has done, their model is defined. And if you asked any of our players what they would rather have, they want their money. When I say substantial — very substantial — in terms of the hits the some guys have taken.”

Still, many fans think Smart and the Bulldogs could be doing something different when it comes to controlling their players off the field.

Well that’s a good start at fixing that issue

— Penn State FB Thoughts (@PSU_FB_Thoughts) July 16, 2024

Need to fine Kirby six figures for only recruiting criminals

— Marlo Stanfield (@BooRxdley) July 16, 2024

What a pathetic statement to make. Tell me you dont care about the kids without telling me.

— Its_Coach_Steve (@Its_Coach_Steve) July 16, 2024

Glad the collectives could step up. It’s really out of Kirby’s control.

— {insert clever name} (@DawgPhan) July 16, 2024

Good. It’s a privilege to play for UGA, not a right. Youngins gonna do silly stuff, but they need to pay adult tax when they do.

— TyGrey (@ItsTyGrey) July 16, 2024

Despite off-field issues, Smart and the Bulldogs are still expected to make a deep playoff run in 2024.

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