Kirby Smart Apologizes For His Terrible Incident Towards Opposing Player

Georgia continued their dominance against lesser SEC opponents on Saturday when they took care of Mississippi State, but the win wasn’t the main talking point in the game.

The Bulldogs’ head coach, Kirby Smart, attacked Mississippi State’s quarterback, Michael Van Buren Jr., pushing him when he ran over to Georgia’s sideline during the play.

Smart’s push On Van Buren was uncalled for, and on Monday, he apologized to the quarterback, the Mississippi State head coach, and the school.

Kirby Smart’s Apology

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on the sideline during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Auburn in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. © Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

According to ESPN’s Mike Schlabach, Smart apologized for his actions on Monday. “I went back and watched it,” Smart said. I didn’t even realize that I had run into him. Yesterday, I talked to Mike and told him that I had no intentions or ill will toward him at all.”

Smart has been known to be a passionate guy on the sidelines, and he let his emotions get the best of him here.

USATSI 24416557 168400517 lowres — Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates with Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Auburn in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.

It’s never okay for an opposing head coach to run over and push a player, and there is a good chance Smart did see Van Buren, but the heat of the game got the best of him.

Smart better not be pushing over Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers this week because he will turn it against him and probably throw for 300 yards and four scores.