As several major programs adjust or cancel their traditional spring games this offseason, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart remains adaptable with the team’s annual G-Day game, set for April 12.
While Georgia’s 10th-year head coach favors holding the event, he acknowledges circumstances could change. During his media-day press conference on Tuesday, Smart addressed the topic directly.
Kirby Smart Stands Firm on Georgia’s G-Day Amid Spring Game Changes
While several SEC programs have replaced traditional spring games with alternative events resembling summer festivals, Smart emphasized his desire to keep options open.
Entering his 10th season as head coach, Smart remains committed to the G-Day tradition — if circumstances allow. Despite evolving trends, Georgia’s spring game appears poised to continue under Smart’s watchful eye.
Although Georgia’s G-Day spring game is scheduled for April 12 and set to air live on ESPN, head coach Kirby Smart is hesitant to commit fully to the event just yet.
“Everybody has different approaches. My approach has been, I like to have Spring football games,” Smart said during Tuesday’s press conference.
“But every year, we make that decision based on where we are. We haven’t even practiced yet. So, I’d be remiss if I said, ‘100-percent I’m dead-set we’re having a Spring game.’ I leave every option open,” he continued. “That’s our 15th practice, so we can do what we want to do. We’re planning to have a Spring game.”
Recently, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule sparked conversation by canceling the Cornhuskers’ spring game, citing concerns about roster tampering after last year’s scrimmage.
Following Rhule’s move, several top programs — including Ohio State, Texas, USC, Florida State, Missouri, and NC State — also canceled their spring games for various reasons.
Meanwhile, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Ole Miss have replaced the traditional format with alternative events, such as Oklahoma’s “Crimson Combine” and Ole Miss’ “Grove Bowl Games.”
While Smart isn’t overly concerned about tampering, he acknowledged having multiple discussions with Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks about potential changes.
“I’ve talked to Josh Brooks about it several times, we’ve had the conversations. But that doesn’t mean it can’t change,” Smart said.
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Smart emphasized on having the games.
“I like Spring games, I want to have a Spring game. I think it’s important because you allow kids to play that don’t typically get to play. You sometimes allow fans to enjoy an experience in Athens that they normally wouldn’t get. But I’m not ready to say that it’s 100-percent.”
Georgia’s spring schedule features practices on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays over five weeks. The Bulldogs will hold 12 standard practices and three scrimmages — concluding with the anticipated G-Day game on April 12.
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