Kirby Smart sees a confidence boost in Jake Fromm following win at Notre Dame

Georgia earned arguably its biggest win of the Kirby Smart era last weekend with a 20-19 victory at Notre Dame. This weekend, the Dawgs will get a breather as Samford travels to Athens before UGA opens SEC play against Mississippi State the following weekend.

Smart was the second coach to speak during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference.

Here’s a summary of what he said:

• Kirby reveals the Samford coach (Hatcher) gave him his first job at Valdosta State
• The challenges Samford’s offense will present: A lot of their percentages are based on the short passing game, RPOs, they have a very high completion percentage. They have a great screen game. They are very efficient offense, much different than what we’ve played so far this season
• On coaching from the coaching box vs being on the field: I always liked being on the field, easier to make decisions, like to look the guys in the eyes. Every second matters in decision making. While others like it in the box, more like watching tape being up there.
• Did you consider ever making the calls on defense? I considered it. It had more to do with who I could hire. Had I hired someone that was lacking experience, I may have gotten more involved. Coach Tucker had years of experience in the NFL, so I felt comfortable there.
• On Jake Fromm coming off the win at Notre Dame: I think he’s got more confidence. He’s been more crisp, almost like there’s a monkey off his back. He’s just got to make better decisions.
• What has Roquan Smith done to raise his game to another level? I think he’s raised it since I’ve been here. He doesn’t have many up-and-down practices, he flips the switch every day, which is what I have the most respect for… I thought he played well last year, playing with more confidence and knows the defense better just playing in it for the second time.
• What the win at Notre Dame might do for the program? To be honest, every game last year seemed to come down to the last possession, we’ve grown accustomed to that. It’s very hard to simulate that until you’ve done it. We have now heading into SEC play.
• On the NCAA transfer rules: It’s a hard issue because it’s a case by case basis. It’s hard. Sometimes there’s a reason to transfer, sometimes there’s not. We see it in high school, guys playing for 3-4 schools, is that what we want to promote in football? When things get tough, kids turn to leave more now.

Michael Wayne Bratton

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com