Kirby Smart says Mike Bobo doesn’t ‘give a sh-t’ about criticism
By David Wasson
Published:
One of the axioms about coaches is that if they start listening too much to criticism from fans, they’ll end up sitting with them in the stands.
That is a truism which, according to Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo takes literally.
“Do you think Mike Bobo gives a sh-t what anybody says?” Smart mused during the Chuck & Chernoff Show on 680 The Fan while in Tampa for SEC Media Days. “He doesn’t care what they say about him. I’m not worried about it. … Go ask some of these other coaches around the country — they’d take Mike Bobo in a heartbeat.”
Kirby Smart on the criticism of OC Mike Bobo: 👀🔥
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) July 22, 2026
"Do you think Mike Bobo gives a shit what anybody says? He doesn’t care what they say about him. I’m not worried about it. Go ask some of these other coaches around the country—they’d take Mike Bobo in a heartbeat." https://t.co/O9Ljqy9O9C pic.twitter.com/HbqwFmaRcg
Bobo’s playcalling has come under scrutiny at times during his tenure in Athens, including after Georgia’s 39-34 Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss in last season’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals. In particular, Bobo’s perceived conservative style in the red zone and a lack of offensive identity in critical games have been questioned outside the Bulldogs program.
Nevertheless, Smart steadfastly stands by Bobo – who played quarterback at Georgia from 1993-97 and is in his second stint as his alma mater’s offensive coordinator.
“You’ve got two coaches’ sons that are thick-skinned and grew up around the game that aren’t worried about that,” Smart said of himself and Bobo. “We are worried about the University of Georgia. And we love the University of Georgia. If loving the University of Georgia is a fault, then blame us.”
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
