Memphis coach explains how he uses Georgia players as example of ‘not our standard’
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The Georgia football program under Kirby Smart is one that coaches across the country envy. It’s understandable; he’s 108-19 in his Bulldog tenure and has 2 national championship victories. However, it’s clear and obvious to many that the ship he maintains on the gridiron is much tighter than the one that exists off the field.
On his weekly radio show, Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield referenced Georgia’s players as an example of “not our standard.” The shot across the bow centered on Bulldogs players not having the best track record behind the wheel.
“Generally, on a Sunday afternoon when we meet with the team, we do 2 things,” Silverfield began. “We always start with ‘not our standard.’ We always start with a negative. And the ‘not our standard’ is, ‘Georgia wide receiver arrested for driving 900 miles per hour over the speed limit.’ Right? That’s a weekly occurrence.”
Since 2023, Georgia players or staffers have been involved in at least 2 dozen driving and traffic-related incidents. The most recent one came in March 2025, when wide receiver Nitro Tuggle was arrested for going 107 mph in a 65 mph zone. He was suspended indefinitely shortly thereafter and transferred.
It’d make sense for Silverfield to aspire for Memphis to reach the Bulldogs’ heights on the field, but it’s perfectly understandable why he uses them as a negative in this instance. Memphis faces Arkansas at 12:00 p.m. E.T. in Week 4 (ABC).
