Georgia Coach Kirby Smart Calls Out Newcomer Amaris Williams at Spring Practice

Bulldogs head coach caught on video criticizing defensive player's performance during team drills.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 11:21pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Georgia football practice, with players in motion, coaches shouting, and equipment scattered across the field, capturing the raw energy and intensity of the team's preparations.Kirby Smart's fiery coaching style comes to life in a cubist illustration of a Georgia football practice, where the head coach's intense critiques push players to improve.Athens Today

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart was captured on video harshly critiquing newcomer Amaris Williams during a recent spring practice session. Smart can be heard over the microphone berating Williams' performance, saying that another player named Elyiss 'just destroyed' him and pleading not to put Williams in against the run game.

Why it matters

Kirby Smart is known for his intense coaching style and high expectations, and this video provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at how he pushes his players to improve. As a transfer from Auburn, Amaris Williams is expected to help bolster Georgia's pass rush, so Smart's public criticism suggests the coaching staff sees room for growth in the young defender's game.

The details

In the video clip, Smart is heard yelling over the microphone, 'Elyiss [Williams] just destroyed Amaris [Williams]. Elyiss just destroyed Amaris. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Please don't put him in against the run. Please don't put him in against the run. Oh my god.' The Elyiss Williams referenced is likely a returning Georgia tight end who has impressed the coaching staff with his size and ability to make contested catches.

  • The video was recorded during a recent Georgia spring practice session.
  • Georgia will host its annual spring scrimmage on April 18, 2026 at 1 PM ET in Sanford Stadium.

The players

Kirby Smart

The head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football team, known for his intense coaching style and high standards for his players.

Amaris Williams

A defensive newcomer who transferred to Georgia from Auburn this offseason, expected to help improve the Bulldogs' pass rush.

Elyiss Williams

A returning Georgia tight end who has impressed the coaching staff with his size and ability to make contested catches, likely the player Kirby Smart was praising in the video.

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What they’re saying

“Elyiss [Williams] just destroyed Amaris [Williams]. Elyiss just destroyed Amaris. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Please don't put him in against the run. Please don't put him in against the run. Oh my god.”

— Kirby Smart, Head Coach, Georgia Bulldogs

What’s next

Georgia will host its annual spring scrimmage on April 18, 2026 at 1 PM ET in Sanford Stadium, where fans will get their first look at the 2026 Bulldogs squad, including newcomer Amaris Williams and returning tight end Elyiss Williams.

The takeaway

Kirby Smart's intense coaching style and high expectations for his players are on full display in this rare behind-the-scenes video, which shows the Georgia head coach publicly critiquing a newcomer's performance in an effort to push him to improve ahead of the upcoming season.