Georgia Coach Kirby Smart Fires Back at Steve Smith's Criticism

Smart defends Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton after Smith's comments

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:26pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a college football game broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of green, white, and red, conceptually representing the scrutiny and debate surrounding top college football programs and players.A cubist interpretation of the intense debate between a college football coach and a former NFL star over the performance of a top quarterback.Athens Today

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart responded forcefully to criticism of the Bulldogs' offense, including quarterback Gunner Stockton, made by former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith. Smart told Smith to 'do your homework' on the Georgia program and players.

Why it matters

This back-and-forth between a prominent college coach and a former NFL star highlights the intense scrutiny and debate around top college football programs and players, especially high-profile quarterbacks like Stockton.

The details

Smith had made sharp comments directed at Stockton, a rising star quarterback for the Bulldogs. Smart defended his player, telling Smith to thoroughly research the Georgia program and players before making such public critiques.

  • The comments from Steve Smith were made in a recent media appearance.

The players

Kirby Smart

The head football coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Steve Smith

A former NFL wide receiver and current media personality who has been critical of Georgia's offense and quarterback Gunner Stockton.

Gunner Stockton

The starting quarterback for the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team.

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What they’re saying

“Do your homework. That's all I'm going to say. Do your homework.”

— Kirby Smart, Head Coach, University of Georgia

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the intense scrutiny and debate that surrounds top college football programs and players, especially high-profile quarterbacks like Gunner Stockton. Coaches like Kirby Smart are quick to defend their players when they face public criticism, even from respected former NFL stars like Steve Smith.