Attack the Day: Kirby Smart and Georgia's Return to Glory

by Seth Emerson, Matt Stinchcomb (Foreword)

When Kirby Smart returned to his alma mater in 2016, hopes were high that he could take Georgia football to that elusive next level. Smart wasted no time putting his mark on the Bulldogs, however, making an immediate impact on recruiting and in 2017, reaching the College Football Playoff and coming within moments of a national championship. Biding his time and crafting his philosophy as a defensive coordinator under Nick Saban, Smart waited for his opportunity to return to Georgia, turning down several coaching opportunities in the meantime. Still early in his tenure, Smart has gone on to dominate recruiting on a national scale, win the SEC, reach the national championship game, and will be attacking the college football landscape for years to come.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Football

272 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Mickey Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this five stars because Kirby Smart only gets five-stars, as in recruits...All kidding aside, it is a good read but feels incomplete. Win a natty Kirby so Seth Emerson can write the beloved sequel.

[Timothy Ligon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a UGA Alum, so reading this brought back alot of memories I had during my years in athens.

[Trisha Jong B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t typically read a lot of sports content but I’m an avid college football fan. My husband recommended the book because he’s a lifetime Georgia fan and we’ve spent the last several years discussing Kirby and this team. I’m an Oklahoma fan so The Rose Bowl chapter was heart wrenching for me (elation for my husband) and reminded me of the tension we had that year watching the game in separate rooms 😂 Love getting an inside perspective from players and enjoyed the added details into a story I watched happening live. If you’re a college football fan and especially a Georgia fan, this would likely be a great book to read.

[Adam Kovel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like a very long article instead of a book, and felt incomplete. At the same time: Go Dawgs

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seth does a terrific job of capturing 2017 for the Georgia people. From his chapter on the Rose Bowl - my personal college football nirvana - to the one on the game after that, I felt those emotions of elation and despair all over again. I literally had to pause reading about the CFP Title Game because I felt so sick all over again. So, he gets it while still being dispassionate. As a beat writer, he gets to hear what the post-game locker rooms sound like and see the outcomes on the players’ demeanors and shares that insight.

Some of the best parts of the book pull the curtain back on the politics which brought Kirb-Dawg home. Who knew Coach Cavan and Bobo were such powerbrokers? Cavan is portrayed as the guy who really made it happen and Bobo apparently knows everyone. Fascinating!

He gets into the ‘18 and ‘19 seasons briefly, Fromm v Fields, and all that too. But those downers just fizzle out this stage of the program. ‘17 was the climax and this bit has run its course which the book’s tone captures.

[Ryan T. Guinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for follow up! #back2back #3peat? GO DAWGS!

[Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone who bleeds red and black. Mr. Emerson gives a great account of the transition from Mark Richt, to Kirby Smart’s first few years as head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. The book focuses mainly on the 2017 season with entertaining thoughts and stories from former players Davin Bellemy, Jeb Blazevich, and Jonathan Ledbetter. Emerson also gets great insight from former coaches, too. Shane Beamer (current head coach at South Carolina) who was the TE/ST coach at UGA under Kirby Smart at the time, recounts many of his observations and memories during those first two seasons – and great commentary from UGA legend, Kevin Butler, who had returned to UGA to complete his undergraduate degree and helped out the team as an undergraduate assistant during this time. The book was written before the Bulldogs won the 2021 National Championship, so hopefully, Emerson will write a sequel about that season soon. 5 stars!

[Chris Hoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! However, it felt a little rushed towards the end. For example, would have loved to hear more about player tweets prior to Sugar Bowl loss to Texas. Not a peep.

It was great to re-live the 2017 season and subsequent heartbreaking re-run with Alabama 2018.

Loved the fact that Seth had the gumption to call out those who criticize Smart for his mis-handling of Fields. Fields decision to transfer was no reflection on Kirby's ability and ultimately, cost himself the Heisman. Good on ya Seth.

Very enjoyable and peak behind curtain of what makes the Head Football Coach at UGA tick.

[Mitchell Northam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real behind-the-scenes look at how Kirby Smart built UGA into the college football Death Star it is today. I’d call it an autopsy, but Smart’s tenure in Athens is far from dead. Emerson really draws on his own reporting and personal experience here, and the reader is better for it. He also drills down on the differences between Smart and his predecessor, Mark Richt, and explains why recruiting is so important.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insight into the early years of Kirby's tenure. At the time though, the book was a bit premature. It is somewhat naïve to title the book "Georgia's Return to Glory" prior to winning a national championship. Looking back now though, it seems not to matter. Would be nice if the author did a part 2 including the back to back national championships.

[Matt Vanderwall · Rating 5 out of 5]

HBTFD

This is a great read for any Dawg fan! Seth provides a lot of knowledge and information (including confirming some rumors) about the end of the Richt Era and the beginning of the Smart tenure.

[Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! A great look at the Kirby Smart era at Georgia.

[Jerry Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Was expecting more behind the scenes juicy details about the team.

[Kevin Giesler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can be said? It’s Georgia. It’s Saturday in Athens....

[Steve Garraty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! Insightful and entertaining! Loved many of the behind scene looks at various games, teams in specific years, and some of the more memorable seasons for Dawg fans. I love Seth's writing style and ability to tell a story. Highly recommend this book for any UGA fan!