Georgia HC Kirby Smart: Bulldogs don't have a culture problem

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart is defending his program after a trying period of tragedy, heartache, and legal issues. 

The Bulldogs are the defending college football national champions, but the time period between UGA winning the College Football Playoff and Smart's first public comments since a car crash stole the lives of Georgia football player Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy has been tumultuous, to say the least.

Jalen Carter, a potential top pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, was arrested this week in connection with the aforementioned crash on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. 

Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson was also arrested on the same charges for a separate incident before the Jan. 15 crash.

In light of the past few months, Smart was asked by ESPN if Georgia has a culture problem.

"Absolutely not. I would say we're far from it," Smart said. "When you talk to people outside our program that come into it, they talk about what a great culture we do have — and we do an incredible job. Because I've got a lot of outside entities that come into our program and pour into these young men.

"Do we have perfect young men and women and players? Not necessarily. But I promise you this, that's the intent: for us to grow these guys and get them better. And I feel really good about the culture within our program."

It's notable that Smart did say that he and his staff have tried to warn his players about the dangers of speeding. It's worth noting that alcohol was also unfortunately a major factor in the fatal crash. 

Regarding Carter, it has been alleged that he was racing LeCroy's Ford Expedition in the hours after Georgia's championship parade and ceremony — around 2:45 a.m. 

LeCroy's Expedition left the road and hit two power poles as well as several trees. According to police, the car was going 104 MPH when it crashed and LeCroy's blood alcohol level was .197 — 2.5 times the legal limit in the state of Georgia. 

Willock, 21, was in the backseat of the vehicle but wasn't wearing a seatbelt. He was ejected from the car and died at the scene of the accident. LeCroy, 24, was taken to the hospital but utility succumbed to her injuries. 

Two other people, former UGA player Warren McClendon and football staffer Tory Bowles, were involved in the accident but survived.

"Got a call at 3 or so in the morning. Went immediately to the emergency room. Probably one of the toughest moments I've ever experienced as a coach and a leader to see the pain in the faces of the players who had joined up at the emergency room that morning. [Athletics director] Josh Brooks was there. You know, [I] still remember the ER doctor telling me the news, and just one of the most painful experiences of my life," Smart said, remembering the awful night.

LeCroy's vehicle was leased by the athletic department and meant for recruiting purposes. Smart told ESPN that it was not her job to get football players home on that night and that there are no policy changes needed, despite the crash. 

"I mean, there [are] laws in place for these things, to prevent it for a reason," Smart said. "And we want to educate our players in every way, every part of our organization. We're constantly looking for a better way in whatever that is, health and safety included. I talked about drugs and alcohol, talked about gambling, talked about racing in cars and high speeds. You have to educate your players and you have to make sure they understand the risks and dangers of that, and that's something that we've tried to do."