Mark Richt will certainly make the call. UGA is notoriously budget-conscious (cheap) and may not be willing to deal with the money it would take to lure Kirby Smart to Athens and he may not want to go there and not be at least a co-favorite every season. The coach-in-waiting title is nonsense and KS knows it.
via blogs.tennesseevalleynow.com
Up to this point, the coaching staff departures have been somewhat predictable and possibly even preferred or suggested. By all indications, Saban values Smart's ability and wants to keep him on the Bama staff.
The other side of this situation is that Kirby Smart and Scott Cochran's families are very close. Smart being in Tuscaloosa may have some bearing on Coach Cochran staying at UA.
Stay tuned.