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Kirby Smart ‘certainly earned that right’ to return as coach at UGA

Kirby Smart showed patience before taking the next big step on the coaching ladder.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart directs a drill during NCAA college football practice at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014. Alabama is scheduled to play Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

He built quite a resume at Alabama under Nick Saban the last nine seasons, including defensive coordinator for three national championship teams.

His reward is a dream job: becoming the head football coach of Georgia, where he was an All-SEC safety, began his coaching career as an administrative assistant and returned for a season to coach running backs a decade ago.