Smart offers insight on dealing with off-field issues

Kirby Smart has certainly had his share of off-field issues to deal with since becoming the head coach at Georgia back in December.

For those counting, there have been seven arrests since Smart was named head coach in December, the latest being defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter, who was arrested and charged with DUI.

Two of those players – Chad Clay and Chauncey Rivers – are no longer with the program after repeat offenses.

During Monday’s morning appearance on ESPN’s Mike and Mike, Smart offered his view when it comes to disciplining players.

“I do what’s best for the players,” said Smart, in Bristol, Connecticut as part of the annual SEC Car Wash. “You say what’s best for the players, is it better to give him a suspension, a one game suspension or three game suspension? I think each case may be different than that. I think it’s what’s best for that kid. Are you going to teach that kid a lesson for 10 years down the road by sitting him a game?”

Ledbetter will have to miss some time.

Although he did not offer any details, Smart did acknowledge during SEC Media Days that Ledbetter would be suspended, but declined to say for how long.

Smart has also yet to say if defensive tackle Julian Rochester will miss any time following the April arrest of he and Clay on felony weapons and criminal damage charges for discharging a BB gun in their apartment.

Georgia players haven't been the only ones in the news. Two weeks ago, Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson was arrested for narcotics and felony illegal possession of firearms and Sunday a pair of Florida freshmen were arrested for shooting a BB gun in their dorm room, similar to Rochester and Clay.

A second Alabama player - senior offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor - was also arrested for DUI.

“I don’t know all the details of those. I’ve certainly got my own deal that we’ve got to deal with at the University of Georgia,” he said. “I just think it’s tough when you decide that, what is best for that player, but at the end of the day it’s what’s going to make him a better person 10 years from now and not whether or not he plays in a game.”