Kirby Smart began Tuesday afternoon’s Zoom press conference by thanking athletic director Greg McGarity, who's retiring at the end of the year.

“He’s been a tremendous support to me, to our staff, to our program. He and his wife Sheryl have embraced Mary Beth and our family from day one when we got there. He’s been very supportive. He’s been awesome with different projects we’ve wanted to create and do. He’s been very supportive of that. He’s been somebody I can rely on to help,” Smart said.

Earlier Tuesday, UGA president Jere Morehead told reporters he hopes to move expeditiously in finding a new athletic director.

Although Smart is not on the advisory committee installed by Morehead to offer advice on any potential new hire, it sounded as if Georgia’s head coach will at least play a role.

“First and foremost, I think everybody should know that I have complete confidence in President Morehead. He’s got a great relationship with me, and we talk about these things a lot of times,” Smart said. “He’s appointed a wonderful group, an advisory committee that he’ll meet and consult with, and they’ll come up with some ideas, candidates. They will search it through, and I have complete faith, trust, and confidence in them, and also that I can communicate freely with President Morehead about it. I know they’ll make a good decision. It’s not something I concern myself with or that I’m worried about right now; I’m worried about playing Vanderbilt.”

Smart did offer some words of support for interim athletic director Josh Brooks.

“Yeah, I know Josh well. Josh has been here; he’s been the No. 2. He’s had a wide range of experiences in college athletics, all over,” Smart said. “He’s a good, logical choice to be the interim. And I know he’ll be a candidate who’s looked into deeply.”

Smart and his players were very complimentary Monday of Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller, who, from all indications, will kick off for the Commodores Saturday against the Bulldogs (4 p.m., SEC Network).

But what happens if the first female to kick in a Power 5 game finds herself in harm’s way?

After all, the thought of the 132-pound Fuller colliding with a 290-pound Travon Walker doesn’t sound like a very good deal.

While he didn't answer that question directly, Smart gave no indication there would be any change in the plans for his kickoff return team.

“Probably not. I’ve never had to have that conversation before. I’m not going to change and have that conversation now. We don’t account for the kicker in our returns,” Smart said. “I don’t think anybody in the country accounts for the kicker. You assume that if you get to the kicker, you did a pretty good job in the return game. We don’t plan on having a conversation about it.”

Smart added that Fuller more than likely can take care of herself.

“She plays a very physical sport, to be honest with you. I’ve seen some pretty brutal collisions without a helmet and without gear on,” Smart said. “I’m sure she can take care of herself when it comes to that. That’s not something we’re really concerned with, because we don’t assign anybody to the kicker.”

With no official visits allowed due to Covid and the early signing set to begin on Dec. 16, schools like Georgia are being put in unique positions as they look to fill their freshman classes for the upcoming year.

“It's just weird. I feel like we know who we're going to sign up to, what, 90 percent or something of our spots, so like that's a given, and you don't have that concern of, 'Oh, no, he's got two more trips left,' or 'Oh, no, him visiting here and here.' So that's not there, but you're still concerned, because they can have conversations and change their minds up until signing day,” Smart said. “I think my concern would be just like it was in the past, when I don't know what are the most valuable spots that we need, because a lot of that is based on juniors and decisions they have.

“it's so hard to predict your roster for next year and your needs, not knowing who's going to be here and who's not. So, that's the hardest thing for me, figuring out where the pieces of the puzzle come from in terms of who you sign."

Making the situation even more perplexing for coaches is that with the NCAA’s new blanket waiver, even current seniors will be allowed to return.

Fortunately, it’s believed that any returning senior will not count against the 85-scholarship limit.

On Monday, senior receiver Demetris Robertson said he has not made up his mind, but returning could be an option, although Smart took umbrage with the media for bugging current players like the Savannah native with those types of questions.

“That’s not fair to those kids. I know y'all have got to ask them questions, and that's your job, but it's really not fair, because they haven't finished their season, and they don't need to make that decision right now,” Smart said. “That decision is based on family, graduation, performance, NFL evaluation. So, when y'all are asking those kids those questions, it's just bad. It's not good for them to have to answer that.

“They need to be focused on Vanderbilt and playing good, and when their mind goes to the other, it's not great for them. In their own free time, sure, they can think about it all they want. But they've got to focus on playing Vanderbilt, playing Missouri, hopefully playing in a bowl game, avoiding COVID. There's a lot of things going on before they have to make that decision."

Smart also offered some injury updates on nose guard Jordan Davis (elbow), safety Richard LeCounte (concussion), and running back Kendall Milton (knee).

On Davis: “Jordan has been able to do more and more each day,” Smart said. “He’s got his pads on out there, he’s getting closer.”

On LeCounte: “Richard is in meetings, doing walkthroughs, and has pads on now,” Smart said. “He’s not taken any live reps or anything, and he’s getting closer.”

On Milton: “Kendall is hitting high speeds, running straight ahead and working individual drills, but he’s not cleared yet,” Smart said. “I don’t know if he will this weekend.”

...Georgia rose to No. 8 in this week's College Football Playoff Poll

…Smart is apparently growing weary of questions about freshman Arian Smith, who caught his first touchdown pass against South Carolina.

“Arian’s got a lot of work to do, guys. Y’all will be the best in the world at putting him out there, because he caught a touchdown pass. But he has to grow and get better,” Smart said. “He doesn’t know our complete offense, he doesn’t know our route trees, he doesn’t know who to block on a running play. He’s GOT to get better, and he will. It means so much to him, and I was really proud of him that he was able to get out there and make a play. He’s talented, and we want to find a way to get him on the field and get him the ball.”

…While pleased with the progress of freshman running back Daijun Edwards, Smart said his 14-carry, 77-yard performance against South Carolina was due largely to the absence of Milton, who missed his third straight games with a meniscus injury.

According to Smart, the former Colquitt County standout has been doing pretty well all along.

“It’s been great. It hasn’t been much different than before. I'd say you got to see him the other night more, and he did a great job running,” Smart said. “He’s a great one-cut runner, he never takes a direct hit, and he’s able to get yards after contact. His center of gravity is low, but I wouldn’t say he’s progressed more or less with Kendall being out; he’s just gotten more opportunity.”

…Georgia will learn Friday when its makeup game with Missouri will be played, but right now Smart says he has no idea.

“I really don’t know much. I’m certainly hoping for the 12th, but I think they possibly have two makeup games, so I don’t know what’s going to end up happening,” he said. “I know we’re supposed to find that out soon, but I don’t know much.”