Whats Georgia getting

What's Georgia getting in Kirby Smart? For one, they have kept themselves in the race for 2017 five-star linebacker Nate McBride of Vidalia.

"That's big," McBride said of the hire. "I'm excited, because I wish Mark Richt was still the coach, but you can tell he's at peace with the decision. The next best thing is Kirby Smart."

McBride, the nation's No. 10 player in the junior class, had previously planned to take Georgia out of contention if Richt and company were dismissed, but he seems to have changed his tune on Tuesday night.

"Really, the best thing to come in is Kirby Smart," McBride said. "I'm glad they got him, and I'm excited for him. I think he'll be great at Georgia. I mean, he played there. It might take a year or two, but he'll be alright, I believe."

What will the Bulldogs get in Smart from a recruiting standpoint?

"He's a great guy and a great recruiter," McBride said. "He was my favorite at Alabama, and that why I liked them so much. That's why I like him being at Georgia. He's a great guy, like I said. He lets you know if it's right or wrong, or if you're good or not. He's an upfront guy. He's truthful. He's going to congratulate you when you do something good, and he's going to be on you if you don't. That's what I like."

The 6-foot-1, 221 pound linebacker says the Bulldogs could not have picked a more Georgia-centric personality.

"He seems like a down south Georgia boy," McBride said. "I guess he's coming back home, because he sounds like every one of us. He's laid back, and so is Coach Saban. He's real nice. He'll make jokes with you and talk about football. He's the kind of guy I'm used to being around."

When it comes to his personal status, McBride is clear about his standings with the Bulldogs.

"It definitely keeps Georgia in the mix," McBride said. "I want to see first who he brings in, who comes in, and who gets fired. I've got to let the smoke clear. After that, I'll see what happens with my recruitment process."

Even so, the coveted defender hopes to see some of the previous staff still in the fold.

"I'd like to see (Jeremy) Pruitt, (Mike) Ekeler, and (Kevin) Sherrer retained," McBride said. "One's the d-coordinator, and the other two are linebacker coaches, so those are three great coaches and great guys."