Jan. 25, 2002
Smith Accepts Defensive Coordinator Position at Georgia Tech: University of Kentucky assistant coach Rick Smith has resigned to accept the defensive coordinator’s role at Georgia Tech, Coach Guy Morriss announced Friday. Smith was serving as assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator, and defensive backs coach for the Wildcats.
“I appreciate everything Coach Smith has done for us during the past year and I wish him good luck in his new role,” Morriss said. “Coach Goodner (defensive coordinator John Goodner) will take over the recruiting coordinator’s duties until signing day (Feb. 6). Rick is staying with us through the weekend in order to help us with the transition and I appreciate that as well. Fortunately, we have been recruiting as a staff, so the transition should be smooth. We have begun the search for another coach to complete the staff.”
Smith will be returning to the defensive coordinator’s role that he held for five years – Kentucky 1996, Tulane 1997-98, and Cincinnati 1999-2000 – before his return to UK a year ago.
“I didn’t realize how much I’d miss being the defensive coordinator,” Smith said. “When the opportunity came up, I wanted to do it again. This is a great opportunity and challenge. Coach Gailey (new Tech head coach Chan Gailey) has a great reputation as a coach and a human being, the same type of man as Guy Morriss. I’m honored that he would choose me.
“I leave Kentucky with a heavy heart that I won’t be finishing the job with Coach Morriss. I love UK, the city of Lexington, and the positive reception we’ve gotten from fans.”
Smith will be in his third tour of duty at Georgia Tech. He coached the Tech junior varsity in 1977 and was the defensive backs coach there from 1982-85.
Morriss to Take Part in “Polar Bear Plunge”: The weather might be a little nippy, but Coach Guy Morriss believes that the water will be just fine when he participates in the Third-Annual “Polar Bear Plunge” for Special Olympics on Sat. Jan. 26 at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant on Richmond Road.
Participants in the plunge raise a minimum of $50 for Special Olympics Kentucky and then take the leap into a pool of cold water. The event raised more than $25,000 last year and has raised almost $50,000 in its first two years. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the event begins at 11 a.m.
Morriss has been generous with his time for Special Olympics. In October 2001, he led “Guy’s Ride to Win,” a motorcycle rally that drew more than 200 participants and generated more than $23,000 for Special Olympics Kentucky.
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Signing DayFeb. 6
Spring BreakMarch 9-17
Spring PracticeMarch 26, 27, 29, 30, April 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 19
Spring GameApril 20 at Commonwealth Stadium, time TBA
– UK –
