How Tall Is Kirby?

Football coach Kirby Smart is 5 feet 11 inches tall.

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Football coach Kirby Smart is five foot 10 inches tall.

Answered from TGRRAG

Kirby Smart's height has been a topic of interest for Georgia Bulldogs fans ever since he took over as the head coach in 2016. As a former player and coach known more for his intellect than physical stature, Smart's height is estimated to be around 5'10”. But what's the full story behind Kirby Smart's height and why does it matter? Let's dive into the key questions.

What is Kirby Smart's Official Height Listing?
How Does Kirby Smart's Height Compare to Other Football Coaches?
What Was Kirby Smart's Playing Height as a Defensive Back for Georgia?
How Has Kirby Smart's Height Impacted His Coaching Style?
Does Kirby Smart's Height Give Him an Advantage or Disadvantage as a Coach?
What Do Players and Recruits Think About Kirby Smart's Height?
How Tall is Kirby Smart Compared to the Average Man?
What Other Facts Should We Know About Kirby Smart's Height?

What is Kirby Smart's Official Height Listing?

Most official bios for Kirby Smart list him at 5'10” tall. This includes his profile on the University of Georgia athletics website. Other reputable sources like ESPN, Wikipedia, and sports profiles list him at 5'10” as well.

Smart himself has never publicly confirmed his exact height down to the inch. But all evidence points to the 5'10” listing being accurate. Pictures of Smart standing beside other coaches and players who have confirmed heights supports him being around 5'10”.

How Does Kirby Smart's Height Compare to Other Football Coaches?

At 5'10”, Kirby Smart is on the shorter side for a major college football coach. The average FBS head coach is around 5'11” – 6'0″ tall. Many of Smart's coaching peers like Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, and Lincoln Riley are 6'0″ or taller.

A few other prominent coaches are similar in height to Smart or slightly shorter, including Ed Orgeron at 5'10” and Brian Kelly at 5'11”. But height hasn't hampered Smart's success compared to his taller colleagues.

What Was Kirby Smart's Playing Height as a Defensive Back for Georgia?

As a player at the University of Georgia from 1995-1998, Kirby Smart was listed at 5'11” as a defensive back. This height listing was common for his era, as many players were listed slightly taller than their actual heights.

Photos from Smart's playing career show he was likely closer to 5'10” than 5'11” without cleats on. This above-average but not exceptional height allowed Smart to excel through preparation and football IQ rather than pure athleticism.

How Has Kirby Smart's Height Impacted His Coaching Style?

Standing 5'10”, Kirby Smart has never been able to physically dominate players from a height perspective like some former coaches. This impacted his playing and coaching style over the years.

As a player, Smart relied more on intelligence, technique and outworking opponents. As a coach, he focuses on discipline, details, and putting players in positions tailored to their strengths.

Smart can't stand over players from a size perspective. But he works to gain their respect through knowledge, game planning, and developing personal relationships. His approach works well coaching today's players.

Does Kirby Smart's Height Give Him an Advantage or Disadvantage as a Coach?

It's unlikely that a few inches taller or shorter would significantly change Kirby Smart's success as a head coach. There are pros and cons to his 5'10” stature from a coaching perspective.

On the positive side, being shorter helps Smart relate to players on a more personal level. He also stands out on the sidelines for his intensity and energy despite not being imposing physically.

Potential disadvantages include slightly more difficulty commanding presence against tall players. But Smart makes up for this with his authoritative voice and attention to detail. Overall his height doesn't appear to give him an advantage or disadvantage.

What Do Players and Recruits Think About Kirby Smart's Height?

Kirby Smart's height doesn't seem to be a major consideration for Georgia players and recruits. They respect and respond to his coaching style and football knowledge above all else.

Of course players tower over Smart, but his presence and leadership are unwavering. Recruits may joke about Smart's height, but it doesn't impact their opinions of him or decision to attend Georgia. They see the results he's produced on the field.

Comments from players like Richard LeCounte (“He may be short but he talks like he's 9 feet tall”) reinforce that message. Smart earns respect through relationships and coaching success.

How Tall is Kirby Smart Compared to the Average Man?

At 5'10”, Kirby Smart is slightly shorter than the average American man. According to CDC data, the average 20-year-old American man is around 5'9 1⁄2” tall. This reaches 5'10” for men in their 30s and 40s.

So Smart is taller than the total male average, but a bit below average for his age demographic of men in their mid-40s. His height is normal and doesn't stand out walking down the street. But he falls short compared to elite athletes on the football field.

What Other Facts Should We Know About Kirby Smart's Height?

While his exact height measurement isn't a major storyline, here are a few more fun facts related to Kirby Smart's stature:

He has a tall family bloodline – Kirby's father Sonny Smart was 6'1″ as a player at Georgia.
His height helps motivate his coaching intensity to compensate for physical presence.
Smart has joked about wishing he was 6'4″, but he's adapted well to make his shorter height a nonfactor.
As a coach's son, Kirby was likely around football from a young age before physical attributes became a limitation.
Smart has an affinity for recruiting and coaching defensive backs in part due to sharing their shorter stature.

At the end of the day, Kirby Smart's results speak for themselves. He has excelled as both a player and coach, using intelligence, leadership and relationships to overcome any height deficiencies compared to peers. His 5'10” frame hasn't hindered Georgia's return to national prominence.