The Georgia Bulldogs are gearing up for the final stretch of their regular season, but there’s been one glaring issue the team has struggled with—tackling. Rather than taking a purely serious approach, head coach Kirby Smart decided to address the problem with a dose of humor ahead of their game against UMass.
In a lighthearted team meeting, Smart introduced punter Brett Thorson as Georgia’s new “tackling expert” and even gave him the floor to present a playful lesson on tackling fundamentals.
Coach called in a professional tackler to talk to the team 🤣#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/J5JfBFVmm9
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 19, 2024
The Inspiration Behind Thorson’s Role
Thorson earned his moment in the spotlight during Georgia’s Week 12 victory over Tennessee when he tackled Volunteers’ return man Boo Carter, preventing what could have been a touchdown. His clutch play didn’t just save points—it earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike.
During his presentation, Thorson poked fun at some team staples, including joking about Smart’s height and referencing defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s own tackling struggles during his playing days at Georgia.
Smart Reflects on the Humor
For Smart, allowing Thorson to take center stage was about more than just laughs—it was a way to lighten the mood while driving home an important point.
“Yeah, he adds levity. I mean, he’s funny,” Smart said with a chuckle. “I was telling Muschamp last night, it reminds me of Donnie Jones at LSU about 20 years ago. He was a punter who Coach Saban let talk to the team every Thursday. Donnie would break the team down and talk about the opponent in this hilarious way, but it also fired everyone up.
“When a punter gets up there and talks about how we’re going to dominate the upcoming opponent, it provides some humor but also builds camaraderie. Brett’s like that. The players love him, and he brought that energy to the meeting. It was a perfect moment to let him capitalize on his play and remind everyone about tackling—because let’s be honest, we’ve struggled with it.”
Turning Mistakes Into Motivation
Smart acknowledged the Bulldogs’ tackling woes, noting that improvement has been a key focus in recent practices. “We haven’t tackled well for whatever reason, so we’re searching for any answer we can. Brett’s play was a great teaching moment, and we wanted to emphasize it in a way that stuck with the guys,” Smart said.
The punter’s comedic relief helped break up the tension, allowing the team to laugh at their mistakes before buckling down to address them.
Preparing for the Final Push
While the Bulldogs are enjoying lighter moments in the lead-up to their matchup against UMass, the team knows the stakes are high. With playoff aspirations still in play, Georgia will need to tighten up defensively as they face critical games in the weeks ahead.
Thorson’s impromptu role as a tackling guru may have added humor, but it also reflects the creative ways Smart motivates his team to overcome challenges. As the Bulldogs aim for another playoff run, moments like these could prove to be the bond that carries them through adversity.
