DALLAS – Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart announced Tuesday during the 2024 SEC Media Days that the Classic City Collective has fined football players as part of the program’s disciplinary actions resulting from recent traffic violations.
“I think the most effective way to limit some things is to put a dent in their wallet,” Smart said in an interview with DawgNation. “You punish them, because those penalties were significant, and it makes you think twice about the mistakes you make.”
Although the amount of the fines has not been publicly disclosed, Georgia is believed to be the first school to admit that fines for players are part of its disciplinary process.
Smart clarified that the Classic City Collective is working with Georgia to oversee the fine process. These fines are for off-field incidents, including traffic violations and other violations of team rules, such as missing class.
“Our Classic City Collective has been fining people heavily for this kind of thing for over a year,” Smart said. “This is something that’s happening outside of my jurisdiction, they chose to do it and did it on a significant scale.”
Some fines were reportedly substantial, reaching nearly five figures, underscoring Georgia’s serious stance on driving-related issues, especially after the tragic accident that killed former lineman Devin Willock and recruiter Chandler LeCroy in 2022.
Disciplinary measures will continue to include game suspensions, but Smart declined to provide further details on how and when these might be enforced.
“Everyone wants to know what game is being played and if they’re banned,” Smart said. “That’s probably not the most important thing in the discipline and culture that they have to experience.”
Smart noted that he believes Georgia is also the only program to suspend a player for a driving-related offense, citing former receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint.
Disciplinary actions will continue to be handled internally, but Smart’s admission of fines could have an impact on other college football programs grappling with the unintended consequences of NIL dealings.
“I still think proactive rather than reactive education is the best way to go, which is what we’ve done,” Smart said, emphasizing his focus on driving-related issues. “We’ve implemented defensive driving courses and for the first time in my career, kids are getting six-hour driving lessons because some of this is due to poor decisions and some of this is due to poor driving.”
In a statement from the school, Smart announced the dismissal of senior safety David Daniel-Sisavanh, who was considered a solid position player on defense. He was one of the players who committed a driving-related violation this year. The statement said it was due to a violation of team rules.
“You know, I’ve had to let people go on that basis,” Smart said. “So every single one of them has different circumstances.”
Smart’s presentation addressed many questions regarding Georgia’s handling of traffic-related incidents while respecting players’ privacy.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s right to go out into the town square and publicly expose children,” Smart said. “They’ve been through a lot. And these young men are very remorseful… our job is to educate them.”
