Kirby Smart, Mario Cristobal trade trolls at Steve Spurrier Awards - ESPN
ESPN
by J.J. PostFebruary 24, 2026
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The 2026 Steve Spurrier Awards dinner, held in Gainesville, Florida, featured a lively exchange of humor and friendly rivalry between Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Miami’s Mario Cristobal. Known for their wit and competitive spirit, the two coaches traded playful barbs throughout the evening, turning the event into a highlight reel of college football banter. The gathering honored notable figures in the sport, including Bulldogs freshman defensive back Ellis Robinson IV, who was celebrated by Smart with a light-hearted jab at Cristobal’s recruitment tactics. Smart humorously suggested that Robinson might need to be cautious around Cristobal, referencing NIL payments and their ongoing player recruitment competition.
Cristobal retaliated in kind, acknowledging Smart’s playful remarks while making his own digs. He praised the coaching abilities of quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred from Georgia to Miami, and took a subtle shot at Smart’s SEC championship success, noting that the Hurricanes had a
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/24/2026