What Georgia coach Kirby Smart was like as a player - ESPN

At 47 years old, despite two decades of wear and tear from coaching college football, Georgia's Kirby Smart exudes a boyish enthusiasm on the sidelines. Following a hard-fought win at Auburn in late September, he grinned wildly while cheering on visiting fans dressed in red and black, tossing his visor into the crowd as he walked into the locker room to celebrate with his players.

In many ways, he hasn't changed much from his days as a Georgia player. Same love for the game. Same boundless energy. Same haircut. Same school.

Defenders Smael Mondon and Javon Bullard weren't alive when Smart arrived in Athens as a freshman defensive back in 1994. But they know the backstory. Mondon recalled watching a clip of Smart's playing days during a team-building meeting in camp last summer. Bullard said they'll occasionally dig up Smart's old highlights on their own, texting them to mess with their coach.

Mondon said «every now and then» Smart will talk smack about how he could've hauled in an interception they missed.

«He'll rub those picks in your face,» Bullard said, smiling.

Smart might be better known as one of the top coaches in college football now, armed with two national championship rings. But before that, he was one of the best players in the SEC.

Smart will coach Georgia in the Orange Bowl against Florida State on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN), but 25 years ago, he hauled in a league-best five interceptions on his way to first-team All-SEC during his senior season with the Bulldogs. And that was after leading the league with six picks as a junior.

In an effort to better understand Smart's origins, ESPN spoke to more than a dozen former teammates and coaches. Together, they painted a picture of a brilliant, driven player who