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With his appearance at the pre-season meeting of the Atlanta Touchdown Club recently, Kirby was his usual outstanding self— insightful, compellingly analytical, with a touch of humor, making you realize that he is an elite communicator who will likely transition into television like what we have seen with Nick Saban. Hopefully later than sooner.

Kirby’s unflappable instincts and demeanor with the media are remarkable. He cannot be buffaloed or entrapped. He is candid, informative, perceptive, discerning, and penetrating. His repartee is enjoyable and entertaining. He has a style that is reminiscent of John Fitzgerld Kennedy, who could parry with the best of the Fourth Estate.

He is a coach who will research the modus operandi of other championship teams employed in their championship season as he did with the New Zealand All Blacks, who have won 23 international titles. He and his staff spent weeks studying their historical winning percentage and leadership methods to avoid team complacency.

There is never a time when he doesn’t slip in a compliment for his old coach, Nick Saban, which is a class act that reflects that he is grateful for anybody and anything that has influenced hissuccess. Hewill often sling a compliment to Andy Landers, who was his wife’s coach when she played for the Lady Dawg basketball team.

I have never been around a coach with more of the “right stuff” than the Bulldog head coach.