Josh Pate predicts similar fate for Kirby Smart as Urban Meyer in the wake of Georgia WR Rara Thomas’ arrest

Urban Meyer couldn't be kept out of a conversation as Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs face the heat after over wide receiver Rara Thomas. He was arrested on charges including battery and cruelty to children.

This incident sparked a flurry of criticism on social media, with American screenwriter and college football enthusiast Josh Pate tweeting on the above matter. Drawing parallels to the troubled yet successful era of Urban Meyer's Florida Gators, Pate tweeted:

"Casuals will say UGA's culture is rotten & then trash anyone who doesn't predict them to win the SEC."

One fan replied: "Well you could say the same thing about the 2008 Florida team. Yea they won a national championship but they had a lot players do bad things off the field. So both can be true at the same time, you can have a rotten & trash culture but still win a lot of football games."

"Yes - and how long did Meyer's run last?" Pate responded.

What does above Urban Meyer reference by Josh Pate mean?

Pate's remark refers to Meyer’s dominant yet scandal-ridden tenure with the Gators where despite achieving on-field success, the program was marred by numerous player arrests and off-field issues.

During Meyer's time as head coach at Florida from 2005 to 2010, the Gators boasted 65 wins, two SEC championships and two national titles. However, these achievements were overshadowed by the staggering number of at least 31 player arrests (according to the New York Times) under Meyer's watch.

The charges ranged from minor offenses like underage drinking to serious allegations including aggravated assault and domestic violence. The situation at Georgia under Kirby Smart is drawing similar scrutiny, with fans and critics questioning the program's culture and its impact on player behavior.

As the Bulldogs maintain a brave face through this latest scandal, the comparisons to Meyer’s era serve as a stark reminder of the fine line between athletic success and maintaining a positive, law-abiding team environment.

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