Miami's Mario Cristobal and Georgia's Kirby Smart traded playful insults during the 2026 Steve Spurrier Awards dinner in Gainesville, Florida. Smart introduced Georgia freshman DB Ellis Robinson IV, quipping that Robinson IV would have paid more NIL money if it were up to Cristobal.

Smart joked that Cristobal 'took' players, adding 'Got to be careful around Mario, sometimes he'll take your players.' Cristobal later retorted about Smart's coaching history and NIL timing, referencing Georgia's SEC championship and Miami's 5-0 record against the SEC over three seasons. Both coaches also mocked Florida, with Smart teasing Spurrier about his daughter's real estate career and Cristobal taking shots at the Gators' coaching instability.