Kirby Smart, the renowned coach of the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, has lately exhibited a surprising shift in his public demeanor. Known for avoiding headlines and controversy, this year Smart has proven willing to publicly express his discontent over various issues. Among the topics he’s taken issue with is the decision of the College Football Playoff committee to drop his team out of the projected field, a call he vocally disagreed with both on and off the air. He even went so far as to critique the selection committee again during his postgame interview on ABC and later took a jab at SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
In the past, Smart has largely followed the leadership style of former coach Nick Saban: focus on the job, support the team, ignore outside criticism. However, this season, Smart seems to have decided it’s time to stir things up. For instance, after Georgia’s win over Texas, he didn’t refrain from expressing his views on an official call that went in favor of Texas when fans discarded debris onto the field. Smart exclaimed that his players deserved better, opining that calls were being “robbed” from them. This critique of officiating marks a departure from Smart’s past approach, as he had traditionally avoided commenting on officiating calls, even when his team’s supporters did.
After Georgia’s victory over Tennessee, Smart didn’t hesitate to voice his frustration at the CFP committee during his ESPN postgame interview, questioning what criteria they used to judge the teams. His contentious relationship with the committee didn’t end there. He took a jab against Greg Sankey and his staff after the SEC Championship Game win, accusing them of subjecting his team to a grueling schedule.
Much of Smart’s growing assertiveness could also be attributed to off-field issues. Ten Georgia players and a staff member have been arrested for driving-related offenses since a January 2023 car crash that killed a player and staff member. Despite this, Smart has adeptly navigated these challenges, ensuring they didn’t become a constant talking point. Unlike his outspokenness about the sports committees’ decisions, Smart has been more cautious in discussing these off-field issues.
Some analysts, like Paul Finebaum, suggest that Smart’s candidness may be the result of diminished pressure. In the past, the gravity of trying to achieve the first or successive national championships made everything feel more tense. And while Smart has painted his team as being against the world, it’s now harder to play the role of underdogs given Georgia’s position as a high-ranking team.
As Georgia heads into the Playoff, many are predicting the Bulldogs will be one-and-done in the tournament, especially as they have to field their backup quarterback. However, this underdog status may suit Smart’s narrative. Winning the title in the midst of adversity and injuries would massively elevate Georgia’s status, further establishing them as a powerhouse team in college football. This potential victory would not make up for missing out on a three-peat, but it would undoubtedly propel them into a completely different stratosphere in the world of college football.
