Kirby Smart Ranked Among College Football’s Best Hires of the 21st Century
When discussing college football’s elite programs in the modern era, the University of Georgia now stands firmly among the game’s true giants — and much of that transformation can be credited to one man: Kirby Smart. Since taking over the Bulldogs in 2016, Smart has turned Georgia into a perennial national championship contender, building a dynasty that many believe rivals the best of this century. Recently, his name surfaced on an exclusive list that highlights the greatest coaching hires of the 21st century, cementing his legacy as not only an elite coach but as one of the most impactful hires in the sport’s recent history.
The criteria for ranking coaches among the best hires of the 21st century are both straightforward and unforgiving — championships, sustained success, cultural impact, and the ability to elevate a program to new heights. By every conceivable metric, Smart meets and often exceeds those standards. Hired in December 2015 after Georgia parted ways with longtime head coach Mark Richt, Smart was tasked with restoring Georgia to national prominence. What has unfolded over the past eight years is a story of relentless recruiting, defensive dominance, and championship glory.
When Kirby Smart arrived in Athens, the Georgia football program was stable but not dominant. Under Richt, the Bulldogs were consistently competitive, winning 145 games over 15 seasons, but they struggled to break through to the elite level, often falling short in big games and failing to claim a national title. Georgia’s fans and administration knew they had the resources, tradition, and talent-rich recruiting base to compete for championships, but they needed a leader who could elevate the program from very good to elite. Enter Kirby Smart.
A former Georgia defensive back and the longtime defensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama, Smart brought with him a blueprint for success honed under one of the most successful coaches in the history of college football. His familiarity with the SEC landscape, tireless work ethic, and defensive expertise made him an ideal fit for the Bulldogs. Even with limited head coaching experience, Georgia took a calculated risk in hiring Smart, betting that he could replicate the process-driven, championship model that Alabama perfected under Saban.
The results were almost immediate. By Smart’s second season in 2017, Georgia captured the SEC Championship and reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, narrowly losing to Alabama in an overtime thriller. That campaign signaled to the college football world that Georgia was no longer on the cusp of greatness — they had arrived. Smart’s combination of elite recruiting, physical football, and defensive excellence laid the foundation for what would become one of the most dominant programs in college football.
Since that 2017 breakthrough, Georgia has operated as a juggernaut, regularly hauling in top-three recruiting classes, developing NFL-caliber talent, and competing for conference and national titles. The culmination of Smart’s vision came in back-to-back national championships in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, solidifying Georgia’s place at the pinnacle of college football. The Bulldogs’ 2021 title marked their first national championship since 1980, ending decades of near-misses and frustration for the fanbase. In 2022, Georgia left no doubt, completing a perfect season with a historic demolition of TCU in the national title game, widely regarded as one of the most lopsided championship performances in the sport’s history.
Beyond the championships, Smart’s influence on the Georgia program is visible in the culture and consistency he has established. Georgia’s defensive units under Smart have been among the most feared in the country, regularly producing top NFL Draft picks and suffocating opposing offenses. His teams are known for their physicality, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence, hallmarks of Smart’s coaching philosophy.
Recruiting has also been a cornerstone of Smart’s success. Georgia’s ability to stockpile talent year after year has been unparalleled, rivaling even Alabama for dominance on the recruiting trail. The Bulldogs have signed numerous five-star prospects and developed them into impact players, a testament to Smart’s eye for talent and the program’s emphasis on player development. The phrase “Georgia standard” is often used around the program, encapsulating the expectation that excellence is not optional but required.
Smart’s record speaks volumes. With over 90 wins and counting, multiple SEC titles, College Football Playoff appearances, and two national championships, he has built a resume that rivals any coach in the nation. Perhaps more impressively, his teams have maintained a high level of success despite roster turnover and the ever-changing dynamics of modern college football, including the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era.
In the process, Georgia has become a destination program for elite high school prospects and transfer players alike, ensuring that the talent pipeline remains full. Smart’s ability to adapt to the evolving landscape while maintaining the core values of his program has been a significant factor in Georgia’s sustained dominance.
Comparisons between Smart and the greatest coaching hires of the 21st century are now common and deserved. He joins names like Nick Saban at Alabama, Dabo Swinney at Clemson, and Urban Meyer at Ohio State and Florida as coaches who fundamentally changed the trajectory of their programs. Like Saban’s arrival in Tuscaloosa or Meyer transforming the Gators into a national power, Smart’s tenure in Athens has ushered in a golden era for Georgia football.
His impact extends beyond the field. Georgia’s national profile, fan engagement, facilities, and financial resources have all experienced significant growth during Smart’s tenure. Sanford Stadium regularly hosts sellout crowds, and the Bulldogs’ brand has become synonymous with excellence nationwide. The program’s influence in NFL circles is also at an all-time high, with former Bulldogs making significant impacts at the professional level, further enhancing Georgia’s reputation as a talent-producing powerhouse.
What makes Smart’s inclusion among the best coaching hires even more impressive is the difficulty of maintaining success in the ultra-competitive SEC. Navigating a conference filled with national title contenders, recruiting battles, and intense scrutiny requires a rare combination of skill, resilience, and vision. Smart has not only survived but thrived in that environment, consistently positioning Georgia as the team to beat.
Looking ahead, there is little reason to believe Georgia’s dominance under Smart will slow down. With another stacked roster, a proven development system, and Smart’s relentless drive, the Bulldogs are poised to remain fixtures in the College Football Playoff conversation for years to come. The upcoming seasons will likely offer more opportunities to add to his already impressive legacy, potentially elevating him even further in the historical coaching ranks.
While the list of great coaching hires in the 21st century includes many impressive names, Kirby Smart’s inclusion reflects his unparalleled impact on Georgia football and the broader college football landscape. He took over a program longing for national relevance and transformed it into a modern dynasty. His success is measured not only in championships but in the culture of excellence, development, and competitiveness he has instilled.
As debates about the best coaching hires of this era continue, Smart’s name is firmly entrenched among the elite, and his story is far from finished. If his current trajectory continues, there is every reason to believe that Kirby Smart’s place among the greatest hires of the 21st century will be undeniable — and perhaps, by the time his career concludes, he may very well stand at the top of that list.
