Kirby Smart Explains Why Georgia Has Opted Out of College Football’s Latest Hiring Craze and What That Says About UGA

Kirby Smart has never been one to follow trends just for the sake of it. At Georgia, the standard isn’t just excellence—it’s sustained dominance, and it’s built through principles, not fads. That ethos helps explain why, as many college football programs embrace a new wave of hiring practices centered around outside analysts, non-traditional coaches, and aggressive staff expansion, Smart and Georgia have largely stood pat. They’re not resisting innovation. They’re guarding identity.

In recent years, college football has undergone a coaching evolution. With NCAA rules allowing for expanded off-field staffers—particularly analysts and quality control assistants—programs have jumped at the chance to hire former head coaches, NFL veterans, and even tech-savvy minds from outside the traditional coaching tree. Alabama, under Nick Saban, famously embraced this trend with open arms, often serving as a “rehab clinic” for ousted coaches who brought fresh insights and tactical diversity. The trend spread quickly, and now, more and more programs are bulking up off-field staff in search of marginal gains.

But Kirby Smart, a former Saban disciple, hasn’t followed the blueprint exactly. Yes, Georgia has hired analysts and quality control staff. But they’ve done so with notable restraint. There’s been no public splash of a big-name, former Power Five head coach in an off-field role. No drastic increase in unconventional hires. While other programs court headlines with their staff announcements, Georgia prefers cohesion and internal development. In Smart’s words, “We don’t do things just because other people do them.”

During a recent spring media availability, Smart was candid when asked about Georgia’s comparative quietness in this area. “Everybody’s got to do what works for them,” Smart said. “We’re focused on continuity, culture, and fit. You bring in too many voices, or the wrong voices, and it’s hard to stay aligned.”

Smart’s remarks weren’t a criticism of other programs. But they revealed a deeply considered philosophy that guides Georgia’s staffing approach. Instead of stockpiling names to win the press conference, Smart emphasizes internal promotions, long-term staff development, and clarity of message. That’s not to say Georgia doesn’t scout innovative minds or seek outside input—but the program is selective, almost surgical, in how it incorporates new blood.

“We have incredible coaches on staff already. Guys that understand our system, our players, and the expectations,” Smart added. “We don’t need to chase buzz. We build from within.”

That last line speaks volumes. In an era where many top-tier programs feel pressure to always be doing something—anything—to show they’re evolving, Georgia’s confidence in their process is a stark contrast. It’s also a calculated bet that organizational culture matters more than novelty. And so far, it’s hard to argue with the results.

Since Smart took over in Athens in 2016, Georgia has won multiple SEC titles and national championships and has recruited at an elite level every single year. Their brand of football—rooted in toughness, defense, and complementary play—hasn’t been built on radical changes but refined consistency. Every offseason, Georgia may tweak schemes or address weaknesses, but the bedrock remains firm.

That stability is rare in today’s college football. Many staffs now look like NFL franchises, with dozens of analysts poring over film, scripting practice periods, and even informally contributing to game planning. Smart doesn’t oppose that infrastructure. In fact, Georgia’s off-field support system is robust. But where others may opt for volume, Georgia opts for precision. There’s a distinct difference.

“I’m not saying we won’t ever bring someone in,” Smart clarified. “But they’ve got to understand what Georgia football is about. If they don’t fit that mold, we’re not interested—no matter how big the name is.”

This approach is especially compelling when considering the long-term stability of a college football program. When staff turnover becomes too frequent or leadership too diluted, identity can erode. Smart is fiercely protective of Georgia’s culture. He has spent nearly a decade cultivating it—one that is demanding, physical, and unrelentingly team-first.

There’s also a logistical layer to Smart’s position. With the NCAA increasingly cracking down on the roles of analysts—particularly in their involvement during practices or games—some of the advantages offered by these hires have been blunted. Programs are walking a fine line between compliance and innovation. Smart’s wariness of blurring those lines may be as much about protecting the program from avoidable infractions as it is about philosophy.

Moreover, Smart’s background as a detail-oriented, defense-first coach means he sees value in the clarity of communication. Too many voices, even well-meaning ones, can lead to confusion. When players are getting instructions from multiple sources—especially off-field staffers without formal coaching roles—it can create more problems than it solves.

“There’s power in repetition and in having a consistent message,” Smart said. “If a DB hears one thing from Coach Fran (Glenn Schumann) and then something different from an analyst who hasn’t been in the meetings, that’s not helping him get better.”

Smart’s comments also underscore the immense trust he has in his current staff. Coordinators like Mike Bobo and Schumann have either been elevated internally or brought back after time away, reflecting Smart’s preference for familiarity and loyalty over trend-chasing. It’s a hallmark of Smart’s tenure: keep the core intact, keep evolving, and keep the message consistent.

Of course, Georgia isn’t operating in a vacuum. They still scout opponent tendencies, adjust schemes to reflect personnel, and look for small edges. But what they don’t do is sacrifice cohesion for the appearance of innovation.

That decision is perhaps most evident in recruiting. Georgia consistently lands top-three recruiting classes, and their message to high school stars is simple: come here, develop, and win. There’s no fluff, no gimmicks, and no sales pitch involving famous analysts or celebrity coaches. It’s all about the work—and that honesty resonates.

In an age where social media hype and fast-twitch narratives dominate, Smart’s Georgia is a model of patience and process. It’s why they aren’t racing to bring in the hottest name in football media to serve as an offensive analyst. It’s why they’re not hiring coaches just fired from Power Five jobs unless there’s a clear role for them to play. It’s why, while other programs look outside for energy, Georgia looks inward.

That doesn’t mean Georgia is perfect, nor that they won’t eventually embrace more of these external hires. Smart has shown a willingness to adapt when necessary. But he’s not interested in reactive decisions. Everything is filtered through the lens of what fits Georgia’s culture. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter how flashy the idea might be—it won’t make it through the door.

Ultimately, Kirby Smart’s stance on the recent hiring trend is a reflection of the confidence he has in what Georgia is building. It’s not a dismissal of innovation, but a reminder that innovation without alignment can be chaos. And in Athens, alignment matters.

As the 2025 season approaches, Georgia once again finds itself among the national favorites. The pressure to sustain that success will be immense, and so too will the temptation to add new voices and ideas. But Smart’s message has remained the same: build from within, stay true to the culture, and let the results speak.

So far, they have. Loudly.