Kirby Smart Publicly Praises Texas and Steve Sarkisian, Emphasizing Respect, Competitiveness, and Shared Vision in College Football’s New Era

Kirby Smart Publicly Praises Texas and Steve Sarkisian, Emphasizing Respect, Competitiveness, and Shared Vision in College Football’s New Era

Kirby Smart Makes His Opinion on Texas, Steve Sarkisian Extremely Clear — and it’s a message that reverberates far beyond the SEC. In a time where college football is as much about narratives as it is about wins and losses, the Georgia Bulldogs head coach took a moment to deliver something rare: genuine, public admiration for a peer. And not just any peer — but the head coach of a rising power that Georgia could very well see in the College Football Playoff this season and for years to come.

Smart is not known for hyperbole or casual praise. The Georgia head coach is one of the most detail-oriented, calculated leaders in the sport. He doesn’t offer compliments lightly, especially not when it concerns potential competition. That’s what made his comments on Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns so compelling — and telling.

Speaking to reporters during SEC Media Days and following up in interviews with national outlets, Smart didn’t just acknowledge the work Sarkisian has done in Austin. He went out of his way to highlight it. He described Texas as “a program on the rise with the right guy in charge,” and Sarkisian as “one of the most creative and intelligent offensive minds in football, college or pro.” For a man who rarely veers off-message, Smart’s openness about Sarkisian’s impact reveals both admiration and a keen sense of what’s coming.

Smart’s comments weren’t limited to coaching praise. He also noted the cultural alignment and competitive edge Texas has developed since Sarkisian took over in 2021. “You can tell they believe now,” Smart said. “They’ve always had talent, but now they’ve got structure, identity, and discipline. That’s dangerous.” Those words carry weight coming from the head of a program that has embodied those same principles en route to multiple national titles and a dynasty in progress.

It’s also important to recognize the shared history between the two coaches. Sarkisian and Smart both spent formative coaching years under Nick Saban at Alabama, where they absorbed the values of efficiency, process-driven success, and ruthless preparation. That shared background breeds mutual respect, but it also creates an undercurrent of competitiveness. They know each other’s roots — and they know what it takes to thrive at the highest level.

In many ways, Smart sees in Sarkisian a kindred spirit: someone who took a talented but underachieving program and began transforming it from the inside out. While Georgia already had strong bones when Smart took over in 2016, he rebuilt the Bulldogs with an obsessive focus on culture, recruiting, and development. Sarkisian, though tasked with a steeper rebuild, has followed a similar blueprint — and Smart recognizes the parallels.

“You don’t do what they did last year by accident,” Smart said, referencing Texas’ 12-2 record, Big 12 championship, and College Football Playoff appearance. “That kind of turnaround takes more than good plays. It takes buy-in. And he’s clearly got that.” He also pointed to Texas’ physicality, a trait often associated with SEC programs and something Smart has always prized. “They weren’t just flashy,” he said. “They were tough. They could win in different ways. That’s a sign of a real contender.”

What makes this mutual respect even more significant is the broader context. Texas is now in the SEC. No longer a distant non-conference curiosity, the Longhorns are immediate and direct competition. Yet Smart’s praise didn’t waver. If anything, it grew stronger. “There’s no doubt Texas belongs in this league,” he said. “They’ve got the infrastructure, the resources, and now they’ve got the leadership.”

Leadership. It’s a word Smart uses often, and rarely without intention. In praising Sarkisian’s leadership, he wasn’t just speaking as a colleague. He was speaking as someone who knows the pressure, expectations, and scrutiny that come with running a blue blood program. Texas and Georgia may be different in history and geography, but in terms of national spotlight and media frenzy, they are equals. Smart’s acknowledgment of Sarkisian’s handling of that reality was as respectful as it was insightful.

Behind the scenes, there’s a growing recognition among coaches that the landscape is shifting again. NIL, the transfer portal, playoff expansion, and conference realignment have created a new frontier in college football. In this environment, relationships matter — and so does respect. Smart’s endorsement of Sarkisian wasn’t just about football acumen. It was about character, adaptability, and steadiness in a storm. “He’s got a real calm about him,” Smart said. “But he’s competitive as hell. That’s the kind of guy who wins over time.”

And Sarkisian has done exactly that. After a rocky first year, he has methodically built a roster filled with future NFL players, led by a staff that is both experienced and innovative. The offense, his trademark, has become one of the most feared in the country. The defense, under Pete Kwiatkowski, has become one of the most improved. And perhaps most importantly, the Longhorns have started winning the kind of games they used to lose — tough, gritty, high-pressure contests that define championship teams.

Smart isn’t oblivious to that. As he scouts potential playoff opponents and future SEC foes, he knows Texas is no longer theoretical. They’re real, they’re ready, and they’re coming. And his praise — though genuine — also serves as a signal to his own program: stay sharp, stay hungry. Because the competition is only getting stronger.

His comments also reflect a broader truth about how elite programs view each other. There’s a level of respect that only comes from doing the job at the highest level. Smart isn’t threatened by Sarkisian — he’s motivated by him. Great coaches crave competition, and in Sarkisian, Smart sees someone capable of pushing Georgia to be even better.

This mindset, in part, explains Georgia’s continued dominance. Smart isn’t just recruiting players — he’s recruiting ideas. He studies the best, learns from them, and incorporates what fits into his program. And Sarkisian, with his background in both college and the NFL, offers a unique perspective on offensive innovation and program building. Smart’s admiration likely stems from more than just wins — it stems from that creative tension that drives greatness.

Of course, there’s also the potential of a budding rivalry. With Texas now in the SEC and playoff expansion ensuring more marquee matchups, the Smart-Sarkisian dynamic could become one of the defining storylines of the next decade. Two former Saban assistants. Two elite recruiters. Two programs built on toughness and precision. It’s not hard to imagine these teams meeting deep in December — or even January — with titles on the line.

And when that happens, comments like these will matter. Not as bulletin board material, but as context. They’ll frame the competition not as animosity, but as respect-fueled fire. The kind of fire that produces unforgettable games, legendary moments, and the kind of intensity that fans live for.

In the end, Kirby Smart made his opinion of Texas and Steve Sarkisian crystal clear. He respects them. He sees their growth. He acknowledges their threat. But more than anything, he welcomes it. Because in the ever-evolving world of college football, only the strong — and the adaptable — survive.

And Kirby Smart, ever the competitor, knows that to stay on top, you have to surround yourself with excellence. Steve Sarkisian, in Smart’s eyes, represents exactly that. The games will come soon enough. But the respect? That’s already here.