“TOP DAWG: Kirby Smart Ranked No. 1 Coach in the SEC for 2025 by CBS Sports Amid Chaos Across College Football”
In the ever-changing landscape of college football, where coaching carousels spin at dizzying speeds and fanbases cling to hope or spiral into doubt with each recruiting class and win-loss record, one thing has remained remarkably consistent—Kirby Smart’s dominance. The Georgia Bulldogs head coach has once again been honored as the best in the Southeastern Conference, earning the No. 1 spot in CBS Sports’ annual SEC head coach rankings for 2025. And frankly, it’s a title he didn’t just earn this offseason—it’s one he has been building toward for nearly a decade, piece by piece, with an unrelenting focus, unmatched defensive genius, and a cultural foundation that few programs can replicate.
This latest accolade comes at a time when the SEC is as unstable as it is talent-rich. Coaching changes have upended traditional powers, with Texas A\&M still finding its footing after parting ways with Jimbo Fisher, Alabama entering a new era under Kalen DeBoer post-Saban, and Florida trying desperately to recapture its former glory. Meanwhile, the Big 12’s Oklahoma and Texas have joined the SEC, bringing added pressure, increased competition, and even more uncertainty. Through all of that, Kirby Smart has only tightened his grip on the conference.
It’s worth noting that Smart didn’t simply inherit a powerhouse when he took over at Georgia. Yes, the Bulldogs were a solid program under Mark Richt, but they were never quite feared in the same way Alabama was during its heyday. What Smart has done is nothing short of transformative. He has built Georgia into a dynasty—one that not only competes but expects to win national championships. And perhaps most importantly, he’s done it his way. His vision for Georgia football isn’t borrowed from anyone else, even if his years under Nick Saban shaped parts of his approach. This program has a uniquely Kirby Smart identity: a ruthless defense-first mentality, a developmental pipeline that turns four- and five-stars into NFL starters, and a culture of competition where complacency is the enemy.
This culture is why CBS Sports didn’t hesitate to rank him No. 1. While others may recruit at a high level, Smart develops. While other coaches adjust their schemes to meet trends, Smart adapts while remaining true to the core tenets of physicality and discipline. It’s a balance few coaches strike successfully. And when you consider the competition in the SEC—an arena where every week can feel like a playoff game—it’s all the more impressive.
The timing of this recognition also feels significant. Georgia is coming off another season of double-digit wins, yet some in the national media have wondered whether the Bulldogs’ run might finally hit a snag in 2025. After all, they’ve lost key contributors to the NFL once again, the quarterback room remains a topic of fierce debate, and the SEC schedule has become even more brutal with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. But Smart’s presence alone continues to give Georgia the edge in every game they play. When a coach creates a system where the standard is greatness and no drop-off is acceptable, the program becomes nearly bulletproof to the usual fluctuations of college football.
Smart’s approach to recruiting is another pillar of his No. 1 ranking. He doesn’t just chase star ratings—he targets players who fit Georgia’s culture. His staff is as cohesive and locked-in as any in the country, and his ability to retain top assistants year after year has been critical in maintaining consistency. While other programs experience turmoil in the coordinator positions, Smart has built a machine that reloads, not rebuilds. The result? A defense that seems to never drop below elite and an offense that, even if not always explosive, is efficient, balanced, and opportunistic.
Another component of Smart’s top ranking is his record in big games. Since 2021, Georgia has consistently delivered on the biggest stages, whether it’s in SEC Championships, College Football Playoff semifinals, or the national title game. Critics once doubted his ability to win the big one after a couple of near-misses early in his tenure. Now, those doubts seem laughable. He has not only won multiple national championships, but he has also established Georgia as the team to beat on a yearly basis. If there was any hangover from those previous disappointments, it’s long gone—replaced with swagger, poise, and the expectation of excellence.
In contrast, many of his contemporaries in the SEC are either trying to catch up or simply hang on. Brian Kelly at LSU has shown promise but remains inconsistent. Josh Heupel at Tennessee has injected excitement and offense into the Vols’ program but hasn’t yet proven he can maintain elite results over multiple seasons. Lane Kiffin, Shane Beamer, Sam Pittman—each has their strengths, but none come close to matching the total package that Smart brings to the table. And while there’s growing enthusiasm around the new arrivals—Steve Sarkisian at Texas and Brent Venables at Oklahoma—both are still adjusting to the weekly gauntlet that is SEC football.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Smart’s rise is how quietly dominant he’s been. Georgia doesn’t rely on flashy gimmicks or viral media moments. They don’t need to sell an identity—they live it every day. There’s a workmanlike intensity to the way the Bulldogs operate, and it all stems from Smart. He is as involved in special teams as he is in offensive installs. He’s as likely to correct a walk-on in practice as he is to praise a five-star freshman. That level of engagement trickles down through the entire program and creates a sense of accountability that’s nearly impossible to replicate elsewhere.
And Smart’s impact goes beyond wins and losses. His influence on the university, on the Athens community, and on college football at large has been profound. Georgia’s facilities are now among the best in the nation, recruiting budgets have soared, and the school’s national profile has never been higher. He’s elevated not just the football team, but the entire athletic department.
That’s not to say the challenges are behind him. The 2025 season presents a daunting schedule and questions at key positions. But this is where Kirby Smart thrives. He embraces the uncertainty, weaponizes the doubt, and molds it into fuel. And he’s not shy about setting sky-high expectations. For Smart, “good enough” is never good enough. He demands more—from his players, his staff, and himself.
If there’s one criticism that occasionally surfaces, it’s that Georgia’s dominance under Smart can sometimes feel inevitable, even boring. Blowout wins and methodical beatdowns aren’t always as thrilling to watch as shootouts or dramatic comebacks. But that’s not the point. The point is to win—and win consistently. And no one in the SEC, or arguably the nation, does that better right now than Kirby Smart.
So as the 2025 college football season looms, with all its promise and unpredictability, one certainty remains. Georgia has the best coach in the Southeastern Conference, and perhaps the best in the country. CBS Sports’ ranking is simply acknowledging what those in Athens—and increasingly across the nation—have known for years. Kirby Smart is not just at the top of the SEC. He is the standard.
