Kirby Smart’s name has long been etched into the upper echelon of college football coaching, and for good reason. With multiple SEC titles and two national championships under his belt, he’s built Georgia into a perennial powerhouse. But in a sport that thrives on bold takes and underdog stories, it’s no surprise when a name like Curt Cignetti starts creeping into the conversation - especially when it’s coming from someone as controversial as Connor Stalions.
Yes, that Connor Stalions - the former Michigan staffer at the center of the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal - weighed in recently with a hot take that raised more than a few eyebrows. He didn’t just praise Kirby Smart.
He predicted Georgia would win the national title this season. But then he dropped the real headline: he believes Curt Cignetti, now at Indiana, is actually a better coach than Smart.
Let’s unpack that.
Stalions made the point that Smart is operating from a position of strength - the head coach at Georgia, arguably the most well-resourced program in the country. “Probably the best job in America,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cignetti is coaching at Indiana, historically one of the most challenged programs in the sport. In fact, Indiana ranks second all-time in losses among FBS teams.
That’s not just a rebuild - that’s a full-on resurrection.
And yet, Cignetti has delivered. In just two seasons, he’s taken the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff twice and earned the No. 1 overall seed this year.
That’s not just impressive - it’s nearly unprecedented. Turning around a program with that much baggage in that short a time speaks volumes about his ability to lead, motivate, and scheme at an elite level.
But here’s where we need to pump the brakes.
Kirby Smart has done more than just win games - he’s sustained dominance in the most cutthroat conference in college football. Four SEC titles.
Two national championships. A consistent presence in the playoff conversation.
That’s a resume built on more than just momentum; it’s built on sustained excellence, elite recruiting, and a defensive identity that has become Georgia’s calling card.
Cignetti’s rise is meteoric, no doubt. But he hasn’t yet reached the playoff semifinals, let alone hoisted a trophy. Until he does, comparisons to Smart - while flattering - are still aspirational.
That said, the story’s not over yet. Georgia and Indiana could very well cross paths in the national title game.
If Cignetti’s Hoosiers find a way to topple the Bulldogs on the biggest stage, then the conversation shifts. A head-to-head win over Smart in a championship setting would be more than just a statement - it would be a potential changing of the guard.
For now, though, Kirby Smart remains the standard. Cignetti is knocking on the door, and he’s doing it from one of the hardest places to win in college football.
That alone earns him respect. But to be considered better than Smart?
That’s a title that still has to be earned on the field.