In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, few coaches have made a mark as indelible as Kirby Smart. As we dive into the latest rankings focusing solely on the 2020s, Smart finds himself at No.
- This list, crafted by ESPN's Bill Connelly, uses a blend of raw SP+ averages and performance relative to a baseline, spotlighting those who have truly excelled.
Interestingly, Curt Cignetti from Indiana tops the list, with SMU's Rhett Lashlee and former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh following closely behind. Smart stands out as the only coach in the top five to have been at the helm for all six seasons so far.
Reflecting on the 2025 season, Smart ranked No. 14, trailing behind notable SEC names like Vanderbilt's Clark Lea and Ole Miss's Lane Kiffin. Cignetti once again claimed the top spot, with Texas Tech's Joey McGuire right behind him.
Looking back at standout seasons since 2006, Smart's 2021 and 2022 campaigns are noteworthy, ranking No. 20 and No. 15, respectively. Cignetti’s 2025 season takes the crown as the highest-rated over the past two decades, with Nick Saban's 2012 Alabama season and Jimbo Fisher's 2013 Florida State season also earning high praise.
As Smart embarks on his 11th season with Georgia, his resume is nothing short of impressive: two national championships, four SEC titles, and a stellar 117-21 coaching record, including 69-12 in conference play. The Bulldogs recently wrapped up a 2025 season that saw them go 11-1 in the regular season, clinch the SEC championship, and make it to the College Football Playoff, before a hard-fought 34-39 loss to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
The 2024 season was another strong showing, with a 10-2 regular season record and an SEC championship, though it ended with a 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl during the CFP quarterfinals. The previous year, Georgia went 13-1, boasting a perfect 12-0 regular season and a commanding 63-3 victory over Florida State in the Orange Bowl, setting an FBS record for margin of victory in a bowl game. That season also saw Georgia tie for the ninth-longest win streak in FBS history with 29 consecutive wins.
Back in 2021, the Bulldogs went 14-1, making history as the first No. 3 seed to win the national championship. The following year, they achieved a perfect 15-0 season, securing another SEC Championship and their fourth straight New Year's Six bowl game victory.
Smart's journey began with an 8-5 record in his first season, but he quickly turned things around, leading Georgia to three consecutive 11-1 regular seasons and SEC Championship appearances. The Bulldogs claimed victory in their first SEC title game under Smart, reached the College Football Playoff, and secured a memorable win over Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, though they fell short against Alabama in the National Championship. Subsequent seasons saw mixed results in league title games and bowl appearances, but Smart's influence on Georgia's program remains undeniable.