Kirby Smart Named Finalist for 2025 Dodd Trophy as Georgia Eyes Another Deep Playoff Run
Kirby Smart’s decade-long run at Georgia has been nothing short of extraordinary, and now he’s being recognized once again for the program he’s built - both on and off the field. On Wednesday, Smart was named one of five finalists for the 2025 Dodd Trophy, an honor that celebrates not just wins and losses, but the full scope of what it means to lead a college football program the right way.
This marks Smart’s third time as a finalist for the award (previously in 2018 and 2022), and it comes at a time when the Bulldogs are right in the thick of the national title chase. Georgia enters the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed with a 12-1 record and back-to-back SEC championships - their fourth total under Smart. The Bulldogs have once again positioned themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the postseason, and Smart’s leadership is a major reason why.
Let’s not overlook the numbers. With 117 wins in his first 10 seasons, Smart holds the modern-era record for most victories by a head coach in their first decade at the FBS level.
That stat alone puts him in elite company, but it’s the consistency of Georgia’s dominance - especially in the CFP era - that makes his case even stronger. He remains the only coach to win back-to-back national championships since the Playoff was introduced.
Joining Smart as finalists for this year’s Dodd Trophy are Curt Cignetti (Indiana), Ryan Day (Ohio State), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt), and Joey McGuire (Texas Tech). For Cignetti, Day, Lea, and McGuire, this is their first time making the finalist cut - a testament to the impact each has had on their respective programs this season.
The Dodd Trophy, presented by PNC Bank and managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., isn’t just about what happens between the lines. It’s about honoring a coach who embodies the values of scholarship, leadership, and integrity - the same principles that defined legendary coach Bobby Dodd. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award has become one of the most respected honors in college football coaching.
Finalists are selected by a panel that includes past winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family, and a College Football Hall of Famer. The selection process takes into account not only on-field success, but also academic performance - including Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and Academic Progress Rate (APR) - as well as community service and charitable impact.
As for what’s next on the field, Georgia has earned a first-round bye in this year’s expanded College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs will take the field on New Year’s Day in the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, facing the winner of the Dec. 20 matchup between No.
6 Ole Miss and No. 20 Tulane.
The Rebels come in at 11-1, while the Green Wave are 11-2 and looking to shake up the bracket.
Kickoff for Georgia’s CFP quarterfinal is set for Jan. 1 at 8 p.m. EST - and it’s safe to say all eyes will be on Smart and the Bulldogs as they chase yet another title.
But regardless of how the postseason shakes out, Smart’s place among this year’s Dodd Trophy finalists is a reminder that success in college football is about more than just the scoreboard. It’s about building a program that wins with purpose - and Kirby Smart has done just that.