For years, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was seen as the natural heir to Nick Saban’s dominance in college football. After serving as Saban’s longtime defensive coordinator at Alabama, Smart took over at Georgia and built the Bulldogs into a powerhouse, winning back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. However, with Nick Saban officially retired, many expected Smart to immediately assert himself as the unquestioned king of the SEC and college football.
But after the 2024 season and heading into 2025, that transition has not gone as smoothly as expected. While Georgia remains a top-tier program, Smart has yet to separate himself from the competition the way Saban did for years. Now, over 378,000 fans have weighed in, and the growing sentiment is clear—Kirby Smart has not fully taken over the reins of college football dominance.
The Expectations vs. Reality of Kirby Smart’s Reign
When Nick Saban announced his retirement following the 2023 season, the landscape of college football shifted overnight. With Alabama’s legendary leader stepping away, many assumed that Smart—his former pupil—would have a clear path to control the sport.
After all, Smart had:
- Built Georgia into an NFL pipeline
- Led the Bulldogs to consecutive national titles
- Established himself as the SEC’s premier recruiter
- Boasted one of the most dominant defenses in recent memory
On paper, it seemed inevitable that Smart and Georgia would pick up where Saban and Alabama left off. But that hasn’t happened—at least not entirely.
Instead, the college football world has remained highly competitive, with multiple programs—including Alabama under Kalen DeBoer, Michigan, and even Texas—continuing to push Georgia for the top spot.
Why Hasn’t Kirby Smart Fully Taken Over?
1. Alabama Isn’t Done Yet
Even with Saban gone, Alabama hasn’t fallen off. Under Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide remain one of the most talented teams in the country. The NIL era and the transfer portal have also made it easier for top programs to reload quickly, preventing Georgia from fully pulling away.
2. Playoff Expansion Changes the Landscape
With the 12-team College Football Playoff debuting in 2024, Georgia’s path to multiple national titles has become more difficult. Saban dominated in an era where only four teams made the playoff—now, with more teams in the mix, upsets and increased parity make it harder for any one program to reign supreme.
3. Recruiting Battles Are Tougher Than Ever
Kirby Smart is still a dominant recruiter, but NIL deals have changed the game. Programs like Texas, USC, and even Miami are securing top prospects with massive financial incentives. Georgia remains strong, but the gap between them and the rest of college football has shrunk.
Fans React: “We Expected More”
Over 378,000 fans have taken to social media, polls, and forums to debate whether Kirby Smart has truly taken the reins from Saban. Many expected Georgia to firmly establish itself as the dynasty of this era, but with the 2024 season not going exactly as planned, doubts have crept in.
- One Georgia fan wrote: “We were supposed to OWN college football after Saban left. Now, we’re still in the mix, but not the clear No. 1.”
- An Alabama fan countered: “People thought we’d disappear after Saban. Not happening. We’re still here.”
- Another college football analyst noted: “Kirby Smart is great, but we’re not in the Saban era anymore. The sport has changed, and there is no ‘one king’ of college football.”
The debate has sparked heated discussions across college football, as fans try to determine whether Smart’s Georgia program will ever fully dominate like Alabama once did.
What’s Next for Kirby Smart?
While the 2024 season didn’t cement Georgia as the undisputed No. 1, Smart still has the opportunity to take full control. Georgia remains a recruiting powerhouse, has an elite roster, and is still one of the most feared programs in the country.
However, if Smart wants to fully separate Georgia from the rest of the pack, he must:
- Win another national title soon, proving that Georgia isn’t just another top contender—it’s the clear dominant program.
- Beat Alabama decisively in future matchups to officially end the Crimson Tide’s claim to SEC supremacy.
- Adapt to NIL and the new era of college football by ensuring Georgia remains the best destination for top talent.