Dawn of the Dawg
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Georgia Football: How other coaches fared in their second year at Georgia

By Kyle Funderburk

Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart walks through the Dawgwalk prior to the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart walks through the Dawgwalk prior to the game against the Nicholls State Colonels at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy stands on a podium during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy stands on a podium during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

1940: Wally Butts, 5-4-1

Who would have guessed in 1940 that Georgia was about to become one of the dominant programs in college football for much of the decade? You certainly couldn’t tell after the Wally Butts era began with a 5-6 record in 1939 and a 5-4-1 record in 1940.

That 1940 season could have just as easily been the beginning of Georgia’s dynasty in the SEC. Of their four losses, three of them were decided by eight points or less. Throw in the tie, and Georgia could have gone 9-1 in year two with Wally Butts.

But great seasons were coming very quickly for Georgia. The Bulldogs finished 9-1-1 in 1941 and defeated Texas Christian in the Orange Bowl. A 27-14 loss to Alabama kept Georgia from winning the SEC Championship that year.

In 1942, however, Georgia had their best season in school history finishing 11-1, winning the SEC Championship, defeating UCLA in the Rose Bowl and claiming a consensus National Championship.

World War II halted Georgia’s production in 1943 and 1944 by taking away several players including Heisman winner Frank Sinkwich and future Maxwell winner Charley Trippi. But Trippi returned in late 1945 to help Georgia finish 9-2.

In 1946, the Bulldogs went 11-0, won the SEC Championship, defeated North Carolina in the Sugar Bowl and claimed the National Championship from the Williamson Poll.

The Bulldogs won another SEC Championship with a 9-2 season in 1948.

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