Georgia Football: Kirby Smart a new SEC legend

Georgia football and Kirby Smart are in a class of their own. Last Saturday, Kirby Smart coached in his 100th game as Georgia’s football coach. Smart now has the highest winning percentage through 100 games in SEC history.

The boys in the coffee shop asked me the other day about the significance of 100 games coached. I told the boys that 100 games for a head coach means the coach and the program are pretty good. Then the boys asked why the media was making a big fuss over Kirby having the best winning percentage through 100 games in the SEC. I thought about it for a minute and gave a terrible answer. But when I was by my lonesome, I started thinking about the significance of Kirby Smart’s feat.

First, look at the people he is listed among. Our Dear friend Steve Spurrier, a Hall of Fame coach, winner of several SEC championships, a national title, and had the team of the ’90s (gross!!).

Then you have Nick Saban, six national titles at Alabama, seven if you count LSU. Saban is the greatest college football coach ever and will be in the Hall of Fame. Furthermore, Saban’s first 100 games at Alabama ran through 2007-2014. Alabama won 3 national titles in that time frame, and they were in the mix for a title every year except 07 and 10.

Furthermore, Saban’s first year with the Tide was in 07, where they lost six games. That speaks to Saban and Alabama’s dominant run during the first 100 games.

Then you have the Bear. The myth-like coach in the SEC. I do not care who you are or the school you cheer for or went to; we all revere the Bear. Bear Byrant is the only coach in the SEC besides our own Vince Dooley, where everyone appreciates him. Even Auburn fans respect Bear Bryant. While Bear Bryant is a legend, look at the titles he won through his first 100 games at Alabama. Pretty incredible.

Moreover, everyone has at least heard one story about Bear Bryant. My favorite story about Bear Bryant is about him and Lewis Grizzard being stuck in a motel together. If you know, you know; if you don’t, Google it because I cannot get into details.

Pretty incredible. What Kirby Smart is doing is remarkable. We need to appreciate the run that we are on. Georgia has been in 3 CFP title games in 6 years and has won 2.  Not many programs can say that. So, while some in the fan base are worried about slow starts, we need to look at this from a 10,000-foot view. Outside of Alabama in the 2010s, Georgia is on a historic run.