There is no topping Kirby Smart, and CBS Sports agrees. After being named the top head coach in the Power Conference in 2024, Smart retains his throne in 2025. The sports outlet was high yet again on the Georgia head coach, even though the season didn't end with the Bulldogs hoisting the National Championship trophy.
Smart topped other elite coaches such as Texas's Steve Sarkisian, whom the Bulldogs beat twice in the 2024 season, Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman, who beat Smart in the College Football Playoff, and Ohio State's Ryan Day, who won the National Championship this season.
Even though Georgia hasn't hoisted a championship trophy in two seasons after winning back-to-back titles, Smart is still the top coach in college football, especially with the team he is building for the 2025 season.
Kirby Smart is gearing up to take back the college football crown in 2025
Even though Georgia isn't coming off a National Championship-winning season, they did win the SEC, which felt like the toughest conference in college football. The fact that a season that doesn't end in a championship at Georgia feels like a failed season says a lot about Smart, and if you don't think this is all fuel for him, then think again.
The Bulldogs will have a new quarterback under center this season, with Gunner Stockton or Ryan Puglisi taking over. Stockton got quite a bit of experience last season with Carson Beck dealing with some injuries, and impressed with how young and inexperienced he was.
Yet again, Smart has also put together a great recruiting and transfer portal class, something that is becoming a staple at Georgia. Smart has shown that he can bring in players without even paying them the highest amount of money in NIL deals, although he can sometimes still lose that battle, like the Bulldogs did with Jackson Cantwell picking Miami.
Georgia is coming back with vengeance this season, and the rest of college football should be ready, as the Bulldogs and Smart are looking to take back their crown.