Kirby Smart's SEC recognition shows why Georgia remains built to last

Kirby Smart’s SEC recognition underscores why Georgia remains structured to contend for championships over the long term. The Georgia Bulldogs won back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, returned to the College Football Playoff twice, and have stayed in the title hunt. USA TODAY recently released SEC head coach rankings, and Smart claimed the top spot, reflecting his continued recruiting effectiveness despite the era of NIL and the transfer portal. Smart’s sustained impact has included building an NFL Draft pipeline; Georgia has produced 21 first-round picks since he took over, even as the program follows high expectations. The article also notes Smart’s track record since the 2017 national championship loss, and it references comparisons to other leaders such as Indiana’s Curt Cignetti and Ohio State’s Ryan Day.