Kirby Smart Named Top College Football Coach In Top 25 Ranking List By USA Today
In recognition of his efforts in what was his ninth season in charge of the Georgia Bulldogs, Kirby Smart has been included in USA Today’s esteemed list of the top 25 college football coaches.
The 49-year-old led the Bulldogs to successive national titles in 2021 and 2022, and though he didn’t repeat that feat in 2024, Georgia’s consistency under Smart is quite astonishing, with his ninth season ending in a very credible 11-3 record, losing to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
Unsurprisingly, the Bulldogs appear among the favorites with most sportsbooks ahead of the 2025 season, and fans who want to back Georgia to once again go all the way can make good use of this Fanatics sportsbook promo to help make any wager as effective and profitable as possible.
Kirby enjoys a very healthy overall record of 105-19 and is well worth his reported $13 million a year salary. To help Georgia once again compete at the highest level, they have brought in running back Josh McCray from Illinois and outside linebacker Elo Modozie from Army.
Talking about 23-year-old McCray, Kirby sees the new recruit as the type of player who can make a difference when it counts, commenting.
“In a world of a lot of third-and-ones and fourth-and-ones in college football with analytics people going for it, you need short-yardage backs,”
“We think he gives us the potential to do that.”
As for Modozie, Smart added.
“A really good athlete,”
“A position of need, outside linebacker. Great kid, high character. Great family. So we’re excited to have him.”
One does not imagine Georgia needs to make massive changes in the offseason, not given their solid form in 2024; however, they will miss quarterback Carson Beck, who had looked set for the NFL Draft before opting to join the Miami Hurricanes instead (where fellow Bulldog Jackson Cantwell also moved).
Beck won two national titles with Georgia but came in for quite a bit of criticism last time around, and Smart nonetheless highly rated the 22-year-old Jacksonville-born talent. As for who may take the starting spot at QB, many expect this to go to Gunner Stockton.
Stockton played in nine games for Georgia across 2023 and 2024, albeit only one as a starter, and On3 Reporter Pete Nakos feels this is inevitable.
“Simply put, Gunner Stockton has the inside track to the starting quarterback job at Georgia.”
“Kirby Smart has yet to name a starter, and that probably will not come until August, but Stockton is in full control.”
“He impressed in spring ball, and his experience running the offense showed.”
“The Bulldogs were expected to evaluate the spring quarterback market, even for another backup, but opted to sit tight. Ryan Puglisi continues to improve, but he didn’t play a snap as a true freshman last year.”
“All signs point to Stockton getting the starting job,” Nakos concluded.
Georgia starts their 2025 season against Marshall on August 30th at Sanford Stadium.
