Southern Sports Edition
Jaguars Offseason Philosophy?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in an interesting position this offseason.
On one hand, a 13-4 season, an AFC South title, and a playoff appearance say this team is firmly in contention.
On the other hand, a first-round exit to Buffalo showed that they are not quite elite yet.
The problem facing General Manager James Gladstone is simple to describe but difficult to solve: Jacksonville is trying to improve without a first-round pick and while operating under real salary cap pressure.
That reality makes one thing clear. The Jaguars cannot win the offseason through free agency. They will have to win it through calculated trades. And the keyword there is calculated.
The easiest headline move would be trading wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
The speculation makes sense on the surface. Thomas did not build on his incredible rookie season, and with Travis Hunter now expected to spend most of his time at cornerback, Jacksonville could argue that flipping Thomas for draft capital solves multiple problems.
Some speculation has surrounded sending Thomas and a fifth-round pick to Buffalo for Keon Coleman and a late first-round selection, and that has generated plenty of debate. But I think that’s exactly the kind of move the Jaguars should avoid.
Trading Thomas now would be selling low. Sophomore slumps happen, especially when a new system arrives.
Liam Coen’s offense is still evolving, and Thomas remains one of the few players on this roster who has already proven he can look like a true No. 1 receiver.
Jacksonville does not need more developmental wideouts. It needs certainty. Keon Coleman might become a solid player, but swapping Thomas for another question mark just to reclaim a first-round pick feels like solving a paperwork problem, not a football problem.
The smarter approach is to treat Brian Thomas Jr. as untouchable unless an overwhelming offer arrives.
While the Jaguars shop the trade market, they should be targeting two specific areas. First, and probably most importantly, is the offensive line.
Protecting Trevor Lawrence remains the single biggest variable between Jacksonville being good and being dangerous. The team already has expensive contracts tied up there, and moving players like Walker Little could create flexibility while bringing back mid-round capital.
That kind of move is less glamorous but far more practical. Turning surplus linemen into draft picks and cap space is the kind of quiet roster management that contenders use to sustain success.
Second, work must be done on the defensive interior. The Jaguars improved dramatically in 2025, but when they were knocked out of the playoffs, Buffalo controlled the line of scrimmage late.
That is the difference between a divisional-round team and a true Super Bowl threat.
If Jacksonville is aggressive anywhere, it should be in acquiring proven rotational defensive linemen who can play immediately, even if it costs a Day-2 pick.
And that leads to the real philosophy the Jaguars should embrace: quantity over splash.
Without a first-round pick, Jacksonville’s value lies with its depth.
The current draft setup includes a large number of picks across the middle rounds. Rather than forcing a flashy trade to reclaim a first-round headline, Gladstone should use those mid-round assets to package smaller deals.
Think veteran upgrades, role players who fit specific needs, and controllable contracts that avoid cap headaches. Because the cap matters here.
Jacksonville is projected to start the offseason slightly over the salary cap, meaning every move must carry long-term flexibility.
Big splashes are off the table, but strategic trades combined with restructures can quietly rebuild the roster without weakening the core.
The Jaguars don’t need a roster overhaul. They need refinement.
Keep Brian Thomas Jr. unless the offer is overwhelming. Move expendable contracts for mid-round value. Target trenches, not headlines. Use depth picks as currency rather than desperation.
If Jacksonville treats the trade market like a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer, they will give themselves a better chance to take the next step from division winner to legitimate AFC contender.
Jason Bishop Show February 12 2026
Bad Bees
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia Tech used to be one of the better Men’s basketball programs in the ACC in the 80’s and 90’s. They were still pretty good in the early 2000’s. They advanced to the Final Four in 2004 and played in the national championship game. They have been pretty inconsistent since then.
The Yellow Jackets hired former NBA player Damon Stoudamire as head coach in March of 2023. He was a consensus first-team All-American in 1995 when he played for Arizona.
Stoudamire was the seventh pick by the Toronto Raptors in the legendary 1996 NBA Draft. He was also named NBA Rookie of the Year.
His resume as a player is impressive. As a coach, not so much. He was the head coach at University of the Pacific from 2016-2021. His overall record was 71-77. In his five seasons with the Tigers, he had one winning season.
I’m not sure why Tech hired him with that as his only head coaching experience. His record since taking over in Atlanta is 42-48.
In the 2023-24 season, they finished 14-18. They did show some promise that first year by beating Duke and North Carolina, who were both ranked in the top ten.
Last season they finished 17-17. Not great but the team did improve. They are currently 11-13 and 2-9 in ACC play. Tech is currently on a five-game losing streak and they have not won a game since January 17th.
They played their last two games on the road against Cal and Stanford. Isn’t it ridiculous that those are conference games?
They lost 95-72 against the Cardinal, who ended their five-game losing streak. Ebuka Okorie scored a career high 40 points to lead Stanford.
Freshman guard Akai Fleming lead the Yellow Jackets with 19 points. This was his 12th game in double-figures.
Coach Stoudamire spoke about struggling in the second half.
“I just didn’t think we executed well on either end of the floor in the second half. Defensively, we didn’t do a good job of containing (Ebuka) Okorie. We know he’s the best player on the floor. So, you’ve got to account for him. We didn’t do a great job on that end, and it makes it hard when he hits three as well. He made free throws as well. He is great at drawing fouls, and he did that all game long. He just put so much pressure on us. Again, it was just the most disappointing thing about us on the defensive end was that we did not do a good job of containing him and giving the ball handler cushion to know where his help was. These are things that, you know, you go over, and you know, we didn’t have any game carryover in the second half. In terms of, you know, our shooting, you know, it speaks for itself. We shot 51 in the first half. and we shot 35 in the second, you know, so that’s a recipe for disaster when you can’t get stops, you know, then you’re not shooting the ball well.”
There are seven regular season games left, The remaining games are Wake Forest, at Notre Dame, #18 Virginia, at #24 Louisville, Florida State, Cal and at #20 Clemson.
Diamond Buzz In Atlanta
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It’s finally here. Happy Opening Week to all those who celebrate in the College Baseball world!
With the first pitch of the season coming quickly, there’s as much excitement around the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets program than has been for a while.
A consensus pre-season Top 5 program and has been ranked as high as #2 in the country by Perfect Game, Georgia Tech looks to make Head Coach James Ramsey’s a historic one.
James Ramsey enters his 8th season on the Flats, but his first as Head Coach after Danny Hall retired following the 2025 season.
Ramsey has gained a reputation as both one of the best hitting coaches in the country and also an elite recruiter which has once again proven true this offseason.
Any conversation about Georgia Tech Baseball in recent history has started with the offense which remains true this year. That said, now it’s not a knock on the pitching, it’s the fact that the Jackets are possibly the most explosive lineup in the country.
Georgia Tech returns 7 of the 9 starters from a year ago in an offense that led the country in doubles and hit .314 as a team scoring 8.5 runs per game.
Drew Burress, who was named the permanent team captain for the season headlines the lineup as, what I believe is the best player in college baseball.
Catcher Vahn Lackey joins Burress as a projected top 15 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft after hitting .347 in 2025 with 42 driven in.
The 2025 ACC Batting Champion, Kent Schmidt, reigning ACC Freshman of the Year Alex Hernandez, along with Caleb Daniel, Carson Kerce round out the returners for the Jackets.
Ramsey has been clear that high school recruiting will be the lifeblood of the program and then supplement with transfer portal acquisitions. That rings true in 2026.
Two key transfers round out the lineup with former Cal Bear Jarren Advincula who is one of the purest hitters in college baseball.
The Jackets also added a power bat with Pitt transfer Ryan Zuckerman who racked up 44 extra base hits and drove in 79 RBI last year for the Panthers.
The question around Georgia Tech has been “will they be able to pitch enough?” While some, continue to ask the question, frankly, that’s an old question that has been answered in the last two years with Pitching Coach Matt Taylor and Director of Pitching Jason Richman.
Last season Georgia Tech made an unbelievable jump to 4th in the ACC with a 4.91 ERA (was 12th in 2024). The Jackets return starter in Tate McKee who stepped into the role of opening day starter a year ago and never let go.
Some roles on the pitching staff are still being decided between one of the best bullpen arms last year in Mason Patel potentially jumping into the rotation.
Tennessee transfer lefty Dylan Loy could make a play for a starter or key bullpen piece. The Jackets also added Justin Shadek from Rutgers to the mix. Shadek with electric stuff could slide into a rotation slot or into the back end of the bullpen to close games out.
Last season was the first outright ACC regular season championship for the Jackets since 2005, and the Jackets seem to be not only reloaded, but amplified to make a run to Omaha.
The feeling around this team is special. Stories of transfers taking less NIL money in order to get other transfers, a closeness around a team that still hasn’t played a true pitch with each other yet, but there’s something special brewing on the corner of Ferst and Fowler in Midtown Atlanta!
Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets New Hive Leader
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
After the resignation by Jared Zito as Head Coach at Southeast Bulloch, administration made the quick decision to name Defensive Coordinator Jason Anthony as Interim Head Coach.
Later Bulloch County announced that Anthony would be Head Coach at minimum through the 2026 football season.
Covering the Jackets for the last five years, I’ve been able to see firsthand the level of respect from the players, coaches, and community that Coach “Ant” has which has been incredible to see.
Anthony has been the defensive coordinator for Southeast Bulloch since 2021 leading the SEB Defense to new heights each season while also serving as the Head Coach for SEB Track and Field.
Having spent the past 18 years on the sidelines as an assistant coach, 16 of those as a defensive coordinator, Anthony is ready to take the next step and finally become Head Football Coach of his own program.
In multiple speaking engagements, Coach Ant has used the phrase “My Program, Our Team.” With the meaning that while he is in charge of the program and setting the standard of it, the team is not only his, but the player’s and the community’s as well.
Anytime you hear Coach Ant speak about this team, there’s one main focus that is abundantly clear…these kids. The players are the “why” behind every decision that Coach Ant and the staff makes.
Continuity on the staff has been high on Coach Ant’s list since taking over the SEB program. The majority of the coaching staff from the past year remains in place with Anthony Hammett, Donnie Carr, Jonathan Roddie will stay on as defensive staff members while Matt Smith stays on as tight ends coach.
Brandon Peterson will stay leading the offensive line and take over as offensive coordinator for the Jackets in 2026.
The other key piece staying in place is Randy Lee remaining as the Special Teams Coordinator and will move from Running Backs Coach to coaching the linebackers.
A couple of familiar faces return to the staff under Coach Anthony as former SEB standout and former receivers coach Rand Morgan returns to the staff in the same role. Brent Osborne also returns to the staff as the Director of Football Operations & Recruiting Coordinator.
There’s a new energy around the Southeast Bulloch Football program. Even though we’re still six months away from kickoff, there’s excitement around the program as they get introduced to Coach Anthony as the Head Coach.
The energy and passion that Ant brings to the program is unmistakable. The feeling of countless hours over the 18-year career building to become a head coach for Anthony is palpable when you feel the passion that Ant has for the program, his job, and his family.
While there are some that are still getting to know Coach Anthony, I can assure you that this is a homerun for Jackets Football. Obviously, everyone has seen the schematics that Ant brings to the table as one of the best defensive coordinators in the state, but there a whole new level that people are going to get introduced to…Jason Anthony as a leader.
Ant is an unquestioned leader and is an unbelievable molder of young men. A huge piece of the SEB Program is developing not only football players but developing young men to be exceptional human beings.
Personally, I can’t wait for the season to kick off to be able to begin the Jason Anthony Era of Jackets Football. There’s a new air around the Jackets program and the new breath seems to have new life into the program that will lead to even more success very soon.
Camden’s Wrestling Dynasty
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Wrestling supremacy in Georgia continues to run straight through Camden County.
Over one unforgettable season, the Wildcats not only defended their long-standing boys dynasty but also watched their young girls program rise to the top, delivering a historic sweep of state championships and proving that Camden wrestling is stronger than ever.
For the first time, Camden County hosted a Georgia High School Association state championship event, bringing the Class 6A duals to Kingsland.
The tournament was held January 16th through the 18th, and the opportunity marked a milestone for a program that has spent years traveling across the state in pursuit of titles.
Head coach Jess Wilder called the moment a victory for the entire community, crediting school leaders and local support for helping secure the bid.
The Wildcats entered the tournament as defending champions and wasted no time showing why they remain the standard. Camden dismantled North Gwinnett and Archer on the opening day, then crushed Walton in the semifinals.
The stage was set for a fourth consecutive title showdown with powerhouse Buford, a program that has become Camden’s chief rival in recent years.
Backed by a thunderous home crowd, the Wildcats delivered a statement performance in the finals, rolling to a 55 to 16 victory. Camden never trailed.
Caleb Gaskin opened the match with a pin, Ryder Wilder followed with a technical fall, and Clayton Newton added a 17-second pin that sent the gym into a frenzy.
When Hunter Prosen secured another fall to push the lead to 40 to 13, the championship was effectively sealed.
The win marked Camden’s twelfth straight GHSA duals state title and the thirteenth overall, an extraordinary run that spans nearly a decade.
Nineteen different wrestlers earned victories during the tournament, a testament to the program’s depth. Wilder praised that balance, saying dual championships require contributions from every weight class.
While the boys continued their dynasty, the Camden County girls were busy making history of their own.
In only their second year as a program, the Lady Wildcats captured the Division I state duals championship in Carrollton, defeating Campbell, Shiloh, and defending champion Greenbrier in dominant fashion.
Along the way, Camden piled up 24 pinfalls and announced itself as a new force in Georgia wrestling.
Head coach Abe Fernandez said the title reflected the commitment of a group determined to build something special.
Shamise Vila, Peyton Rego, Kyrie-Jade Atkinson, Delaney Spencer, and Serenity Small each went undefeated on the day, while Breanna Higgins, Anneliese Rutherford, Lena Kettering, Trinity Kussmaul, and Gabby Daniels delivered multiple victories.
In the championship match against Greenbrier, Camden recorded six pins in less than two minutes each, including a lightning-fast 31-second fall from Kussmaul.
The girls had earned their state berth earlier in Kingsland with a win over Jackson County, then carried that momentum through the eight-team bracket.
Fernandez emphasized that the program’s focus remains growth and teamwork, but the results already speak loudly.
A state banner now hangs beside those of the boys, signaling that Camden’s wrestling culture is still expanding rather than fading.
From hosting the first GHSA state event in county history to adding two more trophies to an overflowing collection, the season represented a defining chapter.
The boys reinforced their place as Georgia’s gold standard, while the girls proved the future is just as bright.
Together, they delivered a message heard across the state: in Camden County, wrestling excellence is not just a tradition, it is a way of life.
Ian Cunningham’s Task
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Falcons recently hired Ian Cunningham as the new General Manager.
He was the Assistant General Manager for the Chicago Bears from 2022-25. As you know, the Bears won the NFC North title in 2025. He will report directly to Matt Ryan, the team’s president of football.
“It was evident through our rigorous interview process Ian was the right choice for our general manager position,’ said Ryan. “His vision for our team and organization aligned exactly with the type of leader we were seeking to help take the Falcons to the next level. Throughout Ian’s career, including Super Bowl championships in Baltimore and Philadelphia, Ian has demonstrated the drive and focus it takes to build championship contenders and put them in the position to win games. We love his broad and deep experience across every aspect of talent evaluation and know he’s learned from some of the best in the league. Pairing him with Coach Stefanski is exciting for us, and we can’t wait to see them bring our shared vision to life in everything we do starting right now.”
Cunningham will have to hit the ground running in his new position. He will have just over five weeks before the start of the new NFL business year at 4 p.m. March 11 and several major decisions to make, working with Ryan and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski.
He’ll have more money to spend with the new NFL salary cap projected to be between $301.2 and $305.7 million, up from $279.2 million last year.
One big question is what will the team do with quarterback Kirk Cousins. He might be released and allowed to test the open market.
If he does not find a suitor he might return to Atlanta. Stefanski was his coordinator in Minnesota so that might be appealing to Cousins.
“It’s been incredible to build a relationship with (president of football) Matt (Ryan) over the last several weeks and to have an immediate connection with (coach) Kevin (Stefanski).” Cunningham said in a statement released by the team Thursday night announcing his hire.
“I can’t wait to work with both of these great football minds to put a team on the field everyone will be very excited about. … It’s time to work.”
Bears General Manager Ryan Poles was happy for his former colleague, who was the assistant GM with the Bears when the Falcons hired him.
“I couldn’t be happier for him,” Poles said. “He’s ready. He’s prepared. I know it’s been a tough interview cycle over these last few years. I know he’s gotten his hopes up but as I always told him, when the right opportunity presents itself, he’d be able to close it up and get that job.”
During his time in Chicago as Assistant General Manager, four players acquired earned three All-Pro honors and four Pro Bowl selections in Kevin Byard, Drew Dalman, Montez Sweat and Joe Thuney.
The 2025 Chicago offense finished sixth in the NFL in total offense with 13 of 15 players who played at least 400 snaps acquired during Cunningham’s tenure.
The franchise tag window opens February 17 and runs through March 3. The NFL Scouting Combine is set for Febuary 23 through March 2 in Indianapolis.
It will be interesting to see what they will do with Tight End Kyle Pitts. They will have time to work out a contract extension before the franchise tag period begins.
The NFL draft will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. On paper this seems like a good hire but I want to see what will be done in free agency and the draft.
Baker’s New Vendetta Against Atlanta Falcons
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Baker Mayfield might have extra motivation when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Atlanta Falcons next season, and it has everything to do with Atlanta’s new head coach, Kevin Stefanski.
Stefanski, who is joining the Falcons after spending five years in Cleveland, was Mayfield’s coach during his first two seasons with the Browns (2020, 2021).
Their collaboration ended when the Browns traded Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers for a conditional 2024 draft pick (a fifth-rounder that became a fourth-rounder)
Based on his Tuesday evening tweet, Mayfield appears to be unhappy with how his tenure in Cleveland ended.
“Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage,” Mayfield posted on X on Tuesday night. “Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.”
Mayfield’s shot came in response to a reporter’s post asserting that Stefanski’s quarterbacks room in Cleveland was a “dumpster fire,” and that Mayfield and his successor, Deshaun Watson, had “failed.”
“Failed is quite the reach pal,” Mayfield wrote.
The Browns selected Mayfield with the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he compiled a 29-30 record as a starter during his four seasons with the franchise.
His best season in Cleveland was Stefanski’s first (2020). Mayfield completed 62.8 percent of his passes that year for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
The Browns went 11-5 and won a playoff game in the wild-card round before falling to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mayfield and the Browns weren’t able to match that success in 2021, however, and the franchise decided to part ways with the quarterback.
Mayfield’s time with the Panthers didn’t last. Carolina waived Mayfield in December 2022 after he went 1-5 as a starter.
The Rams later claimed Mayfield, and he played well enough in his four starts with Los Angeles that he earned a shot with the Bucs as a free agent.
After helping Tampa Bay win the NFC South in 2023, Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million contract extension with the club.
While Mayfield resurrected his career as QB1, the Browns made one more playoff appearance after his departure but won just eight games through the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Did the Browns make Mayfield toxic? Or was he already that way and his environment just brought it to the surface? Whatever side you believe, one thing is certain: Mayfield will never change. He is who he is.
The Browns certainly did not set Mayfield up for success early in his career with three head coaches and three offensive coordinators in his first three years in the league.
Now the Buccaneers are facing the same hard questions Browns personnel once had to answer. Mayfield is entering the final year of his deal in Tampa. He has been a success for the Bucs, but is he worth a top-scale quarterback contract? If not, then what?
The more things change, the more they stay the same. That goes for Baker Mayfield, too.
What’s Next For Jaguars?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Jacksonville Jaguars ended their 2025 season with heartbreak, but also with something that felt unfamiliar after years of turbulence: real optimism.
A 27–24 Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills closed the book on a 13–5 campaign that saw Jacksonville win the AFC South and return to the postseason.
For a franchise that finished 4–13 just a year earlier, the turnaround under head coach Liam Coen was nothing short of dramatic.
The Jaguars went from organizational reset to division champion in one offseason, and the foundation now looks sturdier than it has in years.
Jacksonville’s renaissance began with sweeping changes at the top.
After the disappointing 2024 season, the Jaguars parted ways with head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, ushering in a new era led by Coen and general manager James Gladstone.
Rather than chase splashy free-agent headlines, the new leadership group focused on targeted additions, internal development, and building a roster that fit Coen’s vision on both sides of the ball.
The results were immediate. Jacksonville opened the season with statement wins over Carolina, Houston, and San Francisco, establishing itself as a legitimate contender early.
Trevor Lawrence delivered the best year of his career, posting his highest QBR while operating in an offense that finally maximized his strengths. Injuries and off-field distractions, including ongoing “stadium of the future” planning, could not derail the Jaguars’ momentum.
By season’s end, Jacksonville had claimed the division and a playoff berth, signaling that the rebuild had arrived ahead of schedule.
The playoff loss to Buffalo stung, but it did little to dampen the sense that Jacksonville is trending in the right direction.
While the Jaguars face tough free-agency decisions, they appear to be on the right track on both sides of the ball, as well as off the field.
In a division where Houston, Indianapolis, and Tennessee each face their own questions, Jacksonville’s trajectory stands out.
Still, Year 2 of the Coen era may prove even more challenging than Year 1.
The Jaguars enter the offseason roughly $21 million over the salary cap, limiting their ability to shop for premium talent.
Several key contributors face uncertain futures, including linebacker Devin Lloyd, cornerback Montaric Brown, and running back Travis Etienne.
Lloyd, coming off a breakout season, is poised to command top-market money, while Etienne and Brown will test Jacksonville’s ability to balance financial realities with roster continuity.
Defensive tackle, cornerback depth, and pass rush remain priorities, meaning the draft will likely play a central role in shaping the 2026 roster.
One of the most encouraging developments of the offseason so far is stability on the coaching staff.
Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, one of the youngest and most highly regarded play callers in the league, drew head coaching interest from Buffalo and Cleveland.
Ultimately, the Bills hired Joe Brady, allowing Jacksonville to retain Udinski with a pay raise and continued influence over Lawrence’s development.
Udinski’s reputation as a rising offensive mind, often compared to Sean McVay’s early career path, underscores the growing respect Jacksonville has earned across the NFL.
Head coach Liam Coen has long praised Udinski as an elite communicator and a coach with no ego, a rare combination that has helped shape Jacksonville’s offensive identity.
Keeping that continuity could be as important as any player signing, especially as the Jaguars prepare for Travis Hunter’s expected two-way role in 2026.
For Jacksonville, the mission now is clear. The Jaguars must transition from surprise contender to sustained contender.
That means navigating a tight salary cap, making difficult roster decisions, and continuing to build through the draft while maintaining the culture Coen and Gladstone have established.
The 2025 season ended short of a Super Bowl run, but it reintroduced Jacksonville to the NFL’s upper tier.
The Jaguars are no longer a rebuilding afterthought. They are a team with a quarterback in his prime, a coaching staff in demand, and a front office that appears to have a long-term plan.
The hard part now is staying there.
Killer Kirby
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Georgia Bulldogs have played NCAA Football for 122 years.
During that time they have won over twice as many games as the have lost. That is a very good record.
In the last 30 years the Bulldogs have had a winning record in 28 of those seasons. Not many schools have had that kind of success.
But in the last 10 seasons the Bulldogs have won 117 games. That includes multiple SEC Championships and multiple NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. They have gone from good, to great, to arguably the best college football program in the country.
How did the Dawgs accomplish this? The answer can be summed up in one word, KIRBY.
Leaving Alabama after the 2015 season, Kirby returned to his alma mater where he was an All-SEC defensive back in the 90’s.
Starting with 2016 season, Smart led Georgia to an 8-5 record and a 31-23 win in the Liberty Bowl. Humble beginnings. It was just a mere taste of what was to come.
The 2017 season was highlighted by the 54-48 double overtime win over the Oklahoma Sooners. And while the Dawgs would lose in the National Championship to Alabama that year. The dye was cast.
The Dawgs have gone on during these 10 years to more SEC championships and 2 national championships.
The first National Championship being a thrilling win over the nemesis Crimson Tide 33-18 in 2021. The Dawgs then went 15-0 and back to back in 2022 with the cap being a 65-7 crushing of TCU in the final.
In Kirby Smart the Georgia Bulldogs have the best football coach in the NCAA.
They have become in Coach Smarts words “elite”.
In 2025 the Dawgs went 12-2. The lost 2 games were by a total of 8 points.
They won another SEC championship and finished ranked in the top 5.
Ask a gazillion Georgia fans and they will say it was a good year. A good year? Yeah, that’s it. That’s how high Kirby Smart has set the bar at UGA.
His favorite saying is that “you’re elite or you’re not”. Never has a Georgia football coach expected so much from himself, his players, his team and school. That’s saying a lot when you look back at all the great Georgia coaches.
So how did Kirby Smart go from eating hamburgers at Twin Lakes and coaching linebackers at Valdosta State University to being the head honcho of college football? Two reasons with one being just as important as the other.
First, you coach for almost a decade under the best college coach ever. You coach with Nick Saban every day and you learn and learn and learn. You grow with the guy and when your time comes, you’re ready.
And the second is you bleed Red and Black. Your family bleeds red and black. Kirby isn’t a coach for hire. He’s a damn DAWG. Those two things are what have made him he is. And that is ELITE.
