The radio host attributes Carson Beck’s issues and the Georgia Bulldogs’ season-long struggles to Kirby Smart rather than Mike Bobo.

The Georgia Bulldogs have been one of the most dominant forces in college football over the past few years, with Kirby Smart leading the team to back-to-back National Championships in 2021 and 2022. However, the 2025 season has been different. Despite entering the season with lofty expectations, the Bulldogs have faced struggles that many didn’t foresee, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. In the midst of these struggles, one name has consistently been at the forefront of discussions: Carson Beck, the team’s starting quarterback.

Beck, who took over the reins of the offense after the departure of Stetson Bennett, has shown flashes of talent but has also struggled at times with consistency and decision-making. For a quarterback with such immense potential, many were puzzled by his inconsistency, especially when considering the high-level coaching and talent that surrounds him.

On a recent radio segment, a host made a compelling case that the struggles of Beck and the Georgia Bulldogs’ offense this season shouldn’t be solely attributed to Mike Bobo, Georgia’s offensive coordinator, but rather to Kirby Smart. While it’s easy to point to the changes in the coaching staff and the personnel shifts after Bennett’s departure, the radio host argued that Smart’s influence on the team—and especially his oversight of the offense—has been far more significant in terms of shaping the direction of the Bulldogs’ struggles in 2025. This bold assertion points to a number of crucial factors that may explain Georgia’s lack of offensive cohesion this season.

The Legacy of Kirby Smart and Georgia’s Coaching Approach

Before delving into the reasons behind the struggles, it’s essential to understand the environment in which Kirby Smart operates. Smart, who took over the head coaching role at Georgia in 2016, quickly transformed the program into a perennial championship contender. His success on the recruiting trail, particularly in recruiting elite defensive talent, has been a major reason for Georgia’s sustained dominance. The Bulldogs are consistently among the top-ranked teams in terms of overall talent, and Smart’s leadership has cultivated a culture of toughness, discipline, and high expectations.

However, while Smart’s focus on defense and special teams has been largely credited for Georgia’s success, his approach to offense has often been more conservative. Smart, who was a defensive coordinator at Alabama before taking the Georgia job, has been known to prefer a balanced offensive attack but with a heavy emphasis on a power running game and a defense-first mentality. His success with quarterbacks has been mixed, especially when it comes to developing the kind of explosive passing attack that many modern college football programs have embraced.

Smart’s reliance on a ground-and-pound offense is no more apparent than in the transition from Stetson Bennett, a dual-threat quarterback who excelled in Smart’s system, to Carson Beck. Bennett, while often overlooked in national discussions about top quarterbacks, excelled because of his ability to manage the game and avoid costly mistakes, a hallmark of Smart’s overall philosophy. In Bennett, Smart had a quarterback who fit into his system perfectly, utilizing short-to-mid-range passes and quick decision-making to complement a powerful rushing attack.

With Beck, however, Georgia finds itself in uncharted territory. Beck, a highly-touted prospect out of high school, arrived in Athens with a different set of expectations than Bennett. He was seen as a more traditional pocket passer with a big arm, capable of throwing downfield and creating explosive plays. But, thus far, Beck has shown inconsistency in his performances, particularly when trying to operate within the constraints of Smart’s offense.

The Impact of Mike Bobo’s Return

To understand the extent of Smart’s influence, it’s important to look at the role of Mike Bobo, the offensive coordinator who returned to Georgia in 2023 after a stint as head coach at Colorado State. Bobo had been a prominent figure in Georgia’s offensive setup during the Mark Richt era, and his return was seen by many as a stabilizing force for the Bulldogs’ offense. Bobo’s knowledge of the program and his familiarity with the players made him a natural choice to help take over the reins of Georgia’s offense in the post-Bennett era.

Bobo, known for his work in the pro-style offense, is tasked with keeping Georgia’s offense balanced while also taking advantage of Beck’s arm strength. However, his play-calling has drawn mixed reviews, particularly in terms of how it has incorporated Beck’s talents. Some critics argue that Bobo has relied too heavily on the running game, especially with the depth and talent the Bulldogs have at running back. While it’s understandable that Georgia would want to establish a strong ground game with players like Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards, the radio host in question argued that Bobo’s conservative approach may have stunted Beck’s development.

However, it’s also important to note that Bobo’s return wasn’t made in a vacuum. His offensive philosophy is very much aligned with Smart’s general approach to the game—defensive dominance and a heavy reliance on the run game. While Bobo may have brought in some fresh ideas, his overall influence on the offense is still shaped by Smart’s broader coaching philosophy, which can be a limiting factor for a quarterback like Beck, who thrives in an up-tempo, high-powered passing attack.

Kirby Smart’s Offensive Philosophy and Carson Beck’s Struggles

It is here that the radio host’s assertion becomes compelling. Smart’s conservative and defense-first mentality is at odds with the skill set that Carson Beck possesses. Unlike Bennett, who thrived in a game-manager role, Beck is a quarterback who needs freedom to operate in a more dynamic offensive system. He is capable of making difficult throws and reading defenses at a high level, but Smart’s offensive philosophy limits his ability to fully showcase these skills.

Beck has often found himself caught in between two worlds: the need to execute Smart’s conservative, run-first offense while also being expected to deliver on downfield passes that require confidence, timing, and rhythm. These conflicting demands have led to mistakes and inconsistency in Beck’s play. One of the major criticisms of Beck this season has been his tendency to hold onto the ball too long, leading to sacks and missed opportunities downfield. At times, his decision-making has been questionable, particularly when under pressure, which has resulted in forced throws or turnovers.

The radio host suggested that Smart’s heavy hand in the offensive structure has hindered Beck’s natural progression. By insisting on a balanced but often run-heavy attack, Smart has placed a burden on Beck to perform in ways that don’t always play to his strengths. In a league that has evolved to embrace more wide-open offenses, Smart’s reluctance to embrace a pass-first mentality may be stifling Beck’s potential.

Another point the radio host raised was Smart’s decision-making in terms of game management. During several key games this season, Smart has shown an unwillingness to let Beck take risks when needed. In games where the Bulldogs were forced to catch up, Smart stuck to his ground-and-pound approach, relying on the running game to stay in the contest. This limited Beck’s opportunities to take control of the game and demonstrate his ability to lead a high-powered offense in crucial moments.

Is It Smart’s Fault, or Beck’s Growth as a Quarterback?

Of course, it’s also important to consider that Beck is not without fault in his struggles. He has faced some of the natural growing pains that come with stepping into a starting quarterback role after years of playing behind Bennett. Beck’s adjustment to the pressure of being the leader of a national powerhouse program is not without its hurdles. But the question remains: Are these growing pains more the result of Beck’s inexperience, or is it due to Smart’s reluctance to evolve his offensive system?

It’s certainly a bit of both, but the radio host’s argument focuses on the fact that Smart’s influence—particularly his reluctance to embrace a more modern, pass-friendly system—has played a significant role in Beck’s challenges. Unlike other quarterbacks who have had the freedom to showcase their skills in an open system, Beck is working within constraints that do not fully play to his strengths.

The Bigger Picture: Georgia’s Future Under Smart

As Georgia continues to struggle with its offense, many will point to the team’s defensive prowess as a reason for their continued success. However, if the Bulldogs hope to continue their championship run, they will need to find a way to unlock Beck’s potential. This will require Smart to rethink his approach to the offense, perhaps even allowing for more autonomy within the system, particularly for Beck, who thrives when given the opportunity to take risks and make plays.

In the end, the Georgia Bulldogs’ struggles in 2025, especially with Carson Beck at the helm, may be indicative of the limitations imposed by Smart’s coaching philosophy. While Smart is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in college football, his focus on defense and conservative offense may be holding back an incredibly talented quarterback from reaching his full potential. If Georgia wants to remain among the elite programs in the country, Smart may have to reconsider his approach—one that blends the best of both worlds: a dominant defense and an offense that allows Beck to flourish as a top-tier quarterback.