Kirby Smart of Georgia discusses what he misses the most about modern college football.

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern college football, where name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal, and a shifting playoff structure dominate the conversation, there are often nostalgic reflections on what has been lost along the way. Few coaches have navigated the landscape of college football’s transformation better than Kirby Smart, the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Under Smart’s leadership, Georgia has emerged as one of the premier programs in the country, with a championship pedigree and a reputation for developing elite talent. However, even as Georgia thrives in the modern era, Smart often reflects on what he misses most about the game as it once was.

As a coach with deep ties to college football, having played the game at the University of Georgia and later as an assistant coach at Alabama under Nick Saban, Kirby Smart has witnessed the profound changes that have reshaped college football over the last two decades. In numerous interviews, press conferences, and behind-the-scenes discussions, Smart has shared his views on the sport’s evolution and the things that have changed, some for better and others for worse.

Smart’s reflections about what he misses most about modern college football come from his experiences as both a player and a coach in the sport. In this feature, we will explore Kirby Smart’s thoughts on the evolving nature of college football, his personal reflections on what has been lost, and how he balances embracing the new while holding onto the traditions that made college football what it is today.

A Glimpse into the Past: Kirby Smart’s Journey Through College Football

Before delving into what Kirby Smart misses about the game, it’s important to understand his perspective and where his journey in college football began. Smart’s connection to the sport runs deep, starting as a player at Georgia in the 1990s. As a defensive back, Smart was part of a Bulldogs program that competed in the SEC and sought to establish itself as a perennial contender. It was during this time that Smart was introduced to the deep traditions of college football—rivalries, stadiums filled with passionate fans, and a system that rewarded hard work, team-first mentalities, and a commitment to excellence.

Smart’s coaching career took off after he played at Georgia, beginning with stints as an assistant coach at Valdosta State, then as a defensive backs coach at LSU. His time at Alabama under Nick Saban, however, would be where Smart honed his craft the most. He helped build one of the most dominant defenses in college football history while learning from one of the sport’s most revered coaches. The lessons from his time at Alabama shaped Smart’s coaching philosophy, but also gave him insight into how rapidly the landscape of college football was changing.

Now, as the head coach at Georgia, Smart has lived through the full spectrum of college football’s transformation. He has seen the rapid rise of social media, changes to recruiting, the increasing influence of college athletes through NIL deals, and the rise of the transfer portal that has fundamentally altered roster construction and player movement.

Nostalgia for the Pre-NIL and Transfer Portal Era

One of the most frequently discussed changes in modern college football is the rise of NIL and the expansion of the transfer portal. These two factors have revolutionized the way college football operates, creating a new set of challenges for coaches, players, and programs alike.

From Kirby Smart’s perspective, the introduction of NIL and the increasing frequency of players transferring between schools has had a profound impact on the sport’s landscape. In a 2023 interview, Smart openly discussed how the introduction of NIL has created a situation where college football is no longer about just “playing for the love of the game” for some players. “I miss the days when players were truly tied to the program, when they committed for the right reasons, and there was something special about their journey,” Smart said. He admitted that the era of NIL has made the recruitment of players more complex, with financial considerations now playing an enormous role in decision-making.

Similarly, the advent of the transfer portal has made team building a more volatile process. Coaches no longer have the same level of certainty about their rosters, as players can leave at any time to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Smart expressed his concerns about how this affects team chemistry and continuity, two elements that he believes are crucial to long-term success. “There’s something special about having a core group of guys who have been through the ups and downs together,” Smart said. “Building that foundation, that bond, is much harder when players can come and go so freely.”

While he acknowledged the benefits of NIL—such as helping players capitalize on their name, image, and likeness—Smart admitted that it has also shifted the focus of college football from team-first ideals to individual priorities. In his view, the tradition of developing players through the college experience—where a player would sign with a program, stay throughout their college years, and leave with a lasting legacy—seems less tangible in the current landscape.

The Changing Nature of Recruiting and the Role of High School Football

Another element of modern college football that Smart misses is the change in recruiting dynamics. While recruiting has always been a significant part of any college program’s success, Smart feels that recruiting is far more nationalized today than it was in the past. “When I was growing up and when I was coaching at Alabama, there was a greater emphasis on recruiting regionally and building relationships with high school coaches,” Smart reflected. He discussed how the influence of social media, online scouting, and the rise of recruiting services have taken a lot of the regional flavor out of recruiting.

For Smart, part of what made college football special was the connection between teams and local communities. High school football played a much bigger role in shaping college rosters. Many players would stay closer to home, contributing to rivalries that lasted for years and giving programs a sense of identity based on their location and traditions. Now, with players flocking to college programs from across the country—sometimes with less of a connection to the local community—Smart misses the sense of regional pride that used to characterize college football recruiting.

“High school football used to be where a lot of our recruiting focus was,” Smart said. “You had a great relationship with the high school coaches, you knew the kids, and you could see them play in person. Now, recruiting has become more about national rankings, and a lot of it takes place online. It’s definitely changed the landscape.”

The Pageantry and Rivalries: A Love for College Football Traditions

Kirby Smart also fondly remembers the days when college football felt more like a pure, uncommercialized sport, where the pageantry of college football games took precedence over the business side of the game. College football’s traditions, such as the rivalry games and the atmospheres in stadiums like Notre Dame, Michigan, and Georgia, were an integral part of the sport’s appeal. “There was something magical about a Saturday in Athens, seeing the fans and the marching band, and knowing that the game was all about representing the school and the community,” Smart recalled.

The heightened commercial aspects of college football today—sponsored events, media deals, and the constant pressure to win and generate revenue—have changed the focus of the sport. For Smart, while the increased visibility and opportunities for players are positive aspects of college football’s evolution, they come at a cost of some of the sport’s authenticity and grassroots culture.

“You miss that sense of tradition when things become more about the business side. There’s still passion in the sport, but sometimes the outside noise distracts from what really matters—competing at the highest level and representing your school with pride,” Smart said.

Adapting to Change: Embracing the New While Holding Onto the Old

Despite his reflections on the things he misses about college football, Kirby Smart has shown an incredible ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of the sport. Rather than lament the changes, he has found ways to incorporate the benefits of the modern era into his coaching philosophy while retaining the traditional elements that have made Georgia’s football program a powerhouse.

Smart’s focus on maintaining a winning culture at Georgia, while embracing the modern demands of recruiting and team-building, speaks to his ability to balance tradition and innovation. As the Bulldogs continue to recruit top-tier talent and compete for championships, Smart’s vision of blending the best of the past and present has been a significant factor in the program’s ongoing success.