Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs Has a Huge Chance for Revenge in 2025

In college football, the storylines surrounding each season are often shaped by rivalry, redemption, and the drive for excellence. For Kirby Smart, the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, 2025 presents a significant opportunity for revenge. As a coach who has already cemented his legacy with back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023, Smart’s 2025 season could take on an even more intense narrative if a certain set of circumstances plays out.

After guiding Georgia to the pinnacle of college football, Smart has reached an extraordinary level of success. However, one lingering issue remains in the back of many people’s minds: the program’s losses and the individuals or situations that have caused Smart to look back with a sense of unfinished business. As Georgia moves forward, Kirby Smart might have the perfect opportunity in 2025 to settle old scores, avenge past disappointments, and further solidify his standing among the greatest coaches in the history of college football.

A Brief Recap of Kirby Smart’s Success

Kirby Smart’s journey to becoming Georgia’s head coach has been nothing short of spectacular. A former defensive back for the Bulldogs in the late 1990s, Smart’s ties to Georgia run deep. After working as an assistant coach under Nick Saban at Alabama, Smart returned to his alma mater in 2016 with the goal of leading the Bulldogs to greatness. His success was almost immediate, as Georgia became a national contender under his leadership.

By the 2017 season, Smart’s Bulldogs were in the College Football Playoff, losing to Alabama in a dramatic National Championship Game. Despite the heartbreaking loss, it was clear that Smart had built something special in Athens. Over the next several seasons, Smart and the Bulldogs became one of the most consistent and dominant teams in college football. In 2022 and 2023, Georgia won back-to-back national championships, a feat that only a handful of college football programs have achieved.

With these victories, Smart’s stock as a head coach has never been higher. He has recruited some of the top talent in the country and built a defense that has been the envy of the entire NCAA. The Bulldogs’ offensive line, under Smart’s guidance, has become one of the most formidable in the sport. Yet despite this unmatched success, 2025 offers the chance for Smart to go even further.

The Quest for Revenge: What Is at Stake?

For Kirby Smart, revenge isn’t about personal animosity; it’s about completing his vision for Georgia football. The 2025 season will offer multiple chances for revenge, and they are not necessarily rooted in personal grudges but instead in the pursuit of continuing the Bulldogs’ legacy and eliminating lingering doubts about their superiority. Here are some of the major situations where Smart could seek to “get revenge” in 2025:

1. The Alabama Crimson Tide and Nick Saban

The first and most obvious revenge opportunity comes against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the program where Smart spent several years as a defensive coordinator under Nick Saban. During his tenure at Alabama, Smart helped build one of the most dominant defenses in college football, and his success as Saban’s top assistant made him a prime candidate for head coaching positions.

When Smart returned to Georgia, he had every intention of building a program that could rival Alabama’s. Despite his success, one challenge has loomed large for Smart: beating Alabama on the biggest stages. In their first meeting as head coaches, Smart’s Bulldogs were defeated by Alabama in the 2018 SEC Championship Game, a loss that was painful for Georgia fans who saw their team fall just short of the ultimate prize. In 2020, the Bulldogs lost to Alabama again, this time in the SEC Championship.

The rivalry between Smart and Saban has only intensified over the years, with Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs finally getting over the hump in 2021 when they defeated Alabama in the National Championship Game. That victory was a sweet moment for Smart, as it proved that he had finally caught up to Saban’s dynasty. However, Alabama remains a powerful force in college football, and their ability to reload with top talent year after year keeps the rivalry alive and well.

In 2025, Georgia could meet Alabama in a number of high-stakes games: the SEC Championship Game, the College Football Playoff, or even a regular-season matchup depending on the scheduling. Regardless of the setting, another win against Saban and Alabama would solidify Smart’s status as the top coach in college football. It would be a chance to prove that the Bulldogs’ reign is not a flash in the pan, and that they are indeed the team to beat. A victory over Alabama would offer Kirby Smart a form of “revenge” for years of close calls, including the painful defeats and losses in SEC Championships.

2. The Florida Gators and the SEC Rivalry

While Georgia has dominated the SEC East in recent years, the Florida Gators have always been a thorn in the side of the Bulldogs. The annual rivalry game between Georgia and Florida, known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” has been a defining matchup in the SEC for decades. While Georgia has had the upper hand in recent years, including a dominant performance in 2022, the rivalry with Florida is always heated.

For Smart, a win over Florida in 2025 could provide a sense of redemption for the times when Florida gave the Bulldogs fits. Historically, Florida has been one of the few teams that could knock Georgia out of the SEC Championship race, so defeating them again would allow Smart to continue his dominance in the East. For Kirby Smart, a strong and consistent showing against the Gators would further validate Georgia’s position as the elite program in the SEC East and would continue to build the momentum toward a College Football Playoff berth.

3. The Ohio State Buckeyes: A Future Showdown in the Playoffs

In 2022, Georgia met Ohio State in one of the most thrilling College Football Playoff semifinals in recent memory. The Bulldogs emerged victorious, but the game was an emotional rollercoaster and was marked by a late-game field goal that gave Georgia the edge. However, despite the victory, many still view Ohio State as one of the few programs capable of challenging Georgia’s supremacy.

In 2025, it’s possible that the Bulldogs could once again meet Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, particularly if both teams continue to excel in their respective conferences. If that matchup comes to fruition, it could provide Smart and Georgia with an opportunity for revenge of sorts. Despite Georgia’s dominance in recent seasons, many view Ohio State’s potent offense and physical defense as a serious challenge to the Bulldogs’ quest for a third national title in a row. Another victory over Ohio State would not only strengthen Georgia’s position but also quiet any lingering doubts about whether Georgia can consistently overcome teams from the Big Ten.

4. The Tennessee Volunteers and the SEC Showdown

The Tennessee Volunteers are another rising program in the SEC. Head coach Josh Heupel has done a remarkable job turning the Volunteers into a legitimate contender, especially after their impressive 2022 campaign. While Tennessee has not yet reached the level of dominance that Georgia has achieved, they have begun to challenge the Bulldogs, with games against them growing more competitive each year.

In 2025, Tennessee could be one of the top contenders for the SEC East, making a matchup with Georgia all the more important. For Smart, a victory over Tennessee could prove crucial in continuing Georgia’s dominance over the East and reaffirming that the Bulldogs are the team to beat. Tennessee’s high-powered offense, led by Heupel, poses a significant challenge, and Smart would likely view a win over the Vols as an opportunity to put any doubts to rest about Georgia’s continued superiority in the division.

Building the Legacy

For Kirby Smart, 2025 represents a critical opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. While the accolades and championships are important, there is a deeper desire to show that Georgia’s success is not fleeting, and that Smart can consistently build championship-caliber teams. By taking down rivals, such as Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Ohio State, Smart would solidify Georgia’s place at the top of college football.

Revenge, in Smart’s case, is less about personal grudges and more about securing his program’s long-term place among the elite. Every victory against a major rival or contender would be another step in ensuring that Georgia’s dynasty is not just a blip in history, but a sustained era of success. Smart’s ability to continue building Georgia into a powerhouse will define his legacy—and 2025 presents the perfect opportunity to continue that journey.