“Kirby Smart Named Best Coach in College Football for 2025, Surpassing Ryan Day, Dan Lanning, and Steve Sarkisian, According to 247 Sports”
The landscape of college football has shifted dramatically in recent years, with elite programs constantly vying for supremacy on the national stage. At the forefront of this ever-evolving competition stands Kirby Smart, the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, who has firmly established himself as the best coach in college football heading into 2025, according to 247 Sports. Smart has surpassed other top-tier coaches such as Ryan Day of Ohio State, Dan Lanning of Oregon, and Steve Sarkisian of Texas in this prestigious ranking, marking a defining moment in both his career and the trajectory of Georgia football.
This recognition of Smart’s unparalleled success reflects not only his achievements on the field but also his strategic brilliance, his ability to recruit elite talent, and his consistent success in guiding Georgia to the highest levels of college football. In this article, we will explore why Kirby Smart has emerged as the top coach in college football for 2025, how he surpassed other coaching giants, and what his continued success means for Georgia and the broader college football landscape.
The Rise of Kirby Smart: Building Georgia into a Dynasty
When Kirby Smart took over as Georgia’s head coach in 2016, the program was already among the elite in college football, but it had not quite reached the peak of its potential. The Bulldogs had a strong tradition, a loyal fanbase, and significant recruiting success under former head coach Mark Richt. However, the team had been unable to break through and win a national championship in the modern era. Smart, a former defensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban, was hired to take Georgia to the next level.
From day one, Smart made it clear that he intended to build Georgia into a perennial powerhouse. He inherited a roster that was filled with talent but lacked the depth and consistency required to compete with the very best teams in the country. His first few seasons were marked by impressive recruiting efforts and the gradual development of a team that could challenge the top programs in the nation. By the end of his second season in 2017, Smart had Georgia playing in the College Football Playoff National Championship, where they came agonizingly close to defeating Alabama.
While that loss was painful, it also served as a precursor to what was to come. Over the next few years, Smart continued to build upon that foundation, recruiting some of the top high school talent in the country, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The 2021 season was a breakthrough year for Smart and the Bulldogs, as they finally captured their first national championship in over 40 years, defeating Alabama in the process. This victory solidified Smart’s reputation as one of the top coaches in the country, and since then, Georgia has remained at the top of the college football rankings.
Why Kirby Smart Was Ranked the Best Coach in 2025
247 Sports’ ranking of Kirby Smart as the best coach in college football for 2025 is a culmination of years of sustained success, with multiple key factors contributing to his rise to the top. These include his consistent ability to recruit elite talent, his remarkable defensive schemes, and his knack for adapting to changes in the college football landscape.
- Recruiting Dominance
One of the most defining aspects of Kirby Smart’s success at Georgia has been his ability to recruit at an elite level. Smart’s ties to Alabama and his understanding of the SEC have allowed him to consistently land top-tier players from around the country. Under his leadership, Georgia has become a recruiting juggernaut, often finishing with the top-ranked recruiting classes in the nation.
Smart’s recruiting efforts have focused on building depth at nearly every position, but particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where Georgia has developed a reputation for producing some of the best defenders in college football. The Bulldogs have consistently secured top-tier players from all positions, ensuring that their roster is filled with talent year after year. Smart’s ability to identify and develop elite prospects has been key to Georgia’s sustained success.
- Defensive Brilliance
As a defensive-minded coach, Kirby Smart has built one of the most formidable defenses in college football. From his days as Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator at Alabama, Smart developed a deep understanding of how to build a championship-caliber defense, and he has brought that philosophy to Georgia. Under Smart’s guidance, Georgia’s defense has consistently ranked among the best in the country.
The Bulldogs’ defense is known for its aggressive approach, suffocating opposing offenses with pressure and physicality. Smart’s defensive schemes are complex, yet effective, and his ability to develop players in this system has been a key factor in Georgia’s success. Players like Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, and Jalen Carter have flourished under Smart’s coaching, becoming first-round NFL draft picks and dominating at the collegiate level.
- Adapting to the Changing College Football Landscape
In addition to his defensive expertise, Kirby Smart has demonstrated an ability to adapt to the changing dynamics of college football. While the game has become increasingly focused on high-powered offenses and dynamic quarterbacks, Smart has remained committed to building a balanced team that can thrive on both sides of the ball. While Georgia’s defense remains its identity, Smart has also overseen the development of an offense that can keep up with the high-scoring teams of the modern era.
The development of quarterbacks like Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to their 2021 national championship, exemplifies Smart’s adaptability. Although Bennett was often viewed as an underdog, Smart’s coaching allowed him to flourish in a pro-style offense that emphasized efficiency and ball control. As a result, Georgia’s offense has become more versatile, capable of putting up points in a variety of ways without sacrificing its commitment to defense.
- Sustained Success and Championship Pedigree
Perhaps the most important factor in Kirby Smart’s ranking as the best coach in college football for 2025 is his sustained success. Smart has proven that his 2021 national championship victory was not a fluke, as Georgia has remained among the elite teams in college football in the years since. Under Smart’s leadership, the Bulldogs have consistently made deep runs in the College Football Playoff, maintaining a level of excellence that is difficult to achieve in such a competitive environment.
The continued success of Georgia under Smart’s watch has earned him the respect of not only fans and analysts but also his peers. The Bulldogs are now considered one of the top programs in college football, and Smart is viewed as one of the best coaches in the game today.
How Kirby Smart Surpassed Ryan Day, Dan Lanning, and Steve Sarkisian
While Kirby Smart has proven to be the best coach in college football for 2025, his success comes in the face of stiff competition from other top-tier coaches, including Ryan Day at Ohio State, Dan Lanning at Oregon, and Steve Sarkisian at Texas. Each of these coaches has made significant strides with their respective programs, but Smart has outpaced them for several key reasons.
- Ryan Day (Ohio State)
Ryan Day has been one of the top coaches in college football since taking over at Ohio State in 2018. Under his leadership, the Buckeyes have remained one of the most successful programs in the nation, consistently competing for Big Ten championships and making multiple appearances in the College Football Playoff. Day’s offensive brilliance, particularly his work with quarterbacks like Justin Fields and CJ Stroud, has earned him widespread acclaim.
However, while Day has enjoyed significant success, he has yet to capture a national championship. Ohio State has been close on several occasions, but their inability to secure a title under Day has kept them from surpassing Smart. In comparison, Smart’s 2021 championship win, coupled with his continued dominance in the SEC, has solidified his place as the top coach in college football.
- Dan Lanning (Oregon)
Dan Lanning, a former assistant under Kirby Smart, has made significant strides in his head coaching career at Oregon. Lanning led the Ducks to a successful first few years at the helm, and he has quickly turned Oregon into a national contender. His background as a defensive coach, similar to Smart’s, has helped him build a solid program at Oregon.
However, while Lanning has the potential to lead Oregon to greater heights, he has yet to achieve the same level of sustained success that Smart has enjoyed at Georgia. Lanning’s early success at Oregon is promising, but he still faces the challenge of breaking through in the competitive Pac-12 and reaching the level of success that Smart has achieved in the SEC.
- Steve Sarkisian (Texas)
Steve Sarkisian, head coach of Texas, has taken on the monumental task of returning the Longhorns to national prominence. While Sarkisian’s early years at Texas have shown promise, the program has not yet reached the elite level that Smart has established at Georgia. Texas remains a program in transition, and while Sarkisian has made significant strides, he is still building towards championship contention.
In contrast, Smart’s ability to consistently develop championship-caliber teams and his recent national title have solidified his standing at the top of the coaching ranks.
Looking Forward: The Future of Kirby Smart and Georgia Football
As Kirby Smart continues to build on his success, the future of Georgia football looks incredibly bright. With a steady pipeline of talent, a committed coaching staff, and a program that consistently competes at the highest level, Smart’s position as the best coach in college football for 2025 is likely to remain secure for the foreseeable future.
Georgia’s dominance in recruiting, combined with Smart’s ability to adapt to the changing dynamics of college football, sets the Bulldogs up for continued success. As other programs—like Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas—work to close the gap, Kirby Smart and Georgia will remain at the forefront of college football, setting the standard for excellence in the years to come.
