ESPN makes its thoughts on Georgia head coach Kirby Smart perfectly clear in new rankings The 2024 season was not the best for Kirby Smart.

In the ever-evolving world of college football, expectations are as high as the stakes are large, and Kirby Smart has long been at the helm of one of the sport’s premier programs. As the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, Smart has transformed Georgia into a perennial powerhouse, having led them to a national championship in 2021 and consistently fielding top-tier teams. However, despite his impressive track record, 2024 wasn’t the season many had hoped for, and ESPN’s rankings offer a clear reflection of the public perception of Smart and his Georgia program.

Georgia’s performance in 2024 was met with mixed reviews, and while Smart’s leadership and accomplishments remain significant, the shortcomings that were exposed during the season have led to difficult questions about the future of both the coach and the program. This article will break down ESPN’s evaluation of Kirby Smart and his program after a challenging 2024 campaign, including what went wrong, where Smart and Georgia can go from here, and how the coach can rebound and continue to cement his legacy.

A Look at the 2024 Season: What Went Wrong for Georgia?

Heading into the 2024 season, Georgia had all the pieces in place for another championship run. They were coming off a successful 2023 campaign, having reached the College Football Playoff once again, and they had retained much of the talent that had made them the team to beat in recent years. Despite those factors, the Bulldogs faltered at key moments, and the program’s future now faces more uncertainty than it has in years.

1. Offensive Struggles and Inconsistent Playmaking
One of the most glaring issues for Georgia in 2024 was their inconsistency on offense. While the Bulldogs had talent at virtually every position, from quarterback to wide receiver, they struggled to execute effectively against top-tier opponents. Quarterback play was particularly underwhelming at times, with Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff both showing flashes of brilliance but struggling to perform consistently in high-pressure situations. Beck, in particular, faced significant criticism for his inability to keep the offense on track when it mattered most, especially in key games against SEC rivals like Alabama and Tennessee.

Georgia’s offensive line, which had been a strength in previous years, also appeared vulnerable at times in 2024. They were unable to generate the dominant run-blocking performances that Smart’s teams were known for, and that led to a lack of balance on offense. The team struggled to establish the run, especially against physically imposing defensive lines, and as a result, the Bulldogs found themselves too reliant on the passing game—a strategy that wasn’t always effective.

Additionally, wide receiver production fell short of expectations. Though the Bulldogs had solid talent on the outside, their ability to create explosive plays and sustain drives through the air was inconsistent. Georgia was often left searching for playmakers to emerge and provide a spark, but they didn’t seem to have the same caliber of difference-makers that they had in their previous national title runs.

2. Defensive Inconsistencies and the Loss of Key Players
Defensively, Georgia still boasted one of the strongest units in college football, but they faced challenges as well in 2024. Losing key defensive players to the NFL Draft, particularly in their front seven, made it difficult for Smart to keep the defense performing at the elite level it had been known for. Jalen Carter’s departure left a massive hole in the middle of their defensive line, and while Georgia continued to field a strong defensive front, it wasn’t as dominant as in previous years.

The secondary, too, experienced some growing pains. Georgia’s defense had a tendency to get burned on long passes and struggle against mobile quarterbacks—something they hadn’t encountered to such a degree in the past. Teams with high-powered offenses, such as Tennessee and Alabama, were able to exploit these weaknesses, and it became evident that Smart’s defense wasn’t quite as impenetrable as it had been in seasons past.

In addition, there was a noticeable shift in the way Georgia’s defense approached big games. Against teams that could spread the field and challenge them with fast-paced offenses, Georgia appeared out of sync and unprepared at times. Although the Bulldogs were still able to execute in most situations, they found themselves on the back foot when going up against dynamic offenses and mobile quarterbacks, such as Tennessee’s Joe Milton or Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.

3. Struggles in Big Games and Lack of Momentum
While Georgia remains a dominant force within the SEC and on the national stage, the Bulldogs stumbled in several big games during the 2024 season. They lost a highly anticipated SEC Championship game against Alabama, a loss that not only cost them a spot in the College Football Playoff but also cast doubts on whether they were still the most dominant team in the SEC. In this game, Smart’s squad was outcoached and outplayed, with mistakes on offense and defense contributing to their downfall.

Losing that critical game to Alabama also set the tone for Georgia’s eventual exit from the playoff conversation. The Bulldogs were seen as vulnerable in certain areas, and when it mattered most, they were unable to recapture the magic they had in 2021 and 2022. Georgia’s inability to respond to adversity and finish the season on a high note was one of the most significant factors in the team’s struggles.

These losses—especially on a national stage—led to criticism of Kirby Smart’s ability to adjust in big moments. While he had proven himself capable of coaching a national champion, his inability to lead Georgia through adversity in 2024 raised questions about his tactical decisions and the overall direction of the program.

ESPN’s Rankings and Evaluation of Kirby Smart

When ESPN released its coaching rankings for the 2025 season, Kirby Smart’s position was a topic of much discussion. Despite leading Georgia to two national championships in the last few years, Smart found himself ranked lower than many expected, given the historical success of his program.

The ranking reflected a combination of factors, including the disappointing 2024 season, the struggles in big games, and the perception that Georgia’s dynasty might be facing a brief period of stagnation. Though still a highly respected coach, Smart’s 2024 campaign put a dent in his previously impeccable reputation, and ESPN made it clear that questions remain about his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college football.

1. Lack of Progression in 2024
The biggest takeaway from ESPN’s ranking was the perception that Georgia’s program had plateaued in 2024. With so much talent and resources at his disposal, Smart’s inability to lead Georgia back to the College Football Playoff and compete for a national title led to the conclusion that the Bulldogs’ momentum had slowed. ESPN’s evaluation emphasized that while Smart has built one of the best programs in college football, the failure to reload and execute at the highest level in 2024 indicated that he had yet to fully figure out how to maintain long-term excellence after a championship run.

Despite all the praise he has received for his recruiting prowess and success in the early part of the decade, Smart’s 2024 season highlighted a need for improvement in his game-planning and in-game adjustments. His critics pointed out that Smart, despite his experience, failed to fully evolve as a coach when facing formidable opponents in the postseason.

2. Competition Within the SEC
One of the reasons for Smart’s slight drop in ESPN’s rankings was the growing competition within the SEC. Teams like Alabama, LSU, and even Tennessee have become more competitive, making it harder for Georgia to maintain dominance. ESPN noted that while Smart still had one of the best rosters in the country, the SEC was becoming more unpredictable and dynamic, with new challengers consistently emerging.

The rise of programs like LSU and Tennessee, under Brian Kelly and Josh Heupel respectively, has made the SEC more competitive than it has ever been. As a result, ESPN’s ranking suggested that Smart will have to raise the level of his coaching and adapt to these changing dynamics if he wants to keep Georgia at the top of the college football hierarchy.

The Road Ahead for Kirby Smart and Georgia

As Georgia looks toward the future, Kirby Smart must regroup, adjust, and come up with a plan to get back to championship contention. While 2024 was a setback, it’s important to remember that one rough season does not erase all of Smart’s accomplishments.

1. Reassessing Offensive Strategy
The Bulldogs will need to reassess their offensive strategy heading into 2025. Finding consistency at quarterback will be critical, and Smart will need to ensure that his offensive playcalling can evolve with the changing landscape of college football. A more dynamic, balanced attack—where both the run game and passing game can thrive—will be essential to Georgia’s success.

2. Defensive Rebuilding
Georgia will also need to reload defensively, with a focus on replenishing the talent that was lost in the NFL draft. Smart has consistently recruited some of the best defensive talent in the country, and that trend will need to continue if the Bulldogs are to reclaim their spot as the most dominant defense in college football.

3. Embracing New Challenges
Finally, Smart will need to continue evolving as a coach. The rise of new challengers in the SEC and the expanded College Football Playoff will require Smart to remain flexible and creative in his approach to both recruiting and game strategy. It’s clear that his work is far from done, and the challenges of the 2024 season will serve as a learning experience as he looks to build a more sustainable and resilient program moving forward.