Kirby Smart’s Georgia standard is thought to be higher than Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer’s “Bama Standard.”
Kirby Smart’s Georgia Standard Is Thought to Be Higher Than Alabama Head Football Coach Kalen DeBoer’s “Bama Standard”
In the world of college football, standards are everything. From player performance to coaching philosophies, the expectations within elite programs set the tone for success and define the identity of the team. When discussing two of the most powerful football programs in the country today, the University of Georgia under Kirby Smart and the University of Alabama under Nick Saban, the conversation naturally revolves around championship pedigree, recruiting power, and sustained excellence. However, with the changing landscape of college football and the rise of other programs like Georgia, some analysts and fans believe that Kirby Smart’s “Georgia Standard” has exceeded Alabama’s historically revered “Bama Standard.”
While the “Bama Standard” has long been synonymous with the success and dominance of Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide, Kirby Smart’s leadership at Georgia over the past several years has ignited a new level of competition and has brought Georgia football to a place where it might be considered more formidable than Alabama in some aspects. The question now arises: Is Kirby Smart’s Georgia Standard higher than the standard set by Nick Saban, and does it represent a new era in college football?
To explore this, we must delve into several factors—recruiting, program culture, coaching prowess, and overall success—that help define the Georgia Standard under Kirby Smart and compare it to the legacy of Alabama’s standard.
1. The Rise of Georgia Under Kirby Smart
When Kirby Smart took over the Georgia Bulldogs in 2016, the program was already known for its talent and competitive success under Mark Richt. However, Smart’s arrival marked the beginning of a new era. Smart, a former defensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban, brought a blend of elite recruiting, a relentless defensive mentality, and a fresh energy that quickly propelled Georgia into the college football playoff conversation.
From the beginning, Smart emphasized that his goal was to make Georgia not just competitive but the premier program in the nation. He took an aggressive approach toward recruiting, focusing on landing top-tier talent across the board, particularly on defense, and creating an atmosphere where winning championships was the ultimate expectation.
Key Achievements Under Kirby Smart
Since Smart’s arrival, Georgia has been a fixture in the College Football Playoff (CFP) conversation. Georgia reached the national championship game in 2017, coming up just short against Alabama, but this set the foundation for future success. More recently, Smart’s Bulldogs have turned the corner and are now the gold standard in college football.
In 2021 and 2022, Georgia won back-to-back national championships, cementing Smart’s legacy as one of the brightest minds in the sport. These titles were particularly notable because they demonstrated Georgia’s ability to dominate both sides of the ball—defensively with an elite pass rush and physical presence, and offensively with a well-rounded approach. Smart’s ability to consistently recruit top-tier talent, including elite quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive players, played a major role in Georgia’s meteoric rise.
The 2021-2022 back-to-back championships provided a clear signal that Georgia’s success wasn’t a fluke, and Smart’s program could hang with—and ultimately surpass—anyone in college football, including Alabama.
2. What Is the “Georgia Standard”?
The Georgia Standard is not just about winning championships, although that is certainly a major component. Under Kirby Smart, Georgia’s success has come with a renewed emphasis on discipline, attention to detail, and a no-nonsense approach to team building. The standard isn’t just about raw talent; it’s about bringing together players who are committed to the team’s goals, focused on personal improvement, and willing to sacrifice individual accolades for the greater good.
Recruiting has been a critical aspect of Smart’s rise. Georgia’s recruiting classes consistently rank at or near the top of the nation, often out-recruiting traditional powerhouses like Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson. This talent influx has led to success across the field, but what makes the Georgia Standard stand out is Smart’s ability to develop that talent. Under Smart, players have gone on to make an immediate impact in college football, and many have thrived at the next level in the NFL, highlighting Smart’s proficiency in developing not only NFL-ready athletes but also players who can thrive in his system.
Building a Championship Culture
In Smart’s view, winning a national championship is not about any one individual—it’s about the collective effort of everyone involved. This sense of camaraderie and focus on team goals has been ingrained into the culture of Georgia football. The relentless pursuit of excellence in every aspect—on the field, in the classroom, in the weight room, and in the community—forms the foundation of the Georgia Standard.
Smart’s teams reflect the competitive nature of his leadership. Every position group, from quarterback to defensive line, is expected to perform at the highest level. While there’s been plenty of star power on Smart’s teams—Stetson Bennett, Jalen Carter, Kenny McIntosh, and Jordan Davis, among others—what makes the Georgia Standard stand out is that no player is above the team, and every player is expected to contribute to the overall success of the program.
Key Principles of the Georgia Standard
- Commitment to Excellence: No detail is overlooked. From conditioning to nutrition, from film study to practice habits, everything matters. It’s a mindset that every player buys into.
- Adaptability: While Smart’s teams are known for their physicality and defense-first mentality, Georgia has been incredibly adaptable over time. The offense, which was once seen as a work in progress, has evolved under Smart to become a balanced, explosive unit that complements the defense.
- Player Development: Smart and his staff excel in developing young talent into NFL-caliber players. The program’s ability to elevate players to the next level has been a key to its sustained success.
- Team-first Mentality: Smart’s culture fosters a sense of brotherhood. Every player is expected to put the team before individual accolades and work together toward a common goal.
3. The “Bama Standard” Under Nick Saban
Alabama’s “Bama Standard” was set long before Kirby Smart arrived at Georgia. Nick Saban took over Alabama in 2007, and the rest, as they say, is history. Saban’s ability to recruit, develop talent, and maintain excellence on a consistent basis is why Alabama has become the gold standard in college football. The “Bama Standard” is synonymous with discipline, hard work, and relentless pursuit of perfection.
Saban’s program is built on several foundational principles: elite recruiting, elite coaching, and mental toughness. Alabama teams are expected to dominate their opponents, and anything less than a national title or at least a CFP berth is considered a disappointment.
The Key Components of the Bama Standard
- Elite Recruiting: Alabama has consistently had top-tier recruiting classes, attracting some of the best talent from across the country. Saban’s ability to evaluate talent and get recruits to buy into his program has allowed Alabama to maintain success.
- Development of Talent: Much like Smart, Saban is known for his ability to develop players from freshmen to NFL-ready athletes. His players have consistently been drafted into the NFL, contributing to Alabama’s standing as one of the most successful programs at sending players to the pros.
- Discipline and Mental Toughness: Under Saban, Alabama players are expected to be mentally tough. They are trained to handle pressure, overcome adversity, and perform at the highest level, no matter the circumstances.
- Championship Mindset: The expectation at Alabama is clear: championships are the only acceptable outcome. Anything less is viewed as a failure.
4. The Comparison: Kirby Smart’s Georgia Standard vs. Nick Saban’s Bama Standard
Now that we understand both programs and their philosophies, it’s time to compare Smart’s Georgia Standard with the legacy of Alabama’s Bama Standard. While the Bama Standard has been the gold standard in college football for nearly two decades under Saban, many argue that Kirby Smart has elevated the Georgia Standard to new heights, particularly in recent seasons. Here are some key points of comparison:
Recruiting and Player Development
Both Alabama and Georgia have been exceptional in terms of recruiting, but Smart’s Georgia program has made significant strides in surpassing Alabama in some recruiting rankings in recent years. Under Smart, Georgia has landed top-tier recruiting classes consistently and has even beaten Alabama for some of the nation’s top players. Moreover, Smart has proven adept at developing talent, making Georgia a force not only in terms of recruiting but also in terms of producing NFL-caliber athletes.
On-Field Success and Championships
Georgia’s back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022 signify a shift in the balance of power in college football. While Alabama’s dominance under Saban has led to multiple national championships, Smart’s Georgia program has now matched that level of success in the past few years. The fact that Georgia has now won two titles in the span of a few seasons has raised questions about whether the Georgia Standard is now surpassing the Bama Standard, at least for the moment.
Coaching Philosophy and Culture
Both coaches emphasize mental toughness, player development, and a championship mindset. However, Smart’s emphasis on a more balanced offense, compared to Saban’s more conservative approach in the past, has made Georgia a more adaptable and multifaceted team. Saban has evolved Alabama’s offense in recent years as well, but Georgia’s offensive and defensive balance under Smart is often viewed as more complete in terms of overall team success.
