Kirby Smart leaves: Freshmen are out of character and Georgia is not fulfilling expectations.

In the world of college football, there are few names that command as much respect as Kirby Smart. Under his leadership, the University of Georgia Bulldogs have reached unprecedented heights, culminating in a national championship in 2021 and solidifying their place as a perennial powerhouse in college football. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Kirby Smart has stepped down from his position as head coach, leaving many to wonder about the future of the program. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Georgia can continue to fulfill the lofty expectations set under Smart’s tenure or if the Bulldogs will falter in the face of significant transition.

As Georgia navigates this post-Smart era, there are several critical issues at play. Among the most concerning are the struggles that have surfaced among Georgia’s freshmen players. For a program that has prided itself on consistency, discipline, and exceptional player development, these struggles signal a shift in the Bulldogs’ culture. Freshmen, who were once expected to seamlessly adapt to the Georgia way of doing things, are now showing signs of being “out of character.” This disconnect is not just about individual players struggling; it’s indicative of a broader issue: Georgia, a program that was once synonymous with dominance and consistency, is not meeting the high expectations set for it.

The Legacy of Kirby Smart: Setting Unrealistic Expectations?

Kirby Smart’s impact on Georgia football cannot be overstated. When he took over as head coach in 2016, he inherited a program with potential but lacking the consistency to compete with the elite teams like Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State. Smart immediately made a splash by recruiting at an elite level, and his teams quickly became synonymous with disciplined, physical, and smart football.

Under Smart’s leadership, Georgia redefined what it meant to be a contender in the SEC. In just a few short years, he brought the program to the College Football Playoff and secured a national championship. Smart’s success not only elevated Georgia’s profile but also raised expectations. Fans, media, and analysts began to expect Georgia to compete for championships year in and year out. In many ways, Smart set the bar so high that even a minor slip-up—like an early exit from the playoffs or a disappointing regular season—would seem like a failure.

Now, with Smart’s departure, those expectations remain firmly in place, even though the Bulldogs are navigating an uncertain future. It’s clear that the program has become accustomed to success, and with that comes the pressure to maintain it. However, this pressure seems to have affected Georgia in more ways than one, particularly in how the freshmen are adapting to the system.

Freshmen Struggling to Adapt to Georgia’s Standards

One of the most pressing concerns in the post-Smart era has been the performance of Georgia’s freshmen players. Under Smart, Georgia was known for its ability to develop young players into contributors almost immediately. Freshmen would come in, learn the system, and be expected to contribute, sometimes in significant ways. This “next-man-up” mentality became a hallmark of Smart’s program. Yet, in the current climate, things are different.

A closer look at the recent recruiting classes reveals that many of Georgia’s highly-ranked freshmen are struggling to adapt. There have been reports of freshmen players not living up to the hype or showing signs of poor decision-making both on and off the field. Players who were once considered future stars are now finding themselves out of position, failing to grasp the playbook, and, in some cases, not making the impact that Georgia fans had expected from them.

The problems aren’t just about lack of talent; they stem from an internal shift in the culture that Smart had worked so hard to cultivate. Under Smart, the expectations were clear: Georgia recruits had to be ready to step in and make an impact immediately. This aggressive culture of competitiveness and excellence was the foundation on which Georgia built its dominance. However, with Smart’s departure, there seems to be a lack of continuity in the program’s approach to player development, especially for incoming freshmen.

While freshmen players at top programs like Georgia are always expected to come in and perform at a high level, Smart’s leadership ensured that the Bulldogs had a well-oiled system of development. Under his watch, there was always a clear chain of command, and new players were expected to fit into the existing culture. In the absence of Smart, it appears that Georgia’s freshman class is struggling to adjust to what is now an evolving system without the same rigid structure and expectations that made Georgia so successful in the past.

The Strain on the Coaching Staff and Program Leadership

In the wake of Smart’s departure, Georgia is now left with the difficult task of filling the leadership void. While the program is undoubtedly talented, there is a sense of instability, which is evident in the struggles of the freshmen. Players are not sure where to turn for guidance, and this has created a gap in communication and trust between the coaches and players.

The lack of a clear, established leadership structure is not just limited to the freshmen. Even upperclassmen are feeling the absence of Smart’s direct influence. Under Smart, the coaching staff was known for its close-knit nature, with Smart playing an active role in player development and being personally invested in the growth of each individual. This level of direct involvement created a strong bond between the coaching staff and players. Without Smart’s leadership, it appears that the coaching staff is struggling to maintain that same level of connection, which has led to a breakdown in overall team chemistry.

The effect of Smart’s departure is not only psychological but also tactical. Coaches who may have once been able to depend on Smart’s guidance and overarching philosophy are now left to define the team’s identity on their own. While Georgia’s roster is still loaded with talent, there seems to be a lack of cohesion within the coaching staff, which trickles down to the players, particularly the freshmen.

The Impact of Georgia’s Recruiting Success: Rising Expectations, Growing Pains

One of the biggest challenges Georgia now faces is managing the expectations surrounding its top-tier recruiting classes. Over the past few years, the Bulldogs have recruited some of the best high school talent in the country. These incoming freshmen are expected to step in and immediately help Georgia continue its championship run. However, as we have seen, these freshmen are finding it difficult to live up to the hype.

The competition within the locker room has intensified, and while Georgia’s depth has certainly given the team an advantage, it has also created pressure on the younger players. Freshmen who come in with high expectations often face the burden of being the next great player, and when they struggle to meet those expectations, it can create internal frustration and a feeling of disillusionment.

For Georgia, this is a growing pain that comes with recruiting at such a high level. The pressure on freshmen to perform immediately is enormous, and when that pressure isn’t managed properly, it can lead to a lack of discipline, which has been evident in some of the off-field issues Georgia has faced in recent months. Freshmen players who are used to being the top dog in high school might struggle to adapt to the rigorous demands of a program like Georgia, and without Smart’s established framework, they have struggled to adjust.

Additionally, the new coaching staff must balance keeping the recruiting momentum going while ensuring that they don’t place too much pressure on players who may still need time to develop. The incoming classes of talent may be some of the best in the country, but if they are not properly integrated into the team structure, Georgia risks losing its competitive edge.

Is Georgia Still Fulfilled by Its Expectations?

The question remains: can Georgia continue to meet the expectations set under Smart’s reign? Given the struggles of the freshmen and the coaching instability that has followed, there is a significant chance that the Bulldogs will face challenges in the short term. Georgia has established itself as a dominant force in college football, but the expectations that came with Smart’s success have set the bar incredibly high.

For Georgia, it is essential to establish new leadership, whether it comes from the coaching staff or the players themselves. It’s not enough to simply rely on the legacy of Kirby Smart. The program must adapt to the changes, get the freshmen up to speed, and find a new way to foster the kind of culture that led to so much success in the first place.

Ultimately, the future of Georgia football is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the program cannot afford to rest on its laurels. The Bulldogs must find a way to address the issues with their freshmen, solidify their coaching staff, and reestablish their identity. If they fail to do so, they risk falling short of their expectations, and the once-mighty Georgia program could find itself struggling to maintain the elite status it has worked so hard to build.