Why Kirby Smart and Georgia’s coaching staff deserve recognition for the 2024 season, despite not winning the national championship.

As the dust settles on the 2024 college football season, many teams and coaching staffs reflect on what they accomplished, and what might have been. The Georgia Bulldogs football program, led by Kirby Smart, had yet another exceptional season. While they didn’t end up with the national championship, there are numerous reasons why Smart and his coaching staff deserve recognition for the success they achieved in 2024.

In the world of college football, success is often measured by championships, but that metric alone doesn’t always tell the full story. The 2024 season for Georgia showcased the talent, resilience, and strategic brilliance of Smart and his coaching staff, and their efforts deserve to be acknowledged, even without a title. From player development to in-game decisions, recruiting prowess, and the overall growth of the program, there is so much to celebrate when looking at Georgia’s season.

1. Consistent Excellence and Program Development

Kirby Smart has built Georgia into one of the most dominant football programs in the nation, consistently competing for national titles year after year. The 2024 season continued that trend, with the Bulldogs maintaining their position among the elite teams in college football. Despite the absence of a national championship, Georgia finished near the top of the rankings and displayed remarkable consistency across the entire season.

One of the hallmarks of Smart’s coaching philosophy has been his ability to build a sustainable program, not just one that peaks in any given year but one that continues to compete at the highest level season after season. The fact that Georgia didn’t win the national title in 2024 shouldn’t diminish the broader success the program has enjoyed under Smart’s leadership.

In fact, consistent success over the long term—especially given the pressures of modern college football, where coaching changes, roster turnover, and NIL have added complexities—should be celebrated. The 2024 season was another example of Smart’s ability to keep his team competitive and focused, even when the ultimate prize was not secured. This speaks to his program-building acumen and his leadership in sustaining excellence across various facets of the program.

2. Player Development and Growth

Even though Georgia did not win the national championship, the player development under Smart and his staff in 2024 was exemplary. While many of the players on Georgia’s roster came with high expectations—after all, Smart consistently recruits elite talent—his ability to develop them into NFL-caliber players and ensure they were ready to perform at a high level was evident throughout the season.

One of the key areas in which Smart’s coaching staff deserves recognition is the development of Georgia’s quarterbacks. Heading into the 2024 season, questions surrounded the Bulldogs’ quarterback situation after Stetson Bennett’s departure to the NFL. However, under Smart’s guidance, Carson Beck emerged as a reliable and capable leader. Beck was thrust into the starting role, but he showed poise, growth, and command of the offense throughout the season. He improved his play each week, becoming a more confident passer and decision-maker.

Moreover, Smart’s ability to elevate players at other positions, such as the offensive and defensive lines, deserves credit. Georgia’s defensive line was consistently among the best in the nation, and the development of future NFL stars, such as defensive linemen and linebackers, was a testament to the excellent coaching and attention to detail provided by Georgia’s defensive staff. The Bulldogs’ defense, though not as dominant as in some previous years, remained a top-tier unit, thanks in no small part to the strategies implemented by Smart and his defensive staff.

This kind of development is what separates programs like Georgia from others. Even in a season where they fell short of their ultimate goal, Smart’s coaching staff ensured that the players under their charge were able to grow, develop, and perform at a high level.

3. Strategic Brilliance and In-Game Coaching

Kirby Smart is widely regarded as one of the best strategic minds in college football, and the 2024 season proved that his in-game decision-making is just as sharp as ever. One of the defining qualities of the Georgia program under Smart is the ability to adapt and adjust to whatever challenges arise over the course of the season. This was evident in the team’s ability to respond to adversity and put together a well-coached game plan week after week.

Smart has demonstrated a knack for making adjustments during games, particularly in high-pressure situations. Whether it was adapting the offense to fit the strengths of Carson Beck or finding ways to exploit the weaknesses of opposing defenses, Smart’s in-game decisions helped Georgia stay competitive in almost every contest. When faced with challenges, whether due to injuries, tough competition, or game situations, Smart and his staff consistently found ways to get the most out of their players.

Moreover, Smart’s defensive expertise was apparent throughout the season. Even though Georgia didn’t have the same dominant defense it has had in past years, Smart and his defensive coordinator, Will Muschamp, were able to scheme around the team’s strengths, creating opportunities for Georgia’s defenders to succeed. The coaching staff adjusted tactics to ensure Georgia’s defense was still a force, even as teams became more adept at attacking some of Georgia’s weaker areas.

Smart’s game management, such as clock management and decision-making on fourth downs or when to go for two-point conversions, further demonstrated his mastery of the game. The Bulldogs were consistently in position to win games due to the sharp coaching and strategic planning that took place behind the scenes.

4. The Impact of Recruiting

One of the most obvious strengths of the Georgia program under Kirby Smart is its ability to recruit at an elite level. Despite not winning the national championship in 2024, the Bulldogs’ recruiting pipeline remained as strong as ever, and this success can largely be attributed to Smart’s recruiting prowess and the atmosphere he has cultivated at Georgia.

Georgia has consistently been among the top-ranked recruiting classes in the country under Smart’s leadership, and the 2024 season was no different. The coaching staff’s ability to consistently land top-tier prospects, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, was key in maintaining Georgia’s competitive edge. While Georgia didn’t win the title this year, the future remains incredibly bright, with five-star recruits and elite prospects eager to join the Bulldogs in the coming years.

The development of the 2025 recruiting class, which includes top quarterback recruits, defensive linemen, and wide receivers, is proof of how well Smart has positioned Georgia for future success. Recruiting is an area that often takes years to fully bear fruit, but the foundation Smart and his coaching staff have laid is strong, and it’s clear that they have the Bulldogs poised for continued success.

5. Strong Leadership and Culture

One of the less tangible but equally important reasons why Kirby Smart and his coaching staff deserve recognition in 2024 is their ability to create a winning culture at Georgia. Smart has instilled a sense of discipline, accountability, and team-first mentality that permeates the program from top to bottom.

Throughout the season, Georgia faced challenges—whether it was injuries, close games, or tough opponents—but the Bulldogs always maintained a level of resilience that came from the culture Smart has created. The leadership of players like Ladd McConkey, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, and Brock Bowers helped reinforce this culture, but much of it begins with Smart and his staff.

Smart’s leadership has also been crucial in managing the growing expectations of a program that is regularly competing for championships. Despite the pressure, Smart and his coaching staff have kept the team focused and ready for each challenge. The mental and emotional preparedness of the team, even when things weren’t going perfectly, is a direct result of the environment created by the coaching staff.

6. Adaptability and Long-Term Success

While Georgia did not capture the national championship in 2024, Smart’s ability to adapt to changes within college football deserves recognition. Whether it was adjusting to the new NIL landscape or navigating changes in recruiting regulations and the transfer portal, Smart has shown time and again that he is able to adjust his approach without compromising the program’s success.

This adaptability is crucial in the current era of college football, where things are constantly changing. Smart has done an incredible job of positioning Georgia to be a consistent force, not just in 2024, but for the long term. The Bulldogs are prepared for the evolving landscape of college football, and this ability to adapt is another reason why Smart and his coaching staff are deserving of recognition, even without a national title in 2024.