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winningest coach—for the first ten years—in college football history. He only needs five victories to pass Bob Stoops of Oklahoma for that honor. (George Woodruff of Penn has the best record at 124-15-2 but played a super soft schedule. For example, in 1892, Penn played 16 games, which included lining up against such stalwarts as Swarthmore, Haverford, Wesleyan (Connecticut), Crescent A.C., Chicago A. C., and Franklin and Marshall).)
Not sure how the NIL circumstance will play out, but his approach is to coach his team to be just that—a team. The winners of a high bid process can wind up with a collection of selfish players. His way is to ensure that NIL money does not spoil the locker room.
Most of the name coaches win 70% to 75% of their games, including: Nick Saban, 72%, and Bear Bryant, 76%; however, at Alabama Saban won 87% of the time and Bryant 78%.
Coaches who won 80 percent of their games, or more, in their careers: Knute Rockne, Notre Dame (105-12-5)86% Tom Osborne, Nebraska (255-49-3)83% Pete Carroll, USC (9519) 83% Barry Switzer, Oklahoma (157-29-4)82% Frank Leahy, Notre Dame (107-13-9)82% Bud Wilkinson, Oklahoma (145-29-4.)81% Bob Stoops, Oklahoma (134-31)81% Urban Meyer, four schools, (104-23)81% Fielding Yost, Michigan (198-35-12)80% Bob Neyland, Tennessee (173-31-12)80% Most seasoned observers would conclude that it is tougher to win games today than in the past, which is why the records of Saban and Smart are so impressive.
Maintaining the level of excellence that Saban achieved at Alabama and Kirby’s success to date reflect how outstanding their coaching records are. Kirby has always been very respectful of his old boss, saying, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without having coached with him.”
I can’t think of another successful coach who has had one of his assistants win two national championships as it is with Saban and Kirby and obviously there is opportunity for more with the protégé. You must have an enormous amount of luck to win a championship. The last person to predict such would be the Smart man himself. However, he knows that if you are in the hunt year after year, you have the best opportunity to claim the big prize.
He has been a difference maker, making an impact from the beginning by winning the SEC championship in ONLY his second season and getting his team to the national championship game where he lost in overtime to Alabama.
It took Vince Dooley 16 years to win his national title. Bear Bryant needed 19, Darrell Royal required 16, Saban, 14, Tom Osborne, 11. Woody Hayes and Dabo Swinney grasped the Holy Grail after 9 seasons. Bobby Bowden had the best record in football during his peak years at Florida State but his first title came after 28 years as a head coach. That Kirby almost won it in his second year reflects his brilliance as a coach.
Georgia has upgraded its facilities across the board; other sports teams are enjoying noteworthy success—the rising tide lifts all boats effect— the University is in popular demand regionally and nationally and home state pride in the Bulldogs has never been higher.
With that success comes the unrelenting pressure to win. Everybody has the highest expectations. He can handle that and will work harder to overachieve. He will never fall victim to “resting on his laurels.” He will never underestimate any opponent, and he will never get fat headed with the potential of any of his teams.
He is built for the long haul, and he is as anxious for the season to get underway as the most passionate Bulldog fan out there. On top of that, he is a UGA alumnus who wants nothing but the best for his alma mater.
