Following the recent national championship victory by Ohio State, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum discussed the current landscape of college football. While some may argue that Ohio State’s Ryan Day deserves acknowledgment as the best head coach, Finebaum confidently named Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs as the top coach. Despite Georgia’s early exit in the College Football Playoff, Finebaum highlighted Smart’s impressive track record, including two national championships and multiple SEC titles since taking over in 2016.

By the Numbers

• Kirby Smart has an all-time record of 105-19 leading Georgia.
• Smart has guided the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, with three SEC titles overall.

Yes, ButCritics of Finebaum’s assessment may point out that Ryan Day’s recent title win signals momentum and merit for his recognition as one of the top coaches. Additionally, Smart’s recent playoff performance raises questions about his current standing among elite coaches.

State of Play

• Georgia finished the 2024 season with an 11-3 record and a strong SEC championship victory.
• Despite a quarterfinal loss in the College Football Playoff, Smart’s tenure at Georgia continues to demonstrate success on multiple fronts.

What’s NextLooking ahead, both Smart and Day will be under scrutiny as they seek to build on their respective seasons, particularly in recruiting and player development. The coming offseason will be pivotal for maintaining competitive edge in college football.

Bottom LineIn a competitive coaching landscape, Kirby Smart’s consistent achievements place him at the forefront, suggesting he may be the best head coach in college football. Ohio State’s recent success, however, keeps the dialogue open regarding the elite coaching ranks.