eorgia football’s season might have been an utter flop when the lights were brightest but head coach Kirby Smart’s overall performance was not. Far from it.
Smart is gaining traction as one of the best college football head coaches of the 2024 season, if not the best. And that is after an embarrassing loss in the College Football Playoff and a missed shot at the national title
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum passionately vouched for Smart’s coaching record placing him higher than national title contender coaches Ryan Day and Marcus Freeman on the sport’s totem pole.
“He is one of the best coaches in the country. He has overcome amazing things. Let’s give him the credit that he deserves,” Finebaum said according to On3.
Freeman and Day were objectively better than Smart leading their teams to the national championship. However, Georgia reached the playoffs despite having one of the toughest schedules this season.
That counts for brownie points given what the Bulldogs’ head coach has established in the past few seasons.
“Well, I know he lost, but I would still say Kirby Smart is better. He’s been in the championship game a number of times. He has two wins. He has a couple of losses in that game, but ultimately, I think he still has it,” Finebaum said.
“I think Kirby Smart is the best. I think Ryan Day is very close. I think Marcus Freeman, with a win last night, would’ve put himself in contention. He’s still one of the best and maybe one of the faces of college football as well.”
With that being said, Smart was still “one of the best head coaches” on Finebaum’s list but not “the best.”
The reason for the disparity is Smart’s embarrassing losses this season. Michigan is a prime example.
“But no, I cannot say he’s the best coach in the country, because he was able to navigate Ohio State. He could be one day if he can figure out that Michigan bugaboo at the end of November, but right now, he is one of the best, but by far not the best,” Finebaum said.
Smart would continue to reign as the top dog among the head coaches, College Football Playoff or national championship win.
