We’re watching this evolution play out in real time—a shift in the balance of power that once seemed unimaginable. The days when a coach’s word was law are fading, replaced by a new reality where players hold more leverage than ever. NIL deals, the transfer portal, and a culture that increasingly favors player autonomy have altered the landscape of college football. Only it’s not. The coach/player dynamic is rapidly changing, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart knows it, and he didn’t hide his frustration on March 18.

Beneath the surface of his comments, there’s also something deeper at play. It’s about a fundamental change in how the sport operates. And when someone like Cam Newton weighs in, you know it’s worth paying attention to. Kirby Smart didn’t mince words when discussing his team after practice. His message wasn’t directed at the usual targets—the freshmen still figuring things out. No, this was about his veteran players, the ones he expects more from. “We got a lot of guys to put their hands up—they’re offended when you coach them,” Smart said. “I’m not talking about the freshmen. I’m talking about in general.” That’s right there? That’s a head coach who feels like he’s losing ground.

It’s not that Coach Smart doesn’t expect resistance—every great coach pushes buttons to get the best out of his team. But when players start bristling at tough coaching, when they struggle to handle criticism, it signals a bigger issue. If that wasn’t enough, Smart also took a jab at his young players, saying that not one of Georgia’s 24 early-enrolled freshmen is in shape. “Not one freshman is sustaining his reps and just flourishing,” he added. It was a classic challenge from a coach trying to light a fire, but in today’s world, the question remains: are players still wired to respond to it? That’s where Cam Newton entered the conversation.

The former Heisman winner has seen every side of the game—from five-star recruit to league MVP to veteran mentor. And on his show, 4th&1, he offered his perspective on Smart’s comments. “Yeah, I received that,” Newton said. “Because this is the thing that coaches need time for, and that’s to implement their formula.” He wasn’t defending players who reject coaching but rather pointing out the need for patience. “No matter who you are, no matter who’s your coach’s caveat, you still need time to implement your formula for your players to buy in.” Newton didn’t just speak in hypotheticals—he gave an example from his own recent experience.

“This past weekend while we were playing, there were some players that were extremely talented, but they didn’t know what they were supposed to do,” he explained. “And that minimizes their skill.” That’s the core issue—talent is only as good as a player’s ability to react and execute. If someone is thinking more than they’re playing, they’re a step behind. And in a game of inches, that’s the difference between winning and losing.

Newton doubled down on that philosophy, making it clear that coaching systems matter. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Kirby Smart, doesn’t matter if you’re Dabo Swinney, doesn’t matter if you’re Mike Krzyzewski, it don’t matter who you are, bro. You need good players to understand what they’re supposed to do so that they can take their good skill and play faster, which makes them great.” That’s the formula—knowledge plus execution equals greatness.

“Sport is always and will always be about who reacts faster,” Newton continued. “It’s a game of inches, or it’s a game of seconds. It’s a game of reacting faster than the next person.” In other words, Smart’s frustration isn’t just about attitude—it’s about performance. If players aren’t locked in, if they’re still processing instead of playing, they’re not just making life harder for their coaches. They’re making it harder for themselves. Newton understands that, and his message was clear: you can’t shortcut greatness. The buy-in has to be there, or everything else falls apart.

As if Smart wasn’t already frustrated enough, his comments on NIL tampering added another layer to the conversation. And this wasn’t some vague complaint—it was a blunt admission of a reality coaches are dealing with behind closed doors. “I’ve been invited to those calls,” Smart said. “I don’t get involved because I don’t wanna see one of my own players getting shopped.” That’s as direct as it gets. Kirby Smart is saying, in no uncertain terms, that NIL tampering is happening at the highest levels.

And if he’s choosing to keep his distance, it’s not because he doesn’t care—it’s because he knows how messy it’s become. This isn’t about players rightfully earning money for their talents. It’s about unchecked chaos, a system with no real guardrails. If a coach of Smart’s stature is throwing up his hands, you better believe the issue is real.

The irony in all of this? Smart’s frustration over coaching players and his concerns about NIL are two sides of the same coin. The shifting power dynamics have created an environment where coaches have to work harder than ever to keep their teams together. The days of dictating terms without pushback are over. Today’s players aren’t just athletes—they’re brands, businesses, and decision-makers. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Kirby Smart vs. cash, and a changing game

The game has changed, and Kirby Smart can’t do anything to stop that. Coaching in the NIL era means competing with more than just rival programs—now, coaches are battling dollar signs, endorsement deals, and the reality that some college players are making NFL money before they even step on a pro field.

For years, coaches had one unbeatable card in their back pocket: ‘Without me, you won’t make it to the NFL.’ It worked like a charm. But now? NIL has minimized its impact. Some college athletes are raking in more than the guys riding the end of an NFL bench. For reference, the NFL’s rookie minimum sits at $840,000, while players with one year of service make $960,000. For elite high school recruits? That’s pocket change.

Smart isn’t backing down, though. He still believes coaching matters. “Kids that wanna be coached don’t care what (money) they make,” he said. “The guys in the NFL make more than these guys, and they still wanna be coached.” The shift in college football isn’t just an evolution—it’s a full-blown revolution. And even one of the most powerful coaches in the sport can’t stop it.