Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And Georgia’s been rocking it for a while now. Kirby Smart and Co. have been running the show in college football, proving time and time again they’re the real deal. But after getting the SEC title and securing a College Football Playoff spot in 2024, some folks—especially their own fans—are whispering: Is the empire crumbling?

For them, last season wasn’t just a close call; it was a red flag. They’re starting to wonder if Smart’s Georgia dynasty is slipping. Every dog has its day, and maybe they think Georgia’s time is up. But let’s be real—Georgia’s track record speaks for itself. Are these critics just barking up the wrong tree, or do they see something the rest of us are missing?

Georgia Insiders defend Kirby Smart

With skepticism rising, UGA insiders have stepped up to defend Kirby Smart. On March 1st episode of UGA Football on Dawg Post, three insiders tackled the negativity swirling around Georgia’s head coach. When host Dean Legge asked, “What’s going on out there?” Matt DeBary didn’t hold back: “I just think I’ve seen more fans and maybe experts or pundits around college football maybe questioning Kirby Smart a little bit more than I’ve seen in recent years, dating back to probably when they lost to Florida in 2020.”

But why so much doubt surrounding the reigning SEC champs? DeBary continued: “I think a lot of people are kind of questioning maybe the coaching, the staff members that he’s hired, maybe the staff members that he’s hung around after that year, and some of the in-game coaching decisions that he’s made.”

The doubts are growing, but so is the defense of Smart’s legacy. Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has been a juggernaut. Since 2016, the Bulldogs have stacked up: 2 National Championships (2021, 2022), 3 SEC Titles, 6 SEC East Crowns, 4 College Football playoff appearances. And103-17 overall record!

Not to mention, Smart has built Georgia into a recruiting powerhouse—a program built on toughness, elite defense, and top-tier quarterback play. Sure, they’ve had some bumps along the way, but make no mistake—Georgia is still dominant and always chasing the next championship.

Now Blaming the head coach alone? That’s not entirely fair. Georgia had to run through a brutal 2024 schedule, facing Alabama, Texas, and Ole Miss, plus SEC rivals Tennessee, Florida, and Kentucky. Oh, and let’s not forget their non-conference showdown with Clemson. Every week was a war, making their championship chase even tougher. And yet, Georgia still finished 11-3.

As the season unfolded, reality set in. It wasn’t that Georgia couldn’t compete; the climb was just steeper than before. Gone were the days of 15 NFL-bound stars and five first-rounders anchoring the defense. And that’s when CFB insiders started calling out Georgia’s fanbase, labeling them selfish for expecting perfection every season.

So Ryan Kerley added to DeBary’s thoughts, putting it bluntly: “It’s a little bit just being—I don’t know—a little bit selfish out of the fans if they’re complaining about this because he just delivered back-to-back national championships, and that doesn’t happen but once in a long time. So that’s kind of my take on that.”

Unrealistic expectations?

Take a step back and look at the big picture. Georgia crushed Florida by double digits, yet some fans still griped that the margin should’ve been bigger. They outlasted Georgia Tech in an epic eight-overtime thriller, but instead of excitement, many fans just felt relieved.

That’s the level of expectation in Athens—dominance isn’t just expected, it’s demanded. And when Georgia stumbles? Some fans act like the sky is falling. As Matt DeBary said, “They’re not going undefeated next year. I don’t think anyone is either.”

What’s Bulldog Nation expecting from Smart these days?

So what’s next for Georgia football? Kirby Smart may have lost star linebacker Smael Mondon Jr., but he wasted no time reloading with elite talent. Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class brings in five-star standouts Zayden Walker and Justin Williams, ready to step in and dominate.

For Georgia, losing stars and replacing them with future playmakers isn’t rare—it’s the norm. Smart has built a machine that doesn’t stop. He turns departures into opportunities and fresh recruits into future stars. But despite all this, the reality is simple: If Georgia falls short of a national title, Smart’s job could be on the line.

Matt DeBary said it best: “I just think there’s, you know, maybe it’s wrong, but I feel like there’s a lot of fans right now that are, you know, not—or feel like that—that they’re not winning a national championship or have a slim chance. And if you think they have a slim chance, that means you’re questioning the program, because at one point, they were the odds-on favorite for kind of two or three years. So, I think a lot of the fan base is maybe a little tired after the long season. I don’t know, it just feels like there’s a lot of negativity going on compared to years past.” Winning is the standard in Athens. Anything less? It shakes the foundation.

Think about it—11 wins last season, 13 wins the year before, and it’s still not good enough? Back in 2015 under Mark Richt, Georgia went 9-3, and fans weren’t nearly as critical. But expectations have skyrocketed under Kirby Smart. During Richt’s tenure (2001-2015), Georgia was always in the mix but never quite on top. Multiple top-10 finishes and two SEC titles weren’t enough to solidify them as the elite program.

Now? Georgia owns the top tier. And for Smart to keep his streak alive, he must refine his coaching, dominate every game, and silence the critics. Because in Athens, there’s no room for setbacks—only championships.