The Dark Knight was a masterpiece in cinema and story-telling. Despite being a comic-book movie, it is etched in reality. So much so that it’s got some transitive properties over to College Football. Walk with me through this one. The maniacal Joker fooled the masses with his famous “Agent of Chaos” monologue. “I just do things”, he disingenuously claimed. The character was always a couple of steps ahead of everybody and was meticulous in his plotting. Such that when things go in his favor, it appears instant, when in reality the plan was simmering all along before it eventually boiled over. So here’s an outlandish rationale you didn’t expect to come across- Kirby Smart could be in the midst of plotting something as meticulous and diabolical as the crown prince of crime himself.

Kirby Smart’s tenure as head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs has been a bonafide success. 2 National Championships and in the reckoning for a host of more. He’s built a perennial contender. Coach Smart has changed the trajectory of this program, and it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say people down in Athens are indebted to him. Scoot over a few west, and the Atlanta Falcons could do with a figurehead of this ilk. Previous reporting about coach Smart and the Falcons is very much a reality, albeit one that the Bulldogs faithful choose to turn a blind eye to.

Now, they’ve just brought in Raheem Morris instead to lead them back to the Matt Ryan, or at least Michael Vick glory days. But year 1 didn’t go too well. That Kirk Cousins move transpiring into the disaster it did could be the first strike. Add to that the potential cap hit if they cut him, which could handicap Morris. The longer it takes for him to get back to requisite levels, the louder the calls for the in-state school’s messiah Kirby Smart get. One CFB analyst/insider hinted at why it’s a possibility that Smart may be playing the long game here.

TJ Pittinger, an expert on all things FSU, switched lanes and discussed the state of the SEC going forward guesting on the “A Peak Inside SEC Football” YouTube Channel. Naturally, the Bulldogs were adjudged as one of the healthiest programs going forward. In terms of their roster, ensuing recruiting classes, and especially their head coach. However, Pittinger did bring forth a theory. “I’ll tell you this, I could not see Kirby Smart coaching in the NFL. But his name does come up,” he said. He name-dropped the Falcons, particularly because Kirby Smart was reportedly on the shortlist when they were hiring a coach last off-season. “[Smart has] never shot it down,” he proceeded. This was in contrast to another SEC coach who swiftly thwarted the possibility of an NFL move earlier this month.

Steve Sarkisian was being weighed up by franchises but didn’t even wish to be interviewed. TJ Pittinger floated the question. “Long term, if you’re a Georgia fan… Are you a little bit like, ‘He could go to the NFL?’” To be fair, Kirby Smart has never shown an inclination for the move. For all it’s worth, he may frankly feel similar to Sark, or even Marcus Freeman for that matter. The latter was touted for the Bears’ job.

However, it remains a looming possibility. If for no other reason, then simply because a franchise that shares a fraction of its fans with Georgia will want to push hard for a coach of Smart’s caliber and reverence. He’s too good a coach for it not to come up if the job comes open, so he’ll have to shut the door on it explicitly. Even the biggest SEC trouble-mongerer fanned the flames of Kirby Smart to the Dirty Birds.

Lane Kiffin suggested the Atlanta Falcons hire Kirby Smart last off-season

That aforementioned Joker analogy fits one person to a T, perhaps much more than it does Kirby Smart. Yes, Smart may be the more meticulous planner thinking 2 steps ahead. But Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin is a real agent of chaos. His outbursts on social media are as much a part of the image he projects as his offensive wizardry. Back when the Falcons were looking for a new head coach, and Smart was reported to be an option, Kiffin did what he does best. Instigate discourse on X.

Back on January 9, 2024, Lane Kiffin posted, in jest most likely, “@KirbySmartUGA is my pick.” In reply to a post listing the candidates for the Falcons opening. Was he privy to something, or just trying to have a bit of fun? Either way, Kiffin would sure want to see the back of Smart. Gives his Rebels a better chance of breaking through in the SEC. Coach Smart’s dominance has his adversaries plucking at straws.

Kirby Smart is en route to being one of the greatest CFB coaches ever. That said, the tryst with plying your craft among the very best athletes football has to offer creates a conundrum. The NFL will always be a step up in quality. As much as the gap between the two shrinks, the allure will always be strong. Coach Smart standing on the precipice of this conundrum where he has to make a choice is not a matter of if, but a matter of when.