In the world of college football, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has long been seen as a defensive mastermind. Under his leadership, Georgia has cemented itself as a powerhouse, with the Bulldogs winning two consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022, backed by an elite defense that defined their success. However, despite those triumphs, recent signs suggest that Georgia’s defense is taking a step back, and with it, Smart’s reputation as one of the top defensive minds in the game is now under scrutiny.
As the Bulldogs enter the 2025 season, Kirby Smart faces an alarming warning about the future of his defense. Once lauded for his ability to recruit top defensive talent and implement a high-pressure system that overwhelmed opponents, Smart must now address the worrying trend of regression in his defensive units. The question arises: Is Smart’s defense losing its edge?
The Rise of Georgia’s Defense Under Kirby Smart
Smart’s reputation as a defensive genius began to take shape during his time as Alabama’s defensive coordinator under Nick Saban. Saban’s “Process” philosophy shaped Smart’s approach to building and maintaining a dominant defense, and he carried that ethos with him when he took over as Georgia’s head coach in 2016.
From the very beginning, Smart made it clear that defense would be the cornerstone of his program. And for several seasons, it worked flawlessly. Georgia became a juggernaut on defense, consistently ranking among the nation’s top units. The 2021 and 2022 teams were particularly dominant, boasting historic defenses that helped propel Georgia to national championships.
The Bulldogs’ defense in 2021 was a masterpiece. Smart’s unit ranked first in the nation in points allowed per game (10.5) and total yards (267.5). The defense was so deep and talented that it produced five first-round NFL draft picks, including standout players like Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, and Travon Walker. That 2021 defense was a force to be reckoned with, and it seemed to epitomize everything Smart had hoped for when he took over in Athens.
The Defensive Regression
However, despite Georgia’s success on the field, a disturbing pattern began to emerge. In 2023, the Bulldogs took a significant step back defensively. While Georgia still boasted an impressive defense, it was clear that it was no longer the juggernaut that it had been in the previous two seasons. The defense showed cracks that were previously unseen under Smart’s watch, and some alarming trends began to take shape.
While the Bulldogs still ranked in the top 20 nationally in total defense, they were no longer the best in the country. They allowed more points per game and gave up more yards than they had in the previous seasons, and their dominance in the trenches began to wane. Georgia’s defensive line, once considered the best in the nation, was not as disruptive as it had been in 2021 and 2022, and the secondary, which had been a strength for years, began to show vulnerability. Smart’s defense appeared to be losing the suffocating intensity that had become its trademark.
What was particularly concerning was that the drop-off came despite the continued infusion of elite talent. Georgia has remained a recruiting powerhouse under Smart, securing top-tier defensive players year after year. Yet, even with this influx of talent, the defense struggled to maintain the same level of dominance.
Warning Signs for Kirby Smart
The defensive decline has led to some serious questions for Kirby Smart. How could such a highly regarded coach, who had built his reputation on the strength of his defense, allow his unit to slip in recent seasons? There are several factors that may help explain this troubling trend.
1. Changes in Defensive Philosophy and Schemes
One of the possible explanations for Georgia’s defensive regression is a shift in Smart’s defensive philosophy. In the years following the 2021 and 2022 championship victories, there has been some subtle but noticeable evolution in Georgia’s defensive schemes. Smart has attempted to evolve with the times, adopting a more balanced approach to defense that places a greater emphasis on versatility.
However, in trying to adjust to modern trends, Smart may have unintentionally sacrificed some of the key elements that made Georgia’s defense so dominant in the first place. By becoming more focused on playing multiple fronts and experimenting with different schemes, Georgia may have lost the singular identity that made them elite—a relentless, attack-first defense built on speed, power, and discipline.
2. Coaching Changes and Development Issues
Another significant factor in Georgia’s defensive decline could be related to coaching changes. Over the past few seasons, Smart has seen several of his assistant coaches leave for head coaching opportunities or other programs. This turnover has created a level of inconsistency in terms of player development and defensive strategy. Losing key defensive minds who have played an integral role in developing Georgia’s defensive talent could be a contributing factor to the team’s recent struggles.
Additionally, while Smart has been known for his exceptional recruiting efforts, there have been signs that the development of some of his defensive players has not been as strong as in years past. Elite recruits who once thrived under Smart’s tutelage may now be struggling to adapt to the evolving defensive schemes.
3. Increased Competition and Game Preparation
The landscape of college football has become more competitive than ever. Teams across the country are investing heavily in their football programs, with many focusing on improving their offenses to keep up with the explosive nature of modern college football. Georgia’s defensive dominance, while still formidable, is now met with increasingly difficult challenges from high-powered offenses that exploit any perceived weakness.
This shift in offensive trends has forced Smart’s defense to adjust, but those adjustments have not always yielded positive results. Opponents are more prepared than ever to exploit even the smallest openings in Georgia’s defense, and Smart’s unit has occasionally failed to respond to the changing tides.
4. The Growing Pressure of Maintaining Success
Finally, there is the pressure of maintaining success after achieving the ultimate goal—winning national championships. Once a program reaches the pinnacle, the pressure to sustain that level of excellence grows exponentially. Kirby Smart, who has tasted championship glory, now faces the constant challenge of keeping Georgia at the top. The emotional and mental toll of managing that pressure could be affecting the overall performance of the program, including the defense.
The Road Ahead for Kirby Smart
For Kirby Smart, the warning signs are clear. His defense has taken a step back in recent years, and it’s time for him to make adjustments if Georgia is to remain a championship contender in the coming seasons. Smart must return to the principles that made Georgia’s defense so successful in the first place—aggressive, relentless, and consistent play. This will require a renewed focus on recruiting elite defensive talent, developing players at all levels, and potentially reassessing the defensive philosophy that helped him build the powerhouse in the first place.
There’s no doubt that Kirby Smart has the coaching acumen to turn things around. But the clock is ticking. In a college football world where elite talent and championship success are fleeting, Smart cannot afford to take his eye off the ball for too long. The alarming warning about Georgia’s defense is a call to action, and how Smart responds will determine whether Georgia continues to dominate or whether it falls into mediocrity.
The future of Georgia football—and Kirby Smart’s legacy—depends on the answer.