Kirby Smart has been a dynamic force in college football for years now. As the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, Smart has guided his team to unprecedented heights, including back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. However, recently, something seems to have changed in his demeanor. The normally composed, methodical leader of the Bulldogs has shown flashes of raw emotion and fiery passion in his public statements. A particularly striking moment came after a post-game interview where Smart declared, “I just want to fight for my team and fight for our program.” This statement and others like it have raised eyebrows across the football community, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering: what has gotten into Kirby Smart?
To fully understand the significance of Smart’s shift in tone, we need to dive into the evolution of his career and leadership style, as well as the context in which these statements have been made.
The Calm, Calculated Kirby Smart
For much of his tenure at Georgia, Smart was known for his focused, disciplined approach to coaching. A former assistant coach under Nick Saban at Alabama, Smart took many of the qualities he learned from the legendary Saban and applied them to his program at Georgia. Smart’s emphasis on preparation, precision, and hard work has been a hallmark of his leadership style.
During his early years at Georgia, Smart built a strong program that consistently competed at a high level, but the team was often just a little bit short of the ultimate prize. A heartbreaking loss to Alabama in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship was the most notable example of how Smart’s Georgia teams had the talent and ability to win it all but lacked the final push to get there.
However, Smart’s ability to maintain a steady course and refuse to let that loss define him or his program was a defining trait. The Bulldogs continued to recruit well, develop talent, and keep a level head under pressure. His leadership and decision-making were often described as clinical, analytical, and—at times—detached. Fans and analysts appreciated his methodical nature, knowing that Smart’s calm demeanor in the face of adversity was a key reason for his success.
The Changing Tone
The 2022 and 2023 seasons marked a major turning point in Smart’s career, culminating in back-to-back national titles. But along with the success came increased expectations, scrutiny, and a mounting sense of urgency to maintain Georgia’s dominance in college football.
This was when the change began to appear. As Georgia continued to assert itself as a college football powerhouse, Smart’s public persona began to shift. There were glimpses of a more emotional, outspoken side of the coach that had previously been hidden. He began to express more frustration, passion, and—perhaps most surprisingly—defensiveness when talking about his team and program.
In his post-game interview, where he declared, “I just want to fight for my team and fight for our program,” Smart seemed to be responding to something more than just a win or loss. His tone was uncharacteristically fiery, and his words felt like a direct challenge to critics who had underestimated his team or questioned its success.
What could have sparked this change?
The Pressure of Sustained Success
One of the most challenging aspects of sustained success in college football is dealing with the constant pressure to stay on top. After Georgia won its first national championship under Smart in 2022, the Bulldogs quickly became the team to beat. The 2023 season brought with it even more pressure: could they repeat? Could they maintain their spot atop college football?
Coaches, no matter how composed, are still human beings. The weight of expectation—coupled with the relentless scrutiny that comes with being a top-tier program—can wear on even the most stoic individuals. It’s possible that Smart, who is known for his intensity and competitive nature, began to feel the burden of leading a program with such high stakes every season.
The pressure from the media, fans, and even his own staff to continuously outperform could explain the more emotional outbursts. Smart has always been a fighter, a competitor who thrives on overcoming obstacles, and as Georgia’s success continued to build, it’s possible that he felt the need to remind everyone that his team is still hungry and driven to fight for every inch.
Responding to Critics and Naysayers
Another possible factor in Smart’s recent outbursts is the growing chorus of critics who have questioned Georgia’s success. After winning the 2023 national title, there were a number of pundits who suggested that Georgia’s dominance was less about Smart’s brilliance and more about the overall state of college football, the proliferation of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), and the lack of true competition at the top.
Smart’s passion and fiery demeanor may be a response to these critics. As a former player and coach with a deep understanding of the inner workings of a championship program, Smart knows just how difficult it is to build and sustain success at the highest level. The dismissive tone of some critics likely did not sit well with him, and his statements may have been a way to defend not only his team but also his program’s accomplishments.
In this sense, his declaration to fight for his team and his program could be seen as a rallying cry to his players, his staff, and his fanbase. Smart has always been a leader who leads by example, and his willingness to defend his team shows his deep loyalty and commitment. He wants everyone to know that Georgia’s success is not a fluke and that his team is ready to face any challenge, no matter the external noise.
Embracing the Role of the Underdog
There’s also a psychological element to Smart’s shift in attitude: by embracing a more emotional and combative approach, he may be tapping into the mentality of the underdog. Despite being the defending national champion, Georgia is still perceived by many as a team with a target on its back. The expectations are sky-high, and the pressure to deliver is immense. However, by adopting the mindset of “fighting for the program,” Smart could be instilling a sense of resilience and determination in his players that transcends mere talent.
This psychological edge is not to be underestimated. Coaches often use their words and demeanor to motivate players and create a mentality that pushes them to new heights. In Smart’s case, by emphasizing the fight for the team and the program, he could be galvanizing his squad to not just coast on their past successes but to fight harder than ever to stay at the top.
Conclusion: A New Kirby Smart?
So, what’s gotten into Kirby Smart? The simple answer is that he’s still the same competitive, driven leader who has made Georgia one of the most formidable teams in college football. But as the pressure continues to mount, as the stakes get higher, and as the expectations grow, Smart’s leadership is evolving.
His recent fiery comments reflect a deeper emotional investment in his team and program. It’s a sign that Smart is fully aware of the challenges ahead and is ready to take on any adversary—whether that’s on the field, in the media, or in the ever-competitive world of college football. His statement, “I just want to fight for my team and fight for our program,” might just be the perfect encapsulation of where Kirby Smart is at in his coaching journey: hungry, passionate, and ready for the fight.