Kirby Smart’s Postseason Legacy: Comparing His Early Career to Nick Saban’s Dynasty
In the world of college football, postseason play is where legends are made. The opportunity to showcase a team’s talent, drive, and preparation against the best of the best often separates the great from the good. Two figures whose postseason records are particularly intriguing are Kirby Smart, the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and Nick Saban, the long-time head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Smart has become one of the most discussed coaches in the SEC since he took the reins of the Bulldogs in 2016. His tenure has been marked by a blend of early success and high expectations. On the other hand, Saban, the gold standard of college football coaching, is revered for his unmatched success in postseason play, having built Alabama into a dynasty that has dominated the college football landscape over the past two decades.
Let’s break down Kirby Smart’s postseason accomplishments and compare them to Saban’s, examining what their records mean for both their careers and the future of college football.
Kirby Smart: A Rising Star in Postseason Play
Kirby Smart took over as head coach at Georgia in 2016, following a stellar career as an assistant under Saban at Alabama. Smart inherited a program with plenty of talent but had yet to achieve the consistent postseason success that Georgia fans had been hoping for. In just a few short seasons, however, Smart established himself as one of the best in the business, leading Georgia to multiple SEC Championship appearances and, most notably, the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.
As of 2025, Smart’s postseason record stands at 8-5, including both playoff appearances and SEC Championship games. This record, while impressive in its own right, reveals that the Bulldogs have faced a number of challenges along the way. The 8-5 record includes several memorable wins and heartbreaking losses, yet it paints a picture of a coach who has consistently placed his team in a position to succeed at the highest level.
Let’s take a closer look at some of Smart’s key postseason performances:
-
2017 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game: In only his second season as head coach, Smart guided Georgia to the national championship game against Saban’s Alabama. Although the Bulldogs lost in a thrilling overtime contest, Smart’s ability to get his team to this stage so early in his tenure was a major statement. It set the tone for his career and helped establish Georgia as a force in the SEC and beyond.
-
2018 SEC Championship: Smart’s Bulldogs took down the Auburn Tigers in the SEC title game, clinching a spot in the College Football Playoff. This victory marked Smart’s first SEC Championship as head coach, a major milestone in his career. While Georgia lost to Texas in the Sugar Bowl, the SEC Championship was a reminder of Smart’s prowess in postseason play.
-
2021 College Football Playoff National Championship: After years of near-misses, including a heartbreaking loss to Alabama in the 2018 SEC Championship and another devastating defeat to the Crimson Tide in the 2021 SEC Championship, Smart finally got over the hump. Georgia defeated Alabama in the national title game, capturing its first national championship since 1980. The win was a massive achievement for Smart and the Bulldogs, solidifying his legacy as a coach who could win the big one.
Despite some of the losses, Smart has consistently fielded competitive teams in postseason play, and his performance thus far gives hope for even more success in the years to come. The fact that Smart’s Bulldogs were able to reach the pinnacle of college football after only five seasons with the program speaks volumes about his coaching ability and his ability to perform under pressure.
Nick Saban: The Benchmark for Postseason Excellence
When it comes to postseason play, no one has set a higher standard than Nick Saban. His career, particularly at Alabama, is the definition of dominance. Since taking over the Crimson Tide in 2007, Saban has led Alabama to an incredible 18-6 postseason record, including an astounding nine SEC Championships and six national titles.
Saban’s postseason success has earned him the reputation as the best college football coach in history, and his ability to get his teams to peak during the most important games has made him an untouchable figure in the sport. Let’s take a look at some of Saban’s most significant postseason achievements:
-
2009 National Championship: In just his third season at Alabama, Saban led the Crimson Tide to a national title, defeating Texas in the BCS National Championship Game. This victory set the stage for Alabama’s dominance under Saban and was the beginning of what would become a dynasty.
-
2011 National Championship: After a brief hiccup in 2010, Alabama bounced back in 2011, defeating LSU in a rematch of the SEC Championship Game to claim another national title. This victory demonstrated Saban’s ability to not only build a championship team but to improve it after a setback.
-
2015, 2017, and 2020 National Championships: Saban’s ability to maintain Alabama’s dominance throughout the years, even as other teams like Clemson and Georgia emerged as competitors, is remarkable. His continued success on the biggest stage solidified his place in college football history.
Saban’s postseason track record is a testament to his unparalleled ability to recruit, develop talent, and manage the pressure of the postseason. The Crimson Tide’s nine SEC Championships during his tenure are a record that places him in a league of his own when it comes to conference dominance.
Comparison: Smart vs. Saban
When comparing the postseason records of Smart and Saban, it’s important to consider not just the numbers, but the context. Smart’s 8-5 postseason record (as of 2025) is impressive, especially given that he has only been a head coach for a relatively short period of time. While Saban’s 18-6 postseason record may seem like a clear advantage, it’s important to remember that Saban has been in the game for over two decades, and his program has been a perennial powerhouse.
What makes Smart’s record even more notable is the fact that Georgia has consistently been competitive with Alabama and other top-tier programs, despite having been in the game for a shorter time. Many of Smart’s losses have come in high-stakes games against elite teams like Alabama, and these close losses have only served to fuel his determination to elevate Georgia to the next level.
Saban, by contrast, has experienced fewer losses in postseason play. His extensive experience and ability to maintain Alabama’s dominance for nearly two decades have allowed him to reach unprecedented heights. However, it’s also worth noting that Saban has benefitted from one of the most stable and dominant programs in the history of college football, with far fewer challenges in terms of rebuilding or retooling than Smart has faced at Georgia.
In terms of their legacies, Saban has firmly established himself as the gold standard. However, Smart’s continued success, especially his breakthrough 2021 national championship, indicates that Georgia is a program on the rise with Smart at the helm. As Smart’s tenure continues, there is potential for him to reach even greater heights, and many are already predicting that he could eventually challenge Saban’s dominance in the SEC and beyond.
The Road Ahead: Can Kirby Smart Catch Nick Saban?
While Saban’s record is nearly untouchable, Kirby Smart’s early success is undeniable. As the landscape of college football continues to evolve, with new playoff systems and shifting recruiting dynamics, Smart is in a prime position to build on his early accomplishments.
The key to Smart’s long-term success will be maintaining consistency in recruiting, player development, and postseason execution. While Saban’s experience and dominance may still give him the edge for now, Smart’s ability to win at the highest level so early in his career indicates that he has the potential to challenge Saban’s legacy in the years to come.
Smart’s program is built for sustained success, and if he can continue to win SEC Championships and national titles, there is no reason to believe he can’t eventually match or surpass Saban’s postseason achievements.