Kirby Smart of Georgia Talks About What He Misses Most About Contemporary College Football

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Title: Kirby Smart’s Reflection on the Changing Landscape of College Football

Introduction: In the world of college football, few figures are as influential or insightful as Kirby Smart, the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. A former assistant coach under Nick Saban at Alabama, Smart has guided Georgia to national prominence, securing national championships in 2021 and 2022. However, despite his success and the dominance of his program, Smart has been vocal about the changing dynamics of college football. In recent years, he has expressed concerns about the future of the sport, particularly in regard to the impact of the transfer portal, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations, and the growing commercialization of college athletics.

This article explores Kirby Smart’s reflections on what he misses most about contemporary college football and why he believes some changes have made the sport less predictable and less focused on long-term development.

I. The Era of Stability in College Football: Smart’s journey into coaching, like many others, began in an era where college football was largely characterized by stability. Players stayed at their programs for the duration of their college careers, often committing to a team for four years or more. This environment allowed for steady roster development, a deepening of team culture, and the nurturing of relationships between coaches and players.

Kirby Smart reflects on how in previous decades, the culture was much more stable. “When I first started coaching, players weren’t jumping in and out of the transfer portal,” Smart said. “We had a much more consistent roster. It allowed us to develop guys for multiple years, and you could see the results over time.” This sentiment echoes a broader frustration felt by many coaches who now face constant turnover in their rosters due to the transfer portal.

The Impact of the Transfer Portal: One of the most significant changes in contemporary college football is the introduction of the transfer portal. In essence, the portal allows players to transfer between schools without having to sit out a season, something that was once a staple of college sports. While the portal has given student-athletes more freedom and control over their careers, it has created challenges for coaches who must deal with the constant uncertainty of roster management.

Kirby Smart has been outspoken about the implications of the transfer portal, acknowledging its benefits but also pointing out its negative effects on team-building and long-term development. “In the past, we would recruit a kid and work with him for four years,” Smart explained. “Now, you recruit a kid, and you have no idea if he’ll be there for two seasons or if he’ll leave after one.” This level of uncertainty makes it difficult for coaches to build cohesive teams and foster long-term growth.

Smart has also expressed concern about how the transfer portal has impacted the development of younger players. Instead of patiently waiting their turn to play, some players opt to transfer if they aren’t immediately starting. This has shifted the focus of college football from player development to roster acquisition, making it more like a professional sports league in which teams frequently sign new talent in an effort to win now.

II. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): Another major change to college football that Smart has mentioned in interviews is the introduction of NIL rights for players. NIL, which allows college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, has revolutionized college sports. Players are now able to sign sponsorship deals, earn money from social media, and monetize their personal brands. While NIL has provided financial benefits to student-athletes, it has also introduced a number of challenges for coaches.

One of Smart’s key concerns is how NIL has altered the traditional model of college football. “College football used to be about development and building a team over time,” he said. “Now, players are more concerned about how much they can make off the field. It creates a different mindset. It’s no longer just about football; it’s about creating a business around yourself.” This shift has raised concerns that players may prioritize financial opportunities over their commitment to their teams and the sport itself.

Smart also pointed out that NIL deals have created a competitive imbalance. Programs with more resources and bigger fanbases have the ability to offer larger deals, which can lead to a “pay-to-play” environment. Smaller programs, which cannot compete in the NIL market, risk falling behind in recruiting and roster development.

III. The Changing Nature of Recruiting: As NIL and the transfer portal have transformed the landscape of college football, recruiting has become more complex. Coaches like Kirby Smart now have to navigate an environment where players can switch schools at will, and where high school recruits have different expectations about their potential earnings and career paths.

Smart acknowledged that recruiting has become more challenging, saying, “We recruit players who might not even be at the school by the time the season starts. The transfer portal has made it much more difficult to predict who you’ll have on your roster.” Recruiting has also become more financially driven, with some players prioritizing NIL deals and playing time over traditional factors like team culture and personal development.

The increased financial incentives in recruiting have also led to changes in how players view their commitment to a school. Whereas athletes once pledged to a school based on their love for the program and its culture, they now weigh the financial offers available through NIL deals. This creates an environment where loyalty to a school or coach may take a back seat to the potential for financial gain.

IV. The Loss of Player Development: One of Smart’s key frustrations with the modern college football environment is the erosion of player development. Traditionally, college football programs took pride in their ability to develop young athletes into future NFL stars, but the current landscape has shifted the focus toward immediate results. As Smart explained, “It used to be that you recruited a kid and you had four years to develop him. Now, you recruit him, and you might only have him for a season or two.”

This accelerated timeline has diminished the emphasis on long-term player development. Athletes who are looking to make an immediate impact are more likely to leave if they are not starting right away, rather than sticking with the program and improving over time. Smart believes this hurts not only the individual players but also the programs that could benefit from a more developed and experienced roster.

V. The Diminishing Role of Tradition in College Football: Beyond the structural changes in college football, Smart has also expressed concern about the diminishing role of tradition in the sport. College football has a rich history, with teams and fans often celebrating the long-standing rivalries, iconic stadiums, and unique team cultures. Smart laments the loss of these traditions as the sport becomes more commercialized and focused on profit.

“The game was always bigger than the individual players or coaches,” Smart said. “It was about the team, the university, and the fans. We’ve lost a lot of that with the rise of NIL and the increased focus on individual success. It’s hard to maintain a sense of tradition when the whole sport is changing so fast.”

VI. The Future of College Football: Despite his frustrations, Kirby Smart remains optimistic about the future of college football. He acknowledges that the sport is evolving, but he believes that the core values of competition, hard work, and team spirit will continue to thrive. “I think college football will always be about the players and the coaches,” Smart said. “There will be challenges, but the game is tough, and it’s still the greatest sport in the world.”

Smart also sees opportunities for college football to evolve in a way that benefits both the players and the institutions. He is hopeful that reforms can be implemented to strike a balance between NIL opportunities and player development, allowing for a system that rewards hard work while maintaining the spirit of college athletics.

As the landscape of college football continues to shift, Kirby Smart’s reflections serve as a reminder of the sport’s rich tradition and the challenges that come with modernization. The introduction of the transfer portal and NIL rights has undoubtedly changed the game, but Smart’s insights offer a valuable perspective on the importance of player development, team stability, and loyalty. While the future of college football may be uncertain, it is clear that Smart’s commitment to building strong, disciplined teams remains as strong as ever.