Paul Finebaum, the ever-outspoken voice of college football and SEC lore, made waves yet again—this time not with a hot take or a bombshell prediction, but with something far more unexpected: a four-word apology to Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.
It’s not often that Finebaum, known for his biting commentary and unapologetic honesty, walks back a statement. The longtime ESPN analyst and host of The Paul Finebaum Show has made a living off of stirring the college football pot. Whether he’s touting Alabama’s dynasty, dissecting Nick Saban’s legacy, or poking holes in the playoff system, Finebaum is always one of the first—and loudest—voices in the room. But this past weekend, the usually sharp-tongued analyst offered something he rarely does: contrition. The four words? “I was dead wrong.”
The context, of course, is Georgia football and its head coach, Kirby Smart. Over the past year, Finebaum has voiced skepticism about the Bulldogs’ ability to sustain dominance after winning back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. Entering the 2024 season, Georgia faced immense pressure to maintain its elite status despite roster turnover, coaching staff changes, and the emergence of rivals like Alabama, Michigan, and even Texas. Finebaum, never one to shy away from questioning greatness, suggested repeatedly that the Bulldogs’ window of dominance was closing.
And yet, under Smart’s leadership, Georgia silenced critics once again. Despite early injuries, a midseason quarterback controversy, and a brutal SEC slate, the Bulldogs stormed back to finish the season undefeated and clinched yet another SEC Championship. They went on to crush their College Football Playoff semifinal opponent and convincingly won the national title game. Smart, stoic as ever, had done it again. The three-peat that once seemed like a fantasy had become a fact.
That’s when Finebaum, uncharacteristically subdued, delivered the now-viral apology during a Monday morning segment on ESPN’s Get Up. Host Mike Greenberg teed up the conversation by revisiting Finebaum’s preseason comments in which he expressed “serious doubts” about Smart’s ability to reload effectively in 2024. Greenberg didn’t have to twist the knife—Finebaum did it himself. “I was dead wrong,” he said with a slight grin and a rare moment of humility. “Kirby Smart is the best coach in college football right now. Period.”
To longtime SEC fans, Finebaum’s reversal was both shocking and satisfying. His commentary has long leaned toward Alabama and Nick Saban, the man he once called “the greatest coach in the history of college football.” And to be fair, that claim held water for over a decade. Saban’s six national titles at Alabama—seven overall—cemented his place among the sport’s pantheon of legends. But Smart, a former Saban assistant, has now carved out his own space in that same realm. In fact, his recent achievements have prompted many to suggest that the torch has officially been passed.
Finebaum’s apology is more than a viral clip or a trending topic on Twitter; it’s a moment of cultural recognition within the sport. For years, Georgia fans have bristled at the perception that their program—despite its success—was somehow second-tier to Alabama or Ohio State in the national discourse. The Bulldogs’ fans, who pack Sanford Stadium every Saturday and follow their team with almost religious fervor, have waited for that one moment when the college football world would fully embrace what they already believed: that Georgia isn’t just a good program, it’s the gold standard.
Smart’s rise has been nothing short of methodical. Since taking over in Athens in 2016, he’s transformed Georgia into a talent magnet, consistently finishing in the top three of recruiting rankings. But it’s more than just stars on paper. Smart’s ability to develop players, build depth, and create a culture of accountability has made Georgia formidable in every facet. The defense, long a point of pride under Smart, has become synonymous with speed, physicality, and discipline. The offense, once a conservative afterthought, has evolved into a dynamic and balanced attack capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. Smart adapted, and that adaptability has defined his dominance.
It’s likely that Finebaum, deep down, always knew Georgia was elite. But as a broadcaster who thrives on narrative and controversy, he leaned into the doubt. Perhaps he thought the pressure of maintaining success would crack Smart’s foundation. Perhaps he believed the SEC had become too competitive, too deep, for one team to maintain supremacy. Or perhaps he simply underestimated how powerful a program can become when it blends top-tier talent with top-tier coaching and unwavering culture.
The apology—short as it was—mattered. Not because Kirby Smart needed validation from a television personality, but because Finebaum represents a national voice. His influence stretches beyond the SEC footprint. When he speaks, people listen. When he criticizes, it stings. And when he apologizes, it resonates. For Smart and Georgia, the moment served as a coronation of sorts—another confirmation that the Bulldogs are not just good, not just great, but historically exceptional.
The moment also underscored a broader shift in the college football landscape. For years, Alabama was the model everyone chased. Now, it’s Georgia. Programs from the ACC to the Big Ten to the new-look Big 12 are reshaping their approach based on what’s working in Athens. Defensive schemes, weight training philosophies, and recruiting tactics are being copied. Smart is no longer the student; he’s the professor.
Finebaum’s admission also gave Georgia fans something they seldom get: a national mea culpa. For a fan base often accused of being paranoid or overly defensive, hearing one of their most persistent critics eat crow was a moment of vindication. Social media lit up with reactions from Dawg Nation. Memes, gifs, and quotes flooded the timelines. “We forgive you, Paul” trended for hours. Fans who once shouted at their televisions during Finebaum’s takes were now raising a glass to him.
And make no mistake—Finebaum isn’t walking back his apology. In follow-up appearances throughout the week, he doubled down on his praise for Smart. “This is no longer about potential,” he said on SEC Network. “This is about legacy. Kirby Smart is doing things we haven’t seen since the heyday of Bear Bryant.” Strong words. Perhaps even stronger than the four that sparked it all.
What comes next for Smart and Georgia is anyone’s guess. College football is cyclical, and the pressures of maintaining excellence are enormous. But for now, the Bulldogs are on top, and even their fiercest critics are taking notice. Finebaum’s apology, brief as it was, captured the moment perfectly. It didn’t need to be long. It didn’t need to be dramatic. Just four words—genuine, powerful, and humbling.
“I was dead wrong.” And in that admission, Paul Finebaum gave Georgia football one of its sweetest victories yet. Not on the field. Not in the playoffs. But in the court of public opinion, where perceptions are shaped, legacies are debated, and sometimes, apologies mean everything.
