Nick Saban, widely regarded as the greatest college football coach of all time, has long been the gold standard for success. His unmatched legacy, built on seven national championships, has set the bar impossibly high for anyone looking to challenge his dominance. Yet, Kirby Smart, one of Saban’s former assistants, is steadily carving out his own path to greatness, and he’s already managed to achieve something Saban never did.
This past weekend, Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs secured their fourth consecutive trip to the SEC Championship game, a feat that eluded even Saban during his storied career. While Saban reached three consecutive SEC title games during his tenure at Alabama (2014–2016), he never managed a fourth. Smart’s accomplishment not only highlights his consistency as a coach but also cements Georgia’s place as a dominant force in college football under his leadership.
The achievement is even more remarkable when considering the changing landscape of the SEC. Previously, Georgia’s success was often dismissed by critics who pointed to the perceived weakness of the SEC East division compared to the West, where Saban’s Alabama faced tougher competition.
However, 2024 marked the first year of a divisionless SEC, and Georgia still emerged as the top contender. This milestone silences doubts and reinforces the Bulldogs’ reputation as a powerhouse, regardless of structural changes in the conference.
Under Smart, Georgia has now made seven SEC Championship game appearances in the last eight seasons. This consistency is unprecedented and showcases a level of dominance that rivals even the best periods of Saban’s Alabama dynasty. From 2017 to 2019, Georgia matched Alabama’s record of three consecutive appearances before falling short in 2020. Since then, the Bulldogs have exceeded expectations, breaking records and setting new standards in the SEC.
While Smart still has a long way to go to match Saban’s seven national titles, this accomplishment is a significant step in building his own legacy. It reflects not only his ability to sustain success but also his skill in adapting to new challenges, such as the SEC’s restructured format.
As the Bulldogs head into another SEC Championship game, Smart’s achievements highlight his growing influence on college football. If he can continue this trajectory and add more national titles to his résumé, he may one day stand alongside Saban as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
