Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs

Where does Kirby Smart rank among the top coaches in college football?

Here's a look at the career wins by the current 14 SEC football coaches entering the 2019 season.
By Mike Griffith
June 12, 2019

Rankings are subjective, even so, it’s always interesting to ascertain how coaches and programs are judged from the outside.

Take Georgia football coach Kirby Smart, for example.

Smart, only 43 years old and entering this fourth year as the Bulldogs’ head coach, is already considered to be in rarified air by The Sporting News.

Six-time national champion Nick Saban was ranked No. 1 among college coaches, while two-time national champ Dabo Swinney is at No. 2.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher comes in at No. 3, and then there’s Smart at No. 4 with Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley No. 5.

The rest of the top 10 includes Washington’s Chris Petersen at No. 6, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly at No. 7, Florida’s Dan Mullen at No. 8, Texas coach Tom Herman at No. 9 and Jim Harbaugh at No. 10.

Smart will go head-to-head with Fisher for the first time this season when Texas A&M plays at Sanford Stadium on Nov. 23.

About the Author

Mike Griffith
More Stories

Keep Reading

The July 1 date has been circled on the calendars of university leaders and administrators around the nation. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Credit: TNS

What to expect in new collegiate athletics world of revenue sharing

With revenue sharing now in effect, UGA and other schools face roster limits, legal risks and new NIL strategies under the NCAA’s new model.

After monster June, Georgia recruiting class may ‘only get better’ in July

Bulldogs are waiting on announcements from Prothro, Atkinson, Green and others to hopefully enhance their No. 2 class.

Georgia recruiting class leans on brotherhood with 4 sibling commitments

In the 2026 recruiting cycle, the University of Georgia has landed four commitments from prospects whose older brother played for Coach Kirby Smart.

The Latest

The July 1 date has been circled on the calendars of university leaders and administrators around the nation. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Credit: TNS

What to expect in new collegiate athletics world of revenue sharing

After monster June, Georgia recruiting class may ‘only get better’ in July

Georgia recruiting class leans on brotherhood with 4 sibling commitments

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP

Senate GOP passes budget bill Democrats describe as ‘a catastrophe’

Republicans in the U.S. Senate have passed the “big, beautiful bill” championed by President Donald Trump, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote.

State Farm Arena top 5 globally in box office — behind only Sphere, MSG in U.S.

State Farm Arena brought in about $76.2 million across 60 events.

At a store that never closes, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch

At JJ Food Mart on the west side of Atlanta, an armed comedian keeps the midnight watch. If you misbehave, Connell Daniels Jr. might put you on Instagram.