How long will UGA put up with Kirby if 2019 ends in a failure?

[ccc2259]

Make no mistake about it.....Georgia is good now. And the way Kirby is recruiting, they are set up to continue to be good. Remains to be seen how Kirby handles the difficulties of staff transitions and the egos of 4- and 5-star kids. If he handles those two things well, and continues to recruit at his current pace, Jawja will be a difficult out for years to come, and Dawg fans will build a statue for Kirby.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but I live in Georgia . That’s all we hear is Georgia is great, Bama is in decline. We hear it everywhere. Couple that with the negative recruiting, and it’s not just here, the A&M board has a couple of Kirby recruiting tactics threads. Makes uGly an easy target. If you think we are bashing Kirby, go to the Georgia boards, half 5he threads are about Bama/Saban.

Just like the L8U fans, Saban/Bama are living rent free in their minds year around.

 

[bigjue24]

When it comes to competing with UGA after Saban retires. I think it will be possible to hire a really good replacement. The money is there, the tradition is there, the fanbase is there, and the recruiting will always be there. Bama is a national brand that can always pull in top recruits as long as there is a good recruiter at the helm. CNS simply woke up the monster. The next guy will most likely not be able to be at CNS's level, but who else has ever been at his level? The foundation is set now, and with a good hire the Tide can continue to be a top 8 program year after year. I like the idea of Pruitt at this point. The jury is still out on him running a program, but the class he pulled at UTe was impressive with the awful team they put on the field this year. If he can show the ability to develop the talent he could be the guy.

 

[UAH]

Georgia has been top 5 last couple years. If i was a Georgia fan, I would be pretty happy. They just happen to run into the greatest dynasty in college football. Much like bama ran into Florida/Tebow early in the Saban years. It takes time and need to get a couple breaks going your way. rtr

Agree with you. This seems to be true in all sports college and NFL. Breaking into a dynasty never comes easy. Over and over again teams have to pound at the door and be consistent before they finally break in. We can look at the Yankees-Red Sox as an example of how difficult it is to beat a dynasty in your own conference and how long it took the Dodgers to finally win a World Series against the Yankee dynasty. In the NFL a new team to the playoffs is seldom successful in their first couple of years.
In today's world one has to wonder if Kirby or anyone has the staying power with all of the cross currents of Tennessee and Florida coming to make the East much more competitive.

It does appear that the SEC is going to be the premier most competitive conference in college football for years to come!

 

[CaliforniaTide]

When it comes to competing with UGA after Saban retires. I think it will be possible to hire a really good replacement. The money is there, the tradition is there, the fanbase is there, and the recruiting will always be there. Bama is a national brand that can always pull in top recruits as long as there is a good recruiter at the helm. CNS simply woke up the monster. The next guy will most likely not be able to be at CNS's level, but who else has ever been at his level? The foundation is set now, and with a good hire the Tide can continue to be a top 8 program year after year. I like the idea of Pruitt at this point. The jury is still out on him running a program, but the class he pulled at UTe was impressive with the awful team they put on the field this year. If he can show the ability to develop the talent he could be the guy.

I'm still not convinced the University of Alabama PTB have learned their post-Bryant/Stallings lessons to ensure a smoother transition from CNS to the successor. There will be a dropoff, no matter who replaces him, not to mention that you don't want to be the guy that replaces THE GUY. Enjoy this ride for as long as it lasts.

 

[BamaJama17]

Georgia is not going to fire Kirby Smart. I mean who are they going to get that is better??? Yes he has had to very heartbreaking losses to Alabama but at some point, if he stays long enough, I predict he will win a NC. I’m not saying he will win 4-5 but sooner or later with all the great recruiting recruiting classes he pulls in he’s bound to win one. I realize nothing is guaranteed but as far as coaches who (in the last 30 years) stayed at one place for 10+ seasons that won (just)1 NC we have Holtz, McCartney, Spurrier, Carr, Fulmer, Stoops, Tressel, Brown, and Miles. It doesn’t matter the circumstances of how it happened just the fact that it did happen. Now not all of those coaches listed above are equals but they all recruited good/great every year. Now a counter argument would be Mark Richt however I have to partially give him the benefit of the doubt because in 2002 had there been a playoff, Georgia would have gotten in and had a shot at beating Miami or Ohio State. Other than that he was a notorious underachiever. Alabama’s last two wins over Georgia weren’t because alabama just beat them up and down the field. Both times at halftime Alabama was dead in the water. The first time it just so happened they had Tua as a backup that UGA probably didn’t really do any preparation for and the second time around they didn’t probably anticipate Jalen being that improved as a passer while still being able to hurt them with his legs. Sooner or later there won’t be a game wining pass in OT, there won’t be a 4th and 11 or a miraculous comeback. It may not be at Alabama’s expense (I hope not) but if he sticks around long enough + has top 5 recruiting every year = 1 NC within the next 5-8 years IMO.

 

[Padreruf]

Georgia is not going to fire Kirby Smart. I mean who are they going to get that is better??? Yes he has had to very heartbreaking losses to Alabama but at some point, if he stays long enough, I predict he will win a NC. I’m not saying he will win 4-5 but sooner or later with all the great recruiting recruiting classes he pulls in he’s bound to win one. I realize nothing is guaranteed but as far as coaches who (in the last 30 years) stayed at one place for 10+ seasons that won (just)1 NC we have Holtz, McCartney, Spurrier, Carr, Fulmer, Stoops, Tressel, Brown, and Miles. It doesn’t matter the circumstances of how it happened just the fact that it did happen. Now not all of those coaches listed above are equals but they all recruited good/great every year. Now a counter argument would be Mark Richt however I have to partially give him the benefit of the doubt because in 2002 had there been a playoff, Georgia would have gotten in and had a shot at beating Miami or Ohio State. Other than that he was a notorious underachiever. Alabama’s last two wins over Georgia weren’t because alabama just beat them up and down the field. Both times at halftime Alabama was dead in the water. The first time it just so happened they had Tua as a backup that UGA probably didn’t really do any preparation for and the second time around they didn’t probably anticipate Jalen being that improved as a passer while still being able to hurt them with his legs. Sooner or later there won’t be a game wining pass in OT, there won’t be a 4th and 11 or a miraculous comeback. It may not be at Alabama’s expense (I hope not) but if he sticks around long enough + has top 5 recruiting every year = 1 NC within the next 5-8 years IMO.

I would agree with you except for one coach who could recruit out the wazzoo but couldn't win the big one...Pat Dye. In some/many ways the two remind me of each other...

 

[BamaJama17]

I would agree with you except for one coach who could recruit out the wazzoo but couldn't win the big one...Pat Dye. In some/many ways the two remind me of each other...

Yes that too. Again with a Playoff the 1983 AU would of had their shot at Miami or Nebraska.

 

[UAH]

I'm still not convinced the University of Alabama PTB have learned their post-Bryant/Stallings lessons to ensure a smoother transition from CNS to the successor. There will be a dropoff, no matter who replaces him, not to mention that you don't want to be the guy that replaces THE GUY. Enjoy this ride for as long as it lasts.

I believe it would be great if CNS would grow someone as an heir apparent similar to Jimbo at FSU. Obviously that worked for a time. It is likely way too early but someone like Enos could be groomed to play a larger role over a number of years and could be paid adequately to not feel the pressure of greener pastures. The obvious positive to this is avoiding the major cultural change that occurs when an outsider comes in with his own staff.

Recognizing that this has been historically difficult to accomplish in actual practice.

 

[editder]

All I’ve heard from UGA fans is how 2019 is “The Year”. But what if Georgia Georgia’s again? I mean you can forgive them for the hardest schedule in the country, but UGA on paper might be the most loaded and most experienced team in the nation.
Kirby has the same exact record as Richt in his first 3 years, and has lost 2 highly rated QBs because of Fromm ( granted Fromm is a NFL talent himself). But it seems UGA fans are backing themselves in a do or die season for 2019. I think most of it is because they fear Mullen and Pruitt are going to be serious contenders in the next few years in the east.

More or less my question is “ if Kirby doesn’t get it done next year, will Georgia fans start to question if he will ever get it done and start to look at him as Marc Richt 2.0 instead of Vince Dooley 2.0?”

Not sure I get the reference to Dooley unless you're just equating at least one NC to success. Other than the one NC, which he won with one of the highest impact college players ever, I remember him as mostly mediocre. Richt was more successful overall at UGA than Dooley. And Kirby is trending toward being more successful than either of them.

 

[BamaMoon]

As others have said, maybe Kirby's biggest obstacle is when the SECE was as weak as it's been in years he couldn't win a NC. Florida is coming and it won't be long and UT (I'm high on Pruit) will eventually get much more competitive.

I think Kirby will probably have a pretty long run at Georgia. He knows if he could just win one NC he's legendary (hello Vince Dooley). But, the problem is as long as CNS is at Bama the SEC runs through us and every year he doesn't win one UF and UT are going to be catching up.

Mentioning Pruit above...he's the one guy that can really move up the coaching ladder real fast if he can get UT to the top of the SEC in the next 3 years or so. Right now he's right there with Mullen in that 6-20 range of recruiting classes. That's not Bama/Georgia stuff, but they are in sniffing distance.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

I'm not sure if they've gotten to the point of "winning a championship" is their exacting standard as of yet. I think they are still happy with playing the part of, "dude ... we almost beat you this year". Not saying that they don't want to win a championship, just think they take more pride in almost being there like UCF does with the whole we can beat anyone and we know it because no one wants to play us mentality.

If they lose 2 games next year we might hear some fans murmur. But I'm thinking they have to lose at least 3-4 games next season before fans start to lose their confidence in him. I just don't see that happening though. They could possibly lose more games in 2020 (btw we play them at home that year) but I won't be surprised if they are back in the SEC championship next season.

They have some tough matchups, I just think they still better that everyone on their schedule. A&M would be a tougher game if it was in Texas. They would have to lose to at least 2 SEC East teams next season and right now, not seeing that happen. And lets not forget, the team from West Georgia may have a new coach by the time they play so ... me thinks he'll be around for a while.

 

[bamaga]

I believe it would be great if CNS would grow someone as an heir apparent similar to Jimbo at FSU. Obviously that worked for a time. It is likely way too early but someone like Enos could be groomed to play a larger role over a number of years and could be paid adequately to not feel the pressure of greener pastures. The obvious positive to this is avoiding the major cultural change that occurs when an outsider comes in with his own staff.

Recognizing that this has been historically difficult to accomplish in actual practice.

I like what Cristobal is doing in Oregon! Bringing toughness and physicality to finesse football. Plus, killing on the recruiting trail!

 

[BamaMoon]

I like what Cristobal is doing in Oregon! Bringing toughness and physicality to finesse football. Plus, killing on the recruiting trail!

We ought to watch what Mario is doing and what Pruitt is doing at UT over the next 5 years or so.

Dabo is certainly the #2 coach currently behind CNS, but every year that CNS keeps coaching the possibility of Dabo coming to Bama goes down in my opinion.

 

[theballguy]

Kirby is the new Richt. Georgia fans just don't know it yet. They're too hopeful right now which is the way I like it.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I believe it would be great if CNS would grow someone as an heir apparent similar to Jimbo at FSU. Obviously that worked for a time. It is likely way too early but someone like Enos could be groomed to play a larger role over a number of years and could be paid adequately to not feel the pressure of greener pastures. The obvious positive to this is avoiding the major cultural change that occurs when an outsider comes in with his own staff.

Recognizing that this has been historically difficult to accomplish in actual practice.

But even with Jimbo at FSU and the advantages of that particular coaching situation, Jimbo couldn't make it work long-term and now he's at FSU. OU has made a similar move to Lincoln Riley, and it remains to be seen long-term how that works out, but right now, I'd say OU looks like it may have gotten better.

Alabama, when it comes to replacing CNS, should find the best person for the job. I don't think CNS should groom a replacement, and I don't necessarily think the person has to have a connection to the University or CNS. Whoever the replacement is, he will have tremendous pressure to replicate Alabama's success under CNS, and keep the PTB unified behind him to keep the machine running smoothly.

 

[RTR91]

I believe it would be great if CNS would grow someone as an heir apparent similar to Jimbo at FSU. Obviously that worked for a time. It is likely way too early but someone like Enos could be groomed to play a larger role over a number of years and could be paid adequately to not feel the pressure of greener pastures. The obvious positive to this is avoiding the major cultural change that occurs when an outsider comes in with his own staff.

Recognizing that this has been historically difficult to accomplish in actual practice.

But even with Jimbo at FSU and the advantages of that particular coaching situation, Jimbo couldn't make it work long-term and now he's at FSU. OU has made a similar move to Lincoln Riley, and it remains to be seen long-term how that works out, but right now, I'd say OU looks like it may have gotten better.

Alabama, when it comes to replacing CNS, should find the best person for the job. I don't think CNS should groom a replacement, and I don't necessarily think the person has to have a connection to the University or CNS. Whoever the replacement is, he will have tremendous pressure to replicate Alabama's success under CNS, and keep the PTB unified behind him to keep the machine running smoothly.

If this was to happen, Alabama would need to do it the way OU did. Don't publicly announce the guy is HC in waiting. That only makes him more attractive to other programs.

 

[92tide]

I'm not sure if they've gotten to the point of "winning a championship" is their exacting standard as of yet. I think they are still happy with playing the part of, "dude ... we almost beat you this year". Not saying that they don't want to win a championship, just think they take more pride in almost being there like UCF does with the whole we can beat anyone and we know it because no one wants to play us mentality.

If they lose 2 games next year we might hear some fans murmur. But I'm thinking they have to lose at least 3-4 games next season before fans start to lose their confidence in him. I just don't see that happening though. They could possibly lose more games in 2020 (btw we play them at home that year) but I won't be surprised if they are back in the SEC championship next season.

They have some tough matchups, I just think they still better that everyone on their schedule. A&M would be a tougher game if it was in Texas. They would have to lose to at least 2 SEC East teams next season and right now, not seeing that happen. And lets not forget, the team from West Georgia may have a new coach by the time they play so ... me thinks he'll be around for a while.

at some point he will have his equivalent to our 2010 season. whether or not that is next year or not remains to be seen.

 

[81usaf92]

I think my point was that Kirby was hired for a specific reason and that was to win a NC, and be better than Mark Richt. Neither has been accomplished.Kirby's 1st 3 years is identical to Richt's 1st 3 years and Kirby had more talent in the cupboard. But intrestingly enough Richt's last 3 years he was 27-11 only 4 games inferior to Kirby. When stats like these are visible to everyone there tends to come a high water mark very quickly in a fanbase in which if the goal isn't reached the next year they start to turn on that coach. Look at Michigan and Harbaugh.

I think my question is "If he doesn't achieve the goal or atleast beat Bama next year, does the UGA fanbase start to look at him more critically than they do and stop looking at him like we look at CNS?" I personally think Kirby has 5 years regardless, but I do think the excitement (don't know if that is the best choice of wording) over him in the UGA fanbase is going to take a serious hit if he doesn't seal the deal next year. Especially with Florida and Tennessee becoming more relevant in each year.

 

[BAMAVILLE]

at some point he will have his equivalent to our 2010 season. whether or not that is next year or not remains to be seen.

I would personally love it if it's next year lol

2020 is going to be interesting though, I think there's a possibility that both programs will be breaking in new QBs that year