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Smart Football: The First Nine Years

Kirby Smart’s tenure as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs is a story of relentless progression, championship culture, and historic dominance. Since taking over in 2016, Smart has transformed UGA from a program with potential into a consistent national powerhouse, winning conference titles, setting records, and delivering back-to-back national championships. This breakdown will evaluate each year of his head coaching career at Georgia, highlighting his accomplishments, milestones, and the defining moments that have shaped his legacy.

2016
In his first season, Smart guided the Bulldogs to an 8–5 overall record (4–4 in SEC play), highlighted by dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks—including victories over No. 8 Auburn and No. 22 North Carolina. The team capped the year with a Liberty Bowl win over TCU. While not spectacular, this season laid the foundation for his culture shift at UGA.

2017
Smart’s second year was transformative. Georgia posted a 13–2 record (7–1 SEC), claimed the SEC East, and earned the SEC Championship—their first conference title since 2005. They advanced through the Rose Bowl as a CFP semifinal over Oklahoma, before falling narrowly to Alabama in the national championship game. Smart earned SEC Coach of the Year (both AP and Coaches) and the prestigious George Munger National Coach of the Year award. Roquan Smith claimed the Dick Butkus Award and All-American honors—a signature season for Smart.

2018
Georgia finished 11–3 (7–1 SEC), winning their third straight East title. They lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and to Texas in the Sugar Bowl. Although not championship-level, the season underscored UGA’s consistency and Smart’s ability to maintain high standards.

2019
A return to form at 12–2 (7–1 SEC), including wins over top‑15 teams such as Notre Dame, Florida, and Auburn. Georgia secured another SEC East title, lost the SEC Championship to LSU, but rebounded with a dominant Sugar Bowl win over Baylor. It was the first time Georgia tallied 11+ wins in three straight seasons in program history.

2020
In a COVID‑shortened season, Georgia went 8–2 (7–2 SEC). Still, UGA secured a major bowl victory—beating previously unbeaten Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl on January 1, 2021—and marked Smart’s fourth straight New Year’s Six bowl appearance.

2021
This was the crown jewel: Georgia reached an undefeated regular season in the SEC (8–0), went 14–1 overall, and won the program’s first national championship since 1980. They routed Michigan in the Orange Bowl semifinal and beat Alabama 33–18 in the National Championship Game. The defense set the tone—and the senior class set a school record for career wins (45). Smart earned SEC Coach of the Year again.

2022
Georgia remained unstoppable—posting a perfect 15–0 season (including 8–0 in SEC), winning the SEC Championship over LSU, then defeating Ohio State in the Peach Bowl semifinal before dismantling TCU 65–7 in the championship: the largest margin in CFP title game history. UGA secured its first back‑to‑back CFP titles. Smart was again named SEC Coach of the Year, marking his third honor.

2023
UGA maintained excellence with a 13–1 record (8–0 SEC), tying an SEC record 29‑game conference win streak. Though the win streak ended with a narrow loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, Georgia rebounded to crush Florida State 63–3 in the Orange Bowl—the largest margin ever in an FBS bowl game.

2024
Smart’s Bulldogs went 11–3 overall (6–2 SEC), earning their third SEC title under him via an overtime win over Texas in the Championship Game. He recorded his 100th career win as head coach in a regular‑season victory over No. 1 Texas earlier that year. Georgia earned a #2 seed and first-round bye in the CFP but were upset by Notre Dame 23–10 in the Sugar Bowl.

Overall Summary (2016–2024)
Record: 105–19 overall, including six SEC East titles, three SEC Championships (2017, 2022, 2024), and back-to-back CFP National Championships (2021, 2022).
Bowl record: 9 wins in 12 games.
Recognitions: SEC Coach of the Year in 2017, 2021, and 2022; George Munger National Coach of the Year (2017).
Milestones: Highest winning percentage (.847) all-time among Georgia coaches, the most wins in first 100 SEC games in history, and the first coach to win consecutive CFP titles.

Smart immediately transformed Georgia into a perennial national contender. After modest and transitional 2016, his teams built sustained dominance: consistent SEC East titles; strong recruiting classes; NFL-bound homegrown talent; elite defenses; disciplined play-calling; and two historic CFP championships. His only blemishes came against top-tier competition (primarily Alabama or LSU), but he rebounded quickly. Notably, the 2022 team’s 15‑0 run and 65–7 title win cemented UGA’s place among elite modern programs. Looking ahead, entering 2025, Smart has established a legacy—he stands not only as the winningest coach in modern Georgia history but as one of college football’s premier architects of success.

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WBB: 2025-26 Schedule Announced

From Georgia Sports Communications

Sixteen home games, a trip to Florida State for the ACC/SEC Challenge and a challenging Southeastern Conference slate highlight the Georgia women’s basketball team’s 2025-26 schedule.

The season tips off on Nov. 3 against Alabama State as part of a doubleheader with Georgia’s men’s basketball program. The November schedule is highlighted by six home games, culminating with a matchup against Georgia Tech on Sunday, Nov. 23. 

Georgia hits the road for two neutral-site contests at the Fort Myers Tip-Off over Thanksgiving break, before facing Florida State in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Lady Bulldogs’ annual Education Game takes place on Monday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. inside Stegeman Coliseum, just before a pair of neutral-site games in Richmond, Va.

The Lady Bulldogs’ non-conference slate concludes Dec. 29 with a matchup against Charleston Southern. 

Georgia’s SEC schedule tips off on New Year’s Day with a trip to Oxford, Miss., to take on the Ole Miss Rebels, before a home game against Texas A&M on Jan. 4. The Lady Bulldogs then play LSU and South Carolina in back-to-back games, with the Tigers coming to Athens on Jan. 8 and Georgia trekking to South Carolina on Jan. 11.

Following a bye week, the Lady Bulldogs once again play Ole Miss – this time at home on Jan. 18. Georgia concludes January with trips to Arkansas and Kentucky and a home matchup against Alabama.

February begins with a home contest against the Tennessee Lady Vols on Thursday, Feb. 5. The Lady Bulldogs conclude the month with a pair of road games at Auburn and at Texas before the regular season finale against Florida on March 1 inside Stegeman Coliseum.

The 2026 SEC Tournament will take place from March 4 to 8 in Greenville, S.C.

Game times for all regular-season games are based on television designations, which will be announced at a later date.

Head Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson enters the upcoming campaign with eight new faces and four returners on the roster, including SEC All-Freshman selections Mia Woolfolk and Trinity Turner. 

Season Ticket Information

Season ticket renewal applications are available for 2024-25 season ticket holders at georgiadogs.com/my account. Fans interested in securing new women’s basketball season tickets can request them at the following link: https://georgiadogs.evenue.net/events/WBBNEW.

2025-26 Schedule

Monday, Nov. 3 – vs. Alabama State (Home)
Thursday, Nov. 6 – vs. Furman (Home)
Monday, Nov. 10 – vs. USC Upstate (Home)
Thursday, Nov. 13 – vs. at South Carolina State (Away)
Sunday, Nov. 16 – vs. Jacksonville State (Home)
Thursday, Nov. 20 – vs. North Florida (Home)
Sunday, Nov. 23 – vs. Georgia Tech (Home)
Friday, Nov. 28 – vs. Kansas (Neutral – Fort Myers Tip-Off)
Saturday, Nov. 29 – vs. Butler (Neutral – Fort Myers Tip-Off)
Wednesday, Dec. 3 – at Florida State (Away – ACC/SEC Challenge)
Monday, Dec. 15 – vs. North Carolina A&T (Home)
Saturday, Dec. 20 – vs. TBA (Richmond Tournament)
Sunday, Dec. 21 – vs. TBA (Richmond Tournament)
Monday, Dec. 29 – vs. Charleston Southern (Home)

Thursday, Jan. 1 – at Ole Miss (Away)

Sunday, Jan. 4 – vs. Texas A&M (Home)

Thursday, Jan. 8 – vs. LSU (Home)

Sunday, Jan. 11 – at South Carolina (Away)

Sunday, Jan. 18 – vs. Ole Miss (Home)

Thursday, Jan. 22 – at Arkansas (Away)

Sunday, Jan. 25 – at Kentucky (Away)

Thursday, Jan. 29 – vs. Alabama (Home)

Thursday, Feb. 5 – vs. Tennessee (Home)

Sunday, Feb. 8 – at Missouri (Away)

Thursday, Feb. 12 – at Mississippi State (Away)

Sunday, Feb. 15 – vs. Vanderbilt (Home)

Thursday, Feb. 19 – vs. Oklahoma (Home)

Monday, Feb. 23 – at Auburn (Away)

Thursday, Feb. 26 – at Texas (Away)

Sunday, March 1 – vs. Florida (Home)

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