Photo: Georgia Sports Communications
Expectations are high for Kirby Smart in year two at UGA. Smart was hired to bring a version of the Saban system to Athens. Part of Saban’s legacy is that he turned the Tide in his second season.
Georgia legend and TV analyst Matt Stinchcomb observers that the rebuilding process is over for Smart.
“There have been coaches that have come into this conference to win national championships in year two. Just because it’s your second year at a program, that’s not in rebuilding mode. It’s a program that was notching double-digit wins every season.”
“That’s not news to him,” Stinchcomb said. “Kirby was aware of what he was walking into and what the expectations would be. I think a division championship is not only reasonable but, what it looks like for a conference landscape and from a divisional standpoint, should be expected.”
Kirby has said recruiting and development of players are the keys to championship level play. He has delivered on the recruiting part. He has another 6 weeks for the latter.