As the College Football Playoffs continue, the Georgia Bulldogs are preparing to face Notre Dame in the quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl, and look to claim their third national championship in four years, all under the leadership of Kirby Smart, who took over as head coach in 2016.
“I think this is the most glorious period of Georgia football,” AJC, Georgia Bulldogs beat writer, Chip Towers said as he joined Sam Crenshaw and Greg Clarkston on Tuesday morning via phone to discuss the Georgia, Notre Dame showdown and share his thoughts on how well the Bulldogs have been under Smart.
“I think Kirby Smart is the greatest coach that Georgia’s ever had,” Towers added as he reflected on covering Georgia during Smart’s days as a player for the Bulldogs and sharing the news of Smart being targeted by Georgia to succeed Mark Richt.
“They didn’t want to see him go up the street but you couldn’t be sure, he was a young unproven head coach at that time,” Towers continued, noting how Smart’s time under Saban and drawing attention from programs like South Carolina may have led to Georgia turning their attention to Smart.
As they wrapped up their conversation, Towers highlighted Smart becoming the fastest coach to reach 100 wins in the modern era and leading the Bulldogs to three SEC championships and two national championships, with the potential to win a third this season. “I think he’s done the best job he’s ever done for Georgia this year,” Towers added, noting “the natural talent turnover” and injuries have plagued the Bulldogs.