Lack of success for Georgia when playing the Alabama Crimson Tide is such an old story, it is even wearying for some Alabama fans. Many Georgia fans want to avoid it like a plague. Of course they do. It is one of the most bizarre stories in the 21st century of college football.
Kirby Smart, with his 10 head coaching seasons at his alma mater, is the Dean of SEC Football Coaches. With Mark Stoops out at Kentucky, the SEC's second-longest-tenured head coach is Eli Drinkwitz at Missouri. Drink began with the Tigers in the 2020 season.
Eight SEC head coaches have five seasons or longer head coaching careers: Smart, Kalen DeBoer, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, Josh Heupel, Eli Drinkwitz, Shane Beamer, and Clark Lea. Smart, with a 116-20 record, has the highest winning percentage at 85.3%. In six seasons as an FBS head coach, Kalen DeBoer's record is 56-15 (78.9%). In eight seasons, Josh Heupel is 73-27 (73%). In 14 seasons, Lane Kiffin is 117-53 (68.8%). In seven seasons, Eli Drinkwitz is 58-29 (66.7%). Steve Sarkisian is 93-55 (62.8%) in 12 seasons. In five South Carolina seasons, Shane Beamer is 33-30 (52.4%). Vanderbilt's Clark Lea probably should be named the 2025 SEC Coach of the Year, but his record in five seasons is 26-35 (42.6%).
Kirby Smart vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
As every Georgia fan knows, Smart's impressive resume is tainted by his record against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kirby is 1-7 against the Crimson Tide. His single win came in the 2021 National Championship Game. Kirby lost the 2017 National Championship Game to Nick Saban and Alabama. Under Smart, Georgia and Alabama have played in four SEC Championship Games. Kirby is 0-4 in those games. Smart is also 0-2 against Kalen DeBoer in SEC regular-season games.
No human could shed so much disappointment. The history must weigh heavily on Smart when he cannot block it from his mind. Does that give Alabama an edge on Saturday? Perhaps it does give the Crimson Tide a slight advantage, but the history should have little impact on Georgia's players. Other than getting some payback for Georgia's two regular-season, September losses, current Georgia players will have more pressing goals.
Note: Coaching records provided by Sports Reference