The head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, Kirby Smart, was recently ranked as the top college football coach by ESPN — all because he has an impressive record, leading the team to 94 wins in his eight seasons, including back-to-back championships. He’s built a powerhouse program known for its victories, team-building, and recruiting.

However, a recent episode of The Players’ Lounge podcast revealed a surprising truth about Georgia’s approach to the transfer portal. Star players Malaki Starks and Miles Thornton discussed the squad’s “team-first“ philosophy and shared stories about Smart’s honesty regarding player transfers. Thornton even laughed while recounting Smart’s words, “Kirby says all the time, if we lose you, that is okay,“ and we’ll replace soon. Despite the lighthearted tone, commentators analyzed the harsh reality behind Smart’s statement. 

Kirby Smart’s approach to replacing players is questioned

Dean Legge of Dawg Post recently emphasized Kirby Smart’s firm stance on player transfers. He recalled a podcast interview where Georgia players revealed Smart’s motto: “If we lose you, that’s okay, we will replace you.“ According to Legge, “They don’t care who’s running out there in Silver Britches.“ While the team cares about players’ futures to some extent, the program’s overall success is the ultimate goal. Kirby’s belief that “the program is larger than any one program or player” drives his tough decisions.

Legge then underscored a striking instance of this approach, asking, “Did you realize that Jamon Dumas-Johnson was an All-American? He does not play at Georgia anymore; he was replaced.” He further remarked, “He’s at Kentucky where he will be a really good player.” While Legge acknowledges every player is technically replaceable, he also points out that some are more challenging to replace than others. This raises questions about whether Georgia’s strategy will be sustainable in the long run and if they can maintain their winning streak by consistently swapping players.

Can Smart gamble on talent?

On the other hand, Kirby Smart‘s prowess in recruiting is undeniable. The head coach recently unveiled his fundamental approach to selecting players, focusing on those “who love football and embrace being part of something bigger than themselves.“ He seeks out selfless players dedicated to the team’s long-term success and avoids those who are solely focused on personal accolades. This philosophy mirrors Georgia’s reputation for prioritizing the program over individual players, offering a contrasting perspective to Smart’s transfer strategy.

However, Smart’s cutthroat approach to replacing underperforming players raises questions. While his strategy has been successful so far, in the future, replacing exceptional talents like Malaki Starks or Miles Thornton is no easy task. The loss of key players like Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey to the NFL draft has affected Georgia’s offensive depth badly. Given this situation, will Georgia make any big “replacement changes?” The pressure to win is enormous, but is constantly replacing players the right solution? Share your thoughts in the comments below.