Kirby Smart, head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, shared his thoughts on the state of college football ahead of Georgia’s upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) game, discussing what he believes isn’t conducive to the game’s long-term health. While Smart focused on the excitement surrounding the CFP, he also took the opportunity to voice concerns about broader trends within the sport.
One of Smart’s main points of emphasis was roster turnover, particularly in light of the NCAA transfer portal. With the portal allowing athletes to transfer freely between programs, Smart expressed concerns about the lack of continuity within teams. He noted how difficult it has become to maintain program stability, especially when high-profile players leave and join teams at an accelerated rate. While acknowledging that the portal gives players more opportunities, Smart questioned whether this constant movement is in the best interest of college football, as it could potentially disrupt team chemistry and undermine the development of long-term team cultures.
“It’s tough to build a program when players are always looking to leave,” Smart said. “The transfer portal gives players freedom, but it also brings challenges. We’re seeing teams change drastically from year to year, and that can take away from the spirit of college football, where teams develop over time.”
Smart also pointed out that the name, image, and likeness (NIL) landscape has added further complexity. While he supports players being compensated for their likeness, he worries that the shift in focus towards money could distract from the game itself, leading to an imbalance in how programs recruit and operate.
As Georgia prepares for its CFP matchup, Smart’s comments reflect his broader concerns for the future of college football, calling for a balance between player freedom and preserving the core values of the sport.