Well, the NIL gold rush has college football hurtling down an uncharted path, as it’s turning the transfer portal into a high-stakes auction. Sure, early financial stability is great, but what about the team’s stability? That’s on life support. Just look at Bryce Underwood: he spurned LSU, pocketed $10 million, and hasn’t even stepped onto a college field yet! Wild. But Kirby Smart isn’t up for letting money take over loyalty. Does this seem like an askance at a former player who chased the biggest paycheck? The dots practically connect themselves.
Enter Carson Beck into the conversation. After making a month-long buzz of declaring for the NFL Draft, Kirby Smart’s prized quarterback entered the transfer portal and made a move to the Miami Hurricanes. But what makes this thing interesting is that Beck landed an astonishing NIL deal that’s estimated at $3 to $4 million. And many think that’s what pushed him to make a switch. Now, SEC Mike and Cousin Shane bring out another assumption people are making by putting words in Kirby Smart’s mouth.
Look, Georgia is gearing up for spring ball, and Kirby Smart isn’t mincing words about what he expects from his team. Smart makes it loud and clear, saying, “I want to see the fire. I want to see the passion, the energy. I want to see who wants to be a good football player, who really cares about this game. Like, they care more about the game than they do about their NIL revenue stream. If you really, really, really care about the game and you want to be good, it doesn’t matter about any kind of money.” All Kirby Smart was talking about is how NIL is taking center stage and talent is becoming a side character, but all people can assume is he is throwing jabs at Carson Beck.
That’s really not the case. Even SEC Mike makes a sarcastic comment on it but backs up Kirby Smart’s words, saying, “Who do we know with six Lamborghinis? I’m kidding. Again, he’s not—he didn’t say Carson Beck; he’s not trashing any of these guys, but some people have made that accusation.” Now who doesn’t want to see passion in a team for which the Bulldogs are making big amends? Confused? Georgia lawmakers have thrown a recruiting curveball by proposing a bill to exempt NIL money from state income tax.
So, if it’s passed, this would give Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets players a financial edge, allowing them to keep more money compared to recruits in other states who would lose a portion to taxes. This advantage could make Georgia an even more appealing destination for top talent. In a competitive sport where every advantage counts, this move isn’t just beneficial for players but also serves to tilt the scales in favor of Georgia.
Kirby Smart further adds to his expectations, saying, “It matters how you play the game. And more and more, we’re seeing across college football, the purest—the ones that care about the game the most—play the hardest. And usually, the team that plays hardest wins.” When your team is out there protecting your rights, making things easy for you, and giving your best, it is the least you can do.
But Kirby Smart is not the only one who thinks NIL is getting into players’ heads; even Nick Saban has pretty similar thoughts on it. The Hall of Famer persists in his attacks on NIL culture, saying, “Guys are not going to school where they can create the most value for their future,” Saban says, reflecting the dark side of it. “Guys are going to school where they can make the most money.” Now you can understand how badly it’s affecting the teams. But NIL is not the only thing Kirby Smart should focus on, as another big issue is waiting on the sidelines for him.
Kirby Smart’s $1.5 million move
Kirby Smart is not losing any sleep over the criticism. As Georgia football begins spring practice, the head coach is standing by his decision to retain third-year offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Despite fans calling for changes following Georgia’s lackluster offensive performance in 2024, where they ranked 38th in scoring and 51st in total offense, Smart, now in his 10th season, has shown unwavering trust in his coaching staff. But Smart, entering his 10th season, made it clear he trusts his staff. “I’ve got the best staff in the country,” he said.
The criticism wasn’t just directed at Bobo; offensive line coach Stacy Searels also faced scrutiny. Georgia’s offensive line, a two-time Jim Moore Award finalist, struggled last season, allowing 25 sacks (62nd nationally) and averaging only 124.4 rushing yards per game (102nd). Smart continues to support his team, referring to his staff as “one of the most experienced SEC staffs there is” despite mounting external pressure.
Mike Bobo is not only remaining with the team, but he is also receiving a raise. Starting on July 1, his contract will increase by $100,000 to $1.503 million, followed by another $100,000 raise in 2026, bringing his salary to $1.603 million. This level of long-term commitment indicates strong support from Georgia football’s leadership. Despite falling short of national championship expectations in the 2024 season, Coach Smart values consistency over upheaval.
The Bulldogs will have an opportunity to turn things around soon. The annual spring game for Georgia football will take place on April 12, allowing fans to get a glimpse of the team’s offensive strategy for the upcoming season. All attention will then shift to August 30, when Georgia will kick off the 2025 season at home against Marshall. It remains to be seen whether Coach Smart’s steadfast belief will pay off or if the critics will have the final say.
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