Kirby Smart, the $50 million head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, is once again in the spotlight — but this time, not for winning championships. Instead, it’s his latest comments on the state of college athletics that have fans raising eyebrows and speculating that he may have just lost a top recruit to the Miami Hurricanes.
During a recent media session, Smart expressed serious concerns about the growing influence of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and the transfer portal, calling it a “concerning trend” that could destabilize the foundation of college football. “It’s hard to build a team when your roster’s up for sale every offseason,” Smart said.
While his concerns echo those of many coaches navigating the evolving college sports landscape, fans were quick to pounce. Social media lit up with reactions, many accusing Smart of being a sore loser following rumors that a prized recruit flipped from Georgia to Miami — a program known for making aggressive moves in the NIL space.
“Sounds like he just got outbid,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another joked, “$50 million can’t buy chill, apparently.”
Miami fans in particular were quick to mock the comments, framing them as a thinly veiled shot at their program’s recent recruiting wins. Others pointed out that Smart had no complaints when NIL worked in his favor, citing past recruits who allegedly benefited from Georgia’s own deep pockets.
Still, some came to Smart’s defense, agreeing that the current landscape lacks regulation and consistency. “He’s not wrong,” one user posted. “The NCAA opened Pandora’s box and walked away.”
Whether it’s a genuine concern for the future of the sport or frustration over losing a big-time recruit, one thing is clear — when a $50 million coach speaks, everyone listens. And this time, Kirby Smart’s words may have said more than he intended.