Georgia Football Faces Recruiting Challenges After Kirby Smart’s Latest Coaching Move

For years, Georgia’s football program under Kirby Smart has been a recruiting powerhouse, consistently landing top-tier talent and maintaining dominance in the SEC. But recent shifts in the coaching staff—particularly the departure of a key assistant—have sent ripples through the Bulldogs’ recruiting pipeline. With national signing day looming, concerns are growing: Can Georgia sustain its elite-level recruiting, or will this coaching move create lasting setbacks?

In this deep dive, we’ll explore the latest developments, analyze how coaching changes impact recruiting, and examine what this means for Georgia’s future. Whether you’re a die-hard Bulldogs fan, a college football analyst, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of recruiting, this breakdown will give you the insights you need.

What Happened? The Coaching Move That Shook Georgia’s Recruiting

In early 2024, Georgia experienced a significant coaching shakeup when offensive coordinator Mike Bobo departed to take a head coaching position elsewhere. While Bobo’s exit wasn’t entirely unexpected—he had long been rumored for bigger roles—his timing couldn’t have been worse. The Bulldogs were in the middle of finalizing commitments from several 4-star and 5-star recruits, many of whom had built strong relationships with Bobo during the recruiting process.

This isn’t the first time a coaching change has disrupted Georgia’s recruiting momentum. In 2022, the departure of defensive coordinator Dan Laing (now head coach at Oregon) led to a brief but noticeable dip in defensive recruit commitments. However, Kirby Smart’s ability to quickly promote from within—replacing Laing with Will Muschamp—helped stabilize the situation. This time, the challenge is different: Bobo wasn’t just a coordinator; he was a primary recruiter with deep ties to high school programs in Georgia, Florida, and Texas.

Why This Move Matters More Than Others

Unlike position coaches, offensive and defensive coordinators often serve as the face of a program’s scheme. Recruits don’t just commit to a school—they commit to a system and the coaches who run it. When a coordinator leaves, recruits may:

• Re-evaluate their commitment if they were drawn to the departing coach’s style.
• Consider other programs where that coach has landed.
• Delay their decision until they see who replaces the departed coach.

For Georgia, this is particularly concerning because Bobo was instrumental in securing commitments from top quarterback prospects, a position that often dictates a program’s long-term success. Without him, the Bulldogs risk losing ground to rivals like Alabama, Texas, and Ohio State, all of whom are aggressively pursuing the same recruits.

How Coaching Changes Impact Recruiting: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Recruiting in college football is a relationship-driven process. Prospects spend months—sometimes years—building trust with coaches, attending camps, and envisioning their future in a program. When a key coach leaves, that trust can erode overnight. Here’s how the domino effect plays out:

1. Immediate Recruit Decommitments

Within days of Bobo’s departure, Georgia saw two high-profile recruits—a 5-star wide receiver and a 4-star offensive lineman—reopen their recruitments. While neither has officially decommitted, both have scheduled visits to other schools, a clear sign of uncertainty. This is a common reaction when a primary recruiter leaves, as prospects want to ensure they’re still a priority for the program.

2. Rivals Capitalize on the Chaos

Competing programs waste no time when a rival’s coaching staff is in flux. Alabama’s Nick Saban and Texas’ Steve Sarkisian have already reached out to Georgia commits, pitching stability and continuity. Sarkisian, in particular, has a strong track record of flipping recruits in these situations, having done so multiple times during his tenure at Alabama and Texas.

3. The Domino Effect on Current Players

It’s not just recruits who are affected—current players may also consider transferring if they feel the new coaching direction doesn’t align with their goals. While Georgia’s roster is deep, losing a key player or two to the transfer portal could further destabilize the program’s appeal to high school prospects.

4. Long-Term Scheme Uncertainty

Bobo’s offense was known for its balance between run and pass, a style that appealed to pro-style quarterbacks. If his replacement introduces a drastically different system (e.g., a more run-heavy or air-raid approach), recruits who committed based on the previous scheme may look elsewhere. This is especially true for quarterbacks, who often choose schools based on how well the offense fits their skill set.

Related: How College Football Recruiting Works: A Step-by-Step Guide

Kirby Smart’s Response: Can Georgia Recover?

Kirby Smart is no stranger to navigating coaching transitions. His ability to adapt and maintain stability has been a hallmark of his tenure at Georgia. Here’s how he’s addressing the current challenge:

1. Promoting From Within

Instead of hiring an external offensive coordinator, Smart opted to promote quarterbacks coach Monken Todd to the OC role. This move has two key advantages:

• Continuity: Monken has been with the program for three years and already has relationships with commits.
• Scheme familiarity: He’s been instrumental in developing Georgia’s quarterbacks, so recruits know what to expect.

2. Lean on the “Georgia Brand”

Georgia isn’t just selling a coach—it’s selling a championship culture. The Bulldogs have won back-to-back national titles (2021, 2022) and remain a pereial playoff contender. Smart’s pitch to recruits now emphasizes the program’s long-term success over any single coach’s influence.

3. Accelerated Recruiting Efforts

Smart and his staff have ramped up their recruiting efforts, hosting more official visits and leveraging Georgia’s NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) collective to reinforce commitments. The Bulldogs’ NIL program, Classic City Collective, is one of the most well-funded in the country, giving them a financial edge in retaining top talent.

4. Targeting “Scheme-Fit” Recruits

With Monkeow calling the plays, Georgia is doubling down on recruits who fit his pro-style, quarterback-friendly system. This includes prioritizing pocket-passing QBs and versatile tight ends, positions that Monken has historically developed well.

See also: Top 5 College Football Recruiting Strategies in 2024

What This Means for Georgia’s 2025 Class and Beyond

The immediate concern is Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class, which currently ranks No. 3 nationally (per 247Sports). While that’s still elite, the Bulldogs have seen a slight drop in momentum, with rivals like Texas and Oregon closing the gap. Here’s what to watch for in the coming months:

1. Quarterback Recruiting: The Biggest Wildcard

Georgia has yet to secure a quarterback commit for 2025, a rare and concerning situation for a program of its caliber. The top remaining QB targets—5-star Dylan Raiola and 4-star Madden Farley—are both considering other schools. If the Bulldogs whiff on both, it could create a depth chart crisis in 2025, especially if current QB Carson Beck declares for the NFL Draft.

2. Defensive Recruiting Remains Strong

While the offense faces uncertainty, Georgia’s defense continues to thrive under Will Muschamp. The Bulldogs have already secured commitments from three 5-star defensive prospects, including the nation’s top cornerback. This balance could help offset any offensive recruiting struggles.

3. The NIL Factor: Can Money Trump Coaching Changes?

Georgia’s NIL collective has been aggressive in offering lucrative deals to top recruits. In some cases, these financial incentives may be enough to keep commits from flipping. However, NIL alone isn’t always enough—recruits still want to play in a system where they can develop and succeed.

4. Long-Term Program Stability

If Georgia can weather this storm and still land a top-5 class in 2025, it will send a message that the program is bigger than any single coach. However, if recruiting slips further, it could open the door for rivals to challenge Georgia’s SEC dominance in the years ahead.

Related: How NIL Money Is Changing College Football Recruiting

Expert Take: What Analysts Are Saying

We reached out to college football recruiting analysts to get their perspective on Georgia’s situation. Here’s what they had to say:

Barton Simmons, Former 247Sports Director of Recruiting

“Georgia is in a tough spot, but they’ve been here before. The key will be how quickly Monken can establish himself as a recruiting closer. If he can get a few big names to reaffirm their commitments in the next month, the momentum will swing back in their favor. If not, we could see a snowball effect.”

Tom Luginbill, ESPN Recruiting Analyst

“Kirby Smart’s greatest strength is his ability to adapt and sell stability. Right now, he’s selling the Georgia brand over any individual coach. That works for blue-chip recruits who want to play for a championship program, but it’s a harder sell for guys who had a personal coection with Bobo.”

Bud Elliott, Sports Illustrated College Football Analyst

“The quarterback situation is the biggest red flag. If Georgia doesn’t land a top-tier QB in this class, it could set them back for years. You can’t win championships without elite quarterback play, and right now, they don’t have a clear answer at the position beyond 2024.”

What’s Next? Key Dates to Watch

The next few months will be critical for Georgia’s recruiting efforts. Here are the key dates to mark on your calendar:

• December 2024: Early signing period. This is when most recruits will make their commitments official. Georgia needs to lock down its class here to avoid further attrition.
• January 2025: Dead period ends. Coaches can resume in-home visits, which will be crucial for shoring up any wavering commits.
• February 2025: National Signing Day. Any recruits who didn’t sign in December will make their final decisions. This is Georgia’s last chance to salvage the class.
• Spring 2025: Transfer portal window opens. If Georgia struggles to replace Bobo’s impact, they may turn to the portal for immediate help, particularly at quarterback.

How Georgia Can Turn This Around: A Blueprint for Recovery

While the situation is challenging, it’s not insurmountable. Here’s what Georgia needs to do to regain its recruiting momentum:

1. Monken Must Become the Face of the Offense

Monkeeeds to hit the recruiting trail hard, visiting top targets and reassuring commits that the offense will remain elite. His track record of developing QBs (including Stetson Beett) should be a major selling point.

2. Lean on Player-Led Recruiting

Current Georgia players—especially stars like Malaki Starks and Mykel Williams—can be powerful recruiters. Their endorsements carry weight with high school prospects who want to play alongside elite talent.

3. Double Down on In-State Talent

Georgia’s 2025 class is loaded with homegrown 5-star prospects. The Bulldogs need to prioritize keeping these players in-state, as losing them to rivals like Alabama or Florida would be a major blow.

4. Address the Quarterback Question

Whether through recruiting or the transfer portal, Georgia must add a quarterback in the 2025 class. Even if it’s not a 5-star, they need a viable option to avoid a future depth chart crisis.

5. Use NIL Strategically

While NIL can’t replace relationships, it can reinforce commitments. Georgia’s collective should target key recruits with performance-based incentives (e.g., bonuses for hitting certain milestones), which can make the financial package more appealing.

Conclusion: A Test of Georgia’s Recruiting Resilience

Georgia’s recruiting challenges following Mike Bobo’s departure are real, but they’re not unprecedented. Kirby Smart has navigated coaching changes before, and the Bulldogs’ culture of excellence remains intact. However, this is arguably the biggest test of Smart’s ability to maintain recruiting dominance in the face of adversity.

The next few months will be telling. If Georgia can stabilize its quarterback recruiting, retain its top commits, and adapt its offensive identity under Monken, the Bulldogs will emerge stronger. If not, rivals will be ready to pounce—and the SEC’s balance of power could shift.

For now, one thing is clear: Recruiting never stops, and neither does the competition. Georgia’s response to this challenge will define its trajectory for years to come.