Ace Recruiter Kirby Smart Not Winning a National Title Doesn't Automatically Make Him a Failure

The Georgia Bulldogs have been top national contenders since the moment Kirby Smart arrived in Athens. He has a combined 44-12 record in four years, and very nearly won a national championship in the 2017 season.

His Bulldogs won the Sugar Bowl this past year, and were in the playoff conversation right up until they lost in the SEC Championship against Alabama. The news about Smart's No. 1 overall recruiting class only improves UGA's chances to stay in the top tier of college football for another year -- but questions will still remain about Smart's long-term future given that he hasn't broken through and won the big game.

It is easy to see the roster Smart has built and declare 2020 a "championship or bust" season. But Smart has kept his team in playoff contention every year since 2017, and his 2018 class, which was ranked the best in the nation by multiple rating services, is finally matured heading into 2020.

Georgia barely lost to Alabama in the national championship in the 2017 season, losing only due to Tua Tagovailoa's historic coming out party. They have been in two Sugar Bowls since then, winning one and losing one.

That's a sensational run. Winning even a single national championship is truly difficult. Claiming a coach isn't a real success simply because he doesn't have a ring just isn't right.

Smart's job should not be in any kind of actual danger unless, for some shocking reason, his team has a losing season in 2020. Period

College football programs want top recruiting classes from their coaches. Smart is providing that and even if he doesn't win it all in the next few years, keeping the team competitive with top talent means firing him could lead to unnecessary struggles within the program. Under his leadership, Athens is a top destination. And that's something worth celebrating.