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As of today, who’s the better coach: Kirby or Spurrier?

Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:50 pm
Posted by Uga Alum
Member since Jul 2022
5625 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:50 pm
Kirby- 2 nattys and 3 SEC Championships. This will be his 5th time participating in the CFP and his 8th appearance in the SECCG. Took UGA out of the wilderness by winning UGA’s first natty since 1980.

Spurrier-1 Natty and 6 SEC Championships. 7 SEC Championship game appearances. Took Florida to new heights by winning their first natty. Prior to that, he won an ACC Championship at Duke. He also took South Carolina to the SECCG for the only time in school history and had three 11 win seasons in a row at South Carolina.
This post was edited on 12/5/25 at 9:01 pm
Posted by bamafinest1985
Gadsden
Member since Dec 2012
223 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:54 pm to
Kirby without a doubt.
Posted by BFANLC
The Beach
Member since Oct 2007
22921 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:55 pm to
Easier to get into playoffs now plus sec east has been notoriously weak. Also I would be remiss if I didn't throw in the obligatory Mark Richt set everything up for Kirbs to succeed jab.


Seriously though Kirbs has done a great job. Something I think some people overlook is that Spurrier kinda elevated sec offenses. You had to improve or you were toast. Kinda like the Saban effect on teams having subpar coaches and willing to stay with them.
Posted by UltimaParadox
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2008
51034 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:56 pm to
Kirby imo
Posted by Uga Alum
Member since Jul 2022
5625 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:56 pm to
Even though Spurrier revolutionized the game from an offensive standpoint?
This post was edited on 12/5/25 at 8:57 pm
Posted by JamalMurry27
Tennessee Titans
Member since May 2023
7650 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:57 pm to
spurrier revolutionized the game, Kirby successfully copied a formula no-one else could....spurrier IMO but barely. go get South Carolina a few 10 win seasons then I may say Kirby
Posted by Uga Alum
Member since Jul 2022
5625 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:59 pm to
But when spurrier was at Florida the SEC West was notoriously weak. It was easier for Spurrier to win the SEC before Saban coached at LSU/Bama.
Posted by TheHarahanian
Actually not Harahan as of 6/2023
Member since May 2017
22971 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 8:59 pm to
quote:

Took UGA out of the wilderness

Kirby’s been a great coach at UGA, but this isn’t true. He walked into a good situation.
Posted by djsdawg
Member since Apr 2015
39429 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:00 pm to
quote:

Kirby’s been a great coach at UGA, but this isn’t true. He walked into a good situation.


Define good
Posted by UGADawg1988
Member since Apr 2013
241 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:00 pm to
Spurrier was a great coach for sure. If they had playoffs back in the 90's he might have won another national championship. He didn't like to recruit players, so that's a small minus.
Posted by JamalMurry27
Tennessee Titans
Member since May 2023
7650 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:01 pm to
quote:

He didn't like to recruit players, so that's a small minus.
did not know this......what is the story on this? HOW were they so loaded every year?
Posted by Uga Alum
Member since Jul 2022
5625 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:02 pm to
That’s fair. CMR won a few SEC Championships and Sugar Bowls. So it wasn’t a complete rebuild when Smart arrived in Athens.
Posted by JamalMurry27
Tennessee Titans
Member since May 2023
7650 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:02 pm to
quote:

But when spurrier was at Florida the SEC West was notoriously weak. It was easier for Spurrier to win the SEC before Saban coached at LSU/Bama.

if you eliminate Florida, you wouldn't know it was weak..thats how superior Florida was. it showed the rest of the league how behind they were
Posted by MrMojoRisin
Parts unknown
Member since May 2014
7999 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:03 pm to
Kirby
Posted by BlackCloud
Above It All
Member since Jan 2014
3995 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:03 pm to
quote:

As of today, who’s the better coach: Kirby or Spurrier?


Spurrier, because he was an innovator with the fun-n-gun at a time when the SEC was still a 3 yards and a cloud of dust league.

Kirby is very impressive, and he will probably surpass Spurrier with another NC or two.

But he will always be seen as a Saban protege.
Posted by RollTide1987
Augusta, GA
Member since Nov 2009
69526 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:04 pm to
They both have arguments for and against them. On paper Kirby is the more accomplished coach I suppose but he's done it in the playoff era where you can lose and still comfortably make it back. Spurrier coached at a time where if you lost a few things had to go right for you to get back into it. He also was coaching during a period where Florida State and Miami were both dominant and recruiting against him. Kirby has no in-state rival close to that level.
Posted by labamafan
Prairieville
Member since Jan 2007
26519 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:05 pm to
Tough call. Spurrier may be slightly more of successful from a achievemnt standpoint but he also coached a lot longer than Kirby. It’s really close and although the sec was a much easier conference during Spurriers dominance what he did to change CFB in the sec can’t be understated.
Posted by Go Go Gata
Member since Oct 2016
4419 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:05 pm to
Spurrier.

Kirby setup his program by buying players.
Posted by Uga Alum
Member since Jul 2022
5625 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:05 pm to
Tennessee was also really good in the 90s. Florida and Tennessee ran the conference back then with Bama also having a few good years.
Posted by BFANLC
The Beach
Member since Oct 2007
22921 posts
Posted on 12/5/25 at 9:08 pm to
quote:

But when spurrier was at Florida the SEC West was notoriously weak. It was easier for Spurrier to win the SEC before Saban coached at LSU/Bama


Good point, some of my post was in jest. When Spurrier was at Fl Bama had for a bit Stallings. Ut was dominant during a stretch. Lsu wasn't what it is now....just trying to think of who could have challenged him through his years of coaching at fl.
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