Georgia's defense was overpowering most of this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
After Georgia won its second straight national football championship in dominating fashion, coach Kirby Smart already understood how difficult it would be to win a third straight and how hard it is to keep doing what it takes to be a national champion.
“It’s human nature to relax. It’s human nature to take the easy route. And I can be as guilty of that as anyone,” said Smart. “But it wasn’t this team’s nature to relax. This team — this wasn’t as hard a job as people made it seem because of the people we recruited — not because of talent, but because of what they were — like the DNA inside of them. These dudes, this team was different. This team was just different.”
It made me wonder if perhaps Kentucky basketball has been too relaxed in recent seasons and didn’t have the DNA like Georgia had.
“Every time they were backed against the wall they came out scratching, clawing. They responded to everything,” Smart said. “Our team GPA was the highest we’ve ever had in, like, 15 years at Georgia.
“Georgia’s not easy. Georgia’s hard academically. So when you have people that do well in school, they care about each other — I mean, Georgia’s not getting easier academically — you have a chance at success. And these guys bought into that.”
But what about a third straight title? Can it be done?
“I do think it’s going to be much tougher. And I do think we’re going to have to reinvent ourselves next year because you can’t just stay the same,” Smart said.
Can’t stay the same. Here’s a coach who has won the last two national titles admitting he has to make changes if he wants to keep winning. Not every coach can do that or is even willing to admit it needs done.
“It’s easy to get comfortable. And comfortable does not win,” Smart said.
