Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Kirby Smart Suggested as Hire for Struggling NFL Franchise

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Jan 5, 2026 5:52 PM ET

Kirby Smart and the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs lost in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day to the Ole Miss Rebels, 39-34, in stunning fashion.

It was a disappointing end to the season for Georgia, but it was another College Football Playoff trip, and the Bulldogs finished with two losses after winning their second consecutive SEC championship.

Smart just finished his 10th season as the Georgia head coach, and he has a whopping 117-21 record with three national title game trips and two national title victories on his resume. His 117 wins are the most by any college football coach in their first 10 years in history.

On Sunday, news emerged just an hour outside of Athens that the Atlanta Falcons would be making a coaching change. The NFL regular season came to an end, and Atlanta wasted no time in firing head coach Raheem Morris.

Morris led Atlanta to back-to-back 8-9 records. Prior to being named head coach of the Falcons, he was the Rams' defensive coordinator from 2021-23. Before that, he was the Falcons' defensive coordinator in 2020 and had held multiple roles with the franchise since 2015.

Almost immediately after news broke of Morris' firing, fans ran to social media to suggest Smart stay in the state of Georgia, but go to the Falcons in hopes of turning around the struggling franchise.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts.Brett Davis-Imagn Images

"It’s also time for the Falcons to have a conversation with Kirby Smart," one Atlanta news host wrote on X.

"Kirby Smart to the Falcons?" another fan asked. "Kirby Smart to Falcons," said another. "Kirby Smart?" asked another fan regarding the Falcons' job.

Another fan made his prediction for the Falcons to hire Smart.

Kirby Smart > Falcons
Dan Lanning > UGA
Kalen Deboer > Oregon
Demeco Ryans > Alabama
— SpottieOttieDopaliscious (@FatMamba86) January 5, 2026

Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling also made a post about Smart.

"Would not be shocked if Arthur Blank tries to throw a massive bag at Kirby Smart."

According to USA Today, Smart is the highest-paid coach in college football at a salary just north of $13 million per year, so leaving a championship program such as Georgia to go to the Falcons would be a big surprise.

But, Falcons owner Arthur Blank might be desperate enough to offer Smart a deal such as the $20 million per year Andy Reid gets or the $18 million per season Sean Payton is earning.

As calls grew for the Falcons to move on from Morris throughout the season, one Atlanta radio host actually go the conversation back in November.

Chris Dimino, a co-host on the Atlanta radio show “Cellini & Dimino” on 680 The Fan, said at the time that Atlanta should make a run at Smart, a native of Bainbridge, Georgia.

“I’d make Kirby Smart, if I’m the Falcons, say no to me three times. I really would.” Dimino said.

While it's obviously a very unlikely scenario, fans are at least holding out hope that Blank and the Falcons at least make the phone call to Smart.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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