NCAAF Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs football program fielded its first NCAAF team in 1892. The Bulldogs had a host of different coaches in their first few decades before Wally Butts became head coach in 1939. Butts was one of the best coaches during his 22-year tenure. He won SEC coach of the year three times, and led the Bulldogs to four SEC championships and one National Championship in 1942.

Additionally, he coached a host of All-Americans like Heisman Trophy winner Frank Sinkwich and Maxwell Award winner Charley Trippi. He finished with a 140–86–9 overall record. Vince Dooley took over in 1964 and kept the position for 24 NCAAF seasons.

Under Dooley, the Dawgs’ won six SEC championships and another National Championship in 1980.The Dawgs appeared in 20 college football bowl games during Dooley’s career, and they won eight of them.

He coached 40 All-Americans in his time including 1982 Heisman winner Herschel Walker. Dooley also won a host of awards during his tenure and is recognized as the best and most winningest coach in Georgia Bulldogs history, with his 201–77–10 overall coaching record.He retired after the 1989 season. 

The 90s were nowhere near as productive as the 40s-80s. Ray Goff coached from 1989-1995 and posted a 46-34-1 record. However, from 1993-1995, they never won more than seven games, and he was relieved of his duties. 

Different Coaches, Different Results

Jim Donnan was at the helm from 1996-2000. Donnan had the Dawgs rolling. They won at least nine NCAAF games and won a bowl game in each of his last four seasons. 

Mark Richt was named head coach in 2001 after being the defensive coordinator at Florida State University. Richt coached a host of All-Americans and future NFL stars like Matthew Stafford, Aj Green, and Geno Atkins.

He led the Dawgs’ to seven SEC East titles, three SEC titles, and a 9-5 bowl record. Three of the bowl games were BCS bowl games.

The 2007-2008 team was perhaps his best team. The Dawgs’ finished 11-2 and finished off their season with a huge Sugar Bowl win over undefeated Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

Richt was fired in 2015 due to his inability to take the program to a championship level. He finished with a 145-51 overall record. Kirby Smart became the head coach at Georgia in 2016 and still holds the title.

The Dawgs have been very prosperous under Smart. In his first five years, the Dawgs have won the SEC East division each year except for 2020, won the SEC once, and won the National Championship in the 2021 season.

In 2021, the Dawgs’ had a historically great defense, where they gave up less than ten points per game.

Additionally, they had five players go in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, including Jordan Davis and Quay Walker.