Uga Coaches History

The University of Georgia has a rich and storied history of football, with a legacy of talented coaches who have shaped the program into what it is today. From the early days of football in Athens to the current era of success, the Bulldogs have been led by some of the most iconic and influential coaches in college football history.

One of the earliest and most significant coaches in Georgia history is Pop Warner, who led the team from 1895 to 1896. Warner, who would go on to become a legendary figure in college football, laid the foundation for the program and established many of the traditions that still exist today. During his tenure, the Bulldogs compiled a 7-4 record and played in the first-ever game against the University of Georgia’s arch-rival, the University of Alabama.

Another important figure in Georgia football history is Frank Dobson, who coached the team from 1909 to 1911. Dobson, a former player and captain of the team, brought a sense of discipline and toughness to the program, and his teams were known for their physical play and aggressive style. Under Dobson’s leadership, the Bulldogs won 20 games and lost only 6, and he remains one of the most successful coaches in program history.

The 1920s and 1930s saw the rise of two of the most beloved coaches in Georgia history: Kid Woodruff and Joel Hunt. Woodruff, who coached from 1923 to 1927, led the Bulldogs to their first conference championship in 1927 and established the program as a force to be reckoned with in the Southern Conference. Hunt, who took over in 1932 and coached until 1937, built on Woodruff’s success and led the team to two more conference championships, including a perfect 10-0 season in 1935.

The post-war era saw the arrival of one of the most iconic coaches in Georgia history: Wally Butts. Butts, who coached from 1939 to 1960, is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history, and his tenure at Georgia was marked by incredible success. During his 21 years at the helm, the Bulldogs won 140 games, lost 86, and tied 9, and Butts led the team to four conference championships and a national championship in 1942.

Butts was succeeded by Johnny Griffith, who coached from 1961 to 1963, and then by Vince Dooley, who would go on to become one of the most successful coaches in program history. Dooley, who coached from 1964 to 1988, won 201 games, lost 77, and tied 10, and led the Bulldogs to six conference championships and a national championship in 1980. Dooley’s teams were known for their discipline, toughness, and fundamentals, and he is widely credited with building the program into a national power.

The 1990s saw the arrival of Ray Goff, who coached from 1989 to 1995, and then Jim Donnan, who took over in 1996 and coached until 2000. Goff’s teams were marked by inconsistency, but he did lead the Bulldogs to a conference championship in 1992. Donnan, on the other hand, had a more successful tenure, leading the team to two conference championships and a bowl victory in 1998.

The 21st century saw the arrival of Mark Richt, who coached from 2001 to 2015, and then Kirby Smart, who took over in 2016. Richt, who won 145 games and lost 51, led the Bulldogs to two conference championships and six bowl victories, and established the program as a consistent top-10 team. Smart, a former player and defensive coordinator at Georgia, has continued the program’s success, leading the Bulldogs to a national championship in 2021 and establishing himself as one of the top coaches in the country.

Throughout its history, the University of Georgia has been fortunate to have had some of the most talented and influential coaches in college football. From Pop Warner to Kirby Smart, each coach has brought their own unique style and approach to the program, and has contributed to the rich tradition of excellence that exists in Athens today.

Coaches' Records

Here is a list of the coaches who have led the University of Georgia football program, along with their records:

• Pop Warner (1895-1896): 7-4
• Frank Dobson (1909-1911): 20-6-1
• Kid Woodruff (1923-1927): 30-16-1
• Joel Hunt (1932-1937): 30-18-4
• Wally Butts (1939-1960): 140-86-9
• Johnny Griffith (1961-1963): 10-16-2
• Vince Dooley (1964-1988): 201-77-10
• Ray Goff (1989-1995): 46-34-1
• Jim Donnan (1996-2000): 40-19
• Mark Richt (2001-2015): 145-51
• Kirby Smart (2016-present): 65-15

Impact on the Program

The coaches who have led the University of Georgia football program have had a significant impact on the team’s history and tradition. Each coach has brought their own unique style and approach to the program, and has contributed to the team’s success and legacy. From the early days of Pop Warner to the current era of Kirby Smart, the coaches have played a crucial role in shaping the program into what it is today.