Kirby Smart and Ryan Day highlight Year 6 success for coaches
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 31, 2026, 9:11 AM
Last updated Jul 31, 2026
Coaches Kirby Smart and Ryan Day experienced significant success in Year 6 at Georgia and Ohio State, respectively, culminating in national championships. This trend raises discussions about the importance of patience for program development in college football. Other coaches entering their sixth seasons include Steve Sarkisian at Texas, who is expected to compete for a title, and Josh Heupel at Tennessee, who is not currently viewed as a contender. Meanwhile, Shane Beamer at South Carolina faces pressure after a disappointing season, while Clark Lea at Vanderbilt shows promise with a strong roster and playoff contention last season.
- •Smart and Day's championships occurred in their sixth seasons.
- •Sarkisian is poised for potential title contention with Texas.
- •Heupel's tenure at Tennessee sees consistent winning seasons.
- •Beamer's job security is in question after a 4-8 season.
- •Lea's Vanderbilt shows improvement with playoff aspirations.
- 9:11 AMYahoo Sports — Kirby Smart, Ryan Day and the curious power of college football's Year 6
"If six is indeed the magic number, come on down and join the winner's circle, Steve Sarkisian.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NCAAF•Sep 18, 2026, 12:13 AMLSU QB Leavitt unexpectedly listed as doubtful for Ole Miss rivalry game
NCAAF•Sep 17, 2026, 11:52 PMReturn to Boise State is full circle for Coyote football voice Gary Culver- NCAAF•Sep 17, 2026, 11:42 PMWant Ole Miss football vs LSU tickets? Best prices for Lane Kiffin's return
NCAAF•Sep 17, 2026, 11:25 PMUTSA-Texas football: How to watch the Roadrunners' first matchup against No. 1
NCAAF•Sep 17, 2026, 11:13 PMSTAFF PICKS: Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Michigan State for the Megaphone- NCAAF•Sep 17, 2026, 10:56 PMCFP issues statement clarifying how committee can respond to Michigan-Western Michigan result
