“The team is incredible,it’s just a matter of time “Kirby Smart insists this Gator squad will win trophies and shares his excitement of…Per ESPN Report

“The Team Is Incredible, It’s Just a Matter of Time” – Kirby Smart Insists This Gator Squad Will Win Trophies and Shares His Excitement

— Per ESPN Report

By ESPN Staff Writer | March 25, 2025

Gainesville, FL – In a twist that no one saw coming just a few years ago, Kirby Smart—the legendary former Georgia Bulldogs head coach—now stands proudly on the sideline of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, wearing orange and blue, his eyes full of purpose.

And according to him, greatness is coming.

“The team is incredible, it’s just a matter of time,” Smart said in an exclusive interview with ESPN. “I’ve been around champions. I know what that looks like. And I see it every single day in these young men.”

The statement has sent waves through the college football world—not just because of what was said, but because of who said it. Smart, who led Georgia to multiple SEC Championships and two national titles, shocked the sport when he accepted the Florida head coaching job last year. Some called it betrayal. Others called it destiny.

But Kirby isn’t focused on the past. His eyes are on the horizon.

“What’s happening here in Gainesville… it’s special,” he continued. “The hunger, the unity, the pride. These boys aren’t just playing football. They’re building a legacy.”

Under Smart’s leadership, the Gators have taken on a new identity—disciplined, relentless, and fiercely bonded. The once-wavering program is now pulsing with renewed energy, as practices draw crowds and game days feel like homecomings for a fanbase desperate to believe again.

At the heart of the excitement is a roster filled with explosive talent: DJ Lagway’s rise, a retooled offensive line, and a defense that’s starting to resemble the bruising squads Smart built in Athens. But for Kirby, it’s about more than just X’s and O’s.

“Trophies are coming,” he said, looking out at the practice field as the sun dipped low. “But we’re not chasing silver. We’re chasing history.”

Gator fans, once used to heartbreak, are daring to hope again. Chants of “It’s Great to Be a Florida Gator” echo louder now. There’s a belief in the air, a sense that something beautiful is being written—chapter by chapter, snap by snap.

For Kirby Smart, Gainesville isn’t just a new stop on his journey. It’s a new home. And for the Gators, the climb back to glory may be closer than ever before.