Kirby Smart took over as Georgia’s coach prior to the 2016 season and led the Bulldogs to a respectable 8-5 record, including a Liberty Bowl victory over TCU.

However, year two has been much better for Smart, as his Bulldogs are 12-1 and are now in the College Football Playoff after winning the SEC title.

For his efforts, and because of his team’s gigantic leap forward, Smart was named Sporting News’s Coach of the Year on Monday:

Smart is undoubtedly honored by the recognition, but all he cares about right now is the chance to win a national title.

It’s already been a great 2017 season for the Bulldogs, but now they have a chance to do something truly special. And, with a coach like Smart at the helm of the program, a national title isn’t out of the question.