ATHENS, Ga. — Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart has been named one of 24 semifinalists for the George Munger Coach of the Year, according to an announcement from the Maxwell Football Club.
 
Finalists will be announced on Dec. 8 and the winner will be announced on Dec. 30.
 
Smart won the 2017 George Munger Award after the Bulldogs won the Southeastern Conference Championship Game and the College Football Playoff Semifinal at The Rose Bowl before appearing in the National Championship.
 
Smart has guided Georgia to a No. 4 ranking thanks to a 9-1 record this season, including a 7-1 clip in conference play.  The Bulldogs have toppled No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 10 Texas and demonstrated their resiliency with a pair of fourth quarter comebacks in SEC play over No. 15 Tennessee and Florida. 
 
The No. 4 Bulldogs (9-1, 7-1 SEC) will play host to Charlotte (1-9, 0-7 American Conference) on Saturday.  SEC Network will televise the matchup at 12:45 p.m. on Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium.