I think you are overstating the recruiting angle just a bit. In the 4 years prior to Kirby, UGA's classes averaged about 9th in the country, which yes that's in the top 10. But by comparison, Clemson's 4 classes before Dabo averaged about 13th - not that big a difference (especially considering 120 or so teams). But more than that, all of Clemson's (Bowden's) classes were either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in conference, where UGA's were 3rd, 4th, 6th & 7th. Dabo was MUCH better positioned to win the conference from a recruiting standpoint.
Also, Clemson's record the 4 years prior to Dabo was a combined 31-18, which was 27th nationally (and better than Miami, gt, FSU, UVa, etc). So it's not like he was resurrecting some moribund program like Rice or SMU or somebody. Yes, UGA was a little better prior to Kirby, but again the difference wasn't that big (about 1.5 games per year better).

Kirby hasn't lost a home game since 2019. ND was his 1st loss to a non-conf Top 10 team since 2018 (and that was without our starting QB), winning 8 straight prior. He's finished in the top 7 of the polls for 8 straight years. He's won 11 or more games in 7 straight years (non-covid), and has played in his Conference Championship Game in 7 straight non-covid years. He won 7 consecutive CFP/NY6 Bowl games. His total Bowl/CFP record is 9-3. He has never lost a Bowl Game by as many as 2 TDs.

Let's see who is more decorated after they are both retired - assuming similar tenures. Dabo will likely have more conference championships because, well, ACC. But I'd wager Kirby will have more of pretty much everything else: total wins, higher Win Pct, Bowl wins, National Championships, CFP wins, Top 10 wins, Top 10 rankings, etc - and of course the all-important head-to-head. Kirby has been HC for 9 years, so if you compare Dabo's 1st 9 years, Kirby has a BIG head start.