Georgia, Kirby Smart agree to massive new contract through 2031
On the heels of winning a national championship, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has been rewarded with a new contract.
Georgia announced Thursday that Smart has agreed to a contract extension through the 2031 season. The new deal includes a raise with Smart’s salary for the 2022 season being bumped to $10.25 million. From there, Smart’s salary increases annually, culminating at $12.25 million for the 2031 season.
According to ESPN, Smart’s new contract is worth $112.5 million in all, a record for a college football coach. His annual average salary of $11.25 million makes him the highest-paid coach in the country.
Smart previously agreed to a seven-year, $49 million extension in May 2018.
Smart, a Georgia alum, arrived at his alma mater in 2016 following a long run as Alabama’s defensive coordinator. In the six seasons since, Smart has amassed a 65-15 overall record with four double-digit win seasons, an SEC title, four SEC East titles and two College Football Playoff title game appearances, including last year’s national championship triumph over Alabama. It was the school's first national title since 1980.
“My commitment to this university and our football program is unwavering," Smart said in a statement. "I'm thankful to president Jere Morehead and Josh Brooks for their continued support of Georgia football. It's an honor being the head football coach at the University of Georgia, and while I'm certainly proud of what we've been able to accomplish, I'm confident the best is yet to come.”
Some of the other most lucrative coaching contracts in college football include Alabama’s Nick Saban ($10.6 million AAV through 2028), LSU’s Brian Kelly (10 years, $95 million), Michigan State’s Mel Tucker (10 years, $95 million), Clemson’s Dabo Swinney (10 years, $93 million), Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher (10 years, $90 million) and Penn State’s James Franklin (10 years, $85 million).
