Georgia Kirby Smart has agreed to a contract extension through the 2031 season, a 10-year deal worth more than $110 million, making him the latest coach to strike the kind of mega-deal that is becoming increasingly common in college football.
The deal, announced Thursday, had been expected for several weeks.
After the national championship season, Smart will receive $10.25 million in base salary and additional compensation this season. He will receive raises each season, bringing his total compensation to $12.25 million in 2031.
Smart connections Alabama Nick Saban, of Ohio State Ryan Day, LSU Brian Kelly, of Michigan State Mel Tucker and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher as college football coaches who will earn at least $9 million in 2022.
The extension came after Smart led the Bulldogs to Georgia’s first national championship since 1980.
“Coach Smart’s impact on the University of Georgia goes beyond his significant accolades as head football coach,” athletic director Josh Brooks said in a statement. “He and his wife are Bulldogs through and through, and it’s clear that Athens and UGA mean as much to him as it does to us.
“I am very excited for the continued success of our football program under his leadership. The future of Georgia football remains bright with Coach Smart as a steadfast leader.”
The new deal comes a day after Smart confirmed at the Southeast Media Days conference in Atlanta that he is close to an extension. He is 66-15 in six years at Georgia.
Smart is getting a raise of more than $3 million this season. He was due to make $7.1 million under his old deal, which ran through the 2024 season.
Under Smart, Georgia has finished first in the SEC East four times and won six bowl games. Georgia lost in the 2018 national championship game before finally breaking through with a win over Alabama in last season’s title game.
Smart is a former Georgia quarterback.
“This is home for us, our roots run deep here,” Smart said. “My commitment to this university and our football program is unwavering. I am grateful to President Jer Morehead and Josh Brooks for their continued support of Georgia football.”
Smart said he was “definitely proud of what we were able to accomplish,” but added, “I’m sure the best is yet to come.”
This is reported by the Associated Press.
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