05/02/24 05:57:00
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05/02 17:37 CDT Georgia's Kirby Smart becomes the nation's highest-paid college
football coach at $13m annually
Georgia's Kirby Smart becomes the nation's highest-paid college football coach
at $13m annually
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) --- Georgia's Kirby Smart agreed to a contract extension
Thursday that makes him the highest-paid coach in college football with an
annual salary of $13 million.
Smart got a bump in salary of $1.75 million annually as part of the deal, which
ties him to the Bulldogs through 2033. He could also receive up to $1.55
million per year in bonuses based on the new 12-team playoff structure, an
increase from $1.3 million under the previous terms.
Georgia also gave athletic director Josh Brooks a one-year extension to 2030
that raises his salary by $100,000 per year, taking it to $1.275 million over
the course of the contract.
Brooks is also eligible for up to $200,000 in bonuses bases on the overall
performance of the athletic program.
Smart surpassed Clemson's Dabo Swinney, who is set to make $11 million in 2024,
as the nation's highest-paid coach.
Smart's new deal takes the place of a 10-year extension worth more than $110
million that he signed in 2022 coming off his first national title. That
contract started with $10.25 million in base salary and included annual raises
taking the total compensation to $12.25 million in 2031.
"I continue to be grateful and humbled by our administration's commitment to
our football program," Smart said in a statement. "The current culture in
collegiate athletics is everchanging and as challenging as it has ever been, so
I truly appreciate the leadership that our team is continually provided."
Smart, who played defensive back at Georgia in the 1990s, has guided the
program to unprecedented heights since he took over as coach in 2016.
The Bulldogs won back-to-back national titles during the 2021 and '22 seasons,
and made a strong run at an unprecedented three-peat this past season before
taking their only loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference title game.
Under Smart, Georgia has compiled a dazzling record of 94-16 that includes a
56-9 mark in the SEC. The Bulldogs have won a pair of SEC titles, finished in
the Top 10 of The Associated Press rankings the last seven seasons, and
perennially landed high-ranked recruiting classes throughout his tenure.
With a strong group of returning players, led by quarterback Carson Beck,
Georgia is expected to remain a leading national championship contender in 2024.
"I have an immense pride for representing my alma mater and look forward to
that relationship continuing for many years to come," Smart said.
The Bulldogs have lost only two games in the last three seasons, both to
Alabama and now-retired coach Nick Saban.
Georgia President Jere W. Morehead said Smart has set "the definition of
excellence for all of college football."
"He has excited the Bulldog nation about what is yet to come after winning two
national championships," Morehead added.
The 43-year-old Brooks has served as the head of Georgia's athletic department
since 2021.
"Josh Brooks has done a terrific job as athletic director and has positioned
UGA athletics to thrive in a rapidly changing college sports landscape,"
Morehead said. "Both Kirby and Josh love this university as loyal graduates. I
congratulate both of them and look forward to their continued leadership in the
years ahead."
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