Georgia, Kirby Smart Agree to Extension to Make Him Highest-Paid Coach

Mike McDaniel | May 2, 2024

Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart before the 2023 Orange / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The University of Georgia and head football coach Kirby Smart have agreed to a two-year contract extension that makes him the highest-paid head coach in college football, according to a report from Seth Emerson of The Athletic.

Smart's contract now runs through December 2033 and will pay him an annual salary of $13 million per year, a $1.75 million annual raise from his original deal, and bonuses up to $1.55 million.

In his eight years leading the football program at Georgia, the Bulldogs have become the standard in the SEC. Smart is 94–16 overall since taking over in 2016 and has led the program to three national championship games, winning two of them. In total, Smart is 9–2 in bowl games in his time with the Bulldogs.

Smart is the best coach in college football, and has been for the last few years. He is now being compensated like it with his new deal, which makes him the sport's highest-paid coach.

In addition, Georgia announced a contract extension for athletic director Josh Brooks, whose contract aligns with Smart's through 2030. Brooks will now be paid an annual salary of $1.275 million per year, and will increase by $100,000 each year. He will also be eligible to earn bonuses up to $200,000 per year throughout the life of the contract.

Georgia finished with a 13–1 record last season, with the lone loss coming to Alabama in the SEC championship game, which kept the Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff. Georgia went on to defeat Florida State in the Orange Bowl 63–3.