After guiding Georgia to its first national championship in 41 years, coach Kirby Smart has agreed to a new 10-year contract that will make him the highest paid coach in the history of the game.
The amount of money paid to a college football coach would be the most ever, according to sources. Smart's average salary is more than any other coach. The contract was extended on Thursday. Smart will make between $11 million and $12 million in 2031.
"This is where we come from, our roots are deep here," Smart said. I am committed to this university and our football program. I'm grateful for the continued support of Georgia football by president Jere Morehead and athletic director JoshBrooks. It's an honor being the head football coach at the University of Georgia, and while I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish, I'm confident the best is yet to come.
LSU lured Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame with a 10-year contract that will make him $9 million this season. In August, Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher agreed to a four-year extension that will pay him $90 million over the next 10 years, as well as a 10-year, $93 million deal with the same school. In August, Alabama's Nick Saban signed an extension that will pay him an average of $10.6 million over the course of eight years.
Mel Tucker's contract extension was given by Michigan State.
Smart agreed to a seven-year extension in May of last year that almost doubled his compensation.
"Coach Smart's impact on the University of Georgia extends far past his significant accolades as our head football coach," he said in astatement. It is clear that Athens and UGA mean as much to him as he does to us. Our football program is doing well under his direction. The future of Georgia football is bright with Smart as its leader.
Smart has a 66-15 record in six seasons as a coach. He has had his teams play in five straight New Year's Six bowl games. Georgia has won four SEC East titles and one SEC Championship during his time there.