Georgia makes notable change to HC Kirby Smart’s contract

The Georgia Bulldogs are making a notable change to Kirby Smart’s contract that will re-establish him as the highest-paid coach in the country.

Smart received a two-year contract extension, the school announced Thursday. Via Seth Emerson of The Athletic, the new deal also comes with a $1.75M raise, and bonuses totaling up to $1.55M.

Not coincidentally, the contract adjustment pushes Smart past Clemson’s Dabo Swinney on the list of highest-paid coaches. Swinney had been slated to make $11.5M this season, but Smart will now earn $13M per year.

Smart had been the highest-paid coach in the country when he signed his previous extension in 2021. However, Swinney and Nick Saban would later pass him, though Saban has since retired.

It’s tough to argue that Smart’s new deal isn’t deserved. He is 94-16 since taking over at Georgia and guided the team to back-to-back national titles in 2022 and 2023. 

There are some who might have concerns about the program’s future, but Smart has proven himself a winner, and they will be among the leading contenders to win a title again in 2024.