Kirby Smart and UGA Athletic Association reach agreement on extension to 2031

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) — University of Georgia football team officials announced that head coach Kirby Smart has agreed to a contract extension through the 2031 season.

Under the new agreement, officials told CBS46 News that Coach Smart’s annual base salary and additional pay for the upcoming 2022 season will be $10,250,000 with annual increases, peaking at $12,250,000. during the 2031 season.

According to CBS Sports, Smart is now the highest-paid football coach of any public college.

“Coach Smart’s impact on the University of Georgia extends far beyond his significant accolades as head football coach,” said J. Reid Parker athletic director Josh Brooks. “He and his wife are Bulldogs through and through, and it’s obvious that Athens and the UGA mean as much to him as he means to us. I’m delighted with the continued success of our football program under his leadership. The future of Georgian football remains bright with coach Smart as the steadfast leader.

“I am pleased that Coach Smart has made a long-term commitment to the University of Georgia,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I look forward to seeing his continued success with the Georgia Bulldogs for many years to come.”

In his six seasons in charge of Georgia Football, Smart led the Bulldogs to the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, an appearance in the 2018 CFP title game, the 2017 Southeast Conference Championship, four SEC East Division crowns, 66 wins and six bowl games. victories. Smart has been named SEC Coach of the Year twice since being hired in December 2015, and has coached 11 first-round NFL draft picks and 45 overall.

Coach Smart released a statement saying in part, “Mary Beth, my family and I are thrilled and grateful for the extension of my agreement with the University of Georgia. This is our home, our roots run deep here. My commitment to this university and our football program is unwavering,” said head football coach Kirby Smart. “I am grateful to President Jere Morehead and Josh Brooks for their continued support of Georgia Football. It is an honor to be the head football coach at the University of Georgia, and while I am certainly proud of that we have been able to accomplish, I am convinced that the best is yet to come!”

Kirby and the Bulldogs took part in Day 3 of media availability on Wednesday as they look ahead to the season ahead.

An SEC team has won each of the last three national championships, with the Bulldogs winning the NCAA Championship Game in 2021, LSU in 2020 and the University of Alabama in 2019.

That accomplishment has kept Coach Smart and his Bulldogs “hungry” as they enter the 2022 season.

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