- ABC News
- May 2, 2024
Georgia's Kirby Smart has received a new 10-year, $130 million deal approved by university officials Thursday in its annual athletics board of directors meeting making him the highest-paid football coach in the country and college football's first $13 million coach. Smart, who was scheduled to earn $10.75 million this year under his old contract, will see his salary increase to $13 million annually, and that money is guaranteed for at least the first half of his contract. His new deal runs through the 2033 season. Smart could also earn up to $1.55 million in bonuses. He's entering his ninth season as Georgia's coach. His Bulldogs captured back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022 and won an SEC-record 29 straight games before losing to Alabama last season in the SEC championship game. "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...