Kirby Smart is an American college football coach with an estimated net worth of $50 million. He is best known for leading the University of Georgia Bulldogs and establishing himself as one of the most successful and highly paid coaches in college football. Smart’s earnings have increased significantly during his time at Georgia, with his latest contract paying him $13 million per year.
In July 2022, Smart signed a 10-year, $112.5 million contract with the Georgia Bulldogs. The deal gave him an average annual salary of $11.25 million and made him the highest-paid college football coach at the time. In May 2024, Georgia extended his contract through the 2033 season and increased his annual salary to $13 million.
- Kirby Smart Net Worth: $50 Million
- Date of Birth: December 23, 1975
- Place of Birth: Montgomery, Alabama
- Nationality: American
- Career: college football coach
Early Life
Kirby Paul Smart was born on December 23, 1975, in Montgomery, Alabama. He grew up in Bainbridge, Georgia, where he attended Bainbridge High School.
Smart continued his education and football career at the University of Georgia. He played defensive back for the Bulldogs from 1995 to 1998. His playing career at Georgia later became the foundation for a coaching career that would eventually take him back to the school as its head coach.
Coaching Career
Smart began his coaching career at Georgia in 1999, working as an administrative assistant. He then moved to Valdosta State in 2000, where he coached defensive backs. In 2001, he became the school’s defensive coordinator.
In 2002, Smart joined Florida State as a general assistant coach. He remained there through 2003 before moving to LSU in 2004. At LSU, he worked as the defensive backs coach under head coach Nick Saban.
Smart returned to Georgia in 2005 as the team’s running backs coach. His time at Georgia was interrupted by a move to the NFL in 2006, when he joined the Miami Dolphins as an assistant coach.
His NFL experience lasted one season. In 2007, Smart followed Nick Saban to Alabama, becoming the Crimson Tide’s assistant head coach and defensive backs coach.
From 2008 through 2015, Smart served as Alabama’s defensive coordinator. His work with the Crimson Tide’s defense helped establish him as one of the most respected young coaches in college football.
During his time at Alabama, Smart was part of teams that won national championships in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015. His success under Saban eventually led to an opportunity to take over his former school.
Georgia Head Coach
Georgia hired Smart as its head coach in 2016. The appointment marked his return to the Bulldogs, this time as the person responsible for leading the entire program.
Smart quickly established Georgia as a national contender. In 2017, he was named SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to their first SEC championship since 2005.
Georgia finished the regular season with an 11-1 record and advanced to the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs eventually reached the national championship game, where they faced Alabama. Georgia lost the game 26-23 in overtime.
The Bulldogs remained competitive during the following seasons. Georgia finished the 2018 and 2019 regular seasons with 11-1 records and won SEC titles during Smart’s tenure.
The 2020 season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Georgia finished the regular season with a 7-2 record and placed second in the SEC East.
National Championship Success
The biggest breakthrough of Smart’s coaching career came in the 2021 season.
Georgia entered the season as one of the country’s top teams and finished the regular season undefeated at 12-0. The Bulldogs then faced Alabama in the SEC Championship Game but lost 41-24.
Despite the defeat, Georgia earned a place in the College Football Playoff. The Bulldogs faced Michigan in the semifinal at the Orange Bowl and won 34-11.
The victory sent Georgia to the national championship game for a rematch with Alabama.
This time, Smart and the Bulldogs defeated the Crimson Tide to win the national championship. The title was particularly significant for Georgia because it was the school’s first national championship in football since 1980.
The championship also cemented Smart’s reputation as one of the leading coaches in college football and strengthened his position in contract negotiations with Georgia.
Kirby Smart Salary
Kirby Smart’s salary has grown substantially since he became Georgia’s head coach.
Before the 2022-2023 season, Smart was earning about $7 million per year under a seven-year, $49 million contract extension. His success with Georgia led the school to offer him a much larger deal.
In July 2022, Smart signed a 10-year, $112.5 million contract with Georgia. The agreement paid him an average of $11.25 million annually.
At the time, the contract made Smart the highest-paid college football coach in history. The agreement reflected his success at Georgia and his status as one of the most valuable coaches in the sport.
Kirby Smart’s $13 Million Annual Salary
Georgia rewarded Smart again in May 2024 with another major contract extension.
The new agreement extended his contract through the 2033 season and increased his annual salary to $13 million.
The raise further strengthened Smart’s position among the highest-paid coaches in college football. His compensation is supported by his record at Georgia, which includes SEC championships and a national championship.
With a $13 million annual salary, Smart’s coaching income represents the largest source of his estimated $50 million fortune.
Author: Andrew Walyaula
Andrew Walyaula is a seasoned multimedia journalist. Email: [email protected]
