Kirby Smart contract details released
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart received a contract extension just a couple of weeks ago, and details of that contract were released to DawgsHQ via an opens request received on Thursday. In total, Smart’s 10-year contract will be worth $112.5 million before bonuses.
There are two levels of bonuses available to Smart. The first is for the SEC Championship Game, worth $100,000 for playing in it or $300,000 for winning it, whichever is higher. Then there are bowl bonuses as well, including but not limited to 1) participation in a New Year’s Six bowl game ($175,000), 2) advancing to a College Football Playoff semifinal game ($500,000), 3) advancing to a National Championship Game ($750,000) and 4) winning a National Championship Game ($1,000,000), again whichever is greatest.
Annual Basis Before Bonuses
On an annual basis, here’s what Smart will be paid:
2022 – $10,250,000
2023 – $10,500,000
2024 – $10,750,000
2025 – $11,000,000
2026 – $11,250,000
2027 – $11,250,000
2028 – $11,500,000
2029 – $11,750,000
2030 – $12,000,000
2031 – $12,250,000
Other Information
Smart’s contract also incudes a maximum of 50 hours of flight time with a maximum of 10 unused hours being able to be carried over to the next calendar year. Other areas of the agreement include his responsibilities for media interviews and appearances on the Bulldog Hotline, Game Day Radio, WSB Radio/Network Distributed Segments, Inside Georgia Football/Kirby Smart All Access, Bulldog GameDay/GameWeek, Bulldog Round Table and other special production shows.
Of course, if Smart were to be fired without cause, there’s a buyout clause in the contract too. Before December 31, 2026, he would be owed 100% of the remaining contract. After that date, the percentage drops to 85% of the remaining contract for the final five seasons (2027-2031). And if Smart were to resign or terminate his own agreement, Smart (or another school/program) would owe the University $5,000,000 if it were to happen from 2022-2024, $4,000,000 from 2025-2027, $3,000,000 in 2028, $2,000,000 in 2029 and $1,000,000 if the resignation/termination were to happen in 2030 or 2031.
Smart’s statement on the contract
“Mary Beth, my family & I are excited and grateful for the extension of my agreement with The University of Georgia,” Smart said in a written statement. “This is home for us, our roots run deep here. My commitment to this University and our Football program is unwavering. I’m thankful to President Jere Morehead and Josh Brooks for their continued support of Georgia Football. It’s an honor being the head football coach at the University of Georgia, and while I’m certainly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, I’m confident the best is yet to come!”
“Coach Smart’s impact on the University of Georgia extends far past his significant accolades as our head football coach,” Georgia Director of Athletics Josh Brooks added. “He and his wife are Bulldogs through and through, and it is evident that Athens and UGA mean as much to him as he means to us. I am excited for our football program’s continued success under his direction. The future of Georgia Football remains bright with Coach Smart as its steadfast leader.”
