Report: New deal will place Georgia's Smart among highest-paid FBS coaches
Georgia is close to finalizing a long-term extension with head coach Kirby Smart that will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the FBS, according to ESPN's Mark Schlabach.
Smart, 46, guided the Bulldogs to their first national title in 41 years this past season, leading them to a 33-18 victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks reportedly discussed Smart's new deal with the school's athletic board during a meeting Thursday. No actions were taken, and details about a potential extension were not revealed.
"It will be commensurate with what you would expect compensation to be for a national championship coach," said school president Jere Morehead. "I don't think anybody will be surprised."
Smart's current contract is set to expire after the 2024 season. The native of Alabama signed a seven-year, $49-million extension with Georgia in 2018. His $7-million annual salary is the sixth-highest in the SEC.
| Head coach | School | Annual Salary ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Saban | Alabama | $10.6M |
| Brian Kelly | LSU | $9.5M |
| Jimbo Fisher | Texas A&M | $9M |
| Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | $7.25M |
| Billy Napier | Florida | $7.1M |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | $7M |
Smart wasn't the only Georgia coach to receive a major pay bump in the wake of the team's success in 2021.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will receive $2 million annually after earning $1.25 million in 2021, according to records accessed by Anthony Dasher of UGASports. It's unclear if the former NFL assistant's contract was extended as part of the salary increase.
The Bulldogs are 66-15 during Smart's six seasons at the helm and won the conference championship in 2017.