ATHENS, Ga. — Kirby Smart has agreed to a contract extension with the University of Georgia that makes him the highest-paid coach in college football with an annual salary of $13 million.
Smart got a bump in salary of $1.75 million annually as part of the deal announced Thursday, which ties him to the Bulldogs through 2033. He could also receive up to $1.55 million per year in bonuses based on the new 12-team structure for the College Football Playoff, an increase from $1.3 million under the previous terms.
Georgia also gave athletic director Josh Brooks a one-year extension to 2030 that raises his salary by $100,000 per year, taking it to $1.275 million over the course of the contract. Brooks is also eligible for up to $200,000 in bonuses based on the overall performance of the athletic program.
Smart surpassed Clemson's Dabo Swinney, who is set to make $11 million in 2024, as the nation's highest-paid coach.
Smart's new deal takes the place of a 10-year extension worth more than $110 million that he signed in 2022 coming off his first national title. That contract started with $10.25 million in base salary and included annual raises taking the total compensation to $12.25 million in 2031.
"I continue to be grateful and humbled by our administration's commitment to our football program," Smart said in a school release. "The current culture in collegiate athletics is everchanging and as challenging as it has ever been, so I truly appreciate the leadership that our team is continually provided."
AP photo by Rebecca Blackwell / Georgia football coach Kirby Smart talks to his players during a timeout as the Bulldogs take on Florida State in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla.Smart, who played defensive back at Georgia in the 1990s, has guided the program to unprecedented heights since he took over as head coach in 2016 after previously serving as Alabama's defensive coordinator under Nick Saban.
The Bulldogs won back-to-back national titles during the 2021 and 20222 seasons, and they made a strong run at an unprecedented three-peat this past season before taking their only loss to Saban's Crimson Tide in the Southeastern Conference title game. The Bulldogs were not selected for the playoff but bounced back to win a New Year's Six matchup in dominant fashion, beating shorthanded Florida State 63-3 in the Orange Bowl.
Under Smart, Georgia has compiled a dazzling record of 94-16 that includes a 56-9 mark in the SEC. The Bulldogs have won a pair of league title games, finished in the top 10 of the AP poll the past seven seasons, and perennially landed high-ranked recruiting classes throughout his tenure.
With a strong group of returning players, led by quarterback Carson Beck, Georgia is expected to remain a leading contender for the national championship this season as the CFP field triples in size. It had been a four-team event since its debut in 2014, with the Bulldogs making three appearances — all under Smart — and reaching the national title game each time. Georgia lost to Alabama in overtime to cap the 2017 season.
"I have an immense pride for representing my alma mater and look forward to that relationship continuing for many years to come," Smart, 48, said in the release.
The Bulldogs have lost only two games in the past three seasons, both to Alabama and Saban, who retired in January after leading the Tide to six national titles in his 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa.
Jere W. Morehead, UGA's president since July 2013, said in the release that Smart has set "the definition of excellence for all of college football."
"He has excited the Bulldog nation about what is yet to come after winning two national championships," Morehead added.
The 43-year-old Brooks has led Georgia's athletic department since 2021.
"Josh Brooks has done a terrific job as athletic director and has positioned UGA athletics to thrive in a rapidly changing college sports landscape," Morehead said. "Both Kirby and Josh love this university as loyal graduates. I congratulate both of them and look forward to their continued leadership in the years ahead."