Kirby Smart is one of the most successful and influential coaches in college football, leading the Georgia Bulldogs to sustained dominance. As of 2025, he is the highest-paid coach in the sport, earning an average of $13.2 million per year under a 10-year, $130 million contract extension he signed in May 2024.
Career and Achievements
Smart took over as Georgia’s head coach in December 2015 after serving as Alabama’s defensive coordinator under Nick Saban. Since then, he has transformed the Bulldogs into a perennial powerhouse. Some of his most notable achievements include:
National Championships: Smart guided Georgia to back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, marking the program’s return to the pinnacle of college football.
SEC Dominance: Under his leadership, Georgia has consistently competed for and won SEC championships, further cementing its status as a top-tier program.
Elite Recruiting: Smart has been one of the best recruiters in the country, regularly securing top-ranked recruiting classes that keep Georgia in title contention.
Player Development: His program has produced numerous first-round NFL Draft picks, particularly on defense, a testament to his ability to develop talent.
Sustained Success: By 2025, Smart has maintained Georgia’s position as one of the most dominant teams in college football, keeping them in the hunt for national titles year after year.
His record and accolades have made him not only the highest-paid coach in college football but also one of the most respected figures in the sport. With a decade-long contract extension, Smart is poised to continue shaping Georgia’s legacy and influencing the future of college football.
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