The Georgia Bulldogs had a magical season in 2021, finishing 14-1 while securing the program's first National Championship in 41 years. Led by head coach Kirby Smart and a defense that sported an NFL Draft record five first round picks, the Bulldogs were a force to be reckoned with. It appears the program is looking to reward Smart for his efforts. Georgia and Smart are nearing a lucrative contract extension, as reported by Mark Schlabach of ESPN.
Georgia is close to finalizing a long-term contract extension with football coach Kirby Smart that will make him among the highest-paid coaches in the FBS.
Per Schlabach, Smart is nearing an extension with the Georgia Bulldogs that would make him “among the highest-paid coaches in the FBS.”
Smart signed a seven-year, $49 million contract in 2018, though a National Championship win would certainly merit a pay raise. Georgia president Jere Morehead said that the Bulldogs head coach's contract will be “commensurate with what you would expect compensation to be for a national championship coach.”
That means that Smart, who ranks sixth in the SEC in yearly salary at $7 million, is likely to command a deal in the Brian Kelly, Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban range at $9-10 million per year.
Of course, it's all speculation until the Bulldogs release the official figure. However, Smart certainly held his own in the recruiting department after the National Championship win, bringing in two five-star recruits and 17 four-stars to finish third in 247 Sports' rankings.
Now, Georgia appears poised to reward Smart handsomely for his efforts.
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