Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • USA TODAY

    Georgia football coach Kirby Smart's new 10-year, $130 million deal: More contract details

    By Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald,

    7 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0GI2UZ_0vuwU20p00

    Georgia football coach Kirby Smart’s $130 million, 10-year contract that runs through the end of the 2033 season is fully guaranteed if he were to be fired without cause through the end of 2028. It's 85% percent guaranteed thereafter, according to a new amendment to the contract obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald — which is part of the USA TODAY Network — on Friday through an open records request.

    The new deal that included a two-year contract extension and was announced by the school on May 2 is similar in the buyout structure to the previous terms.

    Smart will be paid $13 million a year, making him the highest-paid public school coach in college athletics. Smart was paid $10.5 million last year, and that would have gone up to $10.75 million this year.

    Smart's bonus structure increases from a maximum $1.525 million to $1.775 million annually.

    Smart makes more money each step of the new 12-team playoff if his team is in the field.

    Here’s how that is laid out, depending on when the season ends:

    • Playing in a first-round game is worth $250,000
    • Reaching the quarterfinals is worth $500,000
    • Advancing to the semifinals is worth $750,000
    • Playing in the national championship game is worth $850,000
    • Winning a national championship is worth $1.25 million.

    He will receive another $100,000 for reaching the SEC championship game and another $200,000 for winning it.

    Bowl bonuses range from $50,000 to $100,000 for non-playoff bowls.

    If Smart were to resign, here’s how the buyout is laid out:

    • $5 million on or before Dec. 31, 2026
    • $4 million on or before Dec. 31, 2029
    • $3 million on or before Dec. 31, 2030
    • $2 million on or before Dec. 31, 2031
    • $1 million on or before Dec. 31, 2033

    Other bonuses are for academic achievement and coach of the year awards.

    Smart is 97-17 in his ninth season at Georgia with two national championships and two SEC championships. Georgia is 3-1 and ranked No. 5 nationally this season entering Saturday's home game against Auburn.

    This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football coach Kirby Smart's new 10-year, $130 million deal: More contract details

    Expand All
    Comments / 1
    Add a Comment
    R......
    6h ago
    Too bad he can't control his players' reckless driving! Too much money involved for him to actually discipline the kids.
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0