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Georgia's athletic board of directors, in their annual meeting on Thursday, approved a groundbreaking 10-year, $130 million contract for Kirby Smart, making him the highest-paid coach in college football history. This landmark agreement marks the first time a college football coach commands a salary of $13 million. With this unprecedented deal, Smart's legacy is further solidified, reflecting his exceptional contribution to the sport. As the highest-paid coach in college football history, Smart's impact on the game is undeniable. His success has made him a role model for aspiring coaches and players alike. You can explore more of his games and exciting betting opportunities on https://india.1xbet.com.
Previously set to earn $10.75 million this year, Smart will now receive an annual salary of $13 million, guaranteed for the first half of his 10-year contract. The deal extends through the 2033 season and includes potential bonuses of up to $1.55 million.
In his ninth season as Georgia's head coach, Smart solidified his legacy by winning consecutive national championships in 2021 and 2022. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs set an SEC record with 29 consecutive wins before narrowly falling to Alabama in last season's SEC championship game.
Expressing his gratitude, Smart stated, "I continue to be grateful and humbled by our administration's commitment to our football program. The dynamic landscape of collegiate athletics is constantly evolving and more challenging than ever before. I am sincerely grateful for the consistent leadership provided by our team. Representing my alma mater fills me with immense pride, and I eagerly anticipate continuing this relationship for many years to come.
Smart's new contract surpasses the previous highest-paid coach, Alabama's Nick Saban, who retired in January. Dabo Swinney of Clemson, with an average annual salary of $11.5 million, now follows behind Smart. Other top earners in college football include Lincoln Riley of USC, with an average salary in the $11 million range, as well as Kalen DeBoer of Alabama ($10.875 million), Steve Sarkisian of Texas ($10.64 million), and Mike Norvell of Florida State ($10.52 million).
Since his return to his alma mater in 2016, Smart has led the Bulldogs to two national championships, competing for a third and achieving 13 or more wins in each of the last three seasons. Georgia remains the only team to have finished in the top seven of the final AP poll for seven consecutive seasons. With Saban retired, Smart boasts an unbeaten record against all active head coaches over the past five years.
In a recent interview with ESPN, Smart reflected on his accomplishments, stating, "While my primary goal was to win championships, what I'm most proud of is our consistency. Although I consider our performance in Year 1 [when Georgia went 8-5] a failure and not the benchmark, we've consistently performed at a high level every year since then. Over the past seven years, we've consistently finished in the top seven, a feat unmatched by any other team during that period."
In addition to Smart's contract, Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks also received a raise and contract extension, securing his position through 2030. Brooks will receive an annual salary of $1.275 million, with $100,000 increases each year of the agreement.
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