Georgia makes Kirby Smart highest-paid football coach at public school

Georgia is making Kirby Smart the highest-paid college football coach at a public school under a new contract announced Thursday.

Smart, who led the Bulldogs to national championships in 2021 and 2022, agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2033 that will pay him a yearly salary of $13 million — a $1.75 million annual raise — and bonuses up to $1.55 million.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is due to make $11.5 million in 2024, according to reports.

Smart, 48, is 94-16 in eight seasons at his alma mater, including 13-1 last season when a loss to Alabama for the Southeastern Conference championship kept the defending champion Bulldogs out of the College Football Playoff. Instead, Georgia played in the Orange Bowl, defeating Florida State to raise its mark to 9-2 in bowl games under Smart.

He signed a 10-year contract in 2021 that totaled $112.5 million — at the time the most lucrative deal. However, Swinney and Alabama's Nick Saban — who retired after last season — inked new contracts that surpassed the annual figure.

Smart's new compensation was approved Thursday afternoon by an executive committee of the Georgia Athletic Association's board of directors.

Athletic director Josh Brooks also received a pay increase to $1.275 million annually with a contract extension to 2030. Hired in January 2021, Brooks was making $1.025 million annually with yearly increases of $100,000.

—Field Level Media