Kirby Smart earns $13 million a year at Georgia on a 10 year, $130 million contract that runs through the 2033 season. When Georgia approved it in May 2024 he became the first college football coach ever paid $13 million a season, and he held the top spot until Indiana’s Curt Cignetti passed him in 2026. The deal is fully guaranteed through the 2028 season, which gives Smart the largest buyout in the sport.
| Annual salary | $13 million (he was scheduled to make $10.75 million in 2024 under the old deal) |
| Total value | $130 million over 10 years |
| Buyout if Georgia fires him | 100 percent of the remaining contract through the end of 2028, then 85 percent of any unpaid salary through 2033 |
| If he leaves for another job | He owes Georgia $5 million through 2026, stepping down each year to $1 million by 2033 |
| Playoff bonuses | $250,000 for a first round game, $500,000 for a quarterfinal, $1.25 million for winning the national title |
| SEC bonus | $100,000 for reaching the SEC Championship Game or $300,000 for winning it |
How It Compares
| Coach | School | Annual pay |
|---|---|---|
| Curt Cignetti | Indiana | $13.2 million |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | $13 million |
| Lane Kiffin | LSU | $13 million |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | $12.5 million |
Contract terms are from the amendment released through an open records request, as reported by the Athens Banner-Herald, and ESPN. The full national list is on our college football coaching salaries page.
Why the Buyout Matters
Because Georgia guaranteed every dollar through 2028, firing Smart would cost well over $100 million, the largest buyout figure in college football. It is a statement of how Georgia views him after two national titles (2021 and 2022), and it effectively makes him unfireable for the next several seasons. In the other direction, his own exit cost is small: $5 million this year and falling, which matters every time an NFL job opens.
The Bottom Line
Kirby Smart makes $13 million a year on a 10 year, $130 million Georgia contract through 2033, second only to Curt Cignetti. It is fully guaranteed through 2028 and 85 percent guaranteed after that, and he can add up to $1.25 million for a national title. Follow the Bulldogs on the Georgia football schedule, Georgia score today and Georgia NIL.