Let’s be honest: when you think about a college football coach, you probably picture a stressed-out guy in a visor yelling into a headset. But for Kirby Smart, the head man at the University of Georgia, that stress is packed in a suitcase full of cash. So, just how much money does Kirby Smart make a year? Grab a sweet tea and brace yourself, because the number is stupidly large.
The Short Answer: It’s “Ridiculous” Money
According to his current contract, Kirby Smart pulls in roughly $13 million per year. Yes, you read that right. That’s $13,000,000 for running plays, shaking hands, and occasionally getting a Gatorade shower. To put that in perspective, that’s about $35,616 every single day, even on the days he’s just watching film in his pajamas.
If he decided to take a nap during a team meeting, he’d still earn more in that snooze than most of us make in a month. It’s the kind of money where you don’t check your bank balance; you just assume it’s fine.
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Breaking Down the Benjamins
His salary isn’t just a flat check. It’s a beautiful, tangled mess of bonuses and incentives. For example, winning the National Championship in 2022 triggered a bonus that was basically a down payment on a small island. He also gets paid for simply attending SEC media days, which sounds like a gig where you complain about the traffic and get a new sports car.
Oh, and there’s the “retention bonus.” If he sticks around until 2026, he’ll get a $1.2 million handshake just for not quitting. That’s the kind of “don’t leave me” note that most of us can only dream of.
What Does $13 Million Look Like?
Let’s play a game called “Absurd Comparisons.” Kirby Smart makes more money in one year than the entire payroll of some small-town fire departments. He earns more than the combined salaries of the last five mayors of Athens, Georgia. And here’s the kicker: he makes more than Justin Fields, the NFL quarterback he once coached, made in his rookie season.
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If you stacked $13 million in $100 bills, it would be taller than the goalposts at Sanford Stadium. And you’d still need a forklift to move it. Meanwhile, Kirby is probably using the cash to buy a new lawnmower for his 40-acre estate.
The “I Can Buy Anything” List
With that salary, Kirby could buy a private jet just to fly to the grocery store for milk. He could purchase a fleet of 2024 Ford F-150s for every player on the roster and still have pocket change. He could even pay for a year of in-state tuition for about 80 of his own players, but let’s be real—NIL deals handle that now.
Fun fact: If Kirby stopped working today and just lived off interest from his savings account (assuming a modest 4% return), he’d still earn over $500,000 a year without lifting a finger. That’s “retired rich” for the rest of us, but for him, it’s a Tuesday.
Kirby Smart UGA contract how much does he get paid | 11alive.com
But Is He Worth It?
Here’s the wild part: yes, probably. Since taking over in 2016, Smart has turned Georgia into a college football dynasty. He’s won two national titles, a fistful of SEC championships, and made the Bulldogs the scariest team in the land. When you’re that good, the money isn’t for the wins—it’s for the prevention of losses.
Think of it like paying for a premium subscription: you don’t want the free version. The university is essentially saying, “Here’s $13 million, please don’t go to Alabama or Texas A&M.” And Kirby, being a loyal Dawg, just cashes the check and growls.
The Final Play
So, next time you see Kirby Smart calmly pacing the sideline in a polo shirt, remember: he’s pacing on a carpet of gold. He makes $13 million a year, which is enough to make your head spin. But hey, at least he’s fun to watch, and he wins games—not just bank accounts.
And if you’re feeling jealous, just remember: he has to talk to reporters every week. That alone might be worth the price of admission. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go try to sell a used car and see if I can earn enough for a single game-day hot dog in the Kirby Smart economy.