UGA Athletic Director Josh Brooks met with the school's athletic board on Thursday to discuss a contract extension for head coach Kirby Smart. After defeating rival Alabama and Nick Saban in route to winning the program's first national title in 41 years, Smart is set to cash in on this new extension. But has he done enough to earn the title of highest paid coach in the nation?
Smart took over the Bulldogs program in 2016 and since has made them a powerhouse in the SEC and college football as a whole. With a 66-15 record in six seasons, two appearances in the College Football Playoffs, one National Title, and 10 eventual first-round picks, Smart has proven he is one of the nation's best.
His early efforts earned him a seven year, $49 million contract extension in 2018. However, even after that original extension one could make the case the former Bulldog defensive back is underpaid. His current $7 million average annual salary is tied for tenth in the nation with Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin.
Taking a look at the rest of that list, Smart has a case to be paid more than many of the coaches ahead of him. Mel Tucker just received a ten year, $95 million extension from Michigan State in a season where they failed to eclipse double digit wins. Lincoln Riley, who is 1-2 in bowl games and has never lead a program to a national title appearance, was made the highest paid coach in the nation, over $10 million annually, by USC .
One would think that beating the greatest coach of all-time, Nick Saban, and winning a national title is more than enough cause to pay Kirby Smart $10, possibly $11 million per year.
After Thursday's meeting with the athletic board, UGA President Jere Morehead said, "...We're close to finalizing those arrangements. I don't think anybody will be surprised."
