Kirby Smart surpasses bonus cap with Georgia’s national championship

Winning the national championship was worth more than $1 million to Georgia coach Kirby Smart. In fact, Smart earned a total of $1.8 million in bonuses for the Bulldog’s season and championship run. However, according to his contract, Smart’s cumulative bonuses are capped at $1.6 million in addition to his salary.

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According to Smart’s 35-page contract, signed in 2016 and amended in 2018, the coach receives bonuses for playing in the SEC Championship game ($150,000), earning a spot in the College Football Playoff ($500,000), winning SEC coach of the year ($50,000) and winning a national semifinal with an Orange Bowl win over Michigan ($100,000). Smart totaled $800,000.

Georgia’s 33-18 victory over Alabama in the national championship game Monday was worth $1 million. Smart’s contract states that his bonuses are cumulative, but are capped at $1.6 million.

Smart was due to make $7 million this year before bonuses, part of a seven-year deal that will pay him $49 million in salary through the 2024 season.

Smart’s 10 assistant coaches did pretty well, too. Winning the national title meant a bonus worth 55% of their salary.

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