Georgia’s Smart gets $112.5M deal
ATLANTA — Georgia’s win over Alabama in last year’s national title game keeps paying off, especially for the Bulldogs’ coach.
Kirby Smart has hit the jackpot following the 15-point triumph over mentor Nick Saban in January. It was announced Thursday that Georgia and Smart agreed to a contract extension through 2031 paying smart $10.25 million annually to start with and wrapping up at $12.5 million annually, meaning a record $112.5 million over the next decade.
“This is home for us. Our roots run deep here,” Smart said Thursday. “My commitment to this university and our football program is unwavering. I’m thankful to president Jere Morehead and (athletic director) Josh Brooks for their continued support of Georgia football.
“It’s an honor being the head football coach at the University of Georgia, and while I’m certainly proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, I’m confident the best is yet to come.”
According to ESPN: “LSU lured Brian Kelly away from Notre Dame with a 10-year, $95 million contract that will pay him $9 million this season. Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher agreed to a four-year extension in August that will pay him $90 million over the next 10 years, and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney agreed to a 10-year, $93 million deal in April 2019. Alabama’s Nick Saban signed an extension in August that will pay him an average of $10.6 million through 2028.”
A&M’s Smith skips media days
Texas A&M receiver Ainias Smith did not attend Thursday’s final media day at the College Football Hall of Fame following his arrest early Wednesday morning by A&M police on charges of driving while intoxicated, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and possessing fewer than two ounces of marijuana, according to the Brazos County justice website.
Smith, a team leader who was supposed to be one of three players to attend the media days Thursday along with offensive lineman Layden Robinson and safety Demani Richardson, was released later Wednesday after posting bonds totaling $8,000.
“We’re getting all the evidence and the things that go on. Then we’ll make a comment,” Fisher said during his appearance on the big stage at media days. “We have no comment at this time.”
Richardson said of Smith, who had a sterling track record with the team prior to the arrest: “He’s going to be OK. He’s a great leader and a great guy, and he just had one mistake.”
Robinson added of his teammate, “He’s a great person and an awesome leader.”
Calzada favorite to be Auburn QB
Last year, then-A&M starting quarterback Haynes King broke his leg in Week 2 against Colorado in Denver, and Zach Calzada stepped in the rest of the way. Calzada has since transferred to Auburn but will always be remembered around College Station for leading a 41-38 victory over thenNo. 1 Alabama last October.
“Zach has been awesome,” Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said of Calzada’s short stint in his program, starting in January. “Every day he’s been there, just the work ethic, the focus, the attention to detail, the little opportunities to do more when he has a chance to do that has really become his foundation.
“We appreciate that, and we appreciate his leadership. We appreciate his work ethic. He has experience, and he’s played.”
Calzada, who’s from Georgia and not far from Auburn, is in a quarterback battle with the Tigers. He owns the strongest arm of any A&M quarterback in recent memory.
“He’s provided a lot … and that quarterback room, the competition in that room, the mentality in that room … every single one of those quarterbacks, they bring something to the table,” Harsin said. “They’re all pushing themselves.”
Calzada, considered the favorite entering camp, is in contention with LSU transfer T.J. Finley, Oregon transfer Robby Ashford, and freshman Holden Geriner.