JD PicKell: No one deserves a monster extension more than Kirby Smart

The coaching salary market was officially reset on Thursday with Kirby Smart’s new $10.25 million per year deal with the Georgia Bulldogs. Lincoln Riley’s contract with USC has been reported to have an annual salary base in the same range, however, the Trojans’ contracts are not public. Smart’s contract is also larger than Nick Saban’s ($9.9 million) in 2022.

After winning the program’s first national championship in 40 years, Smart inked with Georgia through the 2031 season. On3’s J.D. PicKell broke down why he believes the seventh-year head coach deserves to be the highest paid in the country on The Hard Count.

“First of all, good for Kirby Smart. Bring the title back to his alma mater for the first time in however long, produced so many NFL players. Kirby Smart has earned this contract,” PicKell said. “There is no betting on what could be with Kirby Smart, you have a certainty in Kirby Smart and one of the best coaches in college football. Good for Georgia for making sure they got their guy under lock and key.”

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“I think this honestly sets Georgia up more positively when it comes to recruiting,” PicKell continued. “Coaches like to negatively recruit … for Georgia to have their guy and be able to say, ‘When you come to Georgia, this head coach is going to be here well after you leave.'”

PicKell reflected on the team Smart took over in 2016, going 8-5, then finally breaking through as an SEC title contender, and national title contender, every season after.

“Who deserves this contract more than Kirby Smart? For what Georgia was when he got there, a team that was trying to get over the hump. For a guy like Kirby Smart, to take Georgia to the promised land, to win the national championship against Nick Saban’s Alabama, I don’t think there’s anybody else in college football that deserves this contract more than him.”

Kirby Smart comments on contract extension

Kirby Smart finished SEC Media Days then inked his new contract extension with the Bulldogs this week. All that remains before 2022 kickoff is fall camp in Athens.

The reigning national championship head coach wrote in the team’s news release that his commitment to the program is “unwavering.”

“Mary Beth, my family & I are excited and grateful for the extension of my agreement with The University of Georgia. This is home for us, our roots run deep here. My commitment to this University and our Football program is unwavering,” said Smart.  “I’m thankful to President Jere Morehead and 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!”