Georgia head coach Kirby Smart's father, Sonny Smart, passes away
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart lost his father, Sonny Smart, early Saturday morning, the university has announced via a statement from the sports information office. He was with his wife, Sharon, and three children, Kirby, Karl, and Kendall, when he died.
Below is the full statement from UGA and a rough timeline of how Smart’s health declined in a short period of time due to a fall New Year’s Eve.
“Sonny Smart passed away on January 4, 2025, at 12:15 a.m., surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and their three children: Karl, Kirby and Kendall.
“Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip. He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.
“The Smart family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the Ochsner hospital and medical staff for the exceptional care provided to Sonny.
“Additionally, they ask for your continued prayers for those affected by the tragic events that occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
“The Smart family treasures everyone’s thoughts and prayers and now prays for God’s comfort, strength, and guidance.”
Sonny was a fixture at Georgia games since his son became head coach in 2016. He traveled with the team to New Orleans earlier this week and go off the same plan as Kirby and his family. Sonny was at practice in the lead up to the Sugar Bowl, until he suffered the hip injury.
The veteran high school coach attended Samford University and was a center for the Bulldogs. Originally from Columbia, Alabama, just over the Georgia border, Smart spent 23 years coaching in the Peach State. He had stops at Bainbridge, where Kirby played, and Rabun County.
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When Georgia played in the National Championship game in 2022, Sonny was unable to attend due to some medical issues that were far less severe than what he experience in New Orleans.
“It hurts me that he and my mom won’t be here,” Smart said at the time. “But I know it’s the right decision for him. He’s been at almost every, in terms of home game in Athens, playoff games. It’s tough that he’s not able to make it. Nothing worse than watching your parents grow old. It’s like taxes; it’s inevitable. They’re going to get old. And that’s been tough.”
