Kirby Smart is an American college football coach and former player, best known as the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, his alma mater, since 2016.[1][2] A former safety for Georgia who ranks sixth in program history with 13 career interceptions, Smart began coaching as an administrative assistant at Georgia in 1999, advancing through roles at Valdosta State (defensive backs coach and coordinator, 2000-2001), Florida State (graduate assistant, 2002-2003), LSU (defensive backs coach, 2004), and Georgia (running backs coach, 2005).[1][2][5] He entered the NFL as safeties coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2006 before joining Nick Saban at Alabama (2007-2015), where he served as assistant head coach/defensive backs coach and then defensive coordinator.[1][2][6] Under Smart, Alabama's defenses ranked among the nation's elite, contributing to national championships in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015; he earned the Broyles Award (2009) and AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year (2012).[1][3] At Georgia, Smart has compiled a 117-20 record (.854 winning percentage) through the 2024 season, tying for third all-time among coaches with 10+ years experience.[3][4] Key achievements include SEC championships (2017, 2022, 2024), back-to-back national titles (2021 over Alabama 33-18; 2022 over TCU 65-7—the first repeat in the CFP era), four CFP appearances, and eight double-digit win seasons.[1][2][3][4][6] He reached 100 career wins in 117 games (fifth-fastest in FBS history) with a 2024 victory over No. 1 Texas and was named SEC Coach of the Year three times (2017, 2021, 2022).[2][3][4] In May 2024, Smart signed a 10-year, $130 million extension, the richest in college football history.[2] Entering his 10th season in 2025, he adapts to NIL, transfer portal, and revenue sharing by focusing on roster management while upholding high standards.[4][6]