ESPN Report: Kirby Smart Stuns College Football, Rejects $7.5M Offers from Michigan, Notre Dame to Stay with Georgia

In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has reportedly turned down massive contract offers from both the Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, signaling his unwavering loyalty to the University of Georgia. According to ESPN’s report on Thursday morning, Smart rejected deals that would have paid him $7.5 million annually—offers that would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the nation outside of the SEC.

The offers from Michigan and Notre Dame, both storied programs with national championship aspirations and strong institutional support, were widely expected to be compelling enough to make Smart consider a change. Sources close to both programs indicated that each university had made formal overtures to gauge Smart’s interest after the 2024 season concluded, with Michigan’s pitch coming shortly after their College Football Playoff exit and Notre Dame’s following shortly after their top defensive coordinator left for the NFL.

But Smart, 49, ended the speculation swiftly and decisively. In a statement released to ESPN and confirmed through University of Georgia officials, Smart made it clear that he has no intention of leaving Athens anytime soon.

“I have no plans beyond being the Georgia Bulldogs head coach,” Smart said. “This university, this program, and this community mean everything to me and my family. I am fully committed to continuing the standard of excellence we’ve built here together.”

Smart’s loyalty, while perhaps expected in some corners of the SEC, still comes as a rare example of coaching stability in an era where money, prestige, and upward mobility often dictate decisions. The $7.5 million annual offers are believed to have included generous performance incentives and full control over staffing and football operations, per insiders familiar with the contract frameworks.

One Michigan athletic department insider said, “We knew it was a long shot, but we felt we had to try. Kirby Smart is arguably the best coach in the country right now. His track record speaks for itself, and we believed our program could appeal to someone of his caliber.”

Notre Dame, too, had hoped to make a splash with the hire. Their offer reportedly included a long-term extension with escalators for College Football Playoff appearances, plus unprecedented autonomy over football operations. The university was said to be willing to restructure certain academic restrictions in recruiting to better align with the current college football landscape—something many insiders believed might lure Smart.

Instead, Smart’s decision is a clear reaffirmation of his roots and long-term vision for Georgia. Since taking over the Bulldogs in 2016, Smart has built one of the most dominant dynasties in modern college football. Under his leadership, Georgia has made multiple College Football Playoff appearances, captured two national championships (2021 and 2022), and finished with a top-five recruiting class in every full recruiting cycle since 2017. His current contract with Georgia, signed in 2022, pays him over $10 million annually including bonuses and is fully guaranteed through the 2031 season.

“I came here not just to win games, but to build something that lasts,” Smart told ESPN in an exclusive follow-up. “We’ve got unfinished business, and I’m not going anywhere until we see that through. Georgia is home.”

Smart’s statement will no doubt be met with celebration from Bulldogs fans and administrators, many of whom have credited him with completely reshaping the football culture in Athens. Before Smart’s arrival, Georgia had long been considered a perennial underachiever—talent-rich but unable to consistently break through on the national stage. That narrative has changed dramatically, with Georgia becoming a benchmark program not just in the SEC, but nationwide.

Athletic Director Josh Brooks praised Smart’s decision as a powerful message about loyalty, values, and vision.

“Kirby Smart is more than our head coach. He is a leader, a mentor, and a cornerstone of what we want Georgia Athletics to represent,” Brooks said in a university release. “His commitment to the university reaffirms everything we believe about this program’s future. We are beyond proud to have him leading our team.”

The timing of the offers, as well as Smart’s response, also underscores the broader volatility of college football’s coaching carousel. With the recent influx of TV revenue, expanding playoff format, and mounting pressure from alumni and boosters, programs like Michigan and Notre Dame are becoming increasingly aggressive in pursuit of elite coaching talent. However, Smart’s decision represents a sharp counterpoint to that trend—a reminder that for some, legacy and culture still outweigh cash.

Still, the implications of Smart’s rejection are significant. Both Michigan and Notre Dame will now pivot to other options in what is becoming a tighter and more expensive market. Michigan, which had been considering a shortlist that included NFL coordinators and rising college stars, may now turn back toward internal candidates or look once again to the pro ranks. Notre Dame’s search is more urgent, particularly as they attempt to solidify their recruiting class and stabilize their defensive coaching staff.

For Georgia, however, this moment is a major win—perhaps as big as any on-field victory in recent memory. In keeping Smart, Georgia holds onto a head coach who has not only delivered championship-level results but has also helped usher in a new era of player development, NIL structuring, and long-term program health.

Over the past three seasons, Georgia has had more than 30 players drafted into the NFL, including multiple first-round selections. Smart’s approach to building his staff has also been lauded, with Georgia assistants consistently among the most sought-after in college football. His close attention to detail, combined with a relentless focus on recruiting and development, has kept Georgia among the elite even as the SEC has grown more competitive.

Beyond the field, Smart’s connection to the state of Georgia also plays a significant role in his decision. A Georgia native and former Bulldogs defensive back, Smart has often spoken about the pride he feels coaching at his alma mater. His wife Mary Beth is also a Georgia alum, and the family is deeply embedded in the Athens community.

“It’s personal for me,” Smart said. “There’s nothing like leading your home state school and being able to compete for championships while staying true to your values. I believe we’re just getting started.”

For fans, alumni, and recruits, Smart’s announcement offers a renewed sense of stability and momentum. In the high-stakes world of college football, where headlines often revolve around departures, scandals, or power plays, Smart’s declaration stands as a powerful exception. It’s a signal to recruits that the foundation at Georgia is not just strong—it’s enduring.

“I want players and families to know that when they commit to Georgia, they’re committing to something consistent,” Smart said. “We’re not chasing dollars or headlines. We’re chasing greatness together.”

With Smart staying put, Georgia is poised to remain a championship contender for years to come. The 2025 recruiting class is already ranked in the top three nationally, and the Bulldogs return several key players on both sides of the ball. As rivals reload and reshuffle, Georgia’s continuity could prove to be the ultimate advantage.

Smart’s statement—and the loyalty behind it—may one day be seen as one of the most pivotal decisions in modern college football history. At a time when the sport is changing rapidly, Kirby Smart has chosen to double down on what he believes in: the program, the people, and the pursuit of sustained excellence in Athens.

And in doing so, he’s not just sending a message to Michigan and Notre Dame. He’s sending one to the entire college football world.