UGA coach Kirby Smart's dad dies at 76 after falling before sugar bowl

Georgia State coach Kirby Smart's dad dies in Sugar Bowl fall — Kirby Smart Image by Todd Kirklen/Getty Images

University of Georgia football coach Kirby Smartdad, Sonny Smart, has died. He was 76.

Sonny had taken a fall in New Orleans, where he had gone to watch UGA Bulldogs to play Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. (The championship game was moved from New Year's Day to Thursday, January 2 because a Texas man deliberately drove a rental truck through a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people. The driver was later killed in a police shootout.)

“(Sonny) was hospitalized and had hip surgery; unfortunately, there were complications,” UGA said in a statement on Saturday, Jan. 4 ESPN. “He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries. The Smart family extends their heartfelt thanks to Ochsner Hospital and the medical staff for the outstanding care provided to Sonny.

The statement continued: “Furthermore, they ask that you continue to pray for those affected by the tragic events that occurred in the early hours of New Year's Day. The Wise family appreciates everyone's thoughts and prayers and is now asking God for comfort, strength and guidance.

Sonia is survived by his wife, Sharonand their three children: Carl, Kirby and Kendall. Kirby, 49, spent part of New Year's Day at his father's bedside before returning to his game day duties. After all, the UGA football team lost to Notre Dame 23-10.

Sonny was a former football star who played at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama before becoming the coach at local Holtville High School. He also coached at Bainbridge High, where son Kirby played safety, and Rabun County High.

Kirby has been open about their father-son relationship.

“He's taught me so much just about how you go about things, right, wrong,” Kirby previously told reporters in January 2023. “Control the controllables. The moment is never too big if you are ready. And I always watched him prepare our teams and staff in high school.

The collegiate coach added at the time, “He was a very smart man, a man of few words. I tried to follow his mantra as a coach. I definitely evolved from coaching other people, but a lot of my core beliefs came from the way he ran our programs in high school.

The college football community have expressed their condolences on social networks.

“Marty, the girls and I are heartbroken to hear of the passing of Sonny Smart,” Brian KempGovernor of Georgia, wrote through X on Saturday. “An incredible father and husband and a great coach in his own right, he was a constant presence at Georgia football games with his wife Sharon. Sonny embodied the values and strength we should all aspire to. We are praying for Sharon, Carl, Kirby, Kendall and all their loved ones in this difficult time.

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