ATHENS, Ga. — In a historic move that underscores a legacy of excellence and dedication, the NCAA and the University of Georgia have announced a landmark recognition for Kirby Smart, the legendary head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. Coach Smart is set to receive an honorary award that is being hailed as the first of its kind in NCAA history, acknowledging his exceptional long-term service, leadership, and contributions to college football.
Since taking over the Bulldogs program in 2016, Smart has led Georgia to new heights, including multiple SEC titles, College Football Playoff appearances, and back-to-back national championships. More than just his win-loss record, it’s the culture of discipline, development, and dominance that has made Smart’s tenure so impactful.
The award, which will be presented during a nationally televised ceremony this fall in Athens, will honor not just Smart’s coaching achievements, but also his influence on student-athlete success, community involvement, and long-standing loyalty to the university. NCAA officials and Georgia’s athletic department have worked together for over a year to create this one-of-a-kind honor, which will now set the precedent for future coaching legacies.
“This moment is about more than football,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker. “It’s about integrity, leadership, and the kind of consistent excellence that defines the very best of college athletics. Coach Smart embodies all of that.”
Kirby Smart, who played at Georgia as a defensive back in the 1990s, called the honor “humbling and emotional,” emphasizing that it reflects the hard work of his players, staff, and the entire Bulldogs community.
Fans, alumni, and fellow coaches across the country are expected to attend the ceremony, making it one of the most anticipated moments in the upcoming college football season — a fitting tribute to a coach who changed the game and lifted an entire program to glory.
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