Kirby Smart Gets Emotional About His Late Dad Months After Painful Loss

In the ruthless and relentless world of college football, Kirby Smart has carved out a legacy that feels bulletproof. In just a decade as a head coach, Smart has molded Georgia into a machine—methodical, ferocious, and fueled by a culture that mirrors its leader’s intensity. With multiple national championships, a juggernaut roster year in and year out, and a program that feels permanently cemented at the top of the college football pyramid, it’s easy to forget the man behind the headset is still very much human. And earlier this week, during an interview with Paul Finebaum on SEC Network, Smart reminded us all of that in the most personal way possible.

The conversation veered off the usual X’s and O’s track and drifted into something much more raw. That’s when Kirby Smart opened up about his late father, Sonny Smart. The man who not only shaped him as a son but also as a coach and leader. While much of the credit for Smart’s professional development often circles back to Nick Saban, it’s clear that Sonny was equally foundational. “It was one of the toughest times of my life, and if it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get through it,” Kirby said, pausing before adding, “but I know how we would handle it. I know how he would’ve wanted things handled.”

Kirby Smart didn’t hide from the emotion. His voice wavered slightly but remained steady enough to drive the message home. “I am who I am because of him, and I miss him often. But I am proud of the legacy that he left.” The statement wasn’t a soundbite. It was a window into the core of a man who, despite all the accolades and pressure, still turns to the lessons instilled by a dad who lived and breathed football—and more importantly, integrity. Sonny wasn’t just Kirby’s father, was a respected high school coach in Alabama who spent decades mentoring young men and giving families across the state something to believe in.

Kirby Smart reflects on his father and the impact he made on his life pic.twitter.com/0MtEFzhldr

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) May 14, 2025

Sonny Smart passed away earlier this year after complications from hip surgery, which followed a fall. The timing couldn’t have been more painful for Kirby. The Bulldogs were coming off a gut-wrenching loss to Notre Dame, and suddenly, he was asked to navigate personal grief while standing tall as the face of one of college football’s most scrutinized programs. It was a storm no coach could scheme around. Yet through it all, Smart found strength in the support that poured in.

And now, with a new season on the horizon, Kirby Smart is doing what his father would have expected—getting back to business with quiet resolve and that signature laser focus. Georgia opens its 2025 campaign on August 30 at Sanford Stadium against Marshall. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a season opener under Smart’s leadership, and they’ll be riding a home win streak that stretches beyond 30 games.

Kirby Smart headed to Georgia High School Football HOF

Before he became the mastermind behind Georgia’s back-to-back national titles, Kirby Smart was just a small-town star lighting it up under Friday night lights in Bainbridge. Now, he’s headed back into the spotlight for a different kind of honor. On Tuesday morning, it was announced that Smart will be inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame as part of its 2025 class.

Smart earned all-state honors back in 1993 while playing for Bainbridge High School, showing early signs of the competitive fire and football IQ that would later define his career. Of course, the story didn’t stop there—he went on to suit up for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1995 till 1998 as a DB, and the rest is college football history.

This marks only the fourth class in the Hall’s history, which has already honored other Georgia greats like Tom Nash, Jack Roberts, and Paul Gilbert. And Kirby’s not the only current Bulldog coach with a spot in the Hall, OC Mike Bobo was inducted just last year in 2023.

The official induction ceremony is set for October 25, and you can bet the town of Bainbridge.

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