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Sonny Smart, father of Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, dies after fall in New Orleans

By
Published  January 4, 2025 11:29am EST
Georgia Bulldogs
FOX 5 Atlanta

Kirby Smart's dad passed away after New Orleans injury

Sonny Smart, the father of Georgia Bulldog's Head Coach Kirby Smart passed away after suffering a fall in New Orleans, fracturing his hip before the Sugar Bowl. After undergoing surgery, UGA says Smart suffered complications and died.

The Brief

    • Sonny Smart, the father of University of Georgia football coach Kirby Smart, has died after suffering a fall in New Orleans.
    • The school says Smart fell while walking and fractured his hip before Georgia's Sugar Bowl appearance. He suffered complications after undergoing surgery.
    • The elder Smart also coached football. He spent more than a decade at two Georgia high school.

ATHENS, Ga. - Sonny Smart, the father of University of Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart, has died after suffering a fall on New Year's Day.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the University of Georgia said that Smart died at 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and their three children: Karl, Kirby and Kendall.

Smart was in New Orleans for the team's Sugar Bowl appearance when he fell while walking. The school says Smart fractured his hip and was hospitalized.

After undergoing surgery, UGA says Smart suffered complications and died.

"The Smart family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the Ochsner hospital and medical staff for the exceptional care provided to Sonny," the school said.

As part of the statement, the Smart family asked for thoughts and prayers for their family and those affected by the unrelated attack on Bourbon Street that happened the same day.

Like his son Kirby, Sonny Smart also coached football, serving as the head football coach at Bainbridge High School from 1988 to 1994 and Rabun County High School from 1995 to 2003. 

The Source: Information for this story was provided by a release from UGA Athletics and previous FOX 5 reporting.

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