Kirby Smart Describes What Syracuse Gains: The branches of the Kirby Smart coaching tree expanded further following the season with former Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown recently being named Syracuses new head football coach.
Brown has spent the past two seasons in Athens with the Bulldogs, becoming a valuable piece in maintaining their elite standard on the defensive side of the ball specifically in the secondary. With Smart revealing during the Orange Bowl selection day press conference that he wont be the only one thats gonna miss Brown following his departure.
Hes an incredible person and human being, beautiful family, Smart said. Nobodys more upset than my 11-year-old son who one of his best friends was Brayden, Frans son. When they fist came down they got to be buddies and now theyve spent really a year or two years together.
Brown landing the Syracuse job not only signifies the first head coaching job of his career but serves as a homecoming of sorts for the Camden, New Jersey native.
His coaching beginnings started at Paul VI High School in New Jersey before landing his first collegiate job as a graduate assistant at Temple, working his way up to defensive backs coach and associate head coach with the Owls. He also made stops at Baylor and Rutgers before joining Georgias staff in 2022, but Brown is bringing a lot more with him than experience according to Smart.
And Frans just an incredible person, I think anybody that met Fran knows he impacts people and he has great relationship strengths, Smart said. Hell be awesome for Syracuse; theyre getting a great recruiter, a great leader, and hes gonna do a great job. He knows everybody in the Northeast, so better watch out up there because he knows everybody in Philly.
From his championship experience, expertise in recruiting, familiarity with the area, and his traits as a person, it sounds like Brown was a slam-dunk hire for the Orange whove been led by Dino Barbers for the past eight seasons.
But now, a new era begins in Syracuse as Brown will be looking to bring the same championship pedigree and success he attained at Georgia to Syracuse.
I am incredibly proud to be leading Syracuse Football at a university with a rich and storied tradition of academic and athletic excellence, Brown said in a statement. Syracuse Football has outstanding talent, great facilities, and passionate alumni.
The success of the players is my No. 1 priorityon and off the field. I want my guys to succeed in life because they played football at Syracuse. My immediate area of focus is building relationships with my current players and putting together an elite staff while also having fun on the recruiting trail. Im ready to get to work and look forward to building something special for our fans.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What kind of bonus does Kirby Smart get?
Smart has the opportunity to receive two payments, one for SEC achievements and the other for general postseason achievements. His bonus payout cannot exceed $1.3 million, taking into account both potential payments.
What is Kirby Smart known for?
In 2012, he earned the title of AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year and in 2009, he was honored with the Broyles Award for being college football’s top assistant. He was also a top contender for the award in 2015. Before joining the Alabama staff in 2007, Smart was the safeties coach for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins in 2006.
How much money will Kirby Smart get for winning the championship?
The teams get a hefty $500,000 just for playing in the College Football Playoff semifinals. If they win the semifinal and go on to the National Championship Game, they pocket $750,000. And if they manage to clinch the National Championship title, they take home a cool $1 million.
How much money does Kirby Smart make for University of Georgia?
Last July, Smart signed a massive 10-year, $112.5 million contract extension. His 2022 salary was $10.25 million, but it will increase annually to reach $12.25 million by 2031.