ESPN REPORT: Kirby Smart, head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, shocks the college football world by declining a stunning $7.5 million offer from Notre Dame and the Michigan Wolverines. Declares Allegiance to th

In a jaw-dropping revelation that has sent tremors throughout the college football landscape, ESPN has reported that Kirby Smart, the two-time national championship-winning head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, has rejected a massive $7.5 million per year offer that came jointly from two of the sport’s most iconic institutions: Notre Dame and the Michigan Wolverines.

The audacious, coordinated push to pry Smart away from Athens may go down as one of the boldest — and most unsuccessful — coaching pursuit sagas in recent memory. But Smart’s response was swift, decisive, and deeply personal. With unwavering clarity, he shut down the rumors and speculation by reaffirming his commitment to Georgia, a program he has not only transformed but also cemented as a modern-day dynasty.

“I’m a Georgia Bulldog,” Smart reportedly told ESPN in a private conversation. “This is home. I’m not chasing dollars. I’m chasing greatness — right here in Athens.”

The Unthinkable Offer

According to sources familiar with the discussions, both Michigan and Notre Dame initiated quiet feelers within weeks of their respective postseason exits. With Jim Harbaugh having made the leap to the NFL after finally bringing Michigan a national championship, and Marcus Freeman feeling the heat in South Bend after another disappointing season, both schools had ambitions of landing a proven winner with championship pedigree.

What no one saw coming, however, was that both programs had one target in mind: Kirby Smart.

Multiple insiders confirmed that a shared intermediary — a prominent college football agent — was engaged to explore Smart’s interest. The figure floated: $7.5 million per season, with extensive performance bonuses, lifetime guarantees on health coverage, and even influence over athletic department hires.

Notre Dame reportedly offered him autonomy rarely afforded to a coach at the historic Catholic university. Michigan was prepared to provide him with a record-setting facilities budget and a 10-year contract with opt-out clauses only favorable to Smart. In theory, it was an offer no coach could refuse — except Kirby did.

Why Kirby Said No

While college football continues to evolve into an era dominated by NIL deals, TV mega-contracts, and the transfer portal, Kirby Smart’s decision was an emotional stand for loyalty, legacy, and love for his alma mater.

Having played defensive back for the Bulldogs in the 1990s and returned to lead the program in 2016 after serving as Nick Saban’s defensive mastermind at Alabama, Smart has always viewed Georgia as the pinnacle, not a stepping stone.

“Kirby’s blood runs red and black,” said a source close to the Georgia athletic department. “He doesn’t just coach here — he lives Georgia football. The idea of him leaving, especially now when they’re still in the hunt for another national title, was always far-fetched.”

In a social media post following ESPN’s report, Smart seemed to allude to the rumors with a pointed message:

“Loyalty isn’t for sale. My heart beats in Athens. #GoDawgs”

Reaction From the College Football World

Reactions were swift and passionate across the sport. Fans, analysts, and players chimed in on what many described as a “rare moment of true loyalty” in a cutthroat industry where top coaches change schools with little warning.

Former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, who led the Bulldogs to back-to-back national titles, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:

“We don’t deserve him, but thank God we got him.”

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum said on his radio show,

“This is a man who turned down a blank check to stay where his heart is. Kirby Smart just cemented his legacy not only as one of the best coaches in the sport, but as one of its most honorable.”

Others were less diplomatic. Notre Dame alumni and boosters reportedly feel “blindsided” by the leaked details, especially as some had prematurely believed that the Freeman era was about to be replaced by a coaching titan. Michigan fans, still basking in the glow of their national title but uncertain about the post-Harbaugh future, took to message boards and forums to vent their frustration.

“Kirby was our dream hire,” one Michigan fan wrote on TheWolverine.com. “Now we’re back to square one.”

Georgia’s Dynasty Continues

Smart’s decision to stay put also signals that the Georgia dynasty isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Despite falling just short of a three-peat in 2024, the Bulldogs are loaded for another title run. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has come into his own. The defense, retooled as always, remains ferocious. And the Bulldogs just inked another top-three recruiting class in 2025.

More importantly, Smart’s stability is now unmatched in the SEC. With Nick Saban retired, and Brian Kelly and Kalen DeBoer still settling into high-pressure expectations, Smart has assumed the role of elder statesman and culture-setter in the conference.

“I think Kirby staying at Georgia sends a message,” said former Auburn coach Gene Chizik on the SEC Network. “He’s not building something — he’s maintaining excellence. That’s even harder to do. And he’s the best in the business at it.”

NIL and the Changing Landscape

One subplot in this saga involves the growing power of NIL collectives and the financial arms race in college football. While $7.5 million may seem outrageous — and it is — it’s not unheard of in a market where head coaches like Lincoln Riley, Ryan Day, and Brian Kelly all command top-tier salaries.

But Kirby Smart’s decision wasn’t about money. It was about legacy. And Georgia boosters are taking notice.

“Kirby just did something very few people would do — he turned down generational wealth to stay with us,” said a prominent Georgia donor. “That’s not going unnoticed. Trust me — we’ll make sure he’s taken care of.”

Already, reports are surfacing that Georgia is preparing a new extension to reward Smart’s loyalty, one that could push his annual earnings into the $12–13 million range with added perks. But for Smart, that was never the driving factor.

“He’s a coach who believes in purpose,” said ESPN’s Rece Davis. “And right now, his purpose is winning more titles with Georgia — not chasing dollars in the Midwest.”

Notre Dame and Michigan Left Scrambling

With Smart off the table, both Notre Dame and Michigan now find themselves in precarious positions.

Notre Dame must now decide whether to double down on Marcus Freeman or take a harder look at the coaching carousel. Big names like Dan Lanning (Oregon), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), and even Mike Norvell (Florida State) could now come into play.

Michigan, meanwhile, still hasn’t named a permanent successor to Harbaugh. While Sherrone Moore impressed as an interim head coach, there’s a growing push for the Wolverines to make a splash hire. But their top option just slipped away.

“They put all their chips in on Kirby,” said one Big Ten insider. “Now they’ve got to regroup — fast.”

Recruiting Ripple Effects

Smart’s decision to stay also reverberates across the recruiting world. With NIL deals influencing players’ choices more than ever, a coach’s presence is often the deciding factor.

Top 2025 and 2026 recruits reacted positively to the news.

“I was thinking about waiting to commit because of the coaching rumors,” said five-star linebacker T.J. Browning. “Now that Coach Smart is staying, it makes my decision a lot easier.”

Georgia’s 2025 class, already top-ranked, could now get another bump. Smart’s loyalty resonates with families, especially those seeking stability amid the chaos of the modern recruiting environment.

A Defining Moment

This moment may ultimately go down as the defining point in Kirby Smart’s already-legendary career. He could have followed the money. He could have started over with two blue bloods. But he stayed put — not out of fear, but out of conviction.

“He just pulled a Tom Osborne,” said SEC columnist Pat Dooley. “He could’ve chased titles elsewhere. Instead, he wants to build a statue in Athens. And he’s halfway there.”

Smart, now entering his tenth season as Georgia’s head coach, holds a record of 109-17 with two national championships and three SEC titles. His Bulldogs have been to the Playoff five times since 2017. His teams are not just great — they are disciplined, tough, and consistently among the most feared in the country.

And after turning down this shocking offer, he’s made it clear that he plans to finish what he started in Athens.

Loyalty in a Disloyal Era

Kirby Smart’s choice resonates deeply because it runs counter to today’s norms. In an era of ever-shifting conference alignments, transfer portal chaos, and sky-high coaching salaries, his decision to stay loyal is both refreshing and rare.

To Georgia fans, it’s validation. To recruits, it’s assurance. To college football at large, it’s a reminder that even in a billion-dollar industry, some things — like loyalty, legacy, and love for a school — can’t be bought.

And as the 2025 season draws near, one thing is certain: the Bulldogs are still barking, their general is still on the sidelines, and the road to the national title still runs through Athens.