Kirby Smart’s parent, Sonny Smart, passed away after complications from an operation after a fall. He was 76 years older. Smart fell in New Orleans, where the family had gathered for the Sugar Bowl, which Kirby’s Bulldogs ultimately. He was taken to a hospital and had an operation, but he eventually passed.
In response, the Smart household expressed” their heartfelt appreciation to the Ochsner hospital and medical staff for the extraordinary care provided to Sonny” in a statement released via Georgia. The speech continued: “Also, they ask for your ongoing prayer for those affected by the tragic events that occurred in the early days of New Year’s Time”. The Wise family treasures thoughts and prayers and presently prays for God’s convenience, strength, and guidance.”
Sonny Smart, a famed high school coach in Georgia himself, is survived by his wife Sharon, and their three children, Karl, Kirby, and Kendall.
First Life and Education
Sonny Smart was born in 1948 in Columbia, Alabama. He grew up in a sports-oriented home, developing a passion for sports at an early age. Before enrolling at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he played center, he attended Houston County High School. Sonny Smart began a coaching career after graduating from Samford, which spanned 15 years, largely at the high school level.
Job
His tutoring career began at Holtsville High School in Alabama, where he served as both an offensive and defensive line coach and yet assumed the position of head football coach. In 10 years at Holtville High School, he led them to local headings in 1980 and 81. They won a state championship in 1982.
He took over as the Georgian Bainbridge High School’s defensive representative in 1982. On the backside of a poor defense spearheaded by Smart, Bainbridge won the second state championship in its background that year. Gainesville defeated Baldwin in the Class 3A championship game, which resulted in just 8.3 points per game.
In 1988, he became head football coach at Bainbridge, where he coached his brother, Kirby Smart, who was on the team. Over his six years at Bainbridge, Sonny helped to create a unified and talented staff that produced some potential NFL actors. In 1993, his staff, featuring his brilliant child – all-state protective up Kirby Smart – finished 10-3 and reached the semi-finals of Class 4A.
Following his career at Bainbridge, Sonny Smart coached at Rabun County High School from 1995 to 2003. Rabun had not won a state playoff game before, but Smart, who had a regular time 11-2 record, helped them advance two rounds further into the playoffs in 1998. The 1998 group won the second-class regional tournament.
Smart’s endurance, dedication, and skill built a stellar reputation for him as a famous great school coach. He finished his time in Georgia with a 90-win, 78-loss entire history.
Personal Live
Sonny Smart was married to Sharon Smart, and they had three children: Kirby, Karl, and Kendall. Sonny frequently stressed the value of strong community beliefs, on and off the field. Family played a significant role in his life. Kirby frequently attributed his parents to shaping his view of training and life.
Smart taught his son, who afterward adopted the principles he taught him in his training career- principles that emphasize preparation and resilience. Sonny Smart, the last of his life, had consequences following a drop in New Orleans on January 4, 2025. Smart fractured his leg while walking on New Year’s Eve.
He had hip replacement surgery at Ochsner Medical Center, where he died surrounded by his home. As the mind manager of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, Sonny Smart has a successful career in his own, and his brother, Kirby Smart, has benefited from his instruction and guidance. Kirby generally reflects on the lessons learned from his father, emphasizing principles such as hard work, planning, and dignity.