College football players now earn more than Kirby Smart did at 40

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said on Monday that the current crop of college football players often earns more money than he made in his first 40 years of life. The remark came during a press conference following the Bulldogs' 27-8 victory over the Florida Gators, where Smart discussed the team's injury report and the physical demands of the SEC schedule.

Smart noted a disparity in practice intensity compared to previous seasons. "Everybody is practicing less, but everybody’s getting injured more," he stated. He contrasted the current squad with teams from 2021 and 2022, which he described as more physical. Smart suggested that the financial security provided by the name, image, and likeness era may have altered the competitive drive of young athletes.

The coach clarified his stance on the NIL era, stating he believes it is "awesome" that athletes can earn income while in school. He referenced his own experience after college, noting he had to take a $5,000 summer job. "I wish they were being paid when I played," Smart said. He emphasized that his comments were not a criticism of player earnings but an observation about the long-term psychological effects of earning power.

Smart argued that the value of a dollar may differ for players who have already secured substantial income. He questioned whether young athletes fully understand the difficulty of entering the workforce and earning a standard $60,000 salary. This perspective, he said, requires coaches to evaluate how recruits react to financial success.

The head coach compared this challenge to the NFL draft process, where scouts assess if a high pick will change a player's demeanor. He stated that it is now the responsibility of college coaches to determine if recruits possess the right motivation to fit the program's culture. "Do you have the right kind of people in your program who will be motivated for the team, and the culture of the program?" Smart asked.

Smart also pointed to the 2025 House settlement, which limited rosters to 105 players. He believes this cap has made coaches less willing to push players to the limit in practice due to the higher risk of injury. The reduction in roster size, combined with the financial changes in the sport, has created a new environment for team management.

The comments sparked debate regarding the loyalty and financial motivations of coaches versus players. While some criticized Smart for his own financial success, he maintained that the primary concern is the impact of earning power on player mindset. The Georgia coach concluded that recruiting players who remain hungry despite their financial windfalls is a critical part of decision-making in modern college football.