Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s father, Sonny Smart, has passed away due to complications following hip surgery. This unfortunate event occurred early Saturday, shortly after he had suffered a fall in New Orleans during the preparations for the Sugar Bowl, as announced by the school.

Sonny Smart, a respected figure in high school football in Alabama and Georgia, fell while taking a walk on New Year’s Eve, resulting in a hip fracture. He was admitted to Ochsner Medical Center, where he underwent surgery but sadly succumbed to his condition while accompanied by family members. Specific details regarding his age were not disclosed in the statement from the school.

The Smart family was in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, which experienced a delay due to a tragic incident where a pickup truck drove into a crowd celebrating New Year’s, leading to 14 fatalities and approximately 30 injuries.

In the bowl game held on Thursday, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs faced a defeat against Notre Dame, with a final score of 23-10. Sonny Smart was also unable to attend the national title game in 2023, where Georgia triumphed over TCU with a staggering score of 65-7, due to his deteriorating health. He had been a steadfast presence at his son’s games since Kirby took over as head coach at the University of Georgia in 2016.

Sonny Smart is survived by his wife, Sharon, and their three children: Kirby, Karl, and Kendall. The Smart family expressed their deep appreciation to the staff at Ochsner for the outstanding care provided to Sonny throughout his hospital stay.

They also requested continued prayers for those impacted by the tragic incidents that took place in New Orleans during the early hours of the new year. The family conveyed their gratitude for the support and prayers they have received and asked for comfort and guidance during this difficult time.