Georgia coach Kirby Smart's father, Sonny, died early Saturday morning after suffering complications from hip surgery he underwent following a fall in New Orleans before the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the school announced. He was 76.
Sonny Smart was a longtime high school football coach in Alabama and Georgia.
In a statement, the University of Georgia said he died at 12:15 a.m. ET Saturday while surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and their three children: Karl, Kirby and Kendall.
«Sonny fell while walking during the day on New Year's Eve in New Orleans and fractured his hip,» the school said. «He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose. He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.»
Kirby Smart spent part of New Year's Day with his father at the hospital after the Sugar Bowl was pushed back to Thursday because of a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in which a pickup truck driver killed 14 people and injured dozens more.
The Georgia coach returned to the hospital shortly after the Bulldogs' 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in a CFP quarterfinal Thursday.
In the statement, the Smart family expressed their gratitude to the Ochsner Medical Center staff in New Orleans.
«Additionally, they ask for your continued prayers for those affected by the tragic events that occurred in the early hours of New Year's Day,» the statement said. «The Smart family treasures everyone's thoughts and prayers and now prays for God's comfort, strength, and guidance.»
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer offered his condolences on X, saying his «heart hurts for the Smart family.»
Sonny Smart played football at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a football coach at Holtville High School in Alabama
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