Sonny Smart, father of Georgia coach Kirby Smart, passes away

Sonny Smart, the father of Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart, passed away early Saturday morning following complications that arose during hip surgery, UGA announced. He was 76.

In a statement, the school said Sonny passed away while surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and their three children: Karl, Kirby and Kendall.

“The Smart family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the Ochsner hospital and medical staff for the exceptional care provided to Sonny. 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,” a statement from UGA read. “The Smart family treasures everyone’s thoughts and prayers and now prays for God’s comfort, strength, and guidance.”

The fall that Sonny suffered occurred while he was walking in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve.

“He was hospitalized and underwent hip surgery; unfortunately, complications arose,” the statement read. “He fought valiantly but was unable to overcome his injuries.”

According to ESPN, Kirby Smart spent part of New Year’s Day at the hospital with his father after Georgia’s College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game vs. Notre Dame was postponed a day following a terror attack on Bourbon Street.

Sonny Smart, who hailed from Columbia, Ala., was a long-time high school football head coach in Georgia. He coached at Bainbridge High Schools from 1988 through 1994 and Rabun County High School from 1995 through 2003.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Kirby and the entire Smart family.