Tough times for the Georgia Bulldogs fam! After all, anything related to the HC Kirby Smart feels like a personal loss. Already, things were difficult for Smart after the Sugar Bowl mishap. Just when he might’ve wanted some quiet time to reflect on what went wrong, life threw him a curveball—a much bigger loss than the Notre Dame game. This devastating news hit Dylan Raiola too! Even though he had a turbulent past with the Bulldogs, the Nebraska Cornhuskers QB decided to keep all the negativity aside. Raiola came up with an emotional message for Smart and his family. 

On January 4, Saturday, Smart lost his dad, Sonny Smart, aged 76. As per the reports, going by the traditions, Sonny and his wife Sharon Smart had flown to New Orleans to cheer for the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. That’s where he tripped and fell during a daytime walk on December 31st, resulting in a fractured hip. He was soon rushed to the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans and got operated on. However, complications arose, and Smart’s father succumbed to his injuries at 12:15 a.m. on Saturday. As soon as the news was confirmed, Raiola was one of the first players to pour his condolences.

He re-shared the post by DawgNation and wrote, “🙏🏿🕊️ Prayers up!” Now this might come off as a surprise to most college football fans. After all, we know how things ended on a sour note between Raiola and Smart’s program back in 2023. Then Matt Rhule’s phenom had been one of the top overall recruits in the 2024 class. He had been committed to the Bulldogs since May 2023. But ultimately, the Raiola X Georgia collab did not materialize.

A day before National Signing Day in December, the 5-star quarterback changed his mind and went for the Cornhuskers. He clarified, “I’ve nothing but respect for Coach Smart and his program. I really like the coaches up there, but you know, Nebraska has just been in my blood.” Yes, we get that. But how could Raiola not pay his tribute to Kirby Smart’s father, who has been a legend himself?   

Kirby Smart lost his guiding force  

Not many know that the seeds of coaching had been implanted within Smart by his father. After all, Sonny himself was a revered high school football coach in Georgia. He will always be remembered for being a true leader at Bainbridge High School and Rabun County High. His contribution lasted over 20 years, and within this timeline, he amassed a record of 90-78-1. This was enough to shape Georgia HC’s coaching success.

Playing under his father during his formative years in South Georgia has been the foundation stone of his career. As Smart once shared, “I’ve evolved as a coach from working under others, but a lot of my core beliefs came from the way he ran our high school programs.” So, it’s evident how the Bulldogs HC lost his father and his biggest guide. The college football world has come together in Kirby Smart’s tough times. For instance, Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey tweeted a touching tribute. 

He wrote, “Sonny Smart touched many people in his life and we are saddened to learn of his passing. I had the privilege to visit with Sonny many times and enjoyed every conversation. Our sympathies go out to Kirby Smart and his family and to all who knew his dad.”

ESPN analyst Elle Duncan too shared her heartfelt condolences on X. “Heartfelt condolences to Kirby Smart and his family on the loss of his father, Sonny. A man who shaped champions on and off the field—may his legacy live on. 🕊️,” Duncan wrote. Sadly, Sanford Stadium lost its biggest supporter forever.