There is one thing that every football fan and player knows about Kirby Smart. He doesn’t shy away from telling his roots—where he comes from. That’s why you must have always seen his parents registering their presence at important games. However, the tragic news of his father, Sonny Smart, has shifted the focus to his family. The fans know how his father’s influence nudged the Georgia head coach to pick up football. But what about her mother, Sharon?

Smart has always acknowledged his father’s role and impact on his life. He has been blessed with a loving and caring family who has supported him in every step and decision of life. He once declared, “My family keeps me grounded and reminds me of what’s truly important.” While the close association between Smart and his father is well-known, let’s have a look at the emotional pillar of his life: his mother.

Who is Kirby Smart’s Mother, Sharon?

Sharon, the Smart family matriarch, originally hails from Plant City in Florida. So, how did she meet Sonny? It happened at Samford University, where Sonny was a football player. The two then tied the knot, and Sonny continued his commitment to football by taking a head coach job at a high school. The two were blessed with three children, with Kirby walking the same path as his father. They spent their initial years in Montgomery before shifting to Bainbridge, Georgia, where Sharon worked as an English teacher for almost 34 years.

Sharon not only became a caring mother to the three, but she also struck a fine balance between her responsibilities as a wife and her duties as a school teacher. The fans have always admired her presence whenever she was in the stands with Sonny, cheering for the Bulldogs. But what about Kirby’s siblings? Who are they?

Sharon and Sonny Smart’s children

Did you know that Kirby has an older brother? Karl Smart had the toughest of childhoods, as he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 16. It changed their lives, as they had a tough battle and a couple of emotional toll-taking years. Karl soon recovered from the disease and then completed his education at Georgia Tech and the University of Colorado. However, unlike Kirby and his father, he became a psychiatric nurse practitioner who has over 20 years of experience in the field now.

What’s more? Kirby has kept a 34-year-old letter written by his mother about their struggles and how they supported Karl in their emotional journey. He has used it to motivate his Georgia football team players.

Kirby has a sister, Kendall Smart Burris. You can say that she took both his parents’ paths. How? She was a cheerleading coach at Kell High School in Georgia. She also served as a science teacher at the same school. Besides Karl and Kendall, Kirby also has a supporting wife in Mary Beth, with whom he runs ‘The Kirby Smart Family Foundation’. In sum, Kirby’s life has been impacted by both his parents, where his humility and determination stem from his mother, Sharon, and his professional commitments from his late father, Sonny.