Alabama rewards defensive coordinator Smart with new deal worth $750,000 a year

Alabama doubles Smart’s salary to $750,000 a year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama has doubled the salary of defensive coordinator Kirby Smart after he helped the Crimson Tide win a national championship.

Smart will make $750,000 a year through Feb. 28, 2013, under a deal unanimously approved Tuesday by the compensation committee of the university’s board of trustees. He made $360,000 in salary last year plus $72,000 in bonuses.

Smart won the Frank Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. He turned down a lucrative offer from Georgia coach Mark Richt to run the defense at his alma mater.

Smart’s contract won’t have a buyout if he leaves for a head coaching job, but does require him to pay $72,000 if he takes an assistant coaching possession elsewhere.

Smart directed the nation’s No. 2 defense last season.