Kirby Smart has reached a verbal agreement to return to his alma mater as the new head football coach at the University of Georgia.
The hire is expected to be announced as soon as Sunday.
Alabama, where the 39-year-old Smart currently serves as defensive coordinator, plays in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta. Smart will coach in that game.
Should Alabama win, it would most likely advance into the College Football Playoff. It is not yet known whether Smart would remain to coach a bowl or playoff game or would head to Athens, Ga.