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 the 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., immediately to begin recruiting for the Bulldogs and putting together a coaching staff.

Smart arrived in Tuscaloosa as a part of Nick Saban's staff in 2007 and became the defensive coordinator a year later in 2008 as the Crimson Tide advanced to its first SEC title game since 1999.

Smart's defenses have annually ranked in the top 10 nationally and as the best in the conference since that time.

Smart is expected to target a few current members of the Alabama staff for his Georgia staff, including strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran. The Smarts and Cochrans are close family friends, and Cochran leaving wouldn't be a surprise to many around the program.

Smart was a four-year letterman at Georgia (1995-98) as a defensive back under Ray Goff and Jim Donnan. His wife, Mary Beth Smart, played basketball at Georgia.

Mark Richt was let go as Georgia's head coach on Sunday after 15 years at the helm of the Bulldogs. Speculation about Smart as a candidate immediately ensued. Smart was also a top candidate for the head coaching vacancy at South Carolina.

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.