Georgia’s heartbreaking trip to New Orleans this week took a tragic turn after news that Kirby Smart‘s father, Sonny, was hospitalized after a fall on New Year’s Eve. Things became even more tragic when the family announced Saturday that Sonny Smart passed away after complications from surgery following the fall.

It is certainly a trying time for the Smart family and the head coach of Georgia. On Saturday evening, UGA President Jere W. Morehead and AD Josh Brooks issued a joint statement of support.

The entire University of Georgia community expresses our deepest sympathy to the Smart family following the passing of Sonny Smart. He and his wife Sharon have been a constant and supportive part of our Bulldog community, and we will miss Sonny’s faithful presence on the sidelines of UGA football games. We are holding the Smart family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey also reflected kindly on Sonny’s passing in a Saturday statement. Sankey referred to the widespread impact the elder Smart had on many people, including Sankey’s personal conversations with the former head coach.

It is certainly a major loss for the Georgia community and also for the coaching community. Sonny had a long-running coaching career in the high school ranks with Kirby crediting his father for instilling many of his core values as a head coach along the way.

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.