Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball Head Coach Tom Black , Who Recently Signed a $125M NIL Deal, Rejects a historic Nil Deal of $224M Offer from Kentucky Wildcats: ‘My Loyalty Lies with Georgia” This Is Home.’”…

In a stunning revelation that underscores the power of loyalty over lavish incentives, Georgia Bulldogs Volleyball Head Coach Tom Black has officially declined a historic $224 million NIL-backed offer from the University of Kentucky. The Wildcats, seeking to shake up the Southeastern Conference (SEC) volleyball scene, reportedly made the record-breaking pitch in a bid to lure Black away from Athens. However, Black’s heart remains rooted in Georgia, where he recently committed to a $125 million NIL deal of his own.

Coach Tom Black, who has been at the helm of the Bulldogs volleyball program since 2017, has been instrumental in transforming Georgia into a formidable contender in the SEC and nationally. His leadership, discipline, and unwavering commitment to student-athlete development have made him a cornerstone of the program. The $224 million offer from Kentucky—unprecedented in the history of collegiate volleyball—was seen as a strategic play to replicate his success in Lexington. But Black’s response was swift and resolute.

“My loyalty lies with Georgia,” Black said in an official statement released Saturday morning. “This is home. We’ve built something incredibly special here—not just a winning team, but a culture of integrity, growth, and unity. No amount of money can outweigh the bond I share with this university and our student-athletes.”

The NIL landscape in college athletics has dramatically shifted in recent years, with deals now rivaling those seen in professional sports. Kentucky’s offer was seen by many as an attempt to break into volleyball dominance through aggressive investment. However, Black’s decision sends a clear message that financial muscle alone cannot override established trust, passion, and purpose within a program.

Georgia Athletics Director Josh Brooks praised Black’s commitment, calling him a “pillar of our athletic community” and commending his steadfast leadership. “Tom’s loyalty to Georgia reflects not just his character, but the strong foundation we’ve built here. He represents what it means to be a Bulldog—resilient, committed, and true to our values.