Kirby Smart no longer needs to be concerned about his former mentor who has become a rival in Tuscaloosa. Deep down, the Georgia coach might feel some relief that Nick Saban is now working as a commentator instead of coaching on the sidelines.
However, don’t expect Smart to openly admit this.
When asked multiple times about what it will be like to face an Alabama team not led by Saban, Smart kept his attention on the two strong teams that will compete on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“No, I don’t expect it to be strange,” Smart said on Monday. “That’s just the normal course of progression.”
Still, there’s no avoiding the big issue that looms over a rivalry that has greatly influenced the Southeastern Conference for nearly ten years.
Saban is no longer involved, except for his role as an analyst for ESPN’s “College GameDay,” which will be present in Tuscaloosa as the No. 2 Bulldogs (3-0, 1-0 SEC) take on the No. 4 Crimson Tide (3-0, 0-0).
Smart expressed happiness that Saban, who retired in January after winning seven national titles, six of which were with Alabama, seems to be enjoying life after coaching.
“I’m thrilled that he gets an opportunity to do what he wants to do and be with who he wants to be with within his family and enjoy that,” Smart said. “I’m really happy he’s still part of college football because he makes college football better.”
These two coaches—one now retired and the other in the peak of his career—will always be connected.
Smart worked on Saban’s staff for over ten years, learning as much as he could from one of the best coaches in college football history.
After the 2015 season, Smart left Tuscaloosa to take charge of the program at his alma mater, quickly elevating the Bulldogs to a higher level. That is, to the top spot in the conference, which had been held by Saban’s Crimson Tide.
Georgia won the SEC title in Smart’s second season but lost to Alabama in a dramatic overtime national championship game.
Saban defeated his former assistant three more times—twice when the league championship was at stake and once during the regular season—before Smart finally won with a 33-18 victory in the national championship game at the end of the 2021 season.
That victory marked the first of two consecutive national titles for Smart’s Bulldogs, elevating them to the top of college football. However, Saban delivered a final blow to his former student.
After Georgia finished the 2023 regular season with a perfect 12-0 record and seemed ready to win an unprecedented third straight title, Alabama pulled off a 27-24 upset in the SEC championship game. This loss knocked the Bulldogs out of the four-team playoff.
It’s a defeat that still hurts for the team. “We definitely have a chip on our shoulder,” receiver Arian Smith admitted.
Smart, who has instilled a strong focus in the Bulldogs similar to what Saban had with his teams, doesn’t want his players dwelling on a game from nine months ago, especially since the Crimson Tide is now coached by Kalen DeBoer.
“I don’t know how similar or different it will be,” Smart said. “We’re a different team. They’re a different team. They’re a different staff. We’re a similar staff. So, I can’t compare last year’s game to this year.”
This will be Smart’s second visit to Tuscaloosa since he became the Georgia coach. During the pandemic-affected 2020 season, the Bulldogs lost 41-24 to an Alabama team that went on to win what would be Saban’s final national title.
“You move on,” Smart said. “I think the last time we went (to Tuscaloosa), it was four or five years from the time we had lived there. It’s so weird when you play there because you’re in and out. You’re there and then you’re gone.”
Smart has definitely made his own mark at Georgia, but he has not completely stepped out of Saban’s shadow. His record against his former boss is 1-5. The Bulldogs have only lost twice in their last 51 games, and both losses were to Alabama.
Saban’s influence still hangs over this rivalry. Even though there will be a different coach on the Alabama sideline Saturday night, many players on the field have connections to Saban.
“Well, he recruited a lot of them, and they’re good players,” Smart said about Saban, quickly changing the subject to focus on the upcoming game instead of who will be coaching it.
“Any time you go against a really good team that’s a powerhouse in college football, it’s a challenge,” Smart stated, returning to the topic. “I really look at it like this is a great opportunity for our kids, our program, on a national stage.”
He continued talking but did not mention Saban again.
