Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs play the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend. Georgia and Alabama’s matchup will be the first without Nick Saban on the sidelines since before he arrived to Tuscaloosa.
While Smart doesn’t think it’ll be weird not to see Saban on the Tide sideline, he did have a message for the retired coach-turned-ESPN analyst. The Georgia coach said he was thrilled to see him thrive in his new role with the preeminent sports television network.
“He’s extremely thorough and he enjoys what he does. I’m thrilled that he gets an opportunity to do what he wants to do and be with who he wants to be with. He and his family. I’m really happy he’s still part of college football,” Smart told reporters. “He makes college football better.”
There’s a clear level of respect between Saban and Smart. Smart served under the legendary Saban as Alabama’s defensive coordinator for several years. Then the former Dawg came home to Athens, replacing longtime head coach Mark Richt. Smart has unlocked a new edge to the Georgia program. Since he’s taken over, the Bulldogs have won two National Championships and perennially contend for the College Football Playoff.
Smart went 1-5 against Saban including a loss in the 2017 National Championship Game in Atlanta. That also included three SEC Championship Games, but Smart beat Saban in the National Championship Game in Indianapolis during the 2021 college football season.
This pivotal matchup between Alabama and Georgia goes down this Saturday night on ABC. Expect a lot of attention on this heavyweight fight.
[DawgsHQ]
