Georgia coach Kirby Smart was quick to make a joke at his mentor Nick Saban’s expense at SEC Media Days on Tuesday.
"I do want it to be noted that I got through here today without a credential," Smart said.
Saban, of course, was denied entry at a place where he was the center of attention as Alabama’s coach from 2007-23 – a run that produced six national championships and nine SEC championships. Saban was everyone’s focus from the podium at this event — whether it was in Birmingham, Atlanta or Nashville. Smart, however, inherited that role in Dallas this week. Should we call it the passing of the credential?
Smart expressed that appreciation for Saban from the podium.
"I think it made me who I am today because the demand for excellence is met by none other than him," Smart said. "So, that standard he set for me, day in day out — he met himself."
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What Kirby Smart said at SEC Media Kickoff
Like Saban, Smart now has the voice that carries the most in the SEC. This comes with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas and the self-aware caution that, "In the SEC, humility is a week away."
The Bulldogs will face a tough schedule that includes an opener against Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game and road trips in what should be top-10 showdowns against Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss.
Yet it's Smart’s voices on the off-the-field issues that will carry more. According to the Athens Banner Herald , "Georgia has had at least 25 arrests or citations for speeding, reckless driving or racing since a fatal crash on Jan. 15, 2023 killed offensive lineman Devin Wilock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy." This was a topic at SEC Media Days last year, and Smart mentioned a creative solution.
Dawgs 247 reported Smart said the Classic City Collective has been "substantially fining guys" for these issues for more than a year. That is a new topic sure to generate debate in the NIL era of college football – especially when it comes to recruiting. Smart said he embraces the new-age challenges of college football.
"I have no problem navigating that," Smart said. "I've gotten less attached and said, you know what? If it's better for that young man because of a financial difference between us and another school, I respect that decision and opinion they have to make. I have to worry about the players we do get, OK?"
Smart also addressed the importance of the SEC championship game in the 12-team College Football Playoff era, even if both teams likely will make the CFP anyway. Smart said the challenge of roster management will be there with the extra game.
"I still think there is value in winning an SEC championship," Smart said. "The unique thing about the career that I've had coaching, I've almost won as many SEC championships as national championships, and I've won two national championships when I didn't win an SEC championship as a program."
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Is Kirby Smart the new Nick Saban of the SEC?
For those counting between Alabama and Georgia, Smart has won seven SEC championships and six national championships. He maintained that relationship with Saban along the way.
"What he's meant to myself, my family as a mentor, as a friend, as a competitor that drives you to get better," Smart said. "There was never a day in 11 years that I worked for him that we didn’t share a room in some sort, whether that was the defensive room, defensive back room. ... I think it made me who I am today because the demand for excellence is met by none other than him. So, that standard he set for me, day in day out — he met himself."
Those two shared a room Tuesday, too, and the credential was not the only quick joke Smart said.
"He has started responding to texts," Smart joked. "I told people the other day, either someone has his phone or he has learned how to text. That makes all of us in his circle of friends proud because we get to reach out to him."
How does Kirby Smart compare to Nick Saban?
Saban was 297-97-1 in 28 seasons as head coach through stops at Toledo, Michigan State, LSU and Alabama. He had a 206-29 record in 17 seasons with Alabama.
Smart – who was an assistant under Saban at Alabama from 2017-15 – is 94-16 with two national championships and two SEC championships in eight seasons with Georgia. Saban was 91-17 on the field (five wins were vacated later) with two national titles in his first eight seasons at Alabama.
"(Saban) doesn’t hold (other coaches) to any different standard than he holds himself too," Smart said. "So a lot of the success I’ve had I give credit and thanks. I know he’ll be critiquing me today, so I’ll look forward to that as well.
Smart would later joke about his new relationship with Saban – who is now a ESPN college football analyst – when they did a production call to set up for SEC Media Kickoff.
"I was nervous for 15 minutes," Smart said . "I’m going to share with him? About my team? I feel like I’m giving answers to Darth Vader or something."
To the rest of the SEC, Smart is Darth Vader now. The Bulldogs are 42-2 the last three seasons with a perfect 24-0 record in SEC play. The only losses were to Saban-led Alabama in the SEC championship games in 2021 and 2023. Georgia was a bad second half away from a third straight CFP appearance and possible third straight national championship.
When Saban retired on Jan. 10, Smart was the logical candidate to emerge as the top coach in college football heading into the 12-team College Football Playoff era.
"He is a 47-year old Nick Saban," ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum said on "First Take" on Tuesday. "He is Nick Saban. He is the best coach in college football. With all due respect to Nick Saban, he was the best coach in college football and the year before."
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