Kirby Smart and Nick Saban exchange hilarious jabs at each other's expense at SEC Media Days

SEC Media Days are always fun of coaching and football platitudes for much of the week, but there are also usually some gems along the way. The highlight(s) of Tuesday's sessions came from a few different exchanges between Kirby Smart and Nick Saban.

For those of you that missed it, Nick Saban was initially and hilariously denied access to SEC Media Days since he was without his media credential . Apparently Kirby Smart thought that was rather funny as he opened his podium sessions by saying, "I do want it to be dually noted that I got through here today without a credential", as Nick Saban could only watch from afar with a smile.

However funny and intentional of a jab that may have seemed, Kirby Smart did follow that little comment up with nothing but high praise for Nick Saban later at the podium.

"What [Nick Saban]'s meant to myself and my family as a mentor, a friend, and as a competitor that drives you to get better...There was never a day in 11 years that I worked for him where we didn't share a room of some sort. Whether it was the defensive room, defensive back room, or staff room..."

And despite Kirby Smart sharing several nice things, Saban couldn't let that first fun little jab go unanswered. So when asked shortly thereafter about his response to Kirby's kind words his response was a bit surprising.

"He's the best assistant coach we ever had, on defense especially, and seeing the big picture of the game. And you know, [Steve Sarkisian] was probably one of the better offensive guys. But you know, Lane [Kiffin], all these guys did a great job for us."

You could see the comment land on Kirby Smart's face as his bright smile faded rather quickly. Calling a back to back national championship-winning coach "the best assistant he ever had" was almost assuredly a little poke at Coach Smart. And then for Saban to go on and add Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin, somewhat ranking his best assistants of all time, that was quite an "I built the SEC as we know it today" kind of moment coming from one of the greatest to ever coach the game.

It's all likely done in fun, but it's hilarious to see these great coaches jab each other here and there as the media world around them is hoping for anything interesting to come out of SEC Media Days. Now we just wait for some fun comments from Steve Sarkisian or Lane Kiffin (especially).

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