Kirby Smart addresses his role in the SEC after Nick Saban's retirement

Kirby Smart is practically the elder statesman in the SEC at this point, now that Nick Saban retired.

Speaking at the SEC Meetings this week, Smart might have a new role in the coaches meetings with the conference. At one point, it was Saban who’s voice mattered most due to years of experience.

Now in a new version of the conference with Texas and Oklahoma coming in, Smart might be the top dog.

“Well, I think because we got two new coaches in there now, so now we (go from) 14 to 16 coaches, that itself brings more energy, juice, whatever you want to say, experience between Sark and Brent,” Smart said. “Coach Saban was one of the most veteran guys in there. I think he’s been in the SEC longer than anybody, sat in more of those meetings than anybody. And you had the LSU and Alabama time together. It was very valuable. 

“I think people rely on him for experience and knowledge. He’s very open in terms of what he comes up with and ideas to make football better now. I always respected the fact that when I was an assistant coach for him or a head coach alongside him in there, it was never about what was best for his team. It was about what was best for the game of football. Sometimes people lose sight of that (due to) self preservation.”

Smart might be like Saban when it comes to doing what’s best for the game of football. But make no mistake, he and Georgia are hungry to win another national title .

After missing out on the College Football Playoff in 2023-24 and a chance a three-peat, the Bulldogs are hungry.

“I think it’s different every year,” Smart said. “You have a different team. I’m trying to figure out exactly what this team needs. This team has been a little hungrier in spring ball because they didn’t win it. They weren’t in the Playoffs. So there’s a little more motivation there.”

Georgia was coming off of back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022 and made it through the regular season last year undefeated. The Bulldogs entered the SEC Championship against Alabama riding an SEC record 29-game winning streak and the favorite to win a third straight national title.

However, when Georgia lost 27-24, it dropped from No. 1 down to No. 6 in the final College Football Playoff rankings while the Crimson Tide claimed the final spot.

“We’re looking forward to what’s this team gonna do and how’s this team gonna play,” Smart said. “We’ve got a really tough schedule and I’m excited to go out there and play.”