Kirby Smart honors mentor Nick Saban after retirement, jokes about Saban's texting

For the first time since 1999, Nick Saban won’t lead a team in the SEC in the upcoming season. Nonetheless, his impact is still felt. At the 2024 SEC Media Days, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart revealed how Saban has influenced him.

“What he’s meant to myself and 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 the 11 years I worked for him that we didn’t share a room in some sort. Whether that was the defensive room, defensive back room, staff room, we [never] didn’t share a room of some sort and I think it made me who I am today because the demand for excellence is met by none other than him.

“That standard that he set for me, day in and day out, he met himself. And, every coach that ever worked with him or for him, will tell you that he does it all himself as well. He doesn’t hold you to any different standards then he holds himself to. So, a lot of the success I’ve had, I give credit to him and thanks, and I know he’ll be critiquing me today, so I’m looking forward to that as well.”

Saban and Smart have no shortage of fond memories together. In 2004, Smart spent one season under Saban as LSU’s defensive backs coach. Just three years later, Smart reunited with Saban in Alabama.

Saban hired Smart as an assistant coach on January 9, 2007. Saban promoted him to defensive coordinator just over one year later. Under Saban’s tutelage, Smart boosted Alabama to four national titles. On Dec. 6, 2015 Smart took over as head coach at Georgia.

In the ensuing eight years, Alabama and Georgia met six times. Saban led the Crimson Tide to a 5-1 record against Smart and the Bulldogs. In the two coaches’ final matchup, Alabama defeated Georgia 27-24 in the 2023 SEC Championship to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Although Saban and Smart won’t have anymore friendly chats at midfield before a heated matchup, they talk now more than ever.

“[Saban] has started to respond to texts,” Smart said with a smile. “I told people the other day, I said, “That’s the first time ever. Either somebody’s got his phone or he’s learned how to text.’ That makes all of us in his little circle of friends proud because we get to reach out to him.”

No longer competing for the SEC crown, perhaps Nick Saban can provide Kirby Smart with advice from time to time. Georgia will kick off its 2024 campaign with a highly-anticipated showdown against Clemson on Aug. 31.