Kirby Smart shares why Nick Saban's had unprecedented success

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is one of the best coaches – if not, the best coach – in college football history. He’s been highly successful during his stints at LSU and Alabama and has compiled a 272-66 overall record in 26 years as a head coach. He’s put together another strong year in 2021, as his Crimson Tide squad is 11-1, ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff and will play for an SEC championship on Saturday.

Heading into Saturday’s conference title game, which matches Alabama up with No. 1 and undefeated Georgia, Kirby Smart – Saban’s opposing head coach and a former assistant – had plenty of praise to give to the legendary coach on the success he’s had during his career and the way’s he’s operated.

“Got really good players,” Smart said of the most important thing Saban’s done in his career. “That’s what it’s about. I always defer to the players in terms of games. I mean, people have just talked about our defense a lot this year – it’s really about the players. It’s not about Coach [Dan] Lanning or myself … it’s about the players. I’ve got an immense amount of respect for Nick and the job he’s done and what he’s done at Alabama, from the time I was there and since I’ve left.

“He’ll be the first to admit it’s the phone calls Monday through Thursday and the official visits Saturday and Sunday that get the job done, in terms of the players. But it does take a complete organization and great leadership, and he’s provided that.”

Saban’s recruiting classes have been top-notch and loaded with talent each and every year, and his 2021 class was the top-rated in modern recruiting history. The Crimson Tide’s 2022 class currently ranks No. 2 in the On3 Consensus Team Rankings, just behind Georgia.

Kirby Smart updates status of two players ahead of SEC championship

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart met with the media Monday and provided an update on the status of two offensive players ahead of Saturday’s SEC championship game against Alabama.

According to Smart, the plan is to work running back Kendall Milton back into practice this week, while wide receiver Kearis Jackson is likely to play in Saturday’s title game. Milton suffered an MLC injury in practice in October, while Jackson’s ribs were banged up in last Saturday’s win over Georgia Tech.

Milton, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound sophomore, has rushed for 243 yards and a touchdown in 2021, while Jackson – a 6-foot junior – has tallied 174 yards and a touchdown on 13 receptions.

Georgia – undefeated at 12-0 and ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff Top 25 – and No. 3 Alabama kickoff at 4 p.m. ET Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.