Kirby Smart opens up on his relationship with Nick Saban after retirement

Kirby Smart and Nick Saban have been close friends for years, dating back to Smart’s time working as an assistant under Saban. Even though the Alabama coaching legend has now retired, the two have stayed close.

Smart joined SportsCenter earlier this week and shared how his relationship with Saban has changed since he retired.

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“I don’t know that it’s changed. I’ve always had immense respect for coach Saban. And that hasn’t changed,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “The relationship, I think he’s a little looser, more fun. He’s able to do more things. He’s got more time.”

With Nick Saban having extra time, Smart hasn’t hesitated to reach out to him. The two talk regularly, and Smart isn’t afraid to turn to him for advice on a number of topics.

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“I’ve spoken to him a lot more since he got out than while he was in, because I think he was so busy, just like I was, doing so many things,” Smart said. “But he’s been a great resource, whether it’s financial advice or football advice or trying to help the sport of college football. He’s certainly been beneficial to a lot of coaches.”

Nick Saban retiring not only opened up the Alabama head coaching job but it also left a void for the leading voice in college football.

Saban was often the go-to guy on a number of issues as college football changed drastically in recent years. Smart was asked if he is interested in taking over that role and becoming the spokesperson for college football. He made it clear that he is not.

“Well, I think there’s a lot of experience Nick had. I mean he worked across the country, worked in the NFL for a long time. He worked in other conferences,” Kirby Smart said. “He had been a head coach for a really long time, so I don’t think anybody’s going to be filling those shoes any time soon.

“I certainly want to be an advocate for college football and for college athletics as a whole. But not the primary spokesperson. I’ve got enough to worry about with Kentucky this week. I’m not worried about that.”