Are Kirby Smart and Nick Saban friends? Georgia HC shares thoughts about working for the seven-time national champ

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is known for producing top players and coaches in college football. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart spent eight years learning under Saban at Alabama.

While Saban coached four Heisman Trophy winners and a total of 129 NFL draft picks during his 17-year tenure at Alabama, he's also responsible for cultivating the top head coaches in the nation.

Along with Georgia's Kirby Smart, Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Texas' Steve Sarkisian, Oregon's Dan Lanning, many other coaches have grown in the Saban program at Alabama before taking on head coaching positions.

While the Georgia vs. Alabama matchup is one of the most anticipated games each season, Nick Saban and Kirby Smart have managed to keep a respectful friendship with each other throughout their careers.

During the 2024 SEC Media Days, Kirby Smart thanked coach Saban for helping him in his career and expressed his gratitude for the seven-time national champ:

“A couple words I want to say to Coach Saban, who meant so much to me in my career, first of all, the words he shared at the ESPYs the other night were incredible. Very touching, very moving. What he’s meant to myself and my family as a mentor, as a friend, as a competitor that drives you to get better. There was never a day in 11 years I worked for him that we didn’t share a room in some sort. Whether that was the defensive room, the defensive back room, staff room," he said.

“A lot of the success I’ve had, I give credit to him and thanks,” Smart said. “I know he will be critiquing me today, so I’m looking forward to that as well.” Smart said.

Kirby Smart's Georgia faces locker room troubles in 2024

Georgia is one of the best programs in the country right now, and many analysts believe Kirby Smart's team will be taking home the 2025 national championship title.

However, the Bulldogs have been facing scrutiny throughout the offseason because of Georgia's low graduation rates and also the numerous legal issues faced by players.

In January 2023, recruiting officer Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock were killed in a crash while engaged in high-speed racing with other members of the Georgia staff. Since then, there have been a total of 26 arrests since 2023, the most recent one on July 26 wide receiver Rodarius "RaRa" Thomas was charged with cruelty to children-family violence and battery-family violence.

Kirby Smart announced Thomas' dismissal from the team with immediate effect; however, many fans are still disappointed with the culture that has been exposed during the offseason.