Georgia HC Kirby Smart gives heartwarming reaction to Nick Saban's life post-retirement: "I am thrilled" 

Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban has been a hit as an analyst on ESPN's beloved pregame show "College GameDay." After he announced his retirement in January, Saban has since immersed himself in football analysis.

For the first time in 17 years, Georgia versus Alabama will not have the charismatic coach prowling the touchline. The glitzy Week 5 clash will feature Saban's former protege, Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart face off against new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer.

During Monday's weekly news conference, Smart had a heartwarming message for the retired coach.

“He’s (Nick Saban) extremely thorough and enjoys what he does,” Smart said. “I’m thrilled that he gets an opportunity to do what he wants to do and being with who he wants to be with, with his family and enjoy that. I’m really happy he’s still part of college football because he makes college football better.”

Nick Saban had incredible record against Kirby Smart

Nick Saban did not typically lose to his former proteges and assistants famously dubbed "Saban's coaching tree." Matches between Saban and Smart were almost always season-defining. Smart had a woeful 5-1 record against his mentor which only included one regular season game as most come in SEC and national championship matchups.

However, the one win Smart managed against Nick Saban came in the 2021 national championship game which launched his career into the stratosphere.

Last year, Saban once again outsmarted Smart to win the SEC championship game 27-24 which knocked the Bulldogs out of contention in the college football playoffs and elevated the Crimson Tide.

During his weekly SEC Teleconference, Smart talked about what made Saban's teams so hard to compete against in the grand scheme of conference and national championships.

“We could talk for hours,” Kirby Smart said. “Development, recruiting, scheme, practice habits. We could go for hours on what makes him tough. Good football players and good football programs are hard to play against, they’re hard to compete against. The record speaks for itself in terms of NFL production, number of players in the NFL. Good football players are hard to beat, especially when they play with discipline and toughness. That’s what his teams have always done.”

In his role as an analyst for the SEC Network during the SEC Media Days, Nick Saban tabbed Kirby Smart's Georgia for the conference championship game which showed just how highly he rates his former protege.