Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban retired in January as perhaps the greatest coach in the history of college football with seven national championships. The man who has been tabbed as his heir was his former assistant, Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart.
Smart's career was largely led by Saban in three stints. He was Saban's defensive backs coach for the LSU Tigers in 2004 then as the safeties coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2006. Smart was also the defensive coordinator for the Alabama Crimson Tide before taking the Georgia Bulldogs job in 2016.
During a news conference after he was introduced as the Bulldogs' coach in 2016, Smart shared how he intended to become a unique coach after spending so much time learning the trade under Nick Saban and what he hoped to take from Alabama.
"[0:40] I think you find that balance as you go along cause I don't think I can be who he (Nick Saban) is and we certainly have some differences and I've gotta find that medium and that balance that I'm happy with," Smart said.
"I'm certainly thankful for the opportunity that he gave me and the career I've had to this point, a lot of the credit is to him and it's been a big part of my learning process and looking forward, I gotta do my own thing and be my own person and that's important to me. Number one thing I'd like to take is some of those players but a lot of those guys are going to the NFL."
Kirby Smart reveals what made Nick Saban a great coach
During an ESPN interview after Nick Saban retired, Kirby Smart, who has been vocal about his admiration for him, talked about the aspects that made Saban a great coach. In six games against each other, Smart only won one despite having the better team on a few occasions.
"His ability to manage and motivate people was unlike anything I've seen, and I mean everybody in the organization," Smart said.
"He leads by example. Nobody outworks Nick. He doesn't hold you to a different standard than he holds himself. He's smart and that's one thing, but his message always has a purpose. Everything's calculated, and he just does it better than everybody else."
Saban tabbed Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs as favorites for the conference championship game during the SEC Media Days and has continued to praise his former assistant coach's coaching chops.
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