When "memory-jogging" questions about Kirby Smart made Nick Saban well up

Following the conclusion of the 2015 regular season, Nick Saban found himself in a very difficult scenario. His long-term assistant and defensive coordinator at Alabama, Kirby Smart, was in talks to take the Georgia head coaching job, and the deal was reaching its final stages.

Ahead of the SEC title game against Florida, Nick Saban got emotional when talking about the history of Kirby Smart under him. He explained how the coach had evolved over time and the impact he had under him in Tuscaloosa, all said while exhibiting strong emotion.

“Kirby has been with me for a long time, Saban said. "So, I’ve been getting a lot of these memory-jogging questions this week. I guess there’s a name for that when you get older, but I won’t elaborate.

“Kirby was a really enthusiastic bright good teacher. He related well with players when he first started. And because he’s bright, he did not only learn the system, but he also understood how to implement it and really understands football very well.”

Smart started his journey as an assistant coach under Saban as a defensive back coach at LSU in 2004. He went on to join the coach in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 2006 after spending the 2005 season at his alma mater, Georgia, as a running back coach.

Nick Saban returned to college football in 2007, taking the Alabama job, and Kirby Smart returned with him. It was in Tuscaloosa that Smart established himself as probably the best assistant Saban ever had.

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Nick Saban praised the good work of Kirby Smart at Alabama

Speaking further in his press conference ahead of the SEC championship game, Saban had a lot of praise for how Smart carried himself at Alabama. The coach took time to commend his efforts in ensuring significant success with the Crimson Tide as a defensive coordinator.

“His leadership with what he’s responsible for, which is the defense, has been outstanding,” Saban said. “Has a good relationship with the players and they respond well to him.

"He’s sound with how he goes about the things that we do, and we’ve worked together for a long time. He is a good assistant coach, and he is the (most) loyal assistant coach I’ve ever had on my staff."

Under Nick Saban, Kirby Smart played an important role in leading the Crimson Tide to four national championships and as many SEC titles. He built one of the strongest defenses in college football history in Tuscaloosa, ensuring Saban's success in the program.