*Nick Saban Knows Exactly What Georgia Football Is Under Kirby Smart
When it comes to college football royalty, few names resonate as deeply as Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. The two titans of the sport have a relationship that runs deep, with Smart serving as one of Saban’s most trusted assistants during Alabama’s rise to dominance. Now, as the head coach of Georgia, Smart has built the Bulldogs into a juggernaut, and if there’s anyone who understands what Georgia football is under Smart, it’s Saban himself.
Saban’s Alabama program has been the gold standard of college football for over a decade. With six national championships during his tenure in Tuscaloosa, Saban’s Crimson Tide set the blueprint for sustained success. But in recent years, Georgia has risen as a legitimate threat to Alabama’s supremacy, capturing national titles and establishing itself as a perennial powerhouse.
For Saban, this rise is no surprise. He knows exactly what makes Georgia under Smart so formidable: it’s a program built on the foundation of the same principles that defined Alabama during Smart’s time as defensive coordinator.
Kirby Smart’s tenure at Alabama from 2007 to 2015 was instrumental in shaping the Crimson Tide’s identity. As Saban’s defensive coordinator, Smart orchestrated some of the most dominant defenses in college football history. His attention to detail, relentless recruiting, and strategic brilliance made him one of Saban’s most trusted lieutenants.
When Smart left Alabama to take the head coaching job at Georgia in 2016, he brought with him a philosophy that mirrored Saban’s: build an elite defense, dominate in the trenches, and recruit the best talent in the country. Over the years, Smart has not only replicated the Alabama model but has also refined it to fit Georgia’s unique culture and identity.
Saban has often spoken highly of Smart, praising his intelligence, work ethic, and ability to connect with players. While their professional relationship has evolved into a fierce rivalry, the mutual respect between the two remains evident.
Under Kirby Smart, Georgia football has become the epitome of excellence. The Bulldogs have claimed back-to-back national championships (2021 and 2022) and emerged as a recruiting powerhouse, consistently landing top-ranked classes. The team’s physicality, depth, and discipline are trademarks of Smart’s system, all of which echo Saban’s philosophy at Alabama.
What sets Georgia apart is how Smart has blended Saban’s influence with his own vision. While the Bulldogs are known for their defensive dominance, Smart has also embraced offensive innovation, ensuring that Georgia is dynamic on both sides of the ball.
For Saban, watching Georgia’s ascent must feel like looking into a mirror. The Bulldogs’ relentless approach to recruiting and player development mirrors what Alabama built during its dynasty, and it’s no coincidence that many of Georgia’s key victories have come against Saban-led Alabama teams.
If anyone understands the machine that Georgia football has become, it’s Nick Saban. He’s seen firsthand how Smart operates, from the meticulous planning to the unrelenting drive to improve. Saban knows that Georgia is no longer just a challenger—it’s a peer.
In fact, Saban’s respect for Georgia goes beyond their shared history. He recognizes that the Bulldogs have built a sustainable model for success, one that doesn’t rely on just one season or one group of players. Instead, Smart has created a program that reloads, not rebuilds—much like Alabama has done for years.
The Alabama-Georgia rivalry has become one of the most compelling storylines in college football. Each game between the two feels like a national championship preview, with both programs representing the pinnacle of the sport.
For Saban, the rise of Georgia under Smart is both a challenge and a legacy of his own influence. While he undoubtedly wants to keep Alabama atop the college football world, he can take pride in knowing that one of his protégés has taken the lessons learned in Tuscaloosa and built a powerhouse of his own.
Nick Saban knows exactly what Georgia football is under Kirby Smart because he helped lay the groundwork for it. Georgia’s success is a testament to the influence of Saban’s philosophy, combined with Smart’s ability to adapt and innovate.
As the rivalry between Alabama and Georgia continues to shape the college football landscape, one thing is clear: Saban and Smart have redefined what it means to compete at the highest level. While Saban may view Georgia as his fiercest competitor, he also sees a reflection of his own legacy in the Bulldogs’ rise to dominance.