Has Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart finally found the job that will ultimately pull him away from the Crimson Tide?

USA Today’s Dan Wolken reported Sunday that Smart was ‘very interested’ in the opening at Virginia Tech, the news coming a few hours after longtime coach Frank Beamer announced he would retire at the end of the regular season.

Smart, 39, has been a member of Nick Saban’s staff in Tuscaloosa since 2008, earning a reputation as one of college football’s top defensive minds.

His name’s also been connected to South Carolina, but one would think Smart’s dream job would be in Athens if Georgia and Mark Richt part ways at the end of the season. Smart played in the secondary at Georgia from 1995-98.

Currently, Alabama is ranked No. 4 nationally this season in total defense. Smart’s directed the SEC’s top unit on that side of the ball each of the last six of the last seven years.