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Nick Saban comparison with Kirby Smart through 98 games is very similar
By Keith Farner
Published:
Nick Saban has plenty of similarities with Kirby Smart in recent years as the Georgia coach has elevated the Bulldogs to a perennial championship contender.
But through the first 98 games, Smart has closed the gap with Saban, according to new research from Dave McMahon, who noted that both coaches went 83-15, while Saban’s SEC record was 49-11, Smart’s was 50-12. They each had 2 SEC Championships, and Saban had 3 national titles, while Smart has 2.
The defensive-minded head coaches believe in many of the same fundamentals to build a program, recruit and even deal with the media. And of course, some believe Smart’s departure from the Alabama staff led to the Crimson Tide to slip a bit from the championship perch.
Nick Saban (first 98 games at Alabama)
vs
Kirby Smart (first 98 games at Georgia)#SEC .@GeorgiaFootball @SEConCBS @ESPNStatsInfo #GoDawgs @ugasportscom pic.twitter.com/eQgJJT9QFU— Dave McMahon (@dave_mc_stats) September 10, 2023
Smart this offseason told Paul Finebaum that no one has moved the college football game more than Saban.
“He has done a tremendous job of changing the game,” Smart said. “I mean, the SEC is the premier place, primarily because he started bringing national championships there when he came to LSU. So, he’s done a lot for this game.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
