Sam Pittman praises Kirby Smart, Nick Saban: ‘They are elite, elite elite’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Sam Pittman was asked Wednesday at the SEC’s weekly teleconference about the impact Kirby Smart and Nick Saban have had in the SEC.
Simply put, it’s a big one. We don’t need to tell you that. The Georgia Bulldogs have won the past 2 national championships under Samrt and are currently the No. 1 team on a hunt for a 3-peat.
Alabama owned the country in the 2010s and into the early 2020s and will face off against Georgia in the SEC Championship game come early December. Saban has completely turned the Tide around after a less-than-ideal start to the 2023 season.
Pittman called the pair “elite, elite, elite” when asked Wednesday. Here’s his full comments on the 2 SEC coaching icons.
“Kirby Smart is one of a kind, and so is Nick Saban. They are elite, elite elite,” Pittman said. “I have great respect for both of them. They both know how to motivate, how to recruit, know how to do everything. Know how to coach. To do what Coach Saban’s done throughout his career is obviously almost unheard of, and to do what Coach Smart has done, I mean. He came in there, I remember our first year we went 8-5 and to turn the program to where it is now, I don’t know if it’s ever been done, is incredible.”
Pittman continued…
“Nobody will outwork probably either one of those 2 guys. And to see what’s happened to Alabama after the South Florida game and things of that nature to now, is no less than a great coaching staff and kids that believe in their staff and a great head coach. So much respect for both of those like I’m sure everybody in the profession has, and the things they’ve both done, it’s incredible. It’s not easy to do, I don’t care what the logo is on your helmet. It’s incredibly hard to do and they’ve both been outstanding.”
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
