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Smart or Saban? College football expert asks if Georgia HC has passed his mentor
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Kirby Smart and Nick Saban are two of the most accomplished college football coaches in the nation.
Saban has won six titles with Alabama, and his former assistant Smart has won two at Georgia. With Georgia having more recent success, the argument about which coach is better has picked up some steam.
College football insider Josh Pate thinks those talks are a little premature, however.
“That crown doesn’t get placed there overnight,” explained Pate. “You don’t just snap your fingers over 12, 24, 36 months, and all of a sudden have that change.”
Has Kirby Smart overtaken Nick Saban as the top head coach in college football?@LateKickJosh says it’s too early to give Smart the crown ✍️ pic.twitter.com/VXWMykpGD8
— 247Sports (@247Sports) August 11, 2023
Pate mentioned that a reputation like Saban’s is only earned after a period of long, sustained success. However, Pate did mention that he believes Kirby Smart and his Bulldogs are capable of reaching that point eventually.
“I think Georgia’s got what it takes,” said Pate. “I think Kirby Smart is the most equipped of any head coach in America to one day be talked about like we talk about Nick Saban.”
Smart will begin his quest for a third national championship on Sept. 2 against UT-Martin.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
