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Between Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, Derek Mason says Smart ‘probably deserves’ coach of the year
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason certainly knows a thing or two about facing Alabama and Georgia.
The Commodores have faced off against both teams this year with similar results against each. The Bulldogs and Crimson Tide combined to outscore the Commodores 104-14 with Alabama recording a shutout.
Both teams are having a special season, and both are led by dynamic head coaches. Nick Saban and Kirby Smart look destined to square off in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, and both have put their teams in a position to compete for a national title.
Mason was asked to compare Alabama and Georgia during the weekly SEC teleconference (he did that once earlier this year), and he addressed who he would give a Coach of the Year award to:
“Looking at both of them, Coach (Nick) Saban is the best coach in the country. Kirby (Smart), he probably deserves Coach of the Year,” said Mason.
It is hard to argue with the results that Smart has provided in just his second season with the Bulldogs. Georgia was ranked No. 1 in the initial rankings for the Playoff with four games to go this season. A strong finish and win in the SEC Championship Game would likely net the Bulldogs the No. 1 overall seed for the Playoff.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
