Nick Saban won’t be patrolling the sideline for Alabama football when the Crimson Tide faces Georgia Saturday. He’ll be in Tuscaloosa anyway though, as part of ESPN’s College Gameday pregame show, before Kalen DeBoer leads UA into battle with the Bulldogs.
Opposite DeBoer will be one of Saban’s greatest pupils. Former Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has been UGA’s coach since 2015, and leads the top-ranked Bulldogs in only his second return trip to Tuscaloosa since departing.
On Monday in Athens, Smart was asked for his thoughts on Saban’s television prowess.
“He’s extremely thorough and he enjoys what he does,” Smart said. “I’m thrilled that he gets an opportunity to do what he wants to do and be with who he wants to be with within his family and enjoy that.”
Smart’s Bulldogs were on the wrong end of Saban’s final win. The Crimson Tide beat Georgia in the 2023 SEC championship game, before falling to Michigan in the College Football Playoff’s Rose Bowl semifinal.
Saban retired in January, with DeBoer moving from Washington to fill his vacant job. The man who won six national titles with Alabama moved into an advisory role for the school, in addition to his work at ESPN.
He’s drawn positive reviews thus far for his performances on College Gameday. Saturday will be his first time back in Tuscaloosa with the show, though he’s attended both of Alabama’s home games.
His ex-assistant is just happy Saban is hanging around.
“I’m really happy he’s still part of college football,” Smart said. “Because he makes college football better.”
Alabama and Georgia are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. The game will be aired on ABC.
