Georgia HC Kirby Smart refers to 7x national champ Nick Saban as “Darth Vader” during 2024 SEC Media Day 2
Georgia coach Kirby Smart appeared to have a jolly time at the Omni Hotel in Dallas, Texas, during the SEC Media Day 2 on Tuesday. He also got an opportunity to poke fun at seven-time national championship-winning coach Nick Saban, who is currently serving as an analyst for the "SEC Network" during the 2024 Media Days.
During an interview, Smart made a tongue-in-cheek comment about Saban, hilariously referring to the former Alabama coach as a Star Wars villain.
“It’s weird,” Smart said. “The call I did to set up for this media days, I was nervous. For 15 minutes, I am going to share with him [Saban] about my team. I feel like I am giving answers to Darth Vader.”
Even though Saban announced his retirement from coaching in January this year, Smart appears to be cautious about giving away too much information to the former coach. After coaching at the collegiate level for 28 years, Saban will appear on ESPN's "College GameDay" for the upcoming 2024 football season. However, there are suggestions that Saban will also serve as an advisor to Alabama.
Smart worked with Saban at Alabama for nine years from 2007 to 2015, as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator. Saban won his first national championship with LSU in 2003 and added six more during his 17-year stint at Alabama.
Meanwhile, Kirby Smart has won two national titles with Georgia, in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, since taking over as head coach in 2016.
Nick Saban's Alabama got the better of Kirby Smart's Georgia in the 2023 SEC championship game
Nick Saban's Alabama got the better of Kirby Smart's Georgia in their final meeting as head coaches during the 2023 SEC championship game. The Tide managed a 27-24 win over the Bulldogs, snapping their 12-game win streak.
The win for Alabama also confirmed their spot in the College Football Playoff, eliminating Georgia from reaching the final four. However, Saban's reign as Alabama coach lasted just one more game as the Tide suffered a 27-20 defeat against Michigan in overtime.