Is Kirby Smart the next Nick Saban? That's the explosive question Lane Kiffin is posing, suggesting Smart has essentially replicated the Saban blueprint for success everywhere except against the master himself, Alabama. This is a bold claim, especially considering the legendary status Saban holds in college football.
Kiffin, the current head coach at Ole Miss, and Smart, leading the Georgia Bulldogs, share a unique bond. Both served as assistant coaches under Nick Saban at Alabama, overlapping in 2014 and 2015. They witnessed firsthand Saban's methods, his discipline, and his relentless pursuit of perfection. Now, both are head coaches, shaping their own programs. Kiffin's Ole Miss Rebels are set to clash with Smart's Georgia Bulldogs in a highly anticipated top-10 showdown. The stakes are high, and the comparisons are inevitable.
Leading up to the game, Kiffin didn't hold back his admiration for Smart's accomplishments at Georgia in a recent interview. He explicitly drew parallels between Smart's approach and Saban's. "He's done it a lot longer (than me) and done a great job," Kiffin said, acknowledging Smart's tenure and achievements. He pointed out how Smart, after initially facing challenges in his first year at Georgia, revamped the offense and propelled the program to unprecedented heights. "They were not playing as well as they'd like and he kind of redid their offense and has never looked back since and really became the new Alabama and kind of built it the exact same way."
But here's where it gets controversial... Kiffin didn't just say Smart was inspired by Saban. He went further, stating, "People talk about people leaving coach Saban and what do they take — I think Kirby basically is Nick Saban in almost every area. How he is, how he coaches, everything. How he models his team. And it’s worked. Basically have repeated the program and the success, really against everybody but Alabama." Kiffin believes Smart has essentially duplicated Saban's entire program, from coaching style to team structure, achieving similar levels of success – except when facing Saban's Crimson Tide. Is this a compliment or a subtle jab? It's certainly a statement that's sure to spark debate.
Since taking the reins at Georgia in 2016, Smart has amassed an impressive 110-20 record. His resume boasts back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, along with four College Football Playoff appearances. These are achievements that place him among the elite coaches in the sport. Consider the dedication and strategy that went into building such a successful program. It's no accident!
Kiffin, while yet to capture a national title or reach the CFP, has carved out his own path to success. After leaving Alabama in 2016, he revitalized the Florida Atlantic program before taking over at Ole Miss in 2020. Under his leadership, the Rebels have achieved 10-win seasons in three of his five full years, signaling a resurgence in Oxford. It's a testament to his offensive prowess and ability to connect with players.
And this is the part most people miss... While Kiffin acknowledges Smart's success, the elephant in the room is Georgia's struggles against Alabama. It's a crucial distinction that underscores the difficulty of truly replicating Saban's dominance. It also raises the question: Is it possible to truly escape the shadow of a coaching legend?
Ole Miss enters this year's contest against Georgia with a perfect 6-0 record, while the Bulldogs suffered a loss earlier in the season – ironically, against Alabama. Last year, Ole Miss fell to Georgia by a score of 28-10. Can Kiffin's Rebels break through and hand Smart another loss, or will the Bulldogs prove Kiffin's assessment by dominating yet another opponent?
This week's game isn't just a clash of two top-10 teams; it's a battle of philosophies, a test of legacies, and a chance for one coach to either validate or refute the bold claim that he is, in essence, the next Nick Saban. Do you think Kiffin is right? Is Smart a Saban clone, or is he forging his own unique path to greatness? And more importantly, can anyone truly replicate the success of Nick Saban, or is he a one-of-a-kind coaching phenomenon? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
