re: If Saban Were To Retire or Leave Within 2 Years...

I'm all for Kirby smart in the scenario laid out in the OP. If there's one thing the guy can do its recruit, and the talent on hand is good enough to win 10 a year with a monkey coaching. If he proves he can't coach after 4-5 years then you cut toes and hire another guy to come into a situation where the cupboard is stocked.

I think Smart at Alabama has a floor or Richt at Georgia and a ceiling of Saban at bama. The AD probably wouldn't want to take a chance of missing out on the next great HC and a guy that would stick it out for the long haul at bama. Like I said, worst case scenario the guy wins 9-10 a year and leaves a roster full of talent for the next guy. I think Kirby had earned his shot. Watch a bama game, Kirby smart coaches the defense as much or more so than nick on Saturdays and has for a while. He's one of the top recruiters in the country, I think he'd keep the train rolling and most of the people here do too, whether they want to admit it or not.