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Nick Saban (2008-2014) vs Kirby Smart (2017-2023)
Posted on 11/21/23 at 12:52 pm
Posted on 11/21/23 at 12:52 pm
Never thought I'd see another coach duplicate Saban's 2008-2023 but Kirby is on pace to duplicate or exceed Saban's run.
Both Saban and Kirby's first seasons at Alabama and Georgia respectively were anomalies so I threw then out. Saban (2008-2014) and Smart's (2017-2023) next 7 seasons have been remarkably similar:
Saban (2008-2014)
84-11 record with 3 national titles and 3 SEC titles
Smart (2017-2023)
84-10 record (with games still left this season) with 2 national titles and 2 SEC titles
Nick has gone 113-11 from the start of the 2015 season until this point of the 2023 season so Kirby still has a ways to go to match CNS but on the current trajectory Kirby Smart and Georgia are on it's certainly possible. It'll be interesting to see if Kirby can match the GOAT'S record
Both Saban and Kirby's first seasons at Alabama and Georgia respectively were anomalies so I threw then out. Saban (2008-2014) and Smart's (2017-2023) next 7 seasons have been remarkably similar:
Saban (2008-2014)
84-11 record with 3 national titles and 3 SEC titles
Smart (2017-2023)
84-10 record (with games still left this season) with 2 national titles and 2 SEC titles
Nick has gone 113-11 from the start of the 2015 season until this point of the 2023 season so Kirby still has a ways to go to match CNS but on the current trajectory Kirby Smart and Georgia are on it's certainly possible. It'll be interesting to see if Kirby can match the GOAT'S record
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Posted on 11/21/23 at 12:58 pm to Govt Tide
A 1-0 coach would be 'on the path' to match Saban.
Kirby has done a fantastic job at UGA, and in a short amount of time. I'm not saying UGA won't continue to be successful... but pump the brakes. The most impressive thing about Saban's tensure is the longevity of sustained excellance. As you mentioned, Kirby has a ways to go, but definitely a good start
Kirby has done a fantastic job at UGA, and in a short amount of time. I'm not saying UGA won't continue to be successful... but pump the brakes. The most impressive thing about Saban's tensure is the longevity of sustained excellance. As you mentioned, Kirby has a ways to go, but definitely a good start
Posted on 11/21/23 at 1:10 pm to Govt Tide
Kirby is 4 games from doing things no one has every done in the SEC. He can own the all time SEC wins in a row record (tied for it right now) 3 NCs in a row, already first coach with 3 8-0 SEC seasons, back to back undefeated years.
But the longevity of Saban at such a high level is likely never to be matched.
And we still have GT, Bama and if we make it playoffs before most of the above.
But the longevity of Saban at such a high level is likely never to be matched.
And we still have GT, Bama and if we make it playoffs before most of the above.
This post was edited on 11/21/23 at 1:11 pm
Posted on 11/21/23 at 1:28 pm to Govt Tide
Saban got a Bama team that had gone 26-24 in the past 4 seasons and was about to get hit with a textbook scandal from the previous coach's watch
Kirby got a UGA team that had gone 40-13 in the past 4 seasons and was already well stocked with talent in one of the top 3-4 richest HS talent states in the country
Kirby is a hell of a coach and the records are identical at first glance, but given the state of each program when they took over, hard to not to say Saban's is more impressive
Kirby got a UGA team that had gone 40-13 in the past 4 seasons and was already well stocked with talent in one of the top 3-4 richest HS talent states in the country
Kirby is a hell of a coach and the records are identical at first glance, but given the state of each program when they took over, hard to not to say Saban's is more impressive
Posted on 11/21/23 at 1:58 pm to Govt Tide
What those two have done is remarkable though.
But right now, what Kirby is doing is just insane. Saban has always dropped at least one game a year (outside of 2009 and 2020). Kirby has gone three years without dropping a regular season game (and two straight years without dropping a single game). I don't think people quite grasp how difficult that is in the SEC.
People can say "let's see if he can keep it up though". But he isn't showing any signs of slowing down plus what team in the SEC is going to derail him besides maybe Bama from time to time? Maybe one day complacency might settle in but frick, it hasn't after three years...
But right now, what Kirby is doing is just insane. Saban has always dropped at least one game a year (outside of 2009 and 2020). Kirby has gone three years without dropping a regular season game (and two straight years without dropping a single game). I don't think people quite grasp how difficult that is in the SEC.
People can say "let's see if he can keep it up though". But he isn't showing any signs of slowing down plus what team in the SEC is going to derail him besides maybe Bama from time to time? Maybe one day complacency might settle in but frick, it hasn't after three years...
Posted on 11/21/23 at 3:38 pm to Govt Tide
Kirby is just proving it just takes buying alot of 5*s and playing a weak schedule to be deemed the GOAT. He will be til the next HC comes around with that same situation and they will be the GOAT.
In the future the BCS championships and the 4 team playoff champs will be considered easier to get than the 8 or 16+ playoff champs. Just like handed out AP champs before the BCS.
In the future the BCS championships and the 4 team playoff champs will be considered easier to get than the 8 or 16+ playoff champs. Just like handed out AP champs before the BCS.
This post was edited on 11/21/23 at 3:39 pm
Posted on 11/21/23 at 3:49 pm to Govt Tide
It is what it is. I didn't think Kirby would be this good but here we are. He is outpacing Saban at this point. I only hope that Bama doesn't stay with Saban too long because coaching big-time college football is a young man's game.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 4:13 pm to Govt Tide
Saban has done a job at Alabama that is clearly other-worldly. Phenomenal.
Kirby learned well from his teacher and is doing very well, too. Appreciate the stat-comparison.
Kirby learned well from his teacher and is doing very well, too. Appreciate the stat-comparison.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 4:19 pm to Govt Tide
quote:
Never thought I'd see another coach duplicate Saban's 2008-2023 but Kirby is on pace to duplicate or exceed Saban's run.
It's tough to go for as long as Saban has. I don't see it happening especially with the changes going on in football.
Maybe Kirby can do it, but I will believe it when it happens.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 4:29 pm to Govt Tide
I live the stats.. and hope it happens..
However it’s a different time.. Saban was able to hoard talent and dominate on the field with said talent and depth.
Today, playoff expansion, NIL, realignment, and the portal; will make it extremely difficult for anyone to duplicate Saban’s entire run at Bama.
UGAs current success is amazing; however the era of having football dynasties is over imo. IF and it’s a big IF UGA 3 peats this year; it maybe the last time we ever see a repeat national champion.
However it’s a different time.. Saban was able to hoard talent and dominate on the field with said talent and depth.
Today, playoff expansion, NIL, realignment, and the portal; will make it extremely difficult for anyone to duplicate Saban’s entire run at Bama.
UGAs current success is amazing; however the era of having football dynasties is over imo. IF and it’s a big IF UGA 3 peats this year; it maybe the last time we ever see a repeat national champion.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 5:22 pm to Govt Tide
I'll be honest, I didn't know Kirby was so close to Saban in terms of the start of their careers at Bama vs UGA. If UGA wins out Smart would have the same number of SEC titles, national titles and a slightly better record.
While we know that doesn't mean Smart will follow the same path as Saban, it's still damn impressive to start out in the same ballpark.
While we know that doesn't mean Smart will follow the same path as Saban, it's still damn impressive to start out in the same ballpark.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 5:55 pm to Govt Tide
Kirby has the Dawgs rolling and imo will be in the conversation with Saban when he decides to hang it up but these records or comparisons are just stupid. The east has been a total shite show for years. They've had literally no push back to tend with. Let's see how many championships he has after 15 years
Posted on 11/21/23 at 7:19 pm to Govt Tide
Kirby is a great coach BUT, how would he do if just one program out of Tennessee or Florida had their Shiite together?
Saban had to face some damn good LSU, Auburn, and even TAMU teams during his run while Kirby has dealt with the weakest period of the East since the divisions started.
Saban had to face some damn good LSU, Auburn, and even TAMU teams during his run while Kirby has dealt with the weakest period of the East since the divisions started.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 9:14 pm to Govt Tide
In 2008-2014 you could go undefeated in the season and win one bowl game to be undefeated for the year. Now a P5 has to go undefeated in the season, win a conference championship, and beat two of the top 4 teams in the nation to be undefeated for the year. Big difference.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 9:24 pm to Govt Tide
Think about what you’re doing here. You’re comparing the record of an experienced head coach who had already won a national championship at an SEC program who took over the historic top program in the history of college football …
To someone getting his first shot as a head coach at Georgia.
And it’s a really good comparison. That alone says everything you need to know about how good a coach Smart has been.
To someone getting his first shot as a head coach at Georgia.
And it’s a really good comparison. That alone says everything you need to know about how good a coach Smart has been.
Posted on 11/21/23 at 10:51 pm to Govt Tide
Thats like $70 million versus $130 million for buying players
No other difference
and each of them should consider themselves as nothing but cheats
No other difference
and each of them should consider themselves as nothing but cheats
Posted on 11/22/23 at 10:01 am to Govt Tide
When Saban took off he didn't have to overcome anyone like Smart. Smart had to overcome Saban.
It's interesting how different those two coaches act during games. Saban loses his shite at times. Smart doesn't.
It's interesting how different those two coaches act during games. Saban loses his shite at times. Smart doesn't.
Posted on 11/23/23 at 10:26 am to Govt Tide
Georgias schedule is a fricking joke every season. Ooooh their big end of the year rivalry is Georgia Tech lol - such a tough game for them
Posted on 11/23/23 at 10:42 am to Govt Tide
This is a good and interesting post OP. Kirby has been amazing, as was Nick, in their first few years. Time will tell, but I never thought a coach would surpass the GOAT.
Posted on 11/23/23 at 11:32 am to Govt Tide
Kirby did it in the East and playing Georgia Tech.
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