quote:
I laid out the significant differences between the two time periods. I never said what Smart has done isn’t impressive, I’m saying if we’re comparing the two coaches’ first 8 years at their current programs, one had to contend with significant hurdles the other did not

Saban did not have to contend with the learning curve of the HC position in his first 8 years at his current job. Smart did. That curve is steep and dangerous. Smart won the SEC in his second year as a head coach at level. I understand the need to lay all of his success at Sabans feet and most of it belongs there. But smart did not learn how to win a conference title in his second year as a HC from Saban because Saban didn’t do it. Saban is the GOAT. That’s not debatable. I don’t think Smart is the better coach right now let alone when Saban was at his best….but Smart is damned good and liable to get better

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Posted by HighTide_ATL

Member since Aug 2020

1905 posts

Posted on 11/23/23 at 11:37 am to AwgustaDawg

quote:
Saban did not have to contend with the learning curve of the HC position in his first 8 years at his current job. Smart did. That curve is steep and dangerous. Smart won the SEC in his second year as a head coach at level.

And all he had to do was coach under Saban for 8 years and copy vast amounts of his approach to do it. I’ve already explained all this.

quote:
But smart did not learn how to win a conference title in his second year as a HC from Saban because Saban didn’t do it.

What does it take to succeed as a HC?

Smart didn’t learn how to get a program up and running from Saban? He didn’t learn how to hire assistants and staff, establish recruiting, implement practice schedules, foster a winning culture? None of this was acquired by working for Saban?

Remember the state that Alabama was in compared to UGA prior to each coach’s arrival. It’s not even close really which coach got a better situation handed to them