SECMD24: Saban still the star of the show at Media Days
Like most of the Saban products, Georgia’s Kirby Smart praised his former boss during Tuesday’s SEC Media Days in Dallas. (Courtesy Southeastern Conference)
By GRAHAM DUNN
DALLAS - The grin on the face of Kirby Smart might mean one thing to some people. For others it probably means something else.
Smart and the rest of the contingent of coaches at the annual SEC Media Days event may not be celebrating that Nick Saban is sitting on the set of ESPN’s coverage, but deep down inside, the longtime coach’s retirement has most of them happy, if only due to the fact that they don’t have to face him anymore.
In the case of Saban’s prodigies - Smart, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian - it has been a week to celebrate the career of the one who helped boost them to bigger and better opportunities.
“There was never a day in 11 years I worked for him that we didn't share a room in some sort. Whether that was the defensive room, defensive back room, staff room, and I think it made me who I am today,” Smart said.
“Because the demand for excellence is met by none other than him. So that standard that he set for me, day in and day out, he met himself. Every coach that ever worked with him or for him will tell that you he does it all himself as well. He doesn't hold you to any different standard than himself. So a lot of the success I've had I give credit to him and thanks. I know he'll being critiquing me today, so I am looking forward to that as well.”
Kiffin rained praise on Saban during his time on Monday, saying as he has before, his career may had been over as a head coach had he not been given another chance.
“It was huge for me to be given that chance,” Kiffin said. “I am appreciative of him, taking a chance on me, not just what did but what I learn when I got there - coaches hired, former players hired… - but the opportunity to come here when I feel like a lot of people wouldn’t (give me that chance). I give him credit as an old school coach - he is so good, so long in all this movement in old school college football - most coaches are willing to take risks and that’s what he did with me.”
Smart and Saban shared the stage on Tuesday and the immediate subject of Saban’s new hobby - texting - came to light.
“It’s the emojis,” Smart said. “I share an action thread with Lane and any time he shares one with you it’s so exciting. It’s like the first text you ever gotten when you get one from Coach.”
In many ways, Saban has stolen the spotlight from the event, even though he is off the grid as far as coaching is concerned. The media has taken every opportunity to post comments and video of almost everything he has said. Many of those on TV are using every chance to refer to his comments.
Yet, he seems to be taking it all in, not worried so much about what others think of his opinions.
For example, he had a comment on the arrival of Texas, stating “What kind of tickles me is all these people asking questions about how Texas always ran the conference they were in. They’re not gonna run the SEC.”
Saban didn’t seem to hold back when he stated he thought Texas and Georgia were the teams to beat but also stated he was still hoping his former employer, Alabama, would be in the mix but he had concerns about the defense and, in particular, the secondary.
Most would agree, Saban seems to be in his element on the stage. He has been informative and quite entertaining during his time in Dallas. He even took it in stride when a member of the hotel security stopped him from entering the interview area because he didn’t have his pass.
“I’ve never worn a credential in my life,” he told Mike Greenberg of ESPN.
It’s apparent the network plans to use him as much as possible. He is slated to be on the Gameday crew each week. Chances are he will represent the conference on several talk shows as ESPN has become the sole presenter of SEC athletics.
On Wednesday, his replacement Kalen DeBoer, will take the stage at Media Days and all will be interested in the critique of his predecessor. The anticipation of Saban’s comments begins.