Was Saban sending a message to Smart?

Just listened to audio of Nick Saban’s final press conference in Pasadena today before he and the national champions flew back to Alabama.

Thought you’d be interested in Saban’s comments pertaining to assistant coaches making lateral career moves.

You could certainly interpret the remarks as pointed advice to Kirby Smart that he shouldn’t leave the defensive-coordinator job at Alabama for the same job at Georgia.

Said Saban:

“I’m always happy and interested for our coaches to be able to advance professionally, especially if it is a professional advancement in terms of a guy being a coordinator who can go be a head coach in a situation where he has a chance to be successful. . . .

“I’m not pleased when guys make lateral moves because it’s a little bit human nature to think, like my dad used to say, the grass is always greener on top of the septic tank. You always think it’s better someplace else. You kind of let your ego get involved, and you make moves that you shouldn’t make and really aren’t in your best interests for a career standpoint. So I’m not happy when guys do that. But anybody on our staff who can move up, we would like to help them do that.”

There were reports Thursday, including one during the telecast of the national-title game, that Texas Tech planned to interview Smart for its vacant head-coaching job. But Texas Tech’s president and athletics director denied the reports Thursday and again Friday.

Click here for a blog from earlier today on how long it had been since Georgia was unranked in the final polls.

And please follow me on Twitter for the latest UGA news and notes.

425 comments Add your comment

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
9:58 am

REALITY BITES- YEAH , YOUR CHATTAHOOCHIE FLOWING THROUGH YOUR TAP TASTE GOOD, RIGHT OUT OF KNOXVILLE SEWAGE CONTAINING COLT-45 OVERFLOW DOWN STREAM.
ENJOY,PUNK. HOW’S THE WEATHER ON CASCADE ROAD THIS MORNING?

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
10:01 am

OH, I FORGOT YOU MOVED TO S. MORELAND AVE. WHERE THE PRISTINE SOUTH RIVER IS YOUR SOURCE OF AQUA. ( aqua refers to water) A$$ HAT.

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
10:05 am

REALITY WENT TO GET HIS/HER MOMMY. WILL BE BACK WHEN SHE CHANGES THE PAMPERS. MAY HAVE WENT TO “RAMBLE ON “TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS POSTED SINCE YESTERDAY.WHAT AN APPROPRIATE NAME .

sc dawg

January 9th, 2010
10:06 am

Cowboys blog claiming that job is Grantham’s IF and only IF Kirby turns it down. Claiming answer expected by Monday. IF true, very interesting. Either would be a good hire, I’m not certain Grantham wouldn’t be the better hire . . .

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:07 am

HEY PAPA DAWG!!, GT has more SEC Championships than GA and GT hasn’t been in the SEC since the 60’s. Again, what does that say about GA’s football program?!?!?

gabugman

January 9th, 2010
10:07 am

More excellent advice from Mr. Shifty himself.

What a TOOL

Dap01

January 9th, 2010
10:07 am

If Kirby smart stays at Alabama, what are the odds that Saban will not leave before 5 years are up. Saban needs to follow his own advice. What a hypocrit.

lnLIKE3

January 9th, 2010
10:09 am

i DONT THINK COACH SABAN WILL BE LOYAL TO BAMA…DO YALL NOT THINK OTHER SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS ARENT TRYING TO BUY OUT SABAN TOO…I CAN HEAR HIM NOW…”WELL, IIIIIIIV’VE DONE ALL IIIIII CAN FOR ALABAMA, ITS TIME TO MOVE AND HELP SOMEONE ELSE” YALL HIDE AND WATCH…COMING SOON!

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:12 am

Johny test, I dislike tech more than I do GA, its just tech fans are more adapt with losing. Ga fans think that every year “WILL BE THE YEAR”. yeah right, The uga football team is horrible deal with it. And if its not that horrible, why do you let a QB like COX start the whole season? Why don’t you have more depth at that position? because nobody wants to play for a loser. Good luck down there with Vandy, Kentucky and SC.

PapaDawg

January 9th, 2010
10:14 am

I guess Bama’s had great years and BCS Bowls every year since the BEAR left. All you non Dawgs fans what bowl were you at when the DAWGS were at the Big Bowls. PLEASE yaw act like your teams are playing for the Nat. Championship every year. Enjoy the Dawgs down time cause we’ll be back

sc dawg

January 9th, 2010
10:18 am

Roll Tide, what is Richt’s record against Alabama? Just curious . . .

You guys had a great year, congrats are in full order. It would even appear that ya’ll are on the front end of a very strong run. However, you might want to check the record books, I believe UF was the most successful program over the last decade, followed by LSU and UGA. I believe you guys have been closer to the cellar recently than we’re gonna be any time soon. I’ve seen many posts from DAwg fans, including mine, congradulating Bama. I’ve lived in Birmingham, recently, when Bama was really struggling . . . you have as many classless fans an any program, perhaps more. Do enjoy your title, its great for Bama and the fans. But, both you, and the class-less UGA fans (of which there are many), should honeslty try to conduct yourselves with a bit more sportsmanship. Bear Bryant didn’t like losing. He hated it. But whether he won or lost he did so with class!!!!!!!

Johnny Test

January 9th, 2010
10:18 am

Roll tide roll, you know nothing about the SEC history.. The SEC was formed in 1933.. Since its inception UGA has won 12 SEC championships and Tech has won 5.. You are quoating a myth only a Tech fan would quote. All Bama fans know their history better than that.

Look it up… it’s not hard. By the way Tech has never won an AP National Championship either. Dawgs have.

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:18 am

YEAH you’ll be back about the same time VANDY comes back. HAHAHAHAHA Again papadawg, just dreaming

PapaDawg

January 9th, 2010
10:19 am

Roll Tide Roll just showed me his true NERD Colors

WoodstockDawg02

January 9th, 2010
10:19 am

what do uga and iowa have in common? they both hit tech in the mouth over and over and exposed their high school option offense.

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:21 am

Arguing over the internet is like the Special Olympics or being a GA fan, no matter who wins you’re still retarded.

sc dawg

January 9th, 2010
10:24 am

They why, roll tide, if you feel that way, are YOU arguing over the internet????????????? Again, congrats on a great season. Enjoy it. Don’t however show your a$$ and not expect to get some grief on here!

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:26 am

SC DAWG, why are you arguing? I am just tired of hearing all these GA fans still thinking that GA is better than Bama.

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
10:27 am

SETTIN ON THE THRONE……. PULLIN ON CHARMIN….. REALIZING WHERE THE PHRASE “ROLL TIDE ROLL” CAME FROM………….
GOES WITH THE TERRITORY , HUH?
JUST TAKIN A LANE AND WHIPING MY SABAN………..
LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

No Class Alabama

January 9th, 2010
10:27 am

I use to be an Alabama fan but watching them score the final touchdown instead of taking-a-knee proves he’s an axxhole. Real CHEAP coach!! Hope they lose every game from now on….by the way; are there any Alabama boys on that team?

PapaDawg

January 9th, 2010
10:29 am

Hey Roll Tide Did we hurt your poor little old feelings. Bless your heart

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:29 am

If you want to watch a real game, turn it over to ESPNU right now. Maybe some of the GA football players are watching too.

dawg snit on buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

January 9th, 2010
10:30 am

Boogie, that is classic,dude.

sc dawg

January 9th, 2010
10:31 am

I’m not arguing Roll tide, I’ve actally agreed with much of what you said. I don’t think anyone is arguing that this year, or, over the course of the last eighty years, UGA is better. I would argue that that over the past decade UGA has been better that Bama. If guys like you are going to claim we’ve accomplished nothing, and finish in the cellar every year, then we’re going to correct you. Some, I’ll admit, do it in a less than classy way. I’m just saying that the facts are the facts. BAMA had a great year. BAMA is a great program. It is not however the end all be all of college football. And no one is going to lay down for you next year . . . not UF, not Penn State, and not whoever wins the east (hopefully UGA). Enjoy man, your team just won the national title!!!!!!!!!

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:32 am

Ok then Johnny test, Do you know how the ACC was formed? And yes GT does have more SEC titles than GA. I do not know where you get your info from.

Championship Game

January 9th, 2010
10:32 am

Alabama should thank God for Colt MCCoy’s injury. With him, Texas would have routed Alabama. Even with a true freshman QB back-up, Texas had the ball with 2:00+ minutes left and only trailing by 3. An inexperienced freshman back-up gave Alabama the title. That kid will be one of the best ever at UT before he graduates.

Hairy's Balls

January 9th, 2010
10:33 am

This sounds like a flat-out admission by Saban that Smart is leaving for Georgia. Wow. If this is true, we shouldn’t have heard it from Saban first. What an a-hole thing to do to Smart. No wonder Smart is happy to leave. And like this kind of patronzing statment would change Kirby’s mind. If he comes to Georgia, he will be more welcome here, clearly.

PapaDawg

January 9th, 2010
10:34 am

Roll Tide why would the DAWG players want to watch a bunch of GT players. 30-24

ROLL TIDE ROLL

January 9th, 2010
10:34 am

Im jerking on this Charmin as hard as Ican, amazing how many a$$holes i reonnize as I Jerk.

PapaDawg

January 9th, 2010
10:45 am

8-5, toilet bowl no DC, jokes, criticism but I’ll still wear my DAWG attire proudly. GT fans attire already thrown out.

Florida Dawg

January 9th, 2010
10:47 am

How did Saban win a NC in 3 short years? It appears that he really knows how to evaluate talent and assemble a solid coaching staff.
Wish we were in this same position. We need to recruit and secure players that every major successful program wants.
Recruiting players that will play at the next level is the key.
How does Bama play hard nosed football with so few penalties?

dawg snit on buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

January 9th, 2010
10:48 am

funny how tek-nots come on here as A. BAMA fan
B. GAYTOR fan
C. VOL fan

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
10:51 am

LATE BREAKING NEWS——
gt SITE KNOWN AS “RAMBLE ON ‘ NOW BEING SHUT DOWN DUE TO tek POSTERS NON INTEREST…………………..

Dap01

January 9th, 2010
10:52 am

Add Sabans ability to the fact that Bama has not been called for holding in 9 straight games certainly helps. Bama fans need to realize that Colt getting hurt won them a NC. I am glad. But Bama’s record the past 10 years is closer to Vandy’s than UGA. Look it up.

Ain't we great

January 9th, 2010
10:55 am

You Dawgs are great. Always hang your hats beside the laurels of UF, Bama, and LSU and claim the be in the same elite club. Newsflash..You are now and always have been a Junior Member. Moving to Athens is not a lateral move. It’s a downgrade. What a paradox for you.. the coaches you despise and criticize the most (Spurrier,Saban,Meyer, etc.) have always provided you with your false bravado. S-E-C S-E-C S-E-C

Todd from Birmingham

January 9th, 2010
10:56 am

Don’t you love hearing from all those dumb redneck Alabama fans about Georgia not being a top tier SEC school? Alabama was at the bottom for the last 17 years..not to mention all the probation for cheating they got caught with over that time. Go to Georgia campus and then go to Alabama campus…Georgia is like Harvard compared to that low level academic crap hole! Kirby will be a bulldog to escape from all the Bear Bryant worshipers. Bear was a drunk anyway…just like u!

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
10:58 am

AINT WE GREAT============== ANOTHER NORTH AVE HAT

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
10:59 am

TELL UM TODD

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
11:01 am

KEEP CHANGING YOUR NAMES, YOUR YELLOW KEEPS SHINING THROUGH.

Snuggie the bee CPJ

January 9th, 2010
11:03 am

Check out my big chest im poking out.

s

January 9th, 2010
11:04 am

Enter your comments here

dawg gone it

January 9th, 2010
11:05 am

Saban’s counter offer?

http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/from_scrimmage/posts/92441-tide-to-go-coach-in-waiting-route?eref=fromSI

Ain’t we great: You do realize that UGA is Smart’s Alma mater?

The great thing about college football is that it is very dynamic. It is very tough to stay at the top. Think LSU, USC, FL. What makes anyone think that Alabama will be so different?

Success is a double edged sword.

Stinger

January 9th, 2010
11:05 am

hehehehehehe haw

dawg snit on buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

January 9th, 2010
11:08 am

to snuggie big boob Johnson.
Botox works wonders you know, get you some.

Ain't we great

January 9th, 2010
11:17 am

Nah, You’re kidding… It’s his alma mater?…Geez

Ask Ray Goff about coaching at his alma mater.

BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA

January 9th, 2010
11:22 am

Aint we great========= ASK YOUR BOY BILL CURRY ABOUT O-BAMA. LOYAL BUNCH OF A$$-HATS OVER THEIR, HUH. LEFT THERE, WENT ON TO LOSE AT KENTUCKY.

Bremen Dawg

January 9th, 2010
11:22 am

You always here that Saban’s defense is the best, Saban this and Saban that on defense. Smart is not getting any credit so that would be enough for any employee to want to go somewhere else even if it was a lateral move. Smart still needs to prove himself before he makes that jump to HC and UGA would be the place for him to do that. Even if we couldn’t keep him but 2 – 3 years it would be worth it.

Tech Real Fans Are..

January 9th, 2010
11:22 am

Tech Real Fans Are..

January 9th, 2010
11:24 am

considering Coach Martinez

Tech Real Fans Are..

January 9th, 2010
11:24 am

Marketing Yellow Sport-Bras.