Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs

Will Kirby Smart become the first former assistant to defeat Nick Saban?

Alabama's Nick Saban is 13-0 against six former coaching assistants.
Nov 26, 2018

The Georgia Bulldogs are pitted as underdogs against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Saturday's SEC Championship (4 p.m., CBS; News 95.5 and AM-750 WSB) in Atlanta.

Larger odds may be stacked against Kirby Smart on becoming the first former assistant to defeat Alabama’s Nick Saban as a head coach.

» More: Alabama-Georgia recent game history

In 13 games against former assistants, Saban is a remarkable 13-0. In those games, Saban teams have outscored opponents an outlandish 498-157.

Before being named Georgia’s head coach before the 2016 season, Smart spent 10 years on a Saban coaching staff at Alabama, LSU and the Miami Dolphins.

Smart is the sixth assistant to come up short against the former boss.

The list of former pupils also includes Derek Dooley (Tennessee), Jim McElwain (Colorado State, Florida), Will Muschamp (Florida), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), and Jimbo Fisher (Florida State, Texas A&M).

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Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

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Sanford Stadium is packed with 90,000-plus college football fans for Saturdays in the fall. Now, Georgia is looking to pack it for a Saturday in the spring — specifically the Saturday of April 25, 2026. That's the target date for the stadium to host a concert. An artist has not yet been selected. (Jason Getz/AJC 2023)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Georgia sets target date for concert in Sanford Stadium

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Credit: Reed Williams/AJC

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