“The next Nick Saban” If you ask me, this right now has to be the biggest unanswered question in college football. While there may be many out there who would happily take up the role and give their best, becoming Saban is not an easy task. On the note of this debate, Get Up by ESPN show on 16th July brings out yet another interesting coach who can supposedly take up Saban’s mantle. “Paul Finebaum was on here yesterday. He said Kirby is the new Nick Saban. I mentioned your team has lost two games in the past three years. What is it like managing a program that has a bar that is set that high?” Mike asked Kirby Smart. While Paul Finebaum has already been in hot water before for his “The single biggest moment in the history of the league” comment, we as fans have to agree that he loves putting out amazing takes or statements.

Kirby Smart’s reply to Mike’s question is inspiring for fans. “It’s a joy. I promise you, each and every day I get up, I think about how blessed I am to be the leader of this university. And that leadership doesn’t come without cost, which I mentioned last year, but I mean, I’m blessed to be here today and represent the University of Georgia. I don’t know that I thought 20 years ago I would be sitting in this seat. I’m proud to be in this seat and it’s an honor, it’s not a job,” Smart replied. While the Bulldogs had it tough last year, looks like Smart is pretty ready for this season. It’s his time to finally honor the role of HC and get his team a win.

However, what’s more interesting than Smart’s reply is Paul Finebaum’s comment. Now it’s been a wild debate as to who would be the perfect coach to take the torch that Nick Saban had left. Will the mantle now cross over to Kirby Smart, or will Kalen DeBoer still remain the perfect replacement?

Who will take the helm?

“Kalen is competitively proficient. This guy wins at an insanely high level everywhere,” is what Joel Klatt had to say about Kalen DeBoer on The Next Round. With an already amazing record of championships for Sioux Falls, and taking Washington State and Fresno State up to a completely different level and creating “2 best offensive lines in the country” for Alabama. It is very clear as to why DeBoer still stands as the perfect coach to take up Saban’s title.

However, Smart has his charm. Learning from his mentor, Kirby Smart has all eyes on defense first, as compared to DeBoer, who excels in offense. Taking the Bulldogs to SEC and National Championships, it ain’t no doubt why Nick Saban had himself praised Smart. Back in 2022, when both the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs came face to face for the SEC Championship, it was clear that the student had now become the master. When Bulldogs, under Kirby Smart, took away the cup from Alabama, Nick Saban had only one thing to say. “I’m proud of Kirby. I’m proud of the program he’s built. He has done an outstanding job,” Saban said in a post-match interview with ESPN.

This right here folks has what kept fans and analysts divided. Both coaches, DeBoer and Smart, are successful in their own right. Now the 2024 season will say who leaves the mark and takes away the crown.