What Georgia’s Kirby Smart said about Kalen DeBoer and Nick Saban

Kirby Smart didn’t have much time Wednesday morning. The Georgia football head coach and former Alabama offensive coordinator needed to get to the driving range, hit a few balls before teeing off in the celebrity pro-am ahead of the Regions Tradition.

The man the Crimson Tide beat in the SEC championship game in December gave reporters two minutes before hitting his first ball at Greystone Golf and Country Club. Smart was asked about his impressions of Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, who also played Wednesday.

“Don’t know much about Kalen,” Smart said. “I’ve been in a couple meeting with him, SEC head coach meetings. Been great to get to know him. Shared some thoughts in those meetings that we all share, kind of in our little head coach family, but seemed like a great guy.”

Smart played in the tournament as part of Padraig Harrington’s group. In addition to DeBoer, Smart’s old boss, Nick Saban, played in the event.

The UGA head coach worked for Saban at Alabama from 2007-2015 before taking the job at his alma mater. Wednesday, he also spoke of the man who vacated his post leading the Crimson Tide in January.

Saban took a role with ESPN as an analyst and will be part of the network’s College Gameday broadcast next season. He’s also remained on at Alabama in an advisory role.

“Nick’s been great,” Smart said. “He’s been wonderful for my career. He’s a great man. He’s a leader in college football, he continues to do that. He’s been very supportive of me and my family.”