Kirby Smart is All Good with Nick Saban

ATHENS - No, Kirby Smart doesn’t have a problem with Nick Saban. 

That’s what the UGA coach said in response to my question at Tuesday’s press conference. A week ago SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum said on 680 the Fan that there is a “friction that exists” between Alabama and Kirby. 

Today Kirby said he’s got no problem with his former boss. 

“I don’t have any issue or any problem with Nick,” Kirby said Tuesday. “In fact, I don’t think its done anything but grown to more respect since we’ve played them twice. Every time I see Coach Saban… we have a great relationship.”

“Do I text him and call him? Are the buddy buddy? No, I’m not doing that with anybody. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him, and there is no problem with our relationship.”

Finebaum used the term “they” while describing what he calls “friction” between the Tide and Kirby. 

“They pointed towards Kirby and what really created the friction that exists to this day is that Alabama officials and coaches blame Kirby Smart for ripping off the inner sanctum recruiting room — which is in Saban’s office,” Finebaum told 680. “If you go to the secondary office where they keep all the prospects - what I mean by that - Kirby went to recruits and said, ‘Hey listen. We want you, you are No. 1 on our list but I know for a fact Alabama has you third or fourth or fifth.’ And that cost Alabama some key recruits and they have not forgiven Kirby Smart yet in Tuscaloosa.”