Paul Finebaum Comments on Kirby Smart Watching Jimbo & Saban Go At It
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ATHENS - Paul Finebaum thinks Georgia coach Kirby Smart is watching with amusement to the developing feud between Alabama coach Nick Saban and Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.
"Something tells me Kirby Smart had a really good day - he's had a lot of them lately. Watching (Saban and Jimbo) squabble does not hurt his feelings I am sure,” Paul Finebaum said during a conversation with ESPN’s Chris Fowler on Thursday.
Saban, Fisher and Smart were all together at LSU before going their separate ways - ending up as national championship coaches all in the SEC at the same time in the 2020s. Kirby was Saban’s defensive coordinator for nearly his entire time at Alabama before taking over as head coach at Georgia in 2016.
Kirby knocked off Saban in the College Football National Championship Game to give the Dawgs their first national title in 41 years. Fowler, who called the game between the Tide and Dawgs, said that there are two types of programs in college football right now - those that will do what it takes, and those that will not.
“Whatever it takes,” Fowler said “That’s what this sport is about right now - whatever it takes.”
It has been a tumultuous 48 hours for Saban and Fisher, who have called one another out. Saban, who has since apologized for singling out Texas A&M, said the Aggies “bought every player on their team.”
Fisher responded Thursday at a called press conference by questioning Saban’s coaching chops.
“He's the greatest ever, huh?” Fisher asked. “When you've got all the advantages, it's easy. You coach with other people and learn how not to do things. There's a reason, people, I ain't back and worked for (Saban). Don't want to be associated with him.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stepped in Thursday afternoon and publicly reprimanded both coaches for their roles in the saga.
"The membership of the Southeastern Conference has established expectations for conduct and sportsmanship that were not met last night nor today,” Sankey said in a statement.
Alabama faces Texas A&M on October 8th in Tuscaloosa. Georgia is not scheduled to play either program this fall, and would only face one of the two in the SEC Championship Game in December, or in the College Football Playoff.