Kirby Smart joked that he offered former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban the defensive coordinator job at Georgia.

A game in which Mark Richt was the head coach at Georgia, the 2025 version of the Alabama vs. Georgia matchup however will be the very first in Athens of the Kirby Smart era, which began back in 2016, while also Kalen DeBoer's first-ever trip to Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.

Kirby Smart Talks Battle Against Alabama originally appeared on Athlon Sports. SEC Media Days continue at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Hotel in Atlanta, with the event wrapping up Thursday. On Tuesday, Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke with the media and offered some honest thoughts about a key game on the 2025 schedule.

Georgia needs to improve everywhere ahead of this upcoming season. That’s the thinking in why Kirby Smart isn’t naming one specific position group that needs to be better for the Bulldogs. Smart was asked that during his press conference while at SEC Media Days in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy shared Monday on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning that someone "in the know" said legendary coach Nick Saban is considering a return to coaching. Saban, 73, retired after the 2023 season, but McElroy said his source is "adamant" Saban will coach again.

Two previous assistants to Nick Saban, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and Georgia coach Kirby Smart, are split on whether they believe the former Alabama head coach will ever return to college football.

Kirby Smart is happy to get a matchup vs. Alabama in Athens, he just wishes the Crimson Tide traveled to Georgia more often.