Alabama

Kirby Smart built Georgia like Nick Saban’s Alabama. Now, the Tide is different

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2024

Kirby Smart built Georgia like Nick Saban’s Alabama. Now, the Tide is different

Nick Saban is all over Athens. Kirby Smart saw to that.

The man who won six national titles in Tuscaloosa can be found when you look at Georgia’s gleaming Payne Indoor Facility. He’s around when Bulldog freshmen don’t speak to media, and when the team takes the practice field in the afternoon despite the September heat.

The expectations are similar. The on-field product is similar.

The fear opponents feel when having to face the SEC’s ruling juggernauts is almost exactly the same.

“With Georgia and with Bama, 80% of the games those two teams play, the opponent is beat before the first kickoff,” former Crimson Tide quarterback and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy said. “They really are. They look across the field and they see guys that are enormous. They look crazy athletic.”

Athens even has the familiar traffic barrels littering roads around town, much like Tuscaloosa. Those are a sign of construction, brought on, in part, by the growth from students coming to school for the football juggernaut.

“My 12-year-old son and his friend had a lemonade stand a few weeks ago,” Athens- Clarke County mayor Kelly Girtz told AL.com. “They probably did better than they would have done 15 years ago.”

Smart followed Saban’s blueprint to a T. He built Georgia to be as close an approximation to the Alabama dynasty as can be.

But when Smart returns to Tuscaloosa on Saturday, for only the second time since departing, the original won’t be one the other sideline to meet him.

‘Being around coach Saban’

Smart held off taking a head coaching job for years longer than he needed to. The opportunities were there for Alabama’s defensive coordinator, but he held out for the right situation.

“A lot of people have said, why not take a smaller school head job?” Smart said at his UGA introductory press conference in 2015. ” I honestly feel my growth was better being in a large program, being around Coach Saban and learning how to manage a lot of the tough situations you deal with.”

He started building like Saban immediately. Both figuratively, in talent acquisition and on-field scheme, and literally, forcing UGA to begin construction and modernize its facilities.

Jeremy Pruitt, then the Bulldog defensive coordinator, told media in 2014 that teams were using the program’s lack of a top indoor facility against it on the recruiting trail. The wheels began moving just before Smart took over, but he participated in the groundbreaking for the building in 2016.

That was just the beginning. Georgia renovated the west end of Sanford Stadium, building a new locker room, recruiting lounge, medical facilities and more.

Internally, he copied Saban as well. Smart has an army of support staffers, and the recruiting ability to fill a roster with five-stars.

Saban’s greatest trick was turning a dysfunctional program with endless potential into a dynasty. Smart has nearly done the same, winning two national titles so far, flipping a constant nearly-there UGA team into a perennial contender.

For several years, the two schools sat atop the league together, with Saban getting the last laugh in the 2023 SEC championship game. Smart was evidence that Saban’s dynasty blueprint could work if applied correctly.

Then, in January, Saban retired. Georgia was built in Alabama’s image, but the blueprint is gone now.

‘Don’t expect it to be strange’

Smart has only returned to Bryant-Denny Stadium once since he left. That was in 2020, Alabama’s last undefeated national title season, and it was in front of less than 20,000 fans due to pandemic restrictions.

This time around, his old boss, the man he worked under for 11 years won’t be on the other sideline.

“I don’t expect it to be strange,” Smart said Monday. “I mean, that’s just the normal course of progression. I think it’s strange going back there, sometimes because I lived there and our kids were born there and lived there for nine years and had such great experiences there. But we had that in COVID, it was more strange then.”

DeBoer got to town and made changes. Superstar freshman Ryan Williams has spoken to reporters, Alabama moved practice to the mornings, and music rings out over the fields.

Even the defense that Saban built is gone, in favor of Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 “Swarm-D.”

Old Alabama is already gone. Georgia is its closest approximation in the modern game.

Smart even has learned to adapt like Saban, a trait that set his mentor apart from anyone else in the game.

“Georgia to me feels a lot like 2020 Bama,” McElroy said. “Not so much like the early versions of Bama. The early versions of Bama aren’t really that similar to what this Georgia team is. The early versions of Bama, frankly, it’s kind of similar to what Georgia was in Kirby’s very first couple years with Sony Michel and Nick Chubb and running the rock.”

If Saban wasn’t 72 years old, perhaps he’d have stuck around, figured out the modern era of college football, just like he did when he hired Lane Kiffin to modernize his offense on the way to two more national championships.

Instead, the throne is vacant. If Smart is going to ascend to the heights Saban reached, it should start now.

Though of course, Alabama might not be done yet.

‘They’re a different staff’

The Saban way has worked at both Alabama and Georgia. But it’s not the only way.

“I don’t know their game plan,” Smart said. “So I don’t know how similar it’ll be or different it’ll be. I mean, we’re a different team. They’re a different team. They’re a different staff. We’re a similar staff. So I can’t compare last year’s game to this year’s game.”

Alabama is different, but the roster is still exceptional, and DeBoer has a history of winning. He’s treated Saban’s legacy as something to be celebrated, but has changed the Crimson Tide to his liking, from the morning practices, to the rescheduled Walk of Champions, captain Cs on the uniforms and full-on embrace of NIL.

It’s worked so far. Alabama has a top-two recruiting class coming for the class of 2025, and sits at 3-0, fourth in the nation.

Saturday’s game will be a measuring stick for both programs, their first big test of 2024. Perhaps the Crimson Tide won’t fall into the abyss without Saban.

The UA faithful are hopeful at least.

“Ultimately, we’ll all find out together,” Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox said. “But I think he’s made winning at Alabama something that’s been institutionalized.”

Alabama players certainly weren’t shaking over the prospect of facing the No. 1 Bulldogs.

“The cliche motto is, it’s all about us,” quarterback Jalen Milroe said Tuesday. “That’s so true, especially when it comes to improving as a football team.”

The microscope will be on Tuscaloosa for the 6:30 p.m. CT game Saturday. College Gameday will be there, as will a former president, and the battle between new and old Alabama gets a primetime slot on ABC.

For the Tide, it’s a chance to show it can still thrive without the man who built the machine. For Smart, an opportunity to show Georgia is college football’s preeminent power, even without Saban to emulate.

“It’s the reason kids wanna come to Georgia,” Sart said “They say, ‘I wanna play in games like that.’ Most viewed game two weeks ago Saturday night was our game. It’s gonna probably be that way this Saturday night. When you start looking at it, kids wanna have an opportunity to play in those type games. And we’re gonna have more of them after this.”

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Alabama

Alabama Unemployment Rate Holds at 2.7% in February; Wages Reach Record High

Published

7 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Unemployment Rate Holds at 2.7% in February; Wages Reach Record High

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBMA) — Alabama’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.7% in February, according to preliminary data released by the Alabama Department of Workforce. The figure matches January’s rate and is lower than the 3.0% recorded in February 2025.

The latest data shows 64,831 people unemployed across the state, a slight increase from 64,057 in January but down from 71,929 one year ago. Meanwhile, the number of employed individuals rose by 14,603 over the year, bringing total employment to 2,321,473. The state’s civilian labor force also grew to 2,386,304, an increase of 7,505 people year-over-year.

Wage and salary employment increased by 12,000 over the month to 2,195,300. Gains were seen across several sectors, including leisure and hospitality, government, and private education and health services.

State officials pointed to continued job growth and rising wages as signs of economic strength. Average weekly wages increased by $62.71 over the year, reaching a record high of $1,175.01. Alabama also recorded one of the largest wage increases nationally, with an 8% rise over the same period.

Several industries reported new record-high wages, including manufacturing, trade and transportation, financial activities, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.

At the county level, Shelby County reported the lowest unemployment rate at 2.5%, followed by Elmore County at 2.6%. Limestone, Chambers, and Blount counties each recorded rates of 2.7%. The highest unemployment rates were reported in Perry County at 7.1%, Monroe County at 6.6%, and Greene and Wilcox counties at 6.5%.

Among major cities, Pelham posted the lowest unemployment rate at 2.2%, while Vestavia Hills followed at 2.3%. Trussville, Hoover, and Alabaster each recorded rates of 2.4%. The highest city unemployment rates were seen in Prichard at 6.5%, Selma at 5.2%, and Anniston at 4.6%.

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Alabama

Alabama Basketball Acquires Third Player from Transfer Portal

Published

19 hours ago

April 17, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Basketball Acquires Third Player from Transfer Portal

Alabama basketball has landed former NC State Cole Cloer from the transfer portal, per Yea Alabama, UA’s NIL collective.

The small forward is the Crimson Tide’s third transfer portal addition, joining Kentucky big Brandon Garrison and Mississippi State forward Jamarion Davis-Fleming.

Cloer redshirted as an early enrollee with the Wolfpack this season. That said, he will have a full four years of eligibility when he arrives in Alabama.

The 6-foot-8, 190-pounder is a member of the 2026 recruiting class. The 4-star recruit attended IMG Academy and is ranked as the No. 59 overall prospect, the No. 23 small forward and the No. 8 player in the state of Florida, per On3.

Prior to his time at IMG Academy, Cloer spent his junior year at Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, N.C., where he led the Eagles to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A state title. Cloer averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Excluding NC State, Alabama was one of four schools that Cloer took official visits to, as he also checked out Florida, UConn and Arkansas. Cloer came to Tuscaloosa as a recruit on Sept. 16, per 247 Sports.

Early enrollees aren’t very common in college basketball, so why did Cloer transfer out ahead of his freshman campaign?

“I committed to NC State in October and have been preparing with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season,” Cloer wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) on April 3. “With the news of coach Wade’s departure, I have decided to enter the transfer portal. Thank you to the City of Raleigh and the entire NC State community for welcoming me with open arms. I love North Carolina and Wolfpack Nation!”

Cloer is referring to former NC State head coach Will Wade leaving and taking the LSU position. However, when Cloer signed with NC State last November, here’s what Wade said about him:

“Cole is an exciting pickup for us,” Wade said in a press release. “It was a great recruitment and really excited that Cole is running with the Pack. He is a great, great player. He’s somebody that’s going to be able to step in and make an immediate impact for us.

“He can really shoot the ball. He’s got great height, he’s got great length and really shoots the ball at a high, high level. He’s somebody that does a really good job getting his shot off, has a quick trigger and every time he shoots it you think it is going in.

“He’s continued to expand his game, being able to beat guys off the bounce, does a great job getting on the offensive glass. He’s a plus-defender because of his length and athleticism and being able to switch.

“He’s really just a great fit for us all around. It’s a bonus that he’s right up the road and grew up an NC State fan, but we would have recruited him if he was anywhere in the country. We’re thrilled he’ll be with us and know he’s ready to go and help us from day one.”

Alabama now has 13 scholarship players for the 2026-27 season, meaning it only has two more spots available to fill.

The transfer portal opened on April 7, the day after the National Championship, and will close on April 21. BamaCentral is keeping track of the Crimson Tide’s outgoing and incoming players and coaches right here ahead of next season.

For those eyeing the next level, the NCAA’s early entry withdrawal deadline for the 2026 NBA Draft is May 27 at 10:59 p.m. CT.

Alabama Players Who Could Still Return, Transfer or Enter NBA Draft

G Aden Holloway (would be a senior)
G Davion Hannah (would be a sophomore *pending redshirt*)
G Preston Murphy Jr. (would be a senior)
F Amari Allen (would be a sophomore)
F London Jemison (would be a sophomore)
F Keitenn Bristow (would be a junior *pending redshirt*)
C Collins Onyejiaka (would be a sophomore *pending redshirt*)

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Alabama

Former Alabama player allegedly impersonated Michael Penix, Xavier McKinney, David Njoku in loan scam

Published

1 day ago

April 16, 2026

Press Room

Former Alabama player allegedly impersonated Michael Penix, Xavier McKinney, David Njoku in loan scam

If you think a story about a cabinet secretary cutting the penis off of a dead raccoon is the craziest thing you’ll hear all day, think again.

Actually, it’s hard to top the raccoon penis thing.

In any event, Daniel Kaplan recently reported for the Guardian on the case of Luther Davis. He’s a former member of the Alabama football team. More recently, he allegedly scammed lenders out of nearly $20 million, in part by impersonating a trio of NFL players: Michael Penix Jr., Xavier McKinney, and David Njoku.

Per the report, Davis plans to plead guilty later this month on charges based on allegations that he “obtained at least thirteen fraudulent loans totaling more than $19,845,000.” Of the amount, $11.6 million was obtained by pretending to be Penix, McKinney, and Njoku.

Davis allegedly worked with CJ Evins to secure the loans. Evins also plans to plead guilty.

As Kaplan explains it, the scheme began with the registration in Georgia of fake companies with names closely related to the players’ names or initials. Then, bank accounts and fraudulent email accounts were opened. Next, Davis and Evins secured fake identification documents for the players. At that point, they contacted loan brokers, providing fabricated documents.

Then came the kicker — Davis would attend the loan closings disguised as the player. The effort included makeup, wigs, and (when Davis was impersonating Penix) a durag.

The only connection by the players to the scam is that they had their identities stolen.

The fake loan obtained in McKinney’s name became the subject of civil litigation between the lender and the broker. A trial is set for July 2026.

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