Nick Saban: No requests yet to interview Kirby Smart

Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart may very well be somebody’s head coach in the coming weeks.

No school, however, has reached out about a formal interview, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said on Sunday.

“I think everybody sort of respects where we are and what we’re doing,” Saban said. “I think that’s probably the reason that we haven’t. I’d expect those things to happen when we finish playing.”

Alabama is preparing to face Florida on Saturday in the SEC championship game. Any requests for an interview would likely come after that game.

Smart is believed to be a top choice to be the next coach at South Carolina and Georgia.

“Oh, he’ll be a great head coach,” Florida’s Jim McElwain said Sunday. “He’s been trained by the best and that’s something that we’re both very fortunate to be around and a part of how coach Saban sets it up. You know, he’s been waiting for his time and he’ll get the right one and he’ll do a great job.”