Georgia's Kirby Smart offers definitive take on Nick Saban return

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart knows Nick Saban well. He, at one point, was Saban's protege at Alabama when he was the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator. He then became one of Saban's main rivals as the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide competed for national championships.

That's not to say that Smart has any insider information on the buzz coming out of SEC Media Days. If you haven't heard or have been under a rock, that buzz centers around Saban and a potential return to coaching.

Former Alabama quarterback turned commentator Greg McElroy said on Monday that he knows someone close to Saban who believes the legendary coach may make a comeback. 

As far as he's concerned, Smart doesn't it see it, though.

"That's not happening, I don't think Nick's coming back," Smart said, according to Marc Weiszer of "The Athens Banner-Herald". "I think he's too happy where he is. I think y'all are lacking buzz and they needed some buzz yesterday. That was the only thing that could generate some buzz besides Lane and Hugh (Freeze) feud over the internet. There's just not a lot there."

There may not be any fire behind the smoke that was put out by McElroy on Monday, but it's worth noting that not everyone agrees with Smart's assessment.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin can see Saban making a comeback.

"I don't think he's done,” Kiffin said on Monday. “I think he'll be back. Whether that's college or NFL I think he'll be back."

If Saban does indeed want to get back in coaching, it's worth noting that Smart feels he could find a spot for him on his staff. At that point, the roles would be reversed, though defensive analyst and former SEC head coach Will Muschamp may not like that idea.

Smart joked that he was willing to give Saban Muschamp's gig with the Bulldogs.

“Yeah I called and offered him [Will] Muschamp’s job but he was overqualified,” Smart joked, according to Daniel Hager of On3. “So, he wasn’t interested. I heard all the scuttlebutt and everything about it, but I just laughed. It’s almost like someone wanted something interesting to talk about yesterday so they chose to go to Coach Saban to do it. You know, the game is better with him involved. He is passionate about it. He and I still talk and share ideas from time to time about defensive philosophies and the way to do things and he’s still watching tape and he’s still very, very involved in football. He loves it.”