Here is what Nick Saban claims he texted Kirby Smart after Alabama upset Georgia in a thriller.

Here’s a deep dive into Nick Saban’s postgame text to Kirby Smart, its context and significance, and how it speaks to one of the defining rivalries in college football today:

Summary

In the aftermath of Alabama’s 41–34 upset of No. 2 Georgia on September 28, 2024, Alabama legend Nick Saban—now an ESPN analyst—sent a succinct but powerful text to his longtime protégé Kirby Smart: “Hey, this is not the worst thing that ever happened.” . Delivered on ESPN’s College GameDay, Saban’s message combined empathy, perspective, and a reminder of adversity’s role in championship cultures . This article explores the thrilling contest itself, the two coaches’ storied relationship, the psychology behind Saban’s words, Kirby Smart’s own reaction, and the broader implications for both programs as they navigate the rest of the 2024 season—especially within the newly expanded 12‑team College Football Playoff era .

The Game That Shook the SEC

Early Domination by the Crimson Tide

Alabama stormed out to a 28–0 lead by early in the second quarter—marking the Tide’s first home underdog start in 17 years—thanks to a dominant rushing attack and short‑field opportunities created by Georgia miscues . Jalen Milroe torched the Georgia defense, amassing 374 yards and two touchdowns through the air, plus 117 rushing yards and two more scores .

Georgia’s Historic Comeback

Undeterred, the Bulldogs orchestrated one of the greatest second‑half comebacks in modern SEC history. Quarterback Carson Beck threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns, including a 67‑yard strike to Dillon Bell that gave Georgia a fleeting 34–33 lead with 2:31 remaining .

The Final Play

Just 13 seconds later, Alabama answered decisively: Milroe found 17‑year‑old freshman phenom Ryan Williams on a 75‑yard touchdown pass—the ultimate dagger . With 43 seconds remaining, freshman cornerback Zabien Brown’s end‑zone interception sealed the 41–34 victory for Alabama in a game that will be remembered as an instant classic .

Nick Saban’s Message to Kirby Smart

Timing and Medium

Though retired from coaching, Saban remains deeply invested in the sport. On ESPN’s College GameDay from Berkeley, CA, he revealed that he “actually texted Kirby after the game” with encouraging words .

The Text

Saban’s exact message:

“Hey, this is not the worst thing that ever happened.” .

Rationale and Philosophy

He elaborated that “most of our best teams lost a game somewhere along the line and they responded the right way because we had really good leadership on the team that held people accountable” . On The Pat McAfee Show, Saban even suggested that such a loss “might be the best thing that happens” for Georgia, framing the setback as a valuable wake‑up call .

A Brotherhood Forged in Coaching

From Mentor to Rival

Kirby Smart served as Saban’s defensive coordinator at Alabama for seven seasons (2008–2015) before taking the Georgia head‑coaching job in 2016 . Under Saban’s tutelage, Smart learned the hallmarks of Alabama’s dynastic program—discipline, attention to detail, and a “next‑play” mentality.

The Rivalry

Since Smart’s arrival in Athens, Georgia has risen to national prominence, winning back‑to‑back national titles in 2021 and 2022. Yet in head‑to‑head meetings, Alabama maintained a 6–0 edge—including SEC Championship Game wins in 2021, 2023, and this Week 5 thriller of 2024 .

The Psychology of Adversity

Embracing Setbacks

Saban has long preached that elite teams grow stronger from losses. “It’s easier to rebound from a tough loss than a big win,” he told College GameDay, noting that disappointment often galvanizes players to own mistakes and make corrections .

Leadership and Accountability

Saban’s text underscored leadership’s central role: boundary‑setting, mutual accountability, and a refusal to dwell on failure. These principles guided Alabama through past teething pains and powered five national championships in a decade.

Kirby Smart’s Response

Initial Reaction

In the hours following the loss, Smart responded to Saban’s text on Sunday morning with his own quip: “The sun’s still going to come up tomorrow,” borrowing Saban’s signature resilience mantra .

Post‑Game Press Conference

Smart openly praised his team’s character. He credited his staff for second‑half adjustments, highlighted Carson Beck’s leadership through adversity, and lauded Alabama’s freshman stars Ryan Williams and Jalen Milroe for seizing pivotal moments .

“I’m proud of the way we fought,” Smart said. “We made the right adjustments, but turnovers at critical times hurt us. We’ll learn and get better.” .

Bounce‑Back Evidence

A week later, Smart’s Bulldogs convincingly beat Auburn, 31–13, demonstrating exactly the kind of response Saban had hoped for .

Implications for the 2024 Season

SEC Championship Race

Alabama’s win shifts the SEC East race in its favor. The Tide now control their path toward the conference title game, able to absorb potential losses later in the season. Georgia, meanwhile, faces a steeper climb—needing victories at Texas and Ole Miss to secure a spot .

Playoff Picture

With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, Georgia’s margin for error has grown ― but a second loss would still complicate their seeding and potential bye in the opening round .

Coaching Legacies

For Saban, the game reinforced his legacy as not just a coach but a builder of programs and people. For Smart, it was another lesson in leading a program through adversity, with a text from his mentor serving as a poignant reminder that even the greatest stumble.

Conclusion

Nick Saban’s simple text—“Hey, this is not the worst thing that ever happened.”—was more than a pats‑on‑the‑back: it was a masterclass in perspective, an affirmation of Georgia’s status as an elite program, and a message of solidarity between two of college football’s finest minds . As both programs journey toward December’s SEC Championship and beyond, that text will echo as a reminder that adversity, when met with the right leadership, can be the spark that ignites a championship runner.