Kirby Smart Offers Weird Explanation For Nick Saban Retirement

Kirby Smart doesn't think the rapid changes in college football contributed to Nick Saban retiring.

Saban called it a career after this past season with Alabama, and he hasn't been shy about the fact he thinks the focus seemingly solely turning to NIL and players cashing in hasn't impressed him.

He told a congressional hearing that the college football world he loved for decades no longer exists, and revealed many players on his Alabama roster demanded more money after losing to Michigan in the CFP.

It's very clear that Saban looked at the landscape around him, and decided it was time to retire. Was it the only motivating factor? Of course not, but it was clearly a big one.

Kirby Smart isn't buying it.

Kirby Smart cites Nick Saban's age as reason for retirement.

Kirby Smart believes the real reason the former Alabama coach retired was simply due to his age. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"I think there’s been a lot of media portrayal that had something to do (with him retiring). The man was in his 70s," the Georgia coach explained while speaking before the Macon Touchdown Club on Monday night, according to the Athletic.

He further told the media Tuesday that he doesn't see the issues many are complaining about. The two-time national champion coach said, "I don’t have a lot of coaches complaining, saying they want to get out of the profession. They enjoy the profession. They want the profession to be about relationships, developing talent and rewarding positive performance, both on and off the field."

Kirby Smart weighs in on Nick Saban's retirement. (Photo by Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

I'm not sure what news cycles Smart is watching, but there are plenty of coaches and people tied to the college football world complaining.

Here's an interesting quote:

It’s a great sell to the kids that will listen to it. There is a lot of them that want to ask about NIL. They don’t want to ask about what your NFL players have done. I think it’s much more important how you develop players than how much NIL you can give them.

Do you know who said that on-point comment? Kirby Smart. Even Bob Stoops, who has been out of college coaching for years, is sounding the alarm. UNC coach Mack Brown said last season that more than a dozen teams were tampering with players.

Yet, Kirby Smart thinks it was just the fact Nick Saban is 72 is the reason for his retirement.

What role did NIL play in Nick Saban's retirement? (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Are you buying that? I'm certainly not, and something tells me other fans won't either. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.