Alabama head coach Nick Saban is generally regarded as the
architect of the ferocious defense that has led the Crimson Tide back to the BCS
Championship Game. However, defensive coordinator Kirby Smart’s influence
on the unit is just as important. The soon-to-be 37 year old Smart is one of
the brightest defensive minds in the college ranks, and has the Tide poised to
capture their third national title in the last four seasons. The Crimson Tide
defense has been a machine since Smart took over DC duties in 2008. Since that
season, Alabama has finished in the top five nationally in total defense every
year, an incredibly difficult task with the constant turnover the team has
faced year after year.
