College Football: Top 15 Defensive coordinators in 2015

Apr 18, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Kirby Smart during the A-day game at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

How Alabama has been able to keep Kirby Smart from taking a head coach job somewhere is beyond me. Smart is one of the top coaches in the nation regardless of specialty, and his defenses always prove to be the reason Alabama finds their way to the top of the rankings.

Smart has been with the Crimson Tide since 2007 and took over as defensive coordinator in 2008, garnering a couple of major national awards, and — most importantly — three national title rings. You can’t argue with that kind of success.

He’s also served under three of the best head coaches in the game — Bobby Bowden, Mark Richt and Nick Saban, so surrounding himself with that kind of talent during his career hasn’t hurt either.

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